Thursday, May 8, 2014

Launched and now on tour... with giveaways!

 What a lovely night we had last night... launching The Better Bag Maker
 
 
Fabulous local Craft Book retailers CAN DO BOOKS were there with copies of the book, especially flown-in for the launch.
 
 
My 80-something Dad even made the trip in from out of town, along with several sisters and cousins and a niece. I felt a bit special. 


There were superstars of the textile world chewing the fat...



And crafty blogging chicks enjoying a catch-up in the non-virtual world.


All in all, I think that everyone enjoyed a good chat, a glass or two of something (or in my case, three attempts at a glass of something, but actually only about a sip out of each before they were lost somewhere). 

I had lots of 30-second conversations and scribbled jibberish inside book covers.  By the end of the evening, I could barely string a sentence together.... but had a lovely time.  And today, a little 15-minute powernap turned into 3 hours of deep, deep sleep.  I think I was a tad exhausted.

 
So, now that it's out there, THE BETTER BAG MAKER is having a little tour.  You'll be able to read reviews or profiles or interviews about me and the book (and I'll be guest-posting for Sew Mama Sew), and at each stop on the blog tour, there are opportunities to win a copy of the book.  (The book will be digital copy, except in the USA, where hard copy is able to be posted to the winners).
 
If you pop over to Blogless Anna's blog right now, you'll see how she fared with her first attempts at making bags (and she deserves a medal for working from an enormous pile of unedited manuscript notes and separate digital files of images).  If you leave a comment on Anna's blog post, you'll be in the running to win a copy of the book. 
 
From there, you can follow the trail -
 2nd June – Creativebug
9th June – The Littlist Thistle
23rd May - Sew Mama Sew
23rd June – Curly Pops
30th June – Lola Nova
8th July – Ink & Spindle
15th July – Kicki G Just Nu (in Swedish.. but you can translate it online)
 
 
 

Continuing my show-and-tell of the bags that I made while I was developing the designs.... above is the first (button-less) sample of the Galapagos Boho.  I have been intending to put a button on it for over a year now, because I think I'd quite like to use this one.  
 
 

Above, is the back detail of the Seoul handbag.  It was the only one where I changed NOTHING from the first to the last sample.  It worked exactly as I wanted it to, first pop. 
 
This Avignon Traveller is the one that is in the book - with a stunning hand screen-printed panel by Ink and Spindle.  I have the original version of this as my overnight travel bag, but I keep forgetting to photograph it.
 
 
This is the original Lahti Flight Bag, in a Heather Bailey print that I'd had in the stash for years. 
 
 
The second version of the same bag is the one that I use for a carry-on luggage when I fly.  You can see it in action here at the boarding gate in Portland, Oregon (this time last year).... along with a bunch of other bags, a purse and a kid, all made by me. 

 
Good luck with the giveaways, and happy bag-making!

17 comments:

A Peppermint Penguin said...

that's the only thing wrong with my book, I don't get to have you scribble some gibberish in it in person ;-)

you, and your bags, are too fabulous.

WordsFitlySpoken said...

Congratulations on your new book! Your bags are wonderful and I hope to one day make a few for myself now that there is a book available in the States too. Thank you for taking the time to teach others and share your work with us!

wapiti said...

Congratulations!
Your book is already in Belgium! I like it very much and I'm going to make every bag that's in it. (started today)
Results soon here: www.mamawapiti.blogspot.be

Fiona said...

Looks like a fabulous launch party! Love the book - it made it to the Midwest and I've traced off the pattern pieces and started cutting out a bag!!

Annie said...

You Sew Gir! Congrats...love your smiley dad

thornberry said...

Congratulations again Nikki! Thanks so much for letting me share in your special launch evening - I had a ball and it was so great to see the masses of support for you and for your wonderful book.

LindaT said...

Congratulations Nikki,

I am going to download the digital version right now because you know that you are my favourite bag maker and teacher.

I am also loving your original Galapagos bag, that print is gorgeous.

Your launch looked like lots of fun, how lovely for your family to be there for your special moment in time.

Good on you girl.

Linda.

KathyB said...

Looking forward to receiving my copy of your book from Amazon, well done:)
Luv Kathy Britten XX

Sally said...

Congratulations Nikki. Looks like such a great night. Bravo!

méri said...

A big hug Nikki! Congratulations!

What a great meeting! Happy for you.
You deserve all the success - you work so hard for years.
I'll try the giveaways ... :)

Patti said...

Awesome book! Can't wait to get started!

méri said...

Have just sent you an email but "they" say your box is full so they sent it back :( but don't mind I'll try again later

Shell said...

Congrats Nikki, looks wonderful, can't wait to get it!

Katy Cameron said...

Glad the launch went so well!

Image Artistry said...

I found your book while browsing sewing books on Amazon. Bought it immediately I saw some of the contents. Absolutely love your tips and instructions and can't wait to make a bag. Once I have done your simple one I am afraid it's straight onto the backpack. Been wanting a pattern like that for ages. Maybe I can get across from Hong Kong sometime to do one of your courses. Fab, well done.

Mary Menzer said...

I just purchased your book yesterday. I actually sat down and read some of it last night. I am usually a visual person, and go right for the photos. I have already picked up on several of your tips. I have made many bags, and recently hodge podged a pattern of my own, nothing that I could offer up, as there are no directions, I am just winging it. I wanted a messenger bag, and viola I have two. I love to make bags, as they are much quicker than making a quilt, and unlike a quilt, you can carry around a bag, and say, yes, I made this. Looking forward to trying a couple of the bags in your book. Thank you!

Mary Menzer said...

I just purchased your book yesterday. I actually sat down and read some of it last night. I am usually a visual person, and go right for the photos. I have already picked up on several of your tips. I have made many bags, and recently hodge podged a pattern of my own, nothing that I could offer up, as there are no directions, I am just winging it. I wanted a messenger bag, and viola I have two. I love to make bags, as they are much quicker than making a quilt, and unlike a quilt, you can carry around a bag, and say, yes, I made this. Looking forward to trying a couple of the bags in your book. Thank you!