alittlesweetness

my mini market ~ spring 2012

As you know, I didn't attend Spring Market since The Simple Life wasn't ready for printing in time.  At the last minute I was given a small amount of strike-off's to be able to come up with a few little projects for a "mini display".  I was thrilled that there would be something at market to represent my line, even though I didn't have every print and I only had a little to work with.

Here's what I came up with:

The Simple Life Pillow:

Riley Blake has the cutest trims to add to your projects. 

 

The Happy Tree Pillow:

Loving this sweet ruffly crochet lace....

 

The Farmer's Wife Mini Quilt:

 

And a little drawstring bag with a tiny felt doll:

I made up the drawstring bag and the felt doll tutorial is from Charla Anne.

 

I've also spied a couple of photos of my little wall hanging around on the internet....

(Photo from Fat Quarter Shop)

I am happy RB was able to create that cute little bunting and an adorable quilt from my red panel. 

(Photo from Precut Paradise)

If you see any other pictures around, please let me know, I'd love to see! 

So I'm pretty happy with the way it ended up turning out given that I didn't expect to have anything there at all.  Thank you so very much to the girls at Riley Blake for making such a darling display!  I love it!

Tasha

the happy and the sad....

Yes, there is happy and sad news!  I hate sad, but sometimes sad just happens, right? I'm just glad that my sad news isn't something much sadder.  See, already something to be happy about.

The sad thing is that I won't be going to market!  Waaaa!  (yes, that was a baby cry...)  :(  I was really looking forward to my first show and being able to meet (in person!) some amazingly talented friends.  However, with some troubles in the strike-off phase, it just wasn't possible.  I know....WAAA!  Can you pout with me?  Please!?!

Okay, so the happy?  (And yes, I soooo needed some happy) 

I was lucky enough to get some small pieces of good strike-off's back to create a few projects for a small display at market.  I'm thrilled that although I had already decided not to attend, since I didn't think I was really going to have a display, I'll actually end up with a little wall of stuff at the Riley Blake booth!  Yay!

I didn't have long to come up with some little projects and it was challenging as well since I didn't have every print in the line and some prints I only had mere scraps.  So I did my best to represent the line and worked with what I had. 

Do you know how hard it was to not have any red polka dots!!  They're a staple item in my stash.  Thankfully, the solid red was a great substitute and brings across that simplicity of this line and the theme of Redwork. 

I'm just giving you some sneek-peeks until after Market next week.  Then I'll show you everything I made and hopefully be able to get some pictures taken of the booth. 

I loved doing so much hand stitching for these projects.  I love embroidery and this line is perfect for lots of hand stitching. 

At the last minute, I remembered about Charla Anne's little felt dolls, so I quickly whipped one up before sending everything off in a big box to Kansas City, Mo.

I hope it all makes it safely and on time.  Crossing fingers, saying prayers.  Be safe cute little projects!  (eek!)  That makes me nervous.

So, although I'm so sad I'll miss seeing so many of you and miss seeing my little wall of happiness, I'm so glad at least a little bit of me will be there.  (In the form of fabric creations, but still...)  If you see my wall at the Riley Blake booth, please (PLEASE!) take a picture for me!!  I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Meanwhile, I'm going to still be pouting with a bag of some sort of chocolate.  Any sort is fine with me.  Especially in desperate times.  Not to mention, my husband and 4 boys will be camping over the weekend.  Hmmm?  Maybe a perfect time for shopping.  And nail painting. And chocolate.  Oooh, and uninteruppted sewing time!     

See you next week!  And if you're going to market, be safe and have fun!

Your sad and happy friend,

Tasha 

easter dress

I know I've been a major slacker lately!  Sorry!  I have to admit, I've been enjoying the low key, taking-the-day-however-I-feel-like-it method.  Feels great sometimes, doesn't it?  Oh yaaa. 

So, back to reality, I have a few things that need to get done, and back to the computer I am!!  Not without showing you the little Easter Dress I made for Ava first though.  ;) 

My main inspiration and desire was to use some Riley Blake Chevron....aqua, of course!  I got mine from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.  Then, because I knew I wanted to be able to use several fabrics, I thought Sandi Henderson's Knot Dress would be perfect.  Especially since I already owned it.  Even perfect-er! (p.s.....I don't see that pattern for sale anywhere...???)

For the other fabrics, I used what I had on hand.  Hard to do since I don't normally buy large cuts of fabric.  So, a little give and take is necessary.  For instance, at first I wanted the top to be the pink flowers and the bottom to be the yellow flowers, but because of the amounts available in my stash, I needed to switch those two up...but I love it!  I knew if I got a pink top to go underneath it would give me that pink near her face that I wanted. 

I love the chevron straps!

I used a vintage sheet for the apron, trimmed out with Lecien Flower Sugar and Riley Blake crocheted lace (ask Kerri if she has more white). 

And, not to bombard you or anything, but here's a few pic's of Ava wearing her dress.  The sun was very bright, so sorry they aren't the best technique wise, but I'm happy to have these anyway. 

I love this one of her because she was absolutely focused for a minute on just this one dandelion that caught her attention.  So sweet!!

A good reminder to stop for a few minutes, be still and just take in the precious moments that we have with our loved ones, our life, and the world around us. 

Hugs. ;)

Tasha

baby quilt

Last week I was able to get a baby quilt done for my new-ish nephew.  And what a cutie he is!  My sister is more on the modern style, so I geared the style of the quilt more towards that. 

I literally had 10 minutes (or less!) to hurry and take photos, so forgive the lack of creativity and the crease down the middle from being folded up before hand.  (Normally I would've tried to get that out).

My sister had mentioned to me that she liked the MM Bikes fabric and the japanese Elephants.  She said she liked the blue and gray combo with a little red, for winter since her baby is a winter baby.  She likes things more simple and not a big polka dot fan, so I resisted using noticeable polka dots.  I did use some tiny ones. (sshhhh!)

Making things for other people is great because it really does give you the go-ahead to do something you might not otherwise do as far as fabrics and the style the project is.  It's always a pleasure knowing you really tailored the project to thier liking.  Although I really fretted about the placement and different widths of the fabric for this quilt....I love how it turned out and I think it matches my sister's style.  

I think next time we go out to see them I need to get a picture of the baby and quilt together, don't you think?!  

Better than just a picture of a rolled up quilt!

Happy Weekend!

Tasha

P.S.  all of the fabrics came from Kerri's shop!!  THANK YOU Kerri!!  :)

 

strike-off's....a sneak peek!

At the end of last week, my first strike-off's ever from Riley Blake landed on my doorstep!  It was really exciting to get a little peek of what my fabrics will look like in person. 

I only had a couple days to go over everything, write my comments, ask questions, (sneak in a mini photo shoot), and then promptly return them! 

The fabrics aren't printed on the 'nice stuff', so quality isn't at it's prime, but with strike-off's you are supposed to be able to make sure color and printing is correct.  I have some color adjustments, but that's it, so I'm happy with that.

My Laundry Day girl was the beginning point and inspiration for the rest of my drawings.  As a lot of you know, I drew her over 2 years ago for an embroidery pattern, and shortly after as an illustration, both in my Etsy Shop.  So it's really fun to see her in new colors and on fabric!  She'll probably be available in the new colors as an illustration too....for matching, of course.  ;)

I enjoyed thinking of all the different "Simple Life" tasks and tid-bits to incorporate into the fabrics. 

Little chickies and hens, patchwork quilties, hay, apple trees, cute little people working and relaxing.....enjoying the world around them. 

Buntings, flowers, gingham and polka dots for a fresh, vintage-modern feel. 

I'm so thankful for this learning process...for all the patience, feedback, thoughts, ideas and support from the wonderful Riley Blake Designs. (thank you!) 

EEEK!  I can't wait! :)

Have a happy day!! 

Tasha

tiny bathroom make-over and a little 'how-to'

I can hardly call this a make-over, (no demolition, tools or paint involved!) but I'm calling it that anyway!  The main floor bathroom was a sad, sorry little thing.  It really had no style whatsover!

When I was at Target the other day, I rounded up a few things to spice the place up!  Some candles, pretty glass stones, a soap dispenser and new hand towels was all it took.  With the addition of a little patchwork sewing magic, (inspired by Bonnie and Camille's Ruby fabrics) I think my little bathroom has hope!

In all due respect to the boys in the house, I decided to leave out too much cutsey girly-ness here and kept it on the modern side.  I purposely kept out red, flowers or an over dose of polka dots, but I really love it!  A welcome change for me as well. 

However...I couldn't resist the pom-poms and Ruby scallops for the basket.  The perfect touch of cute.  ;)

Pretty glass stones, mixed with some rocks and beach finds I already had....

Fluffy new hand towels with some added patchwork goodness!  Love these colors!!

Before I started my patchwork strips yesterday, I made Peanut Butter cookies....

Which made my sewing time all that more delightful!!!!

I didn't mind the crumbs on my towels... :)

So, I did take pictures of my process in case anyone wanted to give this easy peasy idea a try.  Serioulsy super quick too!

Start with 8 2.5" squares per hand towel:

Sew them together, then lay it across the towel to make sure it fits:

Iron sides in 1/4" to underside, like a seam.  Lay patchwork onto the towel and pin down:

I measured 4.5" from the bottom to make sure mine was straight.  The hand towels weren't perfectly straight, so I did the best I could:

Stitch on patchwork strip, folding under the very ends of the strip when you get close:

Repeat for each towel.....

And admire your pretty creation!

Ooooh!!!  Aaaahhhh.....

Just lovely now....

:)

Tasha

P.S.

Thank you all for the wonderful purchases during my sale!!  I appreciate you!!!  :)

The Simple Life ...an explanation

 

(These square images are a part of the panel...there are nine images all together)

Hello! I'm so excited to tell you a little more about my first fabric line, The Simple Life.  Here it goes! 

The Simple Life seed was planted with the concept of Redwork in mind.  Since I love embroidery and I love red, it was meant to be and my mind began racing with ideas!  I used to clip things I loved from my Country Living Magazines before the world went crazy with the internet and had pinterest!..  I still have my folder full of clippings and Redwork quilts are among them, as well as red and white decor.  I've always loved that classic, crispy look of red and white.  In fact, one of the first pieced quilts I made is an all red and white pinweel pattern backed in red gingham.  mmmm! 

In my line, I have created a panel that would resemble a finished Redwork style quilt top. 

Here's a closer look at the one of the squares:

'Fishing'

Redwork is embroidery done using red thread....'simple' as that!  This art form is believed to have originated in Europe in the 19th century when a special dye process made it possible for the red cotton thread to be colorfast.  This was an exciting discovery for women because now they would be able to embroider pretty designs onto linens that needed to endure daily washings.  In addition, the cotton thread was affordable to the common person, unlike the silk threads that only the wealthy could afford.  Suddenly, a popular trend was born and soon it  made it's way to America!  In dry good stores, 6" muslin squares that had been stamped with a design to embroider, were sold for a penny each.  These were known as 'penny squares' and became popular for young girls to improve their embroidery skills.  Completed penny squares were used to incorporate into pillows, quilts and various linens. 

The design area on my panel squares are approximatley 6", just like a penny square. (The full square including polka dots or stripes is 8")

After Redwork had made it's mark, embroidery done in all blue, or all green or all purple or all any color, also became popular and it would take on the name of Redwork and be called, for example, Green Redwork or Blue Redwork  OR just simply greenwork, bluework, purplework, etc... 

When designing my panel, I knew mine would be Redwork, Aquawork and Pinkwork panels.  

Here's a little peek of the pink and aqua...

Pinkwork Panel square

 

Aquawork Panel square

The panels are one full yard and will make a perfectly-sized baby quilt.  You'll simply just quilt it up the way you like! 

Although a 'cheater quilt' was the original thought for the panel, there are many different ways to use the panel and it's seperate peices.  One thought for the panel is the option to embroider over the lines if you'd like to give it dimension and a handmade look.  But at the same time, if you don't embroider over the lines, you still get that 'look' of Redwork.  Aside from that, the options for the panel will be plentiful!  When I actually get to sew with the panel, I'll be showing you some of my ideas.  I am hopeful that I'll get to see some creativity from you too!

(please forgive some of the blurry photos....i promise your fabric will be crispy clear!)

I'm so fascinated by the whole Redwork movement, this wonderful tradition and art form of embroidery, so I hope that you liked the little history lesson.  There is so much more information online if you like reading that type of stuff.  (Just search 'Redwork').  I also hope it helps you understand a little more about my line and the thought process behind it.

Although I love everything red and white, I wanted COLOR in my line!  It's pretty obvious around these parts that I love all things red, aqua and pink, so naturally this loveable color scheme was A MUST for me!  My goal for the line was to be able to give new life, a new twist, to an oldtime favorite (Redwork) and mix it with fresh, modern colors and whimsical, vintage-style designs.

I wanted to experiment with my fabric, and since I don't have the real stuff yet, I put together a few little collages on the computer.

 

 

The fun of this line for me is having the option of doing all red and white projects, which would be in true tradition of 'Redwork', but then also to have the option of the colorful prints to mix in and change things up a bit.  Either way, I'm excited about the possibilites!

 

 

And although I'm mostly girly in my designs, I did try to incorporate something for the little boys. 

See?

Some of my scaling is off here and there, so I apologize, but I was having fun and I thought these little collages would give you an idea of how the fabrics will look together.  

As you can see, the little people in my designs are doing tasks from a simpler time period.  Hanging the laundry, Feeding the chicks, Picking apples, Hauling the hay..... you get the idea.  I'm not saying that those tasks are easy or simple....goodness, I can't imagine doing laundry without a washer machine or working a farm and hauling hay or feeding the animals that are needed for your own survival....anything but simple.  However, they do remind us of a life that seems simplified.  Not all the hussle and bussle that so many of us (me!) are accustomed to.  At times it sounds peaceful to get away from it all and live a less complicated life and smell the air while hanging laundry to dry or better yet....hand stitch a quilt in a wooden rocker on the front porch of a big country house.....oh ya, i don't have that design, but it sort of was sounding nice.  I'm sure it wasn't as simplistic as it may seem to us who don't live it.  But we can dream right? 

So anyway, I hope you get the idea of where my thoughts were wandering off to when I was  designing this line. Yep, simplicity folks....The Simple Life. 

And there you have it.  Well...in the summer you will. 

And really truly lastly, but definitley not leastly, Thank You Thank You ALL so much for the wonderful comments you have left me on my blog and even on Pinterest last week....it certainly made me feel so blessed and happy!  If you actually read this whole thing, (bless you!)  please take 25% off your order in my Etsy shop by entering the code LIFE25 at checkout.  That will go thru the Sunday, Feb. 26th.   

Lots of hugs,

Tasha 

p.s.

I'm not a historian or an expert on the Redwork era.  Just did some reading about it and tried to explain it to the best of my ability and knowledge. 

be mine

When I started this pillow, again, I had a vision!  (I have lots of those!)  Sometimes my visions work out, and sometimes...not so much.  This time though, I think it worked out the way I wanted it to.  It was a little time consuming with the stitching and the patchwork ruffle (oh boy!), but I kept telling myself it would be worth it. 

I don't very often make totally over-the-top girly items, but I thought with this being for Valentine's Day, I was justified. 

The hearts are quilted to give them a little dimension, then I stitched the 'string' in between.

I hand wrote the "be mine" on paper, then traced it onto the fabric with a water soluable pen.

I dangerously eye-balled the stitching onto the pink striped fabric....

Then made my patchwork ruffle with 32 5" squares...

See! 

A ruffle takes time, especially a patchwork one, but I couldn't get that idea out of my head!  I very hesitantly got started because I knew I wouldn't be happy if I had settled for using just one fabric.  And I do like the effect.... 

Plus, who doesn't like a reason to use as many cute fabrics as possible in one project?!?!?!

I know I do!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Tasha

P.S. I'm hoping to let out a little secret next week....I'd love it if you stop by!  ;)

little patchwork heart

So, I had the vision of a perfect little valentine patchwork heart pillow dancing in my head....

I loved making the patchwork....a classic that just always looks right.

What's better than pretty valentine colors....bursting with delicate, sweet florals?

Then I quilted the heart to make it sort of puffy-like.

And the stitching.....I always love me a good stitch.  It just made the heart pop...don't you think?

And then something terrible happened....

After I attached the heart to the white fabric, I cut it too small.  There went the pillow idea.  But I thought it still might work for a little mini.

So...I carried on binding my perfect little patchwork heart.

And then I hung it....

And then I took pictures....

And then I noticed it....

My little perfect patchwork heart had turned into my little wonky patchwork heart!

EEEEK!

How could this have happend?

The thought occured to me that I could take off the binding, try squaring it up, and then re-binding it, but I'm not sure it's in me.  I know someone who would!....if only she lived closer and I could bribe her into fixing my mini.  Wouldn't that be lovely?  :)

My daughter loves it, so I think I'll leave it at that and cross my fingers on my next WIP.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a better impression of my 'perfect little valentine patchwork heart'.

Wonky, what? 

Tasha

valentine WIP

Being on slow motion this week and SO inspired by SO many cute Valentine's projects on Pinterest, I decided to delve into some creativity too!

I have a couple other things in the next few days that will occupy my time, which means I might not get back to these WIP's as quickly as I'd like.  Soooo....I thought I'd just show you what I have going so far....

Little hearts....

quilted ones....

and I think they're very cute....

Sweet?

I've also cut up a bunch of little fabric squares for another little idea floating around in my head.

I hope it'll turn out the way I envision it....

Meanwhile...

I've been trying to eat some healthy things this week.  Yesterday I tried a bagel and cream cheese with spinach leaves and cucumber slices, plus some OJ and a vitamin.

It's now a new favorite of mine!  I figure the healthy things counterbalance my chocolate habit. 

At least I hope cuz there's a Milky Way dark sitting in my desk drawer....probably calling my name very soon.  ;)

Tasha