nanaCompany

meet Basil...

It's beginning to look a lot like summer...

And honestly... I'm terrified.  As a mom, I'm always a little bit intimidated at the task of filling up those long summer days ~ keeping the kiddos busy, entertained, and properly fed.  It's a hard enough job when it's you're only job, but I'm facing an absurdly ambitious work schedule this June and July.  I don't even think I'll be coming round here during those months, so please excuse me.  Two months ("it's just two months!" I keep telling myself) and it will be so worth it in the end, you'll see.  (Have I mentioned that I'm horrible at keeping secrets?  Yah, I'm dying right about now.)  Anyway, by August I'll be done and ready for a vacation ~ ready to sleep in late and hold onto my kids 'til they're screaming for me to let go... ready to spend the whole day doing nothing, being absolutely lazy.  Hoo, I can't wait.  Have you got any fun summer plans?  Will you share 'em with me?  I'd love to live vicariously through you ;)

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Oh, Basil.  How I love this bear, I do.  I made him for Mia as my latest project over at eHow ~ and now you can get the full DIY with template and instructions by clicking on over to eHow Crafts.  He's a simple softie with a personalized patch on the back that reads, "THIS BEAR BELONGS TO: ___."  The patch is my favorite part, but I also love his simple modern shape.  He'd make a great baby gift, don't you think?

Just for fun, I made this doll quilt, too.  It was a fast easy make because I used the scraps from the quilt I made for RJR Fabrics ~ the one that traveled to Quilt Market in Pittsburgh.  The collection is called: Everything But The Kitchen Sink X by Yuko Hasegawa and the pretty solids are from RJR as well.

If you like this fabric, you won't want to miss the giveaway that's coming up next ~ but only if you've got room for 42 more fat quarters on your fabric shelves ;)

See you soon!  xo amy

Making it Pretty

So much has been happening at this casa lately ~ so much life, too much work ~ and all in the midst of a heat wave.  Ack, but I crumple in heat.  Add to that a series of looming deadlines, and you'll understand why I'm constantly praying for grace under pressure.  I'm doing the best I can.  I could also use a good night's sleep.  The other night, Anne and I headed out for sushi at midnight ~ that was after I drove seven hours up to Sonoma to collect her from college (she's done for the summer!) and then drove another hour, back down to San Francisco.  I turned to you on Facebook to find out where to go for fabric there... it turns out Britex fabrics was exactly two blocks from my hotel.  (Thank you, Lisa Mancini!)  Here's the lovely loot I treated myself to:

A few adorable buttons, some pretty pins, crochet trim, printed ribbon, and a short stack of fabrics including a Liberty print, Sevenberry, and Mrs. March.  Not bad, eh?

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Next day, back in Los Angeles, Nicholas received his first communion.  It was awesome, I had all my kids together again and just in time for Mother's day.  Of course, I harassed them with my camera for as long as they could take it and then I marveled, as I do, at having four (still can't believe it) ~ four! ~ kids.  I hope you mamas also felt truly blessed and loved on Mother's day.

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Have you seen?  I did a really fun post for eHow called: Making it Pretty | the Mason Jar Pin Cushion Sewing Kit.

It includes a few DIYs and a button card printable ~ check it out here.

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A while back, RJR Fabrics sent me a fabulous stack of their new collection: Everything But The Kitchen Sink X by Yuko Hasegawa.  There are 42 prints in this gargantuan line and I love 'em all but these here are my faves...

See the entire collection in a baby quilt I made for RJR Fabrics ~ it's at Quilt Market in Pittsburgh right now.  I hope it's having a good time ;)  I'll be sharing more about that quilt soon.

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Lastly, I have a winner for the Great Granny Squared book giveaway...

Congratulations to Cindy, who wrote, "What a great giveaway!! My favorite tool is my adorable apple pincushion. I made it out of OOP American Jane fabrics and smile every time I use it!:) Thanks!"  Email me your details right away, Cindy, and I'll send out your copy of "Great Granny Squared" courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop.

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I don't know about you, but this weekend I'm scheduling in a moment to stop and catch my breath.  Lots of exciting stuff coming up... Have a great weekend friends!  xo amy

Great Granny Sew Along | Book Giveaway

hello! It's my turn!

Everything Lori Holt creates is simply charming.  Period.  You know ~ the quilts, the fabric, the cottage, the rulers, the videos, the books ~  all as if they've been touched by a wave of a magic wand.  Of course her newest book, Great Granny Squared, is no exception.  My name is Amy, and welcome to my little stop on the Great Granny Sew Along!  I've got some Mama blocks to show you and a copy of Lori's book to give away to one lucky you!

The Great Granny Sew Along quilt (called "Mama's Crochet Quilt") is simple and darling, which is, I think, how all quilts should be.  I cut into some very special (to me) Mrs. March 30's prints for this project and I love how the Mama blocks went together so effortlessly.  There's no worrying about having enough seam allowance once the block is finished ~ Lori designed the Mama block with 1/2" of fabric around "mama."  Love that.  Makes me feel so much easier, and that's how I picture Lori working in her studio ~ kinda effortless and easy with a bluebird singing on her shoulder.  Right?  Can't you just see that?

Today, two other talented ladies are showing off their Mama Blocks ~ check 'em out here and here.  Then go grab your book and download the Mama Block PDF companion here to start sewing.  Have you been adding pics of your blocks to the Great Granny Squared Flickr page?  Weekly prizes are being given away for those pics and coming up next... three winners will each receive one of these.  All the prizes are hand-picked by Miss Lori herself.

Want to enter for a chance to win a free copy of Great Granny Squared?  Leave a comment on this post telling me your fave sewing tool (lately mine is a fabric glue stick) and I'll pick one random winner after midnight Sunday, May 11th.  This giveaway is open to all.  Good luck to you!  xo amy

bound with yellow gingham

I think I've finished this baby quilt just in time...

The mama-to-be wanted a quilt just like this one ~ but she wanted it to look more vintage-y in pink, white, mint, and yellow.  While choosing fabrics, she 100% fell in love with Aneela Hoey's bouquet print.  Then we added some Lecien florals and minty dots, teeny yellow Hints of Prints, pink dots, and a floral stripe from JoAnn's.

A lamb and a bunny were embroidered onto the applique circles.  It was entirely quilted by hand, then bound with yellow gingham (how can you go wrong with that?) and sent off to mama ~ ready for baby.

I do hope the quilt arrives before baby does.  Such an exciting time.  Four times I've been there, and four times I nearly went mad with anticipation ~ just aching to meet the small wonder in my belly.  I say small, but did I ever tell you Nicholas weighed 10 lbs. 2 oz. at birth?  ya.

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My little wonder baby is turning two soon.  In about a month.  And yes, I can believe it, because everyday we stare and marvel at how far she's come (she was 4 lbs. 11 oz. at birth).  At almost 2, Mia likes watering the "garden" on our balcony, singing, dancing, making a mess, Peppa Pig, lollipops, and her bottle.

Oh, and cake.  Mia really likes cake.  I can't wait to give her a tiny one, all for herself, on her birthday.

xo amy