Emma's Pick Of The Week - Sew Special

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! I love applique but sometimes......well.....it's just a little complicated to do all those fancy, turned-under edges. I don't always want to have to work that hard at a project! So, if you feel the same way I do, you'll love these new fusible applique patterns by Sew Special Designs that we have in the shop. They're so much easier and quicker than traditional applique methods. And they're covered in adorable button and ribbon embellishments!

I think my favorite is the Bon Voyage Quilt Pattern. I've had my eye on this one for a long time.....
We also have an adorable Christmas pattern called Chill Out. You can even stick Christmas Cards in the ribbons around the border.....
And since I live in Florida where the Official State Shoe is the Flip Flop I just had to get Surf's Up....
And Back To The Beach is covered in adorable beach scenes and has directions for optional photo holders around the border. Such a cool idea!
I'm gonna get back to my life of laziness and leisure now.....See ya next week!

XOXO,
Emma Jane

I Finally Did Something.....

Well.....I finally did something about the ugly ironing board cover that I've been complaining about for ages. So last weekend it went from this.......
To this......
I'm sure I'm not the only one that spends a lot of time at the ironing board. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes leaves the ironing board out for days at a time because I'm planning on getting back to ironing soon......so don't we all deserve for our ironing boards to be pretty.....and maybe even make it match our decor? Definitely, YES!
So, I'll tell you how I did it....I wouldn't really even call this a tutorial. It's more of a "Show & Tell." I think I've seen about a million tutorials and patterns on how to make fancy ironing board covers but I decided I wanted something really simple and easy. I took 2 yds of fabric, some double fold bias tape, some cheap, thin ribbon on a spool and thread.
I laid the ironing board down on the fabric.....
And then cut about 2" around the ironing board. I didn't measure. I just cut. This doesn't need to be perfect so just go for it!
Then I sewed the double fold bias tape around the edge of my fabric. And left a little opening at one end to thread the ribbon through.....
Then, I threaded my ribbon through the bias tape, laid the ironing board on it's new cover (I used the old ironing board pad) and pulled it tight......
And then I just tied my ribbon in a bow.....
It actually took me longer to thread the ribbon through the bias tape than it did to do everything else!

Now.....I should probably get back to ironing.....but I really don't feel ready yet.....I can't do housework without a pretty apron, right? Right??? I think I need to make myself something from More Retro Aprons.....
Or Spring Cleaning....
Yup....I definitely need the right attire before I can get back to doing any housework. A frilly apron will make everything better. That was an easy decision. Sewing now. Housework later.

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

Emma's Pick Of The Week - Tickled Pink

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! You may have heard me mention this one or two or a million times before but I LOVE PINK! It's my favorite color! So I had to show you this Pink-tastic new Fat Quarter Bundle. It's called the Tickled Pink & Aqua Fat Quarter Bundle.....
It includes bright and happy fabrics from lots of different collections like Spring Vintage Cherries from the Farmer's Market Collection......
And Pink Swing Toss from Nicey Jane.....
And Turquoise Wallpaper Roses from Pop Garden.....
I hope you like pink as much as I do because I have plans for a few more Pink-alicious and Pink-tabulous Fat Quarter Bundles. See ya next week!

XOXO,
Emma Jane

Emma's Pick Of The Week - Hawaiian Vacation

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! Yup - I'm back! I think the summer heat and humidity in Florida have been melting my brain. I just kept forgetting to get my pick of the week done! And Mondays are just soooo......well......they're so Monday-ish. So, next week I'll be doing my pick of the week on Tuesday or Wednesday. I need a day or two to recover from Monday-itis. Anyway, I have a great pick of the week for you today so let's get on with it......

Remember her??? The puppy???Well.....she's kinda driving me crazy lately and I want to go away on a vacation......somewhere very, very far away like Hawaii. But I'm not allowed to leave the house without an adult, human "chaperone" so I'll just have to pretend I'm on a tropical island with the Hawaiian Fat Quarter Bundle.....
Rumor has it that the colors and patterns and flowers and leaves in this bundle are reminiscent of a hawaiian sunset under the palm trees. Mmmmmm.....sounds nice, doesn't it? I love the swirling leaves in the Celery Grand Foliage fabric.....
And the Brown Henna Garden is so cool......And I love the cheerful colors in Limeade Chain Flower......
And another rumor running around the house is that some of these fabrics are making their way into our soon-to-be re-decorated living room. Of course we'll show you pictures once that's done......whenever that is.....

I'm gonna go make a virgin Pina Colada, hop in a bubble bath and pretend I'm on a tropical island......

XOXO,
Emma Jane

August 2010 Giveaway - Amy Butler Love

We Have A Winner!

The winner is Jen who said "One of my favorite fabric lines! So beautiful!" Congratulations Jen! And thanks to everyone who entered! Your comments always make me smile!

Happy August! This month we're giving away a 13 piece Love - Heart Fat Quarter Bundle by Amy Butler for Westminster. The rich, tropical colors and over the top florals seem perfect for August.

Please leave a comment on the blog to be entered to win. The winner will be announced on this blog post on Septmeber 1, 2010. The last day to enter is August 31, 2010. Don't forget to check this blog post on September 1 to see if you're the big winner.

And if you're not on the e-mail Newsletter list please send me an e-mail with the word Newsletter in the subject or text and I'll sign you up. The Newsletter has all the good info on the giveaways and sales and new products and other fun stuff!

Good Luck and Happy Sewing,
Jenny

P.S. You can read about last months Giveaway here - it was a Kate Spain 12 Days Of Christmas Bundle.