Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Show me the Quilt!

Sunday afternoon was going to be the day that I finally took steps toward finishing two quilts that have been sitting unfinished for....I hate to say it......YEARS. I need to join top, batting and back together with safety pins and then stitch them together. I even bought this book that I am very excited about.


As I was contemplating where I should do this pin basting, a voice from  the distance made me look up. It was my husband holding the newspaper and saying, "You didn't go to the Quilt Show yesterday." And I said, "What?! The quilt show is this weekend? How did I miss that? I can still go today, it's not over for five hours."
And just like that, I grabbed my purse and went to look at other peoples finished quilts instead of finishing my own. (But it was so fun.)

I've thought about joining the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association, but haven't yet. I'm sure I would finish more quilts if I did. I love the annual shows. This one was their 34th.

These two small quilts by Jeanne Holmes were a couple of my favorites:





I also liked this one called "Bunny Windows" by Cara Lamb. She added a note that in Japan, instead of a man in the moon, they say it is a rabbit.


Another reason I LOVE the quilt show is browsing the vender "shops". I took a few pictures at one of my favorites. Claudia Bibber's collection of antique and vintage sewing items. I can never get enough of vintage sewing.










Well, I didn't make any progress on my own projects, but I was definitely inspired.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Pastures of Heaven


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Yesterday I went to the Salinas Valley to revisit a home that I have done some sewing for through a very talented designer, Cindy Hattersley. You can see more of her work on her blog, Villa Cantina.

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I was near Castle Rock which is mentioned in John Steinbeck’s book Pastures of Heaven.( I need to read that book.)
I got some pictures of some of my work: pillows, window seat and window shade.

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Another window seat with pillows and shade.

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A slipcovered chair with pleats. Oh how I love pleats on a slipcover.


A pleated chair cushion:


And although I made the large pillows in this last picture, I am including it mostly because I love the bird nest paintings above the bed.


 I came home with two pages of notes and measurements for some new projects. Yea!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Sharing the Love.

In honor of Valentines Day, and my love of crafting, and a need to freshen up my Etsy shop, I am offering a 40% off coupon for anything in the shop for the rest of February. The link is over there to the right------->
Just enter the coupon code:  love2shop  when you make a purchase.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Like a moth to a flame.


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Today I finished up with one appointment to talk about a slipcover with a half hour gap before my next similar appointment. I thought about looking for a cup of coffee somewhere, but without even thinking I drove to the local fabric store that is in the same neighborhood, Harts Fabrics, in Santa Cruz, CA. They have so many great fabrics and tons of inspiration. It was way more refreshing than the coffee would have been.


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Can you believe all these great buttons?


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They should set up some comfy chairs in front of this button wall, so easily entertained people like me could just sit and stare at them. They could serve coffee. Ahhh that would be the best spot ever!