I have to admit, I’ve become a bit of a numbers nerd.
Data and numbers never used to roll my socks up and down. As a matter of fact, I used to cringe when the word data was used. (Remember Marty 😉 ) But, since I started blogging, numbers have slowly become my friend. Numbers and I have coffee together in the mornings, spend some time together for lunch and say good night to each other every night.
In addition to checking out my blog stats, once in awhile, I check out Amazon and see how The Refashion Handbook is ranking. They update the ranking every hour and this morning, thanks to you guys, it was in the top 100 books in Sewing and in Fashion/Crafts!!!! The Refashion Handbook was right there next to Amy Butler’s book, Style Stitches and Clinton Kelly’s book, Freakin’ Fabulous on a Budget.
How “Freakin’ Fabulous” is that!!!!
Thank you so much for writing those 5-star reviews, buying the book and being excited with me. This book writing thing has been quite the adventure and it’s been fun to have all of you along for the ride!!
The other day, I received a tweet from the fun and talented Jenniffer Taylor (from the The Great British Sewing Bee) saying that she had just promoted The Refashion Handbook, live, on the British show Create and Craft TV. LOVED listening to them talk about The Renegade Seamstress in their British accents. I REALLY want to hang out with Jenniffer Taylor, I know we are kindred spirits!! (If you check out the show, click on the UK popup (not the US one) and The Refashion Handbook appears around minute 13.)
Stay tuned for some more exciting news……
(How’s that for a teaser? 🙂 )
Happy Thursday!
Beth
And don’t forget to check out this week’s post for your chance to win some prizes:
The Renegade Seamstress 
After seeing your sweater hat ideas I thought “Why not use an infant sweater to make a hat?”. I found a super soft baby blue infant sized sweater that fits my head loosely and my plan is to cut it into the basic shape of a hat, without having to make new side seams, just seams to close in the top, and then creating a tassel or pom pom for the top. I will let you know how it turns out!
That’s a great idea, Barb! I never thought of using a baby sweater. Definitely going to check out the baby section next time I go to the thrift store.
That’s so awesome!!!
Thanks so much for being so supportive all these years, Anny!!!
….and this cool journey keeps getting more exciting! How great.
Thanks for being excited with me, Barb! Love you!!!
Congratulations on your achievements!!! I’m going to Amazon TODAY to get your book!!!
Della
Thanks so much, Della!!!!
That’s right where your book should be. You have an amazing talent. Thaks for sharing it with us.
Awwwwwww, you are so nice, Julie! Thanks! It’s been fun to share it with you!
SO proud of you, dear Beth!!!
Thanks for being a part of this journey with me, Katherine!
So happy for you and your great fortune! Jan keeps us
in the know and love hearing about all the fun things
you get to do. She is a proud sister!
Thank you! I have the best sister in the world! I love her soooooo much!
YAY! Congratulations! If you want to go to England to hang out with Jennifer Taylor, I’ll go with you~ Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:43:02 +0000 To: cadiacetis@hotmail.com
It’s a date!!!
Congratulations on writing a bestseller! Just ordered my copy of your book.
Oh, thank you soooooo much!!!
Margie is right! I am sooooo proud of you! I talk about you all the time! So looking forward to tomorrow! Love you!
I love you, too!!!
I ordered one last night on Amazon, before I saw this email! I had read all the comments, and was impressed with what I read!
Thank you so much for buying a book, Judy! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 🙂
Congratulations on every thing. Love my book and it surely does deserve best seller. Can’ t wait to see what you have next up you Re-purpose sleeve next. Love it!
Thank you so much, Libby! It makes me happy to know you are enjoying your book!
A big Congratulations! I snuggled up the other night and read your book AGAIN, cover to cover. Love how you’ve created non intimidating ways to recreate fashion! It’s a joy to read and learn from. Keep the great ideas coming!
Now THAT is the biggest compliment EVER, Kathleen. To know you read it TWO times, makes me so happy!!! I wanted it to not only be a sewing how-to book, but an enjoyable read, too. Thank you!
Congratulations! I love, love, love your blog and am pinching pennies to get your book! Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:43:17 +0000 To: thenagle5@hotmail.com
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
I bought your book and love it. Very inspiring and I got some good tips.
Thanks from Karin in Sweden
So fun for me to know you are enjoying The Refashion Handbook all the way over in Sweden, Karin! Thanks for your encouragement, it means the world to me.
I’m pretty sure my hubby ordered your book for me for my birthday and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. You’re very inspirational and creative. Im currently working on the leather jacket to bag refashion. You’re tutorials are so helpful. Thanks!!
Happy Birthday, Melissa! Let me know if I can be of any help with your leather bag.
I bought your book and gained some tips that have been super! Congratulations and thanks to you for a well written book. Jackie
Thank YOU Jackie for your nice comment!
Congrats! I love that you do refashions of accessories like hats. I always think of outfits, but the hat idea is so simple and cute! Keep it up! 🙂
Thanks so much!!!
I am so proud! My socks are on fire ⚡️ And you mentioned little old me 🐝 Hugs!
Sent from my iPad
>
Hugs to you, Marty!!
Congratulations!!!! That is very exciting. I have your book and it is full of sewing inspiration!
It’s so nice to know you’re enjoying the book, Peggy! Thanks for your encouragement, it means a lot to me!
Congratulations!
Thank you, Jessie!
Yes ma’am! Yes ma’am! What, you doubted? Well *WE* have all known that you’re pretty “Freakin’ Fabulous” for quite some time now! And yes, there’s even more to come!!!
Oh my gosh, Tondra! You are so sweet and nice to me! Thanks for always encouraging me on this journey. You make it so fun and I always look forward to your comments!!!!
Yay! Congratulations on the best seller status! I picked up the book a couple of weeks ago and have slowly been enjoying it. It’s fabulous–your hard work really shows on every page, and the photography really shows it all in the best possible light. It’s a beautiful book.
Congrats on this huge accomplishment Beth!
You deserved that, Beth!
How awesome! The most exciting thing about this (IMHO) is having someone you admire talk about a book on a show you love. woot!
I just read your book. It’s fabulous!! I will attempt to join a t-shirt and and skirt (maybe cut off from one of my hoarded but out-of-style Laura Ashley dresses) to make a dress. I did this all the time when my girls were young but wasn’t sure of the proportions for an adult. You offered good guidance in your book for this.
I’ve been doing a lot with men’s dress shirt lately. My father-in-law passed away and I’ve been given his shirts for just this purpose. I’ve made several baby quilts with them, a few pillows, an apron for my mother-in-law and a number of other small items. I love the creative process that is needed in this kind of upcycling.
Thank you so much, Mary! What a wonderful way to pay tribute to your Father-in-law. I bet your MIL loves her apron. My good friend made scarves for all of her family this Christmas from her recently deceased mother’s clothes. Such meaningful gifts!
I don’t know which part I like better, the hat or the Pom-pom! Now it’s off to the thrift store for sweater. Thanks
That was me above.
Have fun, Lee!
That’s awesome!!
Thanks so much for being excited with me, Tracey!!
Congratulations!
Thank you, Katherine!
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I made a refashioned coat from one women’s sweater and 3 or 4 men’s sweaters. I used the women’s sweater for the top of the coat. I cut strips for the bottom of the coat from the men’s sweaters. The strips were bigger on the bottom than on the top so that the coat has a swing or flare to it. I was a model at the American Sewing Guild Chicago fashion show in October and I made the coat my item to show. Very inexpensive, easy and fun to wear.
Oh, this is so neat Barbara! I’d love to see a picture of it. Are you interested in joining us for Refashion Runway Season Five?