For the Love of Stash

There seem to be quite a few people who are impressed by (read: make fun of, hahaha) my fabric stash. I love all of the rainbow-ey goodness. And really, when you are trying to get a pot-holder finished there probably won't be a fabric store open when you need it, or there's no time to go to one. I had the top all pieced and needed a fabric to go on the inside. If there had been no stash I couldn't have pulled all of this out in matter of seconds, pow! :

And there it was. The green polka dots auditioned successfully and were given the part. So huzzah! for the mighty stash and pity the unbelievers.

American Sign Language Fabric and a Giveaway

'Tis the season for American Sign Language in fabrics. There is a giveaway going on by Timeless Treasures on the Sew Timeless web-site. They are giving away an entire fat quarter set by Samarra Khaja that includes ASL and Braille designs and a great tote bag. How nice is that. You can learn something extra while you sew with your language fabrics. You can hop over to the Timeless Treasures giveaway to enter too!

Then I remembered that the other night I was looking through a blog that I like by the name of My Aunt June who has new screen printed ASL or Visual Language fabric in rainbow colors that she has designed and is selling. You might take a look as I quite like them.

As I'm talking about alphabets and letters... You can also get free samples of type, or alphabets, from Dover Publications like this one:

Happy Mail!

Just look at all these lovely things! I was lucky to win a few things in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day/Week. There is such generosity in people and I love it. This package especially made my day because up to that point there was going to be great sadness in the land. I also realized I didn't tell you who it was yet, it's the amazing Annissa Ljanta of the Grow Mama Blog. You should check out her blog, there's a wonderful sense of her inner life and bits of calm thrown in with the creativity. She's also got a shop on the New Zealand Felt site/online place that feels a bit like Etsy.

Here's what happened that day:

I had my project all set up to sew (fabric, tools, setting up on the kitchen table, getting the sewing machine out, getting the right thread and scissors, I-have-no-sewing-space-clutter-getting-of-stuff-out, etc.) pressed the foot pedal on the machine. ..... (read as silence). Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened. My dearly hated, I mean loved?, Singer had decided to respond not at all to my attempts to make it sew. It's passive aggressive and was upset that I'd made it sew the day before. Grrar! The thought of taking down all my things and getting zilch done was so sad.

And then I went to get the mail and found this! I parcel all the way from New Zealand! It was filled with this vintagey barkcloth loveliness and an herbal book. Even the stamps are beautiful. There is a headband that is the perfect size for my head, a tissue-package-cover in mustard (one of my favorite colors) and this great lined glasses case. I don't think she even knew I wear glasses! I put my glasses in the picture so you can see how well they go with everything she gave me. I cannot tell you how that one package balanced out my day. "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." For that days sadness there was equal parts happiness, hmm no, there was more than equal parts happiness. It was double happiness because it was shared. Thanks so much!

Sneak Peak Chicken

I've a wonderful friend whose kitchen is über Americana. This mitt's for her. I had planned ahead for the chicken quilting to be visible on the opposite/inside/reversible side. I wasn't sure how it'd turn out but I went for it. And I love him. I call him Ronald. He's a rooster since on this side he looks more manly. I'll post the outside, normal? side soon.

Connecting Threads Giveaway, hurray!

If you 'd like a chance at some amazing prizes you should definitely hop over to It's So Kiki's giveaway from Connecting Threads. I have yet to use their things, but the pictures alone may make you swoon with all the rainbow-ey goodness. While you're at Kiki's take a look around the blog and stay awhile. There are even some free downloadable patterns for you if you don't win.

So that we don't have a post without photos I invite you to a party:

Yay! Don't you fell refreshed and full with finger foods? Oh, good. Happy Sunday to you!

5,4,3,2...Onezees!

These are specially cut pieces of fabric applied to the onezees with iron-on Pellon fusible web, then zig zagg stitched in place. There are pieces of Kokka, Alexander Henry, Kona white and cream and the helicopter print is Ready, Set, Go! by Ann Kelle for Robert Kaufman. The light colored ones are difficult to see. The octopus' friend is a square of white with a "W" on it. The bottom one has a small white rectangle on top of a cream one. I'm not a huge fan of labels for babies and this is one of my favorite ways of covering them up.

p.s. Did you know that "Onesie" is a registered trademark of Gerber?

Things and Things

There are so many things to be done, done, gifted or floating around in my little head. Custom appliqued onesies, Americana oven mitt, Halloween pot holder, Halloween/Valentine apron (yes, it's for both), reversible Valentine/Non-Valentine apron and Vintage army wife inspired apron are all done. Some of them are photographed, some not, and none of them are up here yet. In my other life I'm a photographer so it's a bit sad that this blog is so photo-less right now.

Still in progress, or W.I.P's: quilt top for niece, Valentine/Birthday oven glove, a you-are-a-great-friend all occasion apron for non-girly friend and clutch/pouch for me. Oh, and another quilt for some wonderful friends who've moved. I have misplaced two of my blocks for that top about 6 times. I think I'm officially giving up and making two new ones. It's a quilt collaboration with my super creative cousins. Oh, there's also a shirt in the works. I ripped up one of my all-time favorite shirts in order to draft a new pattern. So far it's going all right. The fabric is the delicious Echo line by Lotta Jansdotter. That material is so silky soft and yet solid feeling. Love it.

Tis the Season to Gift Away

You could win this fancy triangle paper that'll help you make half square triangles and some fabric from the always amazing Fat Quarter Shop. If you'd like to enter just go over to Sewbittersweetdesigns blog and be a follower. If you win would you regift a little? Pretty please?

Pretty Pretty Bobby's

There are some pastel colored lovelies that might want to come and live with you. If you'd like a chance to win them you should visit the ktsewsitall blog. The little birdie is so sweet. Take a walk around her blog, the design and graphics are great.

Soft Cabled Cowlness

This cabled cowl scarf looks soft and ready to dress up any winter outfit. If you also want a chance to win one you should head over to the Prettywit Blog. It's only up for grabs for a few hours more.