Shelburne Falls Winner

We have a winner!

Andri won the FQ of Shelburne Falls in the Maple colorway from Pink Castle Fabrics!
Andri wrote:

"The bowls are too cute" : )

Thanks Andri - they were fun to make.  I'll be contacting you soon for your email address!

Random Bits

I have been working on the pattern for my "Penelope" bag this week.  I did a first run with some of my favorite Liberty Lifestyle Fabrics. I was pretty happy with the results but decided to make a few changes - one being adding a paper pieced flower of one side.  This is completely optional-  but the pattern for the flower will be included in the Penelope bag pattern. 

Brenda at Pink Castle is having a 20% off sale on everything!  Yes everything!
Use code EVERYTHING20 at checkout!  She has the new Liberty Lifestyle Stile line which I love!

Ok....off to get ready for my 6 year olds birthday party with his friends!!!!

Stitch Magazine Summer '13 & a Give-Away

 

 

I'm happy to share two projects I designed that are featured in Stitch Magazine, Summer 2013.

You will find it on news stands now! 

 The first is my set of Petal Nesting bowls.

Each individual petal and the bottom of the bowl is machine stitched. The individual petals and the base of the bowl are hand stitched together.  It is a great project to take on the go! 

The bowls sit on my work table and are the perfect place to put small sewing notions.

They would also be lovely on a dressing table for displaying your jewelry.

I used Denyse Schmidt's newest Shelburne Falls collection.  I love this collection!

 

The theme of the issue inspired me to design this maxi dress.  I love maxi dresses for summer time because they are so easy to wear - I love to feel dressed up and comfortable at the same time : )  This dress would be equally as lovely without the front ruffle! The flower is removeable and would be a fun embellishment on a hand bag!

In celebration of these projects I am hosting a give-away!  Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics has generously donated a FQ set of the Maple colorway of DS Shelburne Falls.

Please leave a comment below and I will pick a winner on Saturday.  The give-away will be open until Friday 11:59 pm. PST.  Good luck!!!

Fun Bundles at Pink Castle Fabrics!

A quick post to let you know that Brenda at Pink Castle fabrics is extending her Bundle sale! Use the code BUNDLE20 at check out.   Love her word up bundle!!!

Happy Shopping!

xo
Charise

Sunday Stash - Estate Sale Edition

Actually this post should be called - "Sunday stash, I have a great husband, and the loot you can get for $5 at a garage sale!"
Yesterday at almost 5:00 p.m. my hubs called me from a garage sale.  He was enroute to picking up our son at a friends house.  "You have to see this" he said!  "There is a garage of fabric and notions here".  He told the person running the garage sale that I am a seamstress and would be on my way over!
I was shocked......my husband was supporting my habit! We live in a very small house (950 s.f. not including the basement and thank goodness for the basement) and there are boxes of fabric in our closet, in our bedroom and they make their way into the living/dining room (aka "the studio") when I am working on a project which is pretty much daily!  So, the fact that he let me know about the sale and encourage me was so sweet!

Most of the fabrics were very 1970's and not my style, and lots of wools and garment making fabrics.
The boxes were stacked on every wall in her studio which was a 2 car garage.  Needless to say,  I was a bit overwhelmed and looked specifically for cotton fabrics.  I could have spent hours there but they were wrapping up for the day and I had to move quickly.

In a box marked "aprons" I found the three prints above.  I also found about 4 yards of eyelet!  Everything was $1 per pound.

I just happened to have this Suzuko Koseki on my table and I think the trim is smashing with it.  I'll have to try and figure out a project to marry the two.

 

 

 

Not super exciting but very useful tiny pin dot and a fun retro floral.

 

 

I was so happy to find these.  The "Stitch n Patch Quilts" is a 1976 leaflet and has some great quilt patterns.  The "Quilts" booklet is from the 40's!  You have to love the covered button kits for .39 and .40 cents.

All in all I'm proud that I was able to restrain myself : )
I left feeling that I need to use the fabric I have however precious it may seem.    I certainly don't want to have a 2 car garage full when I'm too old to sew : )

xo
Charise

Cream and Sugar

For those of you who read my post yesterday, I think it paid off.  I shared a list in photos of some unfinished projects and it prompted me to get one done!  My "In the Kitchen ~ Creamer and Sugar Bowl" Pattern is complete!  It is the perfect companion to the "Strawberries in a Bowl" Pattern!

I use some of my favorite fabrics for this block.  The aqua creamer print is from Moda's Glamping.  The plaid is an older print from my stash.

The body of the sugar bowl is from Alexander Henry's Farmdale and the fussy cut "France 1952" text print is from Suzuko Koseki. The tablecloth fabric is an older print from Windham - "Country Lane".

On a family note, my youngest celebrated his 6th birthday on Thursday.  He is growing up so fast.
Even his presents were more grown up!  Less toys this year.......and he got a Kindle - I don't even have one!! : )

xo
Charise

A post about finishing....

Ok...I'll have to say I'm writing this post because lately I'm having a really hard time completing some Works in Progress.  I'm hoping this post will give me the push to finish them : )
The first is this creamer that was going to be a part of my strawberrries in a bowl pattern.  But I decided to keep the creamer separate and add a sugar bowl companion to this one instead.  So close......the sugar bowl is hand sketched and ready to draw in the computer!

This handbag was finished last year.  It is the large version of the small gathered versions for Stitch magazine.  Instructions are written, pics taken.....just need to trace the pattern on Illustrator!
I love the combo of the DS Flea Market Fancy and the Melody Miller print!

This is a new WIP - shame on me!  I love my Liberty Lifestyle Fabrics and thought this would be a good design for it.  This is the first version or my "muslin" and I have some changes I want to make but I do like where this is going!

I also want to make it in these fabrics - more beautiful Liberty Lifestyle with some sparkly linen!

And these!

I'm dying to finish this pattern.  It is a block I made for Ayumi in the Ringo Pie Bee last year.  I'm going to do a new version - same jam jars with the addition of some new fruit blocks.

And the pattern for this block is started- I just need an afternoon to make it a reality!

 

BTW - have you seen Ayumi's new book?  It is wonderful.  Hope to make a project from her book soon and share it with you!!!

OK.......Maybe now that I have put it down in print I'll actually finish some of these works in progress! 

 

I'd love to hear about you unfinished projects!  Have I inspired you to finish a few?

Have a great day!

xo

Charise

Pat a Cake & More Pomme Potholders

 

 

I have a pile of projects that I've wanted to check off the "to do" list.  This afternoon I spent some time whittling down the list.  One is my now shrinking list of Bee Blocks.  Yay!!!
Erin in the Cocorico Bee is making a baby quilt!  She asked for Nursery Rhyme Blocks.

I picked Pat a Cake. 

I created the cake and cake stand pattern

the "B" is from Kumiko Fujita's Patchwork Patterns 318.

 

 

I'm working on finishing seven of my Pomme Potholders for various people.  These are in various stages of finish.  These are very easy and fun to make and make great gifts.  You can find the pattern in Stitch Spring 2013.

 

xo

Charise

Sunday Stash

 

It is rainy and cold in Seattle after having 70 degree weather here last weekend!  I'm inside working on projects- one of which is a fun and easy to make garment for Sew News!  It will be in their winter issue 2013 and I can't wait to share it with you! 

I did make a little time to do some shopping at Sew Me a Song.  Becca has some fun new fabrics in the shop.  I love this FQ set from Atelier Akiko by Lecien.  Can't have too many Paris themed fabrics!

 

After searching for my sunglasses last weekend I realized I need to make an eyeglass case.

Added to my to do list!!!

Love this eyeglass print from Riley Blake.

 

 

 

And of couse I can never have enough text prints.

Love this one - Antique receipts from Studio E.

 

  Have a lovely Sunday!

xo

Charise