Belated Blogiversary Giveaway

I accidentally missed my 3 year blogiversary! I cannot believe three years have gone by since this first post on July 9, 2008. And then there was the process of saying goodbye to Brooklyn and NYC and returning to Austin. What a wild and wonderful ride it's been!! You have all been such a huge part of helping me meet my goals, so in honor of my blogiversary, I'm giving away a FQ set of my Nesting Chairs fabrics + a Nesting Chairs DIY Pillow Panel. The winner can choose from either color story.

Here's the rules:
Just leave me a comment here and tell me about your very first sewing project.
When you leave your comment just make sure you include a way for me to contact you.
I'll draw the winner this coming Wed. morning 8/3/11 after 8am CT.

Thanks to all of you for your amazing encouragement, support and inspiration along the way. I can hardly wait to see what the next few years hold.
xoxo
--laurie

Nesting Chairs in Yellow and Grey

Nesting Chairs in Aqua and Orange

Imagine my surprise...

I spend a lot of time on Flickr, don't you? I love seeing all of the beautiful and creative things that people make. Its a quick way to lift my spirits or to get some inspiration for a new project. Using Flickr, I've learned a bunch of new techniques, been astounded by people's creativity and and I've made some really sweet and talented friends.

And you know I love seeing all the the projects folks make with my fabrics. Enter these gorgeous creations from Reene at Nellie's Niceties. I went simply gaga over them when I spied them in her Flickr stream.

And unbeknownst to me, Reene had made the little bolster pillow for me (for me!) and it was in the mail to me all the while during all my gushing about the pair of pillows. When I opened my mailbox and found a long squishy thing neatly wrapped up with a UK postmark... well I'm sure you can imagine. Isn't it wonderful?! I simply love it. I've never seen anything quite like it and I'm really smitten.

Thanks so much Reene! It was unbelievably sweet and thoughtful of you to make this for me. I really, really love it!! I think it's the perfect addition to my sitting chair and looks just smashing with my little orange powder-coated steel tables.

My very own quillow!

Maybe you remember my post from a few weeks ago where I showed off the quillow Nova at a cuppa and a catch up made using Pooches and Pickups?

Well, once I saw that little cutie I knew I absolutely had to have one of my very own. There's something just so charming and sweet about a lap quilt that neatly folds into its very own container. It reminds me of being a kid and going to slumber parties and staying up too late. So, I asked begged Nova if she'd make me one of my very own. And I was simply giddy when she agreed. Yay Nova!!

We did a little trade and I sent her a little bundle of goodies and some fabric from my stash for the quillow. It arrived this week and I love, love, love it Nova! The hand stitching, the handle from my selvage, and the little pocket... Oh... how I love my quillow.

Take a read through Nova's post where she's posted a link to her quillow tutorial and a video for how to re-fold the quillow. Confession: So very glad there's a video. I have never been able to re-fold a map and I was sure I would never be able to fold my qillow properly again!

And as soon as I ripped open the package and set the quillow down, Fiona cat has pretty much not removed herself from it. Fiona + chenille = love. And on that note, quillow + Laurie = love. Thanks so much sweet Nova!! xo

Olive Ostrich Wristie and Changing Mat | pattern by Sew Take a Hike

You should have heard the little squeal of glee that escaped from me this morning. Penny at Sew Take a Hike sent over pictures of the project she created using my new Olive Ostrich fabric. And you new mommies out there (and any one needing a super cute shower gift!) are gonna love it. There's 2 pieces in the project. A little wristie. And then there's a changing mat that folds up to fit in the wristie. But when you unfold the mat, it's in the shape of a flower. Eeee!! So, so cute!

Wristie

Changing mat (folded so it fits in the wristie)

Changing mat (unfolded)

Penny's created a great tutorial to make the wristie and the changing mat here. It's so darling Penny! Thanks so for coming up with something so innovative and fun to show off Olive!

And if you want to make one just like Penny's and use the Olive Ostrich fabrics, I've set up a special listing in my Etsy store for a fabric pack of all the Olive fabrics you'll need.

Meet Olive Ostrich - NEW fabrics in my Store

I've been so excited to introduce you to Olive the Ostrich! A few months ago, I was playing around with designs for two of my favorite things (birds and chairs!) and out came Olive. I think she's super sweet in all of her goofy goodness perched on her ottoman. I hope you like her too! There are 5 fabrics in the set and I've just listed them all in my Etsy store.

A few weeks ago I sent some fabric to the divinely talented Penny at Sew Take a Hike and she's finishing up a project that we can't wait for you to see! Before the end of the week, we'll be ready to show off the fantabulous creation she whipped up. So stay tuned!

Olive Ostrich - Set

Olive Ostrich - Blue

Olive Ostrich - Shell Pink

Millefiori Dots - Blue

Heart Flowers - Pink

Dashed Stripe

Modern Whimsy - FINAL Sale for 8 more days!

The month of July is flying by! Only about a week left until Modern Whimsy is retired  from my Etsy Store. It's on sale for 15% during this final sale. After 7/20/11 these patterns in these colors will no longer be available. Details on the sale and shipping are below the pics...

Hopefully you remember the totally GORGEOUS Modern Whimsy quilt Ashley at Film in the Fridge made for me last year? I still am totally in love with this amazing Postcards from the Park quilt. It gets lots and lots of love here.

Modern Whimsy in Citrus

Note: Green Rabbit Trellis no longer being produced

Modern Whimsy in Park

Note: Green Circles and Green Lamb Trellis no longer being produced

So here's the scoop on the fabric shipping:

--I have limited amounts of Modern Whimsy in stock and will try to fill orders from that batch of fabric. When you place an order, I'll email you and let you know when you order will ship. If you want more than what's listed in the store, just email me :)

--Then I will be placing 1 more (and only 1) final order on 7/21/11 for these fabrics from Spoonflower and then shipping all those out at the same time at the END of JULY/BEGINNING OF AUGUST). So if you have been eyeing any of Modern Whimsy fabrics or colors, or you need to stock up for a project, this is the time to do it.

--In Spring 2012, you'll be able to go to your LQS and get the NEW Modern Whimsy collection (in different patterns and colors) being distributed by Robert Kaufman!