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 

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

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. 

a little FYI {a very boring title}

Did you all have a fun Halloween?!  I really enjoyed my day yesterday getting everything ready for the night of Trick-or-Treating.  I had the kids go super simple on costumes this year and mostly we rounded up things we already had.  They were great sports about it!

Here's Isaac and Austin....a hippie and a punk rock ninja zombie!

Ava wouldn't have anything to do with a costume, but her fluffy skirt and knitted hat worked!

Peace Princess???

We have an excrutiating amount of candy from one of my older boys....anyone have any good ideas for slimming down the piles?

With Halloween gone, (I can't believe it!!) I've been thinking about the shop for the Holiday Season.  That's where the FYI part of this post comes in! 

Firstly, I've been working on a few things that I think will be some cute and fun additions.  One new illustration that will be going to the shop shortly is....

Christmas Angel

I think I'll do some options for hair color, so keep that in mind if you like her.  :)

Also, I have added 'Window Shopping' as as a pattern now! 

I had a few requests, so went ahead and did it even though I haven't had a chance to stitch it up myself.  So, if you do end up purchasing it, let me know how it goes as a pattern....if there is anything that could be changed.  I'm going to be enlarging my pattern when I do make mine, since it has a lot of details to it.    

Here's another FYI:  Fabric!

Alot of you know I've been selling my own fabric designs, printed by Spoonflower, in my my esty shop for almost a couple years now.  I've had a wonderful response to my fabrics (at least to me!) and I'm so grateful!  It's been a lot of fun for me to see others create their own projects with my fabrics.  So thank you all!!  When I do alot of fabric though, it can make things a little crazy for me on the homefront, so at times I've taken it out of my shop or just done orders by request.

Here's the important part.....(for some of you)  ;)

For the Holiday Season I won't be keeping the fabrics in the shop.  If you are interested in fabrics for Christmas gifts or projects, I'm leaving them in for the rest of the week,  maybe some of next week....depending, (?) but then I'll be pulling them for the remainder of November and December.  That way I can focus on family needs for the Holidays.  Plus, keep in mind that the fabrics are Pre-Ordered, printed by Spoonflower, shipped to me, then I ship to the customer, so it definitly takes a few weeks (sometimes less, sometimes more).

If you don't know anything about my fabrics, my Little Red Riding Hood and Many Mushrooms fabrics have definitly been popular, as well as the Favorite Dresses.  All of which I've been selling for almost a couple years now. 

I've always loved this little dress I made for Ava....cute for gift giving!

And this sweet skirt....

The Many Mushrooms fabrics are perfect compliments to the Little Red Riding Hood fabric....

Please keep in mind that Spoonflower fabrics are digitally printed and do fade with multiple washings.  I recommend using them on lightly worn or lightly used items and decorative items.

Once again, thank you for all the fabric support, please let me know if you have any questions about it, I'm happy to help.  

Speaking of fabric.....I'm having a blast looking at all the Quilt Market photos from around blogland!  Yum-O!  Too many to name, but I'm definitly liking a bunch!

Now, what to do about all this sugar in my house!  EEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!  (I'm gonna make myself sick.)

Tasha

featured! + a couple things

Today Amy Atlas featured a Little Red Riding Hood party I was able to help with!  I loved putting together the items for this very adorable party!  The pictures were sent in by the hostess of the party, who is amazingly talented, sweet and patient.  Thanks Courtney!  ;)

Is this cute or what!?  Go to Amy Atlas to see more....

I worked with Courtney to come up with the right items she needed for her party.  I only have a few party items in my shop, but I create them upon request.  If you don't see something listed, just convo me and we can work out the perfect party plan for you.  :)

Speaking of the shop, I do have a few 'Ready to Ship' fabrics listed, as well as some available for pre-orders.  I could split the ready to ship half yards to fat quarters if you are interested in that... you would just need to convo me about it.  

Lastly, we had a fun fourth!  Did you?

I made cake balls and oreo truffles, which everyone happily gobbled up!  I was amazed at how easy they were to make.  They take a little time, but are super easy.  Both recipes came from Bakerella.  

My sister-in-law made the cutest cupcakes that are suppose to resemble fireworks on top....

Yummy treats!

Water play!

And some cute pictures of the one person that would sit still for me...

I'm so happy she can wear ponytails now! 

And she's finally wearing the apron I made for her 1st birthday!

Happy Wednesday!

Tasha

a sale!

I hope everyone had a wonderful memorial weekend!  We took it pretty simple since my hubby had some work to catch up on to be prepared for today.  I took a little group of kids to the neighborhood park for a bit and then I was able to work on some things around the house and on some new art. 

Yes!  New art!  I'm almost done so you'll see it in the shop this week!  Hint: ...it has to do with sewing. ;)

Speaking of sewing......I finished my Laundry Day pillow!  I'm just happy the little embroidery has finally turned into something. 

I wanted to just take a minute to THANK some sweet little fairies I had over the weekend.....

I had a bit of an unfortunate circumstance with one of my illustrations at the end of last week that I would have never known about if it wasn't brought to my attention by one of my wonderful blog friends.  I'm so grateful for her consideration and caring enough to say something and then helping me through the whole situation....there were actually a few little fairies helping me and I sincerely thank them.  They didn't have to do what they did, but they did!  The situation was pretty quickly resolved and that I am appreciative.  The main message here is to first, respect anothers' hard work and efforts!  Be inspired, but don't copy and then claim something for your own.  Second, if you see something that doesn't look right, say something so it can be stopped!  Thankfully, this situation was quickly noticed and stopped.  Thanks to some sweet friends!  :)

So, I wanted to start this week off on a happier note and have a sale!  In honor of Memorial Day and in honor of all of my caring bloggy friends, wonderful customers and all the encouraging words I recieve constantly that helps keep me going! 

This week enter FRIENDS30 for an automatic 30% off your purchases in my my Etsy shop!

If you think you might be interested in the 3rd illustration in the Quilt Shoppe Mini Series, you'll need to wait a day or two...that WILL be up for the sale!  I wanted to start the sale for anyone who wanted embroidery patterns or any other paper items.  When I get the new art in the shop, I'll let you know.....watch the next couple days for that.  :)

If you haven't seen the first 2, here they are: (porportions are a little off here)

Also, if you want fabric, contact me through my Etsy shop.  I won't have the listings up because they won't be part of the sale, but I'll be putting in an order next week to Spoonflower.  So, if there's something you've been wanting, I'll set up a Custom Listing for you.

A reminder on the fabric....you need to order in half yard minimums.  Half yard is $14.00 and One yard is $26.50....any other questions, please ask in my Etsy shop.  Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement!  It really helps me, so I truly appreciate it.  :)

Have a fabulous week!

Tasha  

stockings + a new year's giveaway! (edit: giveaway closed!)

It took me a bit, but the stockings got finished!  Yay!  I managed to get them good enough for stuffing at about midnight on Christmas Eve......but the pom poms had to wait.  I'm so glad that they are done for next year though!  I LOVE how they turned out, so maybe next year I can do one for me and my hubby.  We'll see.  :)

The Zig-Zag is Isaac's:

Don't you love the pom poms!?  I got mine at Sew Deerly Loved.

The Patchwork for Austin:

For this one, I was inspired by Alison's at Cluck. Cluck. Sew.  And thanks to Kerri, I LOVE all the cutesy fabrics added to Isaac and Austin's, like the Munki-Munki gnomes, snowmen and skiers! 

The Pinwheels are for Ava:

MMM...red, aqua, pink and green....perfect!  Don't you just want to hug those little pom poms?

I followed this fabulous pattern by Camille of Simplify....LOVE her blog and her super cute fabric line BLISS.  Hey, she's a red and aqua fan too!  ;)

I sure had fun making these adorable stockings for my 3 littlest ones!

So, for all the fabric-y fun I had making these stockings and because it's a brand NEW YEAR....

I'm doing a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY for one lucky winner!!  Joining me in this oh, so fabulous giveaway are two very talented and equally as 'red and aqua obsessed-like-me' girls.....my sil, Kerri, from Lovely Little Handmades and Camille, from Simplify! 

Here are the goods:

From me:  One charm pack full of my original fabric designs, made special for this giveaway.  A charm pack isn't something I normally sell in my shop and will be perfect for quilting.  I'll put just about everything red, aqua and pink that I have in there.....you won't be disappointed!  I promise.  ;)

In case you aren't familiar with my fabrics, here's a little mosaic with almost everything I have.  Now you have an idea of what your charm pack will include. 

From Camille:  One fantastic pattern pack from her Thimble Blossoms shop!  You'll get one of each of what you see here.  What Awesomeness!!   

From Kerri:  Some major red and aqua cuteness, including one yard of huggable, fluffable pom poms!

Kerri is also getting some more adorable new crafting/sewing products in her shop, which will also be part of this giveaway.

Sweet little silk flowers!  Aren't they cute?

And darling buttons and crocheted flowers!  Oh, the possibilities!!

You'll get to choose a button pack and a flower pack to go with your yard of pom poms!  There are actually a few more color choices than what I posted, so I'll make sure the winner knows what they are.

The Rules:

*First entry has to be this:  Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite fabric of mine.  If you win, I'll know what to send more of.  ;)

*Extra entry:  Visit Kerri and Camille's blogs, tell them Happy New Year and let them know I sent you!  :)

*Extra entry:  If you've purchased or left a comment at any of our shops or blogs, let me know in your comment.  :)

There's a chance for a maximum of 3 entries per person.  Please only enter for a 2nd or 3rd time if you qualify.  Please leave a new comment for each entry.  For example:  If you qualify for all 3 entries, you should leave 3 comments. 

Get it? GOOD.  :)

Giveaway is on until Saturday night (January 8, 2011).....late.

Play on Players! 

~Happy New Year!~

Tasha

they're back!

Some of you may have noticed that I had taken my fabrics out of the shop for a bit.  That was my way of getting a little break from something so I could catch up on other stuff.  It worked too!  I was able to get through my October insanity in one piece.  Whew!  Meanwhile, I got lots of questions about where my fabric was!  Well, it's listed once again, but possibly just for a few weeks.  I really want to enjoy the holidays with my family, so fabric is the thing that will most likely be getting the boot again.

After I made the mosaic I thought....I sure need something else with an aqua background!!  As you can see, I did add Little Red Riding Hood with an aqua background.  It's something I've wanted to do forever, so I'm excited about it.  

Also, I've had the Little Red Riding Hood Dress Kits out.  They too are back for a few weeks in case anyone was hoping to make one (or give one) for a Christmas gift.

 I was so excited to see one finished by a customer and posted in my Handmade with A Little Sweetness flickr group!   They're are so many super cute creations there and I'm just thrilled and honored when I see what someone has made using my fabrics and patterns.  Thank you!!

Have a fabulous week!

Tasha

first little batch

Last week I sent out my first little batch of Little Red Riding Hood Dress Kits!  I loved putting these together and it actually went pretty quickly. 

 

 

I've already got a whole new stack of Little Red fabric cut into the next (much larger!) batch of kits that need to go out!  Thank you dress kit owners for keeping me busy! ;)

So, I've been thinking.....

Should I offer the pink Little Red fabric for a dress kit choice too? 

 

I'm also thinking of adding aqua Little Red fabric to the shop.  What do you think?

I think it's pretty cute and don't know why I didn't do it sooner.  I'm slow like that. 

Then for the sleeves, there could be a choice of the white, aqua or pink Many Mushrooms fabric.

Basically, mix and match! 

Well anyway....that's what I'm thinking about today.

And how at some point, I need to go attack the kitchen.  Blah, but very necessary.

OH!!!  and P.S......

I chose this one:

 

Yay!  I can't wait!

Tasha