Favorite Fabric Vote Results

Here's the Semi-Annual Favorite Quilt Fabric Vote wrap up.....

In case you missed it, the winner is Korie who said "No competition for me, Farm Fresh is the best!"

And now onto the fabric results.

Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda was the runaway favorite. It should be arriving in the shop in October.
Happy Mochi Yum Yum by Monica Solorio-Snow (The Happy Zombie) for Lecien came in second. It should be arriving in the shop in July.
Pam Kitty Morning by Pam Viera McGinnis for Lakehouse Dry Goods was a VERY close third place. It should be arriving in the shop in October.
Wrenly by Valori Wells for Free Spirit Fabrics came in fourth. It is actually in the shop RIGHT NOW!
Fifth place goes to Farm Fresh by October Afternoon for Riley Blake. It should be arriving in the shop in July.
Going Coastal by Crazy Old Ladies for Michael Miller came in sixth place. It is expected to arrive in the shop sometime in August.
We also ordered Preppy Plaids by Moda and they should be arriving in September.
Thank you to everyone who voted! I loved reading your comments. And I'll let you know what other collections we end up adding to the shop!

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

Preppy In Pink

Hello all! I mentioned in my last post that I'm easily distracted and here is the proof. I'm the type of person who has to have multiple projects going on at once - a few applique projects, a few embroidery projects, a few clothing projects, a few pieced quilt projects.....well..... you get the idea. I am definitely NOT the type of person who finishes one project before starting the next. So, once I get bored looking at the black and oranges of my Halloween project I can jump back to the preppy pinks and greens of my Hooterville Quilt that I started a few months ago. Here's what the pattern cover looks like.....
I thought this quilt would look adorable in all pinks and greens. So, I began eyeing this bucket of fabrics on my bookshelf. I'd been hoarding this fabric for years.....just waiting for the perfect project.....
I finally dove into the bucket and started cutting and planning and prepping applique pieces. And of course I had to grab a few new fabrics from the shop! (I use the freezer paper and starch applique method, by the way. Should I write a tutorial on that???)
And here is where I'm currently at with my Hooterville quilt. The owl bodies are done. And the wings are almost done. Next up, those owls need some eyes, beaks and feet....
I love my preppy pink and green color palette. I think it's kind of drool worthy. And if you love those colors as much as I do check out this new "Preppy In Pink Fat Quarter Bundle." I put it together for all of my fellow pink-a-holics.
Aaaahhhh.....it's total pink and green heaven.....
And guess what happens tomorrow??? I pick the winner of June's Giveaway, list the fabric winners and post a new Giveaway!

Hopefully I'll have a finished quilt to show you sometime very soon....hopefully....

Until then.....Happy Sewing,
Jenny

What I've Been Up To....

Hello all! It may be summer outside but it's definitely looking a lot like Halloween in here. As I've been working on some major and exciting and huge changes to the website (all will be revealed soon) I've been taking what I call "Stitching Sanity Breaks." Every so often I just need to get away from the computer and do something crafty for just a few short minutes. And I was just itching to get to work on the Vintage Trick or Treat Quilt by Crabapple Hill that I first mentioned on this blog post - "Another Soon To Be Unfinished Project." And I have to say - this picture of the whole quilt does not do it justice. I saw it in person many Quilt Markets ago and it was take your breath away, stop you in your tracks, jaw dropping stunning.
And maybe.....just maybe.....I'll get it done in time for Halloween this year. That is if I can ever get all those French knots done. Yup - that whole mouth is going to be full of French knots. It's a good thing I love to do French knots! Anyway, I wanted to show you a few other new Halloween patterns by Crabapple Hill that I'm thinking about adding to the shop. This is "Which Witch's Boot." I love the little flowers that look like Candy Corn! Isn't it adorable????
And this is Calendula Pattendrip's Cottage. I love the way it has a sepia toned photograph look to it. And the immense amount of detail on this quilt is amazing.....
But, I'm easily distracted and I'm worried I might get bored if I start a huge, monotone project. So, when I finally get around to making this I think I'll just do the upper left part of the quilt and turn it into a wall hanging that will look something like this cropped version.....
I'd love to hear what you think about these patterns. I know not everyone loves Halloween as much as I do. And my intense love of Halloween only seemed to appear after I left Ohio and moved to Florida. Florida is great but there is nothing better than a mid-western autumn - the amazing red-orange-yellow leaves, the chill in the air, the pumpkins, plaid wool blankets, caramel apples and bon fires. Aaaaahhhh.....heavenly.

Oh...and before I sign off and take another "Stitching Sanity Break" I wanted to tell you about a new blog that is sure to be amazing. The talented fabric and pattern designer, Bari J is starting a new blog called We Love French Knots. She's just getting it ramped up now and the big launch will be on July 25. So, if you love embroidery you'll definitely want to take a look.

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

The Passport

Hello all! This may seem like a strange post after I haven't really been around the blog lately (except to post Giveaways of course!) but it's where my mind is right now so I'm going with it. I have to mail this away tomorrow because it's about to expire and I need to get a new one. It's kind of a bittersweet moment.
I realized I had to look at all the stamps I have before I send it away. So.....of course a flood of memories started coming back. John and I had been together for less than a year when he took me to the passport office during a hot July in Miami 10 years ago. At the time, I had no idea what was in store for me in the decade ahead.

The first stamp I got in the passport was at the Narita (Tokyo) airport. We had to go through Japan to get to our vacation in Hawaii. Yes. You read that correctly. We went to Hawaii via Japan. It's a long story which I'll save for another day.
There are stamps for Stansted and Frankfurt, Germany - we ended up all over Europe on those trips - Belgium (very cool place - we had great Mussels in Brussels - seriously!), Holland (oh my goodness - the flowers! The Flowers!), Italy (Venice! Need I say more? It was Venice!) and Cinque Terre (amazing cluster of 5 towns along the Italian Riviera).

There's a stamp for London Heathrow......and unfortunately I left my purse on the plane when we arrived in London! Eeeek! Thank goodness I was able to retrieve it the next day and nothing was missing.

I've flown to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris twice but oddly there are no stamps for that in my book. Why doesn't Paris do stamps??? I want a Paris stamp! The second time I flew to Paris I was alone. John had to catch an earlier flight than me. My flight ended up making an emergency landing in Gander, Newfoundland (someone had a medical emergency on the plane but it ended up being a false alarm. She was promptly removed from the plane). I saw a gorgeous sunrise in Gander and then it was off to Paris. Where I promptly got lost on their subway system when I was trying to meet up with John. Then I became the woman who was crying hysterically and begging a cab driver to take me to the hotel where John was but I had no cash so would he please take me to an ATM first. Not my finest moment.

The first time I flew to Paris was much better. John and I were only in Paris briefly as we were actually on our way to somewhere else (but I don't remember where!). We did a whirlwind tour of Paris and then fell asleep on the grass under the Eiffel tower on a beautiful spring day. What a great way to recover from jet lag!

Then there are several stamps for Mexico. Three stamps in one year alone actually. And there should be a 4th stamp but I can't find it! We've been to Cancun and Mexico City and some icky place John wanted to go for surfing near Acalpulco and Cabo San Lucas. Ahhhh.....Cabo......John rode the Baja 1000 with a group of friends for one of the guy's 40th birthdays. It took a week for them to ride from California down to Cabo. The girls all met the guys at a resort in Baja for a week long vacation after their ride. They all showed up broken and bruised and battered but very happy. One guy broke his arm. One guy got a concussion. And John was full of cuts and bruises after he was flung off his motorcycle and landed in a cactus. Yes. A cactus.

And I can't forget the Bahamas - there are a few of those stamps in there too!

And then my favorite stamp.....Pisa, Italy......

We went to Tuscany on that trip. Best. Trip. Ever. We stayed in a 15th century castle and visited all the little towns dotting the hills of Tuscany. Everything about Tuscany is amazing and perfect - The wine. The cheese. The truffle ravioli. The flowers. The castles. The cypress trees. I want to go back. Now.

So, tomorrow I'll say goodbye to my first Passport. And hopefully the next one will go on just as many adventures with me. Australia? Switzerland? Tahiti? Italy again (yes, please!). Paris maybe.....I need to ask them about that stamp thing! And from now on I'm taking this with me.....
I have such vague memories of so many of our trips. When did we go there? Why were we there? What were we doing? Soooo.....from now on I'm going to record all of these details.

If anyone is still reading this who isn't John or my Mom I commend your dedication. And I promise that my next post will be soon. And it will be about sewing.

Happy Sewing. And Happy Traveling,
Jenny

P.S. I've recently heard a rumor that you get your old passport back when you get your new one. I sure hope it's true! I'll let you know. Either way....it still seems like the end of an era and the start of a fresh new one!

June 2011 Giveaway & The Semi-Annual Fabric Vote

We Have A Winner!!!

The winner is Korie who said "No competition for me, Farm Fresh is the best!" Congratulations Korie. You can click here to see the results of the voting.

Happy June! This month we're giving away a $50 Gift Certificate....but there's a small string attached. We're trying to pick the best new fabric collections from May Quilt Market and I want your opinion. So, I've posted little sneak peeks of some of my favorites. Just leave a comment and let me know which one/ones are your favorite collections and you'll be entered to win. Or, let me know if there's a fabric collection that you wish I had put on this list. And of course, I'm planning on adding many of these fabrics to the shop!

And you don't have to pick just one!!!
Pick as many as you like!!!

The last day to enter is June 30, 2011. The winner will be chosen on July 1, 2011.

Please Note: The 12 fabric collections that are up for voting are shown below. The fabrics, kits and patterns in the sidebar on the right side are already in the shop.

Enough with the talking....let's take a look at the fabric....

This is Going Coastal by Crazy Old Ladies for Michael Miller

This is Farm Fresh by October Afternoon for Riley Blake
This is Happy Mochi Yum Yum by Monica Solorio Snow (The Happy Zombie) for Lecien

This is Black and White and Red Allover from various collections/designers (mostly Ann Kelle) from Robert Kaufman

This is Wrenly by Valori Wells for Free Spirit

This is Fiona's Fancy by Lila Tueller for Riley Blake

This is Sorbet by Michael Miller

This is Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

This is Daisy Cottage by Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet for Riley Blake

This is Preppy Plaids by Moda

This is Pam Kitty Morning for Lakehouse Dry Goods

This is Confections from various designers (mostly Ann Kelle) for Robert Kaufman
Thanks for letting me know what you think! I can't wait to read all the comments and tally up the results!

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

P.S. Sew Fabulous Quilt Shops is celebrating her 2nd birthday on June 1! Thanks for making these first two years so great!!!

Emma's Pick Of The Week - Christmas Candy

Hey there! It's me, Emma Jane! Why the sad face, you ask??? I just found out that Christmas is seven months away!!! Seven long months to wait for tons of new toys and special treats and that strange tree that gets put up in the middle of the living room. But I guess that gives all of you plenty of time to make quilts and aprons and pajamas and adorable dresses for little girls using the Christmas Candy Collection by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake.....
This fabric collection is full of cheerful Christmas prints in shades of Cherry Red, Apple Green, Cotton Candy Pink and Snowy white. And you know I have a passion for pink so obviously my favorite fabric is the Pink Christmas Candy fabric......
And aren't these Apple Green Polka Dots so fresh and happy and adorable???
And I love the sweet, happy, snowy forest in the White Trees fabric....
And if you're one of those people that has an aversion to using pink for Christmas (GASP!) we've created a Fat Quarter Bundle that uses the fabrics that are mostly red and green without the overly pink fabrics.....
It's time for me to go take a nap and let visions of sugarplums dance in my head. See ya next week!

XOXO,
Emma Jane

Emma's Pick Of The Week - Cherries and Aquas and Reds, Oh My!

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! Our garden is really starting to bloom, the air is warm and I've been spending lots of time in the great outdoors. I think this Robin & Red Fat Quarter Bundle would be the perfect fabric for a little summertime, outdoor nap quilt for ME!
This fabric makes me think of a perfect summertime picnic with some pink lemonade, a big bowl of cherries and a bright blue sky....
And this blue and white ticking....well....what can I say other than it's perfect! It's blue and white ticking for goodness sake - does it get any better than this???
And while we're on the subject of cherries you should take a peek at this awesome new Cherry Baby Quilt Kit....
It's too cute for words, isn't it???!!! I'm gonna go pack my picnic basket and head out to the backyard. See ya next week (assuming blogger doesn't break again, Mommy doesn't slice any more fingers open, etc.).

XOXO,
Emma Jane

May Giveaway - Annie's Farm Stand!!!

We Have A Winner!!!

The winner is Gina who said "OOOOOhhhhh this collection is just begging for an Irish Chain pattern! Love it!"
Hello friends!!! Thanks for being so patient AGAIN as I dealt with yet ANOTHER mini-crisis!!! And now it's time for a Giveaway. I am so in love with this new Annie's Farm Stand Collection by Lakehouse Dry Goods!!! It's on it's way here and should be arriving at the end of next week - on or around Friday, May 13. I'll let you know when it arrives. But in the meantime you can enter to win this adorable, charming and cheerful Fat Quarter Bundle.

Here's how to enter:

-Leave a blog comment for one entry. I'd really love to hear what you'd like to do with this fabric. Are you going to make a quilt, purse, dress for a little girl or what??? Do you have a specific pattern in mind??? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
-Tweet about this giveaway for another entry
-Mention this giveaway on Facebook for another entry
-Mention this giveaway on your blog for another entry
-And I know not everyone has their own blog or twitter or Facebook account.....So, you can receive an extra entry if you let me know that you e-mailed at least 3 friends about this Giveaway.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be sure to leave a blog comment for each additional entry that you do. For example.....leave your first blog comment about what you plan on doing with this bundle. But be sure to leave another comment saying "I tweeted this" or "I Facebooked" this so I know you get extra chances to win.

The Giveaway ends on May 31, 2011. The winner will be chosen on June 1, 2011.

Thanks for participating and thanks for all of your great comments!

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

P.S. If you're wondering, I think this fabric collection would look ADORABLE in the Easter Wishes Quilt......Or in the State Fair by Schnibbles Quilt....

Deja Vu

Ahhhhh.....Deja vu.....How on earth did this happen again??? This is not a picture of my finger after the Great Rotary Cutter Accident of March 2, 2011.....This is what my finger looks like TODAY!
This is a picture of the rotary cutter accident two months ago.....
And no....I didn't cut my finger on a rotary cutter again. But I could see why you might think that! Yesterday, I badly sliced the EXACT same finger in the EXACT same place on the lid of a cat food can. Seriously!!! How on earth did I do this again??? But at least this time I was able to get my ring off BEFORE my hand swelled up!

But this was just the cherry on top of an already unfortunate month! On Friday, my Mom suddenly went blind in her right eye and had to spend four days in the hospital. They think it's some sort of stroke like condition. And they think it's permanent. Major bummer.

Anyway...the point of this post wasn't to have a pity party or try to depress everyone! The point of this post is just to let ya'll know that things are moving a little slow around here. I'll pick the winner of the April Giveaway and post the May Giveaway in a day or two. And I've got an adorable new fabric collection arriving tomorrow and lots of cute new patterns that arrived yesterday that I'm adding to the shop as fast as I can with one functioning hand! And Emma has so many picks that she wants to share with you!!!

And here are the answers to a few questions that you may be asking yourself right now....

-Yes, I am very, very, VERY accident prone.

-Yes, I agree that I should not be allowed near sharp objects and I need to wear full body armor at all times.

-Yes, I've had quite the little spell of bad luck lately.

-And yes, I realize that my luck is going to turn around eventually!!! Hopefully that will happen very soon!

I'm going to go lock myself in a padded room for a while and hope for the best! Be back soon...

Happy Sewing,
Jenny