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I've been writing a book! Sweet and Simple Handmade is what I've been working on for the past 12 months, and today I can finally let you in on the secret. 

I'm happy to say everything's finished now and it will be released in April next year.

The book features 25 projects for you to make for the small ones in your life. It's a collection of all the designs I've been selling in my etsy shop for the past five years and have been getting requests for the patterns ever since I started this blog.

There are patterns for baby shoes and corduroy pants for all ages, as well as coats and bags. There are also some new designs that I dreamt up especially for the book: a starry quilt, baby bonnet and recycled knitwear among others.

The book will include tissue paper patterns and detailed instructions on how to make all of the designs.

Sweet and Simple Handmade is being published by Stash Books in San Francisco, which is an imprint of C&T Publishing. Stash Books have been wonderful to work with and they allowed me to keep my own aesthetic as much as possible.

I took the styled photos and the C&T studio photographed the detail and progress shots. So, as well as learning a lot about writing and pattern-making, I had to upgrade my camera and learn more about photography, too.

This year has been rather an amazing one with many late nights and not-so-relaxing weekends, but I am very excited to share this new project with you.

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99 responses to “coming up in april”

  1. kaylovesvintage Avatar

    amazing
    I love your work

    Like

  2. louana Avatar

    Yay! I’m so super excited for you! – and for me too, can’t wait to get my hands on it xxxx

    Like

  3. Charlotte Avatar

    Hooray – how wonderful Melissa!!

    Like

  4. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    Looks good. I will definitely be buying this. Yay!

    Like

  5. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Fantastic!! It’s always wonderful to hear of new creative books – congratulations on publishing!

    Like

  6. annri Avatar

    congratulations, Melissa! i am a big fan of your photos, handwork, and aesthetic. thank you for sharing all of that in this generous way. 🙂
    best ~ annri

    Like

  7. Clare Avatar

    Wow! That’s awesome! I will be buying it for sure!

    Like

  8. Cushla Kemp Avatar
    Cushla Kemp

    Wow fantastic work Melissa! Can’t wait to get a copy 🙂 Well done you – Cush

    Like

  9. Jo Avatar

    Ooooh how fabulous! Clever you! Well done x

    Like

  10. mac Avatar
    mac

    Congratulations. Fantastic news.

    Like

  11. special K Avatar

    Ah! Melissa! A book! Awesome! xxx

    Like

  12. Sarah Avatar

    Congratulations! It looks beautiful!!

    Like

  13. Daria Avatar
  14. Steph Avatar

    Congratulations! I can’t wait to buy my own copy!

    Like

  15. Adrianne Avatar

    Fantastic – congratulations!!! So great to see a kiwi crafter making it big!

    Like

  16. deb Avatar

    Congratulations! you are really amazing. I love your work and so can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the book xxx

    Like

  17. Carrie @ Rhubarb Sky Avatar

    Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!!!! This wonderful and fantastic news! Squee!!!!! xoxox

    Like

  18. Tammy Bruce Avatar
    Tammy Bruce

    Awesome Melissa! well done you! xxx

    Like

  19. Ruth Avatar

    Congratulations on the book! It looks wonderful. Where can we order it from?

    Like

  20. Cinnamon Avatar
    Cinnamon

    Oh wow! How fantastic. Congratulations Melissa!!! Can’t wait to see it in person.

    Like

  21. Kate Avatar

    Congratulations!! That is fantastic, I can’t wait to get a copy!

    Like

  22. Hadley Avatar

    Oh, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so happy for you! I’ll certainly be buying a copy.

    Like

  23. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Hi Melissa
    Well done you!!! You must have been very busy with study,family and tinyhappy. Now a book!!Hope you are going to celebrate?
    Cheers
    Karen
    Newcastle,NSW

    Like

  24. jenni Avatar

    so happy for you Melissa & can’t wait to get my hands on this book, your works are wonderful!

    Like

  25. Heleen Avatar

    woot! well done you 🙂

    Like

  26. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    that looks great. well done you, you (& your family!) must be so proud… :-

    Like

  27. Ella Avatar
    Ella

    Well done you, it looks beautiful! And gosh, what a long time to keep such an exciting secret. I think I would’ve burst! xx

    Like

  28. Tania Avatar

    Looking forward to getting myself a copy by one of my favourite bloggers. Congratulations!

    Like

  29. KarenLR Avatar

    Well done!
    🙂

    Like

  30. A Avatar
    A

    yes! I can’t wait

    Like

  31. Katherine Avatar
    Katherine

    I’m so excited! April is just in time to make a pair of shoes for the newest addition to the family.

    Like

  32. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    Congratulations it will be a best seller!!
    Just a shame it hasn’t been published in NZ.Will it be only online sales from USA?

    Like

  33. christy Avatar

    congratulations!!!
    i can hardly wait to get a copy – oh those bunnies are for all ages right!!? like ME!!!

    Like

  34. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks adrienne,
    i havent quite figured that out… no doubt i will have some copies to sell in my etsy shop too and it will hopefully be in bookstores here.
    cheers!

    Like

  35. robynpope Avatar

    Congrats- that’s super exciting and deserved, your work is beautiful !

    Like

  36. Miss Smith Avatar

    Wow it looks wonderful! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Well done you, a published author at your tender age!

    Like

  37. Susaninfrance Avatar
    Susaninfrance

    I can’t believe you also did this over the year! wow. very impressive. Can’t wait for the book. Hope you’ll be coming to SF for a book event. I was just looking at your rabbit today and wondering whether you’d do a pattern! so cool, can’t wait and I hope that you’ll do one for women next.

    Like

  38. elmtree Avatar

    Wow, I am super impressed, that must have been hard work, all those deadlines!! Congratulations. How can people order a copy, or is that too soon!?

    Like

  39. Matariki Avatar

    How amazing you are! I feel so unproductive by comparison. Thank you so much for the Extra Curricular magazine, it was so inspiring, as is this development!

    Like

  40. viki Avatar
    viki

    Wow, that is so exciting Melissa, and I will definitely be getting one come April! I’ve always admired your baby shoes so that might be my first project. Well done you!

    Like

  41. Karina Avatar
    Karina

    Congratulations, this is great! Very exciting can’t wait to get a copy too. I am a big fan!
    🙂

    Like

  42. Ali Avatar

    How exciting Melissa – I know you will have done an awesome job with it! Big congratulations.

    Like

  43. julie Avatar

    Congratulations, Melissa! The book looks wonderful 🙂

    Like

  44. Tomascita Avatar
    Tomascita

    Fantastic!Now I just need a grandchild to go with the book…..

    Like

  45. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    Hi Melissa, we met briefly at the recent kilbirnie school fair and I bought one of your owls. hey, congratulations on your book! looking forward to it! I don’t have a blog to share but I’m pretty sure we’ll see each other again in town- most likely at a craft fair;-) best wishes, Helen.

    Like

  46. anissa ljanta Avatar

    YAY Melissa, this is fabulous news. How great that you were able to make sure your aesthetic translates into the book. You have something very special…thank you for sharing it with us all!

    Like

  47. kim Avatar

    Congratulations! I’m very excited! For you, for this amazing achievement and for us that get to buy it and support you!

    Like

  48. Eva Avatar
    Eva

    Melissa, I’m so pleased for you. The book is bound to be amazing, your work is lovely. Congratulations x

    Like

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