3.07.2009

fly, fly, Sugar City Quarterly!

Maybe it's an attempt to slow down a bit, in a world where much is hastily done, often sloppily and without thought. A sort of anti-blog--even though we love blogs!--where the average attention span lasts for one minute, then alley-oop: new link, new image, new thought, new blog. We miss the pleasure of slowly performing an activity and doing it well: making a perfect batch of bread from a slow-rising starter that rests and rises for a whole day; knitting a sweater patiently, bit by bit over the course of a winter; reading a long Russian novel; looking up unknown words in the dictionary, pondering the book in off-reading hours... We thought an old-fashioned-ish sort of quarterly, with thoughtful articles, simple ink sketches, interspersed with pretty photographs, sewing ideas and patterns, sans annoying advertisements, might bring a bit more contemplative calm to our harried lives. Instead of bending over a computer with an achy neck to read from an articifically lit screen, we can hold the pages of the quarterly in our hands, snuggle up on a cozy sofa and read and think, uninterrupted and peacefully. Within the next few weeks the first issue will be published. The theme: the magic of story books.

P.S. the pattern for the little outfit is the storytime button-over, designed last year.

41 comments:

chelsey said...

was the storytime button over pattern ever sold in the shop? i would love to make one... or two.. or three! so cute!

Jess said...

How can I sign up?
This sounds perfect!

Lisa said...

Can't wait!

Barbara Brown said...

will there be a sign up?
and it actually comes snail mail?
barbara brown

Art Nest said...

I want a pattern for the button up cover!

tammy said...

What a fun idea from two remarkably fun women!!! I can't wait to take more than a minute to read and peruse through.

Laura said...

What a lovely and perfect idea.

Anonymous said...

first of all, I *love* that photo. Secondly, I think your timing is perfect and could me signed up, wherever, however.

(rachel) said...

I would also love the pattern for the button over. Mayeb we'll see that in the shop again? :) I love the idea of the newsletter/quarterly. Can't wait to see it.

Kris said...

This post follows a theme I have been contemplating lately. Some of my favourite mags are going "digital" and I wondered if I would like that. I posed the question on my blog and everyone who responded said they wouldn't subscribe digitally because part of the pleasure of reading a magazine is holding it. Curling up with it on the couch and spending time enjoying it. It seems to be a direction we all want to follow!

Unknown said...

Melissa, that picture is so magical. Your photoshop skills are unbelievable!

Long live the Quarterly!!

Anonymous said...

Oh how wonderful!
I'm currently on a blogging break because of all those things you said.
I'm still reading blogs but with a much edited google reader. I'm so excited about your next little venture!

we chirp said...

I agree and can't wait to get my hands on the quarterly!

sew nancy said...

I think this idea comes at just the right time.

This photo is amazing.
I look forward to the storytime button over as it is a favorite of mine.

joy said...

oh i am so glad you made the point of hastily doing so many things...i am so guilty. i would love something, anything that would help me slow down. you two are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can't wait to see it. I love the blogging world, but it is so nice to sit and hold something in your hands. So how does it work? Do you subscribe? Details, please!

linda lum debono said...

Can't wait to see the quarterly. Lovely photo by the way.

Kellie H said...

ooh cannot wait! I too love blogs, but having something to hold in your hands and refer back to in any space sounds lovely...& on the topic books no less hooray!

Anonymous said...

My fingers are crossed that I get one! Marie from Perth West Australia!

Anonymous said...

I love this pic! Standing on the pillows and the look on her face :-)

Cant wait to sign up.

Mandi said...

Can't wait for both the quarterly and pattern(hopefully)!

Anonymous said...

Hope the Storytime button-over will be available soon!

Anonymous said...

oh, super idea!!

Rachael said...

Firstly, a brilliant idea! Will be signing up for that one.

Secondly, if you even want to come visit me in Sydney and show me how to use Photopshop, we would love to have you here...

Lauren said...

LOVE the photo. I can't believe how fast J. is growing!! If you have a list PLEASE sign me up. You guys are wonderful.

xo

Amanda May said...

That picture is the cutest!

Anonymous said...

Sounds lovely. Count me in!

Stephanie said...

Darling picture...once again I wish I could sew...

Anonymous said...

Oh I do agree with you :) It sounds great Melissa ! And ... That photo is magical !!!!!! Wonderful job !!! I did take my time to look at it :) I always take me time to look at things :) i recognized some books, we do have the french versions :) Le petit bonhomme de pain d'épice... Lovely stories :) Belle journée Melissa :) xo

Lisa said...

so true.

absolutely adorable outfit. it makes me think of the childhood of dreams.

liz said...

i have to admit - i'm a blog skimmer. just give me pictures and some quirky info. if it's more than two paragraphs i'm on to the next.

i like your idea of slowing down. knitting something over the winter! would my attention span last so long? would i lose what stitch i'm on (yes), but perhaps it's a skill i should work on...

i think your quarterly newsletter sounds fun.

Joslyn said...

i think this is a brilliant, brilliant idea. i can't wait to see what you ladies come up with!!!
xo

Anonymous said...

Great idea - made me happy for the lovely book I am reading...

"There's nothing like wide thoughts in a small garden."
- Diane Ackerman

Don't forget to drink champagne!
Jen

the fabled needle (jen) said...

i hear that. i'm pretty much addicted to blogging and yet i feel things need to be balanced. my childhood best friend and i decided to start writing snail-mail letters to each other again and i love it!

i look forward to the quarterly!

Anonymous said...

very exciting! Can't wait!

#A5 said...

i'm in. can't wait to have something to enjoy as i sit on a park bench taking in the warmth of spring!

and melissa- this picture is amazing.

gold fawn said...

I want THAT pattern!!
cuteness!

Gabrielle of Design Mom said...

Oh! Sign me up for the quarterly. Can't wait.

Tegan Henry said...

here here.

Bethany said...

I started reading "In Praise of Slowness". You have me reconsidering my blog now. I love words but sometimes I rush to write something when maybe fewer carefully chosen words and a great well thought out photo or drawing will be so much better. You are so wise!

Unknown said...

I love reading your blog but this sound even BETTER!!!
I have every pattern that you guys have made... but the one I am really hoping you finally offer is the storytime button up cover!!!!! So,if this is the way to sign up, please count me in... if not please let us know how is this going to work. But please keep the wonderful work coming!!!!
Monica