Charleston is here!

And it is so pretty! You know how much I love Pineapples... (all the heart eyes) come get some Charleston... or add it to your clearance sale order. If you have already ordered and I haven't shipped yet you can order Charleston and I will refund any shipping overcharges.

Picture by Amy Sinibaldi used by permission

Picture by Amy Sinibaldi used by permission

Picture by Amy Sinibaldi used by permission

Fabulous Fabric Friday!

Hi Everyone,

We are giving away this fun bundle of fabric from Artisan by Pat Bravo over on Maureen's blog today. You should head on over and check it out. By the way if you want to know the colors of the solids left to right Turmeric, Dried Carrot, and Cozumel Blue.

Artisan just came in and it is really pretty... can't wait to see all of the fun fall quilts that come out of it... I just happen to know Maureen is working on something extra special with it right now.

As Advertised... a little Jungle Ave and Aurifil

adds up to this....

You can kinda see the cute split neckline... if I get brave I might take a selfie so you can see how great it fits :) but... only maybe. Aurifil 4093 matches nicely. I am having fun with designing my own clothes. I patterned this and made it to fit my measurements and it is so nice to have something that fits and doesn't just kinda fit. Quilt Market here we come!

Hello my name is Julie and ...

it has been a while since I sat down to blog just because I wanted to. Weeellll, that isn't completely true. I mean no one makes me do anything I don't want to do. So every time I blog it is because I want to on some level :) And we do have some new fabric in ... but... Do you all mind if I talk about something other than sewing for a minute? I didn't think you would ... at least if I don't make a habit out of it :)

At the beginning of the year I told you what my "Phrase for the year" was... 'cause I couldn't pick just one word. It is "Live What You Love". So the blog has been a little quiet while I worked on doing just that. I had three commitments for sewing up to that point that I still needed to finish. I am down to the last one and it is a small project for someone I love so it isn't a burden. I feel liberated... finally I am going to do a bit of selfish sewing for the first time since I opened the shop... 3 yrs can you believe it? I have also discovered (or rediscovered) a love of knitting. This is my latest obsession newly started:

It is a pattern called Spindleberry and if you are on Ravelry you can get it for free until the end of the month. I adore this pinky red, orangy, purple yarn hehe. It is super soft. The Color is called Sangria and it is made by Abstract Yarns ... it is called Mighty Sock LOL A mix of Superwash Merino and Tencel fibers. It is a little shiny and stretchy and, like I said, soft :)

Here is a picture of the first full size shawl I have made... it still needed another 10 rows or so when I took the picture (but it is finished now) and it is all piled up but I love how squishy it is:

Hmmm wonder what it says that the two yarns out of the (uh hmmm) ton of yarn I have bought this month that I chose to use first are both a shade of red :)

Now on to the usual programming... We do have some new gorgeous fabric in...

Ed Emberley's Picture Pie by Cloud9 I mean really... how could I resist those foxes and raccoons?

And Meadow by Leah Duncan for Art Gallery It is no secret that Leach Duncan is one of my favorite surface designers I love her style. It is hard to choose a favorite but I think it is probably the floral third one down on the left... I need a summer top out of that. Yay selfish sewing!

We have also decided to re-open Gypsy Wife for a second cutting so if you missed out on the first one you can get in on this one.

I hope you have the Loveliest of Weekends! I have a yarn show to go to... oh the obsession :)

Happy Monday!

Hi Everyone,

It's Monday woohoo! Another wonderful week to start something, or finish something, or dream about something new.  I started a new little project yesterday but it is a gift and if I show it she will know it is for her so I can't reveal until the first week in March.

I just realized this morning that I hadn't shared some of the new things that came into the shop. The first one is near and dear to my heart because it is our charity product for this first quarter of the year. I was offered an opportunity to buy some of this adorable fabric from Windham designed by Heather Ross called Crafty Chloe:

We only have a few yards and I am selling it only in bundles but if you buy a bundle all of the proceeds will go to one of the two charities that we support. Either the Share Your Lunch program at Second Harvest Food Bank or Harbor House at Heartline Ministries in Haiti.

Here is Sweet as Honey from Bonnie Christine and Art Gallery. I adore the bees and hives and of course the precious florals that Bonnie does.

And something I have been anticipating... I have to make myself a bag with these Dragonflies... Koi Organic Canvas from Rashida Coleman-Hale and Cloud9

Here is what surprised me... I expected it to feel like all of the other canvas... like Glimma Canvas or even the Japanese canvas but as usual I was shocked and pleased by Cloud9 this has a much softer hand and it is oh so nice to work with.

Botanics, True Colors by Heather Bailey, and Rapture

Wow, I feel like I have a lot to say lately :)

Botanics is here. We have all of the prints in stock.  We also have all of the matching Kona colors (we added 11 yesterday) You can order fat quarters or half yards.... we also restocked the text prints in black and navy from Architextures.

Heather Bailey's True Colors matches Lottie Da... gosh I love those tangerines....

If you are in the middle of a winter storm maybe Rapture can warm you up... I adore these Summery colors .

Happy Monday! Minimalista and Fun & Games are here.

Hi Everyone,

The last week has been crazy. Pacific International Quilt Festival was happening here just 10 minutes from the shop and we had tons of people come over to check us out, which was great! We also got in these two super fun collections:

Minimalista by Art Gallery Fabrics

Fun & Games by Lori Whitlock for Riley Blake

We have a whirlwind week this week with Market happening next weekend. I am leaving Thursday morning so it is full speed ahead for the next three days. Hope you have a super week.

You will see me again soon... lots of things to talk about this week :)

Friday Fun Day - An Interview with Angela Walters and a Giveaway

Hi Everyone,

 I am not going to say "I want to introduce you to Angela Walters", I am sure you already know who she is: Fabulous Long Arm Quilter to the Stars, Quilting Book Author, and Fabric Designer for Art Gallery Fabrics.  Maybe, we can learn a little something new about her today though....

Angela has a new fabric collection coming out in September called Legacy.

Look at these gorgeous prints:

  

Ms. Angela has graciously offered to let us interview her...

IT:  It was so wonderful to be able to attend Art Gallery's Schoolhouse at Spring Market. I was inspired by your story of the inspiration behind Legacy. Can you share that with our readers?

AW: My grandpa played a huge role in my life by showing me how to make quilts and encouraging me in everything that I did. I wanted to pay tribute to him in some way, so I named the collection Legacy in honor of him. Even though he is no longer with me, his Legacy continues.

IT: How long have you been working with Art Gallery Fabrics? How did that partnership come about?

AW: I have been with Art Gallery Fabrics for almost a year, my first collection was announced at Fall Quilt Market last year. I was introduced to Pat, the art director and founder, by a mutual friend. They have been great to work with and have really helped me develop as a fabric designer.

IT: Your books are a huge hit in our shop. Is there anything that surprised you about the process of writing a book? What is your favorite part about being a quilting author?

AW: The thing that surprised me the most was how much I loved the process. I never thought I would like writing as much as I do, so that was a pleasant surprise! My favorite part about being an author is the fact that I not only get to quilt, but I get to talk about quilting! It really doesn't get much better than that for me!!

IT:  Do you have any advice for aspiring fabric designers? 

AW: The biggest piece of advice that I would give is to stick with it. It took me awhile to get my first collection picked up, and I almost quit several times. It can be hard to get rejected, but don't let that stop you. Keep putting yourself out there!

IT: My friend Jennifer had such a wonderful time meeting you and getting some personal advice on quilting at Market. What is one thing that you think aspiring Long Arm Quilters should do to improve their skills?

AW: When I started quilting, I would practice drawing out the designs all the time. It allowed my brain to figure out how the design flowed so when I was able to get to my quilting machine, I already felt comfortable with it.

Here are our favorite fun questions:

IT:  If you could meet anyone from any time in history who would you pick?

AW: Mark Twain......I would sit on his front porch and have him tell me stories. 

IT:  Slippers or barefoot?

AW: Socks! All the time. My feet are always cold so I am hardly ever barefooted!

IT:  If you were a Superhero what would be your super power?

AW: The ability to produce a latte out of thin air.....think of how much I could get done then!

IT:  What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

AW: Pick your battles. I have reminded myself of that piece of advice in all areas of my life; marriage, parenting and even quilting. I try not to get worked up over the little stuff.

IT:  If Legacy had a theme song what would it be?

AW: I guess it would have to be Legacy by Nichole Nordeman. It talks about wanting to leave a legacy, and remembering the important things in life. I feel like Grandpa did just that, I hope to be able to do the same!

Thank you so much for being our guest today, Angela!

Angela and Art Gallery Fabrics have graciously offered to sponsor our Giveaway today. One lucky person will win 2 one yard cuts of fabric from Angela's new collection, Legacy. 

oooh fun!

To be entered in the drawing please leave a comment here telling us your favorite print from Legacy. You can find pictures and names of the whole collection here on Art Gallery's Website:

The Giveaway is open until Midnight next Friday night 8/30/13

Please remember to leave a way for us to contact you if you are a no reply blogger.