Pink Kate

Finally my illustration promotion packages are out! Each publisher received an envelope with 6-9 printed samples, a personalized letter and a business card. Part of the work was just finding all the addresses and making sure they were up-to-date. Good thing I checked because one of the publishers had gone out of business since my last package. It's a nice feeling knowing that the packages are out there, hopefully being well-received. I realized after this that the last time I sent a batch of self-promotions out was in 2003, so it was long overdue.

In other news, I finally tried out the very popular "Kate" pattern. I used an unknown fibre yarn, probably acrylic and I have to admit I can't shake my yarn snobbery. It was going to be a gift for a little baby, and I was thinking initially that a mum would appreciate being able to throw it in the wash. But if it's someone who knows their fibres, they probably wouldn't like the acrylic either. The skeins felt fairly soft but there's a slight synthetic feel that bothers me. I'd like to hear people's opinion on the natural fibre/synthetics for toy making. It's too bad, because the colours were so nice and cheerful for a little baby and of course Kate herself is so lovable! So I think I will make another one in wool and it will just have to be a hand wash toy. It was good practise though, and now I think I'm ready to design my own.

p.s. I just saw the Nanny McPhee movie and it's wonderful! Emma Thompson is so brilliant. The Nurse Matilda books were some of my favourites growing up so I was really happy that the movie was so good.