New duvet cover in progress and a new pressing table

I made the duvet cover I have on my bed when I was living in a postage stamp sized apartment in Brooklyn a few years ago. I called my little apartment there Carb Corner. :) It was 3rd floor walkup above a bagel shop and across the street from a bakery. Every night the bakery would bake bread for the next day, so walking home from the subway after a night out, all you could smell in the air was butter and fresh bread. And then I'd wake to the smell of fresh bagels in the morning. I think the only reason I didn't double my weight was all the walking!  But I digress (and am now craving bread...)..Back to my duvet...I think it's really gorgeous and it's definitely one of my favorite projects.

My duvet with my beautiful Zoe cat who I miss so much... Sniff.

But I've been hankering for a change and have been collecting fabric for the last few months with big plans for a new duvet cover for my bed. It all started with the new collection of Denyse Schmidt fabrics for Joann Fabrics and I've been steadily adding to my pile of fabric with visions for my duvet. Last week I started digging through my collection of quilt books to figure out what pattern I wanted to make. Then I remembered an awesome string quilt from Elizabeth Hartman's book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork. It's a great book with some fantastic patterns and great tips.

As I was working on cutting strips the other night I realized that I needed a few more yellow and a few more red fabrics. (Well, maybe not 'needed' exactly ...) My friend Margaret, who owns Form and Fabric, just moved into a new space and even though her business is online only, she was nice enough to let me come drool over her fabric and pick up a few additions for my duvet. She's got a bunch of new stuff that I was dying to take home with me, but I was very controlled and managed to leave with only a few 1/2 yard cuts.

I'm making good headway on my blocks and have half of them complete. I've never done any foundation piecing and it made the process so easy. And my blocks are so tidy! I can hardly wait to see the whole thing come together. The green blocks are next. :)

One of the things that I quickly realized making a string quilt like this is that there was an awful lot of up and down to the ironing and cutting table. And then I remembered a little pressing table I spied somewhere on Flickr. So I traipsed off to Target and found this great little table for $15. I cut 4 pieces of batting and covered 1/2 the table with some of my Urban Circus fabric. A bit of folding and a staple gun later, voila a pressing and cutting table! I can even slide a tiny cutting mat under the fabric for storage. And the whole table can slide right under my sewing table when not in use. Love it!

So stay tuned for more duvet progress!  What's on your sewing table this weekend??

NEW Holiday Pillow Panels in the store

It's probably because it's still well over 100 degrees here in Austin and I feel as if I'm living on the surface of the sun, I've definitely got winter on the brain!

I love decorating around the house around the holidays and filling it with all my favorite festive goodies. So I printed up some pillow panels on upholstery weight twill using some of my holiday designs. Over the weekend I was able to spend some time sewing and stitched up 4 pillow covers. It was so nice to get some time away from the computer!! (And as an aside...I've fallen in love with using piping on my pillows. Sew easy!)

If you'd like to sew up your own pillows, all 4 new panels are listed in my store here and are ready to ship! The pillow panels each measure 18x18 so they're a great size. Using the piping, I was able to use an 18x18 insert in each cushion cover to make them nice and squishy. They would also make really cute and easy to sew gifts. Ohhh...don't you think the Santa Bear Dots would be really cute to make a garland from or to use as appliques on stockings or tea towels?

Giveaway winner!

What fun giveaway that was! I really loved getting to read all of your comments about your first sewing projects. It's such fun to take a little stroll down memory lane with you. And who knew there were so many of you out there who took Home Ec!?

My first sewing project was sometime in middle school and it was some sort of blouse at the local fabric store and I detested the process. I remember my blouse was a wreck and I could not get the hang of button holes. The next project was a giant orange felt jack-o-lantern pumpkin that I made for Halloween sometime in early high school. I had that costume for years and years and years. I think it finally started to fall apart after 20 years and it must have been given away in one of my moves. I took a long, long break from sewing after that. It wasn't until I was in my 30's and had an icky breakup with a boyfriend that I started sewing again. My mom suggested that I start a project to get my mind off my broken heart and I made my first quilt in less than I week I think. I just cut and sewed and cried non-stop. Pretty sad sight I was.  :) And at the end of the project I have what I like to call 'the break-up quilt'. It lived on my bed for many years and now it resides happily on my guest bed. I still totally love that quilt, which is sort of surprising since it could have turned into one of those things that has bad memories associated with it. But I think it's too pretty not to love! (I'll get some pics of it soon...)

And now on to the winner of the giveaway! The FQ pack + Pillow Panel goes to #24, Hannah. You can see all of her lovely projects on her Flickr stream here.

Hannah said: I think my first sewing project was making cheerleadering skirts for Halloween costumes when I was in 6th grade. I'm sure I had a lot of help from my mom, but I'm pretty certain that I did almost all of the actual sewing by myself. I just finished grad school, and until very recently, still had that skirt. Thanks to an elastic waist, it got lots of use by lots of people for lots of really random stuff over the years!

Hannah: Just email me and let me know which color story you'd like.

Nesting Chairs in Blue and Aqua

Nesting Chairs in Yellow and Grey

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!

Modern Whimsy - Big News and a SALE!

I have some fun fabric news...A new collection with Robert Kaufman!!

And it might feel familiar to you :) Modern Whimsy will be releasing October 2011 and shipping to stores in Spring 2012. The new Modern Whimsy collection is based on a few of the Modern Whimsy designs I have in my Etsy store BUT there are a few brand new designs too.

And the color stories coming from Robert Kaufman are all new too. I really, really love the two Modern Whimsy color stories in my shop, but these new colors for Robert Kaufman are yummy enough to eat. Can't wait to be able to share them with you this fall.

But what this means today is that it’s time for me to retire the current Modern Whimsy patterns and color stories from my store. And that means they're on sale! I've dropped the prices on all the Modern Whimsy fabrics in my Etsy store by 15% for this final sale which starts today and ends on 7/20/11. Details on shipping after the pics...

Here's how the shipping for these sale fabrics will work:

--I have limited amounts of Modern Whimsy in stock and will fill the first group orders from that batch of fabric. When you place an order, I'll email you and let you know when you order will ship.

--Then I will be placing 1 more (and only 1) final order 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. This will be the last time you'll be able to get these color stories and most of these patterns. After 7/20 they'll be officially retired and won't  be sold ever again.

Then starting in Spring 2012, you'll be able to go to your LQS and get the NEW Modern Whimsy collection being distributed by Robert Kaufman!

Let the stash building begin! And save 15% on Modern Whimsy :)

AND… I'll have some *brand new* fabric designs I'll be adding to the store in late July!!

Tufted Tweets making an appearance on Apartment Therapy

I still get all geeked out when I see Tufted Tweets out there in the wild. :) My sweet friend Megan of Lilac Saloon emailed me last night with a link to a fantastic house tour she saw on Apartment Therapy. It features an adorable little apartment in CA and it's sprinkled with really great decorating touches. Tufted Tweets makes an appearance here and there which just tickles me. I especially love the hoops, the fabric covered cube, and the message board. Cute, eh? Go take a peek at the Apartment Therapy post and then all of the pictures in the tour. Thanks for sending this on Megan!! :)

All photos by Bethany Nauert

Stash building sale - Tufted Tweets at 20% OFF

Heard through the grapevine that Form and Fabric is having a big moving sale and all their fabric is 20% off!

And among the delicious goodies in stock over there are full collections of Tufted Tweets. So if you're in need of some Tweets for your stash, this is a great time to stock up. The sale could be over quickly, so hop on over there and use coupon code MovingSale. And tell Margaret I sent you :)