What To Do With Ruined Vintage Quilts?

In my wanderings I have come across several AMAZING old quilts that were handsewn, beautiful, unique, and....FALLING APART!  It always makes me a little sad, because I wonder if one day that will me MY quilts.  I've never purchase one of these un-loved quilts but after seeing Terri's post, I wish I had.

Terri from over at Cherished Treasures has the perfect solution for those tattered quilts.  She turns them into AMAZING throw pillows.  Check these out:

Aren't they amazing.  I know next time I come across a tattered quilt, I will think a little more creatively.  Thanks, Terri, for this wonderful idea!!

More Bunting, Anyone?

I had two AMAZING photographers send me pictures of my SIMPLE BUNTING pattern that they made to use in their photography. 

First off, the spectacular Dana Peterson.  If you are in the Boise, Idaho area, I highly recommend this girl.  She's fantastic!!  And look at her cute newborn picture with my bunting in the background!!!  Is that sweet??

And next, we have Amber DeJean, out of Hammond, LA.  Talk about amazing talent!  The lighting in this picture takes my breath away!

Thank you so much Amber and Dana for sending these pictures to me!!!  So inspiring!  Makes me want to sew more bunting. 

Mine is OK, but I really need some photography skills to make this stuff really shine.  Maybe I can get Uncle Rico over here.  (Dana, I am not making fun of Idaho, I swear ;)

I just love that word.... bunting.  Say it out loud.  I dare you not to smile.

Custom Creation: Heirloom Bunting

My friend, Kathy, asked me to make some bunting and matching pillow shams for a bedroom for her twins.  I was thrilled to work on this because how fun are twins?!  I have a brother and sister that are twins and I always wished I could have twins.  When I told my mother this wish, she said, "Anyone who wants twins deserves to have them."

But, I digress.  Back to the custom order for Kathy.

Here are the final pictures.  I made a 24' bunting from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom line and I used my Simple Bunting Pattern.  The pillow shams are for 12x16 pillow forms are they turned out so sweet!  The girly one has a giant ruffle up the middle and a huge flower that is removeable.  Super cute.  The boy's has a sweet vintage button and some ribbon.  I wanted to keep it simple so it can grow with him a little longer.  Enjoy!

I hope Kathy will love these!!

Polka Dots on Parade and a GIVEAWAY!!

I am so excited to introduce you to my friend, Jaime, from over at Polka Dots on Parade.  I'm a sucker for all things Polka Dots, so really, it was meant to be. 

Polka Dots on Parade is full of inspiration and fabulous ideas for our homes.  I especially love the "Wow Me Wednesday" Parties where everyone is invited to show off all of thier latest creations.  Every Tuesday, Jaime posts a "Toast of Tuesday" and tells about a few of her favorites ideas from the "Wow Me Wednesday" Party.  Here are a few of the recent "toasts."

 This amazing Cork Art!  Did you notice the little buttons on top?  So sweet!

And this sweet tutu-tutorial.  This one is so easy to make!

Jaime also offers some great tutorials of her own.  I thought that her picnic blanket/ tic-tac-to game was such a fun idea!

So head on over and say hi to Jaime at Polka Dots On Parade. 

AND... you can sign up for my Yards and Yards giveaway going on there now.  I'm giving away a pattern or two and YOU could be the lucky winner! 

There are several ways to enter:

1- Leave a comment at Polka Dots on Parade telling Jaime which pattern you'd choose from my shop.

2- Follow Yards and Yards blog
3- Follow Jaime's blog (Polka Dots on Parade)
4- Like Yards and Yards on Facebook
5- Like Polka Dots on Parade on Facebook

Leave a separate comment for each thing you do over HERE at Polka Dots on Parade and have a FABULOUS week!! 

Psssst.  The giveaway ends on Wednesday at midnight.  Happy Sewing!

It's In!!! Heirloom Collection from Joel Dewberry

It's here!!  I'm so thrilled to see this in person.  It's even better than the pictures.  I have it listed in the Yards and Yards etsy shop.  Go check it out.  I'm off to cut.  Can't wait to play with this fabric.... what to make??

As always, you can pick any pattern for FREE when you buy a fabric bundle.  Just let me know in the comments when you check out. 

Color Schemes: Fad or Forever?

I used to love quilts that felt "warm."  Lots of deep rich colors... like Autumn.  I remember seeing a soft, pastel colored quilt during this phase and thinking, "I could never love those colors together."

But then I hit a new phase. 

Red/White/Blue/Yellow Reproductions
Teal, Orange, Gray
And yes... those soft pastels
Vibrant brights

You name it, I've probably loved it.  It's so hard to know if my tastes have changed or if the world around me has changed my tastes.  I'd like to think that Pantone doesn't control my color preferences, but who knows.

Check out these populer palletes according to some color experts:

Now check out this amazing fabric that I LOVE and I have ordered from FreeSpirit:

Do you see it?  It's the pallette from the bottom left!!  And how about this AMAZING one from Anna Marie Horner?

It's very similar to the top right pallette!!!

According the the "color experts" these are hot colors for today, a.k.a "trendy".  What do you think?  Trendy or Classic?  Fad or Forever?  And does it matter to you?  Do you sew to get your fix for "today" or are you hoping you will still love that quilt in 20 years?  What do you think?

Little Lizard King Giveaway!

I am so happy to introduce you to my fun friend from over at Little Lizard King on Etsy.  Little Lizard King  patterns are ideal starter clothing sewing projects that beginners can easily follow. Have you ever wanted to learn to sew? Little Lizard King patterns will teach you to make boutique clothing without boutique prices. Every e-tutorial is full of extremely detailed diagrams and photos to guide you through simple step by step instructions.


Check out some of my favorites!

And the best part?  You can win a free pattern because Little Lizard King and Yards and Yards are doing a Giveaway Swap from now until Monday, July 25th!  There are lots of ways to enter and TWO chances to win!  Just make a comment for each item on the list that you do.  Then head over to Little Lizard King and enter my giveaway over there!


Just make a comment below for each of the following:


1.  Visit Little Lizard King on Etsy and comment here about your favorite pattern.
2.  "Like" Yards and Yards on Facebook.
3.  Sign up for the Little Lizard King newsletter right HERE.
4.  "Like" Little Lizard King on Facebook.
5.  Follow the Yards and Yards blog.

So head on over and say hello.  You can enter to win some Yards and Yards patterns over at Little Lizard King's place.  Best of luck!  I will announce the winners on Monday, July 25th. 

A Day of Random Sewing

Today has been a day of Random Sewing.

I taught my daughter a bit about making a rag quilt. 

I taught my son about cutting squares with a rotary cutter.  Of course he enjoyed that.

I hemmed my curtains that I've had for ... around 5 years.  Eeek!

And I experimented with a quilt block I've been thinking about.

And now, I'm off to list some Christmas Stockings I made in the shop.  I'm thinking these will go pretty quick.  I only made 10 of them so if you want a coordinating family set, get on it!!

Somehow it feels like I haven't accomplished much, but I had a blast sewing with my kids, so I guess that's what counts, right?

New Peeks From Moda

 Moda has released several peeks of thier winter releases. Here they are. Which is your favorite?

 "Half Moon Modern"

 "Domestic Bliss"

"Redwork Renaissance" 

"Urban Cowgirl"

"Chemistry"

I think I might have to get the Half Moon Modern.  It has some wonderful Chevron prints and I am loving those these days.  In fact, you'll see more of that in a pattern coming soon. 

Sew Inspiring! A Giveaway at Sew Woodsy

Happy Friday everyone!!  I am so excited for 2 reasons:

1.  Date with my sweetie tonight to see Harry Potter!!!
2.  I am thrilled to introduce to you all a fellow crafty/creative/crazy gal.  OK, she's not crazy, but I needed a third word.  She's actully a lot of fun and her name is Katie.

Katie and her hubby Jon run the blog Sew Woodsy.  She's the crafter and he's a woodworker so they document all of their DIY adventure's on their blog.  Here they are on vacation.  So sweet!

I am especially in love with Katie's What's Up Wednesday Link Parties.  I can't tell you all of the great ideas and inspiration I find there.  The most recent one is HERE.

Katie handles the crafty side of the show.  She digs up and creates amazing tutorials like this binky clip,

and this iPhone sleeve.

Her hubby handles the Woodsy things, like these A-M-A-Z-I-N-G wood shelves for the craft room.  *sigh*

Sweet, eh?

So head on over and say hi to Katie and Jon.  And for extra incentive, I am hosting a giveaway over there!!  I'll be offering some PDF Patterns to some lucky winners from my Etsy shop!

You can enter for LOTS of chances to win!  Go to Sew Woodsy and comment on the giveaway post about which is your favorite pattern from the shop.  You get additional chances by:

How's that for getting the weekend off to a fun start.  Have a good one!

Traditional vs. Modern

We all have our different styles and if you are like me, then that styles changes quite often.  So what is your style now?  Traditional Quilting or Modern Quilting??

TRADITIONAL?

Or MODERN?

Or can modern and traditional be one and the same depending on color choices?  What do you think?

Are You Muted or Bright?

With all the color and choice in the fabric world, are you more MUTED?

(Secret Garden, Sandi Henderson)

Or BRIGHT?

(Grand Bazaar, Patty Young)

MUTED?

(Countdown to Christmas, Sweetwater)

Or BRIGHT?

(Yule Trees Aqua, Michael Miller)

I'm still trying to figure this one out.  And guess what?  I think we can be BOTH!!