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Just Do It!

Spoonflower, Quilt Market, and Me!

It's Quilt Market time!!!!! Woooooot!  *does the Quilt Market boogie*  

I'm so extra excited about this trip because I'll be showing my collection with Cloud 9 Fabrics! Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahooooo!  I'm not excited. No really, I'm not. Cross my heart and kiss my elbow. :P  

The best part is that sweet Kim over at Spoonflower graciously asked little ol' me to do a series of report posts for the Spoonflower blog about my preparations leading up to and during the show!  So thrilled I tell you. I'll be posting weekly about what I'm up to in all of it's frantic, spazzing out, okay time to relax it will be okay, glory. Anything about QM you want to know about, see, ask?  My first post (psssst....strike offs! ^_^) is up now, so please come along and join me on my journey to International Quilt Market in Houston!  

Zakka Style Sew Along - Wrap Up!

So the Zakka Style Sew Along has come to a close!  Sad but, true.  I must say that overall it was a huge success!  The Flickr group has over 1700 photos!!!  WOW!!  It has been a fun filled 24 weeks and I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone's creative and fantastic takes on the projects from the book!  I'd like to extend an enormous thank you to Lindsey and Amy for coordinating the entire event.  A super huge thank you to the bloggers that participated. A huge, HUGE thank you to all of the fabulous sponsors for their generaosity in contributing prizes to the giveaways.  But my biggest thanks goes out to the readers that followed along, sewed, blogged, posted photos, and just had fun with the book.  You are all such an inspiration to me.  

I'm especially happy to hear that readers enjoyed the sew along and many felt that they learned some new skills along the way.  Patience being one of them, as I was made aware of several errors in the book in the past several weeks.  The participants really pulled together and helped each other to work through the problems and that is what I love so much about this community!  The rest of the world would do well if they were more like you lot.

I must say I was stunned, saddened, and just plain upset about the errors, but you live and you learn, right? ^_~   I have learned a lot as well from this 24 week venture and I'm so, SO appreciative of everyone's feedback and comments. There were some not so nice ones, but even those have helped me to be a better author for book #3.  So please know that I have taken my notes and will put them to good use in the future.  I'm working with my publisher to have those errors corrected in future printings of the book. (I just heard it's being printed in German!) The Errata page will be updated and I will also post a link here on my blog. Until I update, please feel free to check out the Sew Along Flickr group discussions for more information. 

I'm always eager to hear what your thoughts are as readers, so feel free to email me (you can find the link in the upper left corner.) or comment below. Any suggestions or feedback you have would be FANTASTIC! Please be gentle...I bruise easy. ^_^ 

I think it's important that the publishers (and authors)know what readers think, so I plan to share some of your thoughts with them as well. 

More illustrations? More photos? I've often wondered why American craft books don't show more illustrations like the Japanese one's. They'd be helpful wouldn't they??? 

So please...pepper me with your thoughts!!  

Now then, back to the fun stuff!!  Let's take a look at what the awesome, talented bloggers did for their posts!

Week 1 - Zig Zag Tote with Sew Fantastic

 

Week 2 - The House Pouch with During Quiet Time

 

Week 3 - Zakka Pincushion - Pink Penguin

 

Week 4 -  Sewing Kit with Monkey Do

 

Week 5 - Patchwork Pencil Case with VeryKerryBerry

 

Week 6 - Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets with Little Bluebell 

 

Week 7 - Raincloud Mug Rug with Quilt Dad

 

Week 8 - Zakka Block Quilt with I like Orange

 

Week 9 - Stem Messenger Bag with Sew Sweetness

 

Week 10 - Zip Organizer with Spotted Stone

 

Week 11 - Orchard Path Tweed Pouch with Don’t Call Me Betsy

 

 

Week 12 - Happy Couple Handwarmers with A Cuppa and a Catchup

 

Week 13 - Patchwork Potholder with LRStitched

 

 

Week 14 - Water Bottle Holder with One Shabby Chick

 

 

Week 15 - Elephant Bookmark with Cut to Pieces

 

 

Week 16 - Patchwork Ribbon - No participant this week, but here's an incredibly cute version by Simone!

 

Week 17 - Delightful Linen Bag with Sukie

 

Week 18 - Bread Basket with Patchwork Notes

 

Week 19 - Sweet Sugar Cookie Sack with BettyCrockerAss

 

Week 20 - Little Pocket Pillowcase with Freshly Pieced

 

Week 21 - Sweet Memories Photo Frame with Noodlehead

 

Week 22 - Pleated Coin Purse with Shape Moth

 

Week 23 - Happy Garland Message Board with Maureen Cracknell Handmade

 

Week 24 - Nesting Boxes with From the Blue Chair

 

Some of you actually made every single project as well!!!!  Impressive much?

Happy Go Lizzy....

 

Zaynoo1......

Flickdeb50...

 

Cutie Bag Tutorial by Melody Miller!

Hi folks!  Today I have a very special treat for you!  It's a tutorial by my dear friend, the fabulous Melody Miller!!!!!

You may know her from her to die for fabric collections, but NOW she has a lovely new book debuting this Fall titled, "Ruby Star Wrapping: Creative Packaging to Reuse, Regive, and Relove".  It's going to be amazing, so do be on the lookout for it's release!  

From Melody:

Sometimes I like to give really simple gifts.  After my husband and I traveled to Japan last February, it wasn't unusual for me to give someone a package of bath salts or a kitchen sponge (yes, in Japan, even the kitchen sponges are delightful!).  In a thoughtfully handmade package, even the most humble gifts are meaningful and important.  With the holidays approaching, make up one or two of these cutie bags now, and see which gifts get the most attention under the tree!

She recently made this super cute pouch and asked if I would mind sharing it with all of you here on my blog.  How could I say no to all this CUTE?!?!  You know how I love to tease, so here's a little something for you before her book releases. Salivating, yet? 

 Enjoy! ^_^ (.....and please feel free to leave a little 'Thank You' for Miss Melody in the comments if you feel so inclined. ^_~)

Download Tutorial PDF Here!

Refashion? Upcycle?

Was going through some of my closet and purging last week and came across this clutch that I bought from Target several years ago.  I looked it over...."Meh", I thought to myself, "I haven't used this thing in eons."

Blech, I typically love mustard yellow, but for some reason this sad little clutch just wasn't speaking to me anymore. Out it goes.  I tossed it aside.  Then I started to think about it.  Why not just take it apart and use the pieces as a pattern to make a new one???  YEESS!!  So I went to work.  I gathered my seam ripper, and my eyeglasses screwdriver, and the clutch and dropped them all in my purse.  I took the whole thing apart while waiting in line at carpool. LOL

I didn't think to take a before picture, because honestly, I wasn't convinced that the finished product would be post worthy.  I just knew that it would probably end up being a disaster, so I figured why bother. lol  Kicking myself in the butt now, but I did take a pic off all of the pieces. (See above)

It took me a few days to figure out how I wanted to put this together again.  I took my time.......I used cardstock, spray adhesive, steam-a-seam, batting, a fat quarter of my Clouds fabric, a fat quarter of Kona Cotton Coral, some thread, and a fancy Japanese zipper that I had stashed away.

I measured twice and cut once over the weekend and stayed up all night last night to finish it. (And no I haven't been to bed, yet.  I know. I know!!  But I just couldn't sleep because of excitement...for obvious reasons. :P)

The hardware was SO easy to put install!  The frame comes with screws and you just slide the frame on top of the clutch and screw that bad boy down.  The clasp installs similiar to magnetic snaps that ,any of us are familiar with.  You know the ones with the two prongs??  Easy peasy! 

I'm so, SO pleased with how it came together!!  I lcan tell you that it was very simple to put together, just a lot of cutting, but I think we're all used to that by now. :P  It's incredible easy and what I love about it is that it looks like advanced sewing, but it's so not! Anyone could make one of these.

I just went on Google trying to find this frame, beacuse I do believe I need to make another!  I managed to find a few on Etsy from a few different shops in Asia, (Here, here, here, and here!)  but so far nothing local.  One shop even has a similiar clutch featured, but sadly no pattern.  :(  So I guess you know what that means!! *cough* ^_~

I can't remember the last time I made something just for me, as I'm always sewing things for friends, family, the littles, work.....so happy that I can keep this all to myself!  

Tsuru! ^_^

It's live on the Cloud9 website today!  Run on over for a closer look! Woot!

1 Million Pillowcase Challenge Blog Hop

Happy Sunday!  Enjoying the long weekend?  

If you haven't already heard, American Patchwork and Quilting has started a fantastic challenge for charity.  The One Million Pillowcase Challenge and I'm delighted (and nervous to go first...lol)to be one of the designers to help kick of the One Million Pillowcase Blog Hop this morning!  

  APQ reached out to me and asked if I'd like to help spread the word about this awesome event.  I love a good cause and I especially love being able to use my love of sewing to help someone in need.  Believe it or not, I've never made a pillowcase before, the thought just never crossed my mind for some reason.  I was just satisfied buying them and after making these two, I doubt I will ever buy them again. They're SO easy to make and I'm hooked!  

I made two pillowcases yesterday and it really took me a lot more time deciding what fabric to use than it normally would for a project.  I had piles and piles of fabric combinations spread out on my cutting table.  Then I ended up coming full circle and using my own designs.  It really warmed my heart to think that I not only stitched up these little pretties with my own hands for a good cause, but I designed the fabric as well!  

I cherish sleep.  No. That's an understatement.....I'm like a bear in hibernation actually and I take bedtime seriously!  I prefer sheets and pillows that aren't too busy, solids in fact.  So I knew that I didn't want to make anything with tons of patterns.....just something simple, but still fun. 

 APQ has several free pillowcase patterns available, so I used the Basic Pattern and out came the Kona Cotton Snow for the body and just a strip of Washi Triangles and Love Notes for the borders.  Pom Pom Fringe makes me ever so happy, so I added some to the second pillowcase and love the result.

As I sewed I tried to imagine who would end up with my pillowcases and I must admit, that I got quite a bit teary eyed as I sat in front of my machine and had to stop for a moment.  I've always made things for friends, family, work.....but this was different.  I'm really surprised by how my emotions took over me while doing this.  Just knowing that something as simple as a pillowcase, could probably help someone in a major way........well it just really touched my heart and I suppose I couldn't keep it inside.  I guess I'm a softy after all. ^_^ 

Of all the sewing projects that I've done this year, this has been one of my favorites (Pho for Three is the other and yes, I got verklempt sewing for that as well. :P)  I think these pillowcases will be on their way to ConKerr Cancer and I hope they make someone special very happy.

If you'd like to lend a sewing hand you can find all of the information here at the American Patchwork and Quilting site and get started making some pillowcases for a good cause as well! 

For the entire month of September follow along to see the pillowcases that several other designers have donated, read their stories, and be inspired! 

Here's the schedule: 

1. Welcome from American Patchwork & Quilting (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
2. Rashida Coleman-Hale (http://www.iheartlinen.typepad.com/)
3. Olivia and Alayna's Pillowcase Project (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
4. Morgan’s Smile Factory (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
5. Pat Sloan (http://blog.patsloan.com/)
6. Northcott (http://pattispatchwork.com/)
7. Betsy Chutchian (http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/)
8. Vanessa Christenson (http://www.vanessachristenson.com/)
9. Andover Fabrics (http://blog.andoverfabrics.com/)
10. Laurie Simpson (http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/)
11. Oak Hill, Ohio (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
12. Robert Kaufman Fabrics (http://www.swatchandstitch.com/)
13. Pam Buda (http://www.heartspunquilts.blogspot.com/)
14. Indygo Junction (http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/)
15. 4-H (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
16. Katie Hennagir (http://baywindowquiltshop.wordpress.com/)
17. Anni Downs (http://hatchedandpatched.typepad.com/)
18. FreeSpirit Fabrics (http://www.freespiritfabric.blogspot.com/)
19. American Patchwork & Quilting Staff (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/blogs/apqstaff/)
20. Patty Young (http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com/)
21. Moda Fabrics (http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/)
22. Monica Solorio-Snow (http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/)
23. Moda Bake Shop (http://www.modabakeshop.com/)
24. Andover Fabrics (http://blog.andoverfabrics.com/)
25. Roseann Kermes from Rosebud’s Cottage (http://rosebudscottage.typepad.com/)
26. Ann Kelle for Shannon Fabrics (http://www.annkelle.com/category/blog/)
27. Therm O Web (http://blog.thermoweb.com/)
28. Edyta Sitar (http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/blog/)
29. Fabri-Quilt (http://inspiredbyfabric.blogspot.com/)
30. Cherri House (www.cherryhousequilts.com)

Pho for Three

I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa on my first trip to Quilt Market last year and she left a lasting impression on me.  Sweet as can be and always with THE most adorable Teresa-made dresses on, I knew she was a kindred spirit right away.  She contacted me recently to tell me a about an incredible project journey that she's embarked on and asked if I would share her story with you, my dear readers.  I'm so in love with this story and so happy to help spread the word.

Here's a little info from Teresa:  

 When I volunteered, along with my two children, to spend a couple of months working with orphans in Vietnam, I had no idea just how much I would grow to love those children.

Despite the language chasm between us, we developed friendships and an affection that is incomparable. As a mom, it was amazing to watch my kids with them--Audrey would hold the babies and feed them formula, while Stuart was the one the young boys flocked to for a game of chase. 

 Six years and two return visits later, the situation at the orphanages has not improved. The state-run facilities are desperately in need of additional items that cannot be purchased with the limited funds provided by the government. International adoptions were shut down and children continue to be left at the orphanages. 

Today there are more than 100 kids in the orphanages in the small city of Tam Ky. 

Along with efforts to publish our story about moving to Vietnam, I want to provide yet again for these kids. Each time we've returned we have been able to bring along clothes, food, shoes, and toys, as well as cash to pay for fruit, yogurt and milk (all are considered non-essential so not supplied by the government). 

This is where I need you help. I want to get as many quality, handmade items as I can to these kids. Whether it's a bag to carry their school books in, shorts to wear in the hot heat of summer, or diapers for the many infants that find a new home at the orphanage.  

If you're interested in helping this group of sweet, lovely littles, Teresa has tons more information at her blog.  She has listed a complete outline of their needs.  

If you're unable to sew something you can also donate to her fundraiser at  http://www.indiegogo.com/phoforthree.  

Catching up......

So I've got a winner to announce, don't I? 

Well here goes!  

#31 Beth T.!!

Beth T. said...

"I'd wing my way to New York City, my favorite place on earth.

xoxo for the lovely airplane pattern. My dad was a pilot in WWII and Korea, and my best friend's dad was a commercial pilot. I'm thinking of making a wall-hanging for my friend, her dad, and one for me in remembrance of my dad. Thanks much for sharing."

Congrats Beth!  Please email me your info so that I can forward it to AGF! 

I'm so happy that so many of you like my airplane!  One of the comments I received asked about making it bigger and I thought, "What a FANTASTIC idea!".  So I'm working on making templates available for those of you who would like to make a JUMBO jet! I'll keep you posted!

I got the swatches back from Spoonflower for my Cloudy Clouds print!!  The colors came out a bit more muted than I expected and at first I was slightly disappointed.  But I think I really like them this way!  

I went ahead and made the print available at my shop, but please be aware of the color difference.  Just seeing these in print are making me even MORE anxious for my next collection to be born.  Can't wait!

Well, my Littles are back in school and although I miss them terribly it's been great for me to catch up on some projects I need to finish.  Not a lot since I still have my sweet Matty here with me and he keeps me pretty busy! 

I recently finished up another mini quilt that was going to be used for a special project, but it fell through sadly.  I don't have a pic of the finished quilt as of yet, but I took a pic of the top when I was finished with it a while back.  I promise to post pics of the finished quilt when I'm not busy being a lazy slug. :P

So here it is!  Presenting ........'Mod Hexies'  

I was cruising through Pinterest one day and saw this incredible tile floor (which I can't seem to find now. Boooo.) and I just KNEW that it had to be a quilt! Pinterest is good for something other than drooling I tell ya!  I really do get A LOT of inspiration there these days.  

I'm thinking about posting the tutorial for it here, but I haven't made up my mind as of yet.  It's completely machine pieced and sews up pretty quick.  It looks complicated but it's truly not so! Those are the best types of quilts if you ask me! ^_~ 

Cloudy!

So now that everything is squared away for my new collection 'Tsuru' with Cloud9 Fabrics, I can show you one of the prints that Michelle and I decided not to use!

 

Just some happy, graphic, giant clouds! ^_^ 

 

I made these pretty large (Click the photo to see them full scale.)and I'm waiting on samples to arrive from Spoonflower so that I can see how they look.    

 

This print will be available in my Spoonflower shop very soon!  I'm thinking of adding a small scale version as well!

 

Anyway, just a little preview to whet your fabric appetite until Tsuru starts shipping in December.

Enjoy!