Swatchboard #17

Since Spring is on its way, I felt drawn to Poppy by Laura Gunn from Michael Miller Fabrics. I love the texture, colors, and designs in this collection. I am hoping to get a few yards to make a quilt and maybe a table runner. 

 (*click to enlarge image- images are all from Michael Miller Fabrics)

A. DC4271_Spice Skinny Stripes

B.DC4274_Spice Big Poppy

C. DC3727_Citron Scattered Lantern Pods

D. DC4267_Denim Dogwood Stripe

E. DC4269_Denim Poppy Silhouette

F. DC4270_Aqua Peeking Polka Dot

G. DC4274_Aqua Big Poppy

H. DC4270_Lime Peeking Polka Dot

Swatchboard #16

This week I decided to feature my favorite solids or if I had unlimited funds all of the basic solids I would love to have in my fabric collection. I chose Kona Cottons (click the link to see all 219 colors) by Robert Kaufman for this round, but don't be surprised if in the future I feature solids from Moda. I enjoy both and think they have great quality, I just feel that the Kona Cottons work a little better with a variety of fabrics. Here are my favorite picks:

*click image to enlarge; all images from Robert Kaufman

A. Canary; B. Papaya; C. Coral; D. Cardinal; E. Pomegranate; F. Medium Pink; G. Cerise; H. Berry; I. Eggplant; J. Nightfall; K. Lake; L. Cyan; M. Jungle; N. Chartreuse; O. Lime; P. Moss; Q. Stone; R. Espresso; S. Sable; T. Chocolate; U. Bone; V. Ash; W. Coal; X. Charcoal 

Sketchboard #15

I really must say, I liked putting this one together and now it makes me want to get some of this fabric so I can make the little doll quilt just for fun! The clothing in my head would be for girls sized 2T-14, put I could see the shorts and top being in women's sizes as well. 

*click image to enlarge- featuring the Love collection by Amy Butler

Here was the Swatchboard:

*click to enlarge- images from Westminster Fabrics and Amy Butler-

A. AB51 Midnight; B. AB46 Wine; C. AB49 Wine; D. AB46 Tangerine; E. AB48 Pink; F. AB52 Grass; G. AB50 Teal

Here are a couple of other projects I would love to make out of these fabrics:

Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress from Anna Maria Horner Shop

Carolina Patchworks Another Brick in the Wall found at http://www.pinkchalkfabrics.com/

 Itty Bitty Baby Dress Pattern from Made by Rae

Alright, I hope you check out some of these patterns and have a good rest of the morning... I am going to have some sewing updates later tonight or tomorrow morning! 

Swatchboard #15

*click to enlarge; images from Westminster Fabrics and Amy Butler

A. AB51 Midnight

B. AB46 Wine

C. AB49 Wine

D. AB46 Tangerine

E.AB48 Pink

F. AB52 Grass

G. AB50 Teal

So, this week I wanted to focus on fabrics that I would love to use in little girl projects. Choosing was a little on the difficult side since I am not a super frilly person and I like clean lines, great color, not too kid or baby like, and great design. Right now there are several collections that would be great for girl projects and I chose Amy Butler's Love collection for this weeks swatch board. The above 7 were my favorite and I might just have to get my hands on some of them especially the dots.

Swatchboard #14

*click on image to enlarge

This week I decided to feature the line Boy Prints from Michael Miller Fabrics. I really like that the colors are bold and the patterns are really fun.

A. Dino Dudes in Brown

B. Ring Dot in Spice

C. Ring Dot in Turquoise

D. Dumb Dot in Brown

E. Dumb Dot in Clementine

F. Haul it in Turquoise

G. Haul it in Spice

Swatch Board #13

*click image to enlarge

 

I am loving this collection Botany by Lauren + Jessi Jung from Moda which is coming out in April. I am going to have to get my hands on these:

A. 25022 20 Bark

B. 25021 12 Ripple

C. 25020 13 Bloom

D. 25028 20 Grass

E. 25030 12 Bloom

F. 25026 11 Cloud

G. 25025 19 Grass

I haven't had much time to get much sewing done over the last two weeks, but I am planning on getting a few blocks done for my quilt guild meeting along with the challenge. I have made a list of my to-do/work-in progress projects that I want to finish up, and soon I should have something fun to show you all!

The Return of the Swatch Board... #12

So, in case you forgot or are new to reading the blog... I make a little swatch board full of some of my favorite fabrics for the week or ones that I wish were in my fabric stash. Sometimes they are collections (like this week) other times themes: like love, boy, girl, ocean, etc. The boards go up on Wednesday and on Friday, I put up the Sketch board where I do little illustrations and show you what I would make with the chosen fabrics from the Swatch board. (I am making a few additions to the Swatch Board, but you will have to wait until Friday for that.) So here we go:

*note: you can click on the image to make it larger

This week I chose Make Life by Sweetwater from Moda

A. 5422 16 Ivory 

B. 5421 21 Multi

C. 5424 21 Grass

D. 5423 23 Ocean

E. 5424 24 Earth

F. 5420 13 Sun

I also chose Verna by Kate Spain from Moda

1. 27002 12 Daybreak

2. 27006 11 Budding Pink

3. 27004 15 Ivory

4. 27008 24 Dark Green

5. 27000 15 Ivory

6. 27005 13 Dewdrop

7. 27001 13 Dewdrop

8. 27011 17 Earth

This week I was really craving spring, so that led to my fabric choices. Are you ready for spring?

Swatch Board #11

here it is... I think summer is making it really difficult for me to stay on track with almost everything. I feel like I am finally getting back into some sort of routine. Xavier has adjusted to 1 nap a day which leaves me with little time to get anything done, and yesterday was a set back due to a migraine. The Corner Bookmark Tutorial should be up tomorrow. It is almost there and I am going to stay up tonight until it is finished. So here is to working on a new schedule hopefully one that works for awhile.

 

I really love this collection. I think it would work well for so many projects. All images and other info can be found at Moda Fabrics

a. 32200 12 in Sprout

b. 32203 12 in Eggshell

c. 32205 27 in Bark

d. 32205 35 in Water

e. 32202 13 in Eggshell

f. 32201 14 in Bark

g. 32204 11 in Pomegrante

h. 32205 11 in Pomegrante

i. 32200 11 in Pomegrante

p.s. Sketch Board #11 will be up on Friday, and starting the first week of August all of the swatch boards will be fall/holiday based. Let me know if you have any suggetions/requests to see on the swatch boards and I will try to make them happen.

Sorry for the delay... Swatch Board #10

the internet has been haywire- but I think that it is finally fixed, so here is Swatch Board #10!

 

*all images from Michael Miller Fabrics  and don't forget you can click the image to make it larger. 

A. Mints in Yellow

B. Best Friend in Gray

C. Cufflink in Yellow

D. Party Animal in Leaf

E. Houndstooth in Black

F. Mints in Lime

G. Chevron in Pink

H. Nosegay in Lime

I. Centerpiece in Passion

J. Houndstooth in Yellow

tomorrow will be Sketch Board #10 and another Bookmark Tutorial on Saturday! Enjoy the rest of the day....

Swatch Board #9

 

*images from http://www.freespiritfabric.com/ 

A. Architectural Grass in Tarragon

B. Meadow Lace in Tarragon

C. Lodge Lattice in Peony

D. Rustic Dots in Terra Cotta

E. Mountain Gems in Persimmon

F. Columbine in Persimmon

I love this line, I can't wait to get some. Stay tuned for a new sketch board on Friday and I am in the process of making a children's shorts tutorial which will hopefully be up next week. In other project news here are some photos of the quilt I am making Xavier:

 

I am slowly working on it piece by piece, this one could take awhile! 

Well, I am off to work some more. Have a good one! 

Swatch Board #8

 

*alll images and fabric from Moda 

A. Pepper Jam

B. Garden Party Sky

C. Rabbit Hole Jam

D. Tea Time Jam

E. Snip Snip Glass

F. Metamorphosis Jam

G. Pepper Pistachio

H. Tea Time Pistachio

I. Tweedle Dee Tomato

J. Snip Snip Sugar Tomato

What would you make with these fabrics? I will post my sketches of what I would love to make with them on Friday.

Now for a few fun photos from the Western Day Parade, I feel like it is the offical kick off of summer. My cousin Kristen came down and spent a wonderful almost full 2 days hanging out and having fun.

 

Xavier in his stroller. Here I am trying to get a picture of both of us. 

  

My cousin, Kristen and here is Julian, we are trying to be very patient waiting for him. Xavier can't wait so he started spreading the love. 

 

Giving Julian a kiss and telling him about the parade.

  

  

some of the parade. 

Don't forget to check out the poll along the top. I would love to find out what you like making.  

Swatch Board # 7

 

* all images and fabrics from Michael Miller Fabrics 

A. Multi Beatrice Dream

B. Bubblegum Ta Dot

C. Lagoon Ta Dot

D. Espresso Stripe Hype

E. Tangerine Ta Dot

F. Espresso Night Owls

G. Celery Ta Dot

H.  Espresso Beatrice Clover

I am loving this collection and all the dots. Friday, I will get up the sketch board. Feel free to try drawing up some of your owning a leaving a comment with a link to them. I would love to see how you would use the fabric. 

Stay tuned because tonight I will post all the information for the giveaway that starts tomorrow and goes through the 31st. Have a good one!

Sketch Board #6

 

 Sorry for a short post remember to look back at Swatch Board #6 for all the fabric info. Today, has already been busy: I made peach & apricot jam, went on an hour walk, took a bath, am doing dishes and getting ready to run up to see my sister while deon fixes her computer. I have one more baby project that just needs the finishing touches. I must say that it makes me want to have a little girl one day. Well, have an awesome Friday and a great start to Memorial Day!

Swatch Board #6

 

*images from Michael Miller  and so is all the fabric

A. Turquoise Eiffel Tower

B. Clementine Quarter Dot

C. Kiwi Mutt

D. Mud Two by Two Stripe

E. Black Zoology

F. Jet Black

G. Aqua Falling Leaves

H. Ocean Ta Dot

I. Clementine Stripe Hype

J. Aqua Quarter Dot

K. Clementine Flower Shower

I thought it would be fun to share a few things that have been changing around the studio. First up, my new orange filing cabinet (thanks to dad for painting it and to mom for giving it to me) 

 

 

and I reorganized the ironing station (I know, an ironing station...silly right)

 

Now, let's take a look at the inspiration board. (Yepp, changed it all around and I am in love with everything on there)

Here is the whole thing:

  

Tomorrow I will show the close ups of each story... enjoy the rest of the day!

 

Swatch Board #5

 

*All fabrics can be found here:Michael Miller Fabrics 

A. Multi Grass Menagerie

B. Citron Bungalow Stripe

C. Espresso Birds of Norway

D. Paprika Tiny Dots

E. Brown Zoology

F. Boy Dumb Dot

I have been working on countless projects and hope to share them with you soon!

Sketch board #4 Gifts for Mom and garden update-

 

I love the ideas on this board- I would love to have one or two of everything on here! ;) 

and now for a garden update- I transplanted some of the tomatoes but I seem to have about 80+ tomato plants around here. Crazy! I still have some more to transplant hopefully they will all grow...

Here is an overview of the seedlings- 

  

Here are the first 20 transplanted tomato plants- (these are all yellow pear)

  

Here is the next 20- (some more yellow pear, some tigerella, and crimson beefsteak)

  

These are all the tomato plants that still need to be transplanted (I have to get more containers)

  

Here is a closeup at one of the transplants:

  

and finally the lemon cucumbers have really taken off and already have their secondary leaves, I think I will be planting a lot outside here soon....

  

Finally, I thought it would be fun to share this art project with you. I am doing this with my mom's 5th grade class. I took a photo where there is only half of you. Then centered it on some illustration board and drew in the rest. (I whipped up this sample yesterday afternoon) 

Enjoy!

  

* it is a rocket ship and the other half of me is an astronaut! Deep space here I come!

Well have a good one! 

Swatch board #4

A. Tutti Frutti Cotton Leaf Scroll on Olive
B. Tutti Frutti Cotton Print Large Multi Stripe on Tan
C. Tutti Frutti Cotton Print Outlined Flowers on Yellow
D. Calico Fabric- Streamline Pink Circles
E. Calico Fabric- Blushes of Color Packed Flower

* all fabric is from jo ann's

In other news yesterday was under the weather, uggghhh. I didn't get a whole lot done. I did start drafting patterns and working on some print outs for the business. Hopefully I will launch July 1st that is the goal, so get ready for that. I realized that I never did my monthly goals on the blog this month so here they are:

- Get into a regular workout schedule
- Get the garden transplanted to the outdoors
- Eat healthier
- Get outside on the nice days
- Work on the behind the scenes part of my business
- Make more things from scratch- avoid a lot of unnatural things
- Set my studio hours

Well there they are, I am really focused on the workout area and the food area. I am trying to lose about 40 more pounds.  I know it is a lot but it will be best for me in the long run. Well I hope everyone has an awesome day!

Fabric spotlight (swatch board #3)

okay... sorry it has been quite awhile. Well, I am back and will be back for now. I have been working on my business plan (up to 16 pages), branding, and creating all the paper products that I will need to get my business up and running on July 1st. So if I don't blog that is probably the reason. I have been sewing up a storm, I will be able to show you all of the projects on May 17th, I don't want to spoil any surprises. In other news, I spent a delightful Saturday with my cousin Kristen (who is expecting) and we scrapbooked the day away and had some lunch with our grandparents and her husband. I got 3 pages done, except for the journaling on 2 of them. Monday nights are going to be reserved for my scrapbooking, I think so I don't get to far behind on Xavier's album. I love spending this time with my cousin, it is great to have a day just for fun. Well onto the swatch board. Today's fabrics are all available at Jo ann either the store or online from the Heidi Grace Collection. (the next few boards will all feature fabric from jo anns) I sign up for coupons and get them in my email and I pick them up at the store. I rarely pick up anything full price at Jo ann, so I thought it would be great to feature some fabrics that are really affordable. (* I really watch the ads and get items on sale and then use a coupon on something that isn't, my savings have really added up especially on huge sale days. I believe I have saved 50% total on all of my purchases there.)

So here they are:

A. Midnight kisses Multi Floral Cream
B. Daydream Floral Stripe
C. Daydream Stripe Cream
D. Beyond the Sea-Multi Dot
E. Beyond the Sea Yellow Tossed Sea Life
F. Daydream Circle Dot Blue

*sorry I feel to busy/lazy to link today....if you put in the search box on joann's website you should be able to find them or go to quilting fabrics and you will find the collections and will be able to see all of the Heidi Grace prints.

** Sketch will be up in the next few days. Happy May!

A favorite combination: Orange & Pink

Oh, how I love you orange and with a dose of pink you are so pretty. This swatch board is based on that color combo. So here you go-

 

A. Full Bloom in Orange from Amy Butler 

B. Orange/Ripple Stripe from Amy Butler

C. Tangerine/Dream from  Amy Butler

D. Munki Spots by Heather Ross from Reprodepot 

E. Mingling/ah09 gold from the Garden Party Collection by Anna Maria Horner 

F. Cathedral/ah21 Zinnia from the Good Folks Collection by Anna Maria Horner

G. DC3901_Petal Mod Blooms from the Andalucia Collection by Patty Young 

In other exciting news, here are some of my first sprouts of the season:  

  

*zinnias

 *broccoli

 *yellow pear tomato

I am so excited! The garden is starting to sprout....

Here is Swatch Board #1

 

A. Lazy Daisy Stripe in Lime from Reprodepot.com 

B. Road Trip in Pink from Reprodepot.com

C. Zinnia in Plum from Anna Maria Horner 

D. Peonies in Ivory from Heather Bailey

E. Sweet Mod Motif in Grass from Reprodepot.com

F. Crest in Turquoise from Heather Bailey

I will be posting a swatch board every Wednesday and on Friday I will post my sketches of what I would use these fabrics for. I think that it will be fun for you to see my design process, plus I will hone up my sketching skills and I just thought it would be fun. I am going to be gearing the ol' blog here more towards sewing with a little crafting and my life for future reference. Feel free to share your thoughts....  

In other news, I have what seems like an endless to-do list. I am making progress slowly, but surely. This week I think that I will tackle a lot. I am also working on a bew business endeavor and when it is ready you all will be the first to know.

P.S. Xavier also had to have some stitches in his finger after he cut on a pop can. So my little man has already become a tough guy and got his first 4 stitches at only 17.5 months. I can see that this will not be the last time it happens.  

Have a lovely day and hopefully you are enjoying the spring weather,

kz