Work in Progress

Good morning my farm fresh friends!  How are you?   Its cooling off here in PamKittyVille and I've been prepping for some sewing.  I've collected my stash of reds pinks and greens, added in a couple of nice soft browns and I got to cutting. 

 

I have a whole separate tray for all the background pieces.. I can't wait to get on this.   My Farm Girl Friday is coming up fast! I love seeing all the blocks you all are making, there are going to be some pretty wonderful quilts soon!

 

Ok, as soon as I'm done with this coffee I'm starting on the iced tea!  Have a good  weekend  everyone! Happy #farmgirlfriday! xo

 

 

Thursday

Hi there!  How is your week going? We're in a bit of a cool down today, expecting only 99 after a day when the temps were at least 108.  Holy Pam Kitty on a spit!  I felt like I was roasting! I know that a lot of you had it worse, I'm talking to you Arizona.. but wow, we felt it yesterday. 

 

Earlier this week Bret and I went down the central coast to San Luis Obispo to celebrate our 30th Anniversary!  We had a great time hanging out, nothing fancy, just being away from the daily business of regular life you know?   Not going to lie there was some great weather there too, which made it even better.  We spent some time driving with the top down along the coast enjoying that feeling of being almost chilly! 

 

One of the crazy things we did on the spur of the moment was grab lunch at the Madonna Inn.  Its so pretty on the outside, and pretty crazy on the inside!!!  This is the only section that's pink, the rest just has pink trim in the front buildings.

 

The exterior of the remaining buildings is so wonderful.. Honestly, I'd love a house with those kinds of arches/pillars out front with shutters, wide  eaves.  It's so California Ranch to me.  And while the days of shake roofs are over for the most part, they're still my favorite. It was super fun.  If you want to kill some time be sure and head to the website and check out the rooms. And for some fun read about it here on Wikipedia.

We stayed at the Apple Farm Inn which is our favorite.  Much tamer for sure.  It's lovely, the grounds beautifully maintained and the atmosphere tranquil.

 

It was especially charming in the evening.  It was a relaxing time and we enjoyed it.  But of course it's always nice to be back home too. 

 

Hope the week is going well for you! xop

Monday

Happy Monday peoples!!!  We had a nice weather week, culminating in the most wonderfully breezy cool Sunday night perfect for clearing out all the old air in the house and letting in fresh air.  Just in time, we're heating back up again!  Thank goodness for air conditioning.

More things to cut on my table.. lots of pretty aqua, some Pam Kitty Garden and some friends there poised to go under the blade! I won't lie, I spent quite a bit of time searching for an illusive Annie's Farm Stand print that I knew I had. 

 

 

Thank goodness I found it before I lost my mind.  It's going to be perfect for this project. I love how my aquas blend in so nicely with other fabrics out there, like Lori's ... all friends should play well together don't you think?

 

What's on your agenda this week? Fun times?  I hope so. I see already kids are going back to school.  This summer seems like it's going by fast, and I have seen that some kids are all ready back in class.  My time isn't regulated by school anymore, but I still feel the schedule, it's like it never quite leaves you.. or is it just me?

 

Ok, well enough of that. Hope things are going well for you friends! xo

TGIF

Hi there friends!  How was your week?  I hope it was way more productive than mine.  Somehow my sewing mojo  has fled the scene.  I didn't get much done on any front this week, and I have no good excuses for it.

 

Yesterday I got the last of my Snapshots blocks  cut out. You know so many of the group of bloggers listed in this post are going to have their quilts done, and I want to have mine done too!  I got off to a great start and typical PKM style I fizzled, getting distracted.  I can't be the only one this happens to right?  Well if I am the only one, don't even tell me. 

 

Ok, I'm hoping I didn't put my mojo with my sewing ham, that would be a disaster. BECAUSE I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THAT.  I don't even need it anymore.. I just want to know where it is.

 

I know, nuts.

 

Happy weekend! xop

Mingle

Good morning! It's coffee out back this morning.  I've kind of gotten out of the habit , but the weather is so pleasant today, I'm treating myself.  Yesterday Amy sent me a message that she'd seen this new copy of Mingle and I might want to grab one up.

 

After dinner Bret and I hit all the stores with magazines in Livermore, then headed out to Dublin to the Barnes and Noble!!! At night! Yes, shocker, I left my house after dinner.  I couldn't wait to see this cute party layout.

 

Trina Lucido 's Luncheon Under Construction has some very cute Pam Kitty Morning fabric banners over her table!  You can read about it on her blog here. It's so exciting to see Pam Kitty fabric out in the world, like the real world, not our cozy quilting world!!! 

 

Ok, I need a coffee refill, then I'm heading back out to finish looking at this magazine!  Happy Thursday peeps!

Hi there!

Good morning! How was your weekend?  Holy cow people, I hardly believe it myself, but we took a spontaneous trip to Los Angeles this past weekend!  I was texting with my friend Dana Thursday night and she told me she was having a Quilt Bombing Party on Saturday in Griffith Park. So I forced her to invite me,  and Bret, Frankie and I drove down Friday.  We joined her and some friends at the Music Center for Dance Downtown.. got there right before it began, such perfect timing!  It was Bollywood dance lessons sponsored by Fox Home Entertainment's The Second Very Best Marigold Hotel.   WE HAD A BLAST!  The weather was perfect, cool with a nice breeze! 

 

After dancing we went to Phillipe The Original for some famous French dip sandwiches. It was super fun.  Saturday we woke up to RAIN RAIN RAIN. Like holy crap torrential rain!  But we didn't let that stop us from driving out to Ventura for trip to Superbuzzy!  That was fun! 

 

Driving home was a bit of a challenge.  Lots of standing water places.  Half the people driving like maniacs, half driving like scardy cats. But we enjoyed it none the less.

 

The quilt bombing was called for rain, so instead we had dinner at the Burger Lounge with Dana, then met up with Jen at Salt and Straw. We had a fun crazy laughing good time.

 

 

Sunday morning we had a date with Bob!  We ate a delicious breakfast and headed home. 

 

It was so spontaneous and fun. I can't even believe we did it.  But now we're all back to work.  Hope you have a great week! xo

 

Instagram Links for more photos:

PamKittyMorning

Jen-SunnyinCal

Frankie

 

Snapshots: Up Up and Away

Good morning! It's Fat Quarter Shop Snapshots day here! We're in the second half of the quilt now, and you know it's going to go fast from here on out! This month's block is a cute hot air balloon...  quick and easy to stitch up.  So steady your Olfa cutter and get out you Alpahbitties and download that pattern!

 

As usual you can head over to the Fat Quarter Channel on you tube and get the low down on making this block from Kimberly herself. 

 

WHAT??? You haven't started yet?  No time like the present!  Just head over to this Jolly Jabber blog post for all the links to the pdfs. And as a gentle reminder, we hope you'd consider donating $5 per month to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  It's a great cause to help kids.

 

Ok, can't wait to see all your blocks. Are you sewing along with us? Have fun!

Aurifil Monday

Happy Monday peoples! I hope things are going well on your side of the screen !  Have you been enjoying your summer?  The past week or so has been so nice weather wise.. window open weather, easy  breezes to bring fresh air inside.. really it's been  a godsend.  

 

Last week also brought some delicious treats in the mail from The Fat Quarter Shop.  Kimberly and her crew sent me three  of their new Exclusive Aurifil Thread Boxes,  the floss set in Tart, as well as the Patchwork set in Tart and Scone.   I love the Tart colors... so very Pam Kitty don't you think?

 

Scone, you might think, wouldn't be me, but look at the red and gold ... pretty perfect I'd say.  I think these will be perfect for an upcoming applique project, these colors will be perfect for blanket stitching don't you think?

 

Thank you, Kimberly, for sending me these boxes to test out.  I mean seriously, even the boxes are cute and I know I'll be putting them to good use.

 

Now just a quick note.. my short interview with Cheryl Arkison is up over at The Quilt Show.  I hope you will head over .. no kidding, I'm pretty lame but it's fun and Cheryl is so cool, check it out!

 

Alrighty then!  Have a super day peeps. xo

 

Monday

Hi there Happy Monday!  How was your holiday weekend?  I had a great one! The weekend is always more fun when Bret has an extra day off.  How did we spend it?  I'M NOT EVEN SURE! I think Lowes, the grocers, some basic errand running, probably a lunch out.  Pitiful I can't remember back that many days!

 

Brunch with Pat on Saturday was super fun. The food and the company was great, and of course it's always fun to see Pat's Patriotic Décor.    The weather was kind to us, a nice breeze and not too hot, till later in the day  anyway.

 

Cups, dishes, table linens decorations, flags, plants.. she's got it all, even her ice!! Its stars!  But seriously it's been super fun to be included for a lot of the years  but it  was the last brunch, Pat's hanging up her  apron and calling  it quits.  Sob.  End of an era! Thanks Pat, you're the best!

 

Bret and I went out in the evening and found a spot to catch the Alameda County Fair fireworks.  First time in a while they've had them, it was fun.  It was good weekend overall!

 

Now is time for some detective work.  My friend Sarah found these things out flea marketing.  For some reason I'm just crazy to know what they are. I've followed Sarah for years and she's always finding cool things but  this is driving me bonkers.  Maybe someone will recognize them.  So far no one knows for sure but we've got tons of guesses. 

 

Ok, big plans for the week?  I've got stuff to do and I better get busy.  Have a good one friends. xo

 

Sewcation

Hi there, Happy Friday!  I'm home from Utah and my sewcation.  I had a blast with Nanette, we went to a lot of great shops, did  some sewing and we hung out with her family.  It was pretty fantastic.  While I'm happy to be home with my people, I sure miss hanging out with her.  We even had lunch with Lori one day, and that was fun, no photos though, just trying to live in the moment.. but it makes for boring blog posts. 

 

 

We all love fabric, and I managed to score a lot of it while we were out.  I'm in love with the cute Elea Lutz Little Joys fabric.  I'm taste testing those prints, trying to decide what to make.  For sure I know Frankie would like some Christmas pillow cases.  Now to decide which prints and then order more yardage. Until then, HoardCity.   Also I'm loving Lori's garden text print, and I'm saving that with these aquas below for a little project.  I think they'll all mix up with Pam Kitty Garden and Fog City Kitty quite nicely.  I've got some of Tasha's new fabric too, super cute..  I love her toile prints and those strawberries.. precious. If I can't sew with friends I can sew with friends fabrics, right?  It's just about the same. 

 

 

Three day weekend for my peeps, so I'm sure that we'll be busy doing something, even if it's nothing!  What about you?  My friend Pat is having her last Fourth of July Brunch, so I'm excited to be there for the event.  If you've followed along with me for a while, you know Pat what a great time it is.  Now what to make! That's always hard for me.. deciding that.

 

Ok, happy weekend people!  Be safe in your celebrations!!! xo

Tuesday with Krista

Good morning from Utah! I am up with the birds, I am so excited to be here. Can't wait to get my coffee made and and get to the sewing machine!

Just wanted to share my Quilt Show Quilt Market interview with Krista Hennebury. Hope you'll take a peek at Krista and I talking about her new book!



Heres the link to Krista's blog, hope you go check it out! http://poppyprintcreates.blogspot.com/

I am having a little trouble with normal links working on my tablet, can't quite figure it out.

Ok, better get a jump on the day! Xo

Road Trip

Woo hoo!  Good thing I have this ginormous Paul Bunyan size cup for coffee from Roseann as I'm headed out for week visiting Nanette this morning! This cup is is by the same designer that my everyday sized Paul Bunyan mug from Linda.

 

A long drive necessitates extreme measures. 

 

I will live large!

 

Anyway, I have some sewing ready to sit and sew and visit.  We're also headed out for some shop hoppin!  I can't wait to see what Nanette has in store. 

 

I'll be instagraming all week, so you can follow me here.  And speaking of instagram, holy cow, take a look at all the Pam Kitty Garden projects with the hastag #pamkittygarden, so much fun! 

 

Thanks for all your lovely comments and emails about the Country Living magazine!  Now have a great week everyone!  xo

Country Living

Hi there happy people!  How was the weekend? It was wonderful weather here, not too hot, which is always nice.    The most exciting thing was getting the July/August issue of Country Living magazine. 

 

 

 

Holly and I  had heard that they'd included one of the Pam Kitty Garden prints (Pam Kitty Floral LH14019B Pink)  in an article as one of the 'get the look' items. It turns out Sarah Richardson has it on her list of "Classic Country Patterns for a Steal", and I couldn't be more thrilled about it.

The beach cottage is so charming, I love the feeling of the home.

 

Here's a larger swatch of the fabric!  SUPER EXCITING.  I guess now I'll do some panic purchasing of more yardage!  This has been one of my favorites and I've used almost all of mine up. 

 

That should keep me on cloud 9 for a while don't you think?  Have a happy week everyone! xo

 

Friday!

Good morning!  Happy Friday peeps!  How was your week?  I'm all caught up with my stunt sewing now, so I can get back to working on all the in progress things around here.  

 

It's Father's Day weekend.. do you have big plans?  We'll be spoiling Bret this weekend, and keeping cool with the arrival of some hotter weather. 

 

Lots of #farmgirlfriday  action going on..I'm looking forward to seeing some more great blocks. Lori has been a busy Miss Bee  teaching at two Farm Girl retreats, but she's still sewing up a storm.. so follow along with her on Instagram.  My week is coming.. I need to get busy. 

 

Ok happy weekend everyone!!  xo

Snapshots Triple Scoop!

Good morning! How was your weekend?  We're still weekending here, Bret has the day off!  We've had some nice weekend weather so we've had fun and caught up on chores and I even got a lot of sewing done!

 

It's Fat Quarter Shop Snapshots day again! The months with this quilt are flying by. This month is Triple Scoop Sundae and it's cute with a cherry on top! I've used my Pam Kitty Garden fabrics.

 

So by now you know the drill!  You can catch the video over on the Fat Quarter Shop YouTube Quilt-Along page here!  Then catch the most recent pdf over here on the Jolly Jabber! Just scroll down till you see the cute sundae!!  Then download your block and get busy stitching.  We're also hoping you'll donate $5 for the  pattern to the St. Jude's Research Hospital, it's a great cause!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing your blocks on Facebook and Instagram!   Be sure and tag them with #fqssnapshots and #fqsfun so we can all see them!   You can also join the Facebook group and post them there! 

 

Ok, have a great week everyone! xo

Classic and Vintage

Good morning and happy Friday!  This morning I'm going introduce you to the latest Classic and Vintage block from Fat Quarter Shop,   Delectable Mountains.  This block has a  rich history in American Quilting.  Doesn't it make you think of the early American pioneers coming   to the west over the Rockies?  

Fat Quarter Shop has a free pattern for this block, and like all of their patterns, it's clear and concise and easy to use to whip up a pile of Delectable Mountain blocks in no time.  There's also a video where Kimberly shows you how to make one. 

 

If you'd like to see some examples of great old Delectable Mountain quilts, take a peek at  my board on Pinterest here.   Once you make one block you're going to want to make a lot more, and Fat Quarter Shop has a t downloadable pattern for a quilt for the nice price of $4.98.  That's a bargain for sure!

 

Now head over to the Jolly Jabber and see who else is making Delectable Mountain blocks and be sure and download your free pattern! Don't forget there are a lot of Classic and Vintage videos over on the Fat Quarter Shop you tube channel!

 

Ok, have a happy weekend!

Rain

WE HAD RAIN! Lovely soft rain  all morning and in the afternoon it rained a little more earnestly!  Oh it was so divine I could hardly concentrate on anything else.  My beautiful blooming black stemmed hydrangea was heavy with all the big fat drops of rain on it!

 

My pots all soaked up the water like sponges!

 

What a day people, what a day!

Sizzle

It's officially summer in spite of what the calendar says, it was in the high 90s yesterday... today should be cooler, low 90s and then the week will cool as it progresses.  While I don't want to complain about the heat, it seems extra hard with the drought, the glimpses of green are so few and far between.  This is a giant park at the end of our block.. sob. Doesn't look like a nice place for kids now, and all the lovely shade trees around the equipment are gone. OUCH that slide would really burn you! The trees along the street, not pictured here, are looking pretty stressed, and I fear for a couple of the redwood trees. 

 

I still  see people doing stupid things with water.. but hopefully most of the people are following the rules.   My back lawn looks like this park.  Not a fun place to be on the swing anymore. 

 

BUT I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO BOGGED DOWN IN IT.  My sewing room is still full of beautiful color, even though it's a hot mess.  I'm working on the quilts for Holly and the new Sunrise Studio fabrics are ADORABLE. 

 

Ok, better get to work instead of dilly dallying around here.  Keep cool northern hemisphere people! xo

 

Friday

Happy Friday!  How was the week? I mainly dorked around my house all week, a little of this and a little of that.. plus laundry!  Coming home to a broken washer has me full of appreciation for  my washer and dryer. I was taking my good fortune for granted, won't be doing that again!

 

Today is Farm Girl Fridays.. I can't believe we're in week six already!  I love seeing everyone's block on Instagram.  It's also the day to pick the winner of the Teach me to  Applique Book!  It's Elaine K. who said "Appliqué is definitely something I want to learn. There are so many fun aspects to quilting!"  Elaine, email me at rocketqltr@yahoo.com and I'll send your book to you!

 

Big plans for the weekend? I'm going to be sewing up a storm for Holly.   I'm using my backup machine, my beloved Bernina 1260 is in the shop.  I'm nervous about it, apparently it could be the mother board and finding one for an old machine might be problematic.  I have a nice Bernina 180, but it's just not the same.   Yikes.  I guess this is my problem, I fall in love with something, like my machine or my phone with a keyboard and I don't want to let that go for something new.  I can learn something new I JUST DON'T  WANT TO.   Talk about old lady problems.

 

Time to get more coffee and get a jump on the day!  Hope you all have a good weekend! xo

Pam Kitty Around Town

Hi there!   I'm still thinking about my vacation, a lot!  I had a great time in Minnesota.  One of the fun things that Linda and I did was attend Pat Sloan's book signing at Barnes and Noble!   It was  a great chance to meet up with Roseann too.. so super fun time.  Pat had a nice turnout, you can catch some pictures over on her blog here. 

 

Jennifer Keltner was there to introduce Pat.  Jennifer is the Publisher and Chief Visionary Officer at Martingale now. 

 

Pat is a great public speaker.  Linda said she really enjoyed it even though she doesn't sew or quilt!  I think that says a lot!   

 

I really like Pat's book, it's a great resource even if you never make one project! I picked up a signed copy of Pat's book at the event, and if you'd like a chance to win leave me a comment !  I'll pick a winner at the end of the week! 

 

Ok, that's it for now!

 

#pamkittyaroundtown