I have pretty much all of my fabric boxes unpacked. I think.  I found this nice drying rack at a local thrift last month.  $5. and it folds down so I can store it behind the closet door.

So now is the time to hand wash what I can, iron, and take cute pictures. 

Isn't she lovely?

I am finally listing my vintage and vintage inspired handmade items on my etsy site.

Don't Kiss Me

www.vintagekatiejean.etsy.com

Everything is really priced to sell.  Sharing the love of everything vintage!

loomis quilt guild show

Last weekend was a busy one!  Not only was there a Shop Hop (Renegade Run) but I was also involved in being a vendor for the Loomis Quilt Guild ~ Quilt Show.

This was my first time being a vendor at a quilt show, and I was a bit nervous.  I was worried about my booth set up, because I wanted to use my pop up tent for the inside show.

And I really wanted my booth to reflect the same bright feel of my shop.  Well, I think it looked terrific!  Bright, fresh, and airy.  Very Sew Katie Jean :)

My Mom, Donna, was also there to help.  She loves to demo the Go! Baby, from Accuquilt.  We had a good time together, and made a great team.

And thank you to the Loomis Quilt and Fiber Guild! You took good care of us with plenty of water and a lunch, including homemade cookies.  We look forward to being a part of your next event!

limelight

We love Villa Rosa Designs.  These $2 quilt patterns are the best deal in town!  And we make them quite often.

This one is called Limelight.  It is made using 12 fat quarters. We used some of our favorite new fabrics from Anna Griffin called Chinoiserie.

It is gorgeous, Asian inspired fabric.  And anything Anna Griffin makes in irresistible.

pilowcases

This is my girl and her pillowcase.  We had this Winnie the Pooh fabric at home.  Not sure from what or where, most likely we got it at a thrift shop. We washed it, ironed it, and now it is on its way to give a soldier some sweet dreams.

timber & leaf

I love this new fabric from Sarah Watts of Blend Fabrics.

It's a soft, gentle color pallet. Perfect boy fabric, but really almost gender neutral.

And fun! I love the fox faces and the brown bear.

Here is the pattern we are using to make a quilt with the Timber & Leaf fabrics.  Actually Jen Kramer is making the Little Man quilt from the book Simplify by Camille Roskelly.  Class to follow!

While the Cat is Away ~

the mice will play

Katie will be taking the day off tomorrow

So Arlene and Cindy have planned a little store sale!

Friday, March 22

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

10% off everything in the shop!

(excluding all ready marked down 50% off fabrics)

Come in and play with us :)

Arlene and Cindy

new patterns

I just received 3 new patterns from Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew.  They are all adorable!

Aren't they just the cutest!  Joyfully is the first one coming up in the shop.  Arlene has made it using Christmas fabrics.  But it will look just as perfect using any of your other favorites!  Come by and get yours soon.  They are $8.99 each.

christmas birds

I made my Christmas birds!  And you thought I wouldn't get them done, didn't you?

Well, they were fun to make (again)!  My girl even wanted to help me stuff the birds.  We used a handy chopstick to get the stuffing down into that beak.

And here is the link for you to make one of your own.  They are cute on a Christmas tree and... attached to someone's Christmas package.  Enjoy!

one more thing

I wanted to show you the tissue holders that I made! I love this new Sherbet Pips fabric so I made a few extra for my sisters and one for Aneela Hoey. They are truly so fun and easy to make.

And with some of the left over bits of fabric, I sewed up a little case for my business cards. I added a snap later in the day. Again it was very easy. I love using up all those fun bits and pieces of cloth!

Now, I am off to get packing.

thrifty adventures

Look what I found! Something that I had never seen before! Isn't that a real treat? It's a beautiful piece of 2 yards of blue fabric, sold as a remnant.

I just love the whole packaging. The string wrap closure and the labeling. It didn't have a price on it, so the shop sold it to me for the original marked price on the packet of 79 cents.

And I just love their business logo. See how the needle and thread make up the name Rother's. And the phone number is LYtell 3-9211.

It also says "The most complete fabric and sewing store". Plus they had sewing classes. Which I love! And I guess they taught how to sew on Knit -n- Stretch fabric. Polyester?

Plus I bought this little packet of notions for $2. More than the blue silk fabric! But the seam bindings and ric rac is always a must for me to buy. You may never know when you will need them.

Did you have any unexpected finds at the thrift store this week? Please visit Stacey at Pill's Place to see what she found, and join our link party here.

presents

My 21st wedding anniversary is this week. So I bought myself a little present. Ain't it cool! And it is just right for tucking into my pocket.

It is just what I need, perfect for my upcoming trip to Salt Lake City! Yup, I'm going to my first Spring Market. Meeting up with my sisters. I am so excited to see them in 2 1/2 weeks! We'll be the girls giggling in the back of the class.

thrifty adventures

I am writing my thrifty adventures post even later than Stacey did hers. It is actually Friday and I am still going to post this as a Thursday. Tricky me.

I went to the thrift shop this week with my girl friend and my 3 beauties. She actually found this plate and was going to put it back. Then she said it was Texas Ware. Which I kind of have a thing for. I actually have a little bowl that is Texas Ware and is just wonderfully awful! You know what I mean?

And if you love to thrift, I'm sure you do understand. You buy things that you love and hope others won't judge you for that love. Have you found anything awful lately? Remember to visit Stacey to see her cute finds.

vintage empire

I wanted to introduce you to Adrienne of The Vintage Empire, my booth neighbor at the Roseville Antique Market. We have been neighbors for the last three shows. And every time, I come home with a new and unique necklace. Whenever I wear them, I get compliments, and people always ask if it's vintage.



Adrienne is a girl after my own heart and uses vintage elements for her creations. They are made for both the girly girl and the rocker girl. Which I love that they appeal to the diversity of her shoppers.

Adrienne is now also making hats and hair bands. Plus leather cuffs with vintage brooch pins. And you can always find her dyed slips where she adds a bit of extra lace.

The Vintage Empire will also be at the Farm Chicks show this summer! Which is such a huge event. If you go, find Adrienne to say hello. You will come home with a few pieces that you will treasure, season after season.

etsy: http://www.thevintageempire.etsy.com/

sunday

There are some pictures from my Sunday show in Roseville for The Tattered House show. It was such a gorgeous day. Meeting some blog friends and seeing some faces that I recognized from previous shows. It was great seeing them all!

Shoppers loved seeing this vintage changing table that I use for display. And even though this vintage 1973 Fisher Price Activity Center didn't sell, everyone had to stop and play with it. Oh the childhood memories!

This is my display of shirts and onesies. Everyone really likes looking for their favorite monogram.

I sold this scrappy log cabin doll quilt. It was the first quilt that I ever made!

I also sold my selvage edge pin cushions. I will be making more of those! And my vintage planters were cute all set out together. I want to plant up a few of them with succulents.

Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to my booth neighbor, The Vintage Empire. Love her!

thrifty adventures

Yes, I buy vintage sewing books. They are a little hard to resist. I just love them for the pictures and graphics alone. And just look at all the wonderful things you can learn from 1980.

How to pack for a 5 day trip. This will help since I'm going to Salt Lake City in May to see my sisters. I am already packing in my mind, deciding what to wear, and what else I may need to buy before I leave.

You can teach your little cute pixie friend how to slay dragons and teach your cat not to scratch at your polyester pants. This might even be some great inspiration for a halloween costume. I would just need a bigger spool. Like to my ankles.

And from 1972 look at all the things you could learn. I especially love the doll over the toilet paper. It's a classic.

A perfect hostess gift. Just crochet a poodle to cover a good bottle of whiskey and pop on over to your neighbors house. You will be welcome back anytime. And maybe each time you can crochet a different animal for each bottle you bring. Crochet a menagerie of bottles for the bar.

Make a tulle swan for your daughter's bed. Or maybe it's a swan hat. Perfect for a sweet 16 birthday present. Nothing else says I love you, like scratchy pink tulle.

And who wouldn't love a fur rat doorstop! I think it would be made a little cuter if it was called a mouse. Mice are cute. Rats, not so much. My 6 year old daughter actually wants to make this. I bet she thinks it's a mouse too.

This is a 1975 book of things to make for children. Not by them. Not even with them. But it does have some great stuff. Sure to keep you busy, making things for your children.

Just look at this doll house! It's nicer than the house I live in. I bet the doll's even dress better than I do. Wouldn't this be great to find at a thrift though. Or more likely an estate sale.

And a patchwork dog. I know I have seen this on etsy. Too bad this picture isn't in color. The fabric looks fantabulous!

Did you know that more than 25 million Americans hunt for antiques. What did you find this week? Link up here and just post our button on your blog post or sidebar. And check out Stacey's great finds. She took me around last week to some of her favorite thrift shops.

working

I have been trying to be a good girl and stay on task. Sewing each day something new for my shop. And using the pile of fabrics that I showed you the other day. Why is it so hard to stay focused? Well I did get this cute tie onesie finished. My favorite part is doing the hand stitching with brown thread. It just feels good to be adding that little touch, plus it just looks good. I am also making a stuffed frisbee dog to go with it. I have been so drawn to yellow these past few days. Not usually a favorite color of mine, mostly because I look awful in it. But now it makes me think of spring, butter, and fresh eggs.

Is there a certain color that you love right now? What is the shade that makes your heart sing?

p.s. I will soon be telling you more about the owls.