Snoopy Building Block Quilt

A few days ago I began pulling out fabrics to make the Snoopy quilts for our new grandson who is due to arrive in a few months.  After much auditioning I settled on two stacks of fabric to make a building block quilt, with the flannel and chenille and some cute cotton snoopy fabrics in yellows and blues for a pinwheel quilt. Up first will be the building block quilt using the flannels and chenille fabrics.

Before I began the block quilt I bound a Snoopy cheater quilt which I acquired in 2003, I had it stored away with all the other cute Snoopy fabrics.  My son adored his Snoopy while growing up and requested I collect Snoopy fabric and put it aside for his children someday, which I did every time I saw anything with that pattern, now I get to use it.

Spent one afternoon cutting out all the necessary squares, the fabric is just darling and looks warm and comfy all together.

Started pinning the first of the squares, I don’t usually need to use pins but the chenille stretches and moves around, not to mention it sheds like crazy, it was a whole lot more work then I anticipated.

Once I stitched up the first square I realized I was short on white thread so I decided to use the chain stitching method, basically you feed one square after another through the machine without cutting the threads in between, this went really fast and I did not run out of thread.  All I had to do was clip the threads between the squares and press the seams towards the heavier fabric which was the blue chenille.  At this point I am letting my quilt sit for a bit, I will return to it very soon.

In addition to the block quilt I have a number of other projects I am working on, there are a dozen darling retro cloth dolls in various stages of completion, more gifts for the new baby, some patio cushion covers and my biggest project, designs for my new line of sewing patterns which I plan to release at the beginning of 2013.  Pattern design is a very long tedious process, it requires lots of thought, writing and testing in order to get everything just right.  Once all the pattern pieces and instructions are completed along with finished product samples, I will call on my circle of sewing friends to test the patterns for me before releasing them for sale.  That’s always a fun process since we all get together in my home and have a full day of sewing; everyone gets a different pattern or sets of patterns to test, along with tasty treats to eat while we work.

Thanks for letting me share the journey I have been on over the past couple of months; it is a very creative and busy time in my studio with all the changes and growth coming almost all at once. Whew!!!  I plan to keep writing my blog as I move through all of it, maybe not every other day but as often as I can. Keep checking in to see what I am working on next.

See you soon.

Laurette

All About Babies

Today’s creative project is baby burp cloths, with an 8 month old granddaughter and a new baby arriving in the fall, I thought it was time to get sewing for the little ones again.  I felt it was appropriate to begin with all those necessary little generic layette items since we don’t know yet what the sex of our fall baby is.  Burp cloths were up first, with baby kimonos, bibs, blankets, toys and quilts to follow as time allows.  I love to sew for babies and toddlers the fabrics are so much fun to work with; you will be seeing quite a few projects over the next couple of months as I gather together my completed projects for the baby shower.

I had a great time shopping in my fabric stash for the retro prints I used on most of the burp cloths.  The fabrics remind me so much of the ones I used to make things for my children when they were babies, except the prints then were the originals, these are replicas of those.  The retro fabrics I chose are not gender specific and can be used for either a boy or a girl.

I played around with different kinds of fabric mixes with printed cottons for one side with either flannel on the back or terrycloth toweling.  On one of them I used the same flannel print on both sides. I sent one of each kind over to my daughter’s house to try on her 8 month old to see how well they work and wash up; they are still in the testing stages, so far so good.

These six will go into the basket of goodies for the baby shower; they are a mix of cottons, flannel and terrycloth toweling. As soon as I find out the gender my projects will get much more specific, but for now I get to sew for the baby as my creative spirit speaks to me.

Thanks for letting me share my baby burp cloth project with you.  I have several summer patio sewing and painting projects coming up very soon as well as the kitchen/family room makeover posting, I misplaced some photos which is putting me a little behind on that one, but it is on the way.  See you soon.

Laurette

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A Farewell to Homespun Harbor

After many years of owning a successful, thriving quilt shop in Hollister, California, the owners, Dennis & Ghleanna recently decided to close their shop and retire to sunny Florida.  Our much loved couple has been in the business for over 20 years and they are now finally ready to slow down life and take it easy for awhile.  Even though they are closing up shop this week they are not leaving the business altogether, they will continue their on-line sales probably some time around September with a website re-vamp featuring fabrics, kits and other goodies, I will let you know when they have it up and running so you can check out their site.  I am sure I will continue to purchase fabrics from them on-line; Ghleanna has such a fantastic eye for picking out just the right line of unique, bright and cheerful fabrics, I know she will have just what I need.

Dennis and Ghleanna, I will not only miss your fabulous store but I will really miss your warm, kind and caring friendship, you both always perked up my day when I entered your shop, you will truly be missed by all your loyal customers and friends.  I wish you the very best in your new life, keep in touch.

Laurette

Homespun Harbor a Fabric Heaven

Finally, a peak into my very favorite quilt shop, Homespun Harbor, a beautiful, colorful feast for the eyes with hundreds and hundreds of bolts of stunning fabrics.  There is so much to see and absorb it takes hours to really take it all in, unless you are a regular customer like I am.  I am very blessed to have this fantastic quilt shop right here in my own hometown, I can go shopping for new fabrics or just get inspiration for my projects anytime I want.  Instead of going on and on about it, I think I will let the pictures entice and inspire you instead of writing a long post praising all its wonders, you can see for yourself why I love it so much.

As you enter the shop you are greeted with a smile and a warm hello.  The shop is owned by husband and wife team, Dennis & Ghleanna.  Shown in the photo are Dennis and his little helper, his granddaughter.

On the right side of the doorway as you enter the store, you will see a bright, cheery selection of fabrics appropriate for making all the cute little quilts and projects you can think of for children.  This is only a very small view of the great selection, it would not all fit in the photo, you will have to go in to see it for yourself.

Just past that area are the reds, pinks and black and whites section.  Hanging above the red fabrics are some very cute projects you can make by taking a class or purchasing a pattern.

Speaking of patterns and books, there is a great selection of those to choose from.

The notions wall is really fantastic and has a pretty good variety of items any quilter or seamstress might need.  The town is a good 25 miles from any of the big box fabric stores, to far too just run down to the store for a forgotten item.  The notions wall is a huge lifesaver when you are trying to finish a project and run out of thread or need a new rotary cutting blade, happens to me all the time, thank goodness for those notions.

A peak down the long isles.

Lots of yummy fabrics all sorted into sections by color and fabric styles.

Elegant quilts and holiday fabrics for all those parties and decorating.

Last but not least, for all you quilters, the fat quarter wall.  So far it is one of the largest selections of fat quarters in a variety of colors and fabrics, I have had the pleasure to see, and with really great prices too!  It takes me forever to go through them each time I go into the store; it is always changing, what fun.

If you live in or around Hollister, CA you just have to take the time to go in and look around, be sure you allow enough time to get through the whole store, there is so much more to see.  If you don’t live in California you can go to their great website to check out their on-line store.  They also put out a wonderful newsletter and their class schedules with pictures of class projects, www.homespunharbor.com .

You will see many, many projects on my blog featuring their wonderful fabrics in future posts.  Thanks for taking a little tour of my favorite quilt shop; I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  Look for that bit of bling I keep promising you.  See you soon.

How to find them:

Homespun Harbor A Quilt Shop

341 Tres Pinos Rd. Ste. 101

Hollister, CA  95023

831-630-9438

www.homespunharbor.com

Closed Sunday and Monday

                   

Fabric Heaven & My Studio Helper

 Once again it’s quilt show season, with a parade of beautiful quilts and fabulous fabrics from around the world, all on display for the avid quilter and seamstress.  Because I am both a quilter and a seamstress, my studio assistant and I will be attending this weekend’s Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, California.  This show hosts over 800 quilts, wearable textiles and 300 vendors featuring all kinds of patterns, fabrics, notions and so much more. I can’t wait to go!

Since I am a totally addicted to beautiful fabrics and patterns I will be like a kid in a candy store surrounded by all my favorite goodies wondering what to buy first.  I will have to set a budget and have my assistant hold me back from buying excesses of the fabrics I fall in love with (let’s hope my assistant has been working out, she will need super human strength to drag me away).

 Everyone in the studio has been excitedly planning out our one day trip (it takes several days to see it all), with the exception of my little studio helper, Honey.  She begged and pleaded to go and was told no, due to the fact she is so small, size was a good excuse and the fact she is a cat. (Shh...) Don’t tell her, she will be in a real mood; she doesn’t know she’s a cat.  It’s already bad enough she is giving me the cold shoulder and exhibiting some bad behavior, where did my sweet little studio helper go?

Frankly someone had to stay behind, do the inspections and manage the studio, besides she drew the short straw.

Honey is pouting because she has to stay in the studio while we go to the quilt show.

 “What do you mean you want me to fill orders while you are gone?” “I don’t think so… I am calling in sick the minute you leave.”  Just another day in the life of my much pampered studio helper, looks like I created a little fur diva, what’s a gal to do?

We are really looking forward to going to the show this weekend then coming back to tell you all about the fantastic goodies we found, hopefully we will have lots of pictures to share with you as well.  I am not sure if we are allowed to take photos but we are going to try.  I am looking forward to sharing all our adventures with you next week, be sure to look for them.

In the meantime I have more projects and bling to share with you.  See you soon.

Pacific International Quilt Festival –Santa Clara, CA

Managed by Mancuso Show Management 

www.quiltfest.com

Side note:  I am finally working on my new laptop, a bit slow going trying to get use to the programs, Windows 7 and a new key board.  My retrieved data and photos were safely loaded on to the new computer and are ready to go.  I am one lucky woman.

A big THANK YOU!! To Jolene and Steven for all their patience, time and talent, I would be totally lost without you!  Love you both.

Data and photo retrieval by:

Rx-TEK, Hollister, CA

831-636-9400

A California Fall

It’s finally starting to feel something like fall in California with cool, crisp days and nights.  We haven’t started the turning of the leaves yet and I still have roses blooming, but it finally cooled down last night bringing our first fall rain. 

For me fall means beautiful, lush, warm colors found in flowers, trees, fabrics and fall decorations.  I love to decorate my home inside and out in those lovely fall greens, gold, browns, rust and burgundy.  I enjoy the fall decorations so much I decorate every room in my favorite colors using fall leaf garlands, pumpkins, floral centerpieces, wreaths, candles, and quilted fall table runners.  Most people don’t really bother with decorating this time of year unless they have small children who like Halloween.  I personally don’t enjoy the Halloween decorations so I do fall decorations instead.  In November I add the usual turkeys, corn and gourds, which I leave up until it is time to decorate for Christmas.

The first decorations to come out on display are my quilted and non-quilted table runners; here are a few of the fall ones.  The rest of the decorations will follow soon.

This is a runner I bought from a young seamstress who was selling these at a super reasonable price.  I could have sewn one up myself but I wanted to help a beginning seamstress get a start making a living from the work she did.  I was working in an art gallery at the time and didn’t have time to make them myself, so I actually bought quite a few for several different holidays, she did a really good job on all of them.  I added a few fresh mini pumpkins with a candle centerpiece to bring out the traditional colors. The centerpiece will change again soon.

This little fall quilt sits on a cabinet in the dinning room.  I made this quilt with leftover triangles from a couple of large table runners I use on my dinning table.  I try to use as many of the leftover scraps from the making of my quilts and garments, no waste if I can help it.

One of the first things I change in my fall decorating is the dinning room table.  This table setting has a rust colored table cloth as the base, a leaf print table runner, brown woven place mats, a copper colored charger, and brown napkins with wooden napkin rings.  The center currently holds a vase of fall flowers and two large glass hurricane lamps with candles and burgundy glass pebbles.  The table sets the tone for the rest of the room decorations.

The very pretty little runner sitting on the entry table was one of the first quilted table runners I ever made, the bright colors and patterns make it one of my favorites. 

It’s time for me to go to storage this weekend and pull out the rest of the fall wreaths, ceramic pumpkins, centerpieces, candles and anything else I can find so I can finish my decorating.  I am running a bit late this year from trying to figure out how to write a blog, launching a new business and spending time with my new grand baby.

I was just thinking…one day life is slow and lazy then the next thing you know you get very busy and the holidays have begun creeping up on you when you weren’t looking.  Apparently I was napping in the California sun unaware the seasons had changed.  Better late then never.  So if you were not paying attention either, join the club and get busy decorating for fall.  If it isn’t a season you normally do any decorating for why not give it a try and see if you “fall” as in love with it as I am. 

Featured fabrics came from:  Homespun Harbor A Quilt Shop

www.homespunharbor.com

Where I like to buy fall decorations:

Michael's

JOANN Fabrics

Target

Kmart

Etc...