We've been Fred Flare'd! Sublime Stitching is now a featured Next Big Thing designer at FredFlare.com. Awesome possum. I just love the examples they stitched up for the site!
I just returned from a week-long trip to Tokyo. Talk about sensory overload! Or should I say suntory overload? Aaanyway... While I was there, I had the pleasure of finally meeting my internet friend Ayako who runs Shamrock Japan. Ayako and her husband Osamu offer original clothing, and include my designs on some of their garments as part of the Sublime Stitching Licensing Program. For years now, Ayako and I have emailed via clunky, online tranlators. She doesn't speak english, and I don't speak Japanese. But that can't stop the DIY love! They took me and my friend Stephanie out for the best sushi in Tokyo, found only in the Tsukigi (pronounced skee-gee) market. They brought along an english speaking friend, Akiyuki, who was extremely patient and kind in dealing with a table full of new friends trying desperately to communicate with each other. Well, everyone understands "Yum." Aragato gozai masu- and next time the BBQ's on me.
Too many craft books? NEVER! Seems every time I turn around there's a new crop of crafty compendiums. But who's complaining? I'm long overdue in promoting Tease: 50 Inspired T-Shirt Transformations by Superstars of Art, Craft and Design, especially since little ol' moi has a project in it (see page 104). Also included are projects by most of the gals from our Austin Craft Mafia, Todd Oldham and Amy Sedaris. Get thee a copy! Next up are two books that I fully endorse with commentary on the back cover and everything: The Craftster Guide to Nifty, Thrifty, and Kitschy Crafts by Leah Kramer of Craftster.org fame and AlternaCrafts by my good buddy, Jessica Vitkus. Jessica really knows her crafty stuff, having worked alongside Martha Stewart and produced shows for MTV and The Style Network. What more can I say? Each book is truly unique in its own right and crammed with enough projects to keep you crafting on and on and on....