FO: Emma's Garden Datura

You wouldn't know (because there is little photographic evidence), but this is my third Datura blouse.
It took Patty asking me to make one from her new Emma's Garden fabric line (for Michael Miller) to get some pictures. There's no good excuse, because the pattern is lovely and wearable. But truth be told, this version may be my favorite.

I love the colors Patty used in this line, and I had trouble choosing two prints that I loved best. I thought Patty's bold colors and graphic elements would work well for garments, and Hilary made this beautiful dress for the tour as well.

So, a few thoughts on the Datura:
On all three versions I've made, I sewed up the back button panel, so that it's just a decorative element.

But I do love the buttons, from my grandmother's stash!
I didn't do a collar on this one, and it's such a a nice, simple look.

I also LOVE this ribbon I found in my grandmother's stash, which I used to finish the hem.

If you'd like to make your own Datura blouse, or something similar, Patty is sharing a little free fabric today!

You can win 2 yards of your favorite prints (two one-yard cuts, or one two-yard cut)!

Just leave a comment (only one!), and tell us your favorite ice cream flavor.
You can also tell us which print (or prints) you would pick! The link to the prints is here.
As always, if you are a no-reply commenter, please leave an email address for me to contact you! I'll pick a winner on Tuesday!

I'm near the end of the blog tour, but you should check out the other posts! You can still enter giveaways on some of them!

8/7 - Michael Miller's website  www.makingitfun.blogspot.com

8/8 - Hilary - youngtexanmama

8/9 - Karri - karriofberries

8/10 - Felice - sewscatterbrained

8/11 - Sally - sallysangelworks

8/12 - Liz - www.fatchickquilts

8/13 - Julia - starsandsunshine

8/14 - Jacey - jaceycraft.blogspot

8/15 - Sophie of C'est LaVie - lescrapdesoph

8/16 - Pam - pamquiltaholic

8/17 - Patty  beckandlundy

Thank you again, Patty, for inviting me to be a part of your party!

Comments are now closed.

RJR solids

I'm so excited to share these pillows with you. Are you familiar with RJR Cotton Supreme Solids ? Thanks to Brenda and the RJR team, I was able to try them out, and I found them to be an excellent line of solids.

The range of colors is immense, and the fabric has a lovely hand.

I felt a little overwhelmed when I was choosing colors, but I decided to go outside of my comfort zone. I started with Night-290 (which is less purple than the link), and promptly added Flamingo-338, Seafoam Green-301, Just Peachy-278, Cove-294, Denim-106, Arabian Nights-160, and Cinnamon-196.

I was in the mood for some half-square triangles (I used my favorite method. Using the leftover strips I cut to make the HSTs, I made a second simple pillow, which allowed for some free-motion quilting practice.

I really love how these pillows turned out, and they've made a nice addition to our bedroom window seat!

And we have a little giveaway, thanks to RJR Fabrics! You can win a fat quarter bundle of the eight solids I chose.

Just leave a comment here
(and please make sure you leave an email address, if you are a no-reply commenter!) and tell me about your current patchwork obsession. I've been wanting to make a lone star quilt for about a year now; maybe someday soon!

I'll pick a winner Monday morning.
Thanks for entering!

And if you're on facebook, check out this page, where you can easily follow along with the blog hop. There are lots of fun projects being made with the Supreme Solids!

Comments are now closed. Thanks!

FO: Long Addition

I'm sure by now, you've heard about the new Sun Print and Clover Sunshine fabric lines, by the fabulous Alison Glass of Andover. There have been some amazing projects made as part of the release (see links below!).

I was thrilled when Alison asked me to participate in her blog event. I love her style, and her sense of color. She is an amazing artist and has such a warm heart.

Alison sent me several fat quarters to work with, and I dug through my solid stash to find a fun pairing. I landed on a Pink Chalk Fabrics solids bundle, called Hot Summer Nights. It included a variety of bold pinks, oranges, and some purple and brown. I thought it worked perfectly with Alison's palette!

And truth be told, I am in love with this quilt.
I used Jeni's Arithmetic pattern, and made the throw size (dimensions: 64" x 76").

I completely love the colors, and a plus quilt is always a happy choice. This is my first full plus quilt, but I made a few pillows previously.

I quilted it in what I call "loopy squares". There is probably a more official name for this type of quilting.

I backed it in one of my favorite Sun Print fabrics (purchased from Stash Fabrics!), the magenta feathers!

Alison is having a huge giveaway, as part of the release, with a prize of 74 fat quarters!

Click here to enter over on her blog! I am at the caboose of her blog event this week! Please check out the previous posts below!

Group 1 - Feathers, Text, Party Streamer

8.19.13 - Olivia Jane Handcrafted

8.21.13 - One Shabby Chick

8.23.13 - Silly Mama Quilts

8.26.13 - Threadbias

8.28.13 - KD Quilts

8.30.13 - April Rhodes

Group 2 - Feathers Quilt Pattern

9.2.13 - The ADD Crafter

9.4.13 - Sew Sweetness

9.6.13 - I'm A Ginger Monkey

9.9.13 - Ellison Lane Quilts

9.11.13 - Olivia Jane Handcrafted

9.13.13 - Imagine Gnats

Group 3 - Clover Sunshine

9.16.13 - Crafty Fox

9.18.13 - One Girl Circus

9.20.13 - Sew Sweetness

9.23.13 - There and Back

9.25.13 - J.M.B.

9.27.13 - Modern Maven

Group 4 - Corsage, Bike Path, X & +

9.30.13 - 

Gen X Quilters

10.2.13 - 

Don't Call Me Betsy

10.4.13 - 

Canoe Ridge Creations

10.7.13 - 

Jacey Craft

10.9.13 - 

Bijou Lovely 

10.11.13 - Fresh Lemons Quilts

In addition to the big giveaway over on Alison's blog, by leaving a comment here, you can win a copy of her new pattern, Color Plus!

One winner will get a copy of this new pattern PLUS a set of ten fat quarters from Alison, similar to this pairing!

To enter, just leave one comment, and tell me about your favorite print from Alison's new lines!

Please make sure I have a way to contact you!
I will pick one winner on Thursday!

And please, go enter Alison's big giveaway!

Thanks, Alison, for letting me be a part of this!

Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering. I will select a winner in the morning.

FO: Snap Tote

Do you know Yahaira?
After a few interactions on flickr, I have gotten to know her on Instagram.
She recently put out a call for pattern testers, and I jumped at the chance. The pattern is her just-released Snap Tote (pattern available here on Craftsy).

And I love it.
I cut this bag out to take on the Wisconsin retreat, and was able to finish it (except for snaps!) very quickly. Jeni was kind of enough to model it for me.
I used a fun vintage-y combination of fabrics, with the lovely Melody Miller flowers, some Architextures lining and Essex Linen.

I omitted the side pocket, but that gusset pocket is my favorite part of the bag.
I will probably make two on the next bag (and yes, there will be another one). I added snaps to it last week, after purchasing a cheap tool at Joanns.

If you'd like to make your own version of this bag, I highly recommend the pattern.
And I have one free copy to giveaway! It is a pdf version, so leave ONE comment to enter!
Tell me what summer treat you are craving today!
Me? I am craving a snow cone, coconut flavored.
Please make sure I can contact you to send your pattern!
I'll pick a winner Wednesday.
Thanks to Yahaira for the chance to test the Snap Tote!

Comments are now closed. Thank you!

I come bearing gifts (or one gift, anyway)

It's true that absence can indicate productivity, at least in blogging. I haven't been here, but I have been busy trying to make ALL THE THINGS.

Today, I'll dip my toes back into the water with two projects and one little giveaway.

This stack of fabric is slowly morphing into a Meow quilt. When Aneela started sharing this pattern on instagram, I just had to make one.

Here are the first four blocks. I've actually made four more since this picture was taken, so I'm halfway there. The blocks come together quickly, and they are large, so only sixteen are needed for a top.

I also recently finished two drawstring bags, using Jeni's pattern. I made a pile of them when I participated in a local craft show last fall.
The pattern is fun and easy, and makes a great gift. There are eight sizes included in the pattern, and you can make custom sizes with a little math!

Jeni recently published paper copies of her patterns, and she offered a copy of the Lined Drawstring Bag pattern to one of you! So, just leave ONE comment (and PLEASE leave a way to contact you if you are a No-Reply Commenter), and I will choose a winner Friday morning (CST).

If you like, tell me: What's your favorite smell of summer?

I'll be back soon to share pictures from the retreat I just took!

ETA: Comments are now closed.

Musings on Micro Mod

I am so happy to be part of this Micro Mod blog event. I admire Alexia Abegg and Rob Bancroft for their partnership. Not only are they married, but they work together, and that's a difficult thing! You may not know this, but Elliott and I met as coworkers.
I couldn't help but think of him when I started writing this post today. On Monday, we will celebrate our first wedding anniversary!

I had several thoughts on what I'd like to make first with my Micro Mod prints. I traded with a guild mate for a few half yards recently, so this was a perfect excuse to cut into them.

Then I bought Ayumi's book, Patchwork, Please and landed on a plan.

I made the Polka-Dot-Cafe Apron, using two Micro Mod prints (tick tock and Vertigo) along with several Kona solids (Cactus, Berry, Crocus) and Essex Linen in Grey.

I just love how the colors pop in this design!

Yep, it's a winner! I didn't mean to do it, but my outfit was color-coordinated with the apron yesterday!

Feel free to join the Micro Mod flickr group over here with any projects you make! And be sure to check out the other blogs in this event!
April 2 - Alexia & Rob Green Bee
April 3 - Kelly at Kelbysews
April 5 - Amanda at the Craft Junky
April 6 - Rachael at Imagine Gnats
April 8 - Heather at alamode
April 10 - Holly at Bijou lovely
April 13 - Alexia, Michelle & Rob Green Bee
April 17 - Faith at Fresh Lemons
April 18 - Katie at Swim Bike Quilt
April 19 - Deborah at Whipstitch
April 24 - Jenny at the Southern Institute
April 25 - Amy from sukie don't ya know
April 26 - Jen from Betty Crocker Ass
April 27 - Sara from Sew Sweetness
April 28 - Krista at Krista Withers Quilting
April 29 - Katy from I'm a Ginger Monkey
April 30 - Amber from One Shabby Chick
and on May 1 - Alexia & Rob Green Bee GRAND PRIZE

What's the grand prize, you ask?

Oh, you know. Just: A fat quarter stack of microMod by Rob Bancroft from Cloud9 fabrics, the entire Green Bee Patterns collection, a microMod sewing bag, and a Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine! (Grand prize open to contiguous US residents only.)

So definitely, drop by on May 1st for that goodness!

But for now, I have a little giveaway, too!
Alexia and Rob were kind enough to offer a Fat Quarter bundle of Micro Mod and a Green Bee pattern!

I chose the Amelia dress, since I am planning to make one soon!

To enter, just leave a comment (only one, please!) telling me your current favorite patchwork.
My eternal favorite is wonky stars, but I want to make an entire quilt of those apron squares now!

If you are a no-reply commenter, please leave a way to contact you!

I will take comments until Tuesday morning, CST.

Thanks for entering, and thanks to Alexia and Rob for this fun event!

Comments are now closed. Thank you!

SMS Giveaway Day!

December is here, which is insane. Truly. I've enjoyed participating in Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day several times now, and today, I'm sharing a box of scraps!

This box holds just over 2.5 pounds of scraps. Yes, 2.5 POUNDS. I love to use scraps, and I thought I'd share the love!

Some of these pieces are more like fat quarter size. There are lots of modern fun fabrics in here!

To enter, just leave a comment (only one!) and make sure I have a way to contact you (if you are a no-reply blogger, you have to leave me an email address!).

I usually include international winners, but for this giveaway, U.S. participants only. This box is too heavy to economically ship elsewhere!

Thanks for visiting today. I'd love it if you came to visit another time, but I know you've got tons of giveaways to enter right now! Head on over to Sew Mama Sew to enter more giveaways! I'll choose a winner Friday morning!

ETA: Comments are now closed. Thanks!

INDEX Pattern Giveaway!

Isn't it funny how some weeks go by in a heartbeat? This is definitely one of those weeks! I nearly forgot it was my turn to talk about St. Louis Folk Victorian new quilt pattern, INDEX.

When I heard that Kristy was looking for pattern testers, I thought it sounded like a fun idea. INDEX is a fun and easy pattern, which uses jelly roll strips (although I'd like to make a scrappy version, too!).

I've been using some of my Pez jelly roll strips for binding, but I have quite a few left, and thought they would work well for my test blocks.

After making four quick blocks, I can say that this pattern would be an excellent project for a beginner quilter, or a great gift project.

It comes together quickly, and there's three sizes to choose from. Kristy is selling the pattern in her etsy shop, and it's available in both PDF and hard-copy format.

Today is the last day of the blog hop, but please stop by and visit the other participants (there's agiveaway at each one!):

Sunday 10/28 – Kristy Daum
Monday 10/29 -- Annie, Andi
Tuesday 10/30 – Shelly, Nancy
Thursday 11/1 – Beth, Jess
Friday 11/2 – Sara, Jacey <--- you are here.

Kristy has kindly offered a PDF version for a giveaway here!

So, if you'd like to win a copy of INDEX, just leave a comment here. If you'd like, tell me what fabric you intend to use for your quilt!

PLEASE, please make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you are a no-reply commenter! I'll take entries until Monday evening. Thanks for playing!

ETA: comments are now closed. thank you!

Giveaway: Stash Fabric Bundle

it's always fun to dig around in the stash and pick out a bundle of fabric for your next project. And luckily, Beth over at Stash Fabric allowed me to sort through her shelves (figuratively speaking!) and make a little bundle. It was so much fun, and I really love the resulting collection.

I hope you agree!
There's a little bit of Chicopee, the Birds and the Bees, Field Study, Lilly Belle, Ombre Dots, Grand Hotel and Painter's Canvas.

Would you like to win one?

If so, leave a comment here and tell us:
How many fabrics do you like to see in a bundle?
This bundle has eight fat quarters, and for me, that's a good number. Although it's difficult to limit myself sometimes!

Please, just one entry per person, and if you are a no-reply blogger, be sure to leave a way to contact you! This post will be open until Thursday evening, and we'll announce a winner Friday.

Thanks for playing! And especially, thank you, Beth, and Stash Fabric!
If you don't win, you can find the bundle here!





Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!

Kona Card Giveaway!

A lot of you asked in the last post about my banner. As much as I'd like to pretend that I drew that, I actually purchased it from Bloom Digital on Etsy. I love it, and I have a matching banner for my etsy shop.

So, on to some good news!
My pal Brenda, over at Pink Castle Fabrics, thought that one of you might need a new Kona color card.

I have the older version of the card, but your new card will have all 243 Kona shades.

The two cuts you see above are the new Leprechaun and Alegria.

Leprechaun is the dominant green in the citrus improv quilt (which I hope to be sharing this weekend, when I finally get some pictures!), and I've also used the new Parchment color, in the Scrappy Festive Table Runner I shared last week.

You can check out all of the Kona solids Brenda carries here.

Not to be an enabler, but Pink Castle also has a pretty massive sale going on right now, to clear room for all of the new fabrics coming in, which you can peruse here! I nabbed a little Summersville and Maya for myself. I just love both of those lines!

So, to win a brand new Kona card for yourself, tell me what Kona color (old or new) you've just recently discovered you love?
Mine is definitely Leprechaun. I cannot get enough of that shade!

One entry/comment per person.
I never ask you to follow my blog in order to participate in giveaways, but if you'd like to, please feel free! If you already do, thank you!

Also, if you are a no-reply blogger, please make sure I have a way to contact you!

I'll leave the giveaway open until Monday evening (the 20th), CST.

Good luck, and thanks for entering!

ETA: Comments are now closed. Thanks.

Totally Groovy QAL + Giveaway!

Mondays are rough, so how about a little giveaway to get this week going? Alyssa at Pile O' Fabric asked me to share her new quilt-along with you! Groove, by Carolina Patchworks is intriguing; it really draws me in!

The curves do seem a little scary, but Emily tells us it is much easier than it looks! I'm really interested to see what kinds of fabric combinations people come up with. I think it might be neat to do all solids with one print! Alyssa has some tutorials planned, as well as advice on fabric selection and piecing curves. You are welcome to make this quilt any way you see fit, so if you prefer to use prints then go for it!
You can expect to see posts from the likes of amazing quilters like Emily Cier, Jacquie Gering, Amanda Woodruff, and Kate Conklin. We will also be getting some Groovy Quilting tips from the FMQ queen, Angela Walters. This will be a fantastic learning experience, and a great opportunity to meet some new quilting friends!
It all starts August 2nd - Planning and Choosing your Fabric (Alyssa's arranged a 20% discount on Kona Cotton at Fat Quarter Shop!) Then, on October 25th - there will be Grand Prize Winners from the linky party. You can get all of the dates and deadlines over at Alyssa's blog!

Carolina Patchworks will be offering all QAL Participants a discount on her pattern.
20% off 2 or more of Emily's patterns code: TOTALLYGROOVY
15% off Groove Paper Pattern code: GROOVEPAPER
15% off Groove PDF Pattern code: GROOVEPDF

Fat Quarter Shop is offering all QAL Participants a 20% Discount on all KONA cotton from now till August 30th using code: Sewing101

Pile O' Fabric is having a giveaway for a Totally Groovy Quilt Package! Everything you need to join the fun $75 to The Fat Quarter Shop to get your fabric and a Groove Quilt Pattern to Quilt Along! This giveaway ends July 31st. Totally Groovy Button If you’d like to let people know what fun you are up to or invite your friends to join here is a button!

If you'd like to win a copy of the pattern, just leave a comment describing a fabric combination you might like to try with this quilt. I think a palette of blues might be lovely and fluid, or using a text print for one might be a stunner!

One entry per person, please. Leave a comment by Thursday evening and I'll pick a winner randomly.

 

Thanks for entering, and please do visit Pile O' Fabric for more details!

Comments are now closed. Thank you.

A Stash Fabric Giveaway!

What better way to kickoff this happy Friday than to share a lovely giveaway?

While searching for Lizzy House's new Guising line a few weeks ago, I came across Stash, and was impressed by her pricing. Besides the Guising fabric, which was a gift, I also purchased some of the awesome Happy Drawings cut and sew.

I can't wait to make some of these little guys come to life!

I'm so excited to tell you that a brand new etsy shop, Stash Fabric, is my very first sponsor. 

 

I asked Beth a few questions about herself and Stash. Here's what she had to say:

Jacey: Do you sew? If so, when did you start? What type of things do you most enjoy sewing? 
Beth: I do sew! Well I guess I should say I've dabbled in sewing. I got my first machine nearly three years ago after my son was born. I've always enjoyed being crafty, but having children really brought out in me the need to create. I taught myself to crochet when I was pregnant because I just really wanted to make my son something. I don't think I finished that blanket until he was like 1.5 years old, but in the meantime, I learned to knit and started sewing. My favorite things to sew are home decor items because I'm super cheap when it comes to buying things like that and handmade decor really makes a house a home in my opinion. I'm currently practicing my quilting in a block-of-the-month class at my LQS, and I'm pretty much loving it. I have big plans for becoming a quilt ninja because of the beauty and timelessness of quilts. Not to mention all the different fabric that can go into them. I've also been seriously craving the ability to sew cute clothes for my daughter lately.

Jacey: What made you decide to start a fabric shop? 
Beth: Simply put, I LOVE fabric. It turns out you don't really have to do a whole lot of sewing to become completely obsessed with all the beautiful, modern fabric that is out there. I have spent more hours than I care to admit ogling all the lovelies, aimlessly cataloging them in my mind by manufacturer and designer and collection. After my husband suggested I might have a problem, I decided that instead of just looking for fun, I should turn my little obsession into an online shop so that
1) I am justified in my countless hours spent looking at fabric and
2) I can guiltlessly surround myself with all the fabric that I not so secretly want to hoard.
And so Stash Fabric was born. Fortunately I have a super supportive husband that is okay with the fact that I won't rest until all unoccupied space (and maybe even a little occupied space) in our home is completely covered in fabric.

Jacey: What do you think sets your shop apart from others?
Beth: This is a great question because this is one of the biggest challenges in opening an online fabric store in my opinion. The market is pretty saturated with shops and I was concerned with getting lost in the shuffle, especially as I build up my stock.
But I think what sets me apart currently from other shops is fair prices, unparalleled customer service and free shipping over $50 in the US (discounts internationally). When I personally shop online, I look for the cheapest prices with the fastest order turn around time, and I don't want to pay for shipping. That is why I guarantee shipping within 24 hours (most times much less) and include a free shipping policy.
I've been surprised by how few shops have a free shipping option available.
 I also have big plans for offering weekly sales to give people the opportunity to get newer fabric for great prices. Who doesn't love a sale? Plus I'm working hard to keep a strong pulse on what the modern quilter wants so I can bring it all in one convenient place. In the next few months, you can expect to see many of the heavily anticipated lines arriving in my shop along with a very well thought out, super user-friendly website that I can guarantee you'll want to check out!

Jacey: Who is your favorite designer? 
Beth: Oh goodness, where do I begin? If I had to pick one, I'd say I have a special place in my heart for Lizzy House because it was the Peeps collections that started me down this path. If she's designing it, I'm buying it. No questions asked.

Jacey: What upcoming line are you most excited about?
Beth: I'm pumped for Tula Pink's The Birds and The Bees, Lotta J's Bella, and Heather Ross' Nursery-Versy, all of which will be carried in their entirety at Stash around August. I also can't wait for Simply Color from V. and Co. due in October.

Jacey: Do you think you will carry patterns or notions in the future? Do you see yourself branching out from quilting cottons to apparel or home decor? 
Beth: I will definitely carry patterns at some point in the future. I already have several patterns in mind for this very thing. I also like the idea of selling quilt kits for those that get overwhelmed with fabric selection when planning a quilt. While my current focus is quilting cottons, I would love to be able to expand into the world of voiles, home dec, and even laminates. I imagine that as my sewing abilities expand and improve, you'll notice an increase in variety of fabric I offer. Heck, I wouldn't mind even carrying a small selection of yarn as some point.

Thank you so much, Beth! It was great learning more about you. Lizzy House is such a favorite for me, too! And I know Lotta Jansdotter's Bella line is one that I'm very eagerly awaiting this summer.

In addition the giveaway below, enter the coupon GRANDOPENING for 10% off your order in the shop through Sunday, 6/17. And don't forget, free shipping on U.S. orders over $50 (with discounts on international)!
You can also follow Stash on facebook, for additional giveaways and discounts!

Beth has graciously offered up a little giveaway for me to share with you all today!

One lucky winner will receive a fat quarter bundle of the ever-adorable Guising line by Lizzy House! That's TEN fat quarters! One entry per person, please. International entries are welcome!
To enter, leave a comment telling us your most favorite Halloween costume. The giveaway will close Wednesday the 20th, 10 pm CST.
Thanks, Beth, and Stash Fabric!

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