6.29.2014

Summer Giveaway ~ 30's playtime fabric + Berry Basket Pattern



Hello!  The Fat Quarter shop is celebrating its 11th anniversary.  In celebration they are generously donating a F8 set of Moda's 30's playtime fabric from Chloe's Closet. It is the entire set of the prints!  You can find the fabric [here] and see all the beautiful prints.

Since it works so well with my new Berry Basket pattern I will add my new pattern as well!
You can find my new pattern in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!



The give away is open until Thursday July 3rd at 9:00 p.m. pacific standard time.   Please let let me know what you would you would make with the Fat Quarter Shop's anniversary bundle.
Give - away is open to domestic and international commenters!

Good Luck!
xo
Charise

6.27.2014

a few finishes during a crazy, beautiful summer ; )



It has been a wonderful summer so far!  The weather has been beautiful and I've been spending lots of time in the yard gardening.  We even made it to the beach on Wednesday - I love Seattle in the summer!  With the boys out of school, and the distractions of summer, I have not been sewing as much lately.

But there is a bit of Progress ~ I have mailed some bee blocks!  It is so nice to be caught up!  We just started round 2 of the Cocorico - the sewing machine is for Erin and the berry basket is for Melinda.
The dress is for Penny in the Ringo Pie bee.
You can find patterns for the sewing machine and the strawberry basket in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!


I have found some time to create a larger version of my twelve patch pouch - it is made with 3 1/2" squares so it measures a nice and large 8" x 12".    You can find the tutorial for the smaller version [Here]

 I added the small tabs to attach a shoulder strap or wrist strap.
This project is a request from my mom for a smaller bag that she can use to carry her wallet for walks to nearby shopping destinations.

I put together this stack of fabrics while organizing my stash - they just look so yummy and summery! 
I'm thinking a parasol quilt - umbrella blocks similar to one adorning the bag I made for Stitch Magazine last Spring.  Or a simpler half square triangle quilt to show off the beautiful fabrics.


Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise  

6.19.2014

Sponsor news - FQ Shop 11th Anniversary Shipping Sale

The Fat Quarter Shop is celebrating their 11th anniversary with a shipping sale!  Head on over and see the wonderful selection of fabrics!


I love the new line by Bari J for Art Gallery Fabrics.  Wouldn't this print be cute in a summer shell top?

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise


RJR Supreme Solids Winner - RosieGMA!



We have a winner for the RJR Supreme Solids blog hop - RoseGMA who said "I would make a mariner s star table runner....".

Thanks everyone for entering the drawing!

Have a lovely day  : )

xo
Charise

6.12.2014

Berry Basket & Sponsor News



Today I took some time out for fun sewing!  Melinda in the Cocorico Bee asked for Farmer's Market bee blocks.  I re-designed my Berries in a Bowl pattern and put the berries in a basket!  



It was a fun block to make and I used some of my favorite fabrics.

Fabrics used:
Left Berry - Atsuko Matsuyama, Center Berry - Atsuko Matsuyama, Right Berry - Daiwabo Fabric by Ayako Kugimaru, Background fabric - Flower Sugar by Lecien, Berry Basket text - Bake Sale by Lori Holt Riley Blake fabrics.

As luck would have it, Becca at Sew Me a Song carries the Daiwabo and some fruit themed Atsuko Matsuyama Print Fabric!
She is running a flat rate sale on shipping through June 15th.
$ 2.50 US
$ 9.00 Canada
$12.00 Everywhere else 

No minimum purchase required.
No coupon code needed. 


Have a lovely day!


xo 
Charise   

6.05.2014

RJR Supreme Solids Blog Hop & A Give Away! Pinwheel Coaster Tutorial, Too!!!



I am delighted to be a part of the RJR Supreme Solids Blog Hop.



My original design is the quilt pictured made with half square triangles.  The colors graduate from dark to light with the motifs fading at the edge of the quilt.  I used the quilt design as inspiration for a table runner and coordination coasters.    

I think the colors are perfect for summer.  Read through this post and you will find a simple tutorial to make your own set of summer coasters at the end of this post!


RJR Supreme solids cottons are a lovely quality with a beautiful hand and saturated colors.
The colors I used pictured in the pinwheel coasters from Left to Right, Top to Bottom are :

Rio #311, Lemon Chiffon #182, Cornflower #94
Crimson #108, Custard #265, Celeste #102
Background Fabric - French Vanilla #111



Colors used in the table runner:

Background: French Vanilla #111, Center Star - Crimson #108,  Right and Left Stars - Rio #311, Yellow Border stars - Cornflower #94l

RJR Supreme solids can be found at Pink Castle Fabrics [Here]

All the swatches for RJR Solids can be found on their site [Here]

A link to the Facebook page with all the beautiful projects can be found [Here]

RJR is giving away a FQ set of all the solids used in my projects!
Please leave a comment on this post and tell me what you would make with the FQ set of RJR Supreme solids.  Give away is open to US and Canadian residents.
Commenting is open until June 12th, 2014, 9:00 p.m. PST.
Good Luck  : )

Now for the Tutorial!!!

Pinwheel Coasters Tutorial

Supplies (for one coaster):
1 - 4" square background fabric - French Vanilla #111
1 - 4" Square Solid fabric - As listed above
2 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips print fabric
2 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips print fabric
1 - 6 3/4" batting
1 - 6 1/2" square solid or print fabric for backing

Matching Thread
Rotary Cutter and self healing mat
Acrylic ruler

All seams are 1/4"

Step 1

Place the 4" squares of the solid and background fabric right sides together.  Pin in place.

Step 2


Stitch around the perimeter with a 1/4" stitch.

Step 3


Cut the square diagonally, corner to corner creating 4 triangles.
Press seams open.

Step 4


Arrange the pinwheels as shown.  Stitch the top row together.  Press seam open.  Stitch the bottom two rows together.  Press seam open.
Stitch the top row to the bottom row.  Press seam open.

Step 6



Stitch the 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips to the top edges.
Stitch the 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips to the side edges.
Press seams toward the outer edges.

Step 7


Place the finished coaster top on top of the batting square.
Quilt in the ditch along the diagonal pinwheel seams.
Trim to 6 1/2" square.

Step 8

Place the backing square right side to the front pinwheel top.
Stitch around the perimeter leaving a 2 1/2" opening.
Clip corners.  Press seams open.
Turn right side out.
Slip stitch the opening closed.


Stitch in the ditch around the pinwheel square through all layers.

Enjoy!!!



xo
Charise

  












6.01.2014

Sunday Stash

Kei Honeycomb Dots from Sew Me a Song
Happy Sunday everyone!  Thought I would share some of my favorite fabrics this week!

Kei Geo Dot from Sew Me a Song
Sew Me a Song has some beautiful dot from Kei by Yuwa Japan.  Love the Honeycomb Dots and the Geo Dots!


Becca is also carrying Jen Kingswell sewing patterns!  I Love The Gyspy Wife pattern.  Some day, when I have a bit less on my to do list, I'd love to try one of her patterns.

Apparel Fabrics From DryGoods Design.  Left: Ditsy Floral Cotton Floral, Right: Cotton Voile Salmon Pink
I am always in search of apparel fabrics. Luckily I live 15 minutes from DryGoods Design in the lovely Seattle neighborhood of Ballard.  I picked up these two lovely cotton voile fabrics and cannot wait to cut into them!  You don't have to live in Seattle to purchase these fabrics.  Kelli has an online shop with an amazing section of apparel fabrics and quilting cottons!  If you "need" any of the apparel fabrics, don't wait, they sell out fast!  Believe me - a few I wanted are already gone : (

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise