one shabby chick

Just a reminder

Where to start

I should really do better about blogging so I don't have a million things to share when I finally sit down to blog!

I never thought I would need to actually schedule myself to blog but that's kind of what it's turning into these days. Mostly cause I'm just so busy sewing in any free minute I get!

I have a really big craft fair this Sunday - at least I'm hoping it's really big.

I've never been to this one before but have heard it's a really good one so guess I'll have to wait and see.

I'm sewing as much as I can (yes, I wait until the week before to sew everything - don't you?!).

I did close the Studio Cherie giveaway and will pick the winners next Tuesday after I've recovered from the craft fair.

OK enough about craft fairs...how about some Halloween pictures?!

I didn't manage to get one of the oldest but got one of the rest of us.

Our church partners with another church for a huge Fall Festival every year. It's all free and is so fun for the community.

I was in charge of the jumper for a few hours - check out my cute little Wonder Woman helper (she's a friend's daughter).

Hubs was a crazy Duck Dynasty distant relative - think he must be related to Si.

and the kiddos:

Batman is VERY serious!

They had a pie eating contest this year (pumpkin pie) and there were three different age categories - and my boys/men swept the whole thing!

I got lots of jokes about not feeding them after it was over!

So fun!

Oh - and checkout my sister-in-law and brother's costumes!!

Is that not the coolest?! She made the heads out of paper mache and paint and fake fur - they were so awesome!!

I also finished up a quilt for a friend's baby shower this past Sunday.

(setting up)

She's having a girl - she's also my hairdresser so I had to go in real quick yesterday for a cut and color since she's due to have the baby any day now!

I used the Blind Co-Pilot pattern from Katie and Jacquie's book - best book ever!!

OK I'm off to put elastic into skirt waists and sew up zipper pouches.

Have a great Friday everyone (or Saturday if you are in Australia)!

Settling back in

I'm a pretty independent person so when I was thinking of being gone for 10 days it didn't seem like too long. Boy was I wrong.

Don't get me wrong -  I had a TON of fun in Seattle and Salt Lake but I really missed my family.

Plus I didn't sleep good the entire trip so that had a little to do with it too.

And that altitude really threw me off in SLC! I'm a sea level girl, people - I felt nauseous and dizzy in SLC and couldn't figure out why until someone told me it was probably the altitude - ha ha!

I have been doing a lot of thinking about blogging and sewing and have more to share next week but for now I wanted to share my trip with you all (and write it down for myself so I don't forget!).

I went to Seattle first as one of my very best friends lives there. We grew up together here in Hawaii and she moved away after high school but we've always kept in touch. The last time I saw her was 5 years ago at my sister's wedding.

I had such a fun time....we went to a Sounders game on Sunday, walked along Pike's Market and did some shopping, wandered into this cool bar and discovered an awesome new band, and just hung out and talked.

She was also a great sport about hanging out with a bunch of quilters and talking about fabrics, blogging and quilting.

I arrived in Seattle late Friday night and Saturday morning we headed to Ballard and Dry Good Designs to meet up with Keli and Krista (and Krista's mom - who is the sweetest!!).

I've been emailing back and forth with Krista for a long time now so it was so fun to be able to meet her in person! They were on their way back to Vancouver but we got to chat for a little while and shop at Keli's.

She's just what I thought she'd be - smart, funny and super sweet!! I really wish we had had lots more time but am so happy I finally got to meet her.

Keli's shop is the cutest thing ever (and she is just so great! Super thoughtful - thanks again for buying that beer, Keli - that was so sweet of you!) - if you live in Seattle (or nearby) you HAVE to stop in - everything is so well thought-out and her fabrics and other items are gorgeous. I bought a few things that morning and then that night bought a little more :-)

Saturday night Katie had made reservations for a bunch of us to go out to dinner. We met at her house and she is just so down-to-earth! In my mind, she's one of my quilting heroes (she and Jacquie) and so to meet her in person and just have normal conversations about everyday stuff was so cool!

Heather and Jamie drove up from Portland (thank you SO much for doing that girls - it was so fun!) and Megan met us too.

It was so fun to meet everyone in real life that I had talked to online. We also met up with Krista, Sandi, Keli and CHARISE!! at dinner. I didn't even know Charise lived in Seattle and had no idea she was coming to dinner so it was so fun to meet up with another Ringo Pie-er! Plus she's just so great!!

Somehow I did not get a picture of Heather, Jamie and I together!! How did that happen?! Do you have one, Heather? I stole these from Heather!

We had a blast - got to sample Megan's husband's amazing wine - so good! Brought my mom home a bottle of one of his reds.

And then we all went back to Keli's and just hung out and talked for a while (and shopped). It was really so cool and kinda surreal :-) Talking about their books and projects and just quilting and fabric - it was like a mini-forum! Ha ha!

Heather and Jamie had to leave the next morning but we had coffee and breakfast and just talked and talked - and made a huge mess (ha ha!).

Loved hanging out with you two....so fun and easy - the best kind!

I spent the next few days hanging out with my friend and cruising around Seattle.

On Wednesday we met up with Katie and Charise again and caught the ferry over to Bainbridge Island.

We did some shopping and then met up with Kathy for lunch. She is so great! Really down to earth and friendly and so smart about her business. We even got to visit Pink Chalk Fabrics and do some shopping - she has a great team there and what a fun place to work!! Love the space - so bright and open!

I just loved how unassuming everyone was - they may be big names in the quilting world but none of them acted like it and I loved that!

And the weather was gorgeous the whole time I was there - sunny but cool.

I made my first trip to Ikea! And yes, I had to pack an extra box to bring home...

I'm really wishing I had gotten my phone out more and taken more pictures! Of Seattle but mostly of the people I met up with - seriously wishing for a do-over in that area!

On Thursday I flew out to Sewing Summit but I'll save that for another post.

A little shop update

Some new iPad covers (more styles in the shop):

and a couple Kindle covers too:

And a baby quilt I finished for a customer:

 

I had plans to sew today but am feeling a nap might be needed instead?! We'll see....

15% off with coupon code SEWING SUMMIT is good until this Wednesday and then I'll be closing the shop until I come back!

Baby Quilts

I finished these two up last week and both are now in the shop.

This quilt started while I was playing around with piecing arrows a while back.

It's pretty crinkly now that it's washed - think that's due to all that linen and swirly quilting.

And this quilt was made after playing around with "orphan" blocks in my ufo pile.

I love how they all came together in this quilt.

And I tried a few different quilting techniques from Angela's book.

I'm working on a couple new ones now.

A twin quilt for a customer...

And I just finished the binding on this one last night - I can't wait to show it to you - it's just simple squares but so cute.

Oh, and this one.....

turned into this after I decided to add a word to the patchwork squares (I used Denyse Schmidt's Proverbial Quilt Pattern for the letters). Hoping I get around to quilting it this week.

And here's a lovely view from Saturday morning.

I'm on the AYSO board now and Saturday was picture day - luckily we have a great backdrop!!

** And I ALMOST forgot - all you local Hawaii peeps! Another quilter and I have been talking about starting a Modern Quilt Guild here and were thinking of having coffee this week (maybe Friday afternoon in Pearl City) to talk it over and meet each other. Anyone want to join in? Leave me a comment and I'll be in touch!

Where to start

So I'm leaving two weeks from today - eeek!! I am SO excited!

Sewing Summit and Seattle (one of my best friends lives there and I haven't seen her in years).

I'll be in Seattle for almost a week and then it's off to Sewing Summit.

I cannot wait! Meeting up with a bunch of friends - I think some of the Portland girls are making the trek up to Seattle.

Stopping by this lovely store to meet Keli and I finally get to meet Katie!!

Plus everyone at Sewing Summit too - it will be so fun to put voices and faces to everyone!!

And I have a ton of sewing that I've done/need to do.

Has anyone seen Elizabeth's weekender? OK go take a look, I'll wait here.

Amazing right?! When I first saw it on Instagram, I had to drop everything and start one!

Mine is a little wonky but I'm ok with that (but I totally followed the directions for once and put the zipper in the right way!).

* I made it like Elizabeth did - quilt as you go method and canvas and batting instead of peltex.

Just need to sew in the lining and it can be my carry-on for my trip!

I'm working on a baby quilt that a friend ordered.

It's all pieced together and basted. I'm planning on quilting it this afternoon.

I finally sewed the binding on the Brr! quilt so now I can hand-stitch it down.

This is on my design wall right now.

I loved all the fabrics I used in my Weekender so I cut 5" squares last night and put them up on the wall.

Which was when Hubby revealed something he'd been holding in for a while now - Apparently it really bugs him that I cut up the fabric so you can't tell what it is or read the words on it....so basically he doesn't like quilting - ha ha!

I laughed so hard at him - and then he tried to tell me how there was too much black in one area and I almost hit him :-)

I have another twin quilt that I'm planning to start this weekend and finish before I leave....plus 3 twin quilts for three sisters using Sarah Jane's Out To Sea fabrics - but those aren't due until the end of November.

I can't wait to make them - love that fabric!!

Oh and one last, but kinda big, thing.

Umm - Heather wrote a book and I have a pattern in it!!

Eek! I can't show you my pillow but I can say {whispers} - it has words on it!!!

It's on Amazon right now for pre-sale. It comes out in Feb. 2013!

A new look

So it started out innocent enough...

I wanted to change my banner and maybe make some new business cards.

Carly came over for a chat and we decided on a trade....some shop goodies for her mad skills.

(seriously - check out how cute these arrows are!!)

 

Then I decided to download the trial version of Photoshop Elements.

And that's when it all went wild - ha ha! Not really! But just look at that sidebar!

I couldn't help myself...and it's toned down!

Before there were cute little birds everywhere - and I must have tried about 20 different banner ideas before going with this one.

I updated my personal and business Facebook pages and my Etsy shop - it's just so fun.

But I'm done now and it's back to sewing!

And I need to announce the winner of Miss Matatabi's giveaway!

#45 - Patti!

Congrats! I'll be sending you an email soon!

I finished up the Indie quilt just before I had to head off to the baby shower last weekend!

Such gorgeous fabrics! The mom-to-be loved it!

And this custom passport wallet is on it's way to New York:

I have a few things to sew up tomorrow - ipad covers, crayon wallets and passport wallets.

But before that my under-8 girls have their first soccer game. I'll be the coach on the sidelines cheering wildly!

* P.S. I got most of my clip art from this cute Esty shop - the Ink Nest!

A couple of things

Yesterday I quilted two baby quilts - yeah!

Have the binding on them now and just need to hand sew it.

One is for a baby shower tonight so I need to get on that!

I also worked on some clutches and zip pouches today.

I'll have them finished tomorrow or Monday and will get them in the shop.

I love all the bright colors and leather corners.

MichellePatterns is having a sale so if you want to pick up the clutch pattern, now is a good time.

And I made a blogger bundle for Pink Castle Fabrics - eeek! My first one!

It's called Hawaiian Sunset.

Plus you can get 20% off with coupon code LABOR20!

OK I'm off to try and bind like a maniac!!

summer is over

Well, guess summer is officially over.

We hit the water park for one final hurrah last Thursday (it was also Bela's birthday).

We started back to school this week which meant busy days.

My eldest is working two mornings a week at the local coffee shop bagging coffee so he's doing school in the afternoon on those days. Plus add in jiu-jitsu (the boys are both taking it now and they LOVE it) and soccer and we have some busy days! Ballet starts in a couple weeks too!

Luckily it's all pretty close so I'm not driving too far!

But it does cut into sewing time for sure.

I've been trying to sew in the evenings this week which worked out good. And we are turning our cable off tomorrow so there won't be that distraction either. I know....I kinda can't believe it but we rarely watch tv nowadays so I think we'll be fine. Plus we are keeping Netflix.

I think I'll only miss soccer games :-)

I managed to piece together a few quilt tops this week last night.

I don't think I even showed the feathers I had made on here - Anna Maria's pattern is so awesome! And those feathers are really big!

I used lots of different oranges and then sewed them all together along with some orange feather fabric from her new line, Field Study.

I also pieced my arrows into a quilt top - this one was hard since I has to sew it bigger and then cut the quilt at an angle since I wanted the arrows to be on the diagonal. So there are lots of bias edges on the quilt which could make quilting it (or basting it really) kinda tricky!

(sorry for the blur - these are night iPhone pics)

But I already have the back sewn up so it's all ready for quilting.

I tried shrinking the feather and sewed up a clutch using this pattern.

Here's the other side....I'm making some for the shop soon.

Along with these little cuties - love the leather edges!

I sewed up an oldie this past weekend....this one has been tucked away for a while!

And again, sorry for all the instagram pics - apparently I can't be bothered to take pictures during the day or with my camera.

I am on Instagram a lot though - it's kinda like mini-blog posts all day long :-)

My name is oneshabbychickhawaii if you want to follow along.

And I do have a few good sales to share with you:

Fabricworm has all their Freespirit & Westminster fabrics 10% off until 9/6!

Pink Castle Fabrics has a 20% off coupon good until Monday - LABOR20!

MichellePatterns is having a sale on all her patterns! Use coupon laborday for 20% off any purchase!

Whipstitch still has their 30% of sale with coupon code LIQUID - they are closing on Monday!

I'll be back with a sappy post soon since it's our 17th anniversary on Sunday! Dang we are old :-)

New quilts + mermaids (and mermen)

There are so many amazing fabric lines out right now, aren't there?!

Oh my goodness!! Field Study, Indie, Out to Sea, Chicopee...and a bunch more!

As soon as I got my bundle of Indie in the mail, I knew I wanted to make a baby quilt for a friend of mine.

The colors in this line are so vibrant - I have some yardage and want to make some shirred elastic skirts (for women) to sell at the craft fairs this winter.

I have always loved Katie's half square triangle quilts so I divided the bundle into lights and darks and cut a bunch of 6.5" squares. You can see her tutorial here on value quilts and how to pair up the squares.

I think I mostly achieved the look I was going for - there are a few "light" squares that are too dark but overall I love the effect.

Not sure how I'm going to quilt this one up yet....

And I am absolutely in love with Sarah Jane's new line, Out to Sea. It is very sweet and perfect for little  skirts and quilts.

I have a few ideas for this line but for my first quilt I went with simple patchwork squares (and a few rectangles).

The pinks in this line are gorgeous - different shades that all blend together so nicely....I was thinking a wave pattern would be fun to try on this quilt but we'll see....

And speaking of mermaids....a friend of ours recently made my girls mermaid tails.

Her granddaughter had been asking for one for a long time and she has a background in swimsuit manufacturing so she ordered some material and made these gorgeous tails.

Through LOTS of encouragement, she's even set up an Etsy shop!

The kids and Hubby all went down to the beach a couple Saturdays ago and came home with these wonderful pictures.

Imagine my surprise when a few mermen popped up in the photos - ha ha!!

(Hubby put it on backwards but Bela was sure he was going to break her tail - lol! There's video of both he and my eldest but I'll spare you that - ha ha!)