Pretty vs. Practical

When one has the opportunity to live in another culture, it is to be expected that it won't take long to notice all the subtle and the not so subtle differences. It certainly didn't take me five years to figure out that Germans, in general, are very practical. (if you are not included in this generally blanketed statement, please take no offense, as none was intended) This does not mean that Germans do not enjoy beautiful things, quite the contrary. Usually if something is only "pretty" without also being "practical", then it's a sure fire way for a German to overlook it. I do not find such a cultural characteristic to be a negative one, but just a different one.For example: On some visit to...

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Falling Leaves

What's on your "round-to-it" list?... I found this pattern a while back on Martha Stewart and have been wanting to make these great oak leaf bowls for fall decorations. Even though felt is not my usual medium of choice, I've got a couple of wool fabrics that would be beautiful for these. You can download the pattern here and there's even a really great video to go with it. I've not managed to get any fall decorations out... and you?Also on my list are to get a few more "Craft it Forward" gifts out... I guess there's not too much time left in 2011. (there's nothing like a little pressure, righ...

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Keiki Fabrics

So now that the fabrics from Spring Quilt Market are piling in, I am starting to notice a theme with a few of my colors... I'm just loving these bright limes and greens mixed with reds, don't you? Well, I guess since they are complementary colors, it makes sense why they go so well together. I've very much been looking forward to Keiki's "Oops a Daisy" collection, which is her follow-up to "Wee Woodland".So, it just a few more days, fabric designers will be packing up and heading out to Houston again for the Fall Quilt Market... oh, I can hardly wait! I've seen a few previews from various designers and it looks like this year will be a good one. So, do you follow any blogs or look for updates...

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Off the Checklist

So, I have a very specific goal in mind with my sewing projects these days (which I hope to share some time soon), and I'm still working with Anna Maria Horner's new fabric collection, LouLouThi. I've been using little snippts and scraps, and it's nice to say that otherwise tiny pieces that would have fallen to the floor and eventually found their way in the trash can are finding a place under the sewing needle... it makes me feel like I'm really "owning" the collection.In addition to mixing fabrics from Anna's previous collection, Innocent Crush, I have started adding linen to the mix. This fabric was kind of an accident... you know how it is, you go shopping for one thing and bring something...

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Alexander Henry Fabrics

So now that it is almost time for this year's Fall Quilt Market, I am just now starting to get in some of the collections that were introduced earlier at the Spring Market. Wow, it's hard to think that the last time I saw these samples were that long ago. Alexander Henry, known in the fabric industry for super quality and fantastic designs, added a few new fabrics to their highly popular "In the Kitchen" collection. Doesn't this first fabric look like it could be some kind of learn your ABC's from a vintage cookbook? Also introduced last spring was this sweet "have fun in your garden" line, "Natura". Oh, I have a sweet little project in mind if I can manage to keep myself focused. I've...

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