CAN THAT FIT INTO A STOCKING? IT'LL FIT DEFINITELY UNDER THE TREE!

This time next month we’ll all be recovering from the flurry that Christmas time is! Can you believe it?! I have to admit, this year I’m quite excited about all the hoopla. I love to put on a Christmas record… make hot chocolate… put on a fire and write out my Christmas cards… er, at least that’s what I fantasize doing each year. The great thing about Christmas, there’s always another one next year to try again. Fingers crossed, this is the year!

It’s a busy time of year so I’ve compiled a little list to help you with your Christmas shopping experience… (One for them, one for you, one for them, two for you… wink, wink!)

MAGAZINES

I have a Present Sack pattern in Issue 80 of Love Patchwork and Quilting. I’m thinking you can justify this two ways:

1. Get the magazine for yourself and make it for your favourite person (I also think this pattern would lend it self to a pillow or a table runner).

2. Roll that baby up and put it in your favourite sewing person’s stocking! (Who might be yourself!)

Mollie Makes just came out with a new issue called Mollie Makes - a Quilting special! My cassette tape zippy pouch is in it, along with a whole bunch of other neato patterns! (#1 and #2 can be also applied here)

BOOKS

I’ve been collecting Uppercase Magazine since issue 24. I’m a huge lover of all things Uppercase (she has three fabric collections too!). When Janine invited me to share a Quilt Story in her latest Encyclopedia series, Quilted, I was super tickled. Not only that, it was a pretty important project in my creative journey. I’m on page 180/181!

ART

The more times I’ve circled around the sun, I’ve asked myself how much stuff do I really need? Then I asked what feels like a real treat anymore? My answer? Art! I’ve begun a small collection but it’s growing and I LOVE each and every piece SO much. This December Bettina Harvey, Chelsey Hornsby, Puneet Datewas, Dominque Norville, Bambi EdLund, Laura Clark and I are in a group show at the COUP, called Square Roots. If you’re local, join us at the opening December 13th at 7pm! We’d love to see you! All pieces will be 6”x 6” ($80) or 8” x 8” ($100). I will be showing my cassette tape tower that I’ve been posting on Instagram! And a few other pieces (that aren’t cassettes. I know “gasp!” lol!) .

CARDS

This lovely lady Gail Mayerscough is who I bought my Christmas cards from last year. Check out her new collection HERE!

VINYL

Want something extra ordinary for the maker in your life? This clear vinyl with white hearts made my heart skip a beat. Check it out at Natalie Santini’s, Sew Hungry Hippie’s shop HERE.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

I’m madly in love with Bambi EdLund’s Beatrix and Midge’s Instagram account. Her pets are HI-LARRY-US! I highly recommend going into their highlights and scroll all the way to the right to “Bea’s photo bomb”. That one cracks me up every time! Anyhoo! They also have a shop where they release these snazzy ornaments. They sell out fast so you gotta be quick! The hardest part will be figuring out which one… or maybe buy them all! HERE

QUILT PATTERNS

I L O V E this pattern by Devon Iott. What maker wouldn’t want this pattern? (just between you and me, I applied #1 and #2 to this. Hey I figure, everyone will benefit from snuggling under it right?! Purchase justified!). Buy the digital PDF or the printed paper version HERE.

Let the mayhem begin! And all the while have a safe, cozy holiday season with your lovely people. I wish you all the very, very best! xo

SO WHAT'CHA, WHAT'CHA, WHAT'CHA WANT?

It's been quite a year! To top it off I've been flooded with requests for teaching. Yay! I'm super excited about that since I've been dying to get back at it. I need your help though. The requests coming in are very generous and are open to teach pretty much whatever I want! This is where I need your help... I have loads of ideas but "What'Cha" want? Do you want one day workshops on:

• Paper Piecing? (specifically the Cassettes?)
• Cassette Tape Zippy Pouches/ Book Cover?
• The Control Freak pattern?
• The Cassingle?
• The Boombox? Or the sewing machine cover? (these would be a two or three day workshop)
• How to create you own Paper Piecing pattern?
• Repeat Lino Cut printing on fabric?
• Letters in the Third Dimension? English paper pieced and machine sewn (embracing the Y-seam! Not as scary as one would assume. I can't wait to show you the new one I'm working on! Eep!)

*All my classes include colour theory.  

Which would you choose, or do you have any other suggestions? I'd love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and for your time, one commenter will receive a free Lysa Flower Pattern of their choice! Easy Peasy just like that. 

Speaking of giveaways! Did you see these ones? Stephanie from Patch & Dot is giving away some fat quarters plus other goodies (ooo! I really want those pencils!) AND that ray of sunshine, Natalie (HungryHippie Sews) is giving away NINE of her favourites (products, patterns, and books)! Can't beat that!

Now you're never going to guess what I'm recommending for your playlist this week! While I was down the YouTube rabbit hole I found a Muppets version of the Beastie Boys doing SO What'Cha Want! Perfection.

ANNABEL WRIGLEY'S DAISY CHAIN GIVEAWAY!

Have you ever come across fabric that made you gasp? Where instantly you fell in love?

I don't have a HUGE fabric stash. Having too much fabric stresses me out. I like to buy per project when I have a plan. It keeps my stash lean. BUT, I do allow for pieces that make me gasp and leave me with that "I HAVE TO HAVE IT!" feeling. Remember that IKEA "Start the CAR!!!" commercial? Yeah, that feeling.

Well, that's what Annabel Wrigley's fabric collection, Daisy Chain, did to me! It just might be the prettiest thing I've ever seen. And then I met her! She's just like her fabric; beautiful, warm, light, smart and a whole lot of fun! Within seconds of seeing it I bought her fat quarter bundle at Windham's booth this past Spring Quilt Market. I have a few idea's of what I'm going to do with it but I haven't quite decided. I was content just having it in the studio, to Ooo and Ahh over. Then I got a little itch one day. I decided if I did a zippy cassette pouch I wouldn't be using too much right?! Ooo, and if I made a mini needlebook to go in the cassette tape pouch that wouldn't be using up too much fabric either! I still have oodles left. I realize I'm being pretty precious with it. I can't help it, it's SOooo PRETTY! 

Definitely be sure to check out Annabel Wrigley's Instagram feed this week (@littlepincushiostudio). Each day this week she's giving away a fat quarter bundle of Daisy Chain... Go! Go! Go!!!

Oh wait before you go... I'm also pleased to announce the CASSETTE TAPE ZIPPY POUCH TUTORIAL is ALL done! Yep! It's ready and waiting for you, anytime you need it. It's also posted on my website under SEWING DESIGNS. Big, BIG thanks to my pattern editor Jonna (once again, love ya girl!)

RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: Just as pretty as the Annabel's collection, Shakey Graves, DAISY CHAINS.

SNAP TO GRID

I'm beyond thrilled to see SNAP TO GRID finally hitting the shelves! Honestly, I've never had so much fun sewing with a collection before! When Kim Kight asked me to sew for her 80's inspired Spring 2017 collection I happily through myself into the design challenge. I had planned to make a SEWING MACHINE BOOMBOX at some point BUT when I saw this collection it just HAD TO HAPPEN! And with many cheers of, "I want to make one too!!"... I'm pleased to release the official BOOMBOX SEWING MACHINE COVER TUTORIAL today! You to can get it HERE.

As soon as I saw the Big Pill Dot in Black I knew the CASSINGLE also had to happen. This 60" lap quilt (brilliantly named by Kim), tickled every Memphis Group bone in my body. It's the largest, simplest and fastest to make of all my patterns. (It's only 14 weeks to Christmas... WHAT! Did I really just say that?!)

Cotton + Steel have the BEST selvages, am I right?! Which lends themselves so well to the The CASSETTE TAPE mini quilt cassette labels AND it allowed me to showcase ALL of the collection! FUN FACT: Jonna came up from Washington to sew this quilt with me! There were many giggles, squeals and most importantly much dill pickle dip! 

Second FUN FACT: The CASSETTE TAPE pattern is needed to make the zippy cassette pouch. Make it to fit inside the Boom Box Sewing Machine Cover or just to have all by it's self. (More about that next week-wink, wink!) 

Speaking of endless possibilities with this collection, you saw Kerry Goulder's Hot Skates Quilt right? SO GOOD!

When I went to Spring Market this past May, I wanted to take some bags with me sewn in the Snap to Grid collection BUT I had run out time. Instead of scrapping the idea I commissioned Reece Montgomery (www.happyokapie.ca) and Sherri Chalke to make some.

Reece modified Sara Lawson's Polaris Bag along with my CASSETTE TAPE pattern piece "D". The result was this stunning bag! I HEART IT SO MUCH! It makes me SO happy just to look at it!

Sherri and I went to Quiltcon 2016 together. For the trip she had made a bag using Sonja Callaghan's, Bag PDF Pattern AND CASSETTE TAPE pattern pieces (I posted about it HERE). I've always loved Sherri's bag, so you know what I asked her to do right. The bag was PERFECT for the trip. I was always getting stopped in the isles with people asking about it.

Phew! So much to chat about this week. And I haven't even mentioned the SNAP TO GRID thread pack. Gah!!! How do Cotton + Steel always get it so right?!

RECOMMEMDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: Just like the Snap to Grid collection, the possibilities are endless... so I've settled on, THE CURE: Friday I'm in Love. Happy week everyone!

AS MY FRIEND CAROL BROWNE ALWAYS SAYS "HIPPO BIRDIES TWO EWES!"

Between my last newsletter and this one, I had a birthday! What made it really special were a few packages that arrived on my door step. Last year I joined a Maker's Club, a secret birthday swap. And really, as a maker, is there ANYTHING better than receiving something handmade? We know the time, effort and care that goes into such things. Plus these Maker Club ladies really take it to a new level. They're very attentive to their partners likes, not to mention they take wrapping to a whole new level... check out #themakersclubswap on Instagram. You'll see.

As I picked up one of the parcels from my step I discovered Lindsey from @lostandfawned was my secret partner! What you need to know about Lindsey is she has twins, two adorable little boys. She gets an incredible amount of creative work done while raising them. Plus, she does it with such elegance. I was shocked and delighted at everything she made and sent!

PHOTO 1) I opened the package to discover a one hour basket made from essex metallic linen hugging a bunch of presents!

PHOTO 2) After taking out all the presents I discovered it had been also filled with pom-poms! And you know I LOVE pom-poms!

PHOTO 3) See the bird on the knit cloth?! It matches perfectly with the fabric inside the basket and the shopping bag. Ooo and the local handmade bath bombs smell SOOO good.

PHOTO 4) SOCKS! I've never had hand knit socks before. Ooo they feel like soft pillowy clouds on my feet. They are heaven. Check out Lindsey's sock project on Raverly HERE. She used her vanilla sock recipe with a true afterthought heel and a twisted rib for the cuff. The sock yarn is Felici (Saltwater Taffy colourway). The contrast colour is Stroll (Ash), both are from Knit Picks. I don't knit so I have no idea what any of that means but if you do and you want to make someone feel really loved, please knit them these socks. They will LOVE you forever!

PHOTO 4) Lindsey sent every present with the cutest little tags. This ones says, let's get organized *set some priorities*. I cannot tell you how much I adore Washi tape, note books, sticky notes, and sticky note book markers. Oh and the buttons. Swoon!

PHOTO 5) Meet Jimmy! This is what I have named this sweet little bear cup holder. I named him after Jim Croce. Get it?! His last name sounds like Crochet. Ba-ha,ha! Isn't Jimmy just the loveliest fellow? Lindsey mentioned he was made from vintage wool yarn, which makes me love him even more. If you're so inclined (Christmas is just around the corner) watch this video on how to make him from Flying Mio.

... AND if that wasn't enough Catherine @kittingcatherine from the Makers Club send me hand knit socks too!!! (I love how they don't match each other!) A makers pin (which I will wear with pride!) and the most beautiful mason jar cookie. Yes, it was as yummy as it looked!

... AND THEN there's Jonna @bespokeoutlaw. Remember... she's the one who made me that makers tote last year. She's so clever. You have to be careful what you say around her tho, she's listening. We were chatting a while back and I was saying how I need to make one of those iron holder totes... yep and that's what I unwrapped. And it matches my makers tote! Of course! And because she's insane in the membrane (in the best possible way) she didn't stop there! There was a chocolate poop emoji, Uppercase fabric charm pack, Wonder Woman paraphernalia, Cotton + Steel fabric and Sulky thread! Plus cassette socks!!! MIND BLOWN. And they were all in a Cassette basket! The cherry on top was a book called "Care Packages" by Michelle Makintosh. Total eye candy. 

Seriously makers are the best!

Lastly, (because it's tradition now!) RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: I was thinking Ooo, I should recommend a Jim Crochet song but I can't. I love him because my Dad loved him but... (my dad also loved Sade, remember her?). I just didn't get those easy listening genes. I got these ones. Turn your volume to 11, sit back, put on your hand knit socks on and prepare for THE WAY YOU USED TO DO by Queens of the Stone Age. 

LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

I've said it before, I'll say it again... by far my favourite part about writing patterns are when you guys sew them and make them completely your own. My intention has always been for my patterns to be a jumping off point... and boy you guys sure know how to nail it! 

• Kim (@iadorepattern) slayed me with her crisp monotone cassette tape block. I'm eagerly awaiting her embroidered label. Remember the collection Good Hair Day? That super cute collection for Windham Fabrics was hers! 
• Chelsey (@chelseylanefeilds) recently made a Boombox pillow. With piping!
• Angelini (@suchastitch) has finished the front of her boombox. Gah! I'm loving the prints she's used.
• Saru (@sewaftersix) has just begun her Boombox sewing machine cover journey. I'm LOVING her fabric pulls! Even though technically the sew-a-long is over, the instructions are still up on the newsletters. This fall I'll be compiling the instructions into two tutorials: one for the sewing machine cover and one for the zippy pouch.

At the beginning of the summer I made myself a nice hefty list... and now that we're down to our final weeks I'm getting them done! It feels SOOO good! Gosh, I love deadlines! Top of my list was to catch up on my ABOUT page and get the PRESS/TEACHING/SHOW section up to date. It's been a busy year... I hadn't realized how busy until it was all laid out. A few highlights that I haven't posted about yet were:

• My Cassette Tape quilt is in Fresh Quilting Episode 102: Shapes! 
• My Boombox quilt was included in Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century. A book put out by the Modern Quilt Guild. It comes out this December and can be pre ordered HERE.

In both cases I am so honoured and tickled to be included with such talented makers. It's all been pretty surreal!

HAVE YOU SEEN: Felice Regina's (@lamlunasol) Quilting & Sewing Enamel Pins on Kickstarter? They are SO snazzy!!! I WANT ALL OF THEM!

Which leads me to...RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR 80's PLAYLIST this week: A good old Canadian band. Loverboy! TURN ME LOOSE and LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Which is how we all feel when we go fabric shopping right?! 

PS. I met Loverboys' front man, Mike Reno in the late 90's. Sadly he wasn't wearing his red pants!

A DRY HOT SUMMER, IS NO TIME TO PLAY WITH MATCHES!

Unless... they're made out of fabric and felt, right?! The very first pattern I ever wrote was for my Match Book Needle Books. That was back in 2014. In 2015 I was invited by the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild, who was hosting the Pacific Northwest Quilt Guild Meetup, to do a make and take for their sew-in. Circa 15 Fabric Studio supplied the materials and we made the cutest little match book kits for the Match Book Needle books (perhaps I'm bias, wink, wink!). Since then the pattern has been free and on my site. I've just recently added it to Craftsy as a free pattern now too.

These recent Match Books are mini's. I had scraps of felt and somehow thought they'd be faster if they were smaller. Nope! I would have been better sticking with the regular sized ones. Lesson learned!

Now, I'm going to come out and just say it. I'm ready for fall. I've started longing for it. I've been missing our regular routine. I've grown tired of everyone going in different directions. I'm also looking forward to cooler, sock wearing weather... you see, I really love socks! My lovey friend Reece @reecemontgomery recently gifted me these cassette tape socks. Gah! I'm dying to wear them! The bottom of them say "MIX TAPE"! Check out Woven Pear's nifty site HERE!

And in the theme of longing for fall, I came across these ribbon ABC blocks by Stephanie from @Patchanddot. They're so dreamy and they're free!!! Free I tell you, free! You can download them from HERE.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR BACK TO SCHOOL PLAYLIST: One of my all favorite time songs (it almost makes me cry every time I hear it), WE'RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS. SIDE NOTE: I found this interesting video called, HOW JACK WHITE USES COLOR. Perhaps that's why I've always been a HUGE Jack White fan. I'm such a sucker for colour and design!