alittlesweetness

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

pretty new dress

When I saw this beautiful fabric from Denyse Schmidt's newest line at Joann's, Sugar Creek, I knew it would make the prettiest dress for Ava and I had a coupon, so it was a done deal.  I started it right away, but then got stuck on what to use for my coordinating print and how to embellish the top.  I overwhelmed myself so much that I ended up putting it aside.  Last weekend we had a big family gathering, so the dress got finished up so she could have something cute to wear.  

I think it turned out adorable!  I bought the pattern off Etsy from Growing Up With Charissa. 

This morning Ava was amazingly willing to get dressed up again and let me take some pictures....so I moved quickly! 

This is about the best shot I got of the top of the dress, embellished with polka dot fabric, white ric-rac and pretty little buttons, which are Riley Blake and sold at Sew Deerly Loved on Etsy. 

Here's a few more I took:

     

I know....generally she looks pretty sweet and she acts all shy around other people.  And she does have her sweet moments.... 

But trust me, this girl is FULL. OF. IT!

C-ya!

Tasha

farmer's wife catch up

For the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along I'm only doing 1 block a week (instead of the 2), so I was looking really behind with only 9 blocks done!  Oh ya, I was!  Behind I mean.  Bad! 

A new stack of lovely fabrics from Kerri was just what I needed to get cruising and really do some catching up!

Mmmmmm!  Love them!

So, here's what I came up with for weeks 10,11, and 12.....

I really love all of these, but not sure how the middle one will work into the quilt.  We'll just have to see.  It's definitly easy enough if I need to do another one. 

 

END OF DAY {30}

 

WINDOWS {109}

 

CHECKERBOARD {19}

 

And here's my weeks 13,14 and 15

Liking these too!  :)  And here too, wondering if middle snowball will work into the quilt, but I'm testing out the idea of some more dominant simple colored ones helping to balance out all my super scrappy ones.  Again, we'll just have to see. 

 

PRACTICAL ORCHARD {69}

 

SNOWBALL {81}

 

CONTRARY WIFE {21}

So now I don't look so bad with 15 blocks....do I?  I hope not!  They are so addicting, but you know...other things need attending to as well, so the book and the fabric and the sewing machine must wait their turn again.  It's that tricky thing called The Balancing Act!

One more cute thing to share....

Kerri made me one of Camille's Dishsoap Apron's and I think it's just darling!  (Scroll down a bit in Camille's post...it's not the first thing you see, but there is a tutorial.)

(thanks Kerri)

Awwww....isn't she cute?

She also made it reversible....

So fun to change it around....like a grown up Barbie....well,  sort of.  But not quite.

Now Mr. Method Handsoap has a friend at the sink!

How cute are they?!  Except I think Mr. Method needs an outfit too. 

Ohhh...Cami-i-i-lle?! 

;)

Tasha

my first three

Over the weekend I was able to get started on my Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-long blocks....

and so far I'm liking the little sweeties.....

and when I say little, I mean little.....they're only 6"X 6"....smaller than what I am used to peicing anyway.  It actually makes them cuter! 

Now I admit, going through the book, I was intruiged, but a little skeptical.  I mean the style and colors are not what I am used to either, so even though I was excited to get going, it was a little bit of a leap of faith...that's a little dramatic, but you get what I'm saying.  (yes?)

For example:

This is what the page for piecing the Big Dipper looks like:

And this is what I made:

BIG DIPPER {6}

So, as you can see, the fabrics can totally change the look and feel of the block. 

MOTHER'S DREAM {58}

In the book, Mother's Dream also looked a little boring to me, but I like the name of it, so I went for it and I actually love this one! The sizing really makes it a cutie.  

BASKET WEAVE {4}

Basket Weave seemed easy enough for starters, but I did sway from the way I layed it out.  Not sure if it's my favorite, but it'll work fine since I'm not making another.  ;)

Okay, so the only question I have for anyone else who is farmer-ing is this:

When I complete my blocks they are about 6.5" X 6.5".....the book says they are suppose to be 6 X 6.....is that when they are all finished off in the quilt or should I be trimming each block down to 6 X 6 ????  If you know, please inform me!!  So far I 've just left mine alone, no trimming. 

Now for fun, here's my new anthropologie mug full of cuteness!  

I know, it's random.  Cute. But random. 

And you gotta love those little strawberries!  YUM-O!

Today I am so happy it's going to be a sunny week!  It will help me be productive since I have a ka-trillion (or so) things to do. 

Wish me luck!  ;)

Tasha

the farmer takes another wife.....

Yep, I'm jumpin on the bandwagon here!  The Farmer's Wife Quilt-A-long has already started on Flickr, but I'm joining in anyway.

After seeing some of my favorite girls join up and other inspiring quilters here and there around the quilty blog world, I finally checked in on the group and couldn't resist picking up the book just as fast as my little (big!) car could take me.

As of a couple days ago, the book was on sale at my local Joann's for about $16 after tax.  I called ahead and had them save a copy for me at the desk, so it was a quick stop for me.  Which is good not to meander too much at the craft store!

The book is really interesting because it shares the answers from 1920's farm wifes to the question "Do you want your daughter to marry a farmer?"  Each of the women have 2 blocks in the book. 

I recieved some oh, so lovely fabrics from a swap last week and the precious little stack is begging to be put to some sewing love!  Perfect for some farmer's wifing if you ask me.  ;)

(thank you miss sweet and lovely person!! ;))

Some of the funny ladies in the Farmer's Wife group had me giggling with their comments that perhaps they couldn't quite live up to being a Farmer's Wife....it is 111 blocks!.....so they may just end up being the Farmer's Girlfreind or some even a Mistress!  (You know they may only get to making about half the blocks!).  Honestly, being just a girlfriend sounded good to me!  I figured instead of doing the 2 blocks a week, I'll probably just do one.  

I think someone said something like "...all the fun, but no commitment".....some seriously funny company.

So, I've gathered me up a little inspiration.......

.........and I can't wait to get going!   

How about you, did you always want to be a Farmer's Wife?  Well, you're in luck....you can! 

Happy Weekend.  :)

Tasha 

time for a giveaway!

*Edit: This giveaway is now closed*

.........that I should do a giveaway!

I'm happy to have completed another illustration for my "near-in-the-future" shop update!  Really, it's coming soon, but I still have some work to do.  ;)

So, hear me out for a minute k. 

I spent my weekend cutting, packaging and shipping......I almost felt like a mini (really mini) fabric shop!  If you've been patiently waiting for fabric from me, it's coming!   

This was one shipment from Spoonflower.....17 yards of fabric!!  My biggest order yet!  Plus, I have about 15 on it's way!  I can't believe it!

 

That might seem like nothing to some, but compared to when I first started selling, when my orders were for just a few yards....it's a lot! 

I turned my coffee table into a little cutting area, with fabrics and shipping supplies underneath.  It was handy except I had to kneel for a looooong time.  It got kind of ouchy. 

Although my knees didn't care for the arrangements, I am SUPER excited with the fabric sales!  It's been really fun creating the fabrics and then being able to see some of the things made using my fabrics. 

In celebration, I want to GIVE SOME AWAY! How about a half yard?

In the comments, please tell me in what form you might like to see my "A Little Bird Told Me" illustration used.  Fabric? Prints for framing? Other ideas?

For extra entries, and you may have up to 3, it's simple:

*post about this and link back

*if you've ever purchased anything from me before

*if you've ever commented before

*add me to your blog roll

That's it!  Just remember to make an extra comment for each entry. 

Thanks for playing!!!

Now, onto other business...........

The other thing I finally got finished and sent on their merry way, were my blocks for the 3 X 6 Sampler Mini Bee.  The deadline is pretty much now. 

I really had fun with these ones.  I made mini wonky log cabins....framed in white.  I had only made one wonky log cabin before (or any log cabin for that matter), so I wanted to keep them smaller in case I got overwhelmed.  Blocks have to be 12.5 inches square, so I kept my log cabins between 8-ish inches to about 9-ish inches.  Then the white "frame" made up the rest.  

My lighting wasn't good, so I did the best I could with Photoshop.  Sorry! 

In this bee, we decide on the pattern to make for our hive.  Each "bee" tells what colors, theme they want and if they have any strong dislikes.  Then it's a surprise from there!  Although I had fun making the blocks, I'm not doing the 3rd Quarter.  I decided to take a break and focus on the shop, but hopefully I'll be ready to participate in the 4th Quarter.  My blocks are going to make a fun quiltie for Ava.  

 

I think that's all for now, but don't forget to enter my give away for a HALF YARD of my fabric.....your choice!  To view my fabrics, Visit my shop! 

*Giveaway will end Friday night...... late sometime....like 11-ish.  That's July 2nd. 

Have a wonderful week!

Tasha  

soooon!

I thought I'd enlist the help of one of my newest shop friends to let you know I've been busy!

I can't give a for sure date, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get some new things in the shop just as fast as my 5 home-for-the-summer kids will allow!!  I've been having so much fun drawing and coloring, drawing and coloring and so far the kids have been great about it.  Thank goodness the weather is being cooperative so they can play outside most the day.  I've also been sewing Bee Blocks (one left to finish up!), getting orders shipped off and keeping the house from looking *too* neglected.

Just now, my 11 year old son called on his friends cell to check in....

me: hello?

him: (in a whispering voice) hey mom, i'm in the middle of an air soft war....i'm just checking in...

me: (now whispering too.) okay, is everything okay?

him: ya, i'm just checking in..

me:  okay, check back in another hour.

him:  (still whispering) okay. bye.

me:  okay, bye.  (still whispering, of course.  wouldn't want to interrupt that air soft war.)

Silly boys.  :)

For now though, while the baby still naps....

it's back to coloring!  (I heart my job.  Even though it's a little one, I still love it!)

Have a fabulous day!

Tasha

happy

(sneak peek of Ava's Easter dress....it's almost done!)

The past couple days I have been back to feeling (almost) better....I had strep!  It kind of came on quickly, then I felt pretty crappy for a few days, then it slowly improved.  Just a few more days of the meds now, but I'm so happy to be back!  yay!

First, thank you to everyone who shared their own health struggles with me and also sympathized with mine.  I sooooo appreciated every comment!  Really, really....thank you for letting me share.  (If you're confused, read my last post!)  My big worry was that I would sound so ungrateful for my boys or for being able to have children at all.  I know that so many women can't.  I also didn't want to sound like an emotionally unstable wack-o, but who knows, I probably am!!  ;) 

I wanted to mention that over the past week, I have had another noticeable improvement in my breathing.  So far, it's the best I've done in a year!  I'm super happy about this!  Could it be coincidence or should we dare say the post and the wonderful comments were therapeutic? 

I say therapeutic.  ;)

Even with my sick self, I managed to inch away at a few projects that I was having too much fun with.  I've have really enjoyed making Ava an Easter dress.  It's my first dress!  I have one thing left to do and then it'll be ready for wearing!  I can't wait.

She definitely needs a bow to match though, and that should be left up to my talented sister, Talia!  She makes adorable baby items...booties, bibs, bows, custom carseat covers, shopping cart covers and tutu's.  This bow is my favorite!

This little pillow I just finished today and it most certainly is making me happy!

 

After making up wonky star blocks for the 3 X 6 Mini Bee, I couldn't resist making one for me in red, aqua and gray!  At first I was worried about the scrappy border taking away from the star, but I think it worked just fine.  DON'T look closely at my stippling....it still needs work.  But you know what?  I just don't care that much.  If it's perfect, it's perfect....if it isn't....well, it just isn't.  I love it! 

Speaking of those wonky stars for the bee.  They are done and packaged up! 

Here's a sneaky peeky.

 

Don't these fun colors just make you happy!?  They do me!  I am so glad I had an excuse to expand the colors in my fabric stash!  yay for new colors! 

But I still love red, aqua and pink.

Gotta go get the kids!

Tasha

just sewing.....oh, and about those eggs!

This week has been a little slow on the sewing.  Today I have finally managed to get back to it and decided to test out the Wild Thing pattern.  Also, I'm fiddling with my bee blocks.  I'm getting there!!!

Here are the Wild Thing blocks:

And here's a couple sneak peeks of bee blocks:

For Leigh:

 

For Ellen:

I swear my beehive will get their blocks before the deadline!

Now, about those eggs! 

Thanks to everyone for your fun comments about easter candy!  It was funny, when I was at the grocery store the other day, I noticed a couple of easter candies that I hadn't noticed before.  I am also so excited to have found out that some of you share my addiction to these little mini eggs as well!  :)  

 

So, my hubby thought I was pretty silly offering to mail off some eggs.  Mainly he thought they would have melting issues.  So, of course I just googled for some ideas.  One idea I came across was this:  freezing them before I mailed them.  I tested it first to make sure that when they thawed, that they were still yummy.  And Yes, they were still very yummy indeed.  I sampled a few.  ;)  So, that's my plan.  To freeze and ship.  Then cross my fingers.  I think since it's not summer yet, they should be fine.  I think summer would be bad.

The first 5 commenters who actually told me they WANTED A BAG, (remember you HAD to tell me) were:

Jeni Baker, Chrissie Grace, SewLindaAnn, Shelby and Kathy!!  Make sure you all email me your address or I really won't know where to send them!  :)  And cross your fingers with me that this freezing method works!!!

Tasha 

busy as a bee

I'm pretty much down to the last moments of the 6X3 Mini Bee deadline, so I'm finally sewing up a storm!!  I was super excited to get some much needed fabrics the other day from my sister-in-laws Etsy shop, Sew Deerly Loved.  I've also been working on collecting up my Flea Market Fancy stash and am excited about that as well.  YAY!  :)

As soon as I got my fabrics from Kerri, I started cutting for the bee and for my "Wild Thing" Quilt.

 

I'm excited for another red and aqua quilt to be hanging around the house.  This time I am adding gray to the mix....I'm loving the look of things with gray now. 

Today I got one of my wonky star blocks finished and I really think it's rather cute!  Her theme is sunset so I went with red, orange and yellow.  I couldn't resist using the HR fish in the center...I love them!  I don't think the recipient is a regular follower of my blog, so I think I'm safe.  Otherwise, I hope she doesn't mind seeing it in advance.  We kinda agreed that on flickr we would just post sneak peaks for each other. 

Here's the highlights of the wonky star making!!  Fabrics are being cut: 

 

Star is being sewn:

 

"Homey Dars Ada" is saying "hi"....(it was a MUST that I photograph this!)

I was so happy that Austin kept occupied playing at the table!

Wonky Star complete!!

 

That was fun!  Now I'm on to the rest!!  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! 

Tasha