The BIG REVEAL!

I'm talking sewing patterns here...just in case you thought things were about to get "X" rated around here! The Sprouts Fall 2010 Collection has arrived and will be available for wholesale beginning at Quilt Market October 30th.  Retail sales will begin early to mid November and be available in my etsy shop.  There is a little something for everyone I think.  New sewers, advanced sewers and everyone in between.  Those who like to sew for kids, themselves or friends...I hope you'll find something you can't wait to make!  I certainly enjoyed putting them all together for you.

Patterns include illustrations plus "real life" process photos to help guide you through each project.

May I introduce to you...SPROUTS, Fall 2010 Collection from Trish Preston, Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs.

Can't wait to see what you all make with them!  I'll have my Flickr page updated with each pattern so you can share your projects!

xoxo,

Trish

Fallen off the face of the earth...or whatever

Did you think I had fallen off the face of the earth?  No?  Ok, no really...it's about to get pretty quiet around here.  See this face? This is the face of a girl who has had very little sleep.  Whose butt has gone numb long ago.  Fingers in permanent bent position on the keyboard of her computer.  Coffee cups, tea cups and an empty bag of pretzel crisps surround her.  Children pawing at the office door wondering when will she be done.  A husband lurking about woefully neglected and underpaid for he is keeping all the plates of our family spinning at the moment.  Pages and pages of text, edits, revisions, double check, color checks...and on and on and on.  But it's short lived...and soon, it will be go time, time to get on that jet plane for Houston and head off to Quilt Market.

I think that working a trade show for 3 days with 2 days to set up and tear down will seem like a giant vacation compared to the last few weeks.

So it might get a bit quiet around here while we rush about in a flurry with finishing touches in preparation of our Sprouts Sewing Pattern debut but I promise...I'll be back soon enough with a big fat reveal of all 14 new patterns.  ALL OF THEM...Even the Hazel Hipster got a facelift and new revisions!  I'm exhausted beyond measure but God is good - I know this journey He has led our entire family on is one with purpose and I won't let a little sleep deprivation stop me from being the best I can be and honor Him.

Wish me luck with all the preparations won't you?  I could use a hug...

xoxo,

Trish

Serious randomness...

Honestly, I feel like I have ADD really bad lately.  Far too many things going on at once.  Getting ready for Quilt Market, dealing with the demands at my "day job" as we enter into our busy season (heck, when AREN'T we busy?), loads of kids stuff and "issues" with school. Hard to keep focus on any one thing for very long.  Ya know, like hard to blog about just one thing because I write a sentence and soon enough my mind is already thinking about what else needs to be done next...

So here's to all kinds of randomness...I got back all of our fab photos from our shoot from a few weeks ago...today I'm touching up the Madison pattern text and couldn't wait to share with you the cute and adorable Cait who is gracing the cover!  Isn't she a doll?!  And a future teacher too...just as sweet on the inside as she is on the outside.  Love her!

And then Uncle Mel, love him too.  He's been working on some "manly things" for our Quilt Market booth.

And I had to finish up one of the Madison bags because I wanted some new photos for the pattern...just wasn't feeling the ones I had.  So...now I have a design sample of the Madison.  Probably gonna list it in my etsy shop soon unless anyone wants first dibs at it!

xoxo,

Trish

Two Peas in a Pod

Sewing, planning, writing, prepping...so many things to do before we launch big with our sewing pattern line.  This weekend, we had our big photo shoot with the awesome of awesomeness photographers, Britt Lakin of Britt Lakin Photography. I love Britt because it's like she gets inside my head and totally sees in my minds eye what I was dreaming for the shot.  For every single item, 16 or so, we prepped and set a "scene" for that shot.  Plus lifestyle shots to be used elsewhere for marketing, etc.  In all...it was a lot.  It rained, we had models, here, there, in town...it was crazy!  But fun in a great way!  Can't wait to tell you more about the great mud river and how we almost "lost" Britt to the muddy mess!  Soon, I promise!

I'll keep updating with more of our progress as we go along...plus I have a little tutorial coming as well for a quick and easy maxi dress!

xoxo,

Trish

{party girls}

I love making things for events for special little people, don't you? Recently, I had the pleasure of making my Carol Jane dresses for a client whose daughter was celebrating a birthday and she wanted her baby sister to have a coordinating dress.  These Carol Jane patchwork dresses fit the bill perfectly with an initial monogram and accessorized with one of my little hair flowers to boot.

The Carol Jane dress sewing pattern has 7...SEVEN...versions of a simple dress that you can make and I can't wait to share them all with you!  (we have a BIG photo shoot this weekend for all the pattern covers!  eeeee!!)

Just look and sigh...because, I don't think two little girls could get much cuter than these two!

Sausage fingers

Can you see me? {muffle...muffle...snip...snip...whir...whir...tossing fabric....} How about now?  I realize it's kind of crazy in here with all the cutting and stitching and the ipod playing in the background and the iron steaming and the hair pulling and all...and that stuff is kind of thrown all over the place.  That's me in front of the machine...where I've been sitting for a very long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time.

The two peas spent the week at my parents house.  Local Grandma came over to watch Sprout.  And I spent many hours this week holed up in my sewing room - sewing like mad.

Friday I...wait for it...Friday I sewed...are you ready?  Ready?  18 hours.  Ok, Maybe 16...I did stop to eat and I did sit down for about 20 minutes while I waited for my friend Kristen to come over.  I texted her at 8pm something like, "I am losing my mind.  Busy?  Please come to my house.  I need reinforcements.  Please.  PLEEEASE!".  Being the wonderful friend that she is, she called me immediately and said, "What's wrong?".  I shared with her my insanity and that I couldn't even see to thread my needle anymore and she zipped right over.

As I sewed over a tube in a pillow I wasn't supposed to for the 3rd time at around 2am, Kristen says, "don't make another stitch unless I say so."  You know how drunk drivers weave all over the road way?  That was me...sewing all crazy and haphazardly.  I was losing it.

Why the insanity?  Did I mention before that I'm working on a line of sewing patterns? We are actually working on 14 different patterns, have applied for, been accepted and paid for a booth at the International Quilt Market in Houston in October and are gonna JUMP!

I have had such great response from the trunk shows I've been doing the last few years that I'm taking many of the things I have been making for years and years along with some new things and putting them all together in patterns so you can make your own.  I mean really, I only have so much time and so many hands...I was finding it impossible to keep up with all the orders and requests.  So everyone...getcha a sewing machine and learn how to sew!

This first batch of patterns will have some home dec items, functional items, a quilt, lots of bags and some kids clothing.  A pretty fun mix that I hope everyone will enjoy making and using.

But I have to admit...my fingers feel like fat little sausages and now that all the samples for the pattern covers are done...I'm stepping away from my machine.  For a few days at least.  We are taking a little staycation this week...gonna go to some water parks, and the zoo, and tour around Cincinnati a bit.  I can't wait to have a break.

{I swear, I know other people work really hard...but my husband and I work like 15 hour days everyday.  Day jobs, kids, chores, business stuff...its so exhausting but in an exciting, anticipatory kind of way.  This is something totally new for us and I, love having him be fully on board and working with me.  He even comes down here and says, "I've designed a new apron..." and proceeds to show me some crazy strap thing that only a guy could come up with...that I'll probably have patterned for Spring :>)  Ha!  Ha!}

Next week, the marathon photo shoot.  Britt of Britt Lakin Photography who makes my heart swoon she's so awesome, is gonna come hang at my house for an afternoon.  Last night, Carla (our awesome business partner, family, friend, spiritual mentor, fabulous cook - more on her later this week) and I mapped out all the shots and made a quick trip to the store for a few props.  This morning, the gardener woke up at 5am to finish painting the playhouse.  It has a fresh face for all these photos for next week and it looks so cute!

Can't wait to share so much more with you in the coming months as this all starts to fall into place...

xoxo,

Trish

Danielle...from just a jump north from Columbus, helped me test the Patsy Ann.  I'm not sure how I got so lucky as to have so many fabulous women volunteer to test for me but Danielle is one of those amazing women who I wish I could be more like...

"Joint heir with Christ, Wife to an international man of mystery, Mom to 5 home educated blessings, for sanity time I run and sew. Have yet to figure out how to combine both passions into one :) And while I love sewing and like running, the thing I am most passionate about is being a great wife and mother. I delight in the ministry God has given me in my home. When I married I neither cooked or sewed. But the learning curve was worth it and I am now passing these life long skills along to my daughters and "mom" friends."

Ok Danielle, I have an idea.  You've seen those little handheld "sewing machines" "As advertised on TV", right?  So, for small projects, you know, like a pillowcase...get it all pinned before you go, take that hand held machine...viola!  Sew and run at the same time.  Genius, I know.  Thanks for your help Danielle!

Now, the photos came out a little grainy but the smile is unmistakable.  Meet Megan from the Newlywives. Megan and her cousin Emily are newly married, both to Matt's and are the blog authors at the Newlywives.   Their blog, well, it's as much fun as Megan looks here!  Fun!Megan was kind enough to give the Madison bag a test run and she made up this cute version in brown.  She even patchworked the strap which is a look I love!  Thanks Megan for testing and go visit her and send her some love (she has a great posts on gardening, cooking and I LOVE the posts they've done on handmade weddings.)

If you've made up the Patsy Ann Apron Top (or plan to before August 15th) be sure to post it over on my Flickr page.  Everybody who has posted a Patsy Ann project over there by August 15th will be entered into a drawing for a $25 shop credit to Two Peas.  (ohh...how cool!)

Patterns are about all I've doing lately.  Well, that and hanging out at the pool.  The girls are on swim team at our city pool this summer and I do always look forward to it because practice time gives me an excuse to sit poolside and sew, chat and swim with Sprout for several hours a day.

I really had the best of intentions of being really organized this summer and getting so much done.  But, I think I've given in to the reality that life with kids is very unpredictable.  I mean, I knew that before but, the more kids you add to the mix, the more "stuff" that happens, literally, every day.  The best laid plans, fall apart daily it seems like.  I've put out the call for help to many of my friends to help me with sewing orders, testing, trying to do all these things.

The truth is, this business of mine, is really important to me.  I guess I feel like after my husband and I have served in careers in service to others in law enforcement and education, we deserve to do something for ourselves.   There is nothing good in life that doesn't come from hard work and sacrifice.  And we work really, really hard.  All I really want is to take care of my kids and worry about how to do that  a little less.  Clothe them, feed them, make their life a little easier.

Is that too much to ask?  Isn't that what we are all trying to do everyday?

xoxo,

Trish

Heartfelt thanks...

I am Regina Helmer, owner & creative mind behind SandDance Designs. I am a wife and SAHM. I have been married to my wonderful and supportive husband for almost 7years. My life is more blessed by having two toddler girls, ages 1 & 3 years old. My girls are an amazing source of inspiration in my designs.

I currently have a shop on Etsy (a must see!)

I love to make clothing for infants & toddlers. I believe in making clothing affordable for the everyday and unique for the special days. Every little girl should have clothing that reflects her own spirit. I started sewing because I was really disappointed with the mass produced cookie clothes most retail chains sell. Why can't toddlers be stylish too???

I have a passion for fabric and sewing, more like an addiction :) It really excites me to look at a bolt of fabric and start to imagine a design concept, trims and patterns. I really enjoy using vintage patterns and giving them a modern spin and making them current.

It is a blessing to be able to share a craft that I love so much.

Thank you Regina for testing - your input was fantastic! - Trish

I'm a stay at home mom to two (a 5 year old boy and a two year old girl).  In the sewing world, I'm still a newcomer - I've been sewing for less than a year, but i love it and sew as much as possible.

I was  a music major in college (voice) but I worked as an insurance underwriter for lawyer's malpractice insurance before my son was born (yeah, talk about a switch).  I love musical theatre (it's so fun to be someone else for a short time, it really helps you appreciate your own life) and take part in community theatre whenever I can (which is usually about once a year).

I love reading Dusty's blog - she always is trying new stuff!  Stop over at her blog and say hello!  Thanks Dusty for your help in testing!

I do have several more patterns coming down the pike...if you are interested in testing, keep an eye out.  I'll be asking for help soon!  AND are you a Two Peas Facebook fan?  You might want to check out the fan page...for a coupon code for the Patsy Ann Apron Top featured here!

xoxo,

Trish

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Just chugging along, trying like mad to get everything to print and move it out... Are you a retailer brick and mortar or online and would be interested in carrying my patterns?  Please email me for wholesale order information.

Are you a home sewist and would like to purchase one of my patterns...thank you so much!  You will find them added as available in my etsy store.  You'll find an easy link to my store over there...no, over that way, to the right...yeah, see it?  The etsy button...go click there to be whisked away to the land of etsy...a place of all handmade goods by amazing artists from all over the globe.

Summer Sunday Bag

Say hello to a few amazing crafters...

Continuing on with "holla" out to my girls who helped test patterns for me.  Geniune, lovely, creative and talented describes these ladies.  I love to see what they are coming up with next and watch their adorable kids grow.

Paige Hill is the talented lady who works in marketing for Where Women Create, the magazine.  We "met" online almost a year ago now.  Paige has been a really great supporter of my art - offering me features on both the WWC blog as well as inviting me to guest blog on the Creative Connection Event site. This fabulous event that is being put on by WWC is full of the most awesome stuff ever.  Session after session with fabulous artists who get to craft along with.  I'm still crossing my fingers I can go (it's in September - I'm also hoping to hit up Houston in October for Quilt Market so not sure I can leave the gardener at home that much.  Men don't multi task for long very well.  A day, maybe.  More than one...I worry about his sanity).

Paige is a fantastic artist herself and a published author.  Her version of the Patsy Ann Apron top included ric rac, a posie and more.  See her blog for all the details!

KIMBERLY VOJACEK is another wonderfully talented pattern tester.  Kimberly doesn't blog or have a shop - she just sews for her own children and was so kind to help me out.  Kimberly shares a little about herself with us..."I am a mother of two beautiful girls, 8 and 10 years old.  I work part-time for St. Stephen's Community House as a Volunteer Coordinator.  Most of my time is spent with the girls and their many activities.  I do enjoy crafting - scrapbook, cardmaking, cross-stitching, sewing, and my new craft, crochet!!  I am very passionate about raising my two girls to be compassionate, independent and responsible women.  I believe that being their mother is the most important job I have!"

Nikki Rainey is also known as "Madame Crafty"... a name her husband has bestowed upon her and for good reason.  She is all kinds of crafty and shares a bit about herself here...

Nikki Rainey has been a military wife for almost 14 years and takes her home business with her wherever she goes with her Army husband.  Family is most important to her. Her business includes everyone in the family and makes it possible for them to spend most of their time together.  She has been teaching various craft and quilting classes for over 10 years. She has her own quilting business, NikKitty Quilting & Design , as well as a beading party business. Nikki and her husband just updated their long-arm quilting machine to one of the uber-cool Gammill Statler models. Nikki likes to blog about her quilting and blogs about it here on her blog.  She enjoys pattern designing as well as customizing other patterns.

Two Peas in a Pod was her first experience pattern testing for someone else. Always in the past someone has been pattern testing for her.  She says this experience was a lot of fun!

Her husband likes to make quilting tools out of wood. He makes seam rippers, stilettos, crochet hooks, and also nice writing pens on his lathe. You can see his work in their etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/nrnoodle

Nikki tested the Madison bag for me...and hers is so cute.  You'll have to pop in over here and tell her so yourself!

I still have a few more wonderful friends I'll be featuring over the next couple of weeks.  Can't thank you all enough for testing for me - I'm very blessed to have your input!

xoxo,

Trish

Beautiful Blooms

Maria is many things. A chemist by trade with an MBA.

A stay/work at home Mom to 4 children whose ages range from 2 1/2 to 7.

A beautiful talent.

Maria tested the Patsy Ann Apron Top for me recently and I adore how cute hers turned out...check it out here.  She has a great eye for making accessories that the two peas squeal over.  Like what you say?

This set is awesome! Embroidered name on the pocket and a really cool organizer to go with it. This would make such a great baby shower gift!

Click on any of the photos and you'll magically transported to Maria's Beautiful Blooms shop on etsy.  You must take a gander as well as visit with her on her blog and take a moment to say hello for me, won't you?  Thanks Maria for testing for me!

xoxo,

Trish

{Lori lives to sew} or something like that

Lori swears she's not a "bag girl".  "Claims" she's not very good at sewing purses so she was excited to give my Madison bag a try to see if she could do it and she felt she might have some good feedback for me since it wasn't something she was experienced with.

Lori of "Love Hazel" started sewing regularly when her son was just a toddler.  Many afternoons, she would sit down with her grandmother, Hazel, and listen and learn to quilt.  I think that's one of the things I love about sewing is that it is truly a connection to our past.  A skill we pass down through generations and keepsakes we create that are treasured.

Lori has created many treasures.  She is a wonderful seamstress of all things girly.  This little dress she whipped up with no pattern - just followed a similar shirt from her daughters dress and figured it out along the way.  {ps Lori, I would like one of these, exact same fabrics, tunic style, size 8 for ME...please}.

Lori has a huge heart and is passionate about working with people who have are differently challenged (some would say disabled...but I like to just say they are differently challenged.)  Her biggest passion, aside from sewing and fabric, is being a wife and mother.  Which she does with grace and style.

Thank you Lori for helping me and testing patterns from my Sprouts line.  Visit Lori's etsy shop where you will find fabulous goodies to make your own and of course, check out her blog for delicious eye candy.

{Remember meeting Sarah B last week?  Sweet wonderful Sarah has also blogged about her adventures in pattern testing for me.  You can find her version of the Madison bag here. }

The Madison bag will be available this month...JUNE!  And I'm so excited that there are MORE MORE MORE patterns coming down the pike from our Sprout line including some home dec items.