Wow. Holy Cow.

So I am VERY overwhelmed at all the response to my last post. I never imagined it would hit home for so many people! Thank you all for the amazing words of encouragement and sharing your stories as well! I'll try to respond to all of you but it might take a little while!

Ok, so last night I was a little emotional:
1. I was exhausted and overwhelmed from trying to do too many things at once.
2. I had spent 10 hours on a nursery painting only to find out I spelled the name wrong (REALLY WRONG) and cried for about an hour. I can laugh about it now.
3. Diesel has decided the foyer rug is his new bathroom.
4. I got a "not-nice" message from someone.
5. I skipped lunch and I don't have enough fiber in my diet.

These are not life problems. These are inconveniences. I can pay my bills this month, my family is blessed with good health, I don't live in a war zone.

I really want you to know: I replied to the person that sent the not-nice message. She sent back a very thoughtful, humble apology. Maybe she was having a bad day too. It is water under the bridge. Seek to understand. Forgive and forget.

Here is how I feel now: I can understand where she was coming from but it is impossible to claim ownership of a basic technique or design that is everywhere. And thank goodness you can't......because it forces all of us to keep inventing and creating as our new ideas "age" and become "basic" over time.


I'll wanted to use this post to clarify a couple things about my blog and patterns and answer some questions I often get:


Why do I add the copyright info and offer a sewing license for templates and patterns I put on my blog?

To protect them from mass production. How much would it stink to walk into Target one day and see your design on the shelf? I've had several people email me and ask if they needed a license to sew some frogs or owl appliques for a small craft show or a charity auction. Of course not. Go for it. If it is for charity or a good cause even better. It would just be nice to get some credit for creating the pattern.


Why do I add "www.lilblueboo.com" to all the photos of children on my website?

Because there are bad people out there. You've all heard the stories. But I can't shelter my child from everything. If someone takes a photo of my child or another child off my website and posts it in an inappropriate place, someone will notice that it doesn't belong and I have faith that they will contact me. And just so you know....the html code that you think protects your photos? It doesn't....all they have to do is take a screen shot.

Update (by request): To add the "stamp" to my photos I upload them into Photobucket.com, click "edit", go to "add text" and type your website address or blog name. You can do this in Photoshop as well, but if you store your photos on Photobucket I find this the easiest. Let me know if you have trouble doing it.


Are you allowed to sell clothing made from my patterns?

I think it is fantastic if someone wants to try to make some extra income sewing their own creations. The licenses I offer protect my pattern from mass production and also allow the home-sewer to use the "Lil Blue Boo" pattern name in their listing for sizing purposes. I allow you to make and sell up to 5 items before you need to buy a license.....so you can see if they even sell. I don't want to sell you something you won't use. The license fees go towards future pattern development. You have no idea how much printer ink I go through.


Does Lil Blue Boo "give back"?

I love donating time, supplies, and ideas for a good cause. I've donated unlimited patterns to several organizations including most recently Three Angels Haiti for sewing classes so the girls can learn to make items to sell. I can't wait to hear from Shannon how the sewing classes went and to see photos. Most of my dress/hoodie samples sewn for pattern testing will go to Shelter from the Storm in December. My daughter only needs so many clothes. Any clothing that is not sold in my Etsy shop by December 15th will be donated to SFTS as well. If you ever have any other ideas or suggestions please send them my way.


Ok. That is it. Now back to the regular scheduled programming.....sewing, painting et al. I've got a ton of new tutes coming up and the So You Think You Are Crafty contest starts November 2nd with 9 other fabulous ladies......I am always up for some friendly competition!