Summer! Where are you?

Summer vacation is here for the kids. And we are plenty busy with all the swim lessons, golf lessons and starting next week, lacrosse! Phew! But if we were just basing summer on the weather here in Oregon, you would think it was February!! Seriously. It's freakin' cold! What are you and your kids up to this summer?

To kick off Summer (or lack thereof), let's have a SALE!! Use coupon code Summer20 at checkout and get 20% off your entire order starting Friday 6/24, until Monday 6/27!

(I'm pretending I'm here)

So, I know I am a total slacker for not posting the winner of the Izzy and Ivy Sprinkles giveaway sooner. Sorry! The winner is Holly, who said, "I'm at Disneyland right now with my family and yet I'm online (on my phone) looking at fabric! I'm so addicted to fabric. It's a sickness, I tell you." I so wish I was at Disneyland right now!!
Speaking of Sprinkles. They will be available in the shop soon!

(Photo courtesy of Izzy and Ivy)

From the Izzy and Ivy blog: "One package has 11 size labels, you get 2 of each size for a total of 22. The sizes are 6mo, 9mo, 12mo, 18mo, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. There are 4 different “handmade” labels, in different sizes, you get 8 of those and last but certainly not least you get 1 Izzy label! That’s 31 damask woven labels for 9.95! The fact that our labels are woven means they won’t fade, shrink or bleed. They come packaged in a super sweet cupcake container, perfect for giving or if you are like us, just looking really cute in your studio."

There's a bunch of other new things in the shop right now too and some more new stuff on the way! If you haven't seen, I now carry Cosmo embroidery thread by Lecien. It is the softest, silkiest embroidery thread around. I just have a handful of colors in right now and they will coordinate beautifully with Monica Solorio-Snow's new line "Happy Mochi Yum Yum" and Bari Ackerman's new line "Paris Apartment", which will also be in the shop this summer. Stay tuned.
Grab a couple of skeins along with one of the new Penguin and Fish embroidery patterns for a fun summer project for yourself or for the kids! How cute are these??


Dazzle by Melissa Averinos is now in stock, as well as Bella Solids by Moda! And 1,001 Peeps by Lizzy House is on it's way!

It's Quilt Market Time!

Well, it was- last week, anyway. There's so much to cover, I don't even know where to begin.
First up, with all the new goodness on it's way, I need to clear some space on my shelves!


I got to Salt Lake City with my favorite travel buddies, Monica and Mo. This was a rotating billboard and it just happened to turn to this right when I took the picture. So perfect! It was a sign!


Then, after checking in to our hotel, we immediately jetted off to Patty Young's Schoolhouse lecture. I got to be a part of her Kyoko Misses fashion show!

If you're wondering about that fab fabric I used for mine, it's the new Peacock Lane by Violet Craft. It will be available this summer from Michael Miller!!

Later that evening, my girls, The Sweet Hot Yams and I threw us a grand Yamboree! Lot's of amazing fabric and quilty people stopped by to see us, eat desserts, drink and celebrate!
Here are the 1/2 of the Yams that got to go to Quilt Market. We missed our other 1/2 that had to stay at home and hold down the fort.

The Sweet Hot Yams: L to R Violet Craft, Mo Bedell, Monica Solorio-Snow, Kristin Link, Shelly Figueroa, Me and Heather Bostic in front (because she's short).

Yam goodie bags

Aneela Hoey and Monica

Lizzy House and Shelly (stripey, aren't they?)


Johnny Disco, the best bartender!

That pretty much sums up the first day! So, how about a giveaway? I've brought back a bunch of goodies and little snippets of things to come.

Why don't we start with this little bit of brilliance by Izzy and Ivy Designs? They're called "Sprinkles" and it's all packaged in a cupcake holder! Brilliant!! I'll be carrying these in my shop soon, so keep an eye out!
When I used to make children's clothes, I would add a little label for my customers. But the clothes I made for my daughter never got one. Then, later on, I would never know what size the different items were. Doh! I wish I had a kit like this. And look how CUTE it is!! You get 2 of each size tag, from size 6 mos. to 8, and labels. Well, you're supposed to get 2 of each label, but I honestly don't know where the other Izzy and Ivy label has gone. So, you're only going to get one of those. Sorry!



Since I probably had the most fun and laughed more than I ever had at any Quilt Market, due mainly from all my hilarious friends and their stories, leave a comment and tell me something funny! I'll pick a winner Monday.

Thanks to Heather for most of the party pics! I was too lazy to get my camera out.

Her Name is Grace

Isn't she cute? My friend Irene and I went out on a mission today to find some double-capped rivets for some bags we've been working on. We decided we would start at Fabric Depot. They didn't have what we were looking for, so we wandered over to Montavilla Sewing that is connected to Fabric Depot. I've had this little lady on layaway for a while, but kind of forgot about it and just plain procrastinated on paying it off. I've been sewing away from home a lot more often lately with my Sweet Hot Yams and have gotten so tired of lugging this monster around.


So, I bit the bullet and picked it up today, with a little "encouragement" from Irene. Yes, I'm a Babylock girl. They've never failed me and plus, I can use all the same feet and attachments I already have. I can't believe how much lighter it is!
Can't wait for our next sewing night!

WIP Wednesday

This is Petunia. I started Petunia a long, long time ago. She's been sitting naked, faceless and earless for a very long time. Even with this, she's been very well loved.

Her arm even started coming off. Yes, that is a sling. I get the hint, Sweetheart. I will finish her.

Spring Fever Sale!

It's almost Spring! I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for Spring to get here! Every few days, we'll get a beautiful, sunny, DRY day, then it starts pouring rain again! Mother Nature is such a tease! Plus, Spring Break is next week. What do you have planned with your kids and family? Us? Nothing! LOL! Maybe this will make your Spring a little happier: A Spring Fever Sale!

Starting Friday March 18, through Monday March 21, take 20% off your entire order with coupon code springfever20
So, if you're going nowhere for Spring Break, like me, why not start some new Springy projects?

Sewing for Boys

In case most of you don't know, I used to be in the eBay boutique scene. I started when my little girl was about 2. It was great! So much fun making cute dresses and outfits for her. I always had so many ideas swirling around in my head. Then, I had a little boy. I had no idea what to make anymore. What do you make little boys that don't make him look like a sissy? You can't put ruffles on anything or applique cute kitties on his shirts. I wish I had this book back then.

Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage from Patterns by Figgy's will have a new book just for boys! The book will include 24 projects that go from simple with no pattern pieces, to more complex with multiple pattern pieces. The book will not be available until August, but will be available for preorder soon. So, if you have a little boy that you're dying to make things for, but have no clue, keep an eye out for this book. It looks amazing!

Pillow Obsession

I told myself I would try to do more sewing this year. So far, I think I've been doing ok. I've recently had a pillow obsession. I realized that I hardly had any handmade accessories in my house, so I set out to change that. I started with this little number.

I used KarrieLyne's Four Patch Pillow tutorial. It was a lot of fun and a great way to use up scraps.

Next up, I had to make something with Kate Spain's Central Park. Such great colors and patterns! It was super easy-peasy. I just used a jellyroll and paired it with a Medium Gray Kona solid.

Next, my most recent project is this cute, little pincushion I made for the Scrappy Pincushion Swap on Flickr. I used Tula Pink's Parisville and linen and made some little, 3/4" hexies for the top. My favorite part is the center hexie. See the little mousie? So cute!

Next up on my list of projects I want/need to do is to finish my Lawn Chair quilt. I have the top finished and still need to do the back. Since this pic, I've added a wide chocolate brown border.

I've also got Amy Butler's Liverpool Tunic on my table and this little Butterick pattern.

Butterick B5217

And last, this isn't one of my projects, but my 10 year old's. She was so excited to get these Modkid doll panels, that she went straight to work. She sewed them all herself (with minimal help from me) AND made custom outfits! She made one for herself and the other two for her two besties. I was quite impressed! She's a crafty girl after my own heart!

And if you're wondering, the one on the left has glasses, just like her friend!

Bazaar Style

Bazaar Style is the new, Moroccan-inspired line from Patricia Bravo and Art Gallery Fabrics. It's made up of gorgeous deep purples, golds and teals. And, as usual, the quality is amazing and feels dreamy.
I've got some big plans for these fabrics! I'm planning on making more clothing for myself this Spring and Summer. I'm seeing a few skirts and tops in my future with this line. Oh, I really need a new bag too!
One pattern on the top of my list is the Lilverpool by Amy Butler. What about you?

Issue 4 of Fat Quarterly is hitting subscribers' in boxes today and tomorrow! If you haven't checked out Fat Quarterly yet, you absolutely must! Fat Quarterly is a quarterly e-zine focused on modern sewing for modern sewists. Issues are released 4 times a year.
The latest issue is centered around solids and how to incorporate them into your projects. Every issue is packed full of projects, tutorials and articles.
For this issue, I am offering a special promo just for Fat Quarterly readers!! What is it?? Get your issue now and find out!

Weekend Sale!

I'm having a sale this weekend!! Take 20% off your entire purchase! There's no coupon code needed and the discount will be taken at checkout.

Be sure to check out all the new fabrics that have arrived in the last couple weeks!!

Echino Fall 2010


Sunkissed


Sanctuary

Waiting for Spring

Join the fun with the Bloggers Block-a-Palooza. By this time, we all need a bright, sunny break from the cold, snow and rain. Each week, starting January 24, join your favorite bloggers for a quilt-along that will feature two new blocks per week. The theme is "Waiting for Spring" and will feature the new line by Sweetwater called "Sunkissed." Be sure to join the Flickr group and show off your blocks! You can find Sunkissed here in my shop!