Last year, the fabulous Kristen Rask, owner of Schmancy Toys, contacted me and asked if I would like to be one of the artists to contrubute crochet patterns for her upcoming book with Barnes and Noble. The book is called Yummy Crochet and features 12 different food themed crochet patterns. Well, of course I said YES! I mean, crochet food is my bread and butter ^_^ I contributed patterns for Tea and cookies, tiny oranges, and donuts.....and you can see pictures of them all over the box the book comes in! Oh, and did I mention the book comes with yarn to make two of the projects in the book....one of them being my donuts! SWEET!
In anticipation of the book's release in September, I had a little interview with Kristen to see how the heck she does it all:
*****
YP: Congratulations on another awesome book! Was this one easier or harder than your previous ones?
KR: Thank you! I would say easier. I knew more what to expect so when I was contacting contributors I could give them more information about how the process would work, etc. I also knew that it would take some time for B&N to approve everything as I was working with a third party so it seemed like one extra hoop to jump. Everyone I worked with on this project was really great to work with and I am really excited to see it's end result. It's pretty yummy don't ya' think?
YP: Was it difficult to find artists to design the patterns for Yummy Crochet?
KR: No, it wasn't. Luckily I have an awesome pull of people to contact :) I think it helps to have the first kit, Creature Crochet, to refer to as well so that people know it's legit and can imagine the end product.
YP: Yummy Crochet is filled with super cute food inspired patterns - what's your favorite food?
KR: Honestly, I love them all. I love the different personalities, the cover, the different spins on stuff and I just think the overall book is delicious! But I think I may be a bit biased :)
YP: With Schmancy, Plush You, writing books, etc etc, do you have any free time? What do you like to do to relax?
KR: Hahaha. Yes, I get this question a lot these days and yes, I do have free time. I am very protective of my Monday's. That's my one day to do grocery shopping, make food for the week, etc. I also am closed two days a week. I used to try to do Schmancy 6 days a week and I progressively got grumpier and less productive so I chalked that idea. Paying someone to work for you is expensive and not always worth it so I just decided to do 5 days a week as no one will die if my shop isn't open 7 days a week. Seriously, you will not die with a store being closed. I guess that's the luxury of being a shop owner, making those decisions. So yeah, Sunday's are for fun times and Mondays are for chores I suppose.
For fun? I sew, sometimes I get to go on mini vacations and those are a great treat. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Seattle so going out to eat is always fun. Drinks with friends is fun. crafting and watching tv or movies on netflix is always pretty enjoyable to me. I got into Crafty Bastards so I think there will be a lot of that in the next few months and crafting with friends...and cocktails.
YP: Do you have any plans for future books?
KR: Not at the moment. I would never say never but they are a lot of work. I am now the President of Seattle's largest indie craft show, Urban Craft Uprising and it's really great but a lot of work and time and so my new goal is to say no more. Although I haven't been very good at that yet.
YP: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why ^_^
KR: Either a seahorse, because the males carry the babies and that sounds pretty awesome. Not that I have kids or will but that sounds nice. Or a whale. I just find whales one of the most amazing creatures in the world. The dinosaur's of the sea. They are smart, gentle and mysterious and they will rip you to shreds if you mess with 'em
YP: Congratulations on another awesome book! Was this one easier or harder than your previous ones?
KR: Thank you! I would say easier. I knew more what to expect so when I was contacting contributors I could give them more information about how the process would work, etc. I also knew that it would take some time for B&N to approve everything as I was working with a third party so it seemed like one extra hoop to jump. Everyone I worked with on this project was really great to work with and I am really excited to see it's end result. It's pretty yummy don't ya' think?
YP: Was it difficult to find artists to design the patterns for Yummy Crochet?
KR: No, it wasn't. Luckily I have an awesome pull of people to contact :) I think it helps to have the first kit, Creature Crochet, to refer to as well so that people know it's legit and can imagine the end product.
YP: Yummy Crochet is filled with super cute food inspired patterns - what's your favorite food?
KR: Honestly, I love them all. I love the different personalities, the cover, the different spins on stuff and I just think the overall book is delicious! But I think I may be a bit biased :)
YP: With Schmancy, Plush You, writing books, etc etc, do you have any free time? What do you like to do to relax?
KR: Hahaha. Yes, I get this question a lot these days and yes, I do have free time. I am very protective of my Monday's. That's my one day to do grocery shopping, make food for the week, etc. I also am closed two days a week. I used to try to do Schmancy 6 days a week and I progressively got grumpier and less productive so I chalked that idea. Paying someone to work for you is expensive and not always worth it so I just decided to do 5 days a week as no one will die if my shop isn't open 7 days a week. Seriously, you will not die with a store being closed. I guess that's the luxury of being a shop owner, making those decisions. So yeah, Sunday's are for fun times and Mondays are for chores I suppose.
For fun? I sew, sometimes I get to go on mini vacations and those are a great treat. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Seattle so going out to eat is always fun. Drinks with friends is fun. crafting and watching tv or movies on netflix is always pretty enjoyable to me. I got into Crafty Bastards so I think there will be a lot of that in the next few months and crafting with friends...and cocktails.
YP: Do you have any plans for future books?
KR: Not at the moment. I would never say never but they are a lot of work. I am now the President of Seattle's largest indie craft show, Urban Craft Uprising and it's really great but a lot of work and time and so my new goal is to say no more. Although I haven't been very good at that yet.
YP: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why ^_^
KR: Either a seahorse, because the males carry the babies and that sounds pretty awesome. Not that I have kids or will but that sounds nice. Or a whale. I just find whales one of the most amazing creatures in the world. The dinosaur's of the sea. They are smart, gentle and mysterious and they will rip you to shreds if you mess with 'em
***
So, do you want to win a copy of the book? Yes? Well, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post with your e-mail(so I can contact you when you win) and also what you would like to see me crochet next ^_^ The winner will be chosen on August 21st!!
20 comments:
So you already know that we love you bunches! Oh and a Pikachu toastee is next on the list ;)
hill-kristin@att.net
omg that book is adorable! id love to win!
Yay, Congratulations on your book, that is so awesome! I love when you dress Mr. Toastee up in costumes so I think you should make him a new costume...has he been a pumpkin yet? That would be cute!
Kim :)
Kim.a.kirkland@gmail.com
What a fun interview! And congrats on being such a superstar! And now I would like to win a copy, please:)
i would LOVE a copy of this!
www.penelopeteapot.co.uk
penelopeteapot@hotmail.com
I love any kind of plush/crochet food. I wish I'd had some as a kid instead of that hard plastic stuff you used to get. I would love to win a copy if the book, have you ever crocheted sushi? that's my favourite food :)
My email is tinyoysterdesigns@hotmail.com
So Cute! I would love to see you crochet a pop-tart! So yummy!
Yay! This looks like a great book!
CONGRATS YUMMY!!! This is so exciting!!! :)
my girls would love this stuff for their kitchen.... and the food items would make fun gifts too! Great idea for a book.
springhouse_studio(at)msn(dot)com
COngrats on your designs being in this new book!
As far as what to make next...I don't know..how about Caprese salad (ya know a slice of tomato, slice of mozz cheese with a leaf of basil...could be pretty cute ;) )
kissyjensen at gmail dot com
This loos like a fun book. I'm looking forward to it.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
This book looks so fun! I want to try out the donut so it is perfect that the book comes with the yarn. That way I can get started right away. I just can't get into big projects, and small cute foods are a perfect craft for me to actually finish.
layrichelle AT gmail DOT com
It is a delicious giveaway and ... Schmancy Toys is always amazing. I'd love to win the book ^.^
LOVE your stuff. Congratulations!! I think it would be very funny if Mr. Toastee went international with different costumes like a little beret and skinny mustache to be French, a Dutch hat and little "wooden shoes" . Heather heather@noplace.net
This book looks so cute!!
I think you should crochet a Toastee that plays a guitar - if you haven't already.
n3tue AT embarqmail DOT com
As always congrats...I always admire what you do and how succesful you are!!! I wish I had your talent :)...maybe I can start learning with this book...hmmm what would I like to see you do...you already know, I have been asking for a beautiful butterfly...you know how much I love them! Keep up the good work, hope I win :)
kishalynn18@gmail.com
I love love to win this, just teaching my daughter how to crochet, how perfect!!!! :)
theneedlenerd@yahoo.com
The book and kit are adorable! Congrats on being selected as a contributor! Thanks for the chance to win a copy, too.
And, I would love to see you crochet a can of sardines. It would be fun to take the individual sardines out and pack them back in :)
msgould_ams (at) hotmail (dot) com
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