: : pattern drafting : :

One of the things I enjoy about sewing is that there has, and I imagine, there never will, come a time where I "know everything".  I learn something new about sewing all the time.  ALL THE TIME.  From spending time and talking to others who have a great deal more experience than me, like SuperNova, my neighbors mother who has been sewing for the better part of 50 years. And also, from taking classes.

This summer I took a pattern drafting course from Esther Chung (you gotta follow her blog - she is getting married and making EVERYTHING herself - she was also a semi-finalist on Project Runway!).  It's always a great thing to expand and learn new skills.

I have a pretty hefty handful of garment sketches waiting to become part of the Sprouts Sewing pattern line.  But I felt like I knew NOTHING about sewing with this class.  It was not intuitive to me.  It's so new and so many different concepts that I moved through it quite slowly.  

Learning how to take measurements and make a flat pattern and muslin.  Fittings.  Then applying that to your sketch.  I think Esther may have been ready to choke me a few times.  I asked a lot a lot a lot of questions over and over and over.  

I started with the most complicated of sketches thinking that I should take advantage of Esther's expert knowledge.  But I'm thinking that rather, I should have done something easy so that I could better grasp the concepts and make sense of it all.

My first muslin was close but certainly needs tweaking.  Everything fit but it didn't "twirl" as much as I had hoped.  And this is a women's pattern.  I think I will repeat it for tweens as well - I really love this skirt.  Note all the threads all over the floor...pretty much a constant state in my sewing room.  I really need to ditch the carpet but I hate spending money on ripping out perfectly acceptable carpet.  We will save that for another day, I guess.

Already thinking about taking the draping class with Esther...I have some ideas cooking for new patterns!

{blessed nest} a tutorial

Maggie Whitley from Gussy Sews has a great community on her blog where there is lots of discussion of inspiration, and business building, and crafting.  

I had the pleasure of putting together this simple tutorial for a table runner to share with her readers who are interested in a simple sewing project with some "gussy" ruffle inspired elements.

Here's a few more details showing the applique process:

You can find the full tutorial over at GUSSY SEWS!

And don't forget, through Monday, August 15th at 10am EST - use the code DogDays and receive 30% off patterns and more in my etsy store before it closes for an extended break.

 

 

{french seams tutorial}

My serger died.  Not really sure what happened or when.  It just quit working.  I've had several "expert" friends look at it and they are all baffled.  Bummer.  Now I have to find a place who can look at it and repair it.

In the meantime, I had a couple of Carol Jane dresses to sew up.  And serging the edges of your seams on garments are a must because it just gives it such a nice finish.  What's a girl to do?  I could zig zag stitch my seams.  But I wanted them even cleaner than that.  SO...remembering a bit about french seams I had used on Sprouts crib bedding - I decided that was the way to go.

Today, I'm going to share the method I used on this dress because the patchwork version I was working on has a lot of seams so this came in super handy!  This dress is really cute alone or paired with a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans.  It would make for a great back to school outfit!  This is a method you can use in loads of garment patterns if you don't have a serger and want nice clean seams inside.

STEP ONE

Start by laying your fabrics WRONG SIDES FACING, pin and stitch 1/8" seam.

STEP TWO

Press your seam so that right sides are now facing.  See in the photo above how we can see the raw edge of the seam is visible on the right side of the fabric and the clean edge is on the wrong side.  Press along the seam line and pin.  Now, stitch 1/4" seam to incase your raw edge of your seam.

STEP THREE

Now you can see how the raw edge is incased and now both our right side view and wrong side view are nice and clean.  But, we have the seam sticking up on the wrong side which will not be comfortable.  Press this seam to one side and then top stitch it down.  

That's it.  A bit more time consuming but the result is so worth it.  Your seams are equally beautiful on the INSIDE of the garment as they are on the OUTSIDE.  Are you inspired to give it a try?

Well, I'm getting ready to put my etsy shop on a short hiatus.  So through this weekend, enter the coupon code, DogDays, and receive 30% off EVERYTHING in the shop.  Patterns, including the Carol Jane dress, and finished items also included.  After Monday morning, the shop will be closed for several weeks while I catch up on projects.

{is this my calling}

I've been thinking about that a lot lately.

Is this my calling?

Why do I sew and share my craft?  Is it what I'm supposed to be doing?  Am I honoring God with all that I do?

Those are some of the questions I battle with and I'll share a few of my random thoughts that have been bouncing around.  Because I think in a way, that this is my calling and that I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.  But I guess I feel like at times, I need that "justification" as to where I am, today, here, now.

Alright, let's start a few steps back.  When I started my career in law enforcement (yes...I was a police officer for 12 years.  A federal park ranger, state and municipal as well as a deputy sheriff) I knew that THAT career was my calling.  And it was.  At the time.  I knew, as I still feel now, that I did make a difference.  I know that I was put into the path, into situations, for a purpose.  That my presence, my actions, my words made a difference.  At that time - they told a child that it wasn't her fault that her parents were hurting each other and that she had to stay with other family members while they worked out their problems.  They comforted family who had lost a loved one in a car crash.  They told drug addicts and theives that doing something bad was different than being a bad person.  That just because you did something bad didn't make you a bad person and you always had a chance to start doing right, right now.  I prayed a lot then.  And now.  But I remember saying a lot of silent prayers back then, hopeful that the bad I saw would somehow come back around to good.  I knew that what I was doing at that time was my calling.

And I felt the time my calling started to change.  For my family.  When my kids kissed me goodnight one night as I headed out the door to work a midnight shift and they told me, "Don't let the bad guys shoot you Mom", I knew I was done.  Because I knew that my calling to be their Mother was stronger than "saving the world" and I knew that I was ready to let somebody else take a turn at getting all the bad guys.  I felt God molding me from one step of my life's journey to the next.

I now work in higher education for environmental studies at a HUGE university.  And it's my job to help students figure out just what they can achieve and what is available to them.  It is highly rewarding that my job involves "lightbulb" moments.  You can literally see the excitement brewing and the passion rising when a student hits on just the right niche and starts to grow, and they start seeing the difference they will make in the world.

But even that, I don't think is all I'm called to do.  From the time I was big enough to hold a crayon in my hand, I loved art.  Before I even knew what art was.  I loved color.  And lines.  And textures made from paints.  And the ability to just create.  And to cut up pieces of paper.  And glue them back together into something new.  I have watched my own children have just that very same experience with art and I can see, that it is a God thing.

So, art doesn't save lives.

It doesn't mend broken families.

It doesn't change people from bad to good.

Not like working in law enforcement or for the environment or in higher education.

But it sorta does.

I guess I look at it this way.  There is so much love in art, in sewing, in crafting.  It's spiritual and peaceful.  It makes you think.  It makes you feel.  It makes you use your imagination.  It makes you stop and slow down.  It expresses emotion.  It says so much without using a single uttered word.  I love that about handmade.

Inspiring others in their own art, in sewing, in crafting.  To find peace.  To think.  To feel.  To use their imagination.  To stop and slow down.  To express emotion.  Finding that in yourself, can save a life, can help to mend a broken heart, it can change something bad to something good.

That encouraging others in creativity brings us all closer, to each other and to God.

I think that sharing something we make with our own two hands, telling a story, our story, in paint, in fabric and in thread, in paper and so much more, honors God.  It honors each other.  It shows love.  I think it's a calling we all have within us.  It's part of the beauty that makes our lives so much more valuable.

At least that's what's been rattling around in my head this week...

Quilters quilting at the Quilt Club

A couple of weeks ago, on a very hot steamy day - me and my trunk of goodies - made our way through downtown Columbus to meet with a local quilt club during their lunch hour.  These ladies awesome employer gives them space and some funds to host a quilt club at work.  How cool are THOSE benefits?!  Nice!

I brought along a few embellishment ideas to share with them and talked a little bit about the process I use to design and develop my sewing patterns.  I brought along my Simplicity Bias tape maker to show them how to use it for quilt binding.  They really liked that (when you make yards and yards of bias - ANYTHING to make it easier is a miracle!)  The girls had a lovely show -n- tell with some of their recent projects.  (see them up there - nice huh?!)

I also brought a couple of quick sew by hand projects to share as well.  Everybody stitched along and chatted.  It was a really nice break in the day and such an honor to be invited.  And a pleasure to meet everyone from their quilt club.

Made me wish I worked at their office so I could come have lunch them at the meetings every month.

Where Aussies Make with LOVE

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!

 

 

It's Sew Easy

http://youtu.be/olWZK0U6uv8 Just a quick update - Season 1 of It's Sew Easy has begun airing!  And believe it or not, in about 10 days, I'll be up in Cleveland filming a couple of segments for Season 2 already!

A lot of the segments have been posted on YouTube so if the show is not airing in your area yet, you can catch bits and pieces there.  You will also find links and projects on the It's Sew Easy website.

They also have a facebook page and I hope you'll connect with the show there as you can.

The Tie Tote I used here as an example on the show...this is a new mini-pattern that I will have out very soon priced under $6!  (Retailers - I took your advice and here is the first of the mini's you requested!).  This tote is also the bag used in my first on-line sewing class.  You can sign up for our sewing school this fall and sew along with me.  Provided will be oodles and oodles of videos showing you every single step and loads of tips plus text directions to support the videos and pattern pieces as appropriate.  I think you'll enjoy it and we are planning on doing more throughout the year so stay tuned!  (and if you have any requests - let me know!)

3 more weeks before school starts!  Everyone is excited but I'm a little sad.  5th graders?  I have two 5th graders?  How did that happen?!? And my baby, my baby is 3 years old!  I will always call them all my babies though.  We have had a great summer!  I'll be back to my "two peas desk" on a regular basis after school starts.  Just can't let summer fun pass me by with the kids - they grow too fast and I don't want to miss a moment.  With two 10 year olds, these sweet not yet teenage days, won't last forever.  I'm soaking them in as much as I possibly can.

Are you excited about back to school?  Any last hurrahs planned at your house before you say goodbye to summer?  (Or hello summer, if you are in Australia I guess, right?)

 

 

: : sis boom oh la la : :

One of the questions I am frequently asked is how do I pick fabrics to go together in a project.  The honest is answer is...I go for both the obvious and also the not so obvious.

Meaning, it's easy to mix and match when you pull from the same fabric line that was designed to go together. BUT you can also look at just one color in a particular print and find it on other fabrics that will make a surprising coordinating look.  THIS is a pretty good intro into color theory and the color wheel that you might want to read and bookmark.

Jennifer Paganelli is the queen of that surprising coordinated look - she pairs colors that you might not think to put together, uses richly sophisticated prints and what you get is this classic look with a really modern spin to it.  She's one of my favorite designers, can you tell?

Jennifers Sis Boom collection of fabrics are really fun and she recently came out with this new book called Girls World and my, oh, my!  Lots of great projects, very easy ranging to a few that are a bit more complicated - all very well done and this book will give you a TON of color inspiration.  So, if you ever wondered how to mix and match fabrics - you will enjoy seeing how Jennifer does it and does it so well.  Quite frankly, it just looks pretty sitting on my shelf in my sewing room.  If I could wrap myself completely in the pages of this book - I would.  I love it that much.  Who would not want a room full of all that whimsy and color?!

I was really inspired by Jennifer and dresses like the one above from her book when I was planning my Easter dresses this year.  I made all three of my girls, my two peas and my sprout, dresses with some Sis Boom prints.  I must get a better picture I can share - but this one shows Sprout in her dress (who also was celebrating her birthday that day!) and you can barely see the peas dresses to the left and right.  That's kinda how they always are...hovering over Sprout.  

When mix and matching prints, I've also noticed that you can often find one color in a line of fabric and that exact color in another line by another designer.  A few lines ago, I found a pretty olive green in some Amy Butler prints that went well with some Heather Bailey prints and much later, some scraps of those that go well with some Riley Blake prints.  Really look at each and every color in a print.  You will be amazed at how often you will see it repeated elsewhere.  That makes coordinating prints easy.

For me, I usually start with a main print, something I really love...and I will head off to the local quilt shop and pull bolt upon bolt down and lay it with that main print.  Sometimes it takes while to for something to click but you'll eventually come across something that just seems to be a great fit.  Plus, that gives you a chance to feel the fabric too.

If that isn't an option for you, I love the design board that Quilthome.com has on their website.  You can drag prints around the screen to see how they look together.  Do you know of other sites that offer that function?  Share in the comments!

Do you have any tricks or tips for how you match up fabric prints together?  I think it really comes down to what you love...and if YOU love the way it looks, then success!

Bias tape making to your hearts content and then some

It's always so much fun to give stuff away and thanks to Simplicity, I have the joy in giving one of you their very fun Bias Tape Maker machine.

Mary Beth you lucky dog - it's all yours!

Next up, Simplicity has these great project books full of fun patterns and plenty of inspiration.  

And one last project book to give away...thanks so very much to everyone who participated in this giveaway!  Hope you had fun discovering some new products.Ladies, please email me twopeasinapoddesigns at gmail dot com and send me your mailing address!

Slowly but surely, our lives are getting a little less hectic.  If you follow me on Facebook, I update there a heck of a lot more often only because I can do so from my phone in a jiffy.  But if you don't, here's the latest shinanigans from our house::

One of the peas, sweet "E", competed in her county 4H sewing competition.  She was awarded top model! She sewed up a version of the Patsy Ann Apron Top using Sherbet Pips.  I had to physically remove myself from the room after I would instruct her on each step to keep myself from interfering so that in the end, we knew she had really done it 100% all on her own.

She really has a knack for sewing (must be in the genes) and I'm so proud of her.  I helped a bit with her accessories.  Check out her super cute flip flops!  If you know how to make these flowers then you can make these too!  Word of advice, hot glue does not hold these flowers on.  Nor does any craft glue that says it works on plastic.  Nor does velcro sticky tabs.  I found an industrial glue at our local hardware store - hoping that will do the trick to hold them!  (the velcro sticky tabs did the trick through judging at least!)

Swim team for summer rec is officially over!  Champs was this past week and sweet pea "L" won her heat in the 25 freestyle.  She was so pumped because they actually award you your heat winner ribbon as you exit the pool.  She was over the moon (nevermind 151 girls competed in this one event...and her time overall fell I think at 97th place).  And they have gotten old enough now that I have to consult with them before I share info or photos about them here in this space.  They both gave me the thumbs up to share these events and these photos on my blog.

I've been taking a fashion design course at our local art college...and I'm so excited because I'm learning so much about garment pattern design.  I've been able to work from sketch to flat paper pattern and into finished garment (well, in theory at least - I'm still working on it). I can't wait to share these new garment patterns later this year.

I guess that's about it...all summer it's been kids, kids, kids...4H, swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming, cleaning out the house (remember the garage sale?  The aftermath led to me unloading over 15 bins of junk out of my house - my but that feels good!) and enjoying the very hot, busy summer with my family.  School starts in about a month, in 3 weeks I'll be back in Cleveland working on segments for It's Sew Easy season 2 (Oh...I do have more to share in another post all about that!), and there are a slew of new patterns on their way.

: : i love gadgets : :

I am a gadget girl.  Fun little trinkets that do cool things that become almost obsessive.  For instance, I have this adorable measuring cup that measures up to 4 tablespoons.  I love it.  It's fun.  I use it all the time because it's just cute and fun.  Makes cooking more enjoyable.

Same thing with the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker.  Do I sound like an infomercial?  Ok, so you know if you read here once in awhile that not too long ago I had the pleasure of being asked by Simplicity to actually film a little promo video for them to illustrate this little gadget machine.

It is pretty nifty I must admit.  You load up a strip of fabric onto the spool and feed it through the tip.  It has a heating element, lock the top plate in place, turn on the run button and it feeds it through, folding and pressing making a single fold bias tape.  It's pretty dog gone cool.  First time I used it, I think I made like 5 yards of bias tape.  It was addicting and very fun!

So what do you do with all this bias tape?  Use it on home dec projects, make a lanyard, hem a skirt, use it on a bag, bind a quilt (yep, there are quilt binding tips!).  Make bias tape, package it and give it as gifts to all your sewing friends.  Heck, there's so much you can do with it.

Simplicity has a couple of new project books that will be coming out later this summer chock full of ideas (check out the top photo - that's just a few of the projects that the Adornit girls came up with for one of the books.)

Simplicity was really nice when I asked if I could have one of these to give away on my blog...guess what?  I got one!  For one of you!  Ya-hoo!  Now YOU can share in the addiction and make yards and yards of bias tape for all of your projects.

If you don't win this one, you can find these at your local quilt and crafting store or Simplicity.com.

How can you win this one?  Easy!  Just leave a comment and tell me what you would make using this machine.

For extra entries, you can:

1) Friend Simplicity on Facebook, leave a separate comment. 2) Visit Simplicity and tell me what your one dream item would be from their catalog, besides the bias tape maker of course.  Leave a separate comment.  {my dream item is THIS!} 3) Tweet this giveaway on Twitter, something like "I'll be making bias tape all day long if I win this!  http://twopeasinapoddesigns.com/2011/07/i-love-gadgets/     .  Leave a separate comment.  You can @trishpreston too if you want! 4) Friend me on Facebook, leave a separate comment. 5) Subscribe to this blog, leave a separate comment.

So that's 6 separate entries for a chance to win this really fun gadget!

More cool stuff...I have a few of those project books too!  One will come with the machine and I have 2 others that two of you will win too!  3 prizes, #1 - the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker, including the 1" tip plus a project book, #2 - a set of 2 Simplicity project books, and #3 - one Simplicity project book.

This giveaway will close July 24, 2011 at midnight.  A winner will be chosen using random.org.  Good luck!

xoxo,

Trish {DISCLOSURE :: Simplicity provided me with the Bias Tape Maker to giveaway on my blog.  I received no compensation for this giveaway post and my words and opinions here are my own.}

Ta-da!

Check out our new space here on the web!  Ya like?

You know how your hair can get really long and shaggy and you just can't wait to get a fresh new look?  Yeah, me too!  And that includes this blog...it just needed a little cleaning up and freshening up.

Let me show you around...over there to the right, you will find links to fun things like my tutorials or information about my sewing pattern line or a list of stockists who carry the Sprouts line of sewing patterns.

Up at the top right, you can link up with me on Facebook or Twitter or add this blog to your reader.

You'll find ways to share posts.  If you are a retailer, you can subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest about new pattern releases and other Two Peas news.

I'll be tinkering here and there as I have time doing a few more polishing to some pages.  Have I mentioned?  Busiest.  Summer.  Ever.  Kids will be back to school before I know it and I'll have more free time to spend in this space but for now...I'm soaking in the summer innocence that is ages 3 and 10 and loving every most minute of it.

To celebrate the blogs new "hair-do", I have a super cool giveaway coming very soon sponsored by Simplicity!

xoxo,

Trish

{blessings from above}

Back when I was still doing home trunk shows, I was introduced to a sweet girl who has since become a dear friend.  We get together and lunch and "LOFT" as we call it which means - eat and shop over at the LOFT clearance racks.  Her husband used to play in our worship band at church and is very talented.  And she and her husband had been trying to have a baby.  And at a show, back in Autumn 2009, she ordered a baby quilt and all kinds of baby things from me.  But no baby at that time.  It was for her hope chest. Usually, when I sew, the door is open and kids come in and play while I stitch away.  That day, the day I was sewing up her order and making her baby quilt, I shut the door.  As I cut the fabric, I prayed.  Every time my fingers brushed against the fabric, I prayed.  As I ironed, I prayed.  As I sewed, I prayed.  I asked that God would please bless this family with a baby.  I prayed that the blanket I was making would soon be wrapped around a sweet baby, a gift from God.  I prayed, and prayed, and prayed with every touch of the fabric, with every stitch for my friend to please have the baby she so dreamed of.

A couple of weeks ago, those prayers were answered.

When I saw the preview photos on Britt's page, I lost it.  I mean, tears of joy, can't see the screen, bawling my eyes out lost it.  There, on that quilt I made and prayed over so intensely, lay a sweet blessing from above.  The answer to a prayer.  A perfect baby boy.  My friends baby boy.   I could not be happier for the proud parents.  Thank you GOD for You are good all the time.

xoxo,

Trish

 

: : eat, work, sleep, repeat : :

One of the first rules in blogging is nobody wants to hear you apologize for not blogging.  Because I'm quite certain no one is waiting with baited breath for me to drop my next post so I won't apologize for being mostly absent. Since the kids have been out of school, I, um, apparently don't have time to work anymore or much of anything else so that I can cart my kids around town to all of their activities.  Right?  You are in this same boat with me I'm sure...and I would not change any of it most of it for anything in the world.  There is just something about summer, unscheduled pool visits and late nights playing outside and impromptu ice cream stops that just make life very happy.

Via my iphone...and for the benefit of my kids someday, when they read this and when they complain to me about how busy they are with THEIR kids - oh please girls - your Momma has SOOO been there.

The videos we made for Simplicity will be available on their website, available to retailers and my understanding, at kiosks in JoAnns where they will be selling these Simplicity machines.

Candie does amazing felt work and jewelry designs that are fabulous!  And she's a hoot!  You should visit her blog and check it out - it was a whole new world to me to see the work she does.

Carolee was a blast to talk to - her daughters all work with her in her scrapbooking business that now includes fabric and ALSO clothing?!  She has a boutique line that I love, love, love!  You'll find Carolee's fabulous stuff here at AdornIt!  Click on the Boutique section to see the fabulous clothing they have - I swooned!

I had to promptly hang it in my peas room afterwards...please tell me your kids have hundreds of stuffed animals on their beds too, right?

 

 

As a reward, we let the girls get ice cream from the ice cream truck.  It was funny because my girls were like, "What's that music?  What is that??" - living in the country, they had not seen an ice cream truck before.  They loved it!

In between all of these things in the last two weeks I tried, although not very well, to work at my day job too (had to take vacation days just to take care of my family!).  If you've emailed me or requested something...I will get to it eventually but it would be a good idea to message me again as a reminder.  Just sayin'...

I'd like to say things are winding down but swim, swim, swimming this week, 4H sewing clinic and sleep away camp later this week.  PLUS...I may or may not be filming some sewing classes to offer online!

What are you up to this summer?

xoxo,

Trish

 

::sew sew sew along::

A couple of fun finds I had to share... Come over to Sew Sweetness for an Ava Bag Sew Along...Quilthome.com is even offering a nice discount for participants on fabric and the pattern(s).   Later this summer, they will be doing the Madison Bag.  I have some goodies planned for those who participate (which may or may not be some finished bags...)

Sarah B Designs is leading a sew along of the Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress.  So adorable...loads of fun!  What are you sewing up right now?  Or special projects coming up?  Wanna share some fun links of your own?  Post them in the comments section so we can check them out!

xoxo,

Trish

: : sneak peek behind the scenes : :

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!}

{poppyprint}

If you've been around here long enough you know that this "Monday Mornings Inspiration" doesn't necessarily mean it will actually appear on Monday because it rarely does.  Like all you other Moms out there...its the end of the school year round up and for us the start of swim team (2 practices a day 3 x week plus 2 more on the other days...so, lotta lotta poolside sitting for me).  I have been working, crafting, cursing my sewing mishaps new sewing patterns.  For some reason, these have been a little tricky for me - lots of details for beginners and advanced sewers.  I think you'll love them but they have had me cursing under my breath a bit more than normal.  Our photo shoot is tomorrow for all the new patterns for the remainder of 2011 - very anxious to share them with you!  I've also been preparing for a video / commercial I'm shooting for a company and I'll share more about that as I can.

Where were we?  Monday Mornings Inspiration - and this is a fabulous one!

 Krista Hennebury  of Poppyprint is one amazing quilter from British Columbia and like many of my bloggy friends...I kinda forget when we met.  I think she may have won a giveaway of mine many moons ago and I've been stalking her  enjoying her blog ever since.  She was recently named to the list of Top Quilting Blogs for 2011.  Such a talent and always a breath of fresh air and joy to visit her blog.  It's my pleasure to introduce you to her so you too can stalk enjoy her blog.

When did you learn to sew?  And what inspired you to begin? 
I learned to sew on a machine in 6th grade home economics class, when I was 12.  I had already learned to knit and embroider at Girl Guides.  I wasn't an avid sewist, but I did make a few sundresses in high school on my Mom's Singer.  After my children were born, I made a few Hallowe'en costumes, curtains and hemmed a pair of jeans here and there.  I loved collecting fabric, though I wasn't sure why until my early 30's when I signed up for a quilting class at my LQS.  I was immediately hooked on patchwork and took class after class to build my skills.

What are some of your favorite projects to stitch together?

Quilting is my foundation but I really love making purses, bags, and zaka-inspired small projects like wallets and pillows. I enjoy making special gifts for people that I know will appreciate them, as well as making items for fundraising events like silent auctions or raffles at my children's school and community events.
Do you create any of your own patterns?  What is your process like for creating your own pattern and what advice would you offer someone else who is new at drafting their own pattern, for quilting or otherwise?  How should they get started?  
I have designed several original quilting projects, mostly for online swaps (which are a great venue for trying new things and stretching your creative skills!). In those cases, I looked to my partners for an inspirational idea, be it a favorite style, colour or design motif.  Photography is also a hobby for me and often I'll use one of my photos as a jumping off point.  Sometimes, I'll make a rough sketch of my idea (for an art quilt), or for a traditional patchwork I will draw it out on graph paper.  I think doodling and colouring is a great way to start trying out ideas.  Although my background is in science, I am not that formulaic when I work. I tend to thrive on trial and error instead of detailed planning!  If I know that I'll want to make something again, or share the pattern in a tutorial, I will take notes and photographs while making the project.  Then I always make the entire project a second time, refining my instructions as I go along.  I like brief, to the point, clear instructions with illustrations or photos for clarity (see? science girl).

Is quilting business or pleasure for you? 
Lucky for me, it is 100% pleasure with a little bit of business thrown in.  I started a retreat business 5 years ago hosting 13-hour day retreats in a public hall not far from where I live.  I cater all the food, set up the hall with my husband's help, provide ironing stations, basting tables, goody bags, door prizes and support if anyone needs help with a project. The retreats have become so popular, the 25 spots available sell out in less than 24 hours!  I really cherish the community that has been built around the retreats and am thankful for the small income they provide.  I did save up for two years to upgrade my sewing machine, but let's be honest; most of my income goes straight back into fabric!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Our family is planning an extended holiday (maybe even a house exchange?) in France for summer 2012 to support our children's French learning, and to refresh our French, too!  I've been lucky enough to travel extensively, for work and pleasure before having children 14 years ago, so even though that wanderlust is still there, I don't have the same 
desire for adventure that I used to...it's more about spending quality time with my husband and our two teenagers now. I'm worried they won't want to travel with us much longer!

What's next on your sewing table? 
Hmmm, let me analyze the pile (which is always pretty high). Quilt and bind a relief quilt for Japan on behalf of my friend who doesn't have a walking foot, finish the baby gift for my new nephew, make a purse for an upcoming silent auction, continue work on a new quilt for our bed, make myself a new bag with gorgeous home dec fabric that just arrived yesterday!
Was I right or was I right?  Isn't she fabulous?  I know, I know...another blog to add to your reader.  You won't be sorry!  And you're welcome.  Go visit Krista on her blog and tell her I sent you!
I'll try to post again soon...but no promises.  Best to catch me on facebook or twitter (trishpreston) here in the next week or so if you wanna keep up with the commercial shoot, etc.!
What are you guys sewing up lately?   Leave a comment and a link to your blog and share what you've been sewing up this summer!
xoxo,
Trish

::rolled rosette tutorial::

I think I've been promising this for a very long time...and ta-da!  FINALLY, here it is!  A little video tutorial on how I make those rolled rosettes.  I even spill the beans on one of the other flowers I make too... One of the sweet neighbors came over several weeks ago while I was making some and wanted to know how I did it.  I showed her and handed over some supplies.  In no time, she had made several and put them together in this fab necklace.  She's 12.  If she can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!

Here it is!  Have you made these before?  Do you have a fun idea on how to use these rosettes?  Please share!

More FLOWER TUTORIALS can be found on my site HERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZPnzbqjF4

xoxo,

Trish

{tgif} thank goodness it's friday

I've had a rather busy week.  Just stuff.  Random stuff.  And since my hubby works for the park service, weekends around here are a little different than for most.  We aren't "Saturday / Sunday" weekend folks.  Our weekends fall usually on other days but this weekend is the Indy 500 (for those of you who don't know what that is...it's a car race.  In Indianapolis. Sense my excitement.)  And to my husband, it's a holiday bigger than Christmas.  He cooks and makes it a big party.  So, I'm rather looking forward to our upcoming holiday weekend where we get to be like normal people with real weekends and be all together for the day.

I have giveaway winners to announce!  The Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway response was amazing!  I loved it for so many different reasons.

1) I met a bunch of people from my own backyard, Ohio, that I hadn't met before.  I'm thinking we need to plan a crafters meet up at some point!

2) I can't even count how many people from outside the US entered this giveaway.  Spain, Singapore, Germany, UK, Ireland, France, a lot a lot of Aussies, Turkey, Ukraine...wow!  I really enjoyed going see new blogs for those folks and seeing what they are crafting up.  Amazing how much alike we are and how interesting our differences are...

3) There are so many amazing sewers and paper crafters and knitters out there!

4) The thing I most enjoyed about this is everyone introducing themselves.  I think I may ask for that on every post because it really helps me to connect with each of you and get to know you!  It was so fun to hear what things you are crafting, about your kids, where you are from.  I get tired of talking about myself all the time!  And I love hearing about YOU!  There were a lot of folks who said they had been following my blog for awhile now and I don't think I had ever seen their name so I was so thrilled to finally meet them.  PLEASE oh please, say hi more often!  I really sincerely mean that!  I'm thrilled to meet you!

So here they are, the giveaway winners from the last two giveaways:  from the talented Ms. Jan DiCintio - the Daisy Janie fat quarter giveaway - winner was #35:

GRACE - Congrats!  E-mail me so I can get your info over to Jan and you can get busy crafting with her gorgeous Shades of Grey fabrics.

Next, Sew, Mama, Sew - 2 prize packages to be had!  First up...the Hoot-n-Nanny Tote bag with the pattern for this bag.  Winner is....#9, Connie!

Second prize package was the pretty little clutch and a surprise bundle of 4 Two Peas sewing patterns...winner is #608, Karen!Such a pleasure to meet you all and I thank you very much for your many kind words and support.  Winners, email me so we can get you all squared away!

Stop back later - that video I promised with the rosettes...trying to figure out a way to get it uploaded for you today!  That's the one drawback to living rural - not great connectivity.

I also wanted to give thanks to our men and women in service - this weekend begins the summer for us here in the States and we kick off with Memorial Day, remembering all those who have made sacrifices for us to keep us free and safe.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  To the wives who pull double duty while your husbands are deployed.  To the Moms and Dads who raised amazing kids who make this sacrifice.  My prayers are with you not only this weekend but always.

Last year I posted this tutorial for a t-shirt refashion using a military print shirt...thought it was worth mentioning again in case you missed it.  It's a fun one and great for this weekend!  Happy Memorial Day!  Let Summer begin!

xoxo,

Trish

{sew, mama, sew giveaway day}

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  Such a fun event - Sew, Mama, Sew sponsors a day of giveaways all over in blogland and you could spend hours and hours entering to win all the fab things that many talented folks are giving away on this day.

My name is Trish - if we've not already met - it's nice to meet YOU!  I wear many hats but on most days, I'm a sewing pattern designer.  I'm super excited to be a cast member on the new upcoming PBS show It's Sew Easy and I continue to work on projects including publishing my patterns (you'll find a really cool new bag pattern I designed, the Studio Satchel in the next issue of Stitch).  You can read more about me HERE if you really want to...otherwise let's get to the giveaways!  {This giveaway is open until May 25th and I will ship internationally}

I'm offering up a double prize package.

Package #1: A copy of my Hoot-N-Nanny tote bag pattern AND a finished version of this bag.

Package #2: One very pretty clutch (like one of these!) and a 4 pack of assorted Two Peas patterns!

Sound good?  I would love to have you connect with me > subscribe to this blog<  or  > friend me on facebook <  or  > follow me on twitter  (I'm trishpreston) <

To enter this giveaway, simply leave me a comment and introduce yourself!  Happy SMS Giveaway Day!  Find more of the giveaways listed here.

xoxo,

Trish