Thanksgivingaway

I'm feeling thankful about so many things right now -- great friends, a wonderful family and an incredible support system (that's you guys!) -- that I felt it was time to give something back! My sample sewers have donated some amazing items sewn with Andalucia and I have thrown in a few goodies of my own. Check out this sweet gift package, which I am calling "Mommy & Me," because I think it would be great for a baby shower or a girl's 1st birthday or as a sweet Christmas gift, but there are still some things in it that any mommy would enjoy...



Clockwise from top left: Fabric Jingle Ball by thepolkadotototspot, Patchwork Boo-Blankie by Bug-A-Boo Baby, Luxe Bib by Bug-A-Boo Baby, Elephant stuffie by gocksfrocks, Assorted ModGreetings cards and bookmarks, Four 1-yard cuts of Andalucia ribbon

OK, here's the deal: Sophie is about to turn 7 (SEVEN! OMG!) and she has opted to have a small celebration at home instead of a big party with her whole classroom. See, she's been jonesing for a Nintendo DS with a bunch of games so she has traded the big party for it. The plan is to have some relatives over to the house for cake & presents then she'll have a sleepover with a couple of her closest friends.

So here's where you come in: I want to make this a special day for her, even if we're not throwing the BIG PARTY we're used to around here. Can you guys give me suggestions of something fun I can do at the house that night? I'm looking for cool slumber party games/ideas. Also, some unusual decoration ideas for her room or the house. Even food ideas are welcome! Have you thrown a similar party recently? Or read about one? Feel free to post links! :)

I am giving away this HUGE gift basket of Andalucia sewn goodies in exchange for your ideas! Sophie's birthday is on December 3rd. I will randomly pick a winner on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th.

Go...

Market Prep, Part 8.
Quilts, Quilts, QUILTS!



First of all, thanks so much for all your help in deciding which 2 of the 4 dresses to bring to Quilt Market and which 2 to send to the L.A. Textile Show. The race was close at first but by the end, the winners were pretty clear. I am bringing .... drum roll, please ... #1 and #3 with me to Houston and #2 and #4 are already boxed up and on their way to MMF. Phew! Glad that part's over!

But now onto something that I have been waiting for just as long as you all have... THE QUILTS! I had the absolute pleasure of working with 2 very talented quilters that were not just amazingly creative but also fun, easy going and professional to the max.



Elizabeth Cramer created this amazing quilt you see up there and to the left. It features a Mod Blooms design on the left side and a Flora design on the right. The appliques are done "rag style" so it is super soft and cozy. This quilt is HUGE... it measures 70" wide by 100" high so it would be big enough to cover a child's bed or just to hang on the wall as artwork. Elizabeth will be offering the pattern for this quilt at my booth at Quilt Market, so if you will be attending, please stop by and check out this fabulous quilt and maybe get yourself a pattern. And before I forget, go check out Elizabeth's blog where she has documented the whole quilting process from the minute she received the fabric, through making a "practice quilt", which, by the way, she is giving away to a lucky winner!

Next up, I had the pleasure of meeting Marcea Owen at the Spring Quilt Market in Portland and we connected soon after to talk about quilts, quilts quilts! She is one part of the dynamic duo they call Abbey Lane Quilts, based in my old stomping grounds, Central Florida. Janice, her partner in crime, is one talented lady for I hear she pieced and quilted this Earth quilt all by herself. Isn't this AMAZING!



This quilt features one of my favorite prints... Birdie Damask and it is complemented so nicely by Moorish Tile, Jester and Tiny Flower. I just adore looking at it and can't even imagine how long it would take to piece something like this together... my head spins just thinking about it!



Marcea and Janice also created the most darling lap quilt which they've nicknamed, MISS MOLLY. This sweet little quilt, measuring at 44" x 56", features the Mod Blooms design. While the background was done in a traditional quilting method, the flowers and leaves were put on with a method called raw edge applique. Oh, and check out this close up... I absolutely adore that the quilting is in shapes of miniature "mod blooms"... how clever! (click on the picture to super-size it and check out the quilting on it!)

Abbey Lane Quilts will also be selling the patterns for both these quilts at Quilt Market next week. The quilts will display at my booth, so please come by to check them out! Also, check out Abbey Lane's blog where they have also been documenting the quilting process all along.

I am so lucky to have paired up with these amazingly talented ladies! Thanks so much, Elizabeth, Marcea and Janice. See you all next week!

Market Prep, Part 7.
Girls' Clothing

You guys were such big help last time I asked you for advice that I've decided to use your expertise once again... hope you don't mind. OK, so I was going to make 2 outfits to display on my brand new dress forms, Sara & Walleena, but then Michael Miller asked me to make 2 extra outfits for them to take to the L.A. Textile Show (which just happens to overlap Quilt Market by a day or so).

So, here's my dilemma: I've made my 4 outfits (as a matter of fact I just finished the last one about a half-hour ago, took pictures, edited them and now I'm here blogging away!), but I just cannot decide which 2 to keep for my booth in Houston and which 2 to send to MMF for their L.A. show.

Can you guys help me decide? Here are the choices:

1. Jumper-style A-line dress with Mod Blooms appliques on the front skirt panel:



2. Euro jumper showcasing Flora in Petal colorway with a full underdress of Tiny Dots in Paprika:



3. Long sleeve tunic-style dress with a fully-lined hood, contrast sleeve cuffs, stripwork skirt and a Flora applique on the chest:



4. Peasant-style tiered twirl dress with shirring on sleeves & neckline and a removable & reversible gathered apron:



I'd appreciate any suggestions. I just can't decide on my own cause I've been stuck in my basement like a hermit sewing for days and my brain is mush!

OH, and the pictures of quilts are coming SOON! Just waiting on the 3rd one to make it's appearance in my inbox, but in the meantime, go check out Elizabeth Cranmer's AMAZING Quilt Giveaway (hint: this is what her Andalucia quilt will look like, but in Andalucia fabrics, of course! LOL!)