I getting emails with interesting links and also love to trawl through my rss feeds for cool things – so here i give to you some of my finds and some things that landed in my inbox this week.
If you would like to send press releases or submit your own project please send to submit[at]whipup.net.
Tutorials
Tidbits
I have received a couple of letters lately kindly asking what has happened to whipup lately. It’s changed they say, looks different, the focus is different, there is more cooking, more kids stuff. What is going on? At first I bristled slightly but then I had to admit it is all true – it has changed. But then I think it is always changing. This time last year was different to now and different to 3 years ago and to 6 years ago. This blog started off collaboratively its true, then slowly evolved – stagnated for a while perhaps and then continued to evolve over the years. Many people might have the impression that whipup is run by a commercial enterprise with lots of people behind the scenes. But the truth is that is is a solo venture by one crafty Australian mother/designer/artist/maker/author (ie. me!). Others might generously pop in from time to time, friends help out, my brother and my husband and my friend Nicole put in lots of time, from time to time. But in the end it comes down to what I like, what I am into and what I think you are into. Because my focus is often a reflection of the handmade blog scene in general.
This year you might notice more obvious changes. There is a reason for that. I quit my day job late last year to work solely from home. What am I doing you might ask and why/how was I able to make this change? After 5 years as the design manager for a lovely niche Australian (monthly) art magazine, I needed a change, in fact was in desperate need of a change. And after writing 2 books in 2 years while working I was – frankly – exhausted. Family life suffered, whipup suffered, and my health suffered. I couldn’t wait any longer, I put in my notice and hoped for the best. I put a few feelers out there in the world and luckily was offered a project (and I will tell you more about that a little later when I have something material to show). So financially I was ok for a while – which gave me a little freedom to explore a few options. I made some plans. Brightened up whipup a bit. Made a few decisions. Talked a lot with my husband, played a lot with my kids and then launched the Action Pack.
I have more plans for this year, yes more Action Packs are in the works. I have a book being released later in the year (with Chronicle) quite different from my first book - it will have all my own quilt designs, and I plan to publish more quilt designs here at whipup over the year too. I also will be spending more time on whipup, the focus will always be handmade, but might shift into more meaningful posts rather than lots of quickie links. I love having guest contributors occasionally so you might see more there. And want to broaden the focus and look at being creative in different ways – I love to cook, garden and read so you will be seeing more of that here too – along with eco crafting and slow crafting, all the things I am passionate about. I would love to hear your thoughts and enjoy taking this ride with you.
If you don’t have an Action Pack yet – Issue 1 and Issue 2 now available in our shop and issue 3 ‘Sew & Tea’ will be launched soon. Sneak peak soon!
2 weeks ago:
Eco Crafting – some highlights included: Creative mending : Eco Sewing with Ruth Singer : Green Market Baking Book : and I guest posted at Poppytalk with a tutorial how to dye and sew a table runner made from recycled wool and dyed with vegetable dyes.
Last week:
Crafty news and links
Next week: More Easter crafts and more book blog tours!
Love you guys
xx
Kathreen
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come join whipup at flickr in our new flickr group
While you are there - enter our 2010 calendar comp - upload a fabulous photo of your amazing handcrafted creation – give it a tag so we know you are entering the comp – “whipupcalendar2010″
What will you win – there will be 13 winning entries – one for each month and one for the cover. Each winner will get profiled on whipup – and will get their gorgeous picture and website published on our 2010 annual whipup calendar.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges to be announced later.
Entries close 1 October to upload your image. So get photographing your gorgeous craftyness. Winners will be chosen and announced during early October and the Calendar will be available late October.
Images can be pics of your creation in an artistic arrangement, or in practical use – see our 2009 calendar for some ideas of photo quality and content.
You must have a hi-res image (10mb) available if your photo is chosen to be included in the calendar.
come join whipup at flickr in our new flickr group
While you are there - enter our 2010 calendar comp - upload a fabulous photo of your amazing handcrafted creation – give it a tag so we know you are entering the comp – “whipupcalendar2010″
What will you win – there will be 13 winning entries – one for each month and one for the cover. Each winner will get profiled on whipup – and will get their gorgeous picture and website published on our 2010 annual whipup calendar.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges to be announced later.
Entries are open for 3 weeks - closing date is 1 October to upload your image. So get photographing your gorgeous craftyness. Winners will be chosen and announced during early October and the Calendar will be available late October.
Images can be pics of your creation in an artistic arrangement, or in practical use – see our 2009 calendar for some ideas of photo quality and content.
You must have a hi-res image (10mb) available if your photo is chosen to be included in the calendar.
