Vacation Sale - Washington Here We Come!

We're off on another vacation! Well......it's a vacation for me. John has to work for most of the trip. And I'm not quite sure if John actually invited me to go along on this trip.....or if I just volunteered myself as a travel companion! I love D.C. so I just had to tag along. We live in a very small town so I really like the change of pace in a big city. And my favorite restaurant in the whole world is there so I'm also going for the food. Oh....It's called Founding Farmers and you have to try it if you're ever in the area. It's kind of hard to describe - everything is homemade and home-style but very gourmet at the same time. And the atmosphere is very casual and homey but very modern and cool at the same time. I'm drooling already.....

And we'll also be stopping by this place.....
John is a pilot so I'm sure we'll be spending a lot of time at the Air and Space Museum. And I can't wait to go to the United States Botanic Garden and feast my eyes on the seemingly endless array of flowers and plants....
And I'm also realllllly hoping for some cool weather while I'm there! It's still steamy and hot in Florida during the day so anything under 80 degrees will be sweater weather to me.

Anyway, I should get to the point of this post. The shop will be closed from noon on Friday, September 17 and we'll reopen on Monday, September 27. So, we're having a vacation sale! You'll still be able to place orders, but they won't ship until we're back. Just use the Discount Code word Washington on the 2nd page of checkout to receive 10% off of your entire order. And orders will ship on Monday, September 27 and Tuesday, September 28.

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

Emma's Pick Of The Week - More Schnibbles!

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! Miss Rosie's Quilt Company has done it again! Their new Schnibbles Patterns are cuter than ever......just like me! I love 'em because they're fairly quick and easy. And let's face it.....I'm pretty lazy and I don't want to have to work that hard. This is "Joy Luck" and it does have some small triangle pieces but I heard that's it still pretty easy.....
And this is "Domino". It's just a bunch of squares and rectangles arranged in a really cool pattern......
I also love patterns like this because they'll look great in any color or style of fabric. But I think I'm going to go with Nicey Jane for mine.....
I'm gonna go pick my lazy, cute self up off of the ground and get started. These quilts won't make themselves, ya know!

XOXO,
Emma Jane

Another Soon To Be Unfinished Project

I'd like to introduce Vintage Trick or Treat by Crabapple Hill. But I'm also calling it my next unfinished project. I'm great about starting projects......but I'm not always so great at finishing them! Please tell me I'm not the only "Queen of Unfinished Projects" out there? I'm trying to improve. I really am! Anyway, I fell in love with this quilt at Houston Quilt Market last fall and I tried to resist its charms. But once the mornings started getting cooler.....and people started talking about pumpkins.....and PetSmart started putting out doggie Halloween costumes.....well, I just couldn't resist anymore. I love cute, vintage Halloween stuff and I just HAD to have this.
I absolutely LOVE gathering supplies for a project and I found the perfect fabrics for this quilt. I'm using the Spooktacular Orange Scroll for the inner and outer border. It matches the bright orange DMC floss colors perfectly!
And I'm using White Lotta Dots by Lakehouse for the pieced blocks in the corners.....
I'm also using the whites and blacks from a Spooktacular Jelly Roll. I'm going to cut them up into the tiny squares that are part of the checkerboard inner border and outer pieced blocks. I also added a few black fabrics from my stash to mix it up a little bit.
And I'm using White Swirls by Moda for the embroidery background. This fabric is actually a pure white on white. It looks kinda light grey on the computer screen. But I promise you, it's white!
And did you notice all of the bright, vibrant, juicy DMC floss colors used in this quilt? It's total eye candy!

I have about a 0% chance of getting this done in time for Halloween this year. But that's not gonna stop me! Fall is in the air and I must do something Autumn-y right now!

Happy Sewing,
Jenny

Emma's Pick Of The Week - Remember Whooo Loves You

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! My Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 10th anniversary this week and as you can see I am so very excited about this. Since the theme of the week seems to be all about love....well....I just had to go with the flow and I picked the "Remember Whooo Loves You" pattern as my pick of the week.....
I think I'm in love with that adorable wide eyed owl perched on the tree branch. And I also love the fact that this quilt would look great in girly colors or boyish colors or brights or pastels or any other color combination you can think of. And if you love owls as much as I do you don't want to miss the Hooterville Pattern. I think it's our best selling pattern EVER.....
And since owls are the hottest thing around right now we also have the Bitty Owl Pincushion to help you as you sew. He looks so kind and wise and he's holding a cute little heart to show how much he loves you.....
Well....it's time to pop that bottle of pink champagne and get this party started! See ya next week!

XOXO,
Emma Jane

Emma's Pick Of The Week - New Autumn Skirts

Hey there, it's me Emma Jane! Autumn is just around the corner and I can't wait for it to get here! And I always think that a new season means you need lots of new things in your wardrobe - don't you agree? We have an adorable new skirt pattern called Emaline by Serendipity Studios. It's a cute A-line skirt that can be made in a straight, pleated or ruffled style. And there are all sorts of embellishment and length options......
Or you could go with the classic Barcelona Skirt by Amy Butler.....
Did you know that the Barcelona Skirt comes with three different style options - the raw edge tiered skirt seen on the cover or a simple A-line skirt or an apron overlay style....
And I think some rich, warm browns will be perfect for my new autumn skirts. Maybe Midwest Modern Brown Park Fountains....
Or Midwest Modern Brown Martini......
Or Pop Garden Brown Rose Bouquet......
I'm off to go dream of falling leaves, pumpkins and apple cider.....

XOXO,
Emma Jane

September Giveaway - $50 Gift Certificate

WE HAVE A WINNER!
The winner is Nancy who made the 9th comment on the Blog on September 1! Congratulations Nancy! Please Note: We randomly chose a winner from all of the entries (blog comments and e-mails). Everyone had an equal chance no matter how you entered! I'll post the results of the survey in a few days. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Happy September! This month we're giving away a $50 Gift Certificate......but there is a small string attached! You have to answer the questions in our quick and easy little questionnaire to be entered to win. Don't worry - it's easy!

You can either answer the questions in a comment on the blog OR you can send me an e-mail. Whatever you prefer! The last day to enter is September 30, 2010. The winner will be announced on October 1, 2010. And we'll post the results of the survey a few days after that.

And if you're not on the Newsletter list please send me an e-mail with the word Newsletter in the subject or text and I'll sign you up.

Alright......here's the questionnaire. Don't worry - there are no right or wrong answers. Everyone gets an A+ just for doing it! (And P.S. You don't have to pick one of my sample answers in parenthesis after the questions. I just put those there for inspiration).

1: What is your favorite type of item to sew? (for example - applique, pieced quilts, purses, clothes, home decor, etc.)

2: What is your favorite style of fabric? (for example - modern, traditional, romantic, etc.)

3: Do you have a favorite fabric or pattern designer? (for example - Amy Butler, Lakehouse, Bunny Hill, etc)

4: What are your favorite colors to use in sewing projects?

5: Do you like to sew for the holidays? Which holidays?

6: Do you prefer to buy kits or do you want to choose fabrics and patterns for yourself?

7: Do you prefer quick & easy projects or projects that are more detailed and complicated?

8: And finally.....is there anything else you'd like to tell me?

Thanks so much for taking my little survey! Good Luck and Happy Sewing,
Jenny

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