Gathering and a WIP

WOW what a week! Sophia is finally over her croup (thank goodness) There is a terrible feeling that goes through a mother when you can't' fix your child. Being that she is not quite 2 years old, there are no medications to give her just lots of love and attention.

This week I met a few of my online blogger friends Sarah, Heather, and Kerri to get together at the new Modern Domestic building over in Portland. A brand new building set up with everything you need to spend time together and sew, cut, or even relax on a comfy couch while you hand quilt, just bring a project. I finally got to meet Kerri from the Seattle area (kinda), who I purchase fabric from frequently, and her shop was also the inspiration for my next quilt. I have been collecting Aqua, and gray fabrics for this one, and although some of these will not make it into the quilt, I just wanted to gather and decide when I'm done.

I also decided that this quilt will be for me. I have sewn for 15 years and have never really sewn anything for myself. (sad huh) I will be taking on a new venture in embroidery for this one as well, I purchased my first hoop this weekend and hope that it comes along as smoothly as everything else has so far. (wish me luck) I will defintly post photos of progress.

Here is me and heather with our NEW orla tablecloth.

Arn't we SEW cute

I have also been warned by miss Heather, that if I ever brought something from the shop to work on she would 86 me from the guild (ha ha kidding of course)

So I have taken on a quilt that a friend of mine is writing, I am testing out the pattern to see how it flows, and so far it's been fun. I am not quite sure how much I am allowed to spill before it's released so I think I will leave you with this yummy photo of by progress so far (I'm still cutting it out ;)

Besides staying busy with the shop as usual, I have taken on a few new projects now that the little one is feeling better. Spring break was an eye opener for some great things to come. After the shop is caught up (very soon) I have a new tutorial for you all (Yay)

What did you work on this week?

Connecting more personally

Hello all my Sew-Fantastic friends. I wanted to share something with you that I have been on the fence about for the last few weeks. My favorite part about blogging is comments and advice from others, feeling that genuine connection that sparks something creative.

My favorite things about the shop are the stories I hear about how the gift I made for their friend or family member was a huge hit, and that they love it. Return customers are awesome, it really gives me the satisfaction that they genuinely loved my product.

So this morning I set up a Face book fan page. After much consideration and inspiration from my coop friends, I went for it. I would like to invite everyone to come on over and become a fan of Sew-Fantastic. This will give me the chance to meet my customers, readers, and friends and also to interact with all of them and you. I hope this page gives me the chance to get a little more personal with the people who make everything I do possible. This will also now be the place that I give shop updates and sale promotions. FB Fans will get the inside scoop before the public every time.

Thanks again everyone stop by and see us by clicking here

For those of you who had asked I also twitter here and flicker here

Sunday Stash :: Buttons

Sunday Stash, originally uploaded by sewfantastic2009.

Nothing makes me smile more than seeing all this color. I have a fascination for buttons as you all might already know from my shop. I think they bring something unique to my crafts, and I just love the character of each one.

I have found myself creating more and more uses for buttons or some kind of embellishments in each project.
I recently found a few new places to get my buttons on etsy , both of them are wonderfully friendly and my service was quick as well. I am looking forward to another order with them after I get through this box of goodies.

If your interested in a great source for buttons check out these etsy sellers. You will not be disappointed. They welcome custom orders as well

LittleRedCottage

Mr Button

Kona Winner and the selvage Queen

Kona winners for contest, originally uploaded by sewfantastic2009.

Thank you everyone who stopped by to leave me comments about what this beautiful stack of kona inspired you to make. Personally what I do with this is not very productive. I am one of those quilters that buys a stack to sit and look pretty in my sewing room, and then another to actually use if I really needed it in the first place.

We had 531 comments WOWZA!!

That is wonderful, I also see quite a few new reader faces, welcome everyone to my sew-fantastic life.

Ok let's cut to the chase!

 

Here is your Winner::

Number 161 was:: Christine

Congratulation Christine please email me at sewfantasticblog@yahoo.com with your address and I will mail this lovely stack of goodies your way.

This stack was double checked for yumminess by Sophie the Selvage Queen! :)

Much more goodies to share very soon, I am SEW-EXCITED!!

Charity works wonders.

 originally uploaded by sewfantastic2009.

We all got to meet a wonderful lady last week, who is not only a cancer survivor, but someone who lives her life in the hopes of finding a cure for cervical cancer. A pretty well known company named 2 Red Hens, had the luck to buy up hundreds of yards of this beautiful Flea market fancy stash.

She sold off yards and yards of this fabric to help her efforts in raising money that is 100% donated to families and research of cervical cancer. I just wanted to take this time after receiving my package, to thank Lori in all of her efforts to continue the fight against cervical cancer. Also to thank her of course for the beautiful fabrics.

Please visit her website at http://www.2redhens.com/ to find out more about her fight, and to purchase her lovely products for the trendy mom and baby both. There are also still a few smaller pieces left in her etsy shop if you want some of these goodies as well. Check it out here.

Success!! After all that

So after the pain and anguish I went through for weeks, making block after block, falling in love all over again with each one. Then at the end,...... DISASTER!

This Pillow swap has defintly been challenging for me just trying to fit it in my schedule, and then this!!!

The linen idea did kick my butt a little. I have not given up though mind you, I have just put it aside until my frustration goes away. Sometimes you just have to do that you know.

So I kept everything else the exact same, only changing the linen to a Kona cotton in Ash Gray.

Since this pillow swap was on a time crunch it was crucial that I figured out something quick. I also had a last minute decision to add some buttons to the pillow for a little pizzazz. I liked how it turned out, and even in all my randomness the pillow still seemed a little planned out.

I hope to run to the store for another piece of Kona to add to the back and then put it in the mail that same day.

Wish me Luck, that it all works out!

THE BIG REVEAL!!!

Giveaway time:: Kona® Cotton Color wheel

Today I get to share my greatest love. My love for color, Kona color that is.

When I first became a quilter 15 years ago, I never used solids. If I needed something to fill where a solid should be, I would use a small print or blender instead.

Now I must say that I couldnt fathom using a blender now. Back then blenders were harder to come by, and as soon as I was over my habit they seemed to have them everywhere.

I have a Giant pack of beautiful Kona® Fat Quarters in the 25 most popular prints.

Colors included are::

Colors included in the Pack:

Honey Dew, Sour Apple, Amethyst, Purple, Butter, Gold, Cornflower, Deep Blue, Carnation, Bright Pink, Maize, Corn Yellow, Robing Egg, Lagoon, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Rich Red, Tomato, Windsor, Tangerine, Earth, Jungle, Mulberry, Charcoal (or Coal) & Teal Blue

I am sure that there is someone out there who would make this beautiful pack of color a great home. Maybe add it to a quilt, or a  table runner. Whatever you think you would do with it leave me a comment about it and you just might be the winner.

you can buy it here, or Here is how you can win.

1 entry each comment for the following.

Tell me what you would do with this yummy stack

Follow my Sew-Fantastic Blog

Blog about this giveaway

Tweet or F/B this giveaway

That's it folks. And don't worry if your not a sewer, If you win I will gladly change the prize to a 25.00 gift certificate to my shop

I will choose the winner by random.org so please leave a comment for each task that you do. Items that are all in one comment will only count as one entry. I will choose a winner on Sunday March 14th.

Good Luck everyone.

I feel like I could cry!

I'm gonna cry!, originally uploaded by sewfantastic2009.

I am sure you are wondering what this is. This my fellow blogging friends, is my newest most treasured item. Today my little Sophia had her first day of preschool. This is what she made me with blue paint and cotton balls.

I promised myself this was good for her, she was ready, and that I could handle it. Of course after leaving her there, I felt guilty, sad, worried, and I missed her like crazy. I expected to get some much needed sewing done but that didn't happen either. Instead I spent every hour on the phone making sure she was ok.

She didn't cry, she didn't fuss, in fact she was so into what was surrounding her I didn't even get a hug. As I started to turn around she looked up at me and blew me a kiss saying "bye momma".

As hard as it may be for both me and dad, this is good for her, she is ready to learn and experience friendly relationships, interact with other children, and let her little brain soak up all the learning she can. She got her new toddler bed last week and is doing perfect. She also started potty training, and now drinks from a cup without a lid on it. ACK!

She went from my little baby girl, to my BIG girl in a matter of days. Her overall persona has changed just since introducing the "BIG GIRL" Type stuff.

As I look at this picture that she made for me at school today I have emotions that even I cannot comprehend. I am happy, proud, and feeling like I could cry all at the same time. Does it ever get easy to let your kids grow up.