Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sewing with Oilcloth Blog Tour Day 2!!

Welcome to the Second Stop of the Sewing with Oilcloth Blog Tour. We've had to switch things up a bit, due to some rough books. While the gracious Sister Diane from CraftyPod awaits her copy of Sewing with Oilcloth, I'll share some photos from my book release party and give away a copy of the book to one of you lovely readers!

Please check out the Crafty Pod on September 12th for her review and giveaway!
The fine fellas at Feathernesters hosted a lovely book release party for me on Sunday. Despite Hurricane Irene's best efforts, we were still able to have the party as planned. It was very nice to flee my home and Irene's going away gift. Honestly, she really didn't need to drop that tree on our home.
One of our little models was able to make it to the party, I had her signing books too! Too cute!!

Marc and Tony have a lovely assortment of cupcakes; Lemon, Strawberry and Chocolate! As the chalk cloth tags from the book say, they were sinfully yummy and delicious!
Nicole and Brad stopped by with flowers from there sweet shop Nicola Flora! How sweet was that.

I want to thank all of you that came out to wish me well! For those of you that were unable to make it because of storm recovery, I'll be sure to invite you to the next Richmond signing.

So let's talk giveaway! I would love to send one lucky winner a copy of the book and 2 yards of oilcloth! Please leave me a love note and I'll pick a winner tomorrow night.

Swing by Oilcloth Addict tomorrow for another chance to win!

Tuesday, August 30: Crafty Pod (rescheduled for September 12th)
Wednesday, August 31: Oilcloth Addict and Sew Mama, Sew (rescheduled for September 13)
Thursday, September 1: MADE
Friday, September 2: Craft

Monday, September 5: True Up and Craft Gossip
Tuesday, September 6: Oilcloth International
Wednesday, September 7: Average Jane Craft
Thursday, September 8: Prudent Baby
Friday, September 9: Craft Sanity

Monday, September 12: Crafty Pod
Tuesday, September 13: Sew Mama, Sew

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Book Release Party!!

The time has finally come!! A time to celebrate the release of my pretty little sewing book, Sewing with Oilcloth.



When: Sunday, August 28, 3:00 PM
Where: Feathernesters 6118 Lakeside Ave.
Richmond, VA 23228


I would like to thank you all for your support by having little party at Feathernesters. Marc and Tony will be serving fancy cupcakes and punch, so please come to see all the projects from the book. There will be books for sale in case you haven't pre-ordered your copy.

I am just so tickled about this, please come and help me celebrate.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Advance Copy Arrives!!

Let me tell you about my day. I got an message from Meghan, the photographer for Sewing with Oilcloth saying that she got a copy of our book, totally exciting!!! Her kids are squealing with glee because they are there on the pages of a book. Tee hee!!! I love that. So I knew that the books were in Richmond!

So, I spent the rest of the afternoon waiting for Mr. UPS. I swept the porch, I watered all the plants, and I paced the sidewalks. Finally, around 2:30 I heard his big truck pull around the corner. I could have died when he stopped off at a neighbors first. Not today? Then he waves to me and gets back in the truck. Definitely not today!!! But he moves up two whole spaces and gives me my boxes. Really? You just had to move the truck 15 feet? Are you messing with me or what?
Mr UPS is thinking, "What could be so important that you have to take my photo?" He was happier for me (with me) once he knew what was inside the boxes!! Yay!!!
 I am surprised I didn't cut myself I was shacking as I opened up the box!!!
 OMG!!!
I made it for you, I hope you like it!!! 
 I didn't get just one book, I got a bunch of them!!!
 The back was a surprise! Last time I saw the back cover it didn't have a photo. I love it!
 Look Mom, it's my name!!!
The wonderful people at Wiley helped make these pretty illustrations and finessed my words so you can make all my projects with ease. They rock!!
Meghan McSweeney took some really lovely photos for you! Aren't they lovely?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The book trailer

I am proud to share my little book trailer with you all. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy a peek at just a few of the projects Sewing with Oilcloth has to offer. The trailer was great fun to make, a real family project. I really hope you all enjoy it!!

The book comes out later this month. If you haven't bought your copy yet, head on over to your favorite bookseller today. Pre-orders are due to ship in just 2 weeks!!!

Junisms

Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday  (and the occasional Friday) my little home studio fills up with two lovely ladies, I call them my Junies. Nicole been coming in and working for about 2 years and Kathie just hit the one year mark last month.  As you can imagine we have gotten to know each other pretty well as we work away in a 8' x 10' room.

Today we really cracked ourselves up, all we needed was little whoppie pie action (Happy B-day Nicole) to send us off into fits of giggles. Since we are oh so funny and on a serious sugar rush, we wasted a bit of time and made up this list of Junisms!

My eyes are bleeding.
It's my first day.
Would you ask Joannes for that?
This me focusing.
Who stole my tape?
Hi, I am new here.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
Duh, this is NOT my first day! (eye roll)
I am going to the shed.
Are you kidding me?
Guess where this is going...
Really?
Scarred. For. Life.
What are you smoking?
Junies Cluck Cluck is staring at me! 
ABORT, ABORT!
Daaarling...
Vail of silence.
No chat zone.

We are sure that we have many more Junisms to share so come on back and check the list!

Have some chocolate today!!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Behind the scenes: Book Trailer

I've been making a stop motion animation book trailer for my upcoming book Sewing with Oilcloth for the last two weeks. Boy, that was a labor of love! About 6 weeks ago the good people at WileyCraft.com asked me if I knew how to do such a project, I said no but I would happily figure out how to. It was one of those, "How hard can it be?' moments. Rrrringht! Well guess what, it's hard!

Thankfully, I had a lot of help. My son and I watched a ton of brick movie videos and then we figured out how to use iMovie. (Love the iMovie) My husband was supportive as well, he took the kids and ran the streets on day 4 so I didn't blow my top with people around. My daughter and I spent hours snapping pictures and editing them. It's been a real McCants family production!
 Over a hundred little cut outs helped me spell out the message!
The stars of the show? I realized early on that I needed something to tie it all together. Yummy Goods had cute owls and a unicorn to help tell her story, Oliver + S had sweet paper doll, and 123 Sew has that adorable mouse. So oilcloth to the rescue, I created sweet little dancing cherries!!

The trailer should be live later today!!! I'll keep you posted. : )

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Save the Dates: Sewing with Oilcloth Book Tour

My little Sewing with Oilcloth blog tour is starting to come together!!! I am so happy to share a few dates with you, we'll be adding in dates soon. If you know somewhere I should come please let me know, I'll do my best!!!

August:
Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011 3:00-5:00 Book Release Party and Signing at Feathernesters in Richmond, VA

Details coming soon!!!

September:
Thursday, September 15 - 5 to 7 - "Meet&Greet with Crafty Author Kelly McCants!" at Sew to Speak in Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, September 17 - 11:00 Country Living Fair Columbus, OhioPresentation on the Main Stage.
Saturday, September 17 - 12:00 Country Living Fair Ohio, Book Signing at Town Hall.
Daily craft demos at our Modern June booth!!!

October:
Saturday October 22nd -- Country Living Fair Atlanta, presentation Time is TBA
Saturday October 22nd -- CLF ATL, book signing Time is TBA
Daily demos at our Modern June booth!!!
October 27-30 Quilt Market, Book Signings Times TBA



Wednesday, August 3, 2011

National Night Out


You gotta love living in Bellevue and root beer floats!!! 
Thanks to all that helped make it another great National Night Out.