November 22, 2010

Blog tour interview with 'Scandinavian Stitches' author, Kajsa Wikman...

To celebrate the release of 'Scandinavian Stitches', here is a little Q&A interview with the author,  Kajsa...

 
Has it sunk in yet that you have written a book?, a whole book?!

"I think I really got it the day my copy of the book arrived in the mail, before that I had a hard time picturing it.  When I had it in my hands I could see that it was really my book, it looked just like me (well maybe a little more rectangular!).  The amount of e-mails I get today proves it even more and makes me feel a bit overwhelmed to be honest!  So if I didn't respond to your e-mail it's not that I didn't read it or do not care, I just have limited time and secretary skills!"

Fabric or felt?

"Fabric!, especially linen. And quilt cottons.  And felt... I love felt and am planning a collection made from Finnish wool felt.  I want to use more local materials in my work so I can't wait for January, which will bring me some longed for creative time!"


You've already been asked which is your favourite project from the book, but which do you think will be popular amongst crafters who buy the book, are there any forerunners appearing amongst the Flickr group?

"The tomte softies!  When I asked my blog readers a couple of years back which projects they would like to see published they were the winners.  The soft house ornaments seem pretty popular too, they are easy to make and vary"

Hand sewing or machine sewing?

"Machine sewing at work and hand sewing when/if I have some spare time"



Any projects you had planned to do, but that didn't make it into the book? (maybe for the next book, right?!)

"Just a couple, it was challenging enough to gather enough projects for one book...!  Now when I made it I do have ideas for the next book"

Buttons or beads?

"Buttons!" 



Are there any projects which you feel kids could tackle on their own or with a little support?

"The bird ornaments, the houses or the tomte, which is also a nice toy and lovely gift for a little sister or brother"

 Wool or polyester stuffing?

"I use polyester, but would much prefer wool, that would make my products quite expensive though and I want them to be available for 'everyone'.  Especially the tomte softies 'eat' a lot! In my quilts I use cotton batting"
 

How prepared are you for the amazon reviews?

"Eeek!  Can you be prepared for that?  I get so much positive feedback, which I am so grateful for and I find it very strange that whenever I get a negative or just a little critical remark I get totally shaken.  I'm not good at taking negative feedback, never have been.  But I must say that now when I know I have so many people backing me up it is easier to get over it than it was before"

And finally, chocolate or cake?

"Hmmm, Chocolate cake?  Or cheesecake with lime and white chocolate.... Coffee anyone?!"

:: :: :: :: ::

A big thank you to Kajsa for visiting my blog.  And now for the giveaway part, the lovely people at C&T Publishing are offering a free copy of the book, and Kajsa herself is also offering a set of gorgeous holiday cards (see below), just leave a comment on this post answering one of the questions I asked Kajsa, ...buttons or beads?, to be included in this 'two chances to win' prize draw.  The draw will close on Friday 26th November at midnight GMT.


Don't forget to visit the 'Scandinavian Stitches' Facebook page and Flickr group, and keep following Kajsa for the rest of the blog tour...
 
Tuesday 23rd : Whip Up
Wednesday 24th : Peikon Poika 
Thursday 25th : Patchwork Pottery
and finishing on Friday 26th : Allsorts

144 comments:

Karen said...

Buttons for me.Thanks for hosting a giveaway of such a delicious book.

Kriza said...

buttons for me, I love them!
thanks for the chance!
Kristina

Doda said...

OOh that's a hard question - I can't choose between beads or buttons, I love them both. Buttons for sewing and card projects, and beads for making jewellery.
What a fabulous looking book, please enter me into the drawing. Thanks.

Karen said...

Definitely buttons! Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to win a copy of this book.

A Time for Stitching said...

Buttons every time! Great interview - thanks for the chance to win the book.

Anonymous said...

Lovely book, very distinctive style. :-)
I love beads.

Unknown said...

It's been beads for me for some time, but recently I'm loving buttons. My gran left a beautifully diverse and eccentric collection of her favourites, and I used some in my most recent project - the buttons makes me feel very sentimental and close to her.

Unknown said...

Buttons for me always. Love the interview format. The book is on my wish list I want to catch those fishes!
I x

Kat said...

Wow, buttons or beads! One of the gift projects that I am working on now are necklaces for my neices that include both! Okay, if I have to choose it would be beads.

inmykitchen said...

Thank you for the book review and interview, I have visited her blog. It's great to share someone's success. Kajsa's work is lovely.

And I am definitely a button girl.
x

hamudale said...

i'm a buttons and chocolate cake person...
:)

dutchcomfort said...

Buttons, chocolate and coffee while sitting on the couch reading Kajsa’s book! I already ordered a copy but would love to win the book or cards for a dear friend!
Thanks for a chance to win!

Roberta said...

For me it will always be buttons.
What a beautifully styled book, I'd love to get my hands on a copy.

Unknown said...

Buttons. NOW PICK MEEEEEEEEEEEE

JaneBean said...

I am a button girl, kitch, vintage and funky inspire me to stitch and make. If I don't win this book, it is going on my 'wish' list.....
thanks for the chance of a win and a great review!
Jane.x

Elaine said...

Very hard to answer! Think it will have to be beads. Beads always remind me of the beads game I used to play when I was a little girl in the 60s. I still have my tin of beads from that time and it holds huge nostalgia value for me :)
Thank you for running this give away. The book looks lovely.

Elderberry-Rob said...

buttons! would love to win this beautiful book. thanks for doing the give-away xxx

Lee said...

Always a button lover! thanks for the interview. I lover her work!
butler83ataoldotcom

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I like her answer...buttons! Thanks for the FUN! I can't wait to see this book! What a great review! HUGS! ♥

Bigbluebed said...

Button! I just love them. Buttons seem to have more history behind them - both social and personal.

One of the comments above mentions the bead tin - but imagine a button box that was your grannies and was full of buttons cut of her old clothes, and ones of baby clothes outgrown and any that took her fancy. And then the box is passed to you and you can add to it and share it with your daughter.


Lovely interview and the book looks gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Buttons!

Gill said...

Definitely buttons!
Gill

Unknown said...

Buttons fo'sure!

Although it's handy to have some beads on hand for the odd project or two...

But buttons all the way!

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

Buttons for me too! Thanks for this giveaway! I love all the projects from this artist! Have a nice week!

Lindsey said...

Buttons all the way (OK I do use beads as well). I love a good rummage throught a button tin to try and find the perfect ones for a project. The ranges of sizes and shapes is endless.
Thanks for playing host Amy. SO will you be doing a blog book tour too ;)

Dolores said...

Yes, it has to be buttons. They are so much fun and not as fiddly as beads.

Anonymous said...

Buttons!
They come in so many different shapes, sizes and colours :)

Janny said...

Buttons for me. Thanks for the giveaaway, the book looks beautiful.

Pam said...

buttons...fingers crossed...thanks

Squam Hill Design said...

oooh buttons..especially lovely wooden ones :)

thank you for entering me in your giveaway!

Little Miss S. said...

Buttons - all the way. The book looks lovely.

Anne Marie said...

It is so much fun to get to know Kajsa even better through these interviews.

Buttons, wooden, plastic, glass anything goes.

Cheryl Arkison said...

I don't think the book concept sinks in until at least you review proofs, if not a book in hand. Sending in a pile of photos and projects with a Word document isn't quite the same thing.

'Betty' said...

oooh, buttons every time, especially lovely old shirt buttons
~Louise

linda said...

button or beads? oh, i can't pick, so i'll settle for chocolate!

nimble fingers and steady eyebrows said...

Oh, buttons, buttons, buttons. One huge jar and two vintage tins full of them, stashed away in my crafting attic, yay! Do come and visit me...

Laura x

PS: I would love to win!

Anita said...

Buttons but I do love beads. So hard for me to decide. thank you for the chance to win a copy of this very inspiring book!

SewLindaAnn said...

I am totally a button person, I'm not into working with beads at all.

Olga said...

Beads for me, because in my country we don't have a good selection of buttons :(

Sandra :) said...

I like them both, but buttons are a little easier on my fingers :D Plus - my local fabric store has a lovely supply of theme buttons that are quite reasonably priced - fun/unusual beads aren't quite as convenient to find :)

Thank you for the opportunity to win this delicious book!

WvHmmngbrd said...

Beads! Thanks for the chance to win!

Jessica said...

Though I love buttons I don't seem to use them as much in my craft projects as beads so I guess I'm more beady than buttony :-)

Maevy said...

Definitely buttons, and mostly vintage, used ones. I like them to have a history. Thank you for the great interview and the giveaway!

♥Duff said...

definitely beads. I love the crystals; the way they sparkle adds so much to an art quilt!

I'm surprised at how many people said buttons so far--interesting poll!

And thanks for the giveaway--it's awesome sauce!

beth said...

I would LOVE to win this book. I adore your work and it would be so fun to have instructions! Thank you for the giveaway!

Sharon said...

Chocolate over cake ... though last night i had both ... chocolate covered pomegranate seeds --- TDF

MaMa said...

I'm a button girl! Thanks for hosting!
lisa
mistyfuji (at) yahoo (dot) com

Vintage Girl/Marivel said...

buttons!
thanks for the chance.
Hugs

VickiT said...

Answer one of the questions asked of her?
I'll answer the tough one, "How prepared are you for the amazon reviews?" LOL I think she can remain nervous but, in my opinion she has NO reason to be from what I have already seen. This book will do wonderfully and she's got nothing to worry about. I know *I* want one as do many others following this blog tour.
Ok really though ~ Chocolate cake is my answer too. And coffee. YES please. How about Chocolate Peppermint Lattes? Oooh YUM. So good

Serena said...

I like both, but the practical side of me says buttons.

kelly said...

buttons of course!

thanks for the great give-away,

Kellyx

x vInTaGe VioLeT x said...

wow i'm so excited to see this book in the flesh! anyone who knows me will know i'm crazy about buttons but to be honest i have a large bead stash too!

Anonymous said...

BUTTONS FOR ME!
SUCH A WONDERFUL BOOK
THANKS FOR SHARING!

jldouglas@wispwest.net

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org said...

Toughie! I vote buttons, I love the carved ones from the forties and fifties...in happy colors!
What a fun giveaway, thanks for offering it!

xo, amanda (mandykittie at yahoo dot com)

alipyper said...

Buttons!! So excited about Kajsa's book!

Greedy Nan said...

Buttons - they're much more versatile than beads for the kind of things I like to make.

Julie said...

Buttons or beads it really depends. I prefer buttons usually (vintage please), but right now I'm working on really tiny things (matchbox sized) so beads it is, and I'm loving how they look.

Nancy said...

I really do like buttons,
for embellishment they're great!
Funky, traditional, wonky, or other,
they're great to decorate!

Angela said...

It has to be buttons, but the question for me would be the chocolate or cake one, I love my chocolate.

Irina said...

oh! I love buttons! so that's my choice!
The book is full of so many cute projects, I'd love to win a copy!

Stina Blomgren said...

BUTTONS!!! And I so agree with Kajsa on this.. LOve them!!! :o))

~Heather said...

Beads here, but only cause I have so damned many of them!

Anonymous said...

Totally buttons! You can use them for functional purposes or embellishment...they rock!

Alexandra P. said...

I like buttons
and I love the work of Kajsa.
She's so creative and inspiring!

Claire said...

Buttons! Every time!
Looking forward to getting my paws on a copy of Kajsa'a book. Looks great and I love her blog! :D

noelle said...

Buttons and Beads i use alot of both, love them all!!!!

Aubrey said...

Definitely buttons!

Lisnaweary Quilts said...

Buttons are best, love to recycly them from old clothes!

mle said...

Buttons!!!
This book looks amazing! thank you!

Apryl said...

right now I'm thoroughly addicted to vintage buttons... I don't have many that aren't vintage or thrifted.. I'm not a total addict (yet) but I love the look of older buttons and the work with the little monster dolls and doodled button cards I have been obsessed with making recently.

Malealyn said...

I do like a few well placed beads. Thank you for hosting this book tour!

sa75ra said...

I vote for beads :-)

Little Island Quilting said...

Has to be buttons!

Marianne said...

Oh, I'm a button girl all the way!

Nova said...

buttons! :)
Great interview questions :)
x

Annie Crow said...

What fun questions! I can't choose, I love both buttons and beads. But it's definitely chocolate over cake.

beingvfox said...

looks like I am in a bit of the majority in my preference for buttons ... they seem so much more sturdy even when they add whimsy.

Moois van mie said...

definetly beads ! You don't want to know how many beads i have here :-)
And because i prefer to make earrings with them, i think i have enough beads for the rest of my live - and others lives too to be honest ( now i'm becoming all red in my face )

Anonymous said...

it was always beads for me, but recently it is a process of choosing buttons, so buttons for me :)

thank you for sharing and for lovely giveaway :)

http://izabelaitsme.wordpress.com

x

gtlady said...

Buttons, they just feel more, I don't know, me! Fab interview and thanks, I hadn't seen here work before, so its been really interesting!

Anonymous said...

buttons. I have a bunch of buttons my mother in law gave to me that were her late mother's. We estimate there are buttons there that are 50 years old.

Cami said...

Definitely buttons!! I have a few jars of them around and they really come in handy!

eva said...

I would say beads - they can make beautiful buttons as well ;)
I love this book, there are so many projects I would like to do!

Deb said...

Love buttons! Thanks for the chance.

Bea said...

Definitely buttons! Thanks for this great interview!

mon ami said...

button! I love finding vintage buttons and using them in different projects.

thanks for sharing

june at noon said...

Buttons, definitely buttons. So excited about this book!

Melissa said...

Buttons! I just recently got a hold of a huge stash of vintage buttons and I'm having a blast with them!

Joy said...

Buttons! Thanks for the interview!

Tong said...

buttons! this book looks so awesome, i'd love to win!

Lucie said...

Beads, please!
Lucie (LAupperlee@sheppardpratt.org)

Paige said...

Great interview. Looks like I need this book in my library.

Marcia W. said...

Buttons. Thanks for hosting the blog book tour and the lovely giveaway of the book and cards. I spotted this book on the ctpub blog and knew that would like to enter to win a copy. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks. alternate email mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Becky S. said...

Buttons-especially pretty vintage ones!
Thanks for the chance to win.

cate said...

Buttons! But shhh don't tell my bead stash.
x CateSunshine

Béa said...

Buttons definitively ! Thanks for the chance to win. Hugs from France.

Nancy L said...

I'm all for buttons!!! Thanks for such a great giveaway.

Yvonne said...

Beads, of course. I love finding your blog thru her book. Keep up the good work.

Yvonne,
Oslo, Norway

Catherine said...

buttons! even my daughter knows where to find them at the op shop

Tracy said...

Buttons for sure! I love riffling through my button jar for the perfect one :)

becslb said...

Buttons!!!!! I love buttons... I have them sorted into colours but struggle to bring myself to use them!

Scented Sweetpeas said...

hhmm buttons of beads - hard one, I love the simplicity of buttons but also love the sparkle of beads. I think I would go for buttons for their ease of use :-)

Stacey said...

buttons, i guess, i am not a real fan of either. thanks

stacey
luv2knitnsew@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Well thats an easy question...my blog is coloured buttons...so I guess I don't even have to answer that for you to know the answer!

Patricia said...

Beads. Yes, it's beads.
Thank you for the give away.

Indianna said...

ooh I'd have buttons - shiny, colourful ones made of shell. Love the book - as for Amazon cmments - for each bad comment there will be 100 happy people who do not bother to leave a comment. People like to complain, but say nothing when they are content!

happy said...

I choose button... what a great book..!

Maureen said...

Buttons!!

I would love to win that book - I can't find any other way of getting my hands on it at the moment.

Maureen

WandaFish said...

What fantastic giveaway prizes - I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Buttons for me please. I used to love sorting through my grandma's button box as a child :)

Paula Lemos said...

Buttons for me too, love them!
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

Melissa said...

Definitely buttons.

Mountain Woman said...

Buttons. My mother gave me a bunch of antique buttons she got at a farm auction, all hand sewed onto large pieces of cardboard.

sherri s. said...

Oh, so excited for this book...it looks so lovely! Thanks so much!

Alix said...

Buttons! Definitely! So much more versatile and beautiful.

Sandee said...

oh, buttons buttons buttons. I love to put buttons on everything. I truly believe you can never have too many jars of buttons.

Johanna said...

Love Kajsa's work!
And I've actually met her last year when I bought her cards in a trade fair =)

rosemaryschild said...

Has to be beads, all colors, all sizes, all kinds! LUV them beads!

Anonymous said...

Buttons...I have lots of beads but have just started collecting buttons. I love this book - thanks for the giveaway.

trudys_person said...

Buttons! Thank you for the giveaway!

Melody said...

I say buttons.

melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

Wehaf said...

Beads for me! Although buttons are very close behind. :)

urchiken at gmail dot com

WoolenSails said...

I am a button person. I use a lot of thrift wool and always save the buttons from the jackets, love using them in projects.

Debbie

Margaret said...

Buttons, buttons, who's got buttons? So many differnt colors, shapes and sizes to choose from. And they're not too tiny.

Unknown said...

Buttons for me. Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

Absolutely buttons! I'm lucky that my grandmother collected a lot of them which I can use now!

Thanks for giving this chance to win this great book or lovely cards!

Luciana Kajiura said...

Os projetos do livro devem ser todos um sonho! Não vejo a hora de poder ter um livro em mãos!
Beijos, Luciana.

Jods said...

Buttons now question!

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to get my hands on this book!

baukje said...

I would love to win the book and the cards are just gorgeous!!!!!!

Cara said...

Buttons all the way! They're perfect for finishing off so many of my projects. I have a jar full of them, including everything from novelty frogs to classic brass to basic white buttons.

Unknown said...

I always choose buttons! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

Jocelyn said...

I love buttons. All shapes and sizes :-)

Светик said...

I like buttons,thanks for this wonderful possibility. The book simply cute!

Unknown said...

Buttons, I just love them :)

JanetK said...

Buttons!
Thanks for the chance at this giveaway.

kathy said...

buttons - for sure.

Emily said...

I'm a button fan, too.

almadr said...

definitely buttons ;-) i love them!
thanks for this giveaway ;-)

Sandra Schwab said...

Buttons!

At the bottom of one of my drawers I recently found a tiny tin-box full of buttons I collected as a child. Happy day! :)

Thanks for hosting this wonderful giveaway!

SheilaC said...

Buttons!!

I would love a copy of this book thank you for the give away!

SheilaC

Paige said...

Buttons for me. I have some antique flower buttons my grandmother gave me long ago. I haven't found the right project in which to use them. Thanks for the chance to win.

Jane said...

fabulous book!

buttons for sure!

Kitten's Lost Her Mittens said...

Buttons! I love them.

Thanks for the chance to win!!

Tina @ Squirrel Acorns said...

Definitely buttons! I can't wait to get this book.

Jill Gordon said...

Beads all the way. I find they're more versatile than buttons: can be vintage, traditional, or modern.