nanaCompany

:: diamonds are my new best friend

I remember when Mia's first nap was at 9:30 in the morning.  Oh the times, they are a'changing.  Now she's transitioning to just one nap a day, but it's really not enough and it makes me ahem, her cranky ~ you know, sometimes, just a little.  Luckily she's got a knack for making me laugh at just the right moments. She thinks everything is so funny.  I love that about her. 

So, it just wouldn't be me if I didn't have several side projects going while I'm quilting Olivia's honeycomb quilt.  One of those is a doll quilt using my Posy scraps... cut mostly from my layer cake and charm pack to make these 2" paper pieced diamonds.

Having never sewn diamonds before, I'm not surprised ~ I love 'em.  Yup, my new best friend.  And it looks like Olivia's dolls will have a nice cozy Posy bed before she does, but hey, we're all learning about patience around here.

I'm so happy to announce the winner of the Fat Quarter Shop sponsored giveaway...

That beautiful Petal fat quarter bundle, plus the zakka house and Cosmo floss are yours!  (Just in case there was more than one, it's the Calli who said, "I'm an Old New fan. But I'm really loving Denyse Schmidt's new Shelbourne Falls... reminds me of the 70's in a good way.")  Thank you to all of you who entered and shared your fabric wishlists with me.  I hope many of those wishes come true quite soon!

xo amy

:: 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

Posy + Honeycomb = Love!

You know, in real life, I've always been considered kind of a ditz.  Having four kids hasn't helped ~ no, sir.  And on friday I had my wisdom teeth pulled, which means... well... I don't feel any dumber but my head does hurt.  That's my excuse, at least, for taking so long in showing you my progress pics on Livi's new quilt.   (That, and I couldn't get a decent pic to show how pretty it really is.)  It's a simple mix of two wonderful things:  Aneela Hoey's fabric line "Posy" + Honeycomb.  Lori Holt's Honeycomb...

Source: rileyblakedesigns.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

Oh, I love those bright happy hexagons.  But about a month ago, Olivia (now 5) and I had a very short talk about colors for her future quilt, in which she boldly stated that there are only two "girl" colors out there (did you know?) ~ pink and purple.  Ohhh.  I showed her my new Posy layercake ~ she loved it.

So, I got right to it.  Sweet Lori Holt, of Bee in my Bonnet, had kindly sent me a Hexie Half Ruler Set (it includes two rulers... a large that works great with a 10" layer cake square and a small that works perfectly with a 5" charm) and I pieced all my 10" hexies in an hour.   I was amazed because nothing around here gets done that quickly.  (To learn how Lori's Honeycomb quilt is constructed with the rulers, click here.)

As a girl who has mostly sewn quilts made up of long rows of squares, I had been kinda nervous about lining up all my seams... but they went together effortlessly.  Like magic, really.

And then, for some unfortunate reason, I decided to applique my small hexies on by hand instead of by machine.  That, took a while.  It looks great but next time I'll be using my machine and the blind stitch, just like Lori did, thank you ;)

But you see I was able to sneak in a teensy bit of a "non-girly" color here?  While ordering yardage for the sashes and backing I also picked up a couple of yards of Kona solid "Ice Frappee" because it was pretty... and on sale.   I didn't plan to use it in this quilt, but I like how it looks (and I got Liv's permission.)

She keeps asking me, "When is my blanket going to be finished?"  I don't really have the heart to tell her I work slower than cold molasses and I haven't even started the quilting ~ but you know how a month sounds like forever to a five year old.   So I say, "Soon, Livi.  Soon."

And now, drumroll please...

You've won!  (Krislovesfabric, please email me your details).  You've won the cherry stamp pin cushion...

... the cross stitch stamps and the Cosmo marble floss, you lucky girl :)

But you all must come back Friday, as I've got another giveaway to announce (and this one includes a pretty bundle of fabric provided by my new sponsor, Fat Quarter Shop!)

And before I go...  lastest flickr inspiration:

1. Untitled, 2. one, 3. Simply Retro- Vintage, 4. @sewtakeahike: your pattern is amazeballs!! I need to add a print border (or two) and embroider. I LOVE it!!, 5. Vintage Pink Rose Velvet Brocade, 6. Dress and Apron, 7. sweet girls, 8. Little clay houses made by me : ), 9. Nine Patch on Point, Georgetown, KY, 10. I keep going in to check on our flock of geese, @cristycreates ... Will sew 'em a nice place to fly tomorrow. :), 11. Hope Valley Twister Blocks, 12. floral bucket, 13. starting a new quilty project:-)

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Cheers!  xo amy

a Pin cushion or Mouse pillow :: Giveaway!

Surprise mail is the best ~ especially when it delivers exactly the thing you didn't know you really really wanted.

Um no, not this canning jar pin cushion.  I was inspired to make that after I spotted the pretty things at this shop.

No, it's these cross stitch stamps.  They came in a small package last week from Lecien and I just about died over the cuteness.  Look at the adorable motifs... aack!  You can stamp them onto anything, but the coolest thing is that you can stamp them onto fabric with erasable fabric ink... and then embroider away.

I was anxious to get started.  (Not like I didn't have a hundred other things to do.)  What I love about the stamps is that you can make your own patterns, designs, or scenes so easily... just stamp as you like.  This little cherry stamp I did was a practice run.  I think it's only the second time I've ever cross stitched.  I enjoyed it thoroughly, but once it was finished I realized that the crosses are probably meant to be a little denser, maybe closer together.  I would, by the way, accept it as kind mentoring if any of you cross stitch experts want to throw me a few tips... ;) 

But, I think this turned out pretty cute anyway.

And one can never have enough pretty pin cushions, I say.  Still, I've decided to throw it in with my little giveaway.  It makes for a pretty, but flimsy, pin cushion... or better yet, a really cute mouse pillow.

Lucky me, I was sent a few of the stamp sets in multiples, so I thought it best to share.  I'm giving away this bear set, along with a few others.  (You can also find the cross stitch stamps available for sale at Superbuzzy.)  Lecien was kind enough to also send me some beautiful Cosmo Marble floss...

Each skein of Marble thread holds 15 meters of six-strand Egyptian cotton floss... and the color changes about every four inches.  I'm giving away these 16 different skeins:

Thanks to Lecien.  So, if you're at all into free floss, cross stitch stamps, and a handmade pin cushion (or mouse pillow) ~ simply leave a comment on this post telling me... your favorite line of fabric of all time.  Ok?  I'll close comments on midnight next Tuesday and announce a random winner (open to everyone) on Wednesday, May 1st.

But I'll be seeing you in a few days with a certain quilt top that I've been working on.  Cheers!

xo amy

We've got a winner!

You're the winner!  You've won a copy of the book, "S is for Stitch" by Kristyne Czepuryk and you're going to love it.  Congratulations.  (Luiza, please email me your details, thanks.)

I kinda got started on my abc soft book but after giving it a lot of thought, I realized I really want to make the quilt, too.  For my abc book, I hadn't planned to stitch all the letters ~ in fact, four pages is all I envisioned.  But I like so many of K's designs I would like to embroider them all.  And now I'm not sure if I want to do the quilt first, or the book.  Though, if you want to know the truth about how I work ~ it's most likely I'll do a little bit of this and that as inspiration hits.

Did I mention I'm working on a quilt for Olivia?  The top is almost all pieced.  I'd hoped to have it done by her birthday, but that was an impossible dream.  (We've been mighty busy around here lately.)

Of course, it would be a whole lot funner (I do know that's not a proper word ~ I say it anyway) if I could give you all a copy of dear Miss Kristyne's book.  But since I can't, do yourselves a favor, go over here and get yourself a discounted copy.  It might just be that kick in the pants you need to get started on an heirloom that will, undoubtedly, be beautiful in the end ~ handmade with love.

xo amy

S is for Stitch

Have you seen?  There's a new book out there called "S is for Stitch" and it just happens to be written by none other than Kristyne Czepuryk, my homegirl that you all know as the hilarious voice behind Pretty by Hand.  Honestly, I am so proud of sweet K, but when I finally got to see and hold her book in my hands (I waited a long time) I was so impressed.

It is beautiful, informative, and whimsical.  And today is the start of the book's blog tour, which will not only introduce you to the book ~ offering a peak into its pages ~  but give you the chance to win your own copy for free.  In fact, there'll be eight chances for you to win your very own copy.

Check out these awesome blogs for the tour:

• Allison Rosen ~ StashBooksBlog.com - Tuesday, March 19
• Allison Harris ~ CluckCluckSew.com - Wednesday, March 20
• Amanda Jean Nyberg ~ CrazyMomQuilts.blogspot.ca - Thursday, March 21
• Me (please excuse that I have inadvertantly called my blog "awesome") ~ nanaCompany.typepad.com - Friday, March 22
• Anne Sutton ~ BunnyHillBlog.com - Monday, March 25
• Lori Holt ~ BeeInMyBonnetCo.blogspot.ca - Tuesday, March 26
• Sherri McConnell ~ AQuiltingLife.com - Wednesday, March 27
• the amazing Kristyne Czepuryk ~ PrettyByHand.com - Monday, March 28

I'll see you back here on Friday!

xo amy

:: Zakka Style giveaway!

Have you seen the book, "Zakka Style: 24 Projects Stitched with Ease to Give, Use, & Enjoy"? I just got my copy in the mail and I am truly in love with this craft book.  It's compiled by Rashida Coleman-Hale and boy did she do a great job.  Never mind that I got to be a part of it ~ yep, I've got a project in it (thanks so much, Rashida!) ~ I would've wanted this book anyway.  Zakka which translates from Japanese to "many things" or "sundries" is a style I particularly love.  When I hear the word I think: simple, charming, handmade... and that's what's in this book.

My contribution was this cute little cookie sack...

See it on the back cover!

This book is chock-full of simple and sweet zakka projects and what's really cool is that many are made by my friends ~ like this bread basket made by Rachel Roxburgh...

Perfection.  I so want to make one of those.  Actually I want to make one of everything in the book!  And I've already got started...

See the page below... it's like the cutest bookmark ever, designed by Kat Mew, and it charmed me to pieces.  So I just had to make one!

And I'm happy to give it away to one of you, along with a copy of this awesome book.

C'mon.  These two want a new home.  All you have to do is leave a comment here at the end of this post... tell me your favorite color combination!  The winner will be chosen at random.  Comment by next Monday, February 27th and I'll announce the winner on Tuesday.  Cool?

have a great week! xo amy

a sweet cookie garland and a giveaway

I completely forgot about the candy cane garland I'd made last year...

... though I was glad to find it, because it's making my life a bit easier.  Instead of the vision in my head, I'm going to take the easy route and incorporate the old into the new...

Nope, the cookie garland isn't finished yet.  I'm still working on it.  I'm just so.  Dang.  Tired.  We got to see baby's heartbeat Wednesday.  It's given me my first real glimmer of hope.  I even allowed myself to look at baby things at Target, just for a few minutes.  One day at a time, we keep saying.  I'm glad the holidays are here to distract.

I think I mentioned that I stitched up an extra set of play cookies?  Well I put those six cookies in a cute gift box (makes a great holiday gift for the little girl that you adore) and I'd love to give it you!

For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post by Thursday, December 8th, telling me... what would be your ultimate holiday dream vacation!  I wish I could give the winner that dream vacation, but all I've got are these cookies ;)  The winner will be chosen randomly and announced next Friday (Dec 9th).  Good luck and Happy Friday!

1. Christmas is here to stay ..., 2. FWQAL 49 and 50 - Red Pink Green Blue White Flower Sugar Lecien, 3. to you and yours, 4. Spring bird, 5. IMG_7036, 6. Christmas Bear ATC, 7. Nutcracker ornaments, 8. Etsy Prints Round Up, 9. printed doll, 10. Livros de Receitas - Explore!, 11. Vintage embroidery, 12. Letterpress calendar - over the rainbow, 13. francis

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

xo amy

a giveaway and an announcement

Warning: things are about to get personal.  I was going to wait a while longer, but I can't keep a secret, at all, and the things that are happening now are really affecting my daily life more than I'd expected.  So I'm gonna spill...

About a week ago I was to finally begin classes for nursing school ~ we'd been preparing for this for months but I'd been wanting to do it for years and it was going to be such a major change in our lives.  Suddenly though, all this has come to a screeching halt as I've discovered I am pregnant, yes.  I'm pregnant.  Which is a joyous thing except that I had an endometrial ablation about a year and a half ago and I haven't had a period since and my uterus is in no condition to support a pregnancy and the possibility of miscarriage is so high that I can't quite wrap my mind around the idea that we're actually having a baby.  But right now, at least, I am very very pregnant.  I'm horribly nauseous and queasy and emotional and exhausted and I'm not really able to do much at all.  I'm getting kinda good at playing Angry Birds.  No sewing of any kind has happened.  In fact, all my rare moments out of bed these past few days have been spent building Lego ships with the kids.  A good use of my time and energy, I'm sure ;) 

So, sadly I have nothing to blog.  One moment I'm in tears, waiting for the miscarriage, and the next I am imagining this crazy house with one more baby in it.  I would love to know if any of you have had a successful pregnancy after endometrial ablation.  I know that many of you have had high risk pregnancies and can totally relate.   I am so open to hearing anything you might have to share with me.  I thank you for reading all of this, if you still are, and I hope I don't sound too much like a sad-sack, even though I am.  Hormones, ladies, they just don't help!!!

But I thought I'd end this post on a good note.  Have you seen the new book from C&T Publishing, called Modern Blocks?

I'm so honored to have two blocks featured in it...

But these two are my favorites...

{ by Melisssa Crowe }

{ by Lynne Goldsworthy }

And I have a copy of the book to giveaway!  So, all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post, telling me... hmmm, let's see... how about, what's your favorite movie to watch when you're not feeling well?  I have this really weird ability to watch the same movies over and over again... lately I've been watching "Atonement", "Star Trek", and "Pride and Prejudice."  And now that the holiday season is here, I'm sure we'll be watching "Elf" again... love that movie.

So, the giveaway is open to my international and domestic friends and I'll accept comments until midnight on Friday, November 25.  Plus, I'll be adding a few extras in to go with the book.

Cheers to you!  xo amy

Enter the new Sweet Cottage Giveaway!!!

Yes, it's giveaway time again here at nanaCompany... The sweet cottage placemat that I made a week ago has been waiting patiently, but now I've finally made a few things and gathered a few things from my stash just for you!

I found these wooden spools a few weeks ago at the craft store and thought I could pretty them up with some scrapbook paper and mod podge... well, that's exactly what I did, and I love 'em.  There are 48" of "Marie Antoinette" trim on one, 48" of vintage cotton aqua ric-rac on another, and 5 yards of dove grey twine on the last.  I also made a little strawberry pin cushion...

I filled it with batting because I thought that would make it firmer, but then I had the hardest time sticking pins in it.  Good luck to you, but I guess these things are better for decoration anyway ;)  (I've put in five pretty leaf pins to get you started.)

There's a package of letter tags, 52 pieces, that are fun for all sorts of crafting.

And one small pink suitcase filled with fabric.  Yes, there is fabric inside that little cutie, and it's a surprise but I think you'll be happy.  Some of the pieces are fat quarter size and some are scraps... I hope you have fun looking through the pile, piece by piece, to see what's inside.

Lastly ~ and the reason for this giveaway ~ you'll be getting my Sweet Cottage No.1 Placemat.

I looove this placemat.  It'll be a little hard to let it go, but I'll be making more, I'm sure, as I'm writing the pattern for it now and that will be sold in the shop quite soon.  Look out for the pattern if you don't win!

Sooo, all you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment here on this post telling me 1, your favorite candy when you were a kid, and 2, your favorite candy now.  For instance, when I was a kid I loved strawberry licorice but now I think I love Ferrero Rocher (those gold foil-wrapped hazelnut chocolates) best.  I won't be mad if you send me a box at Christmas time ;)

I'll accept comments until Saturday, May 14th, at midnight and the winner will be chosen at random.  International friends are welcome to enter.  Thank you and good luck!

xo! amy

...and the winner is...

I really, truly wish I could send you all a package of goodies because you girls are so so sweet... really.  As I read each new comment that came in I thought... hmm, I hope she wins.  But at last, a random drawing has produced the winner and all I can say is...

Yes, Meg of Boutique Nutmeg Designs, who said, "What a wonderful giveaway! I found you a while ago on Flickr you always have such pretty things!" is the winner!  Congratulations, I hope you will love everything and enjoy the placemat.  Everyone else, I suggest you come right back here to this blog for the next giveaway... it'll be happening sooner than you think!

xo Amy

a gift for you...

Yes, it's true.  I have a few gifts, really.  In honor of spring.  In honor of my new blog.  A thank you for coming here... thank you for sharing with me this creative journey, thanks for the encouragement and inspiration you give me... and thanks indeed, for spreading the word about my new blog.

Throw the confetti!  It's a Sweet Spring Giveaway!

You'll get four fat quarters from my beloved stash of Moda Sweet stripes by Urban Chiks...

And one fat quarter of this super cute Merry Bonbon Merry Critters fabric from Lecien...

You'll get a set of fruitcases, a bag of wood craft letter chips...

and my latest creation, this sweet cottage place mat...

I hope someone out there gets to eat some chocolate cake with a cold glass of milk on it.  This placemat was a practice run for my first cottage placemat pattern I'll be selling in the shop soon.  And there's going to be more.  That means I'll be doing more giveaways as I design more cottage placemats (woo hoo!)

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment here on this post telling me your full name, bank information, and social security number.  Just kidding!!!  Seriously, what I'd really like to know is how you found me.  Flickr?  a long time ago?  another blog?  Five minutes ago?  Let me know and please make sure I have a way to contact you if you've won.  Since I'm new to this wonderful blogworld I'm going to accept comments for a whole week... that means comments will close next Saturday at midnight (April 2 at midnight in California).  Thanks for sharing!  And thanks for being part of my first nanaCompany giveaway!!!

P.S.  See that adorable bunny tag on that stack of stripes up there?  That's a free downloadable from doe-c-doe.  She's got a bunch of cute freebies on her blog, check 'em out!

xo amy