New Shop Page! New Patterns!

New Patterns in my Word Series: Octobers and Bastards

I have not one, but TWO new patterns to introduce today, and I gotta tell ya, I think they're pretty wall worthy!

The pattern on the left is called "Octobers" and features an all too true quote from one of my favorite storybook characters—the one and only Anne Shirley from L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables books. The second one is called, of course, "Bastards," and features a sentiment of an altogether different (yet no less wonderful!) note. Really though, I can't tell you how many times I think this to myself on a weekly basis and how much I HAD to make it into something that could go onto the wall of my home office.

I now have a shop page right here on my blog! You can find A FAQ section at the bottom of the shop and can just click on the images to see more details, then purchase and download the patterns. Checkout is made easy using PayPal and the Payhip platform. Patterns will be immediately available via download link. Easy, right? My hope is to consolidate everything under one shiny new website of my very own soon, but until then, this allows me to continue making my patterns available despite the new EU VAT law that etsy has not responded to.

I won't get into too much detail but, as many in the etsy and crafting community already realize, the new EU VAT laws have a vast reach and big effect on anyone selling digital goods via the internet, regardless of where they are based (and as of 2016, the law will affect physical goods sold online too). Shops are not expected to pay the VAT taxes, but everyone who sells to the EU has to register and track them for customers in the EU who are responsible for paying them. There is no threshhold for micro-businesses like me, and since we simply do not have the resources to comply, we rely on e-commerce tools from third-parties like Etsy to ensure we are in compliance. For that reason, I have had to remove my patterns from my etsy shop.

And if you've read that far, please reward yourself—The first FIVE customers to use the code THANK YOU to purchase either one of these two new patterns, will receive 20% off! Because seriously guys, I really am grateful for your support while I work on my new website and offerings!

New Series, New Pattern: DIY Embroidery

For a while now, I've been wanting to find a way to combine some of my favorite collected quotes and typefaces with my embroidery work. A few months ago, a brainstorm hit and I set to sketching out my ideas for a new series of embroidery patterns that feature text in a whole new way. This is the first pattern in that series and I'm thrilled to finally be able to share it with you all!

Advice, without personal context, can be overrated. It's important to me that this series not be about preachy advice but rather inspiring and powerful words.  When I come across a phrase, thought, or quote in a book that stands out from all the noise, it can help spur me on to take then next steps forward. I relish in the power of the written word—the strength, humor, warmth, or empathy it can impart.

I hope you will enjoy contemplating the words and designs in this series as you stitch them up. They range from motivational to sarcastic and hilarious—each one drawn by me and digitized to be stitched up in an 8" embroidery hoop and ready to hang (or framed or worked into another sewing project however you like).

Check out my shop here to purchase this pattern as an instant download and keep your eyes on this space for the next two patterns in this series over the coming weeks (as well as some tutorials on stitching up text)! Each PDF includes the pattern in forward and reverse (depending on your preferred method of transfer), and comes with a guide for colors and stitches if you wish to replicate the pattern as I have stitched it up (though I love seeing the different creative directions you go in with them!) Feel free to tag your work with these patterns on Instagram with #thestoryofkat or add them to The Story of Kat flickr group here.

Into the Winter Woods

 It's a new year and I've got a new embroidery pattern for you! This one is called "Into the Winter Woods" and I hope you enjoy stitching it as much as I enjoyed creating it. Click here to purchase in my etsy shop where you will find more photos and details.

It seems a fitting time to release this one, what with the frigid temps and heavy snowfall across the country right now. We just shoveled ourselves out from a blizzard a few days ago after coming home from visiting my family in the midwest for the holidays and are now bracing ourselves to see if our mercury is going to drop that drastically as well. Sometimes winter can be downright rough, but it also brings with it lots of great sports, vistas, and opportunities for indulging in cozy cabin getaways and festive comfort food....definitely some of my favorite things that I could not easily get away with in warmer months.



One of the things I'm trying to focus on in my patterns now is the ability for any novice stitcher to do them up very simply with basic outline stitches or for more intermediate to advanced stitchers to have a modern pattern they can really sink their teeth into. It can be hard to do that with a lot of the modern patterns out there, as adorable as they may be of course!, and so I had a lot of fun especially devising these show shoes for you as well as the little poof on the hat. It can be done with a simple french knot but if you are up to it and want to recreate the look I have here, you can try your hand at this "turkey stitch." Check back soon as I will be supplying a live link to my own tutorial for this stitch complete with lots of detailed photos for you.

In the meantime, happy stitching and happy 2014!

Kindred Stitches: Exclusive Embroidery Pattern

The new issue of Kindred Stitches is now available and it features a hand embroidery pattern by yours truly!

Kindred Stitches is a new digital craft magazine available for download exclusively via the iTunes store for the iPad and iPhone. Because it is digital, it includes live links to this PDF pattern (and all the other projects featured therein), video tutorials, and places to shop for materials. I love how interactive and convenient that is. Just download the free Kindred Stitches app in the iTunes store and then choose a subscription or individual issues to purchase and download right to your iPhone or iPad.

I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to this, their second issue, and had a lot of fun drawing the "Vintage Bowls" pattern to coordinate with their "retro vintage" issue theme. It brings to life the retro lines and designs of mid-century kitchenware in a handy printable PDF that you can apply to a simple tea towel or any other embroidery project you have in mind. Also included in the magazine are step-by-step how-to photos for each stitch and a floss color guide so it is beginner and intermediate friendly. Feel free to stitch it up in the same colors I've used or customize it to match your own kitchen or a friends—the choice is up to you!

"Vintage Bowls" hand embroidery pattern WIP

This issue also includes an interview and gallery of my work—I'm flattered to have been asked by the lovely ladies at Kindred Stitches and really hope you all enjoy the magazine and my little contribution!

The City Set

The City Set pattern, detail

I moved around a lot in my twenties and found myself loving life in the center of a few bustling cities. Walking to work with a steaming cup of hot coffee from my favorite cafe, navigating traffic and construction as vespas whizzed by, admiring all the different architecture, accents, and food smells. Working late and ordering chinese food, taking sunday walks and reading on park benches. There is nothing quite like it!

 

I wanted to capture those memories in this pattern and also try out something that was a bit more modern and urban, but still in keeping with the charm and detail of my other patterns. I started sketching all of it out early this summer and the pattern is now available in my shop!

And some other good news: thanks to a new feature on etsy, all my individual pattern listings can now be downloaded as soon as you pay for them. Instant shopping gratification! The PDF includes an example, a forward and reverse pattern, a color suggestion guide and chart, as well as instructions for my three favorite (and most dependable) transferring methods. 

Stay tuned— I have a couple more new patterns that will be available this fall and winter.
In the meantime, happy stitching!

NEW: Antique Shop Embroidery Pattern (+ A Giveaway!)

I've got my etsy shop back open and a brand new embroidery pattern to share with you that is available! I decided my Vintage Shop pattern needed a counterpart and have been working away at these drawings, trying to come up with the best, most emblematic antique finds. The PDF pattern is
chock full of some of my favorite antique finds including a federal-style couch, a mini-collection of classic Ball jars, a sleek Victorian boot, a candlestick phone, phonograph, bowl and pitcher, calabash pipe complete with wisps of smoke, and an oil lamp, lit and at the ready.

As always, it includes transfer instructions, a color guide, as well as backwards and forward facing versions so you have more  transfer options at the ready!

And for all of you who read down this far, how would you like to win this pattern for your very own?! It's been AGES since I've done a giveaway and so I thought, why the heck not. I'll keep it simple: just leave ONE comment and I will choose a winner at random. If your email is not available in your profile or blog, please leave it since I'll need it to send you the PDF pattern.

I will close the giveaway Saturday at noon and announce a winner at that time so stay tuned and don't forget to share this with all your stitchy friends!

**UPDATE: In order to let more people enter for a chance to win, I am going to leave the giveaway open for one more day and will announce the winner tomorrow *Sunday, July 8th* Instead. Please check back to this same post for the announcement!**

**UPDATE: AND THE WINNER IS...Julie! My husband picked a random number for me out of how many comments there were and so I will be emailing you with a copy of the PDF pattern soon. Thanks to each of you who entered and read along, I appreciate it and hope to see you back here soon  :)

A Little WIP

pattern from isewcute on etsy

A peek at some embroidery I've been working on here and there while taking the train into Cambridge for class. Like most commuters, I'm in the habit of keeping to myself with my Ipod or book but since I've been working on this, I've had all kinds of people just start talking to me about their grandmothers—a little strange at times, but there was one older gentleman with pink hair who was especially kind and I think it's those kinds of encounters that make me love being in a city the most. Who knew the power of handwork extended to getting steely city subway commuters to open up about such personal subjects?!

As for the embroidery itself, I've really enjoyed all the different stitches and the variation in floss thickness to show some depth, but I'm still not sure how I feel about the color scheme. For my first embroidered face ever though, I'm just going to be satisfied with it on the whole though since I now realize just how hard it is to get an expression to be rendered in a pleasing way with floss!

Introducing: World Traveler

my sample stitching

It's here, it's here! After many revisions, I am finally satisfied with my "World Traveler" embroidery pattern. With summer vacations on the brain and an abiding love of classic design, I wanted it to showcase a handful of special items from the golden age of travel so you will find an old leather suitcase complete with destination stickers, a ticket stub, binoculars, a medium format vintage camera and a roll of film, an iconic Lockheed Electra plane like the one flown by Amelia Earhart, and last but certainly not least, a "par avion" airmail envelope complete with postage!

The pattern can be used to embroider any number of items ranging from passport covers and bags to quilt blocks and luggage tags. It is available in the shop ready for you to stitch it up on the project of your fancy—check it out here to see more photos.

Off to College Embroidery Pattern

Delivered hot n' fresh to you on this holiday weekend: my new "Off to College" embroidery pattern, now available in the shop!

As usual, the designs are my own original artwork and this one's got a handful of quintessential collegiate items such as a vintage street bicycle (based on a combination of my own bike and a Papillionaire), pen, #2 pencil, textbooks, ruled paper, composition notebook (an ode to my obsession with Harriet the Spy as a kid), school pennant, and a typewriter complete with all the keys and a bit of paper that's been rolled in and is just waiting for you (can you hear the tap tap tapping of those slick little keys?).

detail of my pattern sample

I'm a sucker for the nerdy details of each item with all it's bells and whistles but I also like for them to maintain the charm of the hand drawn original with it's slight imperfections. My goal then is to strike a balance in my patterns between technical accuracy and clarity so that each item is at once interesting but feasible for the novice to advanced stitcher. Depending on how practiced you are, you can stitch up each design in more and more complex ways to include as much or as little embellishment as you like.

How would you stitch this pattern up? Have you seen the quilts given at graduation open houses where all the guests write memories and well wishes on blank squares within a finished quilt using a permanent fabric pen? I'd love to see the designs in this pattern stitched up and incorporated into such a quilt to give as a going away gift for a grad's dorm room!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day is Here!

Can you feel it? All across Crafty Blogland folks are waking up to a Christmas in late May—the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day! Be sure to check out their blog for a list of complete participants and giveaways as it's a great way to get in on some giveaway action and discover new blogs and the crafty folks behind them all at once. If you're new to my corner of Crafty blogland—welcome, it's a pleasure to have you here!

This is my first time participating as a giveaway-er (err...yes, I think that's the technical term) and I'm going to be giving away a PDF version of my Vintage Shop Embroidery Pattern, as pictured above (details about it here in my shop) Since this pattern is in PDF format, it will be emailed to the winner and is therefore open to everyone, international readers included!

In keeping with the spirit of the SMS giveaway, there are no fancy complicated rules to enter: all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.

You don't have to be a follower or anything (of course, if you do want to keep reading my blog and follow along, that's totally allowed and I must admit I'd be flattered). Just one entry person and please be sure to leave your email address in your comment or link to your blog so that I can get ahold of you if you win. The only other bit I should mention is that if I don't hear back from the winner within three days, I will pass the prize on to the runner up. Kapeesh? OK fabulous, I knew you'd understand. That's it, that's all! The giveaway will remain open until Wednesday, May 25th (6:00pm EST) so have at it and have fun! GIVEAWAY CLOSED

P.S. Speaking of Sew, Mama, Sew—I made my first shirt/top/blouse/thing that I will not be embarrassed to wear in public (the terms of my New Year's goal) over the weekend using the Made by Rae pattern at SMS and will be sharing the results here after the giveaway. You'll tell me if you think it looks anything like a success or not so much, ya?

Introducing Vintage Shop Embroidery Pattern

Two in a row, as promised! I think this may be my favorite one yet and had a lot of fun stitching up the sample in a variety of stitches and colors. Previously, I hadn't thought how much more detail would be found in manufactured vintage items and it was a bit more of a challenge to translate them into embroidery but I think it really makes for a unique and engrossing pattern to work on in the end.

Included are some of my favorite items from my years of working in an antique/vintage shop after school as a kid: a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, a retro cat figurine, coin purse, mid-century modern upholstered chair, a string of pearls with gold clasp, a 45 record, atomic lamp, a polka dot maillot bathing suit, vintage fan, a tv with rabbit ears, and Brownie camera with flash unit.

stem stitch was used for the upholstery on the chair while the back stitch came in handy for the fan and maillot

I got a bit nerdy trying to make sure each item was as authentic as I could manage and checked my drawings against several photos of vintage items where I couldn't remember details off the top of my head so rest assured you vintage-loving folks, they are as accurate as can be. Plus the PDF includes a color guide, as usual, in case you want to use the same palette as I did in this sample. You can find it for sale in my shop here.

I'm going to take a brief hiatus from pattern making but expect to see the next one sometime in May...I'm still deciding between "World Traveler" (I've already sketched up a mean old leather suitcase with stickers and airmail envelopes) or "Off to College" (think typewriter, pennant, bicycle, and satchel). Which one would you prefer to see first?

P.S. I just got word that my Farmer's Market embroidery pattern was featured on MoonbeamWishes blog today—what a pretty site, I'm totally flattered!

Introducing the Farmhouse Kitchen Embroidery Pattern

The second in my new line of embroidery patterns is complete and up for sale in my shop here (insert me rubbing my calloused finger tips but grinning from ear to ear).

I've been stitching like mad all weekend to get this sample ready as well as the pdf file of the pattern which features so many of my favorite sorts of cooking implements and accessories such as the old-fashioned style cast iron cook stove with silver handles and hinges, wooden utensils, cleaver, creamy white crockery, a colander, and gleaming copper pots including a sauce pot, stock pot, and last but certainly not least, a dutch oven (just think, you could stitch these up for your kitchen to match any color of Le Creuset or Kitchenaid cookware that you have!).

I think they'll complement my other pattern, "Farmers Market" quite well and think they'd make for a great recipe book cover, tea towels, apron, or potholders for anybody who gets geeked about good food and the techniques and tools behind it (I'd love to give a tea towel stitched up with this motif along with a copy of the Joy of cooking, Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, or really any good go-to cooking volume to someone moving into their first apartment or getting married).

I'm already half-way done with the next pattern entitled "Vintage Shop" and I think it might just be my favorite yet. I'm going out of town for three days for a mother-daughter weekend and am not yet sure if I'll have internet access but expect to see it for sure on Monday Tuesday (as I decided to go way more intricate on the stitching than originally planned!), even if the blog stays a bit quiet for wee bit.

In The Works...

new embroidery patterns in progress

Do you ever have one of those days where you just don't have much to say? Times when you are busy investing in your family or work and trying to bring so many good things into fruition for them? Well I had one of those days on Monday and then it turned into a whole week of feeling rather quiet and fastidious in my work...and not blogging about it. I don't want to sound cheesy or lofty (forgive me because i think i might!) but I like to think of this, my humble little corner of the internet, as a haven for the things which I believe quell the din and stress of life, things which can bring people of different backgrounds together and make the world, well, a more beautiful place to be. So, after three years of blogging, I'd much rather have a quiet few days here than just be making a lot of noise about nothing as there's quite enough of that coming at each of us, every day, from all directions. I just wanted to make sure you knew I had not forgotten you and am building up my reserves of focus and energy for all the good things that I'm working on and will share soon!

Now that my first pillows are in the shop, I've picked my sketchbook back up to create more embroidery patterns. I couldn't decide between the top two choices you'd helped me pick, so I am working on patterns for both the "Vintage Shop" (I'm probably too excited about the string of pearls I am going to stitch up in pearlescent ivory with a clasp of metallic gold floss...ooo ahh shiny!) and "Farmhouse Kitchen" (think dreamy french provincial kitchen wares).

O and just one more thing before i skedaddle on out of here for the weekend: I've created a flickr group for my shop, The Story of Kat, where I will share new items or work in progress and where you can share photos of your embroidery projects featuring The Story of Kat patterns, projects made from blog tutorials, or how you're using The Story of Kat handmade items in your home. I hope you'll stop on by to join as it will be a great place to show off your creations (plus it is a little lonely right now with no members and i LOVE seeing where all of my own creations have found homes)!

"Farmer's Market" Embroidery Pattern is Here at Last!

i'm pleased to introduce you to my first embroidery pattern, "Farmer's Market," now available in my new etsy shop The Story of Kat. it includes a green bell pepper, scallions, wooden apple crate, carrot, head of garlic, pint of strawberries, eggplant, potato, lemon, milk bottle, heirloom tomato, and market basket...all inspired by my favorite market finds and my days of helping my mother with the family booth at our local farmer's market! i can just imagine how smashing they'd look on a reusable canvas market tote, dish towel, or napkins.

i put together a 4 page PDF that includes the pattern backwards and forwards (to accommodate different transferring methods), a color chart and guide, as well as some tips on my three favorite ways to transfer the designs onto fabric. i also have plans to post more stitch tutorials here on the blog so that each PDF will include active hyperlinks to each type of stitch used in the pattern.

i've been drawing and brushing up on my graphic design skillz for what feels like forever and am so proudrelievedhappy to have it in the shop at last. i now understand much better what people mean when they talk about a book or some such project being like a child that you've put all this love and effort into and then you watch it go out into the world and get so anxious as to how it will be received. working on this has been a dream come true for me...although i know that sounds really corny. it's the perfect marriage of my stitching addiction and my art degree though so being able to act as my own publisher is very satisfying and i do hope you enjoy it as i get to work on the next one!

speaking of...could you help me pick out a theme for the next pattern? i've narrowed it down to a few from my list that i have almost ready and would love to hear which one you'd like to see the most!
1. off to college
2. cabin in the woods
3. farmhouse kitchen
4. vintage shop

nose to the grindstone

color theory bunting in my new shop based on some that i made for our wedding reception this past summer

my apologies for being absent from the blog this week, i decided i needed to step away for a few days to really focus on some special things for my shop and the blog! we've recovered from the 4th (or is it 5th?) major blizzard in these parts, i've been able to work through a fun tutorial featuring some anna maria horner fabric that i'm going to share here on monday, AND i've got the new shop opened up (!!) with several items posted, including my color theory draft stoppers and some new color theory bunting which turned out wonderfully. i am feeling so good about the aesthetic and cohesiveness of the new shop which is what i've been thinking about and working towards for so long so it's great to be able to finally share some of that progress here too. i do have several new items up my sleeve which are still in the planning stages though so i hope you will bear with me as i continue to roll them out!

one of those is my line of embroidery patterns and i have just finished up the first one titled, "farmer's market." i've had the file ready but wanted to stitch it up to have an example to show and i have to say that it is something i am really very proud of. tomorrow i am going to list it in the shop and will also share a bit more about it here—can't wait to show you!

playing catch up...

this is another christmas project that i wanted to share a glimpse of: a hand embroidered Michigan pillow in plaid to go in my parent's cabin-y knotty pine living room. and no, it is still not done because i am just that on top of things right now!

i had that one week to start and finish all my handmade presents between when shipping deadlines for the shop ended and when christmas actually took place and it was just not enough time to get everything done. i guess i will need to start during the summer for personal christmas projects, jeesh.

i'm not sure i can even think about that right now though, ha, i am just going to keep plugging away at this pillow and my quilt whenever i can steal a moment away from moving into the new shop. just a few items up so far as i am hoping to sell off most of my current stock and start fresh with new designs and items....i'm even planning on releasing some of my own embroidery patterns as soon as i can get the final pdfs smoothed out and looking presentable! so far, i am working on designs for a retro kitchen set, farmhouse kitchen set, and farmer's market set. maybe there will be a tea party set in the future and many more i am sure. i've had this idea brewing for a while but i have to thank my wonderful blog friend angela for giving me a bit of courage by suggesting it in a comment a while back! they need a whole lot more work put into them but i hope to release them in the new shop at the end of this month at the earliest, fingers crossed!