Reuse, rethink and redo

New things that have come this summer are a third in the Seasons line: Summer…..At the Beach table runner. It is full of cool blues to remind you of the ocean blue and seashells and last but not least, a sand pail and shovel, one of my favorite toys as child. Whether you lived near a beach or maybe traveled to one for family vacations, this runner will bring a touch of nostalgia and a splash of cool for your summer table.

Reuse, redo, reorganize, and rethink. That has been my mantra this year. I reorganized my sewing space. A new sewing cabinet found home in my sewing room and that started a whole chain of events. I am not finished yet but I am well on my way. I made curtains and purged all the notions and items that we as quilters and sewers collect. I am currently looking for an old child’s dresser. I want a wooden one, tall enough I can use the top as space to use and store my light box. The 3-4 drawers will hold all the smaller items that need a place to live but I don’t want to see on a daily basis. I have been keeping my eye out of inspirational things for some small spaces on the walls.

Last Saturday a lovely lady and her friend came into the local quilt shop where I work 1 day a week. She was looking for fabric that had a vintage flavor. She brought with her a “book”. After a closer look, that book was actually a tablet of 12 X 12 scrapbooking papers. OMG what gorgeous images were in this book! One of the images and one she was pulling colors and “feeling” from was of a Robin sitting on a branch and looking over at her nest with 3 beautiful blue eggs in it. I gasped. It was so beautiful. It looked like a watercolor painting. I asked where she had found the book and she told me at “Michaels”. In our area that is a large chain craft store. I thanked her and told her I would be going out and finding myself one as I had to have that print. After all it is of a Robin. She cheerfully tore that page out of me, explaining there were 2 more copies still in the book. What a generous thing to do. After we had found her fabric and I had cut all the beautiful yardage she had chosen she happily went to go and start her vintage quilt. Quilters are the most generous people. We happily give scraps of fabric, whole yardage, time, opinions, and whatever else we can give to others who share and know firsthand our passion, QUILTING. I am including a picture of that print that stole my heart and will get it framed this week. I have just the place on my wall where it will give me inspiration and provide a nostalgic tug at my heart each time I look at it. Tell me what inspires you? What makes your hear leap at the sight or sound of? When the world is wobbling for you, what brings you back from the brink and renews your spirit? Leave me a post and let’s see how many wonderful things we can share here. I will be doing a giveaway of 6 Fat Quarters from my stash. If you post a comment, you get one entry, if you blog about this post and giveaway you will get 2 more entries. It has been a dry spell here for blogging but I promise to be better and blog more. Happy sewing and may your bobbins always be full

Robin

Lights... Camera... Action!

Lights…..Camera….Action!

I want to announce to you all, that I just finished taping the first of 3 new shows for the Harwood Podcast Network. This will be my second time on Let’s Quilt and I am so excited to do this show. Helene Woods is just a wonderful lady and as I have said before a very talented quilter among other things. We will be doing a darling project that you see here to the right. The Let’s Quilt podcasts are FREE! How cool is that? So if you want to take a class and join us. Check back and I will let you all know when the episodes start airing. Meanwhile go check out the other fabulous shows they have. There is literally something for everyone. Cindy (Helene’s daughter) is one terrific cook and I can personally attest to the fabulous recipes she cooks on her shows. So when you have a few minutes today go check out Harwood Podcasts it will be well worth your time.

Meanwhile I am off this morning to a photo shoot so I can post some new patterns on my website. Make your day a great one with whatever you decide to do.

Happy sewing!

Robin

Welcome Spring!

Big things are happening here at Seams Delightful. 3 new patterns are getting ready to make their debut! This calls for something special. This weekend Spring officially starts and I have had the spring cleaning bug. Been working hard at home doing all that hard, heavy and oh so necessary cleaning that needs to be done at least twice a year. Yes I am paying for it with my back but a few days of resting it should get me back on the good foot. We are also sprucing up the website to make it fresher and cleaner. Keep tuned and see what we come up with.

For those of you that have been waiting for the Flirty Girl Bath pattern. It’s coming soon. If you would like to pre-order your pattern you may. Just place Flirty Girl Bath in your cart and as soon as it arrives here, we will send it out to you with free shipping. For the limited time, 03/19/10 through 03/26/10, there will be free shipping on all orders so here is your chance to indulge in a bit of economic stimulus for yourself!  Hope you have a fabulous weekend. Sew Happy!

Robin

Interview with a Quilter

My friend Helene Wood, a very talented quilter,  has added a new talent to add to her resume, Show Host. Helene is the host of "Let's Quilt". Let's Quilt is one of the newest podcast programs from http://www.harwoodpodcast.com/. 2009 was an especially busy year for Helene, her daughter Cindy and grandson, Cameron. This talented family has taken the internet world by storm. Helene came to me just before the holidays and asked if I would come on her show and talk about my quilts and my designs. "Would I come on your show?" Oh my God yes I would come. What an honor for me. I was thrilled. Helene told me she wanted to talk about my newest quilt design, Carolina Rose. So in January 2010, we taped the show. It is up now and available for viewing. I hope you will take a few minutes and click on the link above, then click on "Let's Quilt" and sit down with a cup of tea and visit with Helen and myself. While you are there, browse through the numerous episodes listed for quilting. Cindy and Cameron also host cooking shows and techology shows. What a talented family and oh so generous in their knowledge. I wish them every sucess. Oh and they have asked me back! I can't wait to do another episode.

Ring in the New!

It's almost here, 2010 that is. Where did the last year go? I swear that each year time passes more quickly. I know I don't like that, how can I possibly get everything done when time is on fast forward and I apparently am on slow motion? This past year has been one of challenges and trials and will not be mourned in it's passing my most people. Still there is a bittersweet tug at my heart for the this past year. Time travels with you on your journey through life and has been your companion through the good and and not so good. To leave this companion never to revisit again brings me a certain sadness, but at the same time I feel the opportunities for endless possibilities in this year new. This past year has been one of challenges and trials and will not be mourned in its passing my most people. Still there is a bittersweet tug at my heart for the past year. Time travels with you on your journey through life and has been your companion through the good and not so good. To leave this companion never to revisit again brings me certain sadness, but at the same time I feel the opportunities for endless possibilities in this year new. May each of you find less joy in yesterday than you will find in tomorrow, may your trials and troubles be left in the old year and may you find new joys and new ways to share those joys with others. This poem from William Arthur Ward sums up my heartfelt wishes for the new year ahead:

“Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!”

Happy New Year Everyone, See you in 2010!

 

 

Robin

Merry Christmas to All

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Its cold! Christmas time should be cold don't you think? I remember as a child snow, lots of snow. We would gather at the windows all excited to watch it snow for Christmas. There were Xmas pageants to go to. Of course the school programs with singing children. What a magical time of year, shopping for gifts downtown, where the stores and shops were all decorated with lights and animated displays. As a family we would all pile into the station wagon and drive through the neighborhoods to see the houses all lighted up for Christmas. The magic continues today. For those that still believe, Santa still delivers presents to those that are good. If you look you can still find reindeer prints in the snow on Christmas morning.

I still believe, do you?

I wish you and yours a very special holiday. Drink in the magic of the season and keep it all year. To close out this year, here is a peek at the new fabrics that have just hit the stores for my new project. Its Heather Bailey's new line Nicey Jane from Free Spirit. It's bright and fresh and very lively. We've got some special projects using this great line. We will give you more peeks after the holidays. Enjoy all the wonder and we will see you in the new year.

Happy Holidays Everyone and a Happy New Year.
Robin

Thanksgiving Already?

Can you believe it will be Thanksgiving in just about 15 minutes? Where has the year gone? Just a moment ago I was dragging out all of the Halloween treasures. If your house is like mine then this week starts a never-ending rush to the Holidays. First we will have Thanksgiving with family and friends and enjoy a meal complete with some kind of disaster..don't try and deny it, there is ALWAYS some kind of disaster, then it's the Christmas rush.  Some of my best and most precious memories come from those disasters. Like the year the cat jumped on the ridge of the buffet and was walking down that ridge with typical cat grace and arrogance when suddenly her back leg slipped...............and slipped, then her rear end slipped and the next we knew she has slipped and fallen (rear first of course) into the pumpkin pie I had baked! OMG..what do I do...if I yell she will take off spreading pumpkin from here to eternity, minus Charlton Heston! I tried to grab her but the kids in their hysterical laughter scared her and she took off running, her tail flipping pumpkin to the four corners of the dining room. A picture that is permanently etched in my memory. We seem to have animal disasters at my house...as when I was 5, our parakeet - Peetie- got out of his cage and flew around the house refusing to be caught until we sat down to dinner and he landed in the mashed potatoes. My grandparents were visiting that year and Gramma was not amused. At least she wasn't as amused as my older sister and I.
Be thankful for the people in your life and for the blessings you have. Remember to love those that are important to you and tell them you do. Share with me (and the rest of blog world) some of your funniest Thanksgiving moments. As a gift of the season from me to you, download the microwave potato bag directions. They make wonderful hostess gifts. Who wouldn't want a sure fire way to make delicious baked potatoes in your microwave. Be creative with your fabric choices but be sure to only use 100% cotton fabric, batting and thread. get your free pattern from my site, http://www.seamsdelightfuldesigns.com/


Have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!
Robin