Thursday, October 24, 2013

Purse Palooza: the Birdie Sling

Hey y'all! So even though I am in the UK right now for work (that's right, I'm now apparently a jet-setting librarian), I just wanted to let you know that I am guest-blogging over at Sew Sweetness today as part of Sara's Purse Palooza series.


I am reviewing Amy Butler's Birdie Sling pattern. This was actually my first time making the Birdie Sling (I know, late to the party, right?) and I just love how it turned out! I used My Folklore from Lecien for the body, and golden yellow shot cotton (I can't remember if this was a Moda or Kaffe off the top of my head) for the bands and handle. The interior fabric is the dark brown Henna Garden from Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet 2.


So, hop on over to Sara's if you want to check out my review and read my thoughts on it! I'll be back from London on Saturday and hopefully I'll have lots of fun pictures to share with you then!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Pre-Holiday Sampling + a Pattern Sale!

Hey y'all! First off, I just wanted to say that the reason I haven't been blogging much lately is that my computer crashed the week before Sewing Summit and I still haven't been able to get it fixed. I wrote my last couple of blog posts using Alex's old laptop that is so slow (and the space bar doesn't work properly) that I want to gouge my eyeballs out every time I use it! I seriously have so much to share with you guys, I have been sewing up a storm lately, plus I want to share some pictures from my Sewing Summit class; I'm still getting pictures from my students over Instagram as they work to finish their pillows and it is awesome!

This is just a quick post because, seriously, I can't stand to type on this computer for long, but I wanted to do a little something special! With Chrismakkah and the holidays just around the corner, I know that many people are already starting to look at making gifts and things for their homes. I've already begun on a couple of gifts and have more plans that I will, hopefully, be able to execute in time. To get everyone in the holiday crafting mood I am offering up a little discount on all of my downloadable PDF patterns. How does that sound?

For my Etsy shop the coupon code to get 15% off (downloadable patterns only, please do not use on finished items such as quilts) is: HOLIDAY2013. Now unfortunately, Craftsy does not have a way to accept coupon codes, however, if you wish to purchase from my Craftsy shop rather than my Etsy shop please send my an email after you purchase including both the email you use for your Paypal account and your Craftsy screen name and I will refund you 15% through Paypal. The coupon code/refund policy are in effect for two months (two whole months!!) and will expire on December 18, 2013.

Here is just a sampling of the patterns you can purchase:


Nordic Christmas! This is the cover from the "series" where you can buy all three patterns together at a discounted price, however you can buy them individually too. And don't forget about the tutorial for turning one of the blocks from Ornament Sampler into a finished ornament!


Orion! Seriously, I am still pretty much in love with this quilt. I know it's not cool to think one of your own patterns is awesome, but seriously, this quilt makes me smile every time I see it! And don't forget, that the paper pieced arrows (all templates included in the pattern) can be used on their own and built out to create a cool pillow, or to form a portion of another motif.


Itching to be Stitching! This pattern is still one of the most popular in my shops. It was originally designed when I was asked to be the first guest designer for The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery; after it went out of print with the folks over there, I revamped and re-released it. It gives me no end of pleasure to see people stitching this little guy up and hanging it in their craft room/studio space.

There are a few more patterns available in my both my Etsy and Craftsy shops, but I won't inundate you with any more pictures for now. Don't forget the code for the Etsy shop is: HOLIDAY2013

I can't wait to see what everyone stitches up for the holidays - let's hope it's a good one!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Sewing Summit 2013: All the Friends!

Hey y'all! So I debated with myself for awhile about whether my first post-Sewing Summit post should be about my class, the general experience (lost luggage *cough*), or everything else. But I realized while going through pictures, looking at Instagram, and seeing some other blog posts pop up, that all I really want to blog about right now is my friends and all of the super-cool people I got to meet.

My awesome roomie came bearing gifts...


Dinner with a great group of girls who laugh when I curse or say something a little irreverent...


We've got Angela, Lindsey, Deedrie, Jeni, Me, Elena, Amy, and Kati here at Brio - yum!

There were great friends that I only get to see very occasionally (come to Toronto!)...

Christina and I: by Christina


Christina and I: by Jeni


Jeni and I: by Christina

Elena and I: by Angela

Although, this can occassionally lead to fisticuffs too...

Elena and I: by Deedrie

Or inappropriate pictures of Kaye trying to take a picture of friends at dinner...

by Deedrie

See? Inappropriate!! And occasionally friends say things like "I like people who like me" and strike a super-cute pose...


And you get to meet some other people for the first time in real life...

from Jess
Ale (sitting beside me) and I talk HP all of the time on Instagram and Jess (in the red Mickey Mouse sweater) is always so positive towards me that I just want to smooch her! Jana was almost my roommate and Jessie (who is awesome) taught a class at Sewing Summit too! And yep, that is indeed Heather Bailey standing behind me.

I had a wonderful time hanging out with all of the ladies and I'm a little sad that I don't have more pictures of everyone else that I met! I'll be back soon with more pictures and stories from Sewing Summit!