nanaCompany

:: a happy friday giveaway!

Oh, it's been a good week...

Found this bundle of Mrs. March's 30's prints on Etsy and though it looks amazing sitting on my shelf right now... I am in search of the perfect quilt pattern for it.  The possibilities make my head spin.  And lots of other fun stuff arrived this week but I'll have to share it with you later.  I want to show you what's in today's special giveaway...

I made this.  It started off as a house but I think now it looks more like an envelope so you can decide.  Either way, you can hang it and stuff a few pencils, maybe a notepad ~ really, whatever you like ~ in its divided pocket.  Or you could give it away and pass on the handmade love.

Then there are 16 skeins of Cosmo Marble thread...

And my favorite part of the giveaway comes courtesy of my new sponsor (so exciting) Fat Quarter Shop!  They're a great shop for so many reasons, but I've always loved visiting their Coming Soon section to see all the new beautiful fabric coming out (also new books and quilt patterns, too. )  For instance, I am over the moon about this whimsical line that's coming in July.  Can't.  Wait!

And have you seen Tanya Whelan's new line "Petal"?  This is my fave print in the range:

Isn't that pretty?  Fat Quarter Shop is offering this fat quarter bundle to one of you:

It includes 11 fat quarters of the prints pictured above.  If you'd like a chance to win these goodies { fabric bundle, floss, and zakka house holder } just leave a comment on this post telling me what fabric is at the top of your wishlist right now.  Comments will close at midnight on Tuesday and I'll announce the winner on Wednesday, May 8th. 

Have a nice weekend!  Tomorrow we're going to the Hometown Fair.  fun fun fun.

xo amy

:: making pretty

Quite suddenly I realized the pillow I'd made for Mia's bassinet is now ridiculously too small.   She's moved to a mini-crib (very convenient when you're crammed into a tiny house like ours) and her head has, like, doubled in size ~ definitely time for a new pillow.  I stitched up this pillowcase (and the pillow) one afternoon when Mia took a nice loooooooong nap.

Right now, at this very moment while I'm writing this post, she's having sweet dreams on that pillow.  I'm back to working on Olivia's quilt top using this, and this.  With the scraps from the quilt top, I've been paper piecing some diamonds for a doll quilt...

And that little grey basket up there?  I got it from Target a long time ago, from the dollar spot.  It was plain and grey ~ I gave it some top-stitching, a patch, a button, and a strawberry pin cushion made of wool.  It's a useful little basket (I always bring it in the car to hold my paper piecing stuff), but now it's pretty!

And yes, I love the woolen strawberry (made with Heather Bailey's pattern.) 

And I love all the new fabric I just got from Sew Deerly Loved.  This, above, is the new 2013 line of Lecien's "Old New 30's".

Pretty prints by Atsuko Matsuyama.

"Hill Farm" by Brenda Riddle for Lecien.

Can't forget the hexagon cheater prints from the "Old New 30's" line...

And these adorable prints are from Tasha Horsley's new line with Riley Blake, "Little Red Riding Hood."

And now I absolutely must stop buying fabric.  I figured one last stop at Sew Deerly Loved would be a happy way to go out.

xo amy 

home sweet home

Last week, at the very last minute, I decided I really wanted to see my dad for his 70th birthday...  Next morning, Mia and I got on a plane to Connecticut for a surprise visit.  My sister picked us up from the airport and we went straight to the restaurant where my parents were having dinner.  Ha!  So much fun.

We couldn't stay long, but Mia got to see fresh snow (yay!), and my parents and I stayed up late every night watching grown-up tv (no Spongebob), and I got a good dose of Mom's homecooking.  It was so good to be home.

Waiting at home for me in L.A., were three packages of fabric and stuff I can't wait to get my hands on.  This (above) was the smallest little packet.  I'll show you everything else soon.

I got right back into hand quilting Mia's new quilt.  And at last, I'm finished...

The binding is going on now...

xo amy

S is for Stitch... Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Yay!  It's my turn to talk about "S is for Stitch", the beautiful new book written by Kristyne Czepuryk of Pretty by Hand ... and to offer you a chance to win a copy! 

Inside its pages, there is a set of embroidered alphabet designs for a girl, and another entire set designed just for boys (of course, you could mix and match if you like).  The book shows you how to embroider the designs and how to incorporate the finished embroideries into quilts and other charming little projects.  Take a peek!

Ya, I told you it was beautiful.  (And I'm thinking that tutu embroidery above would look great on a tote bag for Livi's ballet slippers)  Now... if you love to embroider, this book is for you... but if you've never embroidered anything in your life and you've been wanting to learn how to embroider, this book is definitely for you.  

Years ago I picked up a basic booklet on how to embroider from a craft store and I sat down with floss and a crooked needle and went to work ~ well, this book is 100% better than what I learned from.  Thanks to Kristyne's meticulous style and her background in teaching, she shares all the information you need to get started and stitching, along with helpful tips and techniques.  She talks about separating floss strands, how many strands to use, how to transfer designs, her favorite knots, her favorite needles, and why thread snips are easier than scissors... among plenty of other things.

And what's perfect about Kristyne is that she offers all her knowledge while at the same time encouraging everyone to "find" their own preferred methods along the way.  That's a style that works for me.  And in that spirit, I've decided to use her unique embroidery designs in my own way.  Page by page, I'll be making a soft alphabet book for my girls.  Here's the cover:

And here's one of the embroidery designs I can't wait to stitch:

I'll keep you posted with my progress!

Now, for the GIVEAWAY!!

To win a copy of the book, "S is for Stitch", please leave a comment on this post telling me how you might use the alphabet embroidery designs.  The deadline to enter is 4 April 2013.  Winners outside of the US will win an e-book version.  Good luck!!

And make sure to visit these blog tour stops for more chances to win:

• Anne Sutton ~ BunnyHillBlog.com - Monday, March 25
• Lori Holt ~ BeeInMyBonnetCo.blogspot.ca - Tuesday, March 26
• Sherri McConnell ~ AQuiltingLife.com - Wednesday, March 27
• Kristyne Czepuryk ~ PrettyByHand.com - Monday, March 28

xo amy

:: My favorite part

It starts like this:

Pulling fabrics and squinting and staring at different combinations for a while.  Then you add prints, remove prints... look at them in different light.  Then I get all excited about putting them together...

For this one, I did a simple one patch on diagonal.  The squares started at 3" and finish at 2 1/2" each.

And the quilt sandwich has been sprawled across the couch for several days now.  How silly of me to think I could actually quilt it by hand in a few days.  Probably it will take a week (or more?), but luckily the quilting is my favorite part.

If you're interested, here is all the info I have on each of these fabrics:

1. Regent Street Lawn by Sentimental Studios for Moda
2. Secret Garden by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller, Meadow in Poppy
3. Liberty of London Tana Lawn (I think the print is called Nancy Ann)
4. Yuwa Live Life Collection
5. 30's Collection by Atsuko Matsuyama
6. Spot On by Robert Kaufman, D# 12873
7. Lecien Old New 30's collection
8. Rose Maison by Renee Nanneman of Need'l Love for Andover Fabrics # 5120
9. Seaside by October Afternoon for Riley Blake Designs, #C2964
10. 30's Collection by Atsuko Matsuyama

Now, back to quilting! 

xo amy

let the Spring cleaning begin...

If you're not one for piles of delicious fabric, cover your eyes or look away and scroll down as fast as you can!

This is all my new stuff.  In the 1st pic: fabrics from Sew Mama Sew.  Bet ya didn't know I've been slowly gathering fabrics to make a Hope Valley quilt one day ~ love that line.  Also, I've always liked Joel Dewberry's Hierloom bouquet prints.  In the 2nd pic: fabrics from The Quilt Asylum.  Some of these are going in the quilt I'm making right now.  And in the last pic of yummy repros: all fabrics from Quiltin' Gals...  which is an awesome shop for 30's reproduction prints because they have a great selection and they're reasonably priced.

So, enough with the fabric gluttony.  My shelves are now overflowing and I've decided it's time for a bit of spring cleaning!  A little destash, a re-organization of my supplies, and a total re-fold of all my fabrics are in order.  So, I went to start the monster job of this Spring Cleaning and after five minutes of rediscovering the contents in one little box I was already distracted... just sitting there playing with my stuff.

Putting a few supplies in pretty glass jars was as far as I got but I look forward to doing more because the old adage is too true for me ~ Out of sight, out of mind.  I need to see my stuff!

As for the bit of patchwork I just had to make last week?  I turned it into...

A pouch.  A zipper pouch to hold hexagons on the go.  I'll try to get a better pic of it later,  it's pretty cute.

Did I mention I'm working on a quilt?  ;)

xo amy

inspire me

My fabric-hoarding instincts had taken a backseat for a while, but since we've all been sick and home-ridden I've been up to my old tricks ~ shopping for fabrics online and clicking 'buy it' 'buy it' 'buy it' when I really shouldn't shouldn't shouldn't.  Thank goodness we're all on the mend.  The two prints on top are my fave (they're called Regent Street Lawn by Moda) and this little stack is just the tip of the iceberg ~ lots more is coming!

I have been working on a little something which began out of a simple need to make patchwork.  Ever felt that need?  I still don't know what this is going to be but it's made me feel productive while the wonder baby naps. 

What I'm really excited to tell you?  I've finally gotten around to creating the flickr group, Inspired by nanaCompany ~  a place where I'd love you to add pics of your creations that have been made with nanaCompany tutorials and patterns or were simply inspired by something I've made.  I figured this would be easier for you than emailing me your photos... and then I get to keep all the pics in one place and go back any time I like to admire and comment and get inspired. 

Check out some of the lovelies already there:

1. WIP (banner), 2. needle book, 3. Snack Mats, 4. ticker tape bunny pillow

It tickles me that my work inspires you and it is definitely gratifying to see what you've done with a pattern or tutorial I've made.  When I get a chance (and I figure out how) I'll be adding a link to the group in my sidebar.

Thank you, in advance, for sharing your work with me!

xo amy

2012 Holiday Tag-a-Long: Week 2

In the words of my son, "This is a little bit a lot of fun."  I am so excited to see so many familiar faces joining in on the Tag-a-Long!  I love seeing what you make and I've already been inspired by your creations.  Here's my batch for week 2:

They're a little bit stripey, a little bit kawaii cute, a little bit ~ oh, I don't know, I was just having fun.  You should see my sewing table right now.  Can you say "hot mess"?  I've got felt, fabric, ribbon, twine, scalloped fabric shears, embroidery floss, fabric glue stick, Wonder Under, interfacing, cookies, tea ~ you name it ~ it's all a jumble on my round table that also holds a mini-ironing board and my sewing machine.

If I had to pick a theme for the tags, I suppose it's "fabric and felt" embellished.  Each one has that element.  I simply Wonder-Under'd the fabric shape onto a piece of wool felt, then carefully cut the felt about a millimeter from the fabric edge.  Just enough to make the fabric shape pop!

So now I've made a tag for each of my little ones ~ my oldest daugher, Anne, is next.  And that means *sparkle*.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  Now, go check out the elegant tags my partner-in-crime, Kristyne, made this week.  Go ahead.  Then see what's already been added to the flickr group... and join in, whydontcha?

xo amy

in preparation...

We've got some serious drool to contend with from this little punkin' but have I also mentioned that she's started eating solids?

I've been trying to fatten her up.  A little banana here and there, and rice cereal are now a part of Mia's diet.  Bibs are suddenly more than just 'pretty little things' ~ and I need lots of them.

So... in preparation for the ruffle bib tutorial (which will be here within a few days) I looked back at some of my fave bibs I've made over the years:

1. french general ruffle baby bib, 2. ruffle baby bib patch, 3. handmade patchwork "schoolhouse bib", 4. rocket boy bib, 5. little apple bib, 6. eat up baby bib, 7. handmade bib for miss o, 8. more oranges, please!, 9. strawberry picnic bib, 10. linen and patchwork baby bib, 11. blue bib, 12. baby j, 13. pretty baby bib

And I thought about materials I like to use:

I mean, besides my huge supply of quilting cotton, these are my favorites and all can be used in any combination:

1. Chenille.  It gets softer and fluffier once you've washed it.  I've used it tons and seen how it lasts wash after wash.  Love it ~ I get mine from JoAnn's but you might find an old bedcover made of this stuff in Grammy's closet and I bet she won't miss it.
2. Knit.  This particular print is Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic that I found in a shop, but JoAnn's has a small knit selection and you have a ton of it in the form of outgrown tops and tshirts, even dresses.  I love to re-purpose material this way.
3. Gauze.  Okay, so this stuff is hard to find ~ it's usually from Japan (expensive) but comes in the cutest prints and is soft and light as air.  Just perfect for baby things.  I've mostly gotten mine from Superbuzzy, but you can search it on etsy, and every once in a while a friend might send you some as a gift (wink wink, Annie).
4. Flannel.  Of course, you can find tons of this stuff at JoAnn's and online but if you happen to receive one too many flannel blankets at your baby shower, you might just cut up one of those and repurpose it.  Easy peasy.
5. Terry cloth.  I got mine from, yes, you guessed it... JoAnn's.  It may look matted and unappetizing in the store, but once you get it home and wash it... aah, soft.  Or you could cut up an old towel ~ just sayin'.

So, you might wonder what I've left out.  Well, I don't care for laminated fabric, I haven't loved how linen looks after a lot of wear, and I am not a fan of minky (not absorbant) ~ to give you a few examples.  I think my favorite combo is gauze and chenille, like these burp cloths I just made: 

They're oh so buttery soft.  But since gauze is kinda costly, I think quilting cotton and chenille is my actual real fave combination.  Last week I made this bib with prints from Tasha Horsley's new line, "The Simple Life"...

I also made a ruffle bib, but it's going to be the star of the tutorial that's taken me eons to write for this blog.  Sorry.  I'm off to a soccer game!  Oh and here are my recent flickr faves:

1. Stars, 2. Happy Chair: flower applique pillow, 3. New blue & green floral fabrics, 4. wool, 5. silver caddy, 6. pretty florals, 7. mug mat houses, 8. Untitled, 9. IMG_0582, 10. Bag!, 11. 8 looks I love, 12. bird wings for halloween, 13. Spring flower

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Have a great weekend and check back in a few days for the ruffle baby bib tutorial!

xo amy

there and back again...

As fate would have it, I flew into Connecticut with Mia for a (much too) brief visit with my family, and flew out just in time Sunday ~ the day before the storm.  My heart goes out to all those affected, but it was so good to be home.  I loved the crunch of those fallen leaves underfoot, and it was sweet to see Mia laughing with her grandparents while I ate my mom's homecooked food and visited with my sister.

Of course, I stopped by the local fabric shop in town ~ Quilting by the Yard ~ and was caught a little bit off guard when a woman who worked there asked me if I "happened to have a blog?"  I said, "Yes, it's nanaCompany" and she said, "Yeah, you just had a baby, right?"  Yes!  Isn't that crazy?  In fact, I was rushing to get back to Mia (who was alone with her grandparents for the very first time) and it was kind of a shock to be recognized...  So, hey, since I didn't say it then ~ if you're out there reading this ~ thank you for reading my blog and thank you for making my day!

{ fabric from Quilting by the Yard, and presents sent by my friend Annie }

Before I left for Connecticut, I was busy sewing up a few cute things for this friend's booth at Quilt Market.  I'll show you the stuff once it's sent back to me.  Otherwise, does this count as sewing?

Liberty trim on the bottom of a baby onesie that has grown too short too quickly.  I've found it's really difficult to find t-shirts for babies so making my own from old snap-bottom onesies is a quick fix.

And remember I mentioned someone has started teething?

Hoo, I wasn't kidding.   We're talking drool ~ and lots of it.   The bib pattern is coming next...

xo amy

so much to celebrate

Over the past week (or so) we've celebrated Anne's 17th birthday, Grandpa's birthday, Mia's baptism, and the birth of a new baby in the family.  Whew!  Also, I've been busy working on samples for my friend's booth at Quilt Market and I made this quilted pouch that's too big for what I'd intended ~ dang it.  Once I figure out what I'll be using it for now, it'll probably get a snap or a handle or something.  We'll see.  I think my brain's a little fuzzy from this whirlwind I've been on... oh, and the sleep deprivation doesn't help much either ;)

That pretty white trim up there with the red stitching?  It's my new favorite.  It was the handle on my Anthropologie shopping bag but I cut it off and yup, I'm going to use it.  As for all the other new things "on my desk"... thank you, Rach!  Thank you, Christin!  Thank you, Anthropologie and World Market.

1. Vintage Needles & Thread, 2. Macarons, 3. Whit's Knits: Baby Girl Fair Isle Cardigan, 4. Art Is Joy, 5. Strawberries 22.365, 6. .For Grandma., 7. Untitled, 8. studio, 9. Emily's Column on decor8 today, 10. Crewel World, 11. Soleil, 12. window dressing, 13. Molly's Sketchbook: Broken Dishes Baby Quilt

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Cheers!  xo amy

gotta minute?

Just stopping by for a quick hello and then I gotta go!  Lots of stuff in the works but since nothing is finished I thought I'd share with you a few new things in the design studio... (ha!  I mean sewing corner/storage/playroom... someday I'll get that studio.)

I love this new fabric because it reminds me of Cath Kidston or Greengate, and it's the perfect medium weight that's great for kitchen accessories like hotpads or aprons, and I see a pretty little market bag in there, too.  Got it from here, of course, along with with these kawaii cute prints...

{ thank you, Kerri! }

A quick stop at the antique market got me a few new linen handkerchiefs.

And, there's that baby again.  Mia's 4 months now and starting to drool... so guess what?  You've asked ~ I've listened.  A bib pattern is coming soon!

1. luminhaus, 2. new dolls, 3. The Simple Life ~ panel stitching, 4. The Simple Life ~ market WIP sneak peak, 5. Sprig Mug Rug, 6. Attic Window #finallygavein, 7. Random Doodle No.11, 8. 138 Superior h, 9. Border, 10. a quilt for clara., 11. blue cross scarf, 12. Dining Room and Mood Board, 13. Vintage French Fabric

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

xo amy

Let's just say...

the truth, okay?  That is: nanaCompany isn't actually a "company" at all ~ it's just me.  All 5' 2" of me.  So, while I wish I could be showering more tlc and attention over here and at my etsy shop, I'll totally admit I've been letting all kinds of things pull me in different directions lately.  And I could ramble on and on about how busy I am, but I know ~ you're busy, too.  I'm just trying to apologize for being such a crummy blogger lately. 

Here's a few pics from the last week or so and I'll see you Friday, k?

{ doll quilts in the kids' room ~ someday I'll have a pile of quilts in every room }

{ Mia's baby feet ~ as soft as butter  }

{ how I found Mia and Anne (almost 17) one afternoon }

{ a fat quarter bundle of Rock 'n Romance by Pat Bravo, sent from Art Gallery Fabrics ~ it's beautiful and not my usual color palette so I'm actually really excited to work with it }

{ the wee house I finally hung up on the wall ~ it's only taken me 5 years to put some stuff in it and start using it }

{ Mia, now 3 months }

{ a hot pad I made over the weekend using insul-bright as batting ~ the center is a Farmer's Wife block reject }

{ hand quilting on the "abc" quilt ~ it's coming along slooowly but surely }

xo amy

buh-bye summer...

We packed up the car and traveled with the little ones to a resort in Palm Springs this past week...

It was awesome.  The kids splashed in the pool and waterslides all day long.  I snuggled with the baby.  And we all ate like kings (and queens.)  It was the best way to end summer as school starts next week for us ~ time to get back to schedule and routine.  Oh, sob... boo hoo!

Well, no sewing this week, but here is a glimpse at what's on my desk right now...

New fabric and bits of hand sewing.  The gray and green fabrics are from JoAnn.  That small pile of fabric on top is from Sew Deerly Loved, and fyi ~ they've got the new Flower Sugar by Lecien and a bunch of new Atsuko Matsuyama florals... oh, so cute.

Have a great weekend!

1. Mandarin & Jasmine Tea Cup Jellies with Raspberries, 2. The Queen Bee, 3. new cushions..., 4. Print Love, 5. stacked coins quilt top, 6. Buttons, 7. Owl, 8. White Chocolate & Raspberry Brioche French Toast, 9. Free Pattern - no 111 Baby Bib, 10. Hannah Hears a Strange Noise, 11. The March Hare, 12. simpatico, 13. Packaging gets me every time...

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

xo amy

for the love of garbage...

We've enjoyed plenty of beach days this summer but this past weekend it was scorching hot and we had family in town, so it was lots of fun.  At our house there was a never ending flow of coffee, a few beers, and a lot of laughs.  This may be the first time in years that I'll be sorry when summer's over ~ we've got just about two weeks left (waaaaaa!)  How about you?

So by now you know I love making "pretty little things" and that I also love using up small scraps of fabric in my projects, right?  Then you'll totally understand how thrilled I was when the postman delivered a box, sent from my good friend Kristyne (of the awesome blog Pretty by Hand), filled to the brim with her "garbage" ~ she said with a wink.  Garbage she knew I would love.  These are just a few of my faves:

I can't wait to see what I can do with it all.  I already see a bib.  Thank you, dear K, you're the best.

One little thing I did make last week was this pin cushion...

A tiny pin cushion made of half inch hexies that came out just as I'd seen it in my brain.  I love that.  I love other people's garbage.  I love hand sewing these tiny hexies... love my new baby girl ~ who is now cooing and smiling... and I love this summer... wish it would never end...

xo amy

:: just laying here eating cake

hello!  I'm still here.  C'mon in...

Source: conflictingheart.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

I really wish I could invite you all over.  Your comments cheer me for sure.  I know if you came over I'd be amused and we'd be laughing and this last bit of bedrest would be more bearable.  But, all is well...

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com.au via Amy on Pinterest

 

I just lay around eating cake all day.  The kids don't need to be carted to and from school at different times (also gymnastics) and I don't go to the grocery store everyday (because there's always something we need that I forgot.)  I don't get ambitious at odd bored moments and the kids don't jump on the bed when I do lay down, contracting, with a fan blowing on me to keep me cool.  Uh-uh, nooo.  Sometimes I lay outside for a change of scenery and ring a bell when I want more cake...

Source: heidiclaire.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

This little baby in my belly likes cake, I think.  And now I'll have to tell you that we really are doing well.  I shouldn't complain but bedrest is never easy is it?  I have been working slowly on a little embroidery...

Yep, it's my "Small things" pattern again.  (Download it free here.)  I just love how you can make it so entirely different by choosing another color scheme and trying new stitches.  I love the leaves like this.  They looked pretty without the black outline, too, so I'll probably be making another one.

Happy mail so far this week?

A little parcel from Korea, from the etsy shop Unique Shiny.  I think I might have to get some of this floral gauze for the baby, too.

Now, how 'bout a piece of cake?  xo amy

:: friday update

I have been having painful contractions and spotting for days and you'd think I was in labor, right?  Nope.  I just spent a sleepless night in the hospital... they monitored my contractions from 9pm-6am and they were 2-3 minutes apart the entire time, but it's not real labor.  Three doses of meds couldn't get those contractions to go away and finally they said I could go home, but I have to go back tonight.  More steroid shots, tests, monitoring... I hate the hospital.  Love my home, my bed, and the little ones that keep asking, "When are you going to pop?"

"Soon," I say.  Can't bring myself to tell them what really happens ~ I'm afraid of scarring them for life.  Yet, they seem to be okay with the idea that my belly is going to pop and a doctor will catch the baby as it flies out.  I hope I'm not a total coward for letting them believe in this "popping" business.  If you had to, how did you so delicately explain it?

Well, I'd hoped to be further along with this project, but here's a sneak peek at what I'm working on...

I fell in love with this pretty little thing a while ago, and used it as my jumping off point.  I think I even used the same crochet trim that Eileen used.  I got mine from JoAnn's.  And since a lot of you ask where I get my trim, I thought I'd show you some of the pretty ones you can find there, as well as a few of my favorites from easy to find places...

So, all the trim up there is from JoAnn's except for the two labeled with arrows.  I do have a lot of other trim, some antique, that have been given to me or bought at odd little places, but the ones above should be easy to get.  Searching for "crochet trim" on Etsy will also find you some really pretty ones.

Additions to the fabric stash this week...

and Friday faves...

1. Cherries, 2. IMG_5653-1, 3. Bambi, 4. cupcakes 2, 5. Primele, 6. Untitled, 7. Swedish "slagbaenk", 8. A passion for Ribbons ♥, 9. this sweet love., 10. IMG_9384, 11. Baby quilt with Eliza's fabrics, 12. Inside Out Quilt, 13. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

I wish you all a great weekend... I'm off to hospital, crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes that no "popping" happens just yet!

xo amy

:: tuesday already?

Did you have a nice Mother's Day?  I was going to pop in to wish you all a lovely day, but that didn't happen... it was such a nice lazy weekend.  My Sunday started off with a handful of Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolates (you know, breakfast in bed.  Thanks, Mom.)  After church and a delicious brunch at the Marmalade Cafe, I... yes, fell asleep.  Later, there were presents, a video chat with my mom, ice cream sundaes, a trip to the bookstore...

Now, it's Tuesday already.  How does that happen?

Time is going by so fast.  I'm counting down the weeks and I'm getting really excited to meet our new baby girl ~ and anxious, even a little nervous.  Her 2nd sleeping mat is now finished and her going-home outfits are washed.  We've got teensy eensy little diapers in the house again and sometimes my husband and I just look at each other and say, "How are we going to do this again?"

Yet we're anxious to get started.  Oh, I'm looking forward to that sweet baby smell. 

Totally off topic, for the person who asked about the "baby" ribbon ~ I got it several years ago and it's manufactured by American Crafts.  The other question I just remembered ~ the name of the blue bird fabric I used for baby's pillow is called Rural Jardin by French General.  I've got to get more myself, if I can find it.  And ooh, my order of Lecien's Old New 30's fabric just arrived from Sew Deerly Loved.  And wouldn't you know... I just spied some new fabric there (Hope Chest by Mama's Cottons) that I now have to have.  Thanks a lot, Kerri!

Swoon.  Love it.

xo amy

spiders, oh my!

Do you all do the spider thing?

If so, skip over this... but if you don't it's just a neat little trick I learned about a year or so ago and I've been meaning to share it with ya.  Spiders are little scraps of fabric that you'd normally throw away (though not me, of course) that you can use again and again for continuous sewing of patchwork without having to pull your threads over the cutter, tossing out 5 or so inches of thread each and every time.  Very wasteful.  I hate waste.  Or maybe I'm just really cheap.  But you know how it is... say... when you're making granny squares, and your trash bucket gets filled with long white threads... well, no more.  At any point when you would normally pull on the threads to cut them, sew over a spider instead.  Snip the threads connecting the spider to your sewn pieces and leave the spider in your machine until you're ready to sew some more.  Never pull long strands of wasted thread again!  (Do I sound like an annoyingly excited commercial?)

You will need to keep a small pair of scissors handy and please be careful not to cut into your sewn patchwork when snipping it free from the spider.  Also, just for reference, I've found the perfect size for a spider to be 5/8" wide. 

See that blue spider up there?  It used to be blue, it's fairly covered in white thread now because I've been using it for months.  I love it so.

Now ooh, ooh, ooh, look at what just arrived at Sew Deerly Loved, my fave fabric shop...

Finally, the new Old New 30's collection from Lecien has arrived, yay!  Remember the pocket pillow I made recently with that fabric?  I've been waiting to get my hands on more and it's here at last.

I'm still "in progress" on a lot of projects but here's a sneak peak of one that's finished...

I'll show you more soon, it's just that right now I'm falling asleeeeeeep... zzz...

Happy Friday!

1. Raspberry, yogurt and chocolate sponge layer cake, 2. Monogram detail, 3. Molly's Sketchbook: Lavender Sachets, 4. IMG_0856, 5. Quilt market sample: simpatico table runner, 6. local strawberries are in season..., 7. Untitled, 8. Stars On Pink-3, 9. cups & saucers, 10. Dream On - Inside Out, 11. natalie and eloise, 12. No Star Like Thee, 13. Crostata-crumble dolce-salata con caprino e mirtilli marinati nel balsamico e cassis

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

xo amy

a side by side and a sneak peek

Can you see the difference?

The fabric on the left is Lecien's new 2012 Antique Flower in Pastel reprint, and the one on the right is the original from 2007.  This is probably the only print in the bunch where I prefer the old one better.  For all the rest I like the reprint better.  Like this one...

The little flowers are more defined and the slightest touch of white was added.  And in this one...

They removed the little tiny bits and overall the print looks cleaner and fresher.  But really...

I love all of it!  And it'll be at my friend Kerri's shop, Sew Deerly Loved, soon.

Btw, what do you think of the new legacy reprint of Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy?  I ordered a short stack of half yards last month and I love it, though I miss the silky hand to the original printing.

And now a sneak peek...

These are a few things that have been hanging about my work space the last few days...

A cute new set of mini notecards.

A little girl (it seems she's always hanging about).

... and a work in progress.  One I've been thoroughly enjoying making.  Oh and lastly, I wanted to show you some of the cuteness I got in the mail from my new friend, Sam...

Goodness, I love that Merry Bonbon stuff. 

See you Friday!  xo amy