nanaCompany

Come sew with me! | Swapaholics

I'm writing a new pattern for this sewing "book" because I needed a fun project (basically, it's like my needle book, but on steroids).  Did I mention I'll be teaching at the Swapaholics Retreat coming up in September in North Carolina?  

It's a weekend for sewing, swapping, learning new tricks (haha!), relaxing, socializing.  I'm so excited to meet so many amazing, inspiring, and supportive women I've gotten to know on the internet ~ some of them going back for years from the days when I was only on Flickr!  It took me a while to figure out what to teach at the retreat, but I'm pretty much in love with this sewing book.  It's got handles and pages, a sturdy spine, and lots of pockets!

Since this is the first "book" I've made, I'll be improving it slightly before I write the pattern, but it won't be too different from this:

There is a divided inner front pocket, and I planned it precisely for the job of holding my favorite Gingher embroidery scissors.  The flap holds them in perfectly.  I also appliquéd a 1/2" hexie on the inside of the front cover ~ it hides the stitches that secure the button to the front of the book.  Totally unnecessary since the stitches didn't look bad, but a nice touch since my button stitches don't always look neat on the backside.

I've put only two "pages" in my book.  One is a felt page for pins and needles.  The other is a pleated pocket with a flap.  Because the pocket is pleated, it can hold thicker items easily.  A zipper or snap would also work great here but I wanted to explore options for the person who might not have extra hardware on hand.  Two buttons and a length of twine works great!

There is a back pocket and it holds my favorite Lecien cross stitch patterns, which I like to take on the road with me along with a ball of my six-strand embroidery floss "scraps" from previous projects.  (You never know when you'll have a few moments to cross stitch a little cutie that can later be incorporated into a project.)  

And ~ I don't know about you, but I'm thinking that there's a whole lot of blank space back here and I'll have to add in a few more pockets.  Cause pockets are way too much fun!

If you're interested in attending the Swapaholics retreat, I just found out today is the last day for sign ups and it definitely deserved a shout out.  Go to www.swapaholic.blogspot.com to sign up and I'll look forward to meeting you there!

xo amy

Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop | House Pillow DIY

Welcome!  I'm sure you've heard of it, but have you seen Oakshott cotton in person yet?  I was so curious about it because the colors always looked so luxe and … dynamic… and it all makes sense to me now. 

{ an Oakshott image }

Oakshott cottons are special because they are dynamic.  When you look at a color (say Zug, from the Lakes collection) you're actually looking at two distinctly different colors (blue and green, in this instance) woven together.  You know, warp and weft stuff.  And the result is a solid that's got depth and is so beautiful it can totally be the star of the show.  No prints needed.

So, I signed up for this Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop.

Scandinavia is a line comprised of colors shot through with a soft milky white.  Knowing that, I requested several other bolder shot cottons to complement my project ~ but in the end I realized that Scandinavia could hold it's own.  I made a house.

There's no place like home.  A whimsical fun house.  A simple house.  Just how I like it.  Although, this is my first Oakshott house and usually my second of anything is a bit of an improvement.  For instance, now that I know where I like my door and window positioned, next time I might top-stitch the edges by machine with some nice dark thread for contrast. (These were sewn on after the pillow was assembled, by hand.)

But this house has got good bones (that's what they always say about a fixer upper, right?)  And like most of my projects, there's plenty of room for you to 'make it your own'… add extra flourishes or embroidery, if desired.  Next, you'll find the basic how-to.  (If you have any questions about any of the terms used, please 'google' for an instant answer.  Email me if you need further assistance.)

You'll need:

-One fat quarter bundle of Scandinavia by Oakshott

-Fusible fleece

-Polyfill stuffing

-One pom pom or 7/8" felted wool ball, if desired.

Use 1/4" seams.  Finished pillow will measure approximately 10" x 17" x 2 1/2" (although the amount of stuffing you use will vary the measurements.)

Let's begin!

1. Cut three pink strips and two white strips at 11" x 1 1/2" each.  Sew them together alternating, pink, white, pink, white, pink.  Press seams open.  Now trim, into a triangle using a quilting square.  Center the point at the top and trim so that each side measures approximately 8" and the long bottom edge of the triangle measures approximately 11".  Slight variations will make no difference.

2. Sew one dark grey strip measuring 11" x 1" to bottom of pink + white triangle patchwork.  Sew light green rectangle measuring 11" x 12 1/2" below the dark grey strip.

3. Adhere fusible fleece to the wrong side of your pillow front.

4. Applique window, shutters, and door to the front of the house using your preferred method (raw edge appliqué, needle turn, "dryer sheet" method).  I used the dryer sheet method though I did not use a dryer sheet, I used ultra sheer non-fusible interfacing.

5. Prepare back of pillow. Cut a rectangle measuring  11" x 19 1/2".  Cut in half somewhere in the middle and sew the two pieces, right sides together, leaving a 3" opening at the center for turning.  Pin backing and pillow-front right sides together.  Then trim backing to match the pillow-front, and sew around all edges using a 1/4" seam.

6. Trim 1 1/4" square notches from the two bottom corners of the house.  Fold to line up the new raw edges and stitch a 1/4" seam, backstitching to secure.  Turn house right side out through opening and stuff well.

7. Hand stitch the 3" opening closed using an invisible ladder stitch.  Optionally, attach pom pom or felted wool ball to top of house and bury the thread tails within the cushion.

The illustrations below are available as a downloadable PDF.  Click here.  

Finished!

I've got lots of ideas for the rest of my Scandinavia scraps and I plan to use up every precious tiny last piece.  For starters, I've already begun a very simple triangle patchwork for a future project:

Totally different look, right?  Same beautiful Scandinavia (with the exception of that one dark pink triangle: it's called Blueberry Crush).

Here is a full listing of the inspiring stops along the Oakshott Scandinavia Blog Hop.  I hope you enjoy everyone's makes and the free patterns!

 

4 May  |  Sarah Sharp 

5 May  |  Heather Scrimnscher 

6 May  |  Amy Sinibaldi 

7 May  |  Rossie Hutchinson

11 May |  Elaine Poplin

12 May |  Sarah Fielke

13 May |  Nicholas Ball

14 May  |  Lori Landerberger

 

Thank you Lynne and Oakshott!

xo amy

Portfolio tote | Bloggers Choice Bundle Winner

I like having a pouch or tote for each and everything ~ a gym bag, a pouch for first-aid in my purse, a bag for the La Passacaglia quilt I haven't yet started, a bag for my Lighthearted hexagon quilt, a travel tote for cross-stitch projects, etc.  Lately I've been needing a bag for my calendar and notebooks and most notably for a sketchbook (that I haven't yet picked out).  Sooo, it didn't take long for me to decide what to do with my Blogger's Choice Bundle ~ available at Fat Quarter Shop.

Those fat quarters were a lot of fun to play with.  I chose ten of the 12 prints…

… and added in a favorite solid to make some triangle patchwork for my new Portfolio tote.  I kinda like it a lot.

When I started on this, I wasn't sure if I was going to make an artist's portfolio (with open sides) or a bag, but I think I made the right choice.  Adding in some of the details was a lot of fun.  

Now I'm ready to find that perfect sketchbook!  p.s. the back has a little pocket, too.

How I love that Maker print! 

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Thank you to all who entered my Bloggers Choice Bundle Giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop!  I'm happy to announce the winner...

Yay Ellyn, who wrote, "such a beautiful bundle! all of those prints would be awesome additions to my stash as well!"  Please send me your address and I'll have the bundle sent out to you! 

xo amy

Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Many months ago, one of my fave shops, Fat Quarter Shop, asked me to curate a Blogger's Choice Bundle and I'm thrilled to announce it's available now!  I chose fabrics from the collections that would be current today and I fell hard for these prints from Daysail, Wanderer, Franklin, Ashton Road, and my fave right now: Maker by AGF.

Now I have to admit, I didn't choose my bundle with the idea in mind of a group that works cohesively together (insert nervous laughing emoji here).  That's not how I buy fabrics.  I simply buy what I love.  I choose fabrics that I want to add to my working stash, as I know I'll be using a little bit here, a little bit there.  For instance, I'm so in love with the text prints from Daysail.  These are so beautiful I know I'll be buying more yardage because it's this kind of print that one reaches for again and again.  As a bag lining.  As a low volume background print.  As a binding.  And again and again...

Want to add some fresh new picks to your stash?  Try these fun prints!  And just for fun, I've divided them into two possible groupings, here:

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If you'd like a chance to win my Blogger's Choice Bundle, please leave a comment here on this post.  You may also leave a comment at my Instagram account (@AmySinibaldi) on the Blogger's Choice Bundle Giveaway pic for an extra entry in the pot!  All comments will close on Thursday, March 26th at midnight Pacific.  All may enter and the comments from here and Instagram will be added together.  One winner will be chosen at random.  Good luck my friends! 

This week I'll be working on a little project with the fabrics from my bundle.  I'll show you what I've made when I announce the winner!

xo amy

Bon Bon Bebe | Free Quilt Pattern and Fabric Giveaway

I'm all about the quilts lately.  I want big ones and little ones and I want lots of 'em.  Enough to fill an entire closet so that my kids will never want when it's fort-building time and so that guests will never want when visiting our home.  Soon we'll be moving to Virginia where the climate is cooler (and the amount of house you get for the dollar is greater) and I'll need lots of quilts to fill our rooms, so I'm getting started now.

This past week I had fun working with Robyn Pandolph's new Bon Bon Bebe line, due out from RJR fabrics in April.  It's a charming collection of sweet florals and darling prints.  And because I'm on a bit of a pink/navy kick I couldn't help adding in some dots from Robyn Pandolph's Home Essentials line, and RJR cotton supreme solids  (love these... I used Linen White and Denim).

This baby quilt pattern was designed by me (in that I didn't use a pattern and I drew it up from my head, writing down my measurements to share with you).  I was hoping that each block would look as if it held four houses around a square of sheep or Miss Bo Peep, but you will only see a house in these blocks if you look really really hard.  Seriously squint and you'll see.  Bah, but the colors look nice together, right?  And what's best is that it's super simple and each block goes together quite quickly.  Also, once I realized that I would be quilting this one myself, I kept it neat and tidy at about 42" square.  Then I realized that I had no idea how to straight-line quilt this... in a beautiful way.  I thought about it overnight.  I thought about it for a half day more (oh, the clock was ticking!!!) and finally I got out my Janome manual to decipher which out of all those feet was the Free Motion Quilting foot.  Once that was attached, I discovered on page 66 how to lower the feed dogs (there's a switch for that!)   I practiced for ten minutes on a sample quilt (it came out not horrible, but not good) and I rallied for help on IG (thank you IG friends for all your help, you girls are the best!) and then… I simply dove in.  

And I did a pretty good job!  Also, I think I might be in love with FMQ now.

If you'd like to make this quilt ~ I think I'll call it "Rooftops."  You can find the Rooftops Pattern here.   It's a 5-page PDF file that requires a PDF viewer.

And if you'd like to sew with this sweet fabric, RJR Fabrics has kindly offered to give away a fat quarter bundle of Robyn Pandolph's Bon Bon Bebe to one of you!  

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment here on this post.  All may enter and a winner will be chosen randomly.  Comments will close Monday, March 9th at midnight.  Good luck to you!

xo amy

in between stitches...

In the midst of working on bigger projects, a little instant gratification is always nice.  The other day I took ten minutes out of my day to frame my Stitch Love Postcard with a fabric mat and a few buttons.  Like the look?  To make your own fabric mat, press your desired fabric onto medium weight fusible interfacing with a hot iron.  Trim to the size of the glass from your picture frame and then spray adhere it to the glass.  Insert the mat/glass into the frame.  Voila!  The buttons look like they were stitched on, but actually they're attached with double sided tape, just as I attached the postcard.

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After Valentine's Day, I received one more unexpected valentine: a little bundle of Maker fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics.  (Thanks AGF!!)  I love this line, especially the "I'm A Maker" print (note to self: need to buy yards when the line hits stores, any day now.)  And I knew exactly what I wanted to make with my Maker fabrics.  A Tessa Basket.

I kept my dimensions to about 17" x 18".  I used fusible fleece and a fairly sturdy stabilizer to make this bag strong.  I added linen dots to the bottom and Maureen Cracknell's Wild and Free arrows (another must-have print).  I lined the bag in Wild and Free 'Folk Plaid'.  This one is mine all mine and I absolutely love it.

Get the pattern here. 

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This past week I definitely felt 'in between stitches' ~ working on everything except what was on my calendar because I was waiting for fabric to arrive.  And what do you do then?  You pull out a long-lost wip from the bottom of the pile and finish it off!  What a great feeling!!  Do you remember this quilt I made for Robert Kaufman using their London Calling IV line?  That was over a year ago, and with the scraps I'd pieced a patchwork that I casually set aside.

It was such a pleasure to finish up.  I simply added the panels to either side of the patchwork, sandwiched it up, quilted it, bound it.  This quilt is 100% completely made of cotton lawn and the silky feel is pure heaven ~ I wish you could feel this.  So cool and luxe.  Perfect.

Love that London Calling selvedge, too.

Have a great week and see you soon!! 

xo amy

Valentine hearts | Stitch Love

Can I just say, there's nothing sweeter than receiving a real valentine in the mail, in the middle of a Valentines day photo "shoot".  Thank you Renee, for truly brightening my day!

And Happy Valentines day to all of you!

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Mollie Johanson over at Wild Olive has been celebrating Valentines Day all week during her Stitch Love Valentine Blog Hop.  Check out each of the stops along the blog hop to pick up free valentine critter patterns.  They're all adorable but I fell in love with this little guy...

Eek!  Sooo cute, right?  I embroidered this otter with two strands of thread.  After I'd finished the outline, I went back in and stitched at random to thicken parts of the line.  Whether you're embroidering with thread or floss, stitching a line with varied thickness vs. a uniformly even line will give you a subtle but noticeable difference.

And I love this guy so much, I decided he's going up on the wall in the girls' room.  Thank you, Mollie!

p.s. These are also the kind of fun stitchery patterns you'll find in Mollie's new book, Stitch Love.  (Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookdepository.com)

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Continuing on with Valentine goodness...

Seriously, I heart this block.  For Valentines day I stitched it up and planned to turn it into… something.  But as soon as the block was finished I realized I was in it for the long haul.  I'm going to make a BIG quilt in all the colors and I'm so excited to see the progress.  Get the candyHEARTS quilt pattern from EmilyAnnsKloset on Etsy.

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Today I have two winners to announce!!  Congratulations...

Congratulations to Susie, winner of the adorable doll quilt made by Marmalade Makings.  And if there was more than one Susie, it's the Susie who wrote, "How darling! I would give it to my granddaughter to help keep her bunny warm and snuggly!"  Thanks again to Teresa of Marmalade Makings for donating the quilt.

And, congratulations to Heidi Lyon, winner of the "Milk, Sugar & Flower" fat quarter bundle giveaway.  Thanks again to Fat Quarter Shop for that generous giveaway bundle!

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xoxo lots of love!

amy

the charm | Milk, Sugar & Flower fat quarter bundle Giveaway!

It's finally here!

Milk, Sugar & Flower by Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabrics has finally hit our favorite fabric shops and now you can start sewing with this sweet and charming line!

If you've been keeping up with me, you know I've sewn two doll quilts in hopes of making a pattern for a doll bedding set.  The first two quilts didn't work out for different reasons.  Well, it's true the third time is the charm.  I've finally done it!!

It's pretty and easy to sew.  And I made a pillow, too!  So, now I've got a complete doll bed set: mattress, doll quilt, and pillow.  Next up: write the pattern!

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You've asked and I've listened.  These needle books will be going in the shop.  But I'm not quite ready to hold a sale yet… gotta make some more :)

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Giveaway!!!  My awesome sponsor Fat Quarter Shop is generously offering to one of you, dear readers, this fat quarter bundle!

(If you really can't wait to get your hands on it, they currently have Elea's fabric in stock in every cut and bundle, 5" and 10" stackers, rolie polie rolls, plus yardage ~ any way you'd like it.)

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me which print is your fave.  (By the way, please leave your comment here on the blog, any emailed responses will be discarded.)  The giveaway is open to all, comments will close Thursday, February 12th at midnight and a winner will be chosen randomly.  Good luck!

xo amy

quilt time | catch up

The quilt top for my girls is finished at last!!!  The pic above shows the quilt top when it was only about halfway complete.  (See that tiny sewing machine up there?  It sits on a shelf next to my sewing table and makes me giggle because I sometimes feel like that's what I'm sewing on ~  I am so slowww!!!)  I used this pattern and if you follow me on Instagram you've seen a lot of it already.  It's all half-square triangles and so cool.  Pinky promise I'll show it to you when it's quilted and bound.  These, here are the fabrics I used:

1 | Posy by Aneela Hoey 
2 | Madrona Road by Violet Craft for Michael Miller
3 | Squared Elements by Art Gallery Fabrics
4 | JoAnn design
5 | JoAnn design
6 | Cotton + Steel Basics, Spring 2014
7 | Yuwa Live Life
8 | Netorious by Alexia Marcelle Abegg, Cotton + Steel
9 | Patt # 237, Dear Stella
10 | BeBop Dots, Basics by Adorn it
11 | JoAnn design
12 | Juliana Horner, at JoAnn
13 | Symphony, Eclectic Elements by Tim Holtz
14 | Memoire a Paris, by Lecien
15 | Polka Dot Stitches by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs
16 | Precious Beginnings by Faye Burgos for Marcus Fabrics
17 | Playful by Melody Miller, Cotton + Steel
18 | Retro 30's Child Smile by Lecien
19 | Figures Numbers by Brigitte Heitland for Zen Chic for Moda
20 | Playful by Melody Miller, Cotton + Steel
21 | soft steel grey Gingham, purchased from Britex fabrics, San Francisco
22 | Littlest by Art Gallery Fabrics
23 | Dress Me, Wee Gallery by Dear Stella

Now I'm in need of a long arm quilter who can do it fast… any suggestions?

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Two things making me happy.  My sweet girl Olivia and the cutest happiest pear.  Ever.  (Made by Sedef.  Thank you dear!!)

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The spring 2015 edition of Quilts and More is out… have you seen it?  I love Sherri McConnell's Sparkling star quilt on the cover… and I'm so happy to be included in the Scrap Lab section, where three designers were given a layer cake and asked to make something fun.

I made potholders featuring my favorite motif of the moment… chickens!  Check 'em out in the mag ~ it's at newsstands now.

{ The two images above are used with permission from Quilts and More magazine. 2015 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. } 

And just so you know… I don't often make profound revelatory statements… but I made an exception for this magazine!  Lol.  (And now my husband is calling me Aristotle.)

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By the way, I also believe every mouse, doll, bear, and bunny in the house deserves a doll quilt.  Right?  This cute little red quilt (it's about 10 1/2" x 10 1/2") was made by Teresa of Marmalade Makings.  She sweetly sent this quilt and a package full of goodies for me and my girls.  Teresa and I would love to give the quilt away to one of you!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what you'd do with this little cutie.  Comments will close Sunday, February 8th at midnight.  All may enter and a winner will be chosen randomly. Good luck and cheers!

xo amy

nanaCompany x Milk Sugar & Flower doll quilt | Giveaway!!

I was having a great time paper-piecing the flower medallion for the center of this doll quilt but... when it came time to applique it down (tucking the seam allowances underneath those pointy points) ~ yuck!

My plan was to make a pattern of this doll quilt, but if I don't want to make another one like it I certainly don't want to write it up for others who will hate making it, too.  I'm going to change up the center for the finished pattern and there will be instructions on how to make the doll mattress and a pillow, too.  (It all fits perfectly in Ikea's basic doll bed.)  Cool, but now what to do with this doll quilt?  Give it away, of course!

It measures 21" x 16" and could be used as a dresser mat or hung on the wall, instead.  It's sewn entirely using Elea Lutz' beautiful first line of fabric with Penny Rose Fabrics, "Milk, Sugar & Flower" along with some Riley Blake solids.  Love love love.  A combination of hand and machine quilting.  I hope you like it.

Elea's new line isn't due at stores until next month, but I've cut 4" charms from my small stash for this giveaway, so you can stitch a small patchwork project yourself.

I'll slip this in with the doll quilt for the winner.  What might you sew up with it?  Leave a comment here on this post to enter the giveaway.  Comments will close next Friday, January 16th at midnight.  The winner will be chosen randomly and all may enter ~ I'll happily ship anywhere in the world.  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

the age of fabulous | winner

I'm 40.  Oh, it's fabulous, they say.  We'll see...

It certainly started off not-so-bad.  I love this illustration my super talented friend drew up for me.  (I especially love how young she made me look although 10 might be pushing it a little.  But only just a little ;)  Thanks Lauren!!!)

The most beautiful hydrangea was hand delivered by a most dear friend.  I received a box of homemade gluten-free cookies from my mom, new windshield wipers for my car from Nicholas, the sweetest kisses from Mia.  And, have you seen these gorgeous kitchen things?

{image from Anthropologie}

Olivia gifted me a rolling pin, that savvy girl.

I might have also gone a little bit crazy fabric shopping this month, but can you blame me?

Found these at The Little Fabric Shop.

How could I resist these Strawberry Fields prints?  (Thanks Sonia!!)

And sigh, yes, I got these too.  From a cute shop nearby called Momen Plus.  Happy Birthday to me!

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As for sewing, I stitched up some needlebooks for two friends I finally got to meet in person.  "J" is for sunny Jenn and "A" is for chick chick Amy.  And what a treat that was for me (there was fabric shopping and cake)!!!  Can't wait to see you again, ladies!!!

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The winner of the $100 Minted Giveaway is...

Congratulations Thimbleanna ~ I hope you have so much fun shopping at Minted!  I know you will fall in love with their gorgeous products especially when you see them in person.  Thanks for playing and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

I'm off to bake pie and get ready for my bowling birthday party tonight!  What did you do for your 4oth?

xo amy

winner | secret

oh hello there!  

I'm just laying here like a limp noodle ~ laptop on lap, cup of tea by my side, I've eaten nothing but Pho noodle soup for days, the sewing machine is calling my name as there are deadlines to meet, but a nap is sounding pretty enticing.  (The nap won.)  It's been a rough couple of weeks around here and I've caught the flu, oh joy.  But hey, I mentioned a while back that I'd joined Instagram (find me @amysinibaldi), right?  Anyhow, I realize that some of you are still resisting Instagram's charms, so I thought I'd post some of those pics here for you...

{ 1. a hexie wip  2. new fabrics and Tulip sewing needles  3. i scored a maggie rabbit kit!  4. an amazing gift of feedsack from @paeoniasfz  5. a handful of feedsack faves  6. princess mia!  7. fabric gifty from Rachel  8. selfie most definitely in order since i "did" my hair that day  9. nine-patch made from mia's baby clothes  10. my first block for @beelori1's #haveyourselfaquiltylittlechristmas sew-along }

If you're curious about any of these pics, no worries, I'll be sharing more about them here when I get a chance.  That's the wonderful thing about Instagram... it's fast sharing, no fuss no muss.  But I really can't wait to show you the feedsack, it is an amazing collection from a big-hearted and intrepid fabric hunter (thanks Sam!!)

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Thank you for entering the 318 Patchwork Patterns book giveaway.  I don't know if you're following the blog-hop for this book, but the creations are uber inspiring and the hop is still underway.  Okay, drumroll... we've got a winner!

Congratulations to Brittney, who wrote, "I'd make a quilt with different blocks. I need more quilts in my house. They make everything so cozy. :) Thanks for this lovely giveaway!!"  I hope you'll enjoy the book, Brittney!  And for those of you who are interested in buying their own copy it's still available here.

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So... psst!!!  Want to know my secret?  Want to know all about the crazy summer sewing that I had to be all hush-hush about?  Click here to discover the secret.  I'll have so much more to share about it soon!!

xo amy

Mouse Bedding Maker | Winner!

I've discovered the perfect pink.  It's more of a blush really... the palest of pinks.  I found it in my stash and there's less than a 1/4 yard left but I don't know what it is!!!  (I have a feeling it's Kaufman Kona in Pearl Pink, but I won't know until I see it in person and when I do I'm buying lots!)

It grieves me to no end that solids don't have printed selvedges because I am just not disciplined ~ I have the info on exactly one of my pinks, one of my greens, one yellow, and that's it folks!

How do you keep your solids organized?

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I think I've discovered my true calling ~  that of Mouse Bedding Maker.  Ya ha.  Really.  A few weeks ago, I found this doll bed at the second-hand store.  It measures about 6" x 9" and I just couldn't say no.  (I have dreams of creating my own mouse softies someday and wouldn't this make the perfect bed for them?)  Now the pressing "question of the day" is:  Should I leave the bed as is or paint it?  Mint?  Pink?  Cream?  Well that will have to get sorted later because I couldn't wait on making some bedding.  It was so much fun!

To start, I made a "mattress" and some cushions.  The quilt and blankets will come next.  And a garland will have to be hung from the bed posts.

Did anybody catch how sick in the brain I must be to have made my mouse bed "mattress" in a cat print?  Because mice like laying on a bed of cats???  Ha!  I didn't do it on purpose, I swear.  That clever darling cat print by Lizzie House had just arrived in the mail and I couldn't wait to use it, is all.  

p.s. that little mouse up there is manufactured by a Danish company called Maileg and I didn't make it.  

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You all have been very patient, thank you, but I know you're wondering... who won the Lulu Roses Giveaway?

Congratulations to Emily, who wrote, "I am thankful for my new baby girl-that she is healthy and safe. Thanks, Amy!"  By the way I loved reading your comments about what you are thankful for.  It was an exercise that I personally needed that day because I was feeling kinda mopey about something.  Forcing myself to count the things I'm thankful for is the best way I know to adjust my attitude.  I have a lot to be thankful for and it sounds like a lot of you do, too.  Thank you very much for entering the giveaway and sharing with me, as always...

xo amy

Lulu Roses Giveaway

There are so many reasons to love Fat Quarter Shop.  I've told you before how I love their 'coming soon' section and how an amazing new line can give me heart palpitations.  It's happened recently, it's true (I would only admit that to you.)  But as a sponsor, they're really cool because they allow me to give away free stuff, and you deserve it!  I don't think I tell you enough how much I appreciate you coming here ~ maybe because I'm afraid of sounding corny but we're way past that, aren't we?  And I also feel like I've been holding back so much lately ~  there's been a ton of secret sewing that I haven't been able to share and I really really want to, but I can't just yet.  So this is like a consolation prize.  Pretty sweet, isn't it?

Fat Quarter Shop is letting me give away one fat quarter bundle of these pretty fabrics to one of you.  That's seven yummy fat quarters.  And let me just say I truly am thankful.  To them, to you, to my family for putting up with me, and my parents, my sister, and "the village" that's helping me raise my kids.  If you'd like to enter for a chance to win this fabric, leave a comment on this post telling me what you're truly thankful for today.  Just one thing.  Comments will close at midnight on Friday, October 24th, and I'll announce the name of the winner soon thereafter.  This giveaway is open to all.  

By the way, I really want one of these.  I just spotted them tonight, at FQS of course.  Have you tried one yet?

xo amy

hello fall | DIY Halloween Banner

Mia loves her punkin' hat, which is saying something since she cried actual tears the first time I put it on her head.  Now she asks for the hat and I never say no because it raises her cuteness level to about... oh, off-the-charts.  And as the weather starts to cool (it's in the mid 70's now!) we're finally doing more than just wishful-thinking for fall ~ fall is coming our way at last!  In the meantime, pumpkin everything has hit stores and I'm loving it, how 'bout you?

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I bought some more 'possibles' for the Pink & Blue quilt for my girls.  The problem is I think I love each and every one of these new prints and I'm wondering ~ can one have too many prints in a single quilt?  Here is my first batch of possible additions:  

These are from Spun Sugar Quilts, an Etsy shop that's quickly become a fave this past year.  They specialize in low volume prints and sweet Japanese, and offer well curated bundles and charm packs.  I've got more 'possibles' coming soon and hope to start sewing in November (too swamped this month!)

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I'm still pinching myself over this one.  Have you seen it yet?!!!  Seriously, I was happy dancing for days when I saw I'd made the cover of Make It Yourself magazine and it still brings a smile to my face.  I love the beautifully styled photographs they took of my work for this issue:

{ All Make It Yourself images above used with permission from Make It Yourself™ magazine. ©2014 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved }

You can find the magazine at newsstands now, or get your digital issue here.

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I also got the thrill of seeing my work in Mollie Makes Home issue 3.  And even though it's just a pic, I was totally flattered because this entire magazine is a work of art.  Soo much eye candy!  If you spot the mag, check it out.

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I'm back at eHow.  I am... so happy... to be back dreaming up fun new projects and making new tutorials.  I hope you love this simple festive Halloween banner as much as I do...

I plan on making banners like these for all the occasions we celebrate.  (Switch that word up there from "halloween" to "birthday" + change the colors = an awesome birthday banner right?!!!  Or how about a banner that shows off your favorite quote, or personalized message?)  The possibilities are endless!!

Click here to visit eHow for the DIY.

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1. hello-fall-cover-and-stickers, 2. Plums, 3. Untitled, 4. Werewolf Pattern, 5. English-Paper-Pieced Star progress shot, 6. Pumpkin Pincushions, 7. one more with this cute teapot :), 8. 35 :: 365, 9. 'Fairy wren', 10. Star Count #8 progress, 11. 'ungrounded' hand weaving _knots, 12. props for the mouse house, 13. Modern Solids 

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

xo amy

pink | blue

Picking fabric for Olivia + Mia's new quilt is fun.  It's the best part, isn't it?  So fun to play with color and pattern when you're not yet committed to anything.  At that point ~ where you're simply pulling prints from the shelves and throwing them all together in a pile ~ it's easy to feel like a quilting genius because fabric always looks amazing in a careless casual pile.  So, today, I'm a quilting genius.

My starting-off point is this Alexander Henry print called "paris park" that I bought several years ago.  There's a hefty two yards of it, I think, and that may or may not be a consideration when making my pattern.  The only thing I know for sure is my color scheme: pink | blue.  'Cause those are Mia and Livi's fave colors.

I'll be adding to the pile, and discarding, I'm sure.  But I like what I've got so far.  What do you think?

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It's been a while, but I still like to pop over to flickr for inspiration from my friends...

1. January crochet, 2. Flowerbeds, 3. Butterfly Needle Book, 4. Antique French Thread Spools, 5. image, 6. I took out the bright red diamonds that were surrounding the pink star and replaced with pale mint & aqua., 7. Antique Wooden Spools of Thread, 8. Unstaged, 9. Cosmic Burst Quilted 1, 10. Quilter's palette WIP, 11. #scrappytripalong in 30s repros up on the blog today (link in profile), 12. mouse with leaf blanket, 13. Animal jam jars

xo amy

exciting!

What's so exciting?  Well, lots of things.  For starters I'm going to be a guest on Pat Sloan's "American Patchwork & Quilting" radio show.  Ya-aay!!  Want to hear my interview?

Tune in on Monday, September 8th at 1pm Pacific, by clicking here:  http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast... and hear the real me!

After the show, I'll leave a link to the podcast in my sidebar so you can listen to it anytime.  And if you're curious to hear from some of your favorites in the quilting industry ~ check out Pat's previous guest list here.  Darlene Zimmerman, Camille Roskelley, Tula Pink, Sandy Klop, and my pal Kristyne Czepuryk were all guests.  (Breaks into a hysterical giggle.  NO!  I'm not nervous or anything at all like that.  ha!  nope.  Not me.)

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It's been a while since I've been really excited about fabric.  Yesterday I got my first peek at Elea Lutz' new line, Milk, Sugar & Flower, coming in January 2015 from Penny Rose Fabrics (a sister company of Riley Blake Designs).  My heart even started beating kinda faster as I was looking through the enlarged pics.  Seriously, go take a closer look!  These prints are insanely cute.  

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Hello best pencil case ever!

I've mentioned my friend Kristyne, right?  ;)  The voice behind the blog Pretty by Hand.  Well, I finally got a chance to make one of these adorable pencil cases, which is just one of her meticulously well-rendered designs.  She had originally sewn the pencil case for her daughter for school, but so many people asked for the pattern she kindly wrote it up.  Get the pattern here.

Isn't it sweet?  I'm happy as can be with my new pencil case.  

The only embellishment I added was this sweet little linen patch on the front.  That's quickly become my favorite way to finish a project this summer.  Simple, sweet, linen + chocolate brown floss.  Easy as a-b-c!

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I've got one last exciting thing.  Want to know the winner of the Fat Quarter Style book and Miss Kate fat quarter bundle?!?

Congratulations to Heide, who wrote, "For some reason this summer has just seemed to fly! Thanks for the info on the magazine, I will have to check it out. Looks fun! I would love to win some fabric! I love Bonnie and Camille. Or even winning the book would be fun!"  Well, Heide you've won them both, happy sewing!

xo amy

5 good things | Giveaway!

boo hoo.  

Since I was working all summer, I crammed all the fun I could into those last two weeks and then wham! ~ it was time for the kids to go back to school.  I've got mixed emotions about that, like I'm sure a lot of you do.  I've been quickly reminded how much better I do with structure, though.  Structure and I are a good match (you know, 'cuz opposites attract.)

Even though I posted lovely pics of our little summer vaca to Palm Springs (a few weeks ago), I didn't mention that I spent almost all my time alone in the hotel room, working.  During my real two weeks of summer, I packed in mini-golf, go-karts, sand castle building at Manhattan Beach, San Francisco, Sonoma, Napa, wine-tasting at Sterling Vineyards, Disneyland, the Santa Monica Pier, a visit with my sister ~ and crikey we had fun.

Now summer's over.  Oh but we keep moving forward, don't we?  And I've got stuff to share!  Yes, I've got 5 good things and here they are...

1. Holiday Crafts

I don't think it will ever stop being fun getting published in magazines ~ you know, seeing your name in print and feeling giddy like a kid.  It's pretty cool.  I think I love crafting as much as I love sewing and quilting, so I really really like this magazine.  I think I might actually try to make a snowman figurine (like the one on the cover) now that I know how!

The awesome peeps at Better Homes and Gardens chose some of my holiday tags for the mag and there's a handy pull-out with templates and instructions.  If you're ready to get your holiday craft-on, check out the mag at newstands now!

2.  Instagram.

I finally did it!  I joined!  And as always with these things, I don't know what took me so long.  I think I just didn't "get" that Instagram is a tool that makes sharing stuff easier than anything.  So if you'd like even more of an inside scoop: find me, click the "follow" button, and say hi!  I'm here: instagram.com/amysinibaldi/.

3.  Fat Quarter Style.  The book. Giveaway!

The Fat Quarter Style Book Tour just ended, but that doesn't mean the fun is over.   Fat Quarter Shop kindly sent me a copy of the book to give to one of you.  Check out the book here...  And if you're interested in learning how to sew 12 awesome quilts (in four different sizes, each), enter the giveaway!  Details below. 

4.  Miss Kate.  More giveaway!

How about some fat quarters to go with your new Fat Quarter Style book?  Thanks to lovely Shea of Simply Sweet Fabric on etsy, I've got a 7 fat quarter bundle from Bonnie & Camille's new line, Miss Kate, to sweeten the deal.  (To see the actual listing for the bundle and a clearer pic of each print, click here.)  Shea's small shop features the cutest prints and I love supporting other hardworking moms.  I think someday I'd love to run my own fabric store, too.

5.  Giveaway!  the details.

If you'd like to enter for a chance to win the book and fat quarters (someone's going to win!) leave a comment on this post.  It's that easy.  The giveaway is open to all.  (That means I'll ship to you no matter where you live.  I've had winners in South America and Australia and Moscow, for instance.)  Comments will close Thursday, September 4th at midnight and I'll announce the winner shortly thereafter.  Good luck!

xo amy

Snippets of life | Around the World blog hop

Still here.  We're all surviving summer.  How 'bout you?

The tomatoes on the balcony are growing in like grapes.  The kids are turning golden tan and growing, growing ~ so fast (I wonder if there's something in the pool water?)  Mia is a babbling wonder ~ she talks a mile a minute and I can only make out a few words here and there ~ but her sweet little voice is like music to our ears.  Oh, and she's recently started pouting.  She is so funny, that girl.  As for me, I've just got some snippets of life to prove that we're still here... and I promise to see you soon.

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So, last week the lovely and talented miss Messe Jesse invited me to participate in the Around the World blog hop and I was so tickled I said yes.  Go peek here to see Jessie's blog hop stop and you can track back to Helen Philipps (she invited Jessie) and so on and so on.  The blog hop is quite simple: answer a few questions and invite three more people to join in.

Well, if you look back at the other posts, they're all quite lovely and picturesque.  Unfortunately, I'm blazing forward on a very ambitious work schedule right now, so I'm just going to anwer the questions and invite three more bloggers (who will surely do a much prettier job than I have!)

1.  What am I working on?

Well, I wish I could tell you.  Everything is so hush-hush, it's killing me, but my work this summer has involved something I'll get to share with you soon.  And then there is a lot of fun magazine work that I'll be excited to show you as it comes out in print.  And lastly, there's the work that is no work at all ~ it's my happy time sewing ~ working on hexagon or six-point star paper piecing.  I've always got some of that going.  I hope to be back to blogging regularly soon and showing you projects that I've made just for fun.  (But do we call that work?!?)

2.  How does my work differ from other's of its genre?

My work is an extension of me and we are all one of a kind, right?  (My husband would say thank goodness for that!)  I really enjoy hand-stitching, so there's quite a lot of that in my sewing and I definitely love working with linen.  I adore the work coming out of Japan and try to capture that charm with a touch of modern.  

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

Like any artist will tell you, I create because I must.  Plus I have a huge (and growing) stash of fabrics and notions and trims ~ they are so much fun to play with.  When I get in the zone, the entire house could be burning down around me and I'd still be sitting there happily stitching away.  What?  Fire?

4.  How does my writing/creative process work?

I was a writer before a blogger so I do enjoy the written word, but I'm much more in love with the visual side of blogging and sewing.  I like blogs for the pictures.  The cruelest thing is that I find it insanely hard to take good pictures of my own work.  I never think my pictures do my work any justice, so I keep telling myself I probably need a better camera ;)  In sewing, my creative process is always the same.  I'll see a detail in something that I like and then it grows into a big idea in my head.  I jump right into the project, then I get halfway thru and start squinting and staring and wondering if it's any good at all.  That's the crippling self-doubt I've talked about before.  I very rarely finish a project having loved it all the way through.  So I'm always moving on to the next project, chasing the perfect "make."

Now I'd like to pass on the torch to my friends Kristyne of Pretty by Hand, Ayumi of Pink Penguin, and Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet... I'd love love to hear more about your creative processes.  I'm so sorry I did the short version here, Jessie, but if anyone would like to use the "Around the World" blog hop banner I made, you're more than welcome!

xo amy