Swap Madness

Sorry for the prolonged absence I’ve been traveling quite a bit for work and “leisure” lately and haven’t had time to do much crafting. And my large stack of quilts is still staring me down waiting to be finished so it’s been hard to motivate myself. But I did participate in a couple of swaps over the past month or so that were definitely worth blogging about.

First up was the Pretty Little Pouch Swap. In which I got this little pouch

Which goes beautifully with the tote I got in the For the Love of Solids Swap (which is going to start up again after the holidays if you are interested).

Right after the pouch swap I joined the Goodie Bag Swap. I made this Amy Butler pattern using the Melody Miller Bee fabric.

I had a really hard time letting this purse go and if the fabric wasn’t so expensive I probably would have made myself one!

Of course the bag I got in return was just as cool.

And it even came with a change purse!

I loved the purse I got in this swap and the little pouch from the other swap so much that I decided to make another little pouch to match my new purse. The colors aren’t a perfect match but they go well together and I wanted to use what I had on hand instead of purchasing new fabric.

Now regardless of which purse I carry I have a matching pouch that will hold my phone, wallet, chapstick etc so they won’t get lost in the bottom of the bag .

Worktable Wednesday- A “Ghastlie” I do

I missed out on the Alexander Henry Ghastlies prints last year so I made sure to purchase them when they were rereleased this year! I even knew when I bought them that I wanted use them with the I Do pattern from Cherri House. I think the large piecing and simpe design of the quilt works beautifully with these fabrics.

The original pattern called for 12 prints and 12 solids but I felt that would look too busy. I’m not a super scrappy quilt type person. Ultimately I used 12 prints, nine from the Ghastlies and three that I had in my stash. I’ve cut way back on my fabric purchasing this year by focusing on buying fabric that I love. Rather than purchase twelve new prints because that’s what the pattern called for I bought the nine prints I loved. And I think the three prints from my stash work beautifully!

Since the color scheme of the Ghastlies prints is fairly limited and I prefer a limited palette I only used six solids- white, black, two shades of gray and two shades of pink. I wasn’t sold on the pink at first but I went with my gut and LOVE the results. I’m not normally a pink person but this is an exception.

My goal is to have this finished by Halloween but between work and school I think next Halloween is probably a more realistic goal!

Sunday Stash: The Reprint Debate

I was cruising the aisles today at my local Jo-Ann’s when I spied this fabric. I was quite suprised since it was printed last year and I remember snagging the last yard of it from Jo-Ann’s this past January. I had an intense desire to buy the whole bolt (6 yards) because I love this fabric and it was on sale for 30% off but I “behaved” and only bought two yards. I would have bought more if I thought I would use it anytime this year but I won’t. I already have an idea for a two sided Christmas quilt so I won’t need yardage for that. The two yards I bought will make some nice pillow or a table runner or maybe even a Christmas tree skirt.

I didn’t think Alexander Henry (the fabric’s manufacturer) was reprinting Christmas fabric from last year but I guess I shouldn’t be too suprised since I also found this fabric again this year.

I must say I think it is interesting that more and more fabric manufacturers are choosing to reprint popular lines. The most well known is the upcoming Flea Market Fancy by Free Spirit but in the coming months we will also see another round of Mono Pez and Henna Garden and this summer Alexander Henry released another round of the Ghastlies. While I’m glad manufacturers are choosing to reprint I agree with many others that I wish they wouldn’t “tweak” the colors or only rerelease certain prints. I’m very disappointed in the Flea Market Fancy rerelease. You can see 19 of the 20 prints that will be released here. I really wanted the green posies and the blue seeds, neither of which looks like made the cut . I’ll probably buy a 1/2 yard of four or five prints. To be honest I’m more interested in what everyone else does! The madness is sure to be exciting, I just need to make sure I don’t get caught up in it and buy more than I really want.

Are you looking forward to any rereleases?

Worktable Wednesday: The Unoriginal Quilt

Catchy title right?

I have seen at least two quilts almost exactly like this one and while I wouldn’t change it I feel the need to own my lack of creativity. I will say that I mixed it up a tiny bit with the pieced tone on tone border but lose any credibility because even the actual quilting is the same as at least one other look alike quilt.

I intended to do a free motion floral design and even got it started but I hated the process and stopped after finishing less than one fifth of it. So I ripped it all out and went back to basics. After all I make things as much to enjoy them as to express my own artistic vision. So my quilt may lack originality but it will still keep me warm when I travel!

Sunday Stash: Sale Finds

I had time to check out a couple fabric stores while traveling the past couple of weeks. All of the above fabrics were found in the sale section of New England Fabrics in Keene, New Hampshire.

The easiest way to describe this fabric shop is an independently owned Jo-Ann Fabrics. It’s not affiliated with Jo-Ann’s in any way that’s just what it reminded me of. The quilting fabric selection had a lot of novelty prints and mostly brightly colored fabrics. There was also a small selection of Michael Miller fabrics. In addition to quilting weight fabric they also stock apparel and home decorator fabric, notions, yarn, and a small book selection. I was excited to finally get to see Block Party in person! I didn’t purchase the book nor had I intended to but I’ve been curious enough to want to flip through it. If you aren’t familiar with the concept the book talks about the modern quilting bee movement and gives instructions on how to make the 12 quilts these ladies made during their bee. It’s a novel concept for a quilting book but none of the patterns really spoke to me.

The only thing I found that I really wanted to purchase at New England Fabrics came from the large sale section. I’ve seen all three of these fabrics online but didn’t want them enough to pay full price. For sale prices from $2.99 to $5.99 a yard I literally could not say no! I have no clue what I will do with them but for the price I’m happy to keep them in my stash.

Friday I’m in Love- Modern Solids Swap

Last week I received this swap package from TrilliumDesign but I couldn’t take pictures since I was literally home for about 8 hours. And in fact I’m only home a couple days this time but that’s long enough to take some pics and then take this fabulous tote with me to the conference I’m attending next week.

I give Caroline a lot of credit since my description for the tote I wanted was something like “not too large but not too small.” And it turned out perfectly! It wil fit my laptop, notebook, and textbook or library book. It also has a nice large interior pocket for pens, notepads etc. But my favorite feature is the place to hook my keys to on the inside of the bag. I hate tossing my keys in a bag and then trying to root around and find them but this way they can go in my bag but be easy to find.

For this swap we were supposed to make a large item and a small item so Caroline also sent along this pouch which will fit my change, chapstick and loose cash.

But the icing on the cake was the selection of fabric.

I’m a big Echino fabric so I love these cars and I’ve been going back and forth about buying the Heather Ross guitars so it was an awesome addition.

If you can’t tell I couldn’t be happier with my swap package

Friday I’m in Love: Vintage Advertising

One of my favorite things from Brimfield was the vintage advertising. You could tell it was a popular genre because a large number vendors had at least a couple pieces. My one regret was not purchasing some metal typepress advertisements. How cool would it be to take a plain piece of fabric and press a variety of advertisements on it? I think it would be quite cool.

Unfortunately not only did I fail to purchase any of them I also didn’t take any photos. But I did snap shots of some other gems

Metal signs are always fun. And who doesn’t want to know where they can get candy AND cigarettes?

Honestly this wood box scares me, is “improved butter color” really what “makes butter perfect”? Or perhaps it’s the fact that I imagine that the improved color was coming from additives.

But my absolute favorite advertising aid was this salesmen’s kitchen display set. I can’t even imagine a time when a door to door salesman would come knocking to sell me a new kitchen using a display set from his briefcase. But it sure does look cool!

What are you in love with today?

Fabric Shop Review: Fabric Stash, Charlton Massachusetts

TH and I went up to MA last weekend to search for vintage finds but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to check out another quilt shop (it’s a sickness I know). The Fabric Stash was only 20 minutes away from Sturbridge, Massachusetts (where we were staying for the night) and is described as

“It is the largest independently owned and operated fabric store in Worcester County (central) Massachusetts. We carry a wide variety of fabrics including cotton, fleece, home décor (many Waverly in stock), upholstery and clothing (including Silks, Wools and several other clothing fabrics). We also have a selection of notions, buttons, books, patterns, yarn & knitting supplies, trims, gifts and much more!”

I figured the largest independently owned and operated fabric store in central Massachusetts was definitely a must see. I didn’t remember until we got there that I had already been to this particular fabric store before. It is large based on square footage and floor space, much of which is devoted to a sewing/class space (roughly 1/3- 1/2 of the total space). And as advertised they have a large selection of upholstery fabrics which I have no interest in. What was there of regular quilting weight fabric was not my particular style. But I did manage to find one of the Ghastlie prints!

I realize that the variety of non-quilting fabrics and the amount of space devoted to sewing and classes is an attempt to broaden their profit capabilities. I understand and respect their need to make a living and think the variety of services they offer is cool if unusual for a fabric shop. But as someone that is simply passing through what really matters to me is the type and variety of quilt fabrics.

And it seems (Ghastlie print aside) that my taste in fabric is not the same as the person buying for the shop.

Price:

I had sticker shock when the lady rang up my half yard of fabric at over $6 with taxes. That makes a yard of quilting cotton $12! I used to buy strictly online when the cost of a yard of fabric was about $8 then the price slowly crept up to $9-$10 a yard which was what I was paying at brick and mortar shops. So I stopped purchasing online and spent most of my money at local quilt shops. But now that prices at local quilt shops are $11-$12 a yard the $8-$9.50 a yard online seems like a steal!

Fat Quarters:

A somewhat sad selection, it was reasonably sized by consisted of prints that I don’t particularly care for.

Customer Service:

There were a lot of people in the shop working on various projects and it took the woman working the counter a minute to stop what she was doing and help me. She was friendly though and even gave me a small handsewn fabric bag to take my fabric home in. I thought that was a great touch and the perfect use for a fabric that they had small pieces of or wasn’t selling particularly well.

I doubt I will stop by here again. It just didn’t carry my style of quilting fabric and while they have a wide selection of other items I don’t have a need for them. I don’t know about you but I prefer to buy notions, batting, thread, and even books during a Joann Fabric sale or with one of their easy to find 40% coupons.

Sunday Stash: Brimfield Antique Show Vintage Finds

Imagine my surprise and joy at seeing that sign! While I’m not generally a vintage fabric lover I knew I had to at least stop and look. I quickly fell in love and while they were $18 a yard that’s really not that bad since today’s fabric is $12 a yard! Plus I saved 20% for spending over $25.

The purple/gray plaid is going to go in the bed quilt I’m making for TH and myself. I love the idea of including something vintage that we found on a weekend away together and the colors couldn’t be more perfect. But since I’ll only need a 1/2 yard for the quilt I decided I “needed” another coordinating fabric and some trim for “future projects.”

I also came home with these giant wooden spools.They were $4-$6 a piece and (despite having a HUGE collection of them that no one else seemed to be buying)the woman was not willing to negotiate. In fact she rolled her eyes at me when I asked. If there had been another vendor with these spools I would have gone elsewhere but I didn’t have a choice about where to purchase so I simply purchased less. I understand she has to make a living and if she had simply said the prices were not negotiable then it would have been one thing. But we were at a show, on the second to last day, and everyone else was slashing prices up to 50% so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to her that I asked about a discount. Oh well.

Anyway, how awesome are they? I plan on winding homemade bias tape around them! And now that we have a few TH can see if he can replicate some for me.

Brimfield Antique Fair: Sewing Stuff

TH and I drove up to Massachusetts yesterday to attend the Brimfield Antique Show which is considered one of the (if not the) largest outdoor antique show in the United States. There are 21 fields (of varying sizes) holding thousands of vendors. I suspect that this year was a little smaller and a little slower because of the general economy and recent onslaught of inclement weather throughout New England. But I could be wrong, after all this was our first year attending.

Before we came I expected to find some really cool mid century modern furniture, Fisher Price toys, typewriters, and sewing machines. Since we attended the second to last day of the show those things may have been readily available earlier in the show but I don’t think so. There were only three vendors selling mid century modern furniture- in a show of thousands! As for the typewriters and sewing machines well they just didn’t seem to be the “in thing” to buy or sell.

That’s not to say we didn’t find some cool stuff. We still managed to spend almost $200 (which was our budget), we just spent it on a number of small items as opposed to one large item. We found so much cool stuff that I’m going to break the items we saw (not necessarily purchased) into a series of themed posts. We will start with my favorite- the sewing and sewing related items.

I LOVE vintage advertising displays, I’ve never purchased any because they are so expensive! Both of these were over $80 and since I have no real purpose for them it’s not worth the money. Now if I had a fabric or sewing shop it would be a different story!

And speaking of potential fabric shop displays how awesome are these-

I seriously considering buying this and having a new insert built to fit modern spools. How awesome would your thread collection look in here?

And while I was disappointed by the lack of vintage sewing machines I did spot a couple cool ones.

Finally how crazy was it to see this displaying having recently seen these giant wooden spools online and asking TH if he thought he could make them for me.

In addition to the spools they are carried these beauties

Obviously there were still some really cool items to be found even on the second to last day! And the added bonus was that by the time lunch came around vendors were already offering steep discounts to clear their inventory before they had to pack it up and haul it home.