one shabby chick

Back to school + ramblings

We finally started school this week.....so no sewing has happened so far. But I did a HUGE meal prep today using this book and I'm hoping it will help with sewing time.

I sewed up this fun Heather Ross charm quilt last week using some older Mendecino and the new Far, Far Away - it's so soft and feels very similar to her older lines. Plus her designs are just the cutest!

 A few weeks ago I celebrated my 40th birthday - eek! We had a fun time over on Instagram with a little lip-sync singing challenge.

I sewed up this fun bag for the winner.

and one for last year's winner too - oops!

And some new ipad cases for the shop:

 I can't get enough of those Cotton and Steel fabrics!

Hubby made me the most amazing birthday present - a new sewing table. I absolutely love it!

I have a big to-do list of sewing for a few shops in town and a long list of quilts I want to work on. Hoping I get in some sewing time soon!

And I haven't forgotten about picking a winner - I'll do it soon I promise!

Sew a Modern Home Blog Tour

I have known Melissa for a long time - she was one of the first bloggers I ever met online.

 

We were in a bee together called Common Threads. We have even had the opportunity to meet up a few times here in Hawaii and at Quilt Market.

She is an amazing pattern designer - Lunden Designs is her pattern company and she is constantly coming up with fun, modern patterns.

I was not surprised at all when she told me she was writing a book - she's full of amazing ideas.

And of course her book, Sew A Modern Home,  is no exception!

 

Photo Credit: Martingale/Brent Kane

I love the Pinky Patch Quilt - it would be a great way to use up scraps (or use fussy cut squares for a fun eye-spy quilt).

Photo Credit: Martingale/Brent Kane

You could use blues, pinks or even yellows for a fun baby quilt. 

I love the way her designs are very modern and can be changed very easily with your fabric choices.

The Birds of a Feather Place Mats would make a super cute pillow design too - I think I want to make a few for my living room using Cotton and Steel prints paired with a darker solid or text print. 

 

Photo Credit: Martingale/Brent Kane

I really love how many masculine quilt designs she has  - the Sharp Turn Quilt is a great design.

 

Photo Credit: Martingale/Brent Kane

You could use solids like in the book or you could switch it up with some fun prints and still have a very modern design - I love it!

This book is full of ideas for your living room, dining room, nursery, bedroom, guest rooms, kids rooms and even a picnic quilt!

There are also super cute plushie patterns - an octopus that is calling my name - it's adorable!

I'm so happy for you, Melissa - it's a beautiful book - congratulations!

The best part is one of you gets to win a Sew a Modern Home E-book from Martingale! Just leave a comment below and I will pick a winner on Monday, August 25.

There are more stops on the blog tour and more chances to win! Good luck!

 8/13/2014    www.lundendesigns.com
8/14/2014    www.veryshannon.com
8/15/2014    http://westcoastcrafty.com/
8/16/2014    http://bostonsewer.blogspot.com/
8/17/2014    http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com/
8/18/2014    http://cactus-needle.blogspot.com/
8/19/2014    www.fabricworm.com
8/20/2014    http://generationqmagazine.com/
8/21/2014    http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
8/22/2014    prudentbaby.com
8/23/2014    http://www.stitcherydickorydock.com/
8/24/2014    http://www.favequilts.com/

Summer Living

OK so another 3 months have gone by - can I blame it on summer?

How about I just show you what we've been up to?

We spent a lot of time at the beach.....

and I've been doing lots of sewing:

experimenting with leather

having lots of fun with Cotton and Steel fabrics

making lots of Jane Market totes for friends

 

Have gotten obsessed with a new shorts pattern

 

and with making patchwork panels

more beach days

and now school and soccer are about to be in full swing. I'm not ready!!

So, how did you spend your summer?