alittlesweetness

winner!

Hello my sweet friends!!  Thank you so much for your comments...  You have again made me blush and feel so loved!  It gives me great enthusiasm going into market and I appreciate it so much.  I really wish I could send fabric to each of you!!  THANK YOU!!

And now....

My winner is KATHLEEN O'GRADY!  Who said...

Your fabric is sooo cute! I would love to make some little girl dresses and a quilt, a pillow would be adorable and a tote with some sweet embroidery. Oh, I could go on and on. Thanks for the chance to win! 

Kathleen, Please contact me here on my blog and let me know how to contact you!

In other news....

I've been getting some hexies all ready for market because I get to teach a little mini class at the Riley Blake booth on Friday at 3:00!  It's just 45 min. so please stop by to join me if you happen to be hanging around.  :)  I'm really excited even though this will be my first time ever teaching a sewing related class!  I'd love to see you there! 

I probably won't get a chance to be back here next week since I leave Wednesday for market and won't be back until Sunday night.  I can't wait to have more to share with you after that!

Thanks again for all of the sweet comments and your constant support.  :)

*Remember I'm on instagram as tashanoel1 where you can see more of what I'm up to than what I get a chance to post here on the blog. 

Tasha

countdown...+ a giveaway (giveaway closed)

I've just completed a couple of quilts for market, which is coming up sooner than I can say 'Little Red Riding Hood'.  It's in just 11 days and I leave in an even shorter 9!  eeek and yay!!  I'm very excited and at the same time wondering/hoping if I'll be ready.  Crossing my fingers over here. 

I've made a simple patchwork incorporating my border print, which I'll have a tutorial for on my blog shortly after market.  

I used Little Scallops in aqua for the backing...

And Little Floral in white for the binding....it's so cute!

The chevron quilt is a free project download from the Riley Blake website and I super love this one!

It's the first time I've made something with so many half square triangles and I really enjoyed the process actually!  Simple and fun.   

For my backing I used Little Floral in Gray and for my binding I used Little Scallops in Aqua...

I have to credit a couple talented gals for my nearly perfect borders and bindings.  Taking Camille's fabulous Craftsy Class has helped me get my borders from being wavy.  Time well spent doing it her way....no more wavy's for me!  And Rita, from Red Pepper Quilts has a wonderful binding tutorial that shows how to join the ends/tails with a bias cut.  (If you look closely you can see the bias seam in the photo below.)  My bindings are waaay super better and I love it!!  I LOOOOVE that my borders and bindings are so much prettier thanks to Camille and Rita.  Don't you just love learning new things?!?!  I do.  :)

And on that note, I think I recall saying something in my last post about a little giveaway!  Yep, I just checked and I did. ;)  And it's a good thing, because it's just what I'll need to keep a smile on my face this week. 

So I have a lovely fat quarter bundle I would love to send off to someone!  Just leave me a comment and tell me what you want to make this summer.  I'm already thinking about it and have a couple must's on my mind already!!  Feel free to leave up to 3 comments if you've ever purchased from me and/or left me comments before.  :)

I'll see you back here on Friday morning (May 10th) to announce the winner and I'll send it off before I leave for market.

Meanwhile, this is where I'll be hanging out....and trust me, it doesn't look so pretty right now.

Thank you ALL for everything!  All the support, friendship and encouragement means a lot.

Hugs...

Tasha

simple twin bunting blankets

A few months ago we had the cutest little baby twins join our extended family!  Even better, it's a boy and a girl and they are simply adorable and sweet. 

These fabrics are from my line The Simple Life, with a few others from my stash mixed in. 

Girl bunting baby blanket....

I decided on a simple design, but with just the right amount of extra cuteness added with the patchwork strips between the sections of bunting fabric. 

My extra fabrics included some Pam Kitty Love, Doohikey Designs, Annies Farmstand and Lecien.  ( I think I'm right on those...) ;)

Inside these soft little blankets, I added a piece of white flannel for a bit of added weight and to help stabilize the minky backing.  I love adding binding to blankets and I wanted to quilt it, I just didn't want the stiffness of batting.  Especially with these being small blankets, I wanted them to be cuddly and wrappable.  I did a very large stipple on these as well.  Which was also very quick...each blanket only took about 15 minutes to quilt.   

My daughter really loves helping in any way she can when I sew.  Taking the pins out after I quilted was the perfect little job for her.  She's 4 now and we've talked alot about how to handle the pins. 

If you look closely, she was sorting them into color groups as she went.  Her own idea!  :)

She also likes to be up close and personal.....oh, and silly too. 

She was very excited to get these blankets done with me before the twins got too big!

Me and baby girl...(these were a couple months ago)

Me and baby boy...

They are growing so fast, but they are still tiny since they were preemies.  Doing great though!

Here are some cute pictures Kerri took when they were newborns....

How cute are they?!?!

Cuter than my blankets for sure!!

;)

Thanks for stopping by my loyal readers and friends! Even when I disappear, you seem to re-appear and  I appreciate it very much.  ;)

I feel a giveaway coming on soon....

Tasha

granny

This granny quilt was always intended to be my daughters 'baby quilt'.  I just happened to have started it when she was about 2 and I've finally finished it just after she has turned 4.  At least she has it to keep for forever now.  :)

On purpose I used lots of floral fabrics, little animals and little girls.  :) 

When Ava was a baby, her nursery was red, pink and aqua, so I kept with that same color palette, but adding gray. 

I used Annie's Farm Stand pink circle buds for backing and Lecien basics for the binding. 

I'll give you a hint what else I've almost finished too.....

I can't wait to show you more of that one too!  :)

For now though, I'm going to stay in these pj's and snuggle my daughter up in her new quilt.  We need it.

Happy Monday!

:)

a country picnic party

A few weeks ago we celebrated Ava's 4th Birthday.  As most of you know, she came after 4 boys in our family, so of course I loved the opportunity to do something girly here.  We keep a lot of birthdays simple around here, so it's been since she turned 1 that I put together a party for her.  To be quite honest, I tend to get a little overwhelmed with the party planning process, so I'm generally just fine with the simple option.

However, with Ava being 4, she's very aware and definitley wanted a party.  I totally admit, I did take advantage of the fact that she is still little, and unaware enough that I picked the theme, instead of letting her say she wanted a disney princess party.  I'm sure that will come soon enough and I'll be stuck!  ;)  (Yes, my daughter loooooves the disney princesses and I don't fight it.)

My inspiration for this party was the fact that Ava also looooooves strawberries!  Like a lot.  So that was that.  A country picnic party is was!

Plus, it took some of the overwhelming out of it for me since I already had paper items that I had previously made for customers.  This made it do-able for me... I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  My boys liked giving me a hard time and said things like...."oh you mean your party mom"....assuming I was wanting to do this for myself.  Couldn't be more inaccurate.  I truly was only doing this for Ava.  I tried to explain, they didn't listen.  

Don't get me wrong, I thouroughly enjoyed doing it for her.  What made it better is that she helped with EVERY little thing and she was so excited.  Ava takes "mommy's little helper" to a whole new level.  Not helping is not an option.  Trust me. 

But enough chatting from me....on with some pictures.  :)

The little awning was inspired by a Mandy Lynn party and was super simple to make.  Once we figured how to make it work, it really only took about an hour.

With a vintage dresser as a buffet, it really made the sweetest little set up.  Not to mention the little cutie standing next to it. ;)  

It really was quite simple as far as the food and decoration, but it worked for us. 

Ava helped me make a simple bunting out of my Farmer's Wife blocks, twine, mini clothespins and fabric strips.  Took us like 20 minutes.

I had another bunting I had made for fall market, but never used, so finally it had a purpose....

I lined the table with a vintage sheet, a long piece of gingham and a few baskets and buckets holding paper items and fruit. 

The buckets were at Michael's... I was so happy that I didn't have to order them!

For lunch we had chicken salad crossaints, fruit salad, pasta salad, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and of course the kids could take pears, apples and strawberries from the buckets on the table....which they did.

I made the cake and to my surprise it was really good!

I just used boxed mixes, (devils chocolate and strawberry) but the frosting recipe (down further in the cake post) was from Bakerella!  Yum!

We had a couple different lemondades...

I had little side bowls of lemons, limes and mint leaves....

I got the little signs as a free download a couple years ago, but I don't remember where. (if you know, please let me know!)

I liked this idea I saw on Pinterest for drinks....ball jars, cupcake liners for lids and paper straws...We use ball jars every day for our regular drinking glasses so this was an easy one for me to do.  I got the cupcake liners and straws at Michael's. 

For an activity, the kids painted little flower pots and planted a flower. 

I raided my husbands old t-shirt collection and put those on the kids while they painted.  Worked great.  Unfortunatly I didn't get a lot of pictures of this. oops!  They loved it though!

For treat bags, I used another idea from Pinterest with paper bags, doilies and fabric.  I love any chance to use more fabric!

And of course we had present time...

Which made for one happy birthday girl!

And one exhausted mama....

But hey...if she's happy, I'm happy.

The End. 

Now I better get myself moving today because my parents are coming into town and I just might have some party decorations to put away first.  oops! 

P.S.  I have to say Thank you to my wonderful sister-in-laws, husband and my boys who helped me so much on party day!  I couldn't have done it without each of you!  :)  For reals.

 

Little Red is here!

Not only is Little Red Riding Hood here, so am I!  As much as I love the many aspects of blogging, I really needed to give myself permission to take it off my list for a while.  Once I did that for myself, it was nice to focus on my family and a few other important matters.  One of which was completing my 3rd fabric line for Riley Blake....but it's not quite time for sharing that, but soon.  :) 

Meanwhile, I've been anticipating the arrival of my Little Red Riding Hood line and she's finally here! 

I couldn't be happier with how it all came together!  It's very sweet and cheery, just the way I like it.  :)

I hope you like pictures of fabric because I have a few....

and a few more...

and because I sincerely love these little mushrooms....

here's another.  :)

So, there you have it and it's in shops now!

A lot of you may know that my Little Red Riding Hood fabric was originally created a few years back when I sold it in my Etsy shop using Spoonflower.  Which, btw, I'm so thankful to have been able to use their services to be able to start experimenting with fabric design and SO appreciative of so many customers who purchased these fabrics from me.  Totally cool and fun for me!  So, I did some revision of that design for this new line, but essentially it's the same.  I also was selling my Mushrooms in my Etsy shop at that time too, so it's really amazing to me to see them both on bolts now! 

Yesterday I was featured on the Fat Quarter Shop's blog, The Jolly Jabber where I talk about the history of this design a little more, as well as some other fun questions they asked me.  I'd love it if you took a quick peek!  :)

And one more....

Thanks so much for stopping by even though I've been missing for a bit!  I'll be back soon. 

I promise!

Tasha

life happens....

It's funny how sometimes life is super busy, but at the same time you don't feel like you are getting anything done.  Does that happen to you?  Me too.  I can't really even focus on one particular thing to share with you because so many differerent little things have been taking my time.  Some things are great, some things are just things, some things are hard.  The past week, one of my sons has been struggling with a medical concern, so that sure takes time and attention.  And I'm up to my ears in some pretty tight work deadlines that may or may not pan out in my favor.  As in, I don't know if I'll get it done in time....We'll see. 

Meanwhile...

This is what has happened to my scrappy trip along blocks....

Although I did order some lovely new fabrics for whenever I can get back to those.  Thanks Sew Deerly Loved, Fabric Bee and The Stock Room....all on Etsy.  Yum! 

Before too much craziness broke out, I managed to finish up a patchwork pillow I had started ages ago and literally only had to sew on the backing and binding.  I love how it turned out!  Super simple, super cute.  My kind of project.  ;)

I used mainly Vintage Modern fabrics, but squeezed in some Flea Market Fancy and a few basics of mine from The Simple Life....plus a couple others from my stash.  Easy peasy.

At nights, I've been inching away at a few hexagons here and there...

But really that's about it as far as the cute sewing projects are concerned.  The rest is fabric creating secrets and a busy, full life that is happening at a rapid speed around me and there just isn't always time for everything.  And some things just come first.  

One last thing now..... 

I wanted to say thank you so much for the wonderful orders I had during my sale!  I appreciated it so much!  I have the nicest customers ever.  :)

Have a wonderful week!  

a little hello!

Since I'm having a sale in the shop right now, I wanted to stop in and let you know I added a couple more little things. 

I'm so lucky that Amy of Nana Company, made up this adorable potholder featuring my little happy hen...that, yes, I know....looks/is more like a rooster!....*whatever. ;)  It says happy hen on the fabric, so it's staying that way.  But no matter what you choose to call the happy little animal....that pattern is now listed in the shop!  Yay! (gosh, i love that little pothodler!...that's a little pocket at the top, btw!...doesn't amy need to do a pattern for that?!? hint, hint)

(photo courtesty of Amy!) 

Also, I had a request for a Miss Strawberry embroidery pattern, so she's also in the shop!

Remember, she's an illustration too! (gray or aqua backgrounds)

I came across a couple photos I had taken of the market projects that Heather, from Vintage Grey had made....so I thought I'd share them now. 

I loooove this apple pillow!

Heather used the Bustle and Sew e-magazine's September issue to make this pillow.  So cute!

She also did an adorable redwork mini quilt with my new Laundry Day pattern, which is very similar to my my original Laundry Day pattern /illustraion.  The difference is there are flowers instead of mushrooms.  Both versions are in the shop! 

Her hand crocheted edging is perfection!

Kerri had done some beautiful photos of her Simple Patchwork and Stars quilt, but I haven't shown it here yet!  Such an adorable quilt and she came up with her own tutorial! 

Cute! Cute!

Wanted to mention that I noticed on the Riley Blake website that the pink and aqua simple florals are sold out as well as the pink Main....so if you've had your eye on any of those, you might want to consider purchasing soon!

For my little shop sale, I think I'll keep that going for a couple more days since I just added those couple things today.  Remember, HAPPY20 is the coupon code during checkout to save 20% off your entire order!

Thank you SO much for those of you that have ordered already!  I appreciated it very much.  :)

Am I forgetting anything else?  Please tell me if I am....I generally think about 72 million things at once... 

but really I love it!  ;)

Oh, I thought of something already (imagine that!)...

**If you are interested in stitching up an embroidery pattern to help me out with shop examples, please email me at pthorsley@comcast.net.  The one criteria is that you need to be very confident with your ability to stitch very neatly and be able to use colors that coordinate with The Simple Life.  You know, red, pink and aqua.  ;) 

And I think that's about it!  (I think)

Giveaway winner + shop news!

Hello wonderful fabricy friends!!  Thanks so much for playing along in my giveaway!  It's truly so fun for me and I appreciate every single comment!  I've read most of them and I swear I'll finish them up.  Such a treat for me!

I used random.org to find my winner, but it did need a little tweaking.  I'm kind of a stickler on the rules of the game, so I'm very sorry, but rule breakers don't get to win.  As much as I appreciate your desire to win, there are others that do abide by the rules, so most importantly I need to be fair to them! 

And sooooo, the winner is.....

Verena who said...

Oh how I would love to win this!!!!!
Just a couple hours ago, I sat together with my sweet quilter friend Cathy. She wants to make a quilt for the arrival of my surprise baby girl in May. She had asked me if there is any fabric I would like to choose and my instant answer was: The Simple Life by you!!!! I have been eying it since it launched, not knowing that we would expect another baby girl! and I have been following your insta since I discovered you beautiful line. Cathy is an awesomely ( you might know her book: pretty in patchwork, doll quilts) talented quilter and I am sure she would create something magical Thanks for the chance to win!

Please contact me ASAP because you don't have a link or contact info!  If anyone knows Verena, let her know!!  Thanks!  If I can't get a response pretty soon, I'll choose another winner. 

As for SHOP NEWS:

I've added just a couple little things and wanted to share!

My little Reading girl from The Simple Life is now available in an 8X10 print for framing. 

 

I've also added the embroidery pattern for Feeding the Chicks, which you can find here!  I haven't stitched her up, but I had a few requests so there she is! :) 

Here she is below...

I'll continue adding things to the shop that match The Simple Life.  If you're waiting or wanting a particular thing (pattern or artwork!) from that fabric line, let me know and I'll hurry it up on that!  ;) 

Meanwhile, I'm happy to offer 20% off your entire order in my Etsy shop for at least a couple days into next week (Jan 22nd sounds good!) just to say thanks for playing along and making me smile.  Simply enter coupon code HAPPY20 during checkout and it will automatically deduct 20% from your total order.

One tiny last thing...thanks for helping me with the name of that block!  I think I had the most people say it was Shoo Fly!  I'll get a little tutorial done soon!  ;) 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Tasha

a simple little quilt + a giveaway.... (closed!)

**Giveaway is closed!**  Thanks for playing!

One of the quilts I made for fall quilt market was inspired by a quilt that belonged to my grandma.  It's a little different in it's shape, but very similar.  (I just simply made squares where there were rectangles.)  A super simple block to make and I've seen this block before, problem is....I don't know what it's called.  Help!?!?  If you know, please share.  :)  Meanwhile, I call it The Simple Life quilt.  So creative, I know.  (huge wink!) ;)

I like how soft and delicate this one turned out, with lots of white...

but bursts of red....

I really like Miss Strawberry here...

and the chicks being fed right here. 

I did a patchwork border....

and used the Simple Floral in red for the backing. 

I really loved making this simple little quilt! 

If you'd like to know how to make the block, let me know and I'll do a little tutorial.  If you know what this block name is, please share!  :) 

To enter to WIN A FAT QUARTER BUNDLE, please leave me a comment, telling me what you'd like to make with it! 

For extra entries:

*if you've ever purchased from my Etsy shop!

*if you've ever commented here before

For a total of 3 possible entries!!  Giveaway will end Thursday night....late!  I'll reveal the winner on Friday, Jan 18th!

 

fresh start...

I'm sure you're all ready to wipe my christmas post off the face of the earth by now, because even I am!  Obviously, I've thouroughly absorbed every ounce of holiday/family/vacation/vegging- out/pajama-wearing/sewing-whenever-i-feel-like-it time that I can possibly imagine, so here I am...attemping...to get back into the swing of things. ;)

Yesterday I finally worked myself up to put the Christmas things away, but I'm not ready to let winter go.  We don't get alot of snow here in the seattle area, mainly rain, but I wanted to pretend that we do.  :)

I simply put together my white trees that were scattered here and there around the house at Christmas time and then added some glass and white items from around the house to get the wintery look I wanted.  It's not perfect, but I like it. 

Of course I needed to add some snowflakes to my photos, because well....that's about all there is in these parts. 

I've kept the decorating around the house simplistic.  Especially this time of year when I want to feel decluttered after the holidays.  It helps me clear my head for a fresh start in the new year.

Over the holiday time, I focused on sewing projects that I really wanted to do.  Sometimes I have sewn things becuase I feel pressure to get them done.  Lately, I've only worked on what I felt like working on and it's been great.  I have a few WIP's sitting and waiting for their turn to be finished until I really feel like doing it.  (Sorry poor waiting WIP's!)

For example....I started in on the Scrappy Trip Along and I'm loving it!!  I wasn't sure about it at first, but I saw a couple things that inspired me and I've been non-stop on it ever since. 

I have 13 blocks done and can't wait to get to my 14th!

The blocks really do go together much quicker than you would think by looking at it. 

Here's a couple close ups....

It's so fun, I could see myself doing another sometime.  Not sure yet how big I'm going on this...just letting myself take one block at a time and making sure I'm enjoying it. 

I hope you all enjoyed a fabulous holiday season....

Happy New Year!!

P.S. I post alot on instagram too, actually much more than I blog....so if you're interested, I'm tashanoel1 there.