nanaCompany

Summer's End

boo hooooo!  No, not really.  I don't mind at all that summer's ending.  I'm looking forward to the crisper air that arrives with fall, a little more structure in my day, and a chance to get some breathing space from the rugrats while they're at school.  Yeah, I'm ok with summer's end.

 

  

Did you have a good one?  An adventurous summer?  A creative summer?  A fun summer?  A relaxing summer?  I had all of the above ~ in parts ~ except for the relaxing part.  At the very beginning we took a family road trip (sadly minus Anne, who stayed home to work) and it was so much fun and so much adventure.  Loved every minute of it.

 

 

We've got a winner for the coin purse kit giveaway from Zakka Workshop...

Please email me your mailing address so I can send your prize! :)

 

 

The Sweetly Stitched Handmades Sew-Along on Instagram (#SweetlyStitchedSAL) has ended and I so enjoyed watching all the beautiful makes showing up in my feed.  If I missed something you made, you might send me a note.  By the third round I had become deeply involved in a project that took all my concentration and attention.  Learning to do something while you're doing it for the first time - on a deadline - isn't easy.  Luckily, I'm a workhorse and my husband learnt to cook dinner (honestly, I'm now in love with his simple cooking.  So simple and light and clean).  I just wish I'd been able to give the sew-along a bit more attention. 

{ airmail tote by Alisha Orlando }

{ Storybook Zip Pouch by Melissa of Oh How Sweet }

{ just a few makes from the #SweetlyStitchedSAL }

Thank you to Melissa, Anorina, and the amazing Lisa for hosting and judging.  xoxo.   And I have to single out one girl who was a true superstar of the sew-along, and that would be the grand prize winner: Faith Essenberg.  Faith (@faithessenburg on IG) ended up sewing ALL 18 PROJECTS IN MY BOOK this summer and has lived to tell the tale!  Amazeballs.  See her pics and blogpost here!

 

 

There's a new shop called Stitch Craft that carries ~ among other cute things ~ these adorable tiny embroidery hoops and I stitched up my first one last night.  I didn't use a pattern, I simply started stitching on a small cloth until I was happy with it, and, Oh!  Gosh.  So much fun.  A tiny project that can be finished in in an hour or two?  Gotta love it.

So today I'm giving away the miniature hoop necklace kit, seen above.  Just leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner by next week.  But seriously?  You won't want to stop at one.  See the available kits and sizes at Stitch Craft.

xo amy

Zakka Workshop coin purse kit giveaway

hello!

Just wrapped up my big summer project and I'm so happy I could scream and shout.  The big reveal will be coming soon and I can't wait to share with you.  Soon.  Like, really soon!

Have you seen these cute purse kits available at Zakka Workshop? 

This is one I made over the summer.  The kit includes the hardware and full instructions on how to make one.  Then you can purchase just the hardware if you'd like to make more.  And there are other styles.

I put together this little set for a small giveaway.  You'll get the purse kit of your choice (pick one style) and I've got a fat quarter of the cute L-collection fabric and a few wooden labels added in just for fun.

Just leave a comment here.  Tell me what fabric you've been working with this summer and what you've been sewing... I'm in sewing withdrawal right now!!!!

This giveaway is open to all (international friends included) and comments will close Wednesday, August 26th at midnight.  One winner will be chosen randomly.  I look forward to hearing about your summer sewing!

xo amy

a berry picking top for Mia | Townmouse patterns

hello!  It's been a while I know.  A while since I've sewn and blogged.  I took a week long "California Adventure" road trip with my family (and it was like the best time ever) but other than that I've been working super hard behind the scenes.  Once again I have to be all hush hush about what I'm working on ~ but that's just for now.  Yesterday I snuck in some sewing time and used the loveliest pattern to make a top for my littlest 'berry picker'.  

Isn't it darling?  It's actually called the Isabella Flutter Sleeve top and it's a pattern by my friend Kristine of Townmouse.  Lucky for us, Kristine has decided to go through the inventory of patterns she designed for her children's wear line and write them up as PDF patterns for peeps like you and me.  

I'd normally balk at the idea of making an actual children's garment from a real pattern.  I don't know that I have actually done it before, but everything Kristine touches is amazing, beautiful, and elegant.  So I managed to make this top (and I did botch up the back a bit, but I saved it, and maybe next time I really will read all the directions before plunging right in) and I love it!  ha ha!  I did it!!  And I'm going to do it again, because the pattern is written for sizes 1-8.  That means flutter sleeve tops for both my girls for the next several years!

Find Kristine's patterns at her Townmouse shop on etsy.  And just for a little bit (until the end of July), use the discount code NANA15 to get 15% off your purchase.  Go go go!

xo amy

so much sweetness

As shocking as it may seem: Mia turned three last week.  Yes, 3.  And we celebrated her in the simplest way possible, but with all the things she asked for...

... Cake, candles, presents, balloons and chocolate coins (she listed these things to me all the days leading up to her birthday).  Mia's best loved present?  Play-doh.  That's a big wad of green play-doh in her hand in the pic above.  Such joy.  Such genuine excitement for the simplest of things.  When we brought out her birthday cake and sang to our sweet smiling girl, she stared a long time at the three sparkly candles on top but wouldn't blow them out.  We thought maybe she didn't know how.  More! she finally said.  I want more candles!!  So I plunked the rest in her cake and lit them and quite suddenly Mia knew exactly how to blow those candles out.  My funny little miracle child ~ the happiest and sweetest birthday girl.  Ever.  Now 3 (sob sob!)

 

Have you seen?

It is so much fun seeing the beautiful makes you ladies are stitching up with my book, Sweetly Stitched Handmades, and I'm really enjoying the sew-along (#SweetlyStitchedSAL) happening right now on Instagram ~ hosted by Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweetco on Instagram) and Anorina of Samelia's Mum (@sameliasmum on Instagram).  If you'd like to join in, it's so easy:

1. Simply sew a project from Sweetly Stitched Handmades.  You get to choose the project.

2. Take a pic for Instagram using the hashtag #SweetlyStitchedSAL.  

I get to see your makes and cheer you on, and everyone gets inspiration and support from one another.  There will be six rounds in total and each round lasts two weeks.  As a bonus, at the end of each round a project is chosen by our judge Lisa, of A Spoonful of Sugar, and is awarded a prize by me!

Here are just some of the beautiful makes from round one:

Airmail Bag by Chelle's Quilts

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On the Spot Trivet by Erin of Why Not Sew?

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On the Spot Trivet by Lisaannslife

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Home Sweet Home Embroidery by Rita Couto

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Home Sweet Home Embroidery by Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane

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On the Spot Trivet by Lisa of A Spoonful of Sugar

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Starburst Dresden Cushion by Faith Essenberg

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Stacked Hexagon Mugrug by Sally Anne Ness

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I just love them all!  To see the adorable winning project of Round 1 (and so many other gorgeous projects), check out the hashtag #SweetlyStitchedSAL and then... join in for Round 2! 

 

I stitched up another "My Sweet Home" mini quilt using Liberty patchwork and Kaufman Essex linen in slate for the center.  L's Modern Grey x's by Lecien for the binding.   

I'd finished it like this, but something didn't feel right.  So, just before sending it off to a sweet friend I decided to embroider some flowers among the words "home sweet home" ~ and then it truly felt finished.

I hope she likes it!  If you'd like to make one, too, the pattern is available in my nanaCompany shop on etsy.

xo amy

p.s. I found an old drawing that I'd offered as a free embroidery pattern long ago on flickr.  I just wanted to make it available here as well.  You can download the "lucky ladybug" PDF here.  Happy stitching!

 

Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along

Hello all!  It's another #FarmGirlFriday and my stop along the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along!  If you don't have it yet, go get Lori Holt's third book, Farm Girl Vintage, to learn how to make 45 of the cutest blocks and also learn how to turn those blocks into beautiful finished projects.

This friday we're sewing the Crops block and ~ as can be expected from Lori ~ it's simple, cute and fun to make, with instructions for both a 6" and 12" block.  I made a 6" block.  

I used some of my new favorite Oakshott cottons with coordinated prints against a dark Kaufman Essex linen.  Added a nice thick border (Elementary by Sweetwater for Moda) and turned it into a mini.  But I didn't want to stop there!  Towards the back of Lori's book there is a picture of her Small Harvest Tablerunners and I thought to myself... yes, please.

I pulled out all of my fave pink scraps and an assortment of Riley Blake pink solids.  I used Tim Holtz' Symphony print, a blender, and a sprinkling of Bonnie Christine's Hello Bear dots as the background.  For the stem, I cut into an old prized Alexander Henry print that I've used oh-so sparingly over the years.  Color Theory Mustard Geo Mod by V and Co. for Moda is the binding.

I quilted it with organic lines and wondered if I should add some hand stitches.  What do you think?

I love it so much, I'm not sure where I'm going to put it, although odds are it will end in the girls' room.  Above their bed, most likely.  I don't know.  But one thing is for sure: Lori's book is so good.  I especially think it's perfect for new sewists who are just beginning to quilt because you can baby-step it.  Make one block and turn it into a mug rug.  Make a few more blocks, or try a more complicated block.  Make some more and turn them into a baby quilt.  When you're feeling really confident try the whole quilt!  Either way, I know you'll have fun with it.

If you'd like some more Farm Girl Vintage inspiration, also check out the Egg Basket block over at Pink Pincushion today!  And of course, visit Lori herself at Bee in My Bonnet :)

xo amy

Sweet Liberty

There was a very small, untidy shop in a rundown strip mall near where I lived years ago.  And in that shop there were three rolls of Liberty of London lawn.  I didn't know what it was at the time, but I bought yards of what they had and now keep them hoarded away from my regular stash.  They're prints I've never been able to identify.  I'd wanted to bring them to London last trip, but in my whirlwind of activity ~ forgot.  Maybe next time.

Today, I have a small but growing collection of Liberty Tana lawn.  Small by my estimation ~ about 25 half or quarter yard cuts and a bunch of scraps.   I recently came across Sew Sew n Sew, a darling shop on etsy that carries Liberty and Atsuko Matsuyama and cute cross-stitch patterns.  It's basically a little slice of heaven for me, though items ship from Hong Kong ~ which is the price one pays for the best of the cute stuff.

So, I got all these lovelies from Iris, at Sew Sew n Sew, but it's the Liberty that's got me all excited and suddenly I only want to sew with Liberty! (Because Liberty makes everything better!!  Right?!)

Have you seen some of my latest projects on Instagram?  (Come follow me.  I'm @amysinibaldi)  I've been so enjoying the Instagram quilt-along #MySmallWorldQAL ~ sewing Jen Kingwell's pattern "My Small World" from the Spring 2015 issue of Quiltmania.  It's a fun pattern, full of small pieces that won't ever bore you and it's based on one of my favorite rides at Disney (my husband proposed to me on that ride!)  I haven't been able to make much progress yet, but I love what I've got so far.

I can't wait to get back to this.  Are you quilting along?  Check out the hashtag on Instagram for more details if you'd like to join.  I also started another "My Sweet Home" mini quilt and here's a sneak peek at my progress:

On a completely different note, I recently got the chance to talk with Stephanie Kendron on her fun podcast, Modern Sewciety!

Here's the link, if you'd like to listen in!

P.s. For those of you asking about my Toshie Ishii cross stitch pattern cards that were put out by Lecien, those are virtually impossible to find now.   Ask me how, I know, but I did find one ~  Superbuzzy carries the baby pattern as well as a ton of other cute cross-stitch patterns.

xo amy

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

My Sweet Home | PDF pattern now in the shop!

I always come back to the same themes and I hope you're not bored, because this will always be a universal truth: there's no place like "Home Sweet Home"!

I made this piece for my mom ~ for Mother's Day ~ and put love in every stitch.  If you'd like to make one too, I've written up the pattern and you'll find it for sale (and at an amazing price) at my shop: nanaCompany on etsy.

It's a very simple make, measuring 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" when finished.  Simple patchwork, simple embroidery, and simple appliqué give it such a sweet homey look.  And if you want to know a secret: I went out of my way to add wonkyness to this piece.  I really think losing the desire for perfection in your sewing opens up the possibility for so much charm.   I hope you enjoy stitching it too!

xo amy

to Market, to Market...

Spring Market ~ that is!  International Quilt Market in Minneapolis is over now but at the point when I started writing this post, it hadn't yet started.  And though I didn't get to go, all my work from the past few months traveled there... so I thought I'd do a round-up.

Tiptop Quilt

Pattern | Designed by me, pattern not written

Quilting | Norma of Petit Design Co.

Fabric | Tiger Lily by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics (due out in August) + Windham 1930's light pink solid and white

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Silly Old Bear Pillow

Pattern | in my book Sweetly Stitched Handmades

Fabric | Retro 30's Child Smile by Lecien (due out in May?) + linen

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Chicken & Stars & Unicorn Sparkle Quilt

Pattern | by Happy Zombie - Monica Solorio Snow

Fabric | L's Modern Basic + L's Modern Spring 2015 by Lecien (the Basic collection is available now and the Spring collection will be out shortly) + Lecien solid grey

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Gradient Light Quilt

Pattern | Designed by me, pattern not written

Fabric | L's Modern Spring 2015 + L's Modern Basic grey x's print and Lecien solid grey and white

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Wild Geese Mini Quilt

Pattern | Designed by me, made with the trimmings from my Chicken & Stars & Unicorn Sparkle quilt

Fabric | L's Modern Basic + L's Modern Spring 2015 text print

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Flower Sugar Hexagon Rosette Table Topper

Pattern | Designed by me, pattern not written

Fabric | Flower Sugar 2015 by Lecien

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Farmer's Market Tote

Pattern | Designed by me, pattern not written

Fabric | Vintage Market by Tasha Noel for Riley Blake Fabrics (due out in June)

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Little Joys Gift Wrapped Pillow

Pattern | Gift Wrapped pillow and block tutorial by Rachel of Wooden Spoon Quilts

Fabric | Little Joys by Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabrics

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I think that's it.  Such beautiful fabric to play with, I'm so in love with all the new lines coming out and I hope you will like them, too.  As for the patterns to these projects that have not been written ~ if there is one that you are particularly interested in, please leave me a comment so I'll know and maybe I can write it up.   

And now, the winner of the Modern Medallion Workbook giveaway...

Congratulations to Chiara, who wrote, "My favourite things about quilting are friendships i have made and choosing fabrics♡: )!!"  I hope you will enjoy the book, Chiara.

xo amy

Modern Medallion Workbook bloghop | Giveaway!

Two girls whose work I deeply admire, Janice Zeller Ryan and Beth Vassalo, have written a book about modern medallion quilts that is really a show stopper, full of inspiring quilts made by the most talented quilters out there (and me).  Yes, they asked me to be a part of it!

Throwing the word modern in front of the word medallion gave us designers a lot of latitude in dreaming up our visions and I (having really been enjoying cross-stitch at the time) decided to make my focal point a simple ABC cross stitch.  

As a mother of four, the inspiration from my kids and love of making things for them is an unending well spring.  So of course I created a simple and sweet wall hanging for my girls room that incorporated the cross stitch center, with triangle piecing, and raw edge appliqué.  

You'll find a whole range of quilting techniques and levels and styles and aesthetics in the Modern Medallion Workbook, with instruction on how to make each quilt, border by border, and with coloring charts and ideas on how to mix and match.  That's a whole lot in one book!  And that's the reason I love it so much.

This book is available now on Amazon and other online shops, as well as being stocked at quilt shops.  Also, C&T publishing has been generous enough to let me give away a copy of this book to one of you!  If you'd like a chance to win it, please leave a comment on this post (no emailed entries, please!) telling me your favorite thing about quilting!  Comments will close Tuesday, May 19th, 2015 at midnight and I'll announce the winner soon after.  Good luck!

For more inspiration and chances to win a copy of this book, here is a listing of all the stops along the Modern Medallion Workbook bloghop:

May 11th | Janice and Beth at C&T/Stash
May 12th | Melissa Richie- weshallsew.blogspot.com
May 13th | Amy Sinibaldi- nanaCompany.typepad.com
May 14th | Christina Lane- sometimescrafter.com/blog
May 18th | Erica Jackman- kitchentablequilting.com
May 19th | Becca Bryan- www.bryanhousequilts.com
May 20th | Karen Anderson-Abraham- bloomingpoppies.net/
May 21st | Latifah Saafir- www.latifahsaafirstudios.com
May 22nd | Kerry Green- verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk
May 25th | Beth- www.plumandjune.blogspot.com   and 
                    Janice- www.betteroffthread.com

 

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

London

I'm home again.  And it all happened so fast it already feels like a dream.  London in springtime is truly a lovely thing...

It's been ten years since I was last in London.  I've been there many, many times, but it was different this visit.  The #1 hotspot on my list was Liberty's.  I fell in love with taking the Underground.  I ate street food.  Toasties.  I only sat down to a proper tea twice because I was running around so much.  I used to shop at Harvey Nichols and my favorite luxury was eggs benedict at the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge and I thought those black cabs were just the coolest.  This trip I walked and walked and walked and forgot to eat and sometimes I would take the Underground just for the fun of it.  For the rush!  On my last day, my random tube stop led me to the National Portrait Gallery and the John Singer Sargent exhibit ~ which took my breath away.

But in fact, the sole reason for my trip to London this spring was to attend the London Book Fair to meet with my publisher, Tuva Publishing.  So, now I finally know how to pronounce their names ~ the right way.  I know how they like their tea, and I'm so happy that we share a love for baklava.  Exciting things are happening, you'll see ;)

And while we're on that note, thank you to all of you who have purchased Sweetly Stitched Handmades ~ and bonus love to those who have written a review on it!  Seriously, the first time I saw a review on Amazon I wanted to hug the person who wrote it.  What a thrill to see my own book reviews!!  You, absolutely you, have made me so happy.  Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart. My goal, you must know, is to write you a second book that is better in every possible way.

Another highlight from my trip to London?  Getting a chance to meet the lovely and talented Jooles of Sew Sweet Violet.  She's the designer behind this gorgeous butterfly art ~ and hundreds of other wonderful things (go pop by her blog if you don't know her well already).  We met at Liberty and shopped for hours and then sat in the cafe for lunch and then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, she had to run.  It was so nice to meet you, sweet Jooles!!  She claims she was starstruck (by me!) but I don't believe that for a second, no.  We had oodles of fun, and I'm sure they'll be more in the future!!  xoxoxoxo amy

Just before leaving for London, I finished this mini quilt using Lecien's Spring 2015 L's Modern collection.  This collection won't be out for a few months, but the L's Modern 'Basic' collection is available now.  (I'm sewing with the Basic collection as you read this, so I'll have something to share very soon!)

I love the colors in this Spring 2015 collection, don't you?

Cheers!  xo amy

No. 6

Lately I've been working on quilts quilts quilts, but one night I managed to make this tiny dress using a sample of double gauze sent over by Lecien.  The print is from their new collection called Rococo & Sweet, and it certainly is sweet.

I'm going way back now ~ to the time when Olivia was a baby ~ when I made my first dress.  I didn't use a pattern to make it.  Instead, I loosely traced the top of an H&M dress that I liked and determined how to construct it myself.  Then with each new dress, I changed and altered and enlarged my template.

It's been about four years since I've done this, but once again, I altered my template, nervously began cutting, and made a dress!  I did forget how to do it (sew the side seams last, not first!) but trial and error and a brand new seam ripper helped me out.  

I lined the top with cotton lawn to keep it light and left the skirt unlined.  Double gauze, as you can see, is exactly what its name describes: two layers of light and airy cotton gauze fabric that are tacked together with stitches one can't really see.  (I remember examining my first piece of double gauze many years ago... I tried to separate the two layers, but you can't.)

In case you're wondering, I stitched the bottom edge of the cotton lawn lining by hand and I love how it finishes off so nicely ~  it also keeps the inside of the dress super soft for baby.

I confess I took the easy route for the closure at the back and put in a pearl snap (inserting squares of interfacing up at the two corners, between the lining and gauze, to support the snap).  A button or two would have been prettier but I'm comfortable with snaps.

I prefer a longer hem for the skirt, but I had to work with the fabric on hand (which was just enough!)  I stitched the blue trim on by hand

And I even made a fully removable flower pin...

Yes!  Mia was able to wear the dress on Easter Sunday.  Now it will be traveling to Quilt Market ~ lucky dress.

And I'm off to London next week for a lightening fast trip.  I'll have so much to share when I get back!

p.s. Yes. I'll be making a pattern for the Portfolio Tote in May!

xo amy

Sweetly Stitched Handmades at last! | Celebration Giveaway Winner

Hello!  Oh my, time has flown and my first book, Sweetly Stitched Handmades, is officially here at last!   Get yourself a copy at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and if you live outside the U.S. check out Bookdepository.com for free international shipping.  Okay.  So, would you like to see some of the sweetly stitched projects my friends have already been up to?

{ made by Rachael of The Floral Suitcase }

 

 { made by Jooles of Sew Sweet Violet }

 

{ made by Kristyne of Pretty by Hand }

 

 

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{ made by Lauren of Transient Art }

 

 

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{ made by Christina of One Little Pooh }

 

 

{ made by Zeynep of @Ceynep35 on Instagram }

There were so many other beautiful makes that I wanted to include here but gathering permission and pics was a bit of work and I couldn't possibly have included them all.  But, please continue to tag me or hashtag any makes #sweetlystitchedhandmades (or add pics to my Inspired by nanaCompany Flickr group)… it really makes me happy to see what you've sewn.  Like really really happy.  xoxo.

  

Whew!  There's a whole lot of you that love a whole lot of sewing!  Thank you so much for sharing with me.  This giveaway was really quite fun to put together and I'm sad I can only pick one winner, but here goes… drum rollllllll…

Yay for Charlene!  You've won everything and I'm so happy for you… please email me your details so that I can ship it out to you.  Have a wonderful week, everyone ~ and happy stitching!!

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

on pins and needles

Our little "maker's" world is a sweet one ~ full of women (some men, too!) that encourage, inspire, and show such selfless generosity.  Rachel of Wooden Spoon Quilts is one of those women who hits all three nails on the head and basically… I want to copy everything she makes!  Her aesthetic is clean and precise, with a lot of soul and such a clever use of color.  And because I admire her so much it was hard making a thank you gift without feeling a little bit daunted.

Of course I made a needle book.  A while back she had kindly sent over some fabric from New Zealand that we can't get in the US.  I used a little in her book.  And in wanting to make a super awesome needle book, I kinda went all impromptu… but in the end what I had stitched up was just an oversized needle book (!).  I almost couldn't send it because I thought it looked like a gag-gift, but I managed to convince myself that not all people want or need a portable needle book.  Some people might like a ridiculously big one.  My Instagram friends helped with that ;)

The inside of the book did get some special treatment...

I only wish I'd put some pockets at the front.  Next time!

I've been waiting on pins and needles (hee hee, kinda sorta) for Rachel to receive this book and to see if she would laugh at me.  It arrived yesterday and I didn't hear any laughing!  She likes it!!  

xo amy

Sweetly Stitched Handmades : Celebration Giveaway!!

Pretty little things...

I've been gathering a few up for you this past month.  Why?  Oh, just because my book Sweetly Stitched Handmades is finally, at last, almost here!!  (It's official release date is April 1, 2015 and that's one week from today!) 

I thought it would be fun to celebrate with one final advance copy book giveaway ~ but all bundled up with a few of my favorite things...

Sound like fun?

If you're the lucky winner (someone is going to win and it really could be you!) you'll get one copy of my book Sweetly Stitched Handmades along with:

• a strawberry pin cushion handmade by me and stuck with some pretty cute pins
• seven skeins of the loveliest Sparkles embroidery floss by Cosmo/Lecien
• a half-yard of linen cut right off my bolt
• three spools of Gutermann thread in my fave colors
• one yard of measure tape cotton label tape on a decorative wooden spool
• some of my favorite cotton labels
• one yard of crochet trim
• one layer cake of Mistletoe Lane by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda

And, on the more practical side, you'll also receive:

• my favorite sewing tool of the moment: Elmer's washable glue sticks (amazing for EPP and any kind of glue basting)
• one Frixion erasable pen (the ink disappears at the touch of your hot iron.  Think of the possibilities!)
• adorable bear measure tape (My Mia loves to press the bear's nose button and watch the tape pull back in!)
• one pair of pink/white striped Fiskars all-purpose scissors
• Clover seam ripper
• Eos strawberry lip balm (who can sew with chapped lips?!)

I hope you like my hand-picked goodies for this giveaway!  This is also my way of saying thank you to all of you!

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below telling me what is your favorite kind of sewing ~ hand sewing, quilting, making stuffies, sewing binding, making clothes, english paper piecing, etc. and feel free to elaborate ~ I have a feeling I'm going to love reading these comments.  All may enter, regardless of where you live in the world.  Comments will close Monday, March 30, 2015 and I will announce the randomly chosen winner next day.  Good luck to you!

p.s. If you were able to purchase an advance copy of my book already but still would like to enter this giveaway, please do so.  If you're the winner may I suggest donating this copy to your local library?  Of course, if you win, you may do whatever your heart desires with any of the items.

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 winner | Spring Sale

Thanks to all those who entered the Bon Bon Bebe fat quarter bundle giveaway sponsored by RJR fabrics.  I've got a winner!

In case there was more than one Fran, it was the Fran who wrote, "Your quilt is beautiful and I just love Miss Bo Peep! And you were so brave to FMQ! I haven't gotten up the nerve yet!"  And thank you to RJR fabrics for the generous bundle.

NOTE: If you downloaded the single page PDF I wrote for the Tin Roofs quilt pattern, you might be interested to know the pattern has been re-written and refined and I hope you will enjoy making this quilt with the new and improved instructions.  

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I took a break over the weekend to work on my "I Want Her Stash" blocks.  Have you heard about this club?  Amanda over at Westwood Acres is the mastermind behind it all (find out everything you need to know about the club here) and I'm totally psyched about being a member and designer (so not worthy!)

The thing I really love about fabric clubs is that you get to try new things ~ fabrics you might not have picked for yourself can become surprising new favorites!  I loved working with Amy and Allison's color schemes… it all just felt so fun and fresh.

So now I've got my Jan and Feb blocks finished...

and I love em!

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Are you ready for a nanaCompany SALE?  Tomorrow, Wednesday at 8:00 am (Pacific) I'll be putting a few items in the shop:

• Signed books "Sweetly Stitched Handmades"
• Adorable tiny sewing machine miniatures
• 4 needlebooks
• Bon Bon Bebe scrap packs and 1 Bon Bon Bebe/Rooftops Quilt kit
• mini quilts
• Tall Tall Trees cushion cover
• DIY felt cookie kits
• and even some Easter goodies!

Hope to see you there!  ;)

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