Boo!

Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt

It's me.  Jamie.  The apron/pattern/mom/Anthro loving/occasional blogger. Remember?

Well that was quite a break!  Originally I had intended the break for working on my new patterns, but I'm sure I would have taken a break even if I wasn't working on the patterns.  Between swim classes, youth sports, and beach visits, this has become quite a busy summer. Not to mention how messy this place can get with so much going on.  I don't know what it is about the 3rd child, but ever since that little shooga booga arrived 4 years ago I can't seem to catch up with things.  

Take the laundry for example.  Never a problem 5 years ago, but now... well, now I just tell the kids to check the couch for their swim trunks.  And if they can't find a matching sock, which is almost always the case, I'll settle for matching colors.  No one notices anyways... right?

*** Pattern News ***

I am finished with one pattern and will be sending it of to the printers this week. I'm anxious to share some pics in the upcoming days.  I've leaked a few on my flickr page.  The talented Pierre Olivier photographed the goods.  You can check them out here.   

More to come!

Jamie

    

New fabric and new pattern news!

There are a couple of new Japanese fabrics in the shop.

Echino - Bus

Echino - Camera

Nani Iro - Fuccra (I've already cut into this)

Nani Iro - Poster Fleur

This last one is part of the Kokka family and is called Tiny and Cute Deer.  They have the cutest big ole fat heads.  I just want to squeeze them really hard... ok, maybe a little too hard.

***

On a different note, I've been busy these past couple of weeks working on 2 new patterns.  Normally I leak out pics of what I'm working on, but no can do this time.  Well, I shouldn't really say that.  I have shown pics of them in the past... sort of.  Anyways, I'm finishing up pattern #1 and then I'm going straight into pattern #2.  These next few weeks may be a little quiet around here, because I really want to get them out ASAP.  As soon as the patterns are completed, I'll get back to posting some tutes.

Cheers!

Jamie

Shoog is still a boog

Yes, shoog is still a boog.  She gets herself in these predicaments that she can't get out of.  Take, for example, the above predicament.  The other day I happened to glance outside and saw 2 big eyes staring at me.  I just about jumped out of my skin!  Shooger managed to get herself stuck on our patio table.  She tried to get down by herself, but as you can see she's not exactly the agile kind.  The third frame is my favorite, because she gets her hind legs perched up next to her front legs and then chickens out. We have obviously lost the "getting up on furniture" battle.

 Ah I love her!

Have a fun weekend!

Jamie

Vintage dress madeover with trim

Last week, I got around to taking off the rick rack trim from my vintage dress and replacing it with the Italian trim.  I contemplated sewing trim to the waist line as well, but I decided that it might be a bit too much.  

After all, it is my barefoot dress.

Jamie

The Palm Springs celebration

This past weekend my husband and I took a little road trip to Palm Springs.  Actually we stayed in Indian Wells, which is a sister city to Palm Springs, but most people don't know where Indian Wells is, so Palm Springs it is! 

Indian Wells, along with Palm Springs, are some of the cleanest cities I have ever seen.  As we were driving into town, my husband and I kept saying to each other, "It's so clean here." "How do they keep it so clean?"  Where's the litter?" Then, when we got out of the car we said, "IT'S SO HOT HERE!  So, I suppose that's the trade off for cleanliness.

   

While we were there, an alcohol/substance recovery program group was having a celebration retreat at the resort.  There must have been about 250 people celebrating their sobriety. It made for a very interesting setting.  It was like spring break at Daytona Beach, but without the alcohol.  Usually the combination of pool side bootie shaking dancing, boisterous buff tattooed bodies, piercings, and what most would perceive as a wild looking crowd, would normally produce fighting and other uncomfortable situations.  But not this group - no fighting or anything of the sort.  Not only wasn't there the threat of what happens when parties go bad, but everyone from the group was extremely kind and joyful.  Genuinely joyful!  Everyone was very supportive of each other and they just wanted to celebrate a positive change they had made.  

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the celebration and the various conversations I had with the group members. I found myself sincerely excited for their success.  I wanted to ask whomever I came in contact with what was their story and how they overcame their addiction, however, I figured they weren't there to talk about their past because they have a new life to begin.  It was so special to witness their celebration and affinity for each other. It made our own special weekend that much more fun.

   

My husband and I had our own reason to celebrate this weekend, since we have been married for 16 years this month!

And much like the recovery group, we too are looking forward to the brightest of futures.

Cheers,

Jamie 

Winners and New Organic Fabric

The Random Number Generator has found favor with...

Sarah G

and 

Lucie.

Congrats winners!  I have both of your email addresses, so I will email you shortly for your shipping info.
Looking over all of the comments, I'd say the Peacock is the blue prize winner for Most Popular Craft to Make First category. I do have 3 books left in stock if you are interested in making that Fancy Peacock.

Thank you everyone who entered. 

Continuing the bird theme, I just received a shipment of organic fabric by Birch Fabric's titled Circa 50.

   All of the fabrics would make lovely aprons, curtains, and/or baby blankets. However, my favorite of the bunch is Tree Stripes located in the top left corner with the birds perched in the trees. 

The entire Circa 50 collection is GOTS certified which means the fabric meets the Global Organic Textile Standard.  The fabric is produced from organic cotton and printed with low impact dyes.  So not only does this fabric make the eyes feel good to look at - it's environmentally friendly too!  Here's the link to the fabrics.

Lastly, I have added more fabric to the 40% off clearance section such as Sandi Henderson's Meadow Sweet fabric.  Here's the link.

Cheers!

Jamie

Book giveaway

The giveaway is now closed.  I will announce the winners tomorrow.  Thank you for playing!

Hey!  How about a book giveaway?  CT Publishing has graciously given me 2 Little Birds books to giveaway.

Who can enter?

Any and everyone.  International friends are more than welcome to enter.

How?

Leave a comment telling me which project you want to complete first. Also, be sure to leave some sort of contact email, or you can email me if you are the winner. Two winners will be chosen through the random number generator.

When?

The giveaway begins now and concludes on Tuesday June 1st.  I'll announce the winners on Wednesday the 2nd.

What projects?

The projects in the book are:

Little Bird Mobile 

Fancy Peacock

Stork With A Heart Mobile

Our Flock Embroidery

Tweet Birds Apron

Birdhouse

Fred the Cardinal

Edward The Owl

Bird In A Cage

Little Round Bluebird

Bluebird Wallets

Mildred The Dove With Baguettes

Birds On A Wire Quilt

Embroidered Doorknob Ornament

Mid-Century Scrap Quilt

Pikku The Penguin

Garden Of Birds Embroidery

Bird's Nest Journal

Bird In A Nest

Little Birds Quilt

Owl Wallhanging

Budgie

Wreath With A Bird

Bird On A Branch Makeup Bag

Chewy The Owl Ornament

Here's the book trailer again. You can view the projects in the order listed above.

Best of luck!

Jamie