in a manger...

so sweet

this

baby is...

. laying in a manger...

hand stitching...

it has been

a long time

for me...

.

hand stitched applique

the look is so clean

so fresh

so appropriate for this

newest project...

i'm feeling a new synergy...

i received

the latest issue

of sew beautiful...

.

... today

as always

it's better than

eating chocolate

for a short while at least

i first leaf through the pages

and then return to

relish in each

magnificent creation

my quick look through

of issue 132, 2010

revealed a synergy

i haven't seen in quite a while

and i have been reading

sewing magazines for

a long...

...long time

just how far back does my

personal stash go...

early 1991

for threads, and sew news

sew beautiful

and a collection of various quilt

magazines

back to this synergy

a new excitement it seems

is it just me

or do the lines seem to be

crossing

the parallels extracted

i'm seeing fashions in the quilters editions

and quilts in...

sew beautiful

i'm feeling so happy

energized and thrilled

no longer are exclusions being

drawn

it seems

rather a synergy

an interaction of forces

which creates the end result

to be greater than it's parts

another small hint

if you were confused

about me

utilizing items...

.

...from a grocery store

in a project

worry no more

there is fabric in sight

i do season...

each june i gear up

for the

season of weddings

.

there was a time

i was creating

one to two

custom bridal gowns plus

bridesmaids and flower girls

a week from my home studio

while still working full time

then

child number three arrived

and i realized

i needed a break

now i do alterations for just a select few

this season

friends of my oldest son

did i just say my son

if that's not enough

to make me feel my fifty years

the need for my reading glasses

just to hem

sure is

funny that mauve is back in vogue

actually they call it rosewood

this time around

best wishes

to all the summer's brides and grooms

when addictions collide...

i've been hearing

about a new found craze...

rubber stampers are discovering

...fabric

and stitching

and buttons and rick rack

imagine the big shot

cutting more than paper

funny...

my addictions collided long ago:)

blush reminds me...

...of spumoni ice cream

and i love

...both of them

the ice cream and the blush

by basicgrey

i'm trying something new

do you recognize this

quilt pattern?

i'm expecting...

take a dream of a lifetime

add a little

...divine intervention

and voila...

.
so much to do...

permits to gather

a business plan to proof

hiring a contractor
...so little time

finding the fabric

locating machines

samples to sew

excitement indeed...

defining happiness

...it just gets better and better

with each new discovery

...my daughter

at my machine

excited with her new...

skills

pleased with her accomplishment

New Projects for a New Year

www.FatQuarterShop.com

I have recently reconnected with one of my favorite sewing pastimes, quilting. The last real quilt I finished was in the early 80's. Quilt stores were still abundant in the area. Today, there are only five in Northeast Ohio and each one is greater than a forty five minute drive each direction.

So I have been lurking on quilting websites and blogs for the past month or so. I was leery. Never before have I ordered fabric over the web. Gosh, the last time I had a quilting needle in hand, the internet did not even exist. But I took the plunge. I ordered from three different retail sites. One who shall remain nameless, will never hear from me again. Then there is the...

It was the only one that arrived in a marked box for starters. And in a short three days. (You can pay extra for overnight delivery if you choose.)

I carefully opened each box, never quite sure what to expect.

Each separate item was carefully placed in a plastic bag. Free from dust and dirt. I like that.

The colorful receipt was placed in a lovely thank you envelope. I really like that.

The ultimate test for me is the yardage. In a store, I can visually verify as they cut. Let's see. I ordered three of this beautiful floral in the Nostalgia line by April Cornell. I wonder how much I actually received?

3 yards and 2". Perfect. The Fat Quarter Shop just moved up to the very top of my list. After a little further investigating I have discovered this company is owned by a husband and wife team, Kimberly and Kevin Jolly. I love when married couples work together:) Be sure to check out their blog too by clicking HERE.

.

An addendum to this story. This morning I placed an additional order. Early this afternoon I received a call from Debbie in customer service. I requested 3 yards of a fabric and they only had 2 and 2/3. They allow you to tell them whether to send less than or to cancel the item all together when you order. I choose the later. Yet the amount they had was so close that Debbie decided to call to see if it would be acceptable. Now that is customer service!!!

Rouenneries has Arrived

The minute I saw a preview for this line by Kaari Meng for The French General, I suspected the coloring was going to be perfect...and it is.

French Red, Turkey Red, Roche, Oyster and Pearl.

Excellent, rich designs. To read more about Kaari, follow her blog.

So hard to pick a favorite. The bottom left corner does it for me. The French General store is worthy of a glance. For a project link, click HERE.