a new venture

Just check out the Glitter & Grunge blog!  You will read some great news there.  G&G has just officially teamed up with Sadie Lou of Lollishops.  It's like chocolate and peanut butter are finally together.  A perfect match.



And to celebrate this new venture, I just listed three new items on my Glitter and Grunge page.



I have been making these soothing eye pillows using some of my favorite fabric scraps.  It's a lot of fun for me to go through my scrappy collection and put together some of these fun fabric combinations.  It's my fabric therapy!



The eye pillows are filled with lavender and I add an equal amount of organic flaxseed to give the pillow a little bit of weight.  The pillow can be warmed up in the microwave, just 30 seconds is enough.  If you like it cold, just keep it in your freezer for a touch of coolness, perfect for a hot summer day!



Thanks for looking at my creations.  These pillows are a perfect gift for a lucky friend or just perfect for lucky you!

in the circus baby

Just listed in my shop.  I love this fabric!  And the ringleader with the mustache is my favorite part.  Enjoy!

sewing class

I just wanted to say "thank you"  to all of the ladies that came over to Beverly's Fabric for my latest book signing!  I loved getting to chat with you all and learn about what projects you are involved in.  There are a lot of crafty sewers out there!



If you didn't get a chance to stop by, Beverly's is now doing an online book giveaway.  Check it out now for your chance to win your own signed book!

Now here is something for the rest of you.  I hope you are ready for some sewing fun!

On Saturday, August 1, I will be showing you how to make the scrappy coaster's that I made for the new book Craft Challenge: Dozen's of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase.  It's a fun way to use up some of your extra fabric scraps or choose some fun new designer fabric!

The class is being held at Beverly's Fabric in Rocklin for $15.00 and limited to the first 8 students.  So sign up fast.  Just email me  to sign up, and I will send you the supply list.  You will also need to bring your sewing machine.

Saturday, August 1

10 am - 12 pm

Beverly's Fabric

2630 Sierra Meadow

Rocklin

632-0280

cover-up

I love flickr.  I used to really be addicted to it, and be on there all morning while my kiddos were at school.  Well while roaming around flickr a few weeks ago, I found a contest that I just had to participate in.



Singer was sponsoring a swimsuit cover up contest.  Sew up a cover up and if Singer chooses your creation, you win a sewing machine.  A perfect little summer sewing challenge for me.



I had this fun vintage terry cloth (from The Tin Thimble) and a cute vintage pattern (thrifted), I decided to enter.  I also found that since I had a limited amount of terry, I had to omit the hoodie.   I found how forgiving terry is to sew on.  And I did find the perfect model!



It is a totally cute vintage look.  Wish me luck!

book signing and then a sewing class

My next book signing is coming up this weekend!  The book, Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase, has two of my sewing creations featured.  Remember seeing my coasters here before?

[caption id="attachment_1305" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="laying out the coaster fabrics"][/caption]

Well, my local Beverly Fabrics invited me to do a book signing and then I will be teaching a class on how to make the coasters.  So, first come by and see me.

Saturday, July 18, 11 am - 1 pm

Beverly Fabrics 2630 Sierra Meadows, Rocklin, CA

Then on Saturday, August 1st, you can come to the class.  It will also be at Beverly Fabrics, from 10 am - 12 pm.  The cost of the class will be $15. and you will need to bring your own sewing machine.  If you are interested in signing up just email me: trottgirl@sbcglobal.net.

[caption id="attachment_1306" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="starting to cut the fabrics into strips"][/caption]

I hope to see you there and to make some new sewing friends!  I'll share some more coaster pic's with you as I get them made.

destash

[caption id="attachment_1299" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="woolworth trash can, now in my sewing room"][/caption]

My kids have gotten the idea of how fun it is to go with me to thrift shops.  They always get $1. to spend.  And thrift toys are really inexpensive!  My oldest has been looking for slot cars.  My seven year old will usually buy something carved from wood.  My girl will always buy a stuffed animal!  They crack me up.

[caption id="attachment_1300" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="vintage bauer pitcher, found a new spot beside my stove"][/caption]

But I have the most fun of all!  I buy fabric (and other stuff too!).  On Saturday I visited my favorite junk shop.  I haven't been there all summer.  But on Saturday, I totally scored with two chenille blankets, $15. for both.  One is for my girl's bed, and the other is for me to cut up!

[caption id="attachment_1296" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="added to my shop"][/caption]

My storage has been getting really full.  So I have started to destash and listing a few of my fabrics on my etsy shop.  Just three pieces of fat quarters so far.  I think I will be sharing some of my chenille soon too!

book review

My local library is having a summer book club for the kids. I love these! Since we already read with them every night, this was an easy way for me to keep them motivated. It also ensures a weekly visit to check out new books.

Once I got them all signed up the librarian told me about the adult summer reading group. Cool! I can win a little prize too. Maybe a Target gift certificate? Doesn't take much for me.



Well, one of the adult requirements was to write a book review. Easy for me to do since I found the fabulous book "Quilts" by Denise Schmidt. love her!

Denyse makes quilting look fun and untraditional. Her quilts look like they are made to break all the rules. I consider her to be a quilting rebel! And yet her quilts are beautiful and full of texture and a mix of modern simplicity and style.

When I was recently faced with another growing pile of fabric scraps. I turned to this book for a little scrapping fun.



I decided to make one of these fun and easy dis-cards. I sorted through my fabric and found about five pieces that went together and grabbed a blank card to sew these scraps onto.



It was easy-peasy! I love the randomness of it. And I always thought that this criss-cross sewing looked confusing. But after reading the directions and doing it myself, what a breeze!



So, check out this book out at your local library. And then buy it because there are so many cute projects in it you will get some late fines charged to you any way!