MEET KID GIDDY

You know that feeling when you stumble upon someone on social media and they just seem to get where you’re coming from straight away? That’s how I feel about Kerry (of Kid Giddy). I swear, I don’t know who loves gnomes more, me or Kerry!

I used Kerry‘s Anchor’s Away Foundation Pieced Pattern for my Naughty-cal Weekender and it was great (and just what I needed to make those pockets fabulous).  Kerry was so generous and sent me her amazing book “Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love” and it’s been sitting in pride of place on my sewing inspiration shelf just begging me to make something (like a gnome or lobster).

Kerry is warm and funny and so generous of spirit. I’ve loved getting to know her (and look forward to getting to know her more over the coming years) and I hope you enjoy this insight into her creativity. 

What’s your creative story so far?

After a couple of years at art college, I worked at one job or another, got married, became a mom, was a stay at home mom, and started sewing when I felt the urge or when I needed something (like a baby shower gift). I learned about trademarking and and started Kid Giddy after inventing the Tuck ‘n’ Go and eventually started selling on Etsy to control my otherwise out of control fabric stash. One friend asked me to make an owl ornament to support my new Etsy shop, when another talked to me about submitting something to a magazine. All within a year (2010-11), I was a published designer, attended my first Craft and Hobby trade show, snagging a deal there to design some patterns for Anna Griffin, and attended my first Quilt Market to enjoy seeing my hard work sitting in her booth.

In the fall of 2011, I then set my sights on writing a book and began the journey of becoming a licensed designer with Sizzix Ellison. After my book proposal was approved in early 2012, I began designing and writing the remaining chapters later that year. “Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love” from KP Craft (and imprint of F&W) came out in the fall of 2013 just as our year long massive home and studio renovations were finishing up. Now with my Sizzix debut on the horizon, things are picking up again and I’m maintaining balance with deadlines and #mojosewing.

What is it that you love about being creative?

I can be me. I don’t have to do what everyone else is doing and I can put all of my thoughts and feelings into my work. I also love that I can work from home in my own environment. When my girls were babies, it seemed like a curse to not have a job and have adult interactions when I was a crazy, unshowered, and exhausted mommy. However, looking back, I’m so grateful to not only love what I’m doing, but doing it at home and sharing that love of creativity with them.

What fuels your creative passion?

When something works I want to keep going. It’s exciting to hold something in my hands that I created and see the positive reaction of my girls and my husband. It makes me think, if I like it, and they like it, others will too. So I keep going. When something doesn’t work out how i wanted it to, it’s def. a struggle. That’s when I put the “work” aside and pull out some mojosewing. Something for me, or my girls, or someone else. Then I get excited again. It’s a constant cycle.

What gives you the most joy from being creative?

Watching my girls be creative whenever they feel the need or desire. Creating art in any medium a great stress reliever for kids too (because there are no deadlines) – so it’s fun to watch them and see what they are thinking about and how that translates into a tangible form.

What are you most proud of from your creative journey?

My book. I literally poured my heart and soul in to my book. I’m grateful my girls got to see that even our biggest dreams and desires are hard work, but to not give up and keep going no matter how hard it gets. I hope more people will crack it open and want to sew from it and share their own stories. (Click here to purchase a signed copy of Kerry’s book; “Sewing Tales to Stitch and Love”)

My one piece of advise about being creative that you wish all people knew?

I was speaking with a fellow designer during a trade show and she told me that not everyone is known for what they started out doing. Some people change course and go in a completely different direction, either by choice, by accident or luck. And when that happens, it’s ok, because sometimes they are happier that way and they are doing what they were really meant to do. I thought that was great advice. Don’t feel stuck in what you are doing if you have a completely different idea one day. Run with it and see where it takes you.

We all love finding new creative people to get inspired by, who are some of your favourites at the moment?

I’m not sure I can answer that with specific names. Different things/people inspire me each day. One day it may be something my girls were crocheting, the next day a new fabric line that just came out, maybe a single image on instagram or something else completely. It changes constantly.

What creative challenges would you like to conquer in the next 12 months?

I still want to learn more about sewing and designing apparel. It’s something I just started digging into last year and would love to learn more so I can sew clothes for myself and my girls.

I also would really love to have nothing on my to do list. No unfinished projects – and a clean studio. Wishful thinking right? lol

What are your 3 favourite creative projects that you’ve done that reflect who you are as a creator?

1) I love the Gnome Dolls pattern in my book. I love making them resemble my girls, nephews and other people. It’s really fun to create them and give them their own name, story, and send them off to a new home.

2) I love all things Modular. A couple of years ago I designed a plush modular star that’s really fun and easy to make, and recently have been piecing this (not so secret) angel mini quilt using an EPP pattern I designed in EQ7. I’ve gotten the epping down, but now I need figure out how to quilt it.

3) The third one I can’t share until May. Then it will likely change to the project I can’t share until October (just think Sizzix).

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what other creative endeavour would you like to master?

That’s a long list. I really miss playing on a potter’s wheel, and cutting/sculpting anything and everything in the wood shop in college. I never tried my hand at printmaking while there and my college didn’t have metalsmithing. I’d love to do both of those. I have a dear friend that makes a lot of her own jewelry but I just haven’t had the time to join her teacher for some lessons. It’s very high on my list though.

If I had to pick something that wasn’t “creative”, I think I’d want to be a CSI agent.

A Bit of Fun:

If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?

You can just choose a word, or choose to elaborate on your choice, it’s just a little bit of fun.

1. Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Soft matters more to me than solid or patterned. Is that cheating?

2. Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Improv – I have a hard time sticking to a pattern since I grew up coloring outside of the lines…I’d rather sew out of the lines too.

3. Seams: Open or to the Side? Opened

4. Stitching: Hand or Machine? I guess I’d have to pick handstitching. I prefer to machine stitch as much as possible because it’s so much faster, but sometimes I really enjoy having something to sew when I’m waiting in my car, at a doctors office, or while watching tv.

5. Binding: Hand or Machine? By hand if it’s not urgent.

6. Food: Sweet or Savoury? Sweet. I think I was born with sugar in my veins. Cherry Salad would be great.

7. Entertainment: Books or Music? Music. Sometimes it’s the only thing that picks me up on a hard day (other than kisses and hugs from my family).

8. Entertainment: Television or Movies? Movies. I can’t stand commercials. In an hour long show, the show is really only 36 minutes. That’s a lot of wasted time watching something I don’t want to watch.

9. Computer: Mac or Windows? Mac. I don’t miss PC’s at all. Apple all the way.

10. Drink: Coke or Pepsi? Kombucha. They make my stomach feel better – and soda makes me sick.

You can find Kerry in the following places: Blog | Store | Instagram | Facebook