Sheepish

Yesterday morning I had a fun opportunity to go with Alex out to her friend Marilyn's ranch. Not before a little trip into the studio to take peek. That vintage suitcase was a gift from her mother to her father when they were young newlyweds. Alex is filling it up with fabric for a class she's taking at Asilomar.

Looks like a lot of pretty Hoffman batiks in there...

Back at the ranch.. (sorry I couldn't help myself) we had a nice visit with Marilyn. I remember coming on a field trip with Frankie to the ranch to see new lambs in second grade. (oh gads, about 17 years ago!!!)

Today in the barn we saw this fellow resting up. He has a busy night life.

Nothing cuter than barn cats.

Hope you guys have a great weekend!!!

Feeling it

I'm really on a roll lately cranking out stuff. Elizabeth said she hoped I'd have a bag or two to go with Red Rose Farm and I think I have fulfilled that wish for her.

This is all the sneak peek you get for now, you'll have to check with her for anything more than this. Next up some quilty stuff. I'm ready for a change of pace. The Twitter diet has been pretty good at keeping me at my sewing machine. Not that I haven't fallen off the wagon a time or two!!!

Guess I should get at it. Tell me what's new with you! xo

Monday Morning

Coffee on the swing has been a bit chilly the past few mornings. I love it when the fog creeps into the valley. We've had a pretty good summer so far weather wise. Not to many scorching days and that's just how I like it. The weekend had it's ups and downs. Thankfully ended in a nice up, Sunday Brunch with Frankie. How about your weekend?

It's a super sewing week, what's on your agenda?

Statement

So this week it's like I can't stop taking pictures of my ironing board. That's where the action has been for the most part. Here's my Kaufman Barn Dandy's fabric, I love the souvenir feeling it has. I've been hoarding it, but I finally found a project for it. Well for some of it anyway!

Seeing it laid out is the perfect excuse to show off some of my vintage state charms. I picked up one at the Alameda Antiques on the Bay show a few summers ago and spent a lot of time on eBay collecting up states. I have almost all the states that I've been to. I'm working on vintage state souvenir plates as well, but that's another story!

This past spring in Minnesota, Linda took me to Ingebretson's and I found this poster. I was DYING OVER IT. It's by Keep the Faye and I couldn't wait to get it in a frame! You should totally check out their Daily Disaster and Fantasy postcard collection. Hilarious.

Well that's it here. I have had a couple of very productive days and today as a treat I'm having a bit of an outing with Elizabeth! Life is good! Let's all be happy! xo

So how was your day? Mine was pretty good, productive. Ok not Sherrie productive, did you read about her weekend? HOLY COW. But still all in all, pretty good. Did a test block of something rather fun, and then started work on another bag. It looks really cute in my head.. we'll see how it turns out. Went to Target to run a quick errand and ran into my friend Kim and her completely adorable family. Super best part of the day!

Ok, more sewing sewing sewing. I'm finally feeling creative again. Hope you guys have a great day! xo

Testing

Good morning everyone! How are things in your world? We had a lovely cool weekend here. I got some sewing done and Bret has been working painting the kitchen cabinets. There's still tons to be done in there.. but oh my gosh it's looking so good. I've also been working on some sewing. Shocker I know. Getting stuff done. Buckled down this weekend by staying off the computer.. that means you Twitter. It's hard though, because there's so much fun chatting among friends there I hate to miss out.

I can't believe it's August already. It just doesn't seem possible. August means Quilt Market is just around the corner so we really need to get busy. New patterns aren't going to make themselves, right?

So what have you been up to?

Dreamy

I was able to finally put my obsession over not getting Dream On at quilt market to rest this week when I finally got my package in the mail. How could I not have noticed this at Sample Spree? I got my pile-o'-bliss but yikes... missed this. And you know how I feel about my Chiks. I scoured the internet for some after seeing the likes of this. And there's more out there.. like this.. you have to scroll a bit to see it in action but it's worth it.. lots of eye candy.

Anyway I have what I hope will be a fun idea. I just love this collection.. and of course you know I don't have to tell you.. I know the Urban Chiks.

Time Travel

So yesterday Elizabeth and I got out and about for some fun. We're not getting out like we used to, which is weird. But we cruised down to San Jose to visit Prairie Queens and The Granary.

Prairie Queens was fun, but they have a no photography policy posted on their door when you walk in , no photos, sorry. They have a lot of wonderful things there and we had fun shopping. PQ is also the quilty home of the wonderful Keiko Clark. You've seen her lovely work in the Lecien booth photos.

Next stop was The Granary. I knew my friend Anne and her group used to sew there on Tuesdays, and I was hoping that maybe she'd be there. Anne managed Going to Pieces when I worked there, we were all great Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans. Anne and her husband used to be able to find a 'wild feed' of Buffy before the actual episode would air, so the three of us would pile in the car and go meet her and Bobby to exchange the video tape, like spies. It was a very fun and exciting time in our household. Frankie and I were just reminiscing about it last week. So seeing "Buffy-Anne" yesterday was a great treat, and Frankie went nuts over the photo I sent her. So Anne, Frankie says hi and sends a big hug.

We also had a very nice time a Kinokuniya and I found a copy of the July Cotton Time. Delicious as usual. And check out my cool handles from Prairie Queens. They go perfect with Red Rose Farm.

Ok, now I need to go get busy! Hope you guys have a great day !!

August

I don't know how it managed to turn to August all of a sudden. I mean seriously, wasn't it JUST the first of July? Weird. Yesterday I went to the grocery store and saw a bunch of back to school stuff and felt that twinge of sadness I usually feel, like it's the end of freedom.. but then I got a grip on myself. I'm free all the time.

Speaking about getting a grip, I finally finished up my butterfly pillow. It's 18 inches square and I used the pillow making method Elizabeth describes in her book. Doesn't it look cute next to the pillow she made me last year for my birthday?

I think the black background makes a much more dramatic pattern, don't you? I like both though, and I'm pleased with how it turned out. I made it as a gift for my sister, and I hope she likes it. I'm VERY LATE for her birthday as usual.

I don't appreciate the funky pillow form though, and probably will have to go grab another. This one makes my corners look bad.

So that's all the news here. It was a fun weekend, with Bret home for 4 days. He's busy on a painting project around here. The house is a wreck. I'm happy I can always find some calm in the sewing room. xo

It's Friday, right?

Seems like the week flew by, how about for you? This week marked a memorable event here in PKMville, Wednesday was our 25th Anniversary! Like the jet setters we are, we headed up to Twain Harte, one of Bret's favorite places.

Bret's favorite place to have lunch is The Rock. We had a nice ride up, lots of sight seeing and reminiscing about our lives together followed by a delicious lunch. I wanted to dig up a picture from our honeymoon on the Iberian Peninsula but just couldn't make my way to the albums stored in the garage. Besides, I don't think you're ready for that 80's hair!

Anyway, it was a super day.

The rest of the week has been filled up with the normal stuff. And sewing. My butterflies will be a pillow by next week, I hope.

They're pretty right? You can't go wrong with Flower Sugar.

Have a super weekend people.

p.s. for some charm pack butterflies check Ferne's blog here!

Not what you've come to expect.

Hey seriously, who would have thought I'd actually be working on something? Last week I had a nice day with Debbie and I got some butterflies cut out. I thought I'd share my cutting sizes with you in case you're nuts and want to make some smaller butterflies. I'm still in love with this block and I've totally given into the fact that it's easier to follow Amy's tutorial and just make my smaller size. Why do I torture myself with crazy notions?

For each butterfly cut: body (1) 1 x 3 1/2 rectangle, wings (2) 1 3/4 x 3 1/2 rectangle, background (4) 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 rectangles. The only thing I did different in piecing mine was that I don't trim my wing piece at all.

And just to further tempt you in the butterfly making, check out Nedra's blog here and here.

Ok, time to get back to work.

Monday

How was the weekend my very special friends? I had another great weekend.. all family all the time. But now it's Monday,Bret's at work and Frankie has gone back home. Back to PKM business. Sewing and spending time on the internet.. and don't forget the coffee! So my question is, did you see this wonderful quilt in the August issue of Quilt Life? It's from favorites Diana and Laura and it's the best spool quilt I've seen in a while! I think I'll work on cutting out the pieces and sewing blocks when I have free time. Very cool.

FYI the issue is sold out, so if you haven't grabbed it do so now. I know the Fat Quarter Shop still has some in stock!

Cherries, Rabbits AND Kittens!

So hey peeps, how goes it? All my good intentions of being better about posting just went right down the drain this week. Just too much going on around the headquarters here. Yesterday I had to head over to Elizabeth's to help out Alex with some photos for and upcoming article in Quilt Life. Anyway... Elizabeth had my birthday present ready for me. Can you believe how stinken cute all that is??? So cleverly color coordinated!!! I'm dying over the tiny little vintage kitten refrigerator, and OMG THAT BAG! THOSE SLIPPERS!!

She made those super cute slippers and bag for me to carry them in. Which believe me, I hardly want them to touch the ground! So cute! So soft! So totally me! I feel like I want to make them into a darling vignette and never let them touch the ground.

Sigh. I wish my daily life was slipper worthy.

Anyway, today I'm meeting up with my sewing pal Debbie for lunch and a mini sew day. She's making me my favorite salmon salad. It's doubtful I could be any luckier, right? Have a good day everybody !!! xo

p.s. head over to Elizabeth's for all the pattern info on the slippers and bag.

3 days and counting

Good morning! So how was the weekend? I had a fabulous weekend, Frankie came home on Thursday, Bret took the day off Friday and we had a SUPER FUN FAMILY WEEKEND!

Ok, I'm not going to lie, it was pretty hot. I'm glad I got my car back in time for an outing. It was just the alternator. Anyway, I've been wanting to go up to Roseville since I stumbled upon the Tattered House blog. Of course the shop did not disappoint. Katy let us take some pictures around the shop. It was a very fun visit. Can't wait to go back.

We went to quite a few places around the Sacramento area. We used to hang out up there a lot when my mom lived in Rancho Cordova so it was fun reminiscing about that.

The rest of the weekend was filled with more outings and even a trip to the movies. I really enjoyed the Sorcerer's Apprentice. So all in all.. great time. This morning the coffee is good, the air is crisp and cool out, sometimes it just can't be any better.

Have a great day everybody! xo

Wednesday was not my day.

Wednesday while I was out running errands, my car totally croaked. I was able to limp into the parking lot and park safely thank goodness. I thought I was having a crappy day but then looked across the lot and saw this:

Hmm, at least I didn't have to explain that.

Ok peoples.. have a good weekend!

The way life is.

Yesterday I got this comment from Anonymous "How come you don't blog as much as you used to? I miss your daily musings." I guess I just don't think my life is that interesting right now. I looked back on the last couple of Julys and man I was busy! But this year, not so much. Yesterday morning Elizabeth and I shared more than a few emails on how positively tasty our salads at Chevy's were and how we'd like them delivered within the hour. FASCINATING TALK. But did you see her new website? Very pretty and Red Rose Farmy. I mean how many shots of my cup of coffee can people take? Although aren't those magazines wonderful? I don't think it's really Country Home like the old days but I can dream right? And that other magazine is the one that photo's of Happy's house is in. And Sandy gave me that mug and every time I drink coffee out of it I think of her. I have good friends.
I don't know if you can see it, but hanging off my wonderful new clothesline is a delicate spiderweb. I must have spiders galore this year, lots of pretty webs everywhere. It seems a shame to have to brush it away, but laundry needs doing if Bret is to have fresh shirts for work.

Here's my pretty Eden Climber rose. Can you believe how lovely it is? I bought it last year and regretfully it's still in its paper pulp pot. I keep auditioning it all over and I'm never satisfied. My mother has its arching canes tied to my swing! I'll have to decide something SOON.

I mean with those pinks and the greens and the blue sky, you can see how one might dream up fabric like Flower Sugar right? I'm not going to lie, I might have seen next season's preliminary designs. Swoonable.

If only this rose covered my house.

Anyway Anonymous, I'll try to be better, xop

And so it goes

Ok, I admit it, another week without sewing. I can't even figure out what I was up to, except some computery stuff that I am not a genius at.. so it takes up a lot of time. I love solving those kinds of tech puzzles though, so it was fun.

This week for excitement I had lunch out with Elizabeth and the famous Bari J. It's so much fun to get out with creative friends and I'm grateful to live in an area chock full of very cool people.

Anyway since I have nothing to share with you sewing wise, I thought I'd update you on some cool things. And when I say cool I mean tasty and 100 calories or less! Because I know you are wondering what snacks I'm eating!

Not a replacement for real brownies but still tasty. They're not as good as the 100 calorie Mr. Salty chocolate covered pretzels which remain king of my snack world, but still pretty good. Even better liberally sprinkled over some vanilla ice cream probably. This is the ice cream free zone though, so you can let me know.

This Mousse however tops the charts hands down as the best dessert ever. Elizabeth told me about it and OH. MY. GOSH. Seriously I could eat them all one right after another. BUT I WON'T. At 60 calories though, you could have a couple though right?

Ok that's it here. The tip on the Mousse is worth the click over, take my word for it. xo

Pockets

I know I haven't been up to much this summer. I don't know what my deal is, maybe it's just the waiting for fabric to come, or you know, maybe I'm just in slump. But yesterday I decided to get busy with something I've needed for a while. I'm not taking any credit for this idea, it's been around since I began blogging. I grabbed a $3.99 canvas work apron at the hardware store...
Opened the center pocket seam...

Played with my rabbit, then cut out some things to applique, threw in some rick rack, and sewed the center seam back up.

Now when I don't have pockets I can tie this on. I think it will look great over pj's, right?

Ok, have a groovy weekend people. xo

I Blame You Amy!

Yeah, I do, I blame it all on Amy and her butterfly block tutorial. Somehow I thought I could make it smaller and make it not wonky, not to mention template free and you know what, I can't. And I've spent too many days thinking about it and working on it to even mention. So I've learned my lesson. Don't mess with Texas.. ooops, that' s another lesson. Don't mess with PERFECTION.

And now, go lookie here and here and here and here.. yeah, all the cool kids are doing it.

xo

Back to Business

So was the weekend good for you guys? It was really good here. Lucky lucky me was invited to Pat's wonderful 4th of July Brunch again this year. It was a great time, great company, great food, great surroundings. Even the weather cooperated again this year and remained very pleasant till we all packed up and left. This year Pat has a lot to celebrate, as you can see she's holding her first little grandchild! Every table was decorated so cute with pictures of brunches past and lots of holiday goodness.

It was sunny out but Pat's neighbors have some wonderful shady trees. We were lucky enough to see some yellow swallowtail butterflies flitting about those drooping branches.

I had a bunch of indoor shots but you can tell by the blur in most of them I'm just too excited to concentrate. But this one of Pat's room is good, and all I can think of was how cool and comfortable it looked.

Thanks Pat, I had a great time! I hope you guys all had a great weekend. This week I am going to try some sewing. Seriously! xo

Happy 4th of July!

I know, I can hardly believe it's July already! I am enjoying some coffee out back before I hop in the shower. I'm off to a wonderful holiday brunch with friends today. Hope you all have a happy and safe 4th of July!!! xo