As part of the HOMEMADE FUN blog tour, I've been able to share the news of my book and visit with some really creative families and individuals in the blogging community. It's been quite amazing. My guest today is Betz White, crafter, blogger, and author of Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials.
When I think of Betz White- I think green- partly because her latest book is called Sewing Green and also because like me, she loves the color green. She practices repurposing with fabric in the greenest of ways. She's a craftsperson to the utmost and totally clever at every bend with her projects and ideas.
Here are a few questions I had for the talented Betz White:
R: Welcome Betz, thanks for taking the
time to join the blog tour for HOMEMADE FUN! I can’t help but admire your refreshing craft style. Your colorful blog is a wonderful resource for ideas and projects too. When I look through your latest book
Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials, it’s
obvious that you are a master of your craft.
B: Thank you so much Rae, I'm glad
you are enjoying Sewing Green and my blog!
R: Betz, I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you how got you started on
the road to creativity and crafting. Did you grow up in a home environment that
encouraged crafting and making things? Can you tell us a little bit about your
early creative influence?
B: My family has always been very
craft oriented. My parents are quite handy and have prided themselves on saving
money over the years by doing things themselves, such as sewing our clothing or
refinishing furniture. As kids, my brothers and I spent many nights around the
kitchen table with my mom doing all sorts of crafts. My mother also taught me
to sew and knit at a young age. One of my favorite family crafting memories is
making sand candles while vacationing at the beach!
R: I also admire your genuinely clever and practical ways to repurpose everyday
material. How has recycling and repurposing influenced you family life as much
as your craft life?
B: My husband and I often hold
onto things because "we might need it someday". In support of our
hoarding tendencies, we believe in my grandmother's mantra of "waste not
want not". It's always better to reuse or repair something if you can,
rather than buying new. It saves money and requires a little creative problem
solving, which I love. Also, it's really important for us that our children know
that running out and buying something isn't always the best answer.
R: Children often learn to craft and invent art and design from examples at
home. Have your boys shown any signs of carrying on the tradition?
B: Absolutely! Both boys love to
draw and our youngest is really interested in making things. As when I was a
child, our kitchen table seems like it is used more for crafting and making
stuff than it is for eating a meal. Plus having my studio in the house,
accessible to the kids, makes it so easy for them to jump in and start
creating. Everything is at their fingertips.
R: As a blogger, I appreciate the variety of blogs which encourage a home based crafting and creative lifestyle.
What is one of the most valuable and fun aspects of blogging for you?
B: I love the community that is
fostered both by having a blog and by commenting on other people's blogs.
Working at home (even if it is a dream job!) can be a little isolating. I love
that I can share ideas and show what I'm working on and then receive feedback
about it. Over the years I feel that I've gotten to know other crafters and
have actually been able to meet some of them in person. This network that we
are able to create for ourselves is truly amazing and it means so much to me to
be a part of it.
R. You offer so many crafting and sewing tips on your blog. I'm sure many people appreciate your generous attitude towards sharing ideas. I encourage everyone to visit Betz's blog and get to know her simple, useful, and at times quite fanciful ideas! Thanks for visiting My Little Hen!
B: Thanks Rae!
Betz has offered her Reversible Bucket Hat as a party favor to My Little Hen readers. To win a PDF (very green) pattern of this very cute and handy summer hat, just leave a comment about one simple thing your family does to be "green"...
Entries close at midnight on Sunday July 11.
There is nothing quite like a beautifully illustrated children's book... I love to hear my daughter tell the stories as she sees them (she's 2) through the pictures on the pages. Childhood is magical.