Welcome to the Urban Edge Blog Tour! We are thrilled you have joined us for this week-long tour of the blogs of some of the best known writers and designers in the fiber world as they give their reviews of our newest book of crochet patterns, Urban Edge. And did we mention there would be giveaways? More on that in a little bit…
Urban Edge began as a collection of sketches that I presented to our publisher at Leisure Arts who had published our two previous books “Heady Affairs” and “And That’s A Wrap!” I love to sketch… I mean I REALLY love sketching… and at this particular meeting I think I had close to 200 sketches with me grouped into different seasons and styles. By the end of that meeting, a couple dozen sketches had been pulled from my book. Those sketches were then narrowed down again into the 13 designs for Urban Edge.
At that same meeting, I was bowled over when our publisher offered us the opportunity to package this book ourselves. Being allowed to package our own book meant that we had our hands on the creation of this book from the concept sketches to the final files that we sent to our publishers to be printed as the book you now hold (or will hold) in your hands. In the world of designers, this was a dream come true! Leisure Arts would give us all of the support we needed, but we would be able to produce the book from start to finish ourselves.
I think I all but did a back flip right there on the spot! Needless to say, we took on the challenge and, with a lot of support and encouragement from our editor and the FAB folks at Leisure Arts, we were able to create Urban Edge.
That meeting was in January and, officially, production began in April of 2011.
Not only was I able to make some of my absolute favorite pieces and share them with the world, we were also given the opportunity to cast the models, choose the locations for the photo shoots, style the garments how we thought they would look best, and Jason photographed every garment so we could be sure it was shown in exactly the way we felt it would look best. Again, this was a dream come true and we had a FAB time!
Creating Urban Edge has been a joy for us here at Shibaguyz Designz. We feel like this is a FAB representation of everything we love about crochet design and fashion. We love each one of these designs and have taken every step to make sure you, the makers, have all of the information you need to create each one of these pieces for yourself. As you make these garments, if you can get even a little of the joy we feel in creating these pieces for you, then we will be happy campers!
With Urban Edge, we have been given the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind collection of garments for you all and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
To go into the entire story today of the creation of Urban Edge would be a bit cumbersome. Instead, we will be writing a few behind the scenes articles over the next couple of weeks focusing on everything from Jason’s FAB photography (seriously, don’t you LOVE his photographs? FAB!) and layout of the book to the inspiration for the designs themselves. We will share our journey with you and, in return, you might gain a little insight into the creative minds of the studio of Shibaguyz Designz… I know… scary stuff… hehehe…
Now to the giveaway! It’s really simple; we are going to be giving away two copies of Urban Edge. All you have to do is leave a comment here at the end of this post. TAADAA!! What?? You want more? Okay… you will get one entry into our drawing for EACH of these:
1. Leave a comment at the end of this post telling use which design from Urban Edge you want to make first – one comment per person.
2. Tweet about this post and Urban Edge using the hashtag #UrbanEdge and a link to this post – one Tweet entry per person, per day!
3. Write your own blog post about Urban Edge and include a link to this post in your post (I just wanted to see how often I could put “post” in one sentence… post… post…) – one blog post per person.
4. Talk about this post on your Facebook page and include a link to this post – one Facebook entry per person, per day!
5. Talk about this post on Ravelry and include a link to this post – one Ravelry entry per person.
6. Make a sign and carry it up and down the street telling everyone to buy a copy of Urban Edge!! (ahem) Okay… that’s probably not going to happen… still… it couldn’t hurt… hehehe…
*NOTE: All comments on this blog are moderated. So… if you leave a comment and don’t see it show up right away, don’t panic. Check back in a few hours and you will see your comment. :)
Do one, do ‘em all… that’s a total of FIVE (six if you don’t mind carrying a sign LOL) entries you could have in our drawing. Now, here’s the fine print… for #2-6, you have to come BACK here to this post and leave an additional comment with a link to each of your Tweets, Facebook status updates, Ravelry post or blog entry for EACH of the additional entries. Only comments on this post will be counted in the drawing… that way we know you completed your task and we can assign you another entry! WOOHOO!! The only criteria we have for WHO can win is that you must be a resident of the United States.
In addition, we hear some of the other bloggers on the tour might be giving away copies of Urban Edge so ya better get over to those blogs and enter too!
Speaking of those other folks, here is the poster again:
Be sure to stop by each of the blogs on the tour this week… they are all FAB folks and we are so luck to have each of them reviewing Urban Edge.
Don’t want to wait to win a copy? You can also pick up a copy of Urban Edge directly from Leisure Arts where it is available as a hardcopy AND as a digital download! WOOHOO!!
Thank you again for stopping by day one of the Urban Edge Blog Tour! Come back soon for more about Urban Edge and other projects from the studio of Shibaguyz Designz and be sure to look over there in the right hand column of our page to see how to keep up with us on Twitter, Facebook, Ravelry and Pinterest.
talk to you soon…
the Shibaguyz
Comments on: "Urban Edge Blog Tour Begins!" (47)
I would like to make St. Tropez Butterfly Sleeve Top first. All the designs are gorgeous!
I agree with Juanita and would liek to make the St. Tropez Butterfly Sleeve top but they are all so good…how many sets of needles can I have on the go at the same time…
Fabulous designs! Would love to win it!!
I really want to make the Bangkok Jacket. It would be a big project for myself.
[...] http://shibaguyzdesignz.com/2012/04/02/urban-edge-blog-tour-begins/ [...]
I’m a sucker for vests of all sorts, so this is definitely one book I wanna get my hands on. I wanna make the Rio sleeveless hoodie first, though! Vests are the best!
I would love to make the Buenos Aires Maxi Vest. I think it makes a great statement! All the designs in the book are great though.
I love all the designs! I like that you are doing something that no-one else is doing, bringing fashion to the crochet world. I’d love to win a copy.
My first would be the Dublin Cables Dress.
I like the pink sweater with the split sleeves! The cardigans are nice, too! Can’t wait to see the other patterns in there!!
I literally gasped when I saw the Bangkok Jacket. I love it’s lines and the texture of the stitch pattern. I’d definitely make that one first.
Here’s the link to my Rav post. Yes, I really do want to win this book.
http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/crochet-liberation-front-headquarters/topics/2091767
That Rio Sleeveless Hoodie is calling my name! Love it!
Love all the designs but I might favor the Rio de Janeiro Sleeveless Hoodie first!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/kroshey/status/187167352318730241
Ravelry post: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/crochetville/topics/2092050
I really like the Seattle Cross Front Vest pattern.
Oh it’s so hard to choose. I can’t decide between the Seattle Cross Front Vest or the Milan Cowl Neck Top. All the designs are fabulous.
I LOVE the sweater on the front cover. The green that you chose is BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks for the chance to win, can’t wait to see the whole book in person!!!
And here is my Rav post. http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/crochet-party/topics/2092070
I like the Seattle Cross Front Vest
I want to make the maxi vest.
So hard to pick a first… I think the Amsterdam Vest would be my first because 1. it is coming into the warmer months and this would make a great layering piece and 2. I can make it smaller than I need now and shrink into it because a vest can be worn open!
Hi! I want to make the Milan Cowl Neck Top first, and then the Seattle Cross Front Vest, and Ohhhh, I REALLY want to try the Bangkok Jacket! Actually of the designs are FAB!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!
I would love to make the seattle cross front vest. I love the flowing lines it creates. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Love the cover jacket. The stitch pattern is so cool and I can honestly say that I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m looking forward to see all the designs in detail.
The Paris Wrap made ankle-length in a thin cotton.
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/mooglyblog/status/187562145372844032
This looks like a really fun book. I would like to make the St. Tropez Butterfly Sleeve top
Janeen M. From Iowa USA
Seattle vest
1. They’re all awesome but the first one I’d make is the Taos Poncho!!!
This looks like an amazing book. Would LOVE to add it to my library. Thanks for this giveaway!
I put a link to this post on my facebook business page.
https://www.facebook.com/mooglystore (sorry I don’t know how to link to just that post!)
I would like to make St. Tropez Butterfly Sleeve Top first. I’d be excited to try them all!
Wow, what amazing designs, i love all the jacket type ones
Ty for offering it!
I’m so excited about this book. The designs looks FABULOUS!!! And definitely wearable! I am not sure what the green one on the cover is called, but I really want to make that one. It stole my heart!!!
I tweeted too: https://twitter.com/#!/lyteyz/status/188303746227380226
I also posted a FB status: facebook.com/lyteyz
(i’m just a little excited…don’t mind me)
Absolutely stunning. But perhaps I should have written that in all caps! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Yes, that’s better. =)
Love this collection. Crochet Liberation Front was right. This is fantastic.
I love so many of these items. What I would crochet for myself and what I’m visually drawn to are totally different items. I adore the New York Dress. But alas, my figure would not do it justice. Perhaps I could make it for my gorgeous neighbor???
I love the sweaters and hoodies and, ohhh…so much crochet goodness. I think the Rio Sleeveless Hoodie looks most like my style. Why do we love hoodies? I don’t know…but I love the option to wear it or not.
The book looks absolutely divine. I would love to win a copy.
Congrats on a book that looks absolutely stunning from every point of view. And the models do make the garments look delicious! =)
Just tweeted about the book.
Also mentioned it from my facebook page (Yarnovations). And Google+ and Pinterest. I couldn’t help myself! =)
I would make a sign…but alas, I’m heading out of town and won’t be able to work that into my schedule. Maybe next time. =)
Just catching up with these.
Monday’s tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/teachdig/status/186920627150651394
Thursday’s tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/teachdig/status/188102344444096516
I’d like to try the Rio sleeveless hoodie
I want to make the Dublin cable dress first.
I may get back to crochet big time! These designs are a knockout.
We passed through Amsterdam on our way North on Good Friday – and one day I am going to make the Amsterdam vest just in honour of the occasion.