art show

Emma, The Tin Thimble

Last Friday night I visited The Tin Thimble for their anniversary party slash student art show slash open house. I stayed because of the beautiful food!

chef Lisa of Garnet Stone

Sorry if these pictures look like half eaten food. But it was all so delicious with 3 wonderful cheeses, and breads and crackers, perfect pears and grapes. And there was local wines as well.

A few of my katie jean items were on display for the art show. But this beautiful merino wool rooster was the show stealer for me. It looks like a painting. Such gorgeous vibrant color.

Their next big event is going to be the annual fashion show. It is such a fun day of summer handmade clothing. Saturday, June 4th. Do not miss it!

student art show

I went to The Tin Thimble on Sunday afternoon to teach my placemat and napkin sewing class. I had such a nice time sewing with my student and visiting with Sharon and Claire. They are such a generous pair of sisters. And truly everyone whether sister or daughter who works there is the best!

And they also throw a great party! To celebrate their 4 year anniversary they are hosting their 2nd annual Student Art Show. It would make a great girl's day out to visit them on April 1st, 2nd, and/or 3rd to see what they will be displaying. And to see their great collection of vintage and new fabrics.

If you haven't been there yet, it is the perfect time to go. They are located in Loomis at the High Hand Nursery on Taylor Road. The gardens there are just beautiful right now with blooming trees and flowers. My kids especially like the Koi pond!

And if you have been looking for a few things in my etsy shop, you will find them now at The Tin Thimble. So I am working hard today to add some new replacements.

See you at the party!

90th birthday

Last weekend we were heading to the mountains. Then we heard of all the snow that was coming. Our plans then changed and I was so glad that we didn't have to take that 4 hour drive! It was like a huge weight being lifted. I was so happy! My kids, not so much. They of course would have loved it.

My father-in-law, Eldridge Trott, had just turned 90 years old. We were to celebrate his birthday with a huge family and friends party. But, as I said, our plans changed. And thankfully the party turned out to be held locally and we were all together as originally planned.

The invitation was my responsibility and contribution to the party. So of course I turned to etsy to find the perfect invite. Where I found a wonderful vintage travel poster inspired card from Orange81. Eldridge is known for writing, backpacking, and his faithful companion, Sweetie. This invite was just the one for him, shown with a dog and his master in the mountains. It was perfect and I loved having found it on etsy.

The invitations also said "no gifts please". But I couldn't resist making him a pillowcase when I found this fabric at The Tin Thimble. My f-i-l is from Texas and has currently finished writing his western novel. It was perfect. I even did some hand stitching around the pillowcase cuff, with brown thread to give it a more western feel. He did love his birthday gift and promised to sleep with it that same night.

bit more purple

I think I have told you before that I am not a lover of purple. Even though I did just buy that purple couch! But this fabric was just gorgeous and I could not resist it's vibrancy.

So I made this sweet purple library bag. I spent the day writing a pattern for it too. So much tougher than I thought it would be. It is fun and easy to sew, but hard for me to put it in words. I had to sew, and write and got a little frustrated. And walk away for a bit. But I did it!

It's also a reversible bag. And using two complimentary prints on the inside make it fun. It's big enough for you, or your girl, whenever you're ready for a sleepover, not just for a trip to the library.

If you would like to learn to sew this bag just visit The Tin Thimble and look up their class list for April. Or you can keep an eye on my etsy page and I will soon be sewing up a few more!

And be sure to visit the Vintage Sheet Blog. Where there is a daily giveaway and it is lots of fun!

mother daughter sewing classes

Ever since I taught the little group of girls how to sew by hand, their Moms and some others, began asking me to teach them to sew. They have also asked to do a sewing class with their daughters. Such a sweet idea.

The girls at The Tin Thimble were up for the idea. And we have set dates for three classes. All on a Sunday. March 27, April 3, and April 10 from 1-3. By then, there should be gorgeous spring days.
I wanted to share with you here two of the projects I have finished already. The first class we will be making a reversible placemat and a napkin. This great fabric I bought at the Tin Thimble and had enough to make extra napkins for my home!

For the second class I used a new technique for creating pillowcases. I've heard that you will spend more time picking out the fabric then sewing up the actual pillowcase. And once I made it for myself, I believe it!

The third class will be a reversible bag. Which is so fun and easy. Perfect for taking your books home and back to the library. This is the project that I am sewing up today. So you will have to wait to see the pictures. But each class is perfect for the beginning sewer. So I hope to see some new faces in there!

I also wanted to mention The Vintage Sheet blog. You must visit them each day of March. She is having a daily giveaway. And if you love vintage and the fresh pretty patterns of vintage linens, be sure to stop by.

sewing school rules!

It has been a week since our last class of sewing school, held here in my home. I miss those 5 little faces!


Our last class was a fun one. Filled with drawing on fabric, cutting out the fabric, and learning the whip stitch. And always practicing knot tying.

Each of the girls drew a different animal: a dog, cat, rabbit, bear, and another dog! Making their very own stuffie!

I didn't get a final picture of them all together like I usually do with their finished project. But when I did tell them it was their final class (for now), they were sad! They thought they were to have 8 classes! My goodness, I love you, but I need just a tiny little break.

I am starting up more sewing classes in March. Look at The Tin Thimble for their schedule of more beginning sewing for girls ages 6 - 10 years old, and a Mother/Daughter series of sewing classes.

Eat, Sleep, Sew!

new sewing class

This Wednesday night! Don't stay home, get out and sew with me!

Log Cabin Coaster's at  The Tin Thimble 3750 Taylor Rd, Loomis,  6 p.m. 9 p.m.

Call if you would like to reserve a spot 652-2134.  I hope you can make it :)

wonky class

I taught my 2nd class at The Tin Thimble last Saturday.  And the girls that came were just the best!



We started the class with a big pile of scraps.  Ready for us to all dig through.  I felt like I could remember where every little piece of fabric came from!



Everyone was so generous with their fabrics that I think I came home with more than what I left with :)  Not my plan, but I got some cute new fabrics, thanks to Brianna.



Each quilter took a different path on their wonky quest.



Some were random, some were steady, some were a little sloppy (that would be me).



But my favorite part of the day was seeing everyone's work completed.  We all used mostly the same fabrics.



But each quilt came out so different.  As unique as each quilter is, so was their quilt.  Thanks girls for coming!  I hope to see you at my next class.

a little wonky

This summer while visiting my sister we made this quilt together.  It is a very wonky quilt.  Does it look like a log cabin quilt to you?



This is the class that I will be teaching at The Tin Thimble. The Wonky Log Cabin is fun for the beginning quilter, becuase we get to break some quilting rules! 



We will be using an old techique and turning it into a new modern quilt.  And we will use one of my favorite things, scraps!

Saturday, August 28

The Tin Thimble

3750 Talyor Road, Loomis

10:30 - 2:30

http://www.thetinthimble.com/lessons.html

love this

The final class in my Scrap Happiness series is next Wednesday evening.  So start gathering up your scrappy little pieces of fabric, cut them into little squares and come join me!



To celebrate this sewing series of classes, I will also have a little few bits of katie jean treasures to give away to class members.  Just to say thank you to all of those fun sewers that participated.

There are still a few spots left and we will also be holding the eye pillow class again.  You have a second chance to sew these up for a special Mother's Day present.



Call The Tin Thimble for registration and the class supply list (916) 652-2134.

finished it!

 

I love this little quilt so very much!  I finished sewing on the binding yesterday while I helped my beauties with their homework.

 

 

I just don't want to take my eyes off of it!  Do you think I can make one of these to fit my California King?

 

 

Even the back is cute!  I mean, what gets better than pink on pink polka dots?  And even all the white stitching looks good.  I hope this doesn't sound like bragging.... but come on!  I am lovin' it!

 

And tomorrow I part with it.  I will be going to The Tin Thimble so you can see it up close and personal there.  Hopefully you will also sign up for one of my scrappy sewing classes while you are there!

 

You will find Scrappy Happiness every Wednesday night (except St. Patrick's Day) in March from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. for $30 per class.  A supply list will be provided when you sign up. Just call (916) 652-2134.

scrappy quilt

This is the 4th class that I will be teaching at The Tin Thimble for the month of March.  And it is also the class that we will be using the most fabric scraps.



This is a pic of the quilt in its early stages.  I now have all of the scraps sewn on, I just have to start on the binding.  Which I know will go quickly.  So, I'll have to show you an updated pic soon.

This quilt is a fat quarter size.  So it can be for a doll or a baby.  You can even make it bigger if you like.  It has been so fun for me to make, I just didn't want to finish it!  This class is being held Wednesday, March 31st 6 - 9 p.m.  Call 652-2134 to sign up!

eye pillows

This is the 3rd class that I will be teaching at The Tin Thimble, March 24th.   It's the Scrappy Eye  Pillow class.  And I love it!  The room gets filled with the wonderful smell of lavender.



Here is what my friend Amy said about her eye pillow,  "I just love my eye pillow, it is amazing! It’s pretty, it smells good, and it calms my sinus pain and headaches. I use it hot or cold."

The class supply list is available when you sign up!

scrappy series

 

I originally made these scrappy coasters for the Pillowcase Challenge book.  They are still fun for me to sew up a few and you guessed it - a great way for me to use up my scraps!



This is the second class in the Home Ec, Scrappy Series that you can sign up for at The Tin Thimble.  Wednesday night, March 10, 6 - 9 p.m.  The class is $30 or 4 classes at $100.  and I will have some of my own scraps to share!

See you there!

march 3rd

Starting with first  things first.  This coming March 3rd, Wednesday night class will begin with making these scrappy initials.  You can spell out someone's name, their monogram, or special words like love, hope, dream.



This is the first class that I will be teaching at The Tin Thimble.  I am so excited to be a part of their Home Ec series.  This really is about teaching a new generation of sewers and teaching those who have always wanted to learn to sew, but never have.   And even those like me, who just love to get out for a night of sewing fun!

 To make it even more fun, I'll have bags of my own scraps for you to rummage through!  Just in case you think you might not have enough of your own.  Call 652-2134 for class registration.

scrappy classes

I love my scraps! I really do.  Each little piece of fabric has a little memory that goes with it.  My trip to Quilt Market and meeting that wonderful fabric designer, sewing up a special dress for my girl, the pillowcase challenge book, they each have a little memory in my scrap basket.

My love of sewing with my scraps started with this little log cabin quilt.  Here is the tutorial.



I found it on one of my all time favorite blogs Melly and Me.  I met them at Quilt Market too!  They are generous and sweet sisters full of talent.  And a new fabric line!

Well now through my other girl friends at The Tin Thimble, I am able to embark on more scrappy sewing fun.  And you are invited to join me!  I will be teaching 4 classes at The Tin Thimble for their Home Ec sewing classes.

Each classes will be focused around using up some of those special fabric scraps that you have been saving.  Now you will be able to use them and make special items for your home and maybe sew up a gift for a special and lucky friend!

The classes will be held on Wednesday nights in March from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. for $30 per class.  A supply list will be provided when you sign up. Just call (916) 652-2134. I'll be sharing project photo's with you this coming week!  Here is all of the class info that you will need:

The Tin Thimble

3750 Taylor Road

Loomis, CA

March 3: Embroiderey Hoop Initials

March 10: Scrappy Coasters

March 24: Eye Pillows

March 31: Scrappy Quilt