Giveaway winner and my Z for Zipper pouch

I always love to hear all of your ideas for what you'd make with my fabric. And ya'll did NOT disappoint. What amazing ideas you came up with! I simply cannot wait to see what you make, so once you have some Bright and Buzzy in your hot little hands make sure you share the love and post pictures in my Flickr group? Pretty please?

I was able to carve out some sewing time this past weekend and made up a really fun zipper pouch with Bright and Buzzy. And I LOVE my little pouch. So. Very. Much. But before I show it to you, let's get to that giveaway winner, shall we?

Via random number, the lucky winner is #139, Margaret who said:
I love this fabric. I have a kids quilt pattern that I have been wanting to make forever. It requires strips of bugs in a line for part of the design. Either of the bees or the birds will be perfect. Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with me. I can't wait to get my hands on this fabric. I also think I need a kitchen redo and bees could be buzzing all around while I cook. Pot holders, towels, new curtains, chair cushions and of course a mug rug or two.

And then because her comment made me laugh so hard I actually spit out my coffee, I'm also sending a set of fabric to #44 Michelle who said:

Seriously, I'm surprised there haven't been more growth charts in non-barf inducing children's fabrics. Hopefully you've started a trend! 


Thanks so much to everyone for sharing your great ideas for the fabric, and for the great laughs and I hope Bright and Buzzy will be making its way onto your sewing tables soon!

And now onto my new pouch. Ta-da! I think its first job will be to be my supplies pouch for Quilt Con (which is right around the corner!) I'm going to be speaking on a panel on fabric design AND I am going to get to take some of the great classes so I'm getting geared up for that! A girls gotta have a cute supplies pouch, right?!

To figure out my sizing and for instructions on the contrast bottom, I loosely followed the Noodlehead Open Wide pouch tutorial. (Thanks Anna!)

Here's the front. For the top, I used the Z for Zipper from the Alphabet panel along with 2.5" squares of the cross hatch prints from the growth chart panel. Then the contrast bottom uses the darker of the two honeycomb prints. Bright and cheery, isn't it?!

And a shot with a  pencil to show scale. The pouch measures 13" x 9" so its a great size for big goodies. I used mid weight interfacing so its got some substance but isn't too stiff.

The inside is also lined with the honeycomb print. I love opening a pouch and seeing a pretty lining.

And the back is made from my Modern Whimsy circles (which are a perfect match!) along with a few more cross hatch print squares from the growth chart panel.

Thanks again for participating in my giveaway and for all of your great comments about Bright and Buzzy. I'm so tickled that you are as excited about this new line as I am! I still have all of those fun bee prints to play with still and I can't wait to start cutting into them soon! 

Bright and Buzzy | Giveaway!

Tick tock, tick tock. I have been watching the clock and the calendar, anxiously awaiting the day that I could do the grand unveiling of Bright and Buzzy, one of two of my new collections for Robert Kaufman. And today is finally the day!

I have so many ideas swimming in my head for things to make from the collection. And even though it's perfect for kids, I can see so many uses for it for those who are just young at heart. (See how I artfully skirted calling myself old there? Nicely done if I don't say so myself...)

There are 6 fabrics in the collection and they have all just been released by Robert Kaufman so they should be making their way to stores soon. 

• Buzzy bees in 3 fun colors. I was so happy to be able to do these in a more non-traditional palette than what you usually see for bees. 
• Honeycomb in two shades
• A full yard panel with one animal or item for each letter in the alphabet. 
• And a full sized growth chart that goes up to 60" inches high. 

On the image above, the yard panel in the corner isn't to scale, I squished it down so it would all fit together in one little graphic.

\

Fun honeycomb selvage shapes

Attempted to take a picture of the yard alphabet panel and Fiona came to help. 

And then Dexter had to get in on the action. It totally looks like they're making out. Which is really inappropriate blog content but it was just too funny not to share. 

Wait...what, is that a whale under that tail? And a raccoon peeking out from behind that foot? 

I see all sorts of fussy cut opportunities for this panel. 

How adorable would pennant flags be to spell out a kiddo's name?!

This weekend I'm going to be making a zipper pouch with my Z. I can't wait. 

A close up of one of the owls from the growth chart panel. You can get an idea of what the whole thing looks like in the graphic at the top of the post.  I think the owl on the swing is my favorite. :) 

Or maybe the bunny. 

Bzzzz! Bee and honeycomb goodness. I keep thinking "bee-still my beating heart". 

Guess my mind is on Valentine's Day!

Thanks for wading through all of the pictures! As a reward, here's a shot of the giveaway goodies. A FQ set of all the fabrics + full alphabet panel and the growth chart. 

• I'd love to hear what kind of ideas you have for the fabric!
• Post your comment here before the morning of Tuesday 1/29/13. 
• Make sure you leave me a way to contact you. 
• And as always, international entries are welcome!

I'll post the winner (and hopefully my little Z zipper pouch) on Tuesday morning. Good luck!

p.s. And if I wasn't already spastically excited about Bright and Buzzy, there's ANOTHER collection to share. I am beyond excited and bouncing off the walls over here with glee. (And I might have had one too many cups of coffee today perhaps...) 

I'll do a full post about Holiday Sweet Tweets (and a giveaway) once I get my yardage shipment, but here's a few sneak peek shots. It's also just been released by Robert Kaufman and should be shipping to stores soon. Birds. Peppermint tufted ottomans. Sassy couches and striped chairs. (Insert big dorky happy dance here!)

Visit your local quilt shop day!

This Thursday, 1/24/13 is Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day.  I am a huge supporter of local shops (as well as online retailers), so when FabShopNet asked if I'd be interested in being a part of their blog tour, I was of course tickled to participate. In my lovely and creative home town of Austin, I am so very fortunate to be able to have two amazing stores where I can always count on a welcoming smile, a laugh and an immediate creative infusion.

So why do I personally love local quilt shops so much?

When I was living in NY and struggling with a decision to leave my full time job in advertising, I allowed myself, for the first time in many years, the mental space to dream about what I really, really wanted to do with my life. I loved my job but knew it was time for me to make some major changes. During my soul searching and trying to identify themes where I was really in my happy place and felt the most joy, fabric, color, texture and creating things kept coming to the forefront. It sounds corny to people who aren't part of our fabric tribe, but there are few thing so creatively nurturing and inspiring as walking into a fabric store. And I love that if you're reading this, you likely know exactly, precisely what I mean.

The moment I walk in and see all the colors and patterns together it immediately makes me start to think about what gorgeous thing I might be able to make next. It just energizes me and makes me happy.  And it  was that joy and excitement that has always come from seeing all of those delicious bolts of fabric together in a shop combined with a desire to build a life for myself where creativity could be infused into my work that led me to the decision to finally jump off of the corporate hamster wheel and follow my dream of becoming a textile and surface designer.

So for me, I will be forever grateful for quilt shops and their owners. So get out there and go visit your LQS this week. And if you're in Austin, make sure you pop in and say hello to two of my local favorites.

Leslie Bonnell's Stitch Lab

Jessica Sloan's Remnants:fiber [culture]

Giveaway winner!

A super speedy post to wish a big congratulations to #34 Shanna, who, via random number selection, is the winner of a copy of my new book. I hope you love the book Shanna!!

Can you guys believe we are nearly half way through December? Where is the time going?! If, like me, you're looking for last minute gifts that are easy to stitch up, I still have some Llama Pillow Panels and llama fabric in stock and can ship right away :) (The completed pillows are not available, only the DIY panels...)

My new book! And a copy to share with you. Giveaway!

It's been under wraps for a while now, but I can finally share the exciting news that I have a 2nd book! I can frankly hardly believe it! It has started shipping this month and I'm so excited that its finally making its way into the world. This project would not have been possible without the AMAZING collaborators that I was able to work with.

When I set out to write this book and I began to consider the huge range of skills that should be featured in a book all about fabric embellishment, I immediately knew it was an opportunity to get to collaborate with some of my most favorite artists and crafters who could really show off their chops as specialists in their own unique techniques. Without their contributions and creativity, this book wouldn't be nearly as rich and visually lovely as it is.

So you ask... What's the book actually about? Its absolutely stock, chock full of detailed step-by-step instructions on a wide range of embellishment and surface design techniques and demonstrates those techniques in a modern way. Each chapter also includes interviews with the chapter author, where they offer their own personal advice around design and embellishment. Here's a high level run down of what you'll find.

The book starts with an overview of a wide variety of the tools and supplies that you might want to consider when embellishing fabric and I touch on the different types of most commonly available fabric and suggested approaches for embellishment.

Chapter 2, Designing Patterns, was written by Heather Dutton of Hang Tight Studio who shares her techniques for creating hand rendered and computer rendered patterns. I met Heather through the Spoonflower community and just adore her designs. She shares some great tips and offers some great advice on designing digitally.

Part 1 of the Printing Patterns chapter was written by Amy Prior and Carly Schwerdt of Umbrella Prints. These two talented ladies cover a broad number of wonderful techniques for screen printing using stencils, blocks, heat transfer and more.

Also in the Printing Patterns chapter, Christina McFall showcases cyanotype printing and toning. If you're not familiar with the technique, its a photographic printing process that will set your heart racing. Plus Christina shows off a few goodies she's made using her fabric that are simply phenomenal.

Dyeing and Bleaching techniques are tackled by Sara Harper of Five O'Clock Crows. From using natural dyes, dip dyeing, over dyeing and batik, Sara has done a wonderful job of detailing the many different ways you can use dyes and bleach with your fabric projects.

Then the simply lovely and delightful Meghan Van Sipe of Lilac Saloon showcases an enormous range of inspiring and totally awesome techniques for using beads, zips, studs, ribbons, buttons, felt and more. My own personal list of must-do projects has gotten a bit longer based on what I learned from Meghan.

Needlepoint and Applique are showcased by my dear, sweet and talented friend Rachel Hobson of Average Jane Crafter. She's done an amazing job of demonstrating how to use hand work to add something extra to your designs. Rachel has long been my inspiration for ways to really use handwork to make a piece special and I was so thrilled to be able to work with her on this book.

Each chapter includes galleries of carefully curated images which feature the techniques from that chapter. When we were putting together the book, so many wonderfully talented and kind people agreed to let us showcase their work. Without their work, the book wouldn't be everything I dreamed it would be.

The final chapter features several supremely talented designers who have taken their craft to an entirely different plane. They have graciously shared their insights into developing collections, staying true to your style and and going pro with you designs. In this chapter I also share some tips on marketing your work.

There are two editions of the book. Although the book will be available from loads of book sellers (thank you booksellers!), you can also pick them up on Amazon here. The US version and the UK version are both shipping now.

One thing to note, the cover of the UK version is actually different from what Amazon UK is displaying. Some changes were made to it since I guess that was provided to the booksellers. Oh... the mysteries of publishing! But the cover of the US version is just like what is shown above and the content in both editions is identical. p.s. I had so much fun making the piece for the US cover! Now I just need to figure out what to do with it. Thinking wall hanging for my studio but still not sure :)

So... Now who wants a copy of the US edition?! Just leave me a comment here and I'll draw a winner on Monday, December 10th. I'm happy to ship worldwide so everyone is welcome to enter. I'd love to hear what section of the book you're most looking forward to reading!

So this happened...

Look at what the UPS man dropped off on my doorstep this afternoon? Couldn't wait to share it with you!! More details and a free copy to giveaway before end of week. Soooo excited!

The US version and the UK version are both shipping from Amazon now.

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts Book Giveaway Winner

It was such fun to hear all about the projects on your 'someday' lists. And it makes me feel so much better to know that all of you have super long lists too!! Congrats to the lucky winner Margaret, #100 (chosen by random number), who said: A quilt on my must do list is a dresden plate. I bought the templates for the cutting and have some fabrics that I am stashing but I am fairly intimidated about the process so I have not started one yet.

I hope you love the book Margaret. Make sure you drop Andie and Kelly a line and let them know you were the lucky winner. :) I know they'd love to hear from you!

And for everyone else who didn't win, make sure you pick up a copy of the book. It really is filled with some wonderful and inspiring projects.

Oh my gosh...I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is next week! I've got to go clean out my fridge and get the house ready for company. Everyone have a great weekend!

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts Book AND a Giveaway

When I was in Houston at Quilt Market a few weeks ago, I was tickled to get to meet Kelly Biscopink and Andrea Johnson. These two adorably sweet and funny ladies are the amazingly talented duo behind the new book, Modern Designs for Classic Quilts. 

Not only did I get to meet Kelly and Andie, I got to meet a few of the quilts from the book. :) There's a Dresden Plate quilt that I was especially excited to see since its made from my Tufted Tweets collection. And Oh. My. Goodness. Gorgeous simply doesn't do this quilt justice. Kelly's piecing is impeccable, I love the incredibly unique layout she came up with and the quilting (by the amazingly talented Angela Walters)  is superb. 

One of my favorite things about Kelly and Andrea's book is how they have taken traditional quilt patterns and infused a really modern sensibility to them. There's something uniquely special about the projects in the book too. I can almost always find one or two projects in any book that I'd love to make, but there's so many in their book that are now on my 'must make someday' list.  The quilt on the cover is one that I think will be my next big project. And in reading through the pattern, its beautifully written, clear and easy to follow. Can't wait to start pulling fabric for it!

And how about this amazing Flying Geese lovely by Andie? I know, amazing, right? The simplicity of the pattern is just so sophisticated isn't it? (Also now on my must make list!)

And here's the best part...Kelly and Andrea were nice enough to give me an extra copy of Modern Designs for Classic Quilts to give away to one of you! To be entered to win, just leave me a comment here and I'd love to hear about a project on your 'must make someday' list! I'll draw a winner  on Friday 11/16/12. 

Good luck!

Giveaway winner and free quilt pattern

Thank you so much! You guys shared some paper piecing tips galore! I pulled out a few of my favorites and compiled them below, so as soon as I'm ready to start my own picnic blanket with Don't be Crabby and Amy's Crabby pattern I have your great advice to guide me. :)

- take your time, be patient and don't rush

- measure the width of the part that you are going to piece, then cut strips with a some extra

- don't be afraid that you're wasting fabric

- use Easy Mask paper that you find at the paint store. It comes on a roll in widths multiple of 3" (e.g., 6", 9", 12", etc.), is very thin for your perforations, but sturdy enough for feeding through your inkjet printer. Best of all it's very inexpensive and can be cut to whatever lengths work best for your pattern, unlike regular printer paper. 

- the freezer paper method which I much prefer over the method where you spend hours picking out bits of paper

- tack small pieces really well

- shorten your stitch length to 1

- backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to secure it

- don't scrimp on the fabric so you ensure you're covering all the section

- check and double check your fabric will cover the section

- iron, iron, iron

- the add a quarter ruler makes it easy to figure out where and how much to trim. 

-remember, you are working from the wrong side, so whatever you're making will be the opposite of the pattern.

And now for our giveaway winner. Congratulations to #118 Cindy who said:

LOVE your fabric! It just makes me happy when I look at it. I'm new to paper piecing too, so my advise as a 'newbie' is to use larger pieces of fabric then you think you'll need. It's a little wasteful, but until I really know what I'm doing, it is saving me from having to rip out seams. :) Thank you for the opportunity!!!

I hope you love the fabric Cindy!

Don't be Crabby starts shipping in December (which is right around the corner!) so it will be making its way to your favorite LQS store super soon. In the mean time, make sure you grab a copy of this adorable FREE pattern, Come Sail Away, from the team over at Robert Kaufman. I love the little whale in the bottom right corner. And the sailboat with the whale on the side... And.... And....

Paper pieced crabby pattern AND a giveaway!

Ya'll know that I get all geeked out when I see what creative and lovely things you make with my fabric. Well, you are going to get all geeky with me when you see this!

Amy over at During Quiet Time agreed to make something special from Don't be Crabby to help me show off the new collection (starts shipping in December). I love the paper pieced patterns that Amy designs, so I was just giddy with excitement when she said she was going to design a paper pieced Crabby. Eeeep! Are you ready? You should probably sit down. No, really. Sit down. Ready?

Again. Eeeeep! Is that not one of the cutest things you have ever seen? Ever? Amy designed the paper pieced pattern based on the little crabby in my fabric and made this incredibly fabulous beach bag.

And I love the way she incorporated more of the prints from the collection for the back and sides of the bag.

And look at the little wave lines she quilted between the rows of the boats. So sweet. 

Today you have two (yep, two!) chances to win both a FQ set of my entire Don't be Crabby fabric collection plus a Crabby paper pieced pattern from Amy. 

For chance #1, leave me a comment here (and make sure to include a way for me to contact you). I haven't tried much paper piecing, so if you have any advice, I'd love to hear it. Or if you're new to paper piecing too, just let me know what you might make with the fabric and/or the pattern if you were to win! I'll draw a random winner on Wednesday 11/7/12.

Amy also has a full FQ set and a Crabby pattern to giveaway too! So hop over there next. Two chances to win all sorts of Crabby goodness :) Amy's adorable pattern is available in her Craftsy store and over on Etsy. Here's some details about the pattern :)

--The  block measures 10" x 8" finished. 

--It's an intermediate paper piecing pattern but there are no Y seams or curves.

 I can't wait to try my own Crabby!! I'm thinking beach blanket maybe...And good luck!