Yak yak yak

Good morning! So did you see that Lori posted the next row in the row-along yesterday? So cute, apples.. you have to go check it out. I am excited to pull some fabric and get started.  It's so cheerful to work on. 

Speaking of cheerful, did you see the latest Aurifil Designer of the Month? It's my friend Amanda, or as many know her Ms. McPorkChop or @heyporkchop on twitter.

She's one half of the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, and an avid Halloween lover so October's is the perfect month for her. And look how super cut it is.

 

I totally recommend following Amanda on Instagram.. her photos are so cute. Each one a little visual treat to look at. You can get a feeling for her style just from how cute that picture above is, a perfect bite of a vignette. 

 

I'm off to my friend Joyce's this morning! She's letting me take some photos of her home this morning!  So exciting! I think you'll enjoy the fall tour of her house.  Have a good day peeps!

Sew What?

Good morning! Today's plan is to make some pj pants for Frankie. We've been talking about it, and yesterday we went out and looked for a cute pattern. We have an old pattern from back in the kid days which works really well, but makes a bit of a funky pant, perfect for fleece or flannel but not perfect for a daytime lounge about pant.

I've been sewing clothes since elementary school.  My mom taught me, and while I did take sewing in school, most of what I know is from mom or trial and error. We never throw away a pattern, lots of times we just cobble different patterns together to make a franken-outfit. This collar on that dress, those sleeves, this bodice.  I loved mixing up prints as well.. I just love fabric, always have. 

 

Anyway.. I picked up this pattern from Kwik Sew. I've seen them in quilt shops recently, and I'm most comfortable with traditional tissue patterns. I like being able to see through them so you don't get that ill placed motif! And the multi sizes are nice too.   Frankie is petite, and I forgot to look to see if it was 'petite-able'.   It's easier when the markings are already there, but I can work it out. I hope!

 

So here's my question... I always fold back the sizes I'm not using so that I can make the pattern again in a different size if necessary.  Do you do that or do you just cut with wild abandon on the size you are using.  I always want to do that, but have that old time fear of wasting those other sizes. 

 

Ok, better get to work! Have a good day peeps!

Monday Morning

Great laid back weekend here. The weather was so nice and cool, lots of resting and relaxing going on. Started on this well recommended book out back on the swing with some coffee Sunday morning.

 

Lots of really great comments and ideas from Friday's post!  Thanks so much!  Today's winning comment is from verykerryberry   who said..."I would fussy cut this cuteness and mix it with a scrappy bunch of reds! The red would be good for Christmas projects too" . Kerry email me your mailing address and I'll send the fabric your way this week!

So with that out of the way, what did you do this past weekend and what exciting things do you have planned for this week?

All Buttoned Up

What a week! Busy with social stuff and fabric stuff, it just doesn't get any better than that does it? Today I'm off to meet someone who's in the area, and I can't wait. With the onset of some cooler weather.. well the week couldn't be better.

I'm not one to want to hog the whole good times to myself, so I thought I'd have a little giveaway here!  How about one repeat of my button card fabric?  It's pretty cute, and a perfect example of Holly's genius in action.  She took the tiny idea of some button cards and turns it into this.  Some fantastic collaboration right there - in fabric - with my name on it.  But the genius.. all Holly.

Leave me a comment telling me what you might do with it, and I'll pull a name out of the hat Sunday night! How's that? Pretty easy right? Now, you guys have an awesome weekend then come back and tell me all about it next week! xo

Wednesday

So far this week has been pretty busy and pretty fun! Monday was Holly's birthday, so we convened on the studio with cake and balloons and flowers! Of course Frankie and Jed were already there working away on the sales booklet for Holly's latest collection. My job.. show up with cake.

 

Sadly I ate my little straw before we thought about photos!  Tasty.  Naturally my fabric arrived after I left for home.  Yesterday I dashed over and picked up a lot of bags like this! Good thing I have a big trunk!   Today I'll be refolding it like we're accustomed to seeing it, and cutting into it! That's the hard part.

 

Well that and deciding what to do next! Hope you guys are having a good week! xo

Monday

How did the weekend go? Three day for us, Bret had Friday off, although he ended up working  the whole day Friday.  Even Frankie worked at home, so it was kind of a "be quiet" day with people on the phone etc. 

Those kinds of days make for good sewing days. I finished my butterflies. Bodies are funky..another case of better in my imagination but I've decided to be cool with it. But not cool enough to not mention it apparently.

Here they all are hanging on my design tablecloth. Ha! Yup, I have a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth at the end of the hallway. Colors aren't good but you can see value just fine, and of course I can back way up and look at things from a distance.  I put it up temporarily  and it's just never come back down.   Hey, doesn't everyone have that?  I do feel envious of people with plenty of space, but but making do is important too. 

So can you believe it's OCTOBER?

Mission accomplished

Shocker right? I got that block done! Even more shocking, I actually like it. I can't wait to see what Jackie has in mind for us in the way of a setting! Maybe on point? Was the picture on her blog a clue? I'm not going to worry about it till next month!

I'm happy to show off the last of the quilt show photos today!  I really enjoyed walking around the show, and seeing so many friends.  I also picked up some information from my friends at Prairie Queens, Keiko is moving back to our area again! 

That's it for me today! Have a happy day!

The Last Piece

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we started the Blogger's Block of the Month, but here we are at September! Sarah finishes us off with a wonderful star in a star block!

Shocking, but I have my block already cut out and ready to stitch. Not so shocking, Sherri had hers BOTH done yesterday mid-morning!

Have you made your blocks? It's not too late you know! Next month Jackie will be showing us a layout for out blocks. I can't wait.  

Ok, have a super day peeps! Last of the quilt show pictures tomorrow, along with hopefully my completed block!

More Quilting in the Garden

Today's photos from Quilting in the Garden are from featured artist Judy Mathieson. Judy is well known to long time quilters like me as the quintessential authority on Mariner's Compass blocks. I tried to capture as many of her beautiful quilts as possible, look at the quilts at the entry. Amazing.

 I hope you'll click on the link to Judy's website to see the photos in her gallery.  There's a fun animal  category including some great dog quilts like this one. We had a blue Australian Shepard and this quilt really captures the attentive look  those dogs give their herd. 

Under this large oak tree Judy had a table and was showing people her method for paper piecing. I hope you'll click on the link to Judy's website to see the photos in her gallery. 

The setting is wonderful.  And we saw a huge flock of  blue birds hanging out in the oaks. I couldn't believe we had them in our area.

Still a few pictures left for tomorrow. Hope you guys have a great day! xo

Quilting in the Garden

Yesterday I went over to Alden Lane to check out all the amazing quilts. I met up with my friend Deb and we ran into Alex first thing. I think this might be the first time I've actually seen her all year.

 

Today I think I'll show you the amazing beaded quilts of guest artist Thom Atkins .  I can't stop thinking about this wonderful piece.  The ravens are so beautiful.  Pictures cannot possibly do these pieces justice. 

 

It was a great show.  I'll have more photos for you (to cover up the fact that I didn't sew) this week. I had a lovely afternoon with Debbie and Deb.  So how was your weekend? 

Out of the house

Wednesday I was invited over to my friend Ann's house for dinner.  Ann has a fantastic recipe for taco salad but it makes a ton, so you need to invite friends over to eat it all up! Click the link for the recipe! Anyway a trip to Ann's in fall is feast for the eyes. She had her beautiful fall decor out and it's as fantastic as ever. 

Our friend Joyce was there. Joyce and I worked at Going to Pieces in Pleasanton many years ago.  She has a wonderfully decorated home, and I hope to go and get some photos.  Anyway.. she collected egg scales and I think my copy catting is pretty legendary, and I have many egg scales.  Ann had one too, and put it out with her dyed gourds.

I still really love primitive style quilts, particularly those of by Jan Patek  in her Red Wagon collections. Sometimes I think it would be fun to try out these quilts in my kind of colors.  I have a lot of favorites from back in the late 80s and early 90s.  It was a lovely evening, thanks Ann for having me over.

 



Its Friday again. Yesterday I finally got those butterfly wings re-cut.  I must be mind blocking those because believe it or not, I cut a few wrong before I realized it.  GOOD GRIEF.  But I'm on track. Still thinking about making different bodies for them, although honestly, with the luck I'm having maybe making them all the same makes more sense!  I hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!

Sad

It's pitiful really, cut my butterfly wings too small, and this is as far as I got. I made the mistake of cutting at the end of  my busy Monday... never a smart thing to do when you're tired. Discouraged, I just haven't gone back out there to cut them again. Pretty sad, it's just 11 stinken squares.

Found more photoshopping that needed doing, thanks to Susan for reminding me! I had a lot of fun working on that project. But really. I need some sewing. And some picture taking, which means some clean up. Although I'm thinking that it would be easier to rent an apartment and fix it up just as a place to take adorable photos. That seems practical right?

Tuesday

Good morning! I hardly know how to get started, it seems like ages since I was here! I went out back yesterday for the first time in ages. Had a moment for a few sips of coffee, but really needed to get some stuff done.

I finally finished the last of my photoshop work for market I think. So far anyway! Because we show on paper, we show a variety of quilt projects  just like we would  if we hung actual quilts in the booth.  It's fun, but this time I was a bit slower as I was using a new method. 

I had very good intentions of stitching up some butterflies today, but all the things I had put off for the past couple of weeks needed doing. I shook out the last of the coffee beans yesterday morning, so procuring coffee was first on the list. When I finally got home from all the errands I just didn't have it in me to clear off the cutting table enough to cut some blocks.  Today. But look how cute my little Utah plate is. I collect vintage souvenir state plates for states I have visited, and picked this up in Minnesota! Also I finally found a red vintage syrup dispenser.  Cousin Linda has always had a little aqua one on her counter for me and I've tried to find one since I saw it.  Not that I need help thinking of her, but I'll be reminded of her sweet hospitality each time I see it.

Wish me luck clearing off this table and getting to work.  I've really missed sewing and I've missed you guys too! xo

Friday Greetings

Happy Friday! I'm headed back over to Holly's today. More shipping samples and a little bit of peeking at her latest collection that will be showing soon! I've been lucky to be able to help out with some odds and ends again! It's a great experience and I'm glad that I can be helpful.

Next up will be making a few of these beauties for Lori's row along! Photoshop was open, I couldn't resist making one for fun! Did you see Lori announced her latest project? 

 

I hope to get to some butterflies this weekend! What's on your agenda? Whatever it is, ENJOY! 

Catch up!

Hi there! I've been remiss, it's already September 12 and I'm just getting around to blogging about Amy's cute Aurifil Block!

Are you following along? I love checking the flickr group to see the new photos. People are so on top of things.

What's on your agenda today? I'm heading over to Lori's to see what's new on the row-along. I'm still working on quilt market stuff, so it will be hit and miss around here.  I love working on the digital projects, I know it's geeky to say it but the technical stuff, while often frustrating, is also a fun challenge. I feel so lucky for the opportunities that have come my way!

Now go out and have a fantastic day!

Super PamKittyMorning!

So yesterday was a fantastic Pam Kitty Morning!!! The PKL shipping samples arrived at the LakeHouse Studio!!   Holly grabbed us some coffees while I was driving over so we could celebrate in PamKittystyle!

These shipping samples are the final look at the fabric before it's printed and shipped. About half the skus are here, there's a few more to come, but let me tell you, they're wonderful. I know saying that puts me in big-head-country, but since Holly is the real genius, I think she should get all  the credit for  how wonderful they are.

I think if you liked Pam Kitty Morning, you're really going to like Pam Kitty Love. Somehow seeing it on fabric, like real big chunks of fabric, suddenly it's  REAL. I have another collection! It's here! (well almost)

Check out how sweet that yellow on white love birds looks tucked in there. I'm really glad I've hoarded some of the yellow dot on white from my first collection, I know they're going to be perfect together.   I also  keep thinking about that quilt on Krystine's blog, and how perfect these white background prints would work in it.

Those blacks, are you excited about them? They're so nice and dark and rich. I can't wait to see the large focal print with them.

The question asked most often is, if you have shipping samples now, why does it take so long to see the fabric in stores?? Well it's printed after Holly reviews the samples, rolled on tubes and sent in a container by ship to New York. Upon arrival there's customs, plus Homeland Security to get through. Off to the warehouse it goes from there to be rolled onto bolts and then shipped to the distributors to.. well distribute to stores!

I just want to thank you all again for all the excitement and support for me. I appreciate it so much.  You guys are the greatest. xo 

Catching Up.

Good morning! Seems like forever since I was here! I've been a busy bee for sure, but I have also taken some time to buzz around too!

Last week Gina was staying in Half Moon Bay and invited us over for lunch at her hotel, The Ritz-Carlton! Frankie and I made the trip over, it's about an hour and a half from us, so really for bay area travel, just a hop skip and a jump to the coast.

The weather, like the company, was perfect! We had lunch in the Conservatory Lounge, and it was delicious! Gina arranged for a tour of the property, so we bundled up in some snugly blankets and took a ride in a golf cart taking in spectacular views and checking out the wonderful facilities! What an amazing place.  Then we took a brisk walk around the hotel, and spent some time in the chairs around the fire pit catching up on all that's new and enjoying the view.  We even saw a whale!!!

Later that afternoon, Hal, her husband stopped by for a visit, along with some of the other people there for business.  It was a perfect day! Thanks again Gina for inviting us over! See you at Quilt Market!

A Brief Announcement!

Tuesday

Good morning! Seems weird we're starting the week off on a Tuesday, doesn't it? Nice for a short work week though, unless you're forcing five days of work into four.

 

Did you have a good long weekend? Our garden clean up lasted longer than we thought, but it looks soo good. I'm so grateful that I didn't have to do all that myself.  While that was going on outdoors I  was busy working on my row-along row.  Have you joined up yet? 

 



Honestly, I'm not generally a big fan of "technique" sewing.. you know, those methods for making 20 half square triangles out of a square of fabric  and a unicorn's wish. Ok, so I exaggerate just a little, but  I think you know what I mean. I'm never successful with them,  it's totally me and not them. But seriously this method of stitching together big squares and ending up with a nice straight row of 1 inch squares is a delightful surprise! At each step I kept thinking that it would end up taking longer than was worth it, but it was so fast and accurate.  I would totally use this method again, and think about using it for different sizes.  GENIUS I TELL YOU.  Even if you don' t make this row-along quilt, you need to hop over and see Lori's method for yourself.

If you're stitching along, or even if you're not, there's a flickr group!  You should totally check it out! I'll tell you, it makes me so happy to see other people using PKM in their projects.

To that's it for today.  It's a busy short week for me.  AND IT'S GOING TO BE HOT AGAIN! Insult!  Outrage!  Ok, not like I thought summer was actually over but HOT! AGAIN!  Ok that's it for the complaining, for now.  Have a good day people!  xo

P. S. Sorry, no spell check ... good luck reading it!