Free Apron Tutorial from Amy ♥'s it, featured on Fabric Envy

Do you remember this cute Apron?  I showed it off in a post a few months back.  I just can't get over how perfectly adorable this print combo is. She used Michael Miller's Ta Dot in Fuschia and Anna Maria Horner's Clippings from the Loulouthi collection.

Of course behind every cute sewing project is an uber cute designer and my dear friend Amy is just that!  She's just getting her own blog off the ground and has decided to list her instructions for making this very flattering and functional apron. Thank you Amy!

Get the scoop over on Amy ♥'s it. 

Yikes!

Some days I feel like this



Yesterday was one of those days. It started off with my darling seven month old refusing to take a nap. She was howling and exhausted so I decided to take a drive to try and get her to sleep. I had all four kiddos with me because it's Mid-Winter break. We piled in the car, in our pj's, infact I didn't even put on shoes :0 and we headed off. After about ten minutes the baby finally fell asleep and I was en-route to home. Unfortunately we got in a car accident.....

Luckily no one was hurt, and truth be told it really wasn't my fault. Someone back out of their driveway into the right side of my car while I was driving down their street. Turns out it was a friend from church and I felt so bad. It was soggy and rainy, oh how I love Seattle weather (insert sacastic eye roll here). Once I assessed that everyone was okay I got out of the car to check out the damage. Yeah, I was really regreting the fact that I was in my PJ's with no shoes on at this point--freezing!!!!

Anyhoo no-one hurt, just our cars, and lots of adrenaline pumping stress. So I came home and tried to chill. Ha, we all know that's pretty much impossible with four kiddos 6 and under! Here's how the rest of my day went:

• 2 year old is potty training she has an accident all over the floor upstairs--clean it up move on
• Spend forever on the phone with the insurance companies while kids beg me for snacks and terrorize each other because I'm certain they feel it's their life's quest to reek havoc when mommy's on the phone
• Make lunch, nobody wants what I've fixed
• Pack orders for the Fabric Shop (this part I enjoyed)
• Then I heard a ewwww scream from my two year old who had climbed behind my couch to pee all over my brand new white curtains. grrr
• While ironing my freshly washed curtains my iron leaked brown rusty liquid on a five inch section. Perfect! (time for another sarcastic eye-roll moment)

Minus the car accident and the rogue iron the other stuff is typical. There are days when I've looked and felt like a crazed cat, but luckily most of my days I feel like this:


Or at least I'm trying to feel like Wonder Woman. Not in the "I can do it all" sense, because I certainly know that's not possible, nor do I wish it were. I'm just talking about the confidence and strength aspect. I know who I am, what I believe in, and what I want for me and my family.

Conclusion: bring on if I have to I can deal with the "the crazed kitty" days. 

Sliced Sewing Competition from Moda Bake Shop {Fabric Envy}

Have your heard about Sliced? It's a super fun sewing competition being hosted over at the ever-inspiring Moda Bake Shop. Auditions are now being accepted and the prize packages are simply amazing!

Auditions are February 1-29, 2012

The Challenge? All audition submissions must be some sort of Office/Studio Accessory. It can be anything that would be used on or at an Office or Studio setting. You must use the following in your design:

Sewing Basket of Mystery Items:

*Fabrics used must feature at least one type of Moda precut. Additional Moda
fabrics may be used to complete your project.
*Project must use at least one type of buckle. This can be any size, shape or color.
*Project must also include Quilt Batting somewhere in or on the project.

For entry details click here

Here are pics of just a few of the great Moda precuts in my shop






Hello Luscious
Salt Air
Ten Little Things
Ruby
Curio
Sophie
Walk in the Woods

Maybe some of those will inspire you. If you enter please tell us about it! Good Luck!

One Day Only Presidents Day Sale at Fabric Envy .com

Hurry sale ends tonight, February 20th at Midnight! Happy Presidents Day!

Free Photo Tile Tutorial from Fabric Envy

I love to take pictures! I picked up a real camera (by that I mean a nice DSLR) in 2006 and have been hooked ever since. From the moment I heard the first shutter actuation I couldn't put the thing down! I wanted to take classes right away but because my hubby worked full time and went to law school in the evenings it wasn't possible. So instead I bought books, lots of books on photoshop, understanding the cameras mechanics, and became a member of online forms to perfect my skills. I practiced like a maniac and much like a writer writes each day to improve, I took pictures (hundreds of them) every day.

I started my photography business, Your Every Color Photography (named after one of my all time favorite songs by Train) four years ago and have enjoyed it so much! I'm currently only booking seniors as I've decided to take a break to pursue my fabric shop. Just for fun here's one of my favorite senior shots:





So why the heck am I telling you all this? This is supposed to be a "fabric" blog after all...
Because I've had lots of requests for tutorials and tips for better photographs recently. So I thought I'd start with a photo/craft project and perhaps in the future I can do a few posts on my photographing techniques, as well as photoshop tips.

Okay enough with my rambling! Onto the tutorial

There's really not much to it for these tiles. I've been making them for a few years now and they were always a hit with my clients. In fact, I taught a class on how to make these at a local Scrapbooking store not too long ago and we had such good fun together.

Here are the basic instructions:




You can download the PDF Here.

If you want to add embellishments like ribbon or scrapbook paper just cut them to size, and keep them from falling off by using hot glue or double sided stick tape on the back of your tile. You can also purchase small 4x4 tavertine tiles and make coasters or mini art. The possibilities are endless.

The image below is one I took of the Salt Lake Temple a couple years ago. I distressed it in photoshop, cropped it to a 12x12, printed it at Costco, and then made another photo tile. Sorry I don't have a pic of the completed project but it really is gorgeous.



And because I love my readers so much you can download the full resolution watermark free file Here.

Since I'm being nice to you, please be nice to me and not resale the image or claim it as your own. This is for your personal use to decorate your home, or offer as a gift:)


Enjoy and Happy Valentines Day!

Fabric Envy Giveaway at on Sugar Bee Crafts

Just wanted to let all of you know about the most current giveaway over on Sugar Bee Crafts. Here's the prize pack:




Ruby Charm Pack by Bonnie and Camille
Basic Grey Delicate Blossom in Seaspray
1 yard Riley Blake Crocheted Lace in Baby Pink

Check out her blog and enter to win. Hurry giveaway closes on Friday at noon. Good Luck!

Introducing Designer Jenny Pedigo of Sew Kind Of Wonderful { Fabric Envy }

Do you remember last week when I mentioned I'd be introducing someone very talented? Well today's the day, and I'm pleased to announce this talented designer also happens to be a friend (aren't I lucky!).



As some of you know I'm a bit of a photographer too, so when my friend Jenny approached me about photographing her quilts I was very eager to help out. You see, Jenny has created a new quilting ruler called the Quick Curve Ruler. Yep, it's her very own invention and she's dreamed up some amazing quilts using it.



The Quick Curve Ruler is her own innovative design that allows you to seamlessly cut curves and create some really unique looks with your sewing. Trust me when I tell you that these quilts are gorgeous! When she brought them all to my studio I was trying not to drool. Not only was her quilting simply perfection (yes she's a long arm quilter too!) but her patterns are all so charming in their simplicity and creativity. I love the modern looks she has created with this totally fun new way to piece and sew with curves.

It was such a fun photo-shoot and it has been so interesting to see the process go from pictures to actual quilt patterns. Here are a few shots of some of her divine quilts!




You can get all of her great patterns and the Quick Curve Ruler in my shop at Fabric Envy.com. You can also visit Jenny's blog for a great video tutorial on how to easily sew with curves.

How to Make Bias Tape, and new Anna Maria Horner Bindings {Fabric Envy}

I've told you all before and I'll say it again I hate making bias tape!
But.....Riley Blake has put together this really great video tutorial that makes it look pretty easy.


Now if you're like me and you still don't want to do it, join me in taking the easy-way-out (which let me just say I'm usually opposed too). Head on over to the shop and check out all the adorable Anna Maria Horner Bias Bindings I have available for only $1.00 per yard!

I just got these three new prints in:





I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Are you a Sew-vivor? Contest Sponsored by Fabric Envy

We are excited to announce that we're a proud sponsor of a new sewing competition called...

It's a spin off of the show Survivor, and takes place on the blog, Family Ever After. Entries are open during the whole month of February, and the Top 10 contestants will advance to an exciting competition which takes place in April.

Be sure to stop by and see what prizes we are giving away!

For all the rules, and to enter, go here!

Sew-vivor

I'd be like a proud parent to see one of my followers win! Good Luck!

Just a little somethin' amazing {Fabric Envy}

Today's post is completely unrelated to fabric but I thought I would share something I ran into on a friends Facebook account. If you've got a moment to spare, play this YouTube video--you won't be disappointed. I sincerely appreciate good talent particularly great vocal talent and this group has it. The bass line is stunning and the key change later in the song give's me goosebumps. I love this arrangement. I think I've watched this video a gazillion times and I'm sure I'll watch it a gazillion more! Love the way music brings such a good spirit to my day!




Enjoy!