quiet book: an invitation to sew-along

i mentioned a few days ago that i’m going to try to create some “quiet book” pages for my nephews and for the happy toddler over the next month or three, and i extended an invitation to anyone who might want to join me in a “sew-along.”  what does that mean, exactly?

it means that once a week (or once every two weeks, or whenever i get around to it) i’ll write up a post describing a page i’ve made for the book.  if i got the pattern from a source that i can link to online, i’ll post the link plus photos of my own version of the page.  if it is an original design that i created myself, and if i have at least three people willing to participate, i will draw up a pattern and post that on my blog for free.

if you sign up for the sew-along, not only will you get these free patterns from me, but you’ll also end up with an awesome “quiet book” that you made yourself which is going to be perfect for some kid in your life.  you do not have to use the same page designs as i do, but i’d love to see what you’re making–let’s inspire each other!  when you sign up, let me know if you’d prefer to share your own pages on your own blog (if you have one) or on pinterest or on flickr (or some other sharing tool).  as an extra bonus, the first three people to actually create a “complete” quiet book (yes, they are always a work in progress, but i’ll accept whatever you define for your own book as “complete.”  although i think i’ll ask that it contains at least 5 single pages or 3 two-page spreads…) will receive a customized gift pack of handmade crafty goodness from me!

i’ve already had one person respond to say that they’d like to join me–anyone else?  as some added incentive, i’ve created a “button” that you could post on your own blog that includes a sneak peek of my first original page design.  (the sneak peek is the incentive, not the button, per se.)

**update:  i changed the icon a bit, so if, by any long shot, anyone has already put the button on their blog, please update it? thanks!**

if you’re still not sure what a quiet book is (they’re also sometimes called “busy books”) here are some links i found on pinterest.

okay, that was lots of scattered info.  the short version is this:

1.  if you want to try making a quiet book, leave a comment below and include your preferred method of photo/story sharing (blog, pinterest, flickr, e-mail, etc.).  you can also post the “button” above on your own blog to spread the word and get more people to join us.

2.  this “sew-along” will not happen unless at least three people sign up.  so if you’re person #2 and no one else joins, sorry, charlie.  i’ll still sew my own pages and show you pictures of them, but i won’t take the time to create free online patterns.

3.  first three to complete a quiet book will receive a prize pack from me.