Portabellopixie

Sewing Bits and Pieces

Is it time for a little show on my book?  I think so..

 

How about a freebie from the book?  The Saturday Market Skirt.  The timing for the project to be making it's way out into the world as a sampler for the book is amusing to me.  I designed it almost a year ago, when we were still living in Idaho.  I sat there thinking of summer Saturday's in Missoula and how much I loved them.  The entire day-going to the farmers market, then walking around downtown.  Maybe over to river for a picnic.  Just lovely Saturdays, spent with friends and family.

I worked on it outside, enjoying the rays of sun on my feet, remembering those good times.

And here we are, I am finally getting to share the project with you and we are here, in Missoula again.  I had no idea that by the time the book would be published we would be living in Montana again.  And as I sit here writing this, the skirt is hanging in my closet and I am glancing out the window at the grass that is sneakily starting to turn green.  Spring and summer are on their way, and I can spend my Saturday's in the town that inspired the skirt.  How do you spend your Saturday's where you live?  I hope you have happy traditions, maybe one that would require a fun, eclectic patchy skirt?

 
You can download the pattern from the sidebar in the "Free Projects" section.  (I'm working on changing things around a bit-the Free Projects are right under the "shop pattern" link.)

We'll be offering signed copies of the book on our new website (it's coming along so great!) and for now, it's available for pre-order on Amazon.

The book has not 15, not 20, not even 30 - but THIRTY FIVE projects in it.  For about SRP of $16.99.  These aren't filler projects either, nope.  It's chock full of quilts, clothing, hair accessories, toys, a super cute pincushion..  I am really pleased with how the book has turned out and I can wait for you to see it!

 

I think I mentioned before that I did the photography for the book?  Weelll, all except for the photos that Dustin took of ME for the book.  Talk about intimidating.  He did a great job - cracking jokes the whole time to make me laugh.

So there you have it-my big book unveil.  I really can't wait for it to become available and start seeing the projects you guys make from it!  I've started a flickr group for the book, so start sharing as soon as you get going!  (Did I mention that the Saturday Market Skirt includes sizes for adults and children?)

Enjoy-

Sandi

Rainbow Dash

 

A few months ago, I was strolling by those dollar bins and Joannes and saw these cute little crayon tins.  I thought it would be a great way to keep some entertainment for the kids on hand.  I keep this in my bag along with paper / coloring books / napkins / snacks / lip gloss / checkbook / change / bread crumbs...  you get the picture. 

Anyway, I've come to love this little tin.  It is the perfect size for the crayon rocks that we LOVE.  As well as the crayons that have been given so much love that they are not quite the size they started out as.

Yesterday we were sitting in church and Eliza was coloring.  She asked me to color a picture with her, so we picked out a unicorn and went to town.  It started out as something you might imagine - scribbles of color here and there, but we just kept going.  Eventually Eliza wanted to read a book, and then eventually sat and listened to what was being said.  Uh, me?  Not so much.  I sat there and colored through the entire meeting.  I'm all about setting a good example for my kids.

But here is our picture:

 

The crayon rocks blend so well!  We signed it and I think I may just have to frame it and hang it in her (or maybe my) room.

I also have been enjoying some new colored pencils lately.  Color is just good.

 

Thanks you for all the birthday wishes and table love.  I'm sure Dustin would be ever so willing to make each and every one of you a table of your own.  Shipping would be a bit prohibitive - that thing is a beast.

OH - my first night as a judge at Project Selvedge was SO much fun!  The challenge was to make a garment from the fabrics that came in their project bag.  The fabrics were remnants and did not go together in any way, shape or form.  There were 16 contestants starting out this year, and we had to cut HALF of them on the first night.  It was not easy.  Here is a photo from that night.

The gal with the flower in her hair on the right was the model for the winning designer that night.  I absolutely loved what she did!  Dustin is going to come with me this Friday night and I'll have him take some photos while it's going on.

  

AND - you guys win.  I'm reording Analise.  The requests just keep coming, so I'm placing one last order for them.  They'll be available as soon as they arrive from the printer.  We're going to be going live with a new website soon (it is gorgeous!) so please bear with me for teensy bit longer if I am slow to respond to questions right now.  There is a lot going on behind the scenes, but it will all be worth it!

xo-

Sandi

Thirty, Flirty & Thriving

Since my last post, I have joined the ranks of the 30 year olds!  I can fully say that I am quite happy with this change and for several reasons:

1)  I am proud of my husband.

2)  I love my husband.

3)  My kiddos are cool, loud and funny.

4)  I love my business and my customers.  (you guys so totally rock!)

5)  I weigh less than I did in high school.  (what's not to LOVE about that?!)

So all in all, I'm quite happy with the state of things.  I had a great birthday, splashed with homemade cards and cupcakes.  Dustin made me coconut cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting.  From scratch.  He's a keeper that one.

He also made me this:

  

It's fabulous, huh?

Since the start of my business, I've shuffled it from one room to the other, wherever there was space at the time.  Now I am getting a full floor of the house all to myself.  It's glorious...  my first request was a HUGE worktable.  Big enough to spread out patterns, strike offs (on the table right now!) sewing projects, and orders.  In fact, it's big enough to hold a couple of those projects at once. 

 

He's probably not going to be pleased with me showing it as is, because it isn't quite finished.  A little more trim to the bottom, but I couldn't resist.  I'm so thrilled with it!  When the entire space is finished, I'll share.

The ends are super fab, as they are bookshelves with glass sliding doors.  Here, lookie:

 
*Sigh*

In other news-our local uber cool fabric spot hosts a local fashion competition each year.  They describe it as "think of Project Runway, but with less drama."  They have asked me to be a judge this year and I think I might have actually jumped up and down when I said yes.  It starts tonight!  They actually have contestants from all over that travel to Missoula for the event.  So if you're in the vicinity, come say hi!  Here is the list of dates. 

We're working together to offer some classes also, so I'll let you know the dates of those once they are finalized too.

I'm off, hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

xo-

Sandi