nanaCompany

Bring on the New Year | Tilda winner

Our Christmas was quiet this year and a crummy little cold had a lot to do with it.

I don't know about you, but I'm so ready to ring in the New Year ~ full of promise and hope.  I always see a new year as another chance to do everything better ~ like mommy-ing, working smarter, making moments count, cleaning the house, improving our eating habits, exercising, making quality time for my husband, finding more ways to be charitable, including God in all that we do, and eliminating those things from our life that just aren't "good"... (hello, my name is Amy, and I am a sugar-holic.  See above.)

I've got a lot of fun stuff to share in the coming months and that includes new patterns, giveaways, and free tutorials.  I'm currently writing a pattern for this quilted "toy-drum bucket"...

I'll be sharing a lot more about this...

{ these prints are from Elea Lutz' new line with Penny Rose Fabrics: Milk, Sugar & Flower }

And... it's taken me forever, but I can finally make my girls' quilt now that I've decided on this quilt pattern.  I can't wait to get started!

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Honestly, I thought I'd be announcing the winner of the Tilda fabric giveaway a lot sooner... but I'm happy to make someone happy today.

Congratulations to Marcella who wrote, "Those Tilda fabrics are beautiful. You expose me to so many dangerous shopping places :-) Glad you are enjoying your new sewing machine so much."  And many thanks to Sarah at Pretty Fabrics & Trims for sponsoring the giveaway.

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As always, I like to take a look back at the projects I worked on throughout the year, so here's a birds eye view of 2014.  (This year's mosaic is looking pretty sparse because there was so much secret sewing... but, ha ha, we'll see it all in 2015!!) 

Happy New Year to you, my dears.  Let's seriously decide to make it spectacular!  Meaningful.  And joyful!

xo amy

tall tall trees

It's been all about the trees over here...

Tall, tall, trees... if you ask my little Mia.  And despite the sudden time-warp closeness to Christmas (I thought there were weeks to go, but no, it's days away!), I even managed to write up a pattern for this one.  You kinda get two patterns in one because I've also included the cutting instructions and an assembly diagram for the first scrappy pillow I made (which, I think I like better anyway.  Which one do you like?)  Since I made that first pillow for fun one night ~ simply enjoying the flow of impromptu patchwork ~ I didn't write anything down.  Ouch, guys.  Going back and figuring out all the dimensions (subtracting and adding seam allowances) was seriously a workout for my brain.  But I'm glad to have done it so now I can make another one when I find the time.  These trees aren't just for Christmas!!!  Couldn't you just picture a beautiful autumn version in jewel tones?

Alright, ladies.  Five more days 'til Christmas.  Repeat after me.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Exhale.

The pattern is now available for sale at my etsy shop, nanaCompany.  (Note: the pillow size was made intentionally for lumbar support.  Aaaah!)  Happy sewing!

xo amy

the most wonderful… | mini giveaway

Everything.  The most wonderful everything!  I feel like a lot of good things are starting to happen and I have a thousand blessings to be thankful for.  My goal is to enjoy this holiday season and not get weighed down by the length of my to-do list.  More easily said than done, but I keep repeating these words like a mantra, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"  Even if I have to say it twenty times a day, I am the type that has to stop, hold my breath a few seconds and repeat those words to get back on track.  Otherwise I'm like a runaway train, ha!

All of these feedsack cuts arrived one day in a special box sent by my friend Sam (@PaeoniaSFZ).  She's got a big heart, that girl.  Can you believe it all?  One day I plan to show you some of these prints in detail.  You'll recognize a lot of them.  They're the originals that inspired so many prints you see today.  (I'll have to devote a whole blog post to this.)  I decided my very first project with these gems would be a little needlebook as a token of thanks because I don't think I could say it enough, but...  thank you, Sam!

Stitched up another little star (this one's for Anne) and I want to make a hundred more, they're so cute.

See all that stitching?!?!  This is what happens when you get a new sewing machine with a walking foot and you're simply ecstatic about it all.  Yes.  Happy birthday, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to me!!!  Girls, I got a Janome 7700 and I'm absolutely in love.  Sewing on this machine is like a dream come true, seriously.  But I have to warn you, I think I'll be sewing up a storm this winter!!

Do you like Tilda?  Look at all these beautiful fabrics.  That's another one we don't get here in the US and it was really thoughtful of Sarah of Pretty Fabrics & Trims to send me this bundle of goodies.  She also sent this mini giveaway for one of you!

Get these five fat eighths of Tilda fabrics, the gorgeous ribbons, and a tiny brown packet of mystery goodies.  (BTW, if you like ribbon, check out more than 500 styles at Pretty Fabrics & Trims.)  For a chance to win this giveaway, leave a comment on this post.  Comments will close Sunday, December 21st at midnight and a winner will be chosen randomly.  Think of it as a sewist's perfect stocking stuffer.  Good luck, my friends!

xo amy 

crafty December | nanaCompany sale

Sevenberry florals, yes.  Teeny tiny stamp stickers that make everything look cute?  Yes.  Dashwood Studios Christmas fabrics???  Yes, please!  (Go take a look at these, you'll thank me.)  There are some things we just can't get in the U.S.  Thanks to the Homemakery, we can get it anyway.  Ha ha!  (And lucky you who live in the UK!)

It's been cool and rainy here in Los Angeles and I've been craving and eating split-pea soup wherever I can find it.  Anyone know of an amazing recipe?  Or the best canned version?  I'm dead serious.  Split-pea soup.  I could live on it.  Well, that and tea.

So behind the scenes, I'm working on a scrappy tree project (see the sneak peek on Instagram) using my Sevenberry florals.  And I've been sewing up blocks for Lori Holt's Instagram #haveyourselfaquiltylittlechristmas quilt-along with my Dashwood Studios Christmas fabric.  I'll be sharing it all soon ;)

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It's that time of year... Christmas cards will soon start pouring into your home and I just wanted to throw out a few tips on what you can do with them once the holidays are over.  I'm head over heels in love with the "wall art" I made for my girls' room using recycled Christmas cards and scrapbook paper.

I have a friend who has sent me several Black Apple cards over the years and I think they've all ended up framed in some way or another, but there's something I really love about this xmas-y collage.  Thank you, Annie! xo

I've also made tags out of some of the prettier Christmas cards I've received.  All you need are paper punches, scissors, and a hole punch.  (Just make sure to check that the tag is pretty on both sides.)  Add some twine ~ voila!  Gift tags ready for next year!

And, I love the idea of using holiday card pics to update the contacts on your phone.  You'll know who's calling at a glance!  xx (Have you got a clever idea for recycling holiday cards?  I'd love to hear!)

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Introducing the DIY 5 Minute Stocking!

This is my latest DIY at eHow, and I'm so glad because ~ at last ~ I have a matching set of stockings for everyone in my family!  And yes, they may be mini stockings, but they work (for now)!  If I get a chance I'm going to put our initials on them, too.  Maybe with sequins?  xx DIY 5 Minute Stocking.

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So, are you ready for a little nanaCompany sale!  Some of these items I've been meaning to list for years.  It's time!!!  Here are the details:  Everything will be listed in my etsy shop, nanaCompany, and when it's gone it's gone.  You will find it all (and more) available on Monday, December 8th at 8:30 am PST.  I hope you'll find something you like... here's a sneak peek at what's in the sale...

See you Monday morning 8:30am at the nanaCompany shop!

xo amy