Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour & Giveaway
**WINNERS ANNOUNCED! See bottom of this post!**

Hello all! About a year ago I was asked by the nice ladies from Quiltmaker magazine to submit a block design for Volume 2 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. What an honor!! This was way before Playdate and Sanctuary were out, so I used Flora & Fauna and designed this sweet little block for the magazine. It's a simple block by most quilters' standards but I added my stamp on it by adding a strip of selvedge to the center piece. You know how much I loves me some selvedge!



It wasn't until last week that I learned that my name made it to the cover. WOOOHOO! Yup, that's me... second name from the bottom... check out the company I'm keeping these days!



I've been paging through the magazine in my spare time (cough, cough) and drooling at the talent within these pages! WOW! My block design, which I've named Flutter, can be made up into a full size quilt, a wall hanging or a table runner by just repeating it several times or mixing in other block designs within this magazine. I turned mine into a pretty cute pillow because, well... I *heart* pillows and it would appear I have a secret mission to fill our house up with fluffy, plushy goodness. I finished my pillow with a selvedge envelope closure just like these. Easy-peasy!



This collector's issue goes on sale November 16th but you have a chance (no, THREE chances!) to win your very own advance copy right here! Just leave me a comment and this Friday the 12th I will randomly pick three winners. I have 2 copies of mine to give away and the good folks at Quiltmaker magazine have offered a third copy for another lucky winner! In addition, one of the winners will also receive HALF YARD CUTS OF ALL THE FABRICS FEATURED IN THIS BLOCK! That's enough to make several of these blocks... you may even get a table runner or a wall hanging out of it. :)

Don't forget to leave a way to contact you if you win. An email address or clickable link is sufficient.

***11/13/10 -- CONTEST IS CLOSED! READ BELOW FOR WINNERS!***

Thank you all for the wonderful comments! This was such a fun contest. We have randomly chosen 3 winners. The 1st winner gets the magazine and fabric bundle. The other 2 will get a copy of the magazine.

#20 TaniLove said...

Ok I've probably entered every drawing you've had in the last year and nothing. I love the block and the fabrics, it would be so fun to win since I'm getting ready to embark on trying to make a quilt for my chickies, I'm not so optimistic but I know they will like it no matter what, for a while anyway ;) Would be so nice to learn some techniques and get started with that fabulous fabric!

#202 Quilter Kathy said...

OMG...a new magazine and new fabrics?!? I would think I'd died and gone to heaven! Surely that is what heaven will be! Love the block and expecially love the envelope enclosure on your pillows!

#284 elena said...

Beautiful pillow. Love Flora collection and this color is energizing, great!!!
Would love to win a copy and of course a fabric lot by you :D

Congratulations, ladies! Please email your mailing addresses to info@modkidboutique.com so we can get these prizes to you. Thank you!!

Lucky girls

Believe it or not, I read each and every one of the 533 comments that came in for our Mommy & Me Giveaway. I read them all with a smile on my face. You all truly know how to make a girl blush! I am so lucky to have friends like you and also friends like Erin and Linda to collaborate with. :) And speaking of lucky girls, we used the trusty ol' randomizer to select 3 winners (1 for my crafty bundle and 2 for The Vintage Pearl certificates):

The winner of the crafty bundle, including 1 signed copy of WHERE WOMEN CREATE Issue 7 and 5 yards of Flora & Fauna is...

#375 Deanna said...

SWEET giveaways! I'm a long time follower of your blog and admirer of your fabrics! Erin's blog happens to be another of my fave's! You ladies are so great at what you do! Thanks ;)
dpicka(at)yahoo(dot)com

The 2 winners of a $50.00 gift certificate to THE VINTAGE PEARL are...

#31 Joni said...

ahh pick me pick me!!
Joni celestialtreat (at) hotmail (dot) com!

and

#11 Pontos da Flávia said...

Hi Patty! Such a beautiful giveaway! I love your designs and the pics in your blog are fantastic! flavia(at)web(dot)de

CONGRATS, ladies! Please contact me at info@modkidboutique.com to claim your crafty bundle and contact Erin at thevintagepearl@gmail.com to claim your certificates.

Linda, over at Allegro Fabrics, chose her winner for the custom dress from her comments on her guest book, and the winner is:

Name: Natasha Heimberg
Email: nheimberg@gmail.com
Location: Georgia
Comments: Flora and Fauna Dress Giveaway

CONGRATS to all the winners! And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all!!!

Lastly, since I don't like to write a post without some sort of fun visual, I wanted to share this little video that came across my inbox last week. Francoise Lama Solet is a French children's couture designer extraordinaire. Just like with Erin & Linda, Francoise and I go way back to our old eBay custom boutique days, so was so thrilled when she shared this video of a fashion show she recently participated in. She made a darling set with Flora & Fauna. Check it out... (sorry, I couldn't figure out how to embed the actual video here but that link will take you right to it.) Here's a picture of the outfit...


We still have a few copies of WHERE WOMEN CREATE left on the site, if you want one. All signed copies ordered up to now have officially gone out! Enjoy!!! :)

Winter Blues?

If you follow me on Twitter you're probably sick and tired of hearing me whine about the weather. I'm one of those people who simply cannot wait for the first snow fall. I truly enjoy going out on freshly fallen snow and getting silly with my kids, but that feeling of joy lasts about a week or so and then I get sick of it and want to run screaming in the other direction (which would probably be South). Just look at what I have to look forward to this week...

Brrrrr.... If I still lived in Costa Rica, I'd be looking at this all week...

Ahhhhh... beautiful! Which reminds me, my aunt and uncle, who currently live in Atlanta, GA, flew out to Costa Rica for vacation yesterday. I am green with envy but wish them an amazing time! Some day, some day...

So, how about something to brighten up our days? A few weeks ago, the talented ladies at Sew4Home emailed me a concept board containing about a dozen tutorials they planned to make with Flora & Fauna and I just about fell out of my chair! Not only were the projects gorgeous, as they usually are on their site, but they were just concepts, which means that they were drawn up on the computer using just small JPGs of the fabric designs. I was instantly blown away by the creativity and graphics talent!

Now it is finally here!


Starting today, through the entire month of February and into the first week of March, you can check out these gorgeous kitchen projects (free tutorials!) made with Flora & Fauna over at Sew 4 Home. They're kicking off the show with these Everyday Reversible Placemats...


In case you want to sew along and are planning your fabric purchases ahead, here is a list of the fabrics they will be using for all their upcoming projects. Check out the full list of projects at the bottom of this page.

Wondering where to buy Flora & Fauna? We have a list of national and international retailers on our website... just scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Also, our new MODKID patterns are now in stock! We have them for sale on our website but also strongly encourage you to shop from your favorite online or local retailer. There is a list on the bottom of this page.

And finally, how about some giveaways? Hawthorne Threads is giving away a Hummingbird Quilt pattern, and one of my testers, Carol Plaster, is giving away a MODKID Dress Bags pattern.

Here's wishing you bright and happy days ahead...

Winners, dates, times and other important stuff...

We only have a couple of days to go before we pack up the vehicle and head South to Houston for the Fall International Quilt Market, so you can imagine the craziness around here. Oh, and I may have forgotten to mention that one of those two days will be spent in Chicago (here) celebrating Sydney's 5th birthday, since we will be in Houston on the day of her actual b-day... yah, insane!

Anyway... thank you all SO MUCH for the amazing comments regarding Flora & Fauna. I am blown away by the love! Wish I could reward each & every one of you, but alas we could only pick 2 winners and since that job was much more pressure than I could handle right now, I left it up to the trusty ol' randomizer. There were 445 comments when we closed the contest and the winners are...

**********************
#6
yahaira said...
I fell in love when you posted these on flickr! those bees!!! it's hard to pick a favorite colorway, but stone is definitely up there. I want to make scrappy quilts and little bags out of this line
10:10 AM

#429
princess*picasso said...
Patty, I think I am in love! Your new prints are absolutely gorgeous!!!!! You are amazing. Amie
11:25 AM
**********************

Congratulations, ladies! Please contact me at info@modkidboutique.com at your earliest convenience to claim your prize! :)

OK... now on to some important Quilt Market info...

**********************

FIND ME AT BOOTH # 925

**********************

You are cordially invited to attend a schoolhouse presentation by yours truly, sponsored by Brewer Quilting and Sewing Supplies...

**********************

SCHOOLHOUSE!!!
Topic: MODKID Patterns and Your Next-Gen Sewist
Description: Textile & pattern designer Patty Young will discuss how Modkid Sewing Patterns will increase fabric and pattern sales to the younger sewist. Take advantage of the rising popularity of the garment sewing and hand made movement.
Where: Room #382A
Date & Time: Friday, October 9, 10:40 a.m. - 11:10- a.m.

**********************

Hope to see you all there!!

And since I seem to be physically incapable of posting to my blog without some sort of visual, I leave you with a few more Flora & Fauna sneak peeks. These are some of the items my mom brought with her from Florida... more to show at Quilt Market!

ahhhhh....



mmm....



eeeee....



But what really made me squeal with delight as soon as she pulled it out of her suitcase was this amazing laptop bag that fits my 17" MacBook Pro like a glove and has pockets galore for all my cables & stuff!!!



And it is a perfect match to this adorable selvedge notebook that my friend Val made for me last week (I can't even put into words how happy this makes me!)...



heeeheee... I'm gonna be so matchy-matchy with Jon (and it wasn't even planned!) OH THOSE BEES! Ooops, I'd better hurry up and make something else with those dandelions & luna moths so they don't feel slighted again!

Signing off until Quilt Market! If you follow me on Twitter, you'd better believe I will be tweeting all the way there & back. :)

There's more to life than the birds and the bees!

HA! Made you look! Sooooo.... this past weekend I was having a conversation with my new fabrics (yes, we talk) and it was brought to my attention that in the big Flora & Fauna reveal post, I went on and on about the super cool bees and the gorgeous hummingbirds, and of course, the ever so versatile double border daisies, but I made virtually no mention of some of the other -- just as cool -- designs in the collection. Some feelings were hurt and it was not my intention at all. So, since I'm an equal opportunity fabric lover, I wanted to make it right.

A very important component of Flora & Fauna is this series of Dandelion prints, which, as a matter of fact were the building blocks for the collection, since they were the first drawings I made. We loved them so much that we decided to offer them in a spectrum of colors that can work all the way from nursery layette to women's wear.



Then, as I was doing my research for the winged creatures I wanted to feature in my new collection, I came across the Luna Moth and was completely inspired by it. I loved its interesting shape and vivid color and had such a fun time drawing it and adding my little mod-ish touches to the drawings. I consider my Luna Moth the most "sophisticated" and "grown up" of all my designs and cannot wait to see it in purses, women's tops, flirty skirts and the like.



Then there's the Blossoms. Oh, where do I even begin? These adorable little bunches of flowers were plucked right out of my Hummingbird print and turned out so fun and whimsical that we decided to make them in just about every color combination we could dream up. Just check out my blog background! I am using these everywhere... you'll see!



So, now that you all probably think I've lost my mind (talking to fabric & all) let me just add that I feel so mushy inside just seeing how my family and friends have come together to help make the Flora & Fauna debut our best yet. Seriously, folks, just look at these amazing pieces...

Kristen made the sweetest Frida dress, using fabrics from my Turquoise and Raspberry palettes, and shipped it to me in a flash. Hop on over to her blog where she has promised to give away some fabric if you leave a comment...



Then theres, Val, my little sewing bee friend. She is such a hard worker, she actually makes me look lazy, if you can believe it. She made this Sydney hoodie out of my mustard palette...



Then she made this Ava Halter set from my turquoise palette...



And even surprised me with a mini-version of Ava. Yes, folks, mini-me will be traveling with us to Quilt Market next week. I simply cannot wait to show her off!!!



Heather made a whole new slew of jingle cloth balls. I cannot even pick a favorite! They are all so precious!!!



And my mom has been super hard at work down in Florida on some items that apparently are so amazing she can't even show me a sneak peek. Seriously! I've begged but she wants me to see everything in person... 2 more days! She flies in this Thursday evening. The suspense is KILLING ME!!!

Oh, but don't you even think for one moment that I've been sitting on my butt while I let all these nice ladies do all my work. I've pretty much become one with my sewing machine & serger these past few days.

I made a Kyoko...



And an Isabel. Oh, remember the Double Border Daisies? Well, they also come as all-over daisies just in case you love the design but don't need it as a border. :)



And a Julia, which Sydney was more than happy to test drive for me...



or should I say "test twirl"?



And... drum roll please... I went out of my comfort zone (AGAIN) and made a men's tie for Jon to wear to Quilt Market. Nope, I didn't make it up. I used this tutorial and even though it required more hand-stitching than I'm comfortable with (especially while being so pressed for time) I think it went together without a hitch and turned out FANTASTIC! What do you think?



So, I know you're all wondering who won the contest. I promise to announce the winners this week. My goal is to get these little bundles of goodness out to the lucky winners BEFORE we leave so you all can be the first to have them in hand. When I announce the winners I'll also tell you some important Quilt Market info, like where my booth is located and when my schoolhouse session for Brewer is (yes, freaking out here... more on that soon!)

Introducing ... Flora & Fauna

It's finally here and I'm so friggin' excited about this new collection of mine that I squeal every time I see it!

A couple of months ago I did an interview with True Up in which I shared a bit of a background story on my concept of Flora & Fauna. I said (and I quote) "for this collection I had to go completely out of my comfort zone. I deviated from the structured, linear feel that I am so accustomed to and went with a more free-flowing, organic set of designs. This was my way of proving to myself that I could do something completely different while still staying true to my style."

So here it is, in it's full glory. It was a labor of love... I hope you like it!!











I just LOVE how the four color stories play so harmoniously together just like elements in nature!

I'm sure you all want to see some sewn items, don't you? Of course, I had to do pillows first! I always do pillows first.



Check out the back of my pillows! I used the selvedges as the edges of my envelope backing. Heehee. Oh, I crack myself up so!



I tweeted the other day when I was making these sweet little hexes. Oh, GOSH, I love these bees so much it hurts!!!



My dear friend, Valerie, sewed up this Nina pattern for me in record speed. Doesn't Sydney look so "Mod" and "cosmopolitan" in her Flora & Fauna ensemble? This sweet little 2-piece set will be on display at my booth at Quilt Market and after the show, it will become a store display at Sew Much More.



OH, and I almost forgot! The collection comes with a bonus "double border" design. I am so in love with these! Oh, the possibilities... skirts, dresses, curtains, quilts, pillows. I cannot wait to see what you all make with them. The Double Border Daisies come in all 4 colorways.



So, what do you think of Flora & Fauna? I am so excited that I want to share the wealth. I have a small stack of fat quarters sitting here in my studio just begging for a new loving home. Leave me a comment and I'll pick 2 winners to take these home. It'll be a small assortment of prints, but OH so sweet! Let me know if you have a favorite print or a favorite colorway. Tell me how the collection inspires you, or anything at all. I just want to hear what you think! :)

Biding my time...

If you follow me on Twitter you know that I've been tap, tap, tapping my fingers, twiddling my thumbs and biding my time all this week waiting for the sample yardage of my brand new fabric collection to arrive at my doorstep. Just found out it won't be here today either, so to keep myself from going absolutely nuts, I decided to blog. I figured you wouldn't mind a few sneak peeks...

One of my sweet pattern testers, Anna Garner, from Sweet Dreams Designs, has been sending me test shots of some of my new sewing patterns this week. I love working with Anna because she is fast, thorough and honest (all great qualities to have in a pattern tester, believe me!) Oh, and she just happens to work with some of the best model/photographer teams in the industry, so I always look forward to receiving her photo galleries.

Here's a couple she sent me of my ISABEL pattern. These two photos are courtesy of April of Once in Every Life Photography, www.onceineverylifephotography.com. How cute are these girls? I also love how these photos show that the pattern is perfect for warmer climates, worn on its own, and for cooler climates, layered over stuff (her idea, not mine!) :)





And here is a little sneak of the testing she did for my AVA pattern. This photo is courtesy of Heidi Baird of Elite Event Images, emmasaxton@gmail.com. I just adore it!



These and many more will be making it into the booklet pages of my new patterns, debuting this Fall. Stay tuned!

OK, all this talk of fabric has left me wanting to show you a little sneak peek, so here it is:



This is my largest collection yet... 44 total designs divided into 4 glorious color stories boasting all sorts of winged creatures, colorful flowers and yes, dots, dots, dots! As soon as my fabric gets here and I have the time to shoot it in all it's glory I will do a full reveal, so please keep checking!!