Shipping later this month...a refreshed version of my best selling pattern, the Hazel Hipster. Hazel now boasts an additional style option...
...straight pocket, ruffled angled pocket, zip pocket on the front
...make it full size or mini
...or add a full size magazine / book pocket
Loads of options, lots of style, and a heap of full color, real life photo illustrations and nice heavy duty paper pattern templates. Hope you love it!
{photo: Country Living Fair circa 2011}
Think Halloween colors. Or reds and greens for Christmas.
Cookie baking.
Celebrations.
Teacher gifts.
You'll find the Farmhouse Funk, Dorm Room Diva, Schoolhouse Clutch, Patsy Ann Apron Top, and the Pocket Full of Posies Banner patterns now on sale in my shop for 50% for a LIMITED TIME!
AND if you are planning on coming to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio this weekend - well, come see me and say hello! The fair is absolutely AHHHH - MAZING! Country Living puts on a great show and you'll meet fabulous people like: Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom, Cari Cucksey from Cash and Cari on HGTV heck, just check out the schedule of events right HERE! I'll be over in the Modern June booth with Kelly McCants, cutting fabric like crazy!
Happy Sewing!
I'm giving away a free seat in BOTH my sewing e-courses. Join me on-line to sew two great projects. Simply leave me a comment here about what other courses you would like to see me offer from my pattern line and I will draw a winner who will receive ONE free registration to both e-courses. Read on...
Last year, my cousin Andrew and I put together my first e-course, the Tie Tote. It's been super popular and the paper pattern for the bag followed this Spring. And now, a crowd pleaser - the Hazel Hipster, is the next in our e-course series.
Both courses offer you a 3 video series that provides an hour or more of instruction broken up into manageable parts. You get supporting text to go along with it on the project page. I share my tips for putting the bags together and using:
With all the hard work that Andrew and I have poured into these e-courses - we would love to have you try them out and spread the word. They are a great value. The e-course is $20 / class. It's like you are there with me on my back porch and I'd love for you to join me!
What happens after you purchase the course? You will then receive a password so that you can access the class content. (The course will not be LIVE until August 1st – pre-orders will be accepted, you will receive an email confirmation of your purchase and your access will be sent to you August 1st.)
(Here's a secret...if you are on our newsletter mailing list - a special coupon code AND and early access pass was made available. Over there on the right - you can sign up too for the next special bargain)
If you purchase the Hazel Hipster AND the Tie Tote course, order both at the same time and we will give you a 15% discount when you purchase both classes at the same time. (Sorry, does not apply to for previous purchases – only same day purchase of both courses).
Gets even better…if you purchase either course, you can now also get the associated paper pattern (the Fit to be Tied Tote or the Hazel Hipster) as a companion for $8.99. Just put a note as you check out via Paypal that you would like to add a paper pattern to your order and we will invoice you and send it right out.
And this week...I'm giving away a Two-fer deal.
Simply leave me a comment here about what other courses you would like to see me offer from my pattern line and I will draw a winner who will receive ONE free registration to both e-courses.
Want extra entries? I'd love if you'd like our Facebook page. Leave 1 comment telling us you've done so. Share this post about our e-course giveaway on Twitter and tag me - I'm @trishpreston. Leave 1 comment telling us you've done so. That's 3. Andrew and I sure do appreciate your support, love, and excitement about the patterns and classes.
Here's the fine print : this giveaway will be open until midnight EST, Saturday July 28th. I'll announce a winner on the 29th - using random.org to pick one of you to get the Two-fer two peas e-course giveaway.
Can't wait to register ? You'll find our course registrations there in the right side bar. Excited to sew with you on the back porch! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being wonderful you. Passionate about sewing as much as me!
This is Kimberly of My Brown Bag Studio.
Kimberly is a very talented quilter and sewists from British Columbia, Canada. She sells her wares around town at various art venues as well as in her etsy shop. She blogs about her sewing, cooking, travels and more and I have no doubt you will enjoy her bright modern and beautifully constructed projects. These are a few of my favorites in her shop - beautiful pieced placemat set and a hand stitched bike wall hanging.
When I asked for pattern reviewers for this summer, I was very pleased that Kimberly took the challenge. Reviewers could pick any of my current print patterns and she choose the St. Mary Backpack. Such great summer colors she choose for her project and she's already putting it to good use! You'll have to read more about HERE. Thanks so much Kimberly for being a Two Peas in a Pod Summer Sewing design review team member!
Kimberly is hosting a Two Peas giveaway on her blog right now...if you'd like to be entered to win 2 surprise 2 pack combo...go visit with Kimberly at The Brown Bag Studio blog.
About a month ago, I "tweeted" that I was looking for sewing bloggers who would be interested in stitching up and reviewing one of my patterns, their choice. I am so blessed that I had some amazing bloggers take up the challenge.
Their blogs are so much more than just sewing. They share their creations, their family stories and more and I know that you will really enjoy reading each of their blogs as much as I have.
In the coming week or so, I'll be introducing you to each one. You can also find links to their blogs and their Two Peas pattern reviews over there in the sidebar as we update the posts.
You'll meet Mary and Virginia and Selina and Kimberly and Stacy.
Yep, real soon.
Summer love.
Sewing.
Ava bag.
What are you sewing this summer? Find this pattern and more at your favorite local quilt shop. Right now, you'll find all of my Two Peas patterns in my etsy shop 20% off for a limited time.
Use coupon code "summerlove"
Happy Sewing.
Last weekend, Sprout was invited to a birthday party and I made one of these little notebook take alongs for a gift using my Schoolhouse Clutch pattern. This small simple project is a bonus included with the clutch. Not only does this size make great gifts for kids but it's really a great teacher gift too.
And...since we are on the downward slide towards the end of the school year, oh yes I am, I am suggesting you make some of these for your favorite teachers.
Here's the fun part, let's do it as a sew along. Starting TODAY through February 10th, I'm going to offer this pattern at 40% off. Just mention SCHOOLHOUSE SEWALONG in the comments section at purchase and I'll send you back a refund via paypal. SALE has ended. You can also check with your local quilt shop for a copy if you want it RIGHT NOW.
I'll also send you a link to a password protected page here on my blog where you'll get the bonus instructions for how to add a zipper pocket into the little notebook size.
Then, starting on March 1st, I'll post a Flickr page for you to show off your projects. You'll have from March 1 - 7th to post your project. On March 8th, I'm going to randomly choose one of those project submissions to give a $25 shop credit good for anything in my etsy shop.
(*edit 2/27/12 - not a lot of people signed up for the sew along but if you have the pattern and participate, send me a picture of your completed project plus info about you, your blog or shop - and I'll do a feature post on everyone later in March)
Sound like fun? I hope so. It's a fun small project and nice to have some premade for ready to go gifts. I love the small one for my purse. But a I carry a big one to work with me. Hope you'll join along!
Just a quick recap in case you missed it...Here's a quick glance at what you can expect to find at your local quilt shopsbefore the end of the year. And who won the class seats in my Tie Tote class? Check that out at the end of this post!
I had 4 seats to giveaway for my new online Tie Tote class...the winners are:
#6 - Rebecca at Our Busy Little Bunch
#9 - Karen Peachey
#21 - Billie K
#32 - Deana
Thanks for playing along...want to gift someone or yourself with my sewing class? Just ask me about gift certificates! (twopeasinapoddesigns@gmail dot com)
You're smart. Busy. Creative.
You love to read. Travel. Listen to music on the go. And you're connected. And savvy. And successful.
Meet the teacher, Professor Peas.
Professor Peas is part of my fall collection of Sprouts Sewing patterns and includes 3 variations. In this pattern you get a travel case for your iPod / iPhone, a case for your e-reader, and a case for your tablet / iPad.
Each case has a double zipper. One on top for the compartment for your device. And a second zipper on the front to stash your cords, earbuds, Starbucks card, some lip gloss...just the essentials.
The small size gadget case boasts some adorable ruching.
The medium e-reader case includes your letter applique that reads "book", of course.
The large size case has a circle applique and letters so that you can personalize it with your initial.
3 sweet little gadget cases. One smart cookie who sews these up (that's you!) Don't forget to leave an apple for the teacher. Professor Peas Gadget Cases. Class is in session.
{you still have until Oct 29th for a chance at a complimentary seat in your jammies for my newest online sewing class enter HERE.}
Valentino. Couture. High Fashion. Envy. With all this style, doesn't this little bag remind you of a fancy dress walking the red carpet in Hollywood?
This little hottie is a tip of the hat to Valentino, the designer, himself. (and by hottie I mean the bag, but Sarah and Murray are totally hot too!)
The Valentino boasts gentle pleats along the body and the top. Lots of room inside. A simple snap closure or if you prefer, a basic zip closure.
Straps that are easy to construct and you can adjust the sizing to make this a shoulder bag or extend the pattern size to wear crossbody.
You will be the envy of all with a cute bag like this.
And if you had an uber cute Westie by your side like Murray, well, then the world would just be perfect.
(he is the cutest thing ever isn't he?!)
And of course, who doesn't go walking their adorable dog in their heels?
I do it every. day. (bahaha! No. No I don't. Heck, I don't even have a dog.)
p.s. my giveaway is still open - come sew with me! p.p.s. one more sneak peek - the last of the new pattern releases tomorrow!
What do you think so far?
It's very possible that I dream a lot about date nights. It could be because I have little kids and the reality of a date night...
...ok, there's not much reality to that. I'm lucky if my husband and I get to finish a single sentence to one another while the kids are awake. But a girl can dream.
My date night dream...a nice hike, someplace with hills and fabulous views. Or a swing on the hammock while we listen to the birds. Or a nice bike ride in perfect weather. And afterwards, dinner, preferably mexican (I love chips and salsa and avacados...)
I'm pretty easy. Ok, not like that...I mean low maintenance.
I'd get dressed up for dinner and I would carry this for sure...
But maybe you have other plans for this cute little bag. They would be adorable as gifts for a bridal party. So sweet for a high school dance.
This paper pattern includes directions for 2 different styles. That nifty grey number on the cover, that's my friends Jan's fabric line, Shades of Grey (and GOTS certified organic cotton - BONUS!). It has a ruched inset and fancy stitching with a tab snap closure. Or the other version, featuring another friends Honey Child line, (Jennifer's fabric is perfect for this bag), is a little bit simpler construction and includes some suggestions and how - to's for making flower brooches to embellish your bag.
What do you think? What's your perfect date night look like?
Don't forget to jump in HERE and enter my giveaway for my new online sewing class. Or if you can't wait, find it over there on the sidebar.
I think you may have already met my newest girl,the Tie Tote.
She's a sweet little gal, easy to make and sassy. In a good kind of way. This paper pattern comes with her mini-Mommy size too. Because don't all girls want to be just like Mommy? (mine sure do!)
Plus the mini-Mommy size is a great date night size bag so you can borrow it in a pinch. That is if you have date nights, and if you don't, you should... (and that's really a note to myself because I don't have nearly enough with the Gardener)
I have 4 new patterns that will be shipping before the end of the year and this is sneaky peek number 1.
This sweet little bag is also the subject of my very first online sewing class. Sometimes its just hard to get away and attend a class and this is the perfect solution. Come sew with me - at your own pace - in your jammies - whenever you want. Through 3 videos, I will guide you through every step to make the Tie Tote. It's fun, I promise. And new sewers, YOU CAN DO THIS! I promise you - you will build confidence with this bag!
To celebrate, these sneaky peeks coming out this week during Quilt Market, I'm doing a little giveaway. I'm giving away FOUR class registrations for the Tie Tote class! (Online class does NOT include the paper pattern - that is sold separately but it does have all of the text info you need plus the video support - read the reviews - either way you go, you'll love making this bag!)
I will use random.org to choose a winner. The giveaway will be open to all, US and International, and will close at midnight EST on October 29th, 2011.
How to enter - Share a comment about some of the things you have on your handmade holiday gift giving list. I'd love to know what you are crafting up! Need some ideas, check out a few I have HERE.
For extra entries:
Follow me on Facebook - Leave a separate comment telling me you are a FB fan
Follow me on Twitter - Leave a separate comment telling me you are a follower
Blog about this giveaway - Leave a separate comment with the link
Share this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter - "I'm sewing with Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs @trishpreston - come sew with me! http://twopeasinapoddesigns.com/2011/10/ready-for-some-new-pattern-sneak-peeks/ " - Leave a separate comment telling me you did so
5 possible entries - 4 class registrations to giveaway! And more sneak peeks to come every day this week! {yea!}
I was so excited when Gill from Oz Handmade sent me a request to be a stockist for my Sprouts patterns in Australia. The first shop in Australia, that I know of, to carry my patterns (thank you Gill!)
Of course, I told her I would need to hand deliver them. But my husband put his foot down on that idea. Bummer. Gill says that Spring is fast approaching there in Australia in September...I'm thinking I could find perpetual sunshine and beach weather if I could just travel there as soon as the snow starts to fly here in November.
I know I see quite a few folks on here from Australia...are you an Aussie reader? If so, say hello in the comments and tell us where you're from and what you love to craft!
A quick show and tell...Stacie made this adorable version of the Hoot N Nanny Quilt a few months ago for her new nephew. She just sent me photos of it in the nursery and it is so adorable! Thanks for sharing Stacie! You did a fabulous job and I think this was Stacies very first quilt ever! Love it!!
xoxo,
Trish
I have been super super busy so far in June. Busy time for me at my day job. Busy time with Two Peas. Busy. Busy. Busy. Summer should be for relaxing. And I am...I mean, I'm typing this poolside for goodness sakes. Can't beat that for an on the go office location, can ya?
Once I finish filming an upcoming commercial next week...I'll be able to breath again. But just a little. It's a good kind of busy. A fun kind of busy. The kind where I've been designing a million new projects for Two Peas patterns and external corporate clients. Drawing and thinking. Taking classes again at Columbus College of Art and Design this summer (this time in the fashion program - we watched the documentary about Valentino this week - who knew haute couture was so fascinating?!). Working up proposals for new products. And all by my itty bitty self...I styled our last photo shoot.
It was much more urban and edgy than the last shoot we did and it was really fun to try something new and a little out of my comfort zone. Although you may think my sewing is modern...to me, its uber conservative and I'm really an old fashioned girl at heart. Love antiques and old things. The dustier, rustier, and worn out the better!
Britt Lakin Photography, my commercial photographer, is amazing. Have I said that before? Only like a million times, right? I can write up the story line behind each photo that I want and let her run with it. She nails it every time. I heart her. A lot. A lot.
So here it is...a sneaky peek behind the scenes of our latest shoot. {you can click on each image to see it enlarged} {yes they are grainy...all were taken on my iphone with the exception of the one watermarked by Britt} {And no, that adorable Westie dog is not ours...Murray happened to be walking down the street and his "Dad" was gracious enough to let him be in one of our shots. Is he the cutest or what? Looks just like Coconut from American Girl!}
Thanks everyone for playing along with our giveaway offered by yours truly and Anna Luna from Crafty Girls Workshop.
The winner who will get fabric from Anna and the Hoot -N - Nanny tote pattern from Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs is...
ELIZABETH - "Love that bag! Not sure I'd give it away either...might have to keep that one!". Thanks Elizabeth!
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday! I'm working on at least one more holiday gift tutorial to add to the list over there to the right to give you one more idea for your handmade Christmas!
xoxo,
Trish
Dun-na-na...dun-na-na...dun..dun..dun...dun-na-na....(arms in air doing the little Rocky dance up top of the stairs!) Whoo-wee! I did it! I don't know how (actually I do - it's called Carla, The Gardener, Barb and Kristin) but we did it and best of all, we lived to tell about it. I've got a lot to share and I'm doing it all in one post so get ready...it's a long one!
My debut at the International Quilt Market in Houston, TX. So the story goes like this...once upon a time, I got a crazy idea that I could actually design fabrics and write a book and create sewing patterns...and I was gonna start this little company called, Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs. And how hard could it really be? Right?
Well, I've found out what it takes and I love it and I'm not going back. Our family is full on committed to seeing this dream all the way through and I gotta tell ya, right now...I am sitting on Cloud 9 (which coincidentally is a really awesome organic fabric line I saw at QM).
I had a great experience. The reception to my patterns and my designs and my brand were very well received. I think 2011 is going to be an exciting adventure for us and I can't wait to slowly share with you all the new things that our family will be involved in.
Let me start at the beginning...
I loved the outfits that Cyndi, one of my sample sewers, created for me. They fit beautifully! What? You thought I had time to make all those samples, write the patterns, plan the booth AND sew my own outfits. The secret is out...I have help!! The jacket I'm wearing here is made from a print from Amy Butler's LOVE home dec collection and her Liverpool shirt pattern. I added sparkly buttons to it and wore it as a jacket.
Anna is the former editor of Sew Hip magazine. Anna took a chance and invited me to write a series for the magazine early this year. I ended up and was published in Sew Hip 4 times this year - thanks to Anna. It was so exciting to meet her in person - she flew in all the way from the UK!
It was my first time meeting Marisa of Creative Thursday. You must go and check out her website because it is chock full of inspiration and beautiful images. I love her style!
Lizzy House is the talented designer behind Castle Peeps. Lizzy is a generous and giving person who shares her time and experience and talents. It was such a pleasure to meet her in person after sharing several conversations with her via email. Lizzy has a wonderful pattern line as well that you can find here.
Bari J. is the creative force behind beautiful fabrics, patterns and a new book coming out soon called Inspired to Sew. Her booth was so bright and warm...her wall hanging quilt is the cutest darn thing ever!! Bari has been so kind in offering me loads of advice and encouragement and I'm so grateful to count her as a friend.
Jan DiCintio has created a brand of fabrics by the name of Daisy Janie. Hands down, Jan is a pioneer. She has designed and self produced this line of fabric, insuring minimal waste in every facet of production to shipping. Green doesn't get much better than this. And Jan, my hats off - I don't know how you do it but you are amazing!
Patty, bless her soul, is so sweet I could kiss her! I honestly would not have been able to make some decisions and get where I am had it not been for Patty's wonderful mentoring. She is too kind and Patty, thank you so much for helping me. I promise, I will do the same for someone else someday. Patty has a mouth watering new fabric line from Michael Miller called Sanctuary and an amazing array of sewing patterns to match. You'll love them! She and her hubby John dressed up for Halloween and they were hilarious!!
I heart Anna Maria Horner. Her new line is called Innocent Crush and I have a serious girl crush on her. I adore her use of color and I think she is hugely talented. She has velveteens out this time and I'm anxious to get some sample yardage and sew something up for my Sprout. I've not previously met her before so this was a highlight for me.
I was exhausted beyond measure. Overwhelmed maybe a bit. But so excited for what the future will bring. Thank you so much for all of your support. My wonderful testers (and yes, I know...I have patterns coming to you very soon!), Sarah B for all of your help in editing, Barb for being my friend and coming along to help for the big weekend - that means SO much to me, love ya, Kristin - my super awesome girlfriend excel wiz who sews with me when I'm freaking out until 3 am - love ya, "Aunt Carla" - you are a super star and such a blessing to our family, and my husband and kids - we are in this together and I love this adventure we are on and love you to the moon and back. I'm very blessed with supportive friends and family who lift me up in prayer and cheer us on - thanks you guys. To God be the glory...
xoxo,
Trish
Quilt Market has been an amazing experience for me so far. I don't think I can hardly put it all into words just yet because my feet are so tired and when my feet are tired, my brain fails to work very well. Here's a few things I've noted so far:
When my feet quit hurting and my brain is fully functional, I'll be back with more about my Quilt Market experience. If only the blog had sound...if there was any doubt we are really "working" here...I could verify with the sounds of my bunk mate snoring. While I type. With every light in the room on. And the TV blaring. That kind of working hard all day sleep is so nice. I have that "kid on Christmas Eve can't fall asleep because I'm hoping Santa just brought me that awesome new sewing machine I really wanted and a case of new thread" syndrome. Suppose I should try closing more than one eye and get some rest. More soon...
xoxo,
Trish
Our booth is on the UPS truck, our bags are almost fully packed and we leave for Quilt Market in just a few days. :>) Yea!! So, probably the last post I'll have up until we get back.
{a closer look at another one of my new patterns} a trio of pillows including fun applique, scrappy patchwork, fun stitching, bows and lots of buttons. Farmhouse Funk.
xoxo,
Trish
Thanks so much for all the positive feedback so far on the patterns...I've been working on these for a very long time and I really appreciate all the kind words! I wanted to give you just a little bit more of what some of the patterns include.
Today, a closer look at the Carol Jane dresses. This pattern actually includes instructions for 6 versions of this dress! SIX! Check it out!
So many choices - your girls will adore this simple classic dress with so many new twists! I'll share more details on the other patterns soon!
xoxo,