Sheree's Alchemy

This weeks winners!

Hey!!

I hope you all enjoyed a great week!  I have enjoyed mine...this weeks sewing classes are running along very smoothly!  And everyone wants more lessons...so I think that is a very good sign.  I have to admit, I was nervous...you just never know how things will go.  So what a relief to learn that parents are pleased and that the kids are inspired and motivated to keep learning.  I don't have time to share pics right now.  But will next post.  I finished the last class today, and need to upload the pics from this week. 

In the meantime, let's congratulate our winners for last week's giveaway.  Yes, winners, as I decided to give out a couple more smaller parcels of scraps this week as well. 

So congrats to  Call Me Crazy, our grand prize winner!  I hope you'll enjoy this box of Amy Butler scraps!  And you must promise to share pictures with us of what you make with all these, okay!

You all have been so fun with these little scrap giveaways, and I still have about 6 large plastic bins of scraps hogging up space in my studio, so I also randomly selected 5 more winners.   Kathleen, Jeanne, Dagmar, Jessica, Cheryl (who had such an awful time posting her comments...sorry about that Cheryl!) and you all will be getting small parcels in the mail! 

All winners, please drop me a note with you addresses so I can get these off in the mail to you.

Okay, I'd better run.  Hubby is home today and we celebrate 11 years of marriage tomorrow!!!! Actually we had two weddings..June 20th in the US with friends and family here and then July 4th in Germany with friends and family there. Of course, we celebrate both!  So I am off to enjoy the Holiday week and my anniversary.  I'll have the next giveaway up soon, featuring this lady's gorgeous fabrics!  And I'll share sewing class pictures then as well.  In the meantime, you all have a wonderful weekend!  And Happy Independence Day to all you fellow Americans out there!

Big Hugs,

Sheree

Sewing is so much fun!

Hey Everyone!

Wow, what a fun week I had with the kids at summer sewing camp!  The camp ran Monday through Friday and I had morning and afternoon sessions, each running 3hrs15mins long.  So I was at the shop all day, helping 9 little girls learn how to sew.  I will upload pics and share here on the blog next week.  The finished so many projects...even I was surprised!  And they had so much fun.  They are all ready for more lessons.  Which just makes me smile!!  I'll be doing another round of sewing camp next  week with different kids.  Then I am taking July off...then I'll start up regular classes in August.  I'll even be adding adult sewing classes, which I am really looking forward to as well.  Anyway, here is one quick picture of my girl, making her skirt, which was today's project. 

Leah, working on her skirt...wearing her dress I made her for her 8th Birthday back in March!  It really makes my heart smile to see her loving sewing and making as much as I do!  I did not start sewing until I was 12.  I am excited to see how her love for it will grow over the years. 

And here is one quick picture of the 5 girls from the morning class, all sporting embellished tops and handmade skirts that they made in class today and wore home!

 

I am telling you all, these girls are sooo in to sewing, it is just ridiculously cute!  Little mini-mes! :)

Like I said, I'll show you all more pics from the classes and more of the girls' projects next week.

Now, on to the giveaway for today.  Same rules apply.  You have 5 chances to enter:

1.  Comment here and let me know what you are working on...a quilt, clothes..home decor...what?  And if you have in progress pics, share a link so we can sneak over and have a peek!

2.  Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment to let me know you did so.

3.  Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment here telling me you do so and please provide a link so we can all stop by your space!

4.  Be a member of my mailing list and/or subscribe to the blog.  Leave a comment letting me know which you do.

5.  Be a member of my flickr group...Sheree's Alchemy Sewing Circle.  Again, leave a comment letting me know you are a member and feel free to share your link to your flickr pics.

I hate to make you all leave comments for each of these separately, but it has been a real pain for me to keep track of all the entries otherwise.  It is so easy for me to see the total number of comments, enter that in to the random number generator and then get a winner.  So please, pardon this little annoyance!  I hope these gorgeous fabric scraps will make it worth the effort though.

Yes, this week's flat rate box is overflowing with scraps from Amy Butler fabrics.  So for those Amy fans out there, here is your chance to get some pieces of her out of print collections, including prints from her first four fabric collections, Gypsy Caravan, Temple Flowers and Ginger Bliss and Charm, which are all from when she was with Free Spirit Fabrics.  And yes, again, there are selvedges for those that like to incorporate those into your projects.   And then there is another bag pattern from Amy Butler and there are definitely lots of pieces large enough to make the cute little bags!

I'll close comments on Wednesday, July 1, in the evening and will announce the winner on Thursday.

Okay, I have to run....time to start the weekend!  I have to admit that while I really enjoyed being out of the house and working all week, I thoroughly missed being home with my kids!  Leah was in class with me all week in the morning, but my little guy was in soccer camp, and I missed the whole thing...never got to see him play.  But hubby was there and took some pics and filmed some video for me to watch later.  Hubby actually took the week off to take of the house and kids while I was teaching and he enjoyed some long bike rides, getting ready for his first century ride in October (we are riding the Live Strong Race together..I am only doing 45 miles while he is doing 100 miles!  It will probably take us the same amount of time to complete the race though!haahaa)  He also took the kids to their swim lessons in the afternoon.   Leah has improved so much, and Lucas is now swimming without his floaties!  He is so proud.  So I have some catching up to do with my little cuties this weekend.  And then some prep week for next weeks classes.  I'll be back on Wednesday evening to close comments and then will announce the winner on Thursday again.  I'll share some more pics of the sewing camp and the kids then as well.

Have a great weekend!!

Hugs,

Sheree

 

This Week's Winner!

Congrats to Jodi!  You won this week's box of goodies!

Also, because the response was so positive, I have decided to send off 3 smaller packages to 3 of you!  So congrats to Harley, May and Ashley.

Ladies, please email me your shipping information!

As always, winners are randomly chosen.  I wish I could send fabric to all of you!!!  If only shipping were free, I would, honestly!

I'll start up the next giveaway tomorrow...another flat rate priority mail box, stuffed to capacity, and another Amy Butler pattern!  And if you all speak out the way you did on the last one, I am sure I'll pick some extra winners again. :)

Thanks to all that played along.  I am off to spend some time with the family before hitting the sack.  I will complete my first full week of teaching the kids' summer sewing camp at Hancock Fabrics!  What a fabulous week it has been!  I'll share pics next week of the kids and their projects. 

I'll see you all here tomorrow!

Hugs,

Sheree

Where My Week Went..Exciting News...and a GIVEAWAY!

I did it again.  Thought I'd  get back to this space last week and it just did not work out that way.  It seems so many things are coming together right now...all goods things..but all things taking time and attention.  I did start using the draft option in Typepad though, so I can start working on postings in advance.  That's the hardest part...finding long periods to sit here and get everything typed in.  Hopefully this new approach will help keep me on course. Because I have so much to share this summer and so many wonderful giveaways lined up!

So let's get to it! 

First up, some pics of my new studio space in downtown Houston. I took the kids down last week to check out the space.  They think it is so cool that mom has a studio space and are already making plans to take over! 

the loft

my closet for storing dyes, paints, etc..

This space has such great light!  This brick wall can't be touched...but will be a great backdrop as is for some photoshoots!

Lucas and his dusty knees from rolling around on the floor! He loves the old red chair.  My studio mate has a matching sofa that she will bring in to the space...she got the set free on Houston Freecycle!  I so need to check that site out soon!  Check out my studio mates cool photography equipment!

I am renting out half of this space from a wonderful photograher.  She has been slowly moving in to this space, but finding that her day job does not leave time for her to be in at more than 2-3 days a week.  So I've joined her and am just thrilled!  Since she is a photographer, she has built in a whole dark room..which I only need for the sink, as I will be using this space for my fabric printing and dyeing as well as some painting and whatever else I decide to try that makes a big mess!  I have moved some of my things in, but not much.  This month is just super packed for me, so I'll use this month to move in and setup and maybe I'll find a day or two before June is over to actually get some "work" done in there.  I have decided to not teach any classes in July, so I can focus on the trunk show and pattern development and also hoping to spend lots of time in the studio.    This will also be a great place to do my photoshoots for the website and the new pattern collection!

The light in this place is amazing!  I just snapped a couple quick shots, as I forgot to bing my regular lens along and just had the portrait lens with me.  I'll be showing progress in this space of course as things get set up and I start working in there!

Speaking of the website, I did get some pictures of the girls in some more sets.  But have not carved out time to get anything new up.  I hope in the next couple weeks to.  I am so focused on the trunk show and completing custom orders that are coming in that I have to put that update on the back burner for now! I really need to hire some help!  I did get in a new load of labels though. 

More are on the way.  But these will get me through the trunk show!

Here are some quick pics of a few new items I made for the trunk show.

Whisper Emma Dress

Fancy Free Emma Dress

Giddy Up Tiered Skirt Set

Summer Patch Tiered Skirt Set

I also mentioned that I have been working hard on the new pattern collection.  This has been so fun and mentally exhausting at the same time!  Forcing myself to slow down and write down the steps in a way that I think new sewers will understand has been more challenging than I thought.  All of my teaching in the past has been without patterns and face to face, hands on.  I feel quite comfortable teaching that way.  I am a very tactile learner, learning by doing.  So the in person teaching is much easier for me.  To get more practice with the writing, I spent time last week writing out the instructions for all the projects I designed for my kids summer sewing camps.  As I mentioned, they start on Monday.  They totally over booked the classes!  So instead of teaching 2 classes, I am now teaching 4 classes!   All but 2 of the 20 students are buying my materials kits as well, so I spent time putting together their custom kits as well!   I can't wait to tell you all how these classes go and show you the projects!

Speaking of patterns, I am excited to say that I will be launching the new pattern collection at the Fall Quilt Market here in Houston in October!!!!!!!!!!  Yes!  My very own booth at Market!  I am so thrilled and terrified at the same time!  I'll have a booth at Quilt Festival (the retail show) as well.  October is going to be so insane...but so thrilling.  (Remember, I'll also be doing the Lance Armstrong Live Strong ride in Austin as well!).  October will be here sooner than I can blink, and I have never done a trade show before.  So I have tons of work ahead of me.  I am nervous beyond believe.  But the excitement I have for sharing my work with this audience is totally outwaying that!

So in an effort to prepare for Market and Festival, I am doing a serious overhaul and purge of my home studio space!  My fabric website, Sheree's Alchemy, will be undergoing some major changes, as I won't have the time to manage this site, Sheree's Atelier and all the new projects that are underway.   I am going through the stash looking for must have pieces to showcase at my booth at market and to sew up for Festival,  I have re-discovered so many gorgeous fabrics that honestly, I forgot I even had!  I am also finding some that are lovely, but just not my style anymore.  I also have bins and bins and bins of scraps to part with.  I may put some up on the website for super great prices as I start to clear out alot of that inventory to prepare for the changes.  Lots will finds it way on Ebay and Etsy as well!  I need to find some time to sort and bag and get that done.  In the meantime, I'll be sharing a bunch with you all as part of my Super Summer Giveaways!  (I need to make a button for this!).

For this first one, I have stuffed a Flat Rate Priority Mail box with loads of gorgeous fabric scraps.  My scrap pieces are pretty big, as I mostly make clothing.  So if you use scraps in your projects, I think you'll enjoy this box of goodies.  The pieces are great for patchwork quilts, applique, softie making, coin purses, etc..  There is a mix of fabric from US, European and Japanese collections.  Many, many out of prints goodies as well. 

 

For those of you that mentioned you want some selvedges..there are loads in here!  And yes, you can enter even if you don't live in the US.

In addition to the box of scraps, you also get this pattern from Amy Butler.   There are many pieces in the box large enough for making these and you can embellish them with applique or flowers using more of the scraps! 

Here are the rules for entry.   You have 5 opportunites to enter. 

1.Leave a comment here telling me what you'd do with the scraps if you win.

2. Blog about this giveaway on your blog...then comment here telling me you blogged about it, and leave a link so we can all come by and say Hello!

3.  Be a mailing list or feed subscriber.  Leave a post here telling me which you subscribe to.

4.  Twitter about this giveaway. Leave me a comment here telling me you tweeted and leave a link.  I am actually signed up for twitter, but have no idea how to send a tweet.  Folks have started to find me there and have added me there lists.  I need to get up from under  my rock and figure this whole twitter thing out.  I just started to get the hang of facebook...geez!  It all moves too fast for me! 

5.  Be a member of the Sheree's Alchemy Sewing Circle on flickr.  Again, leave a comment here letting me know you are there and feel free to link to your flickr page...again, so we can find you and your lovely pictures!

I'll be pre-celebrating my launch at Quilt Market and Festival all summer long with great giveaways, so this will be the format I'll use for all these giveaways.  Sorry to make you keep leaving comments here, but that is just the easiest way to keep track of the entries! If you have trouble commenting here, please do email and I'll add you on at the end.

Get in your entries by Wednesday, June 24th.  I'll close the comments in that evening and will do the drawing and announce the winner here on the blog on Thursday, June 25th.  As always, I'll use the random number generator to select the winner.

Okay, I'd better run.  The kids are way too quiet...I'd better check to see what they are up to!

Hugs,

Sheree

SEWN winner!

Congrats to Amy!!!  I am so happy for you Amy, as you know I always enjoy seeing your work! (Amy makes all kinds of lovely things, especially quilts and bags).  Be sure to stop by and say Hi to her! 

Also, Sewn is up and running!  So do stop by.  Sounds like Sarah has alot in store for us over the next couple months.  I am excited to see how this site will grow and progress. 

And thanks so much to all that participated!  It was fun to see all of you from the mailing list stop by and say Hi. You all are usually sooo quiet!  I'll be spending time this weekend stopping by all your blogs and saying Hello!  I already had a chance to visit some of you.  I'll make my way through the list of comments throughout the week!

I'll be back probably tomorrow with more sewing projects to share and to give you all a sneek peek at some fun things coming up for the months of June and July.  I have pics of the kids' last sports games to share.  I also still have to share pics of my new Studio Space in downtown Houston!  And I am getting ready for Friday's giveaway.  You all will love this one as well!! So be sure to stop back by often this week so you don't miss anything. :)

Okay, gotta run.  I have to make up the kits for my kids summer sewing camps that start June 22nd.  And I'll be spending time today sewing more items for my trunk show on July 10th.  Can't wait to show you all the new collections for Fall!

In the meantime, do me a favor.  Tell me what sorts of things you'd like to win in upcoming giveaways.  Are you most interested in fabric?  books?  notions?  handmade items?  For those that like fabric, are you liking yardage more or fat quarters?  What about scraps?  Let me know.  I have alot in the works and am just wondering if there is anything I am missing that you all are looking for?

I hope to see you all here tomorrow!

Hugs!

Sheree

SEWN launch party giveaway!

Hey Folks,

I am back to finally get up my goods for the SEWN LAUNCH PARTY!  For those of you that have been stopping by over the last week looking for the giveaway, my sincerest apologies.  Life and business got the better of me.  But I tried to make this a good one, so I hope its been worth the wait.

Sarah will be launching her new website on Monday, June 8th.  I can hardly wait to check it out!  In the meantime, she has invited bloggers to help her launch this new website.  I gladly joined in and here is what I have up for offer...ALL GOING TO ONE LUCKY WINNER!

I am offering up one more organic cotton tote bag that I gave away in this and this post.  The winner can choose the one she likes best. 

Option 1:  Embellished with Harmony Art Organic Cotton Fabric

Option 2:  Embellished with Flea Market Fancy Fabric

Also included in this giveaway is this fabulous bundle of cotton fabrics....1/2 yard cuts of each print..so a total of 3 yards of fabric.  They are all 100% cotton and 44 inches wide..quilter's cotton weight.

This fabulous bundle of japanese fabric squares.  25 different 4 inche squares.

Your choice of a pattern from my shop.  Yes, you choose...and one pattern. I know many of my readers and customers are quilters and not bag makers, and vice versa.  So you pick what you can actually put to use!  

And these vintage buttons. 

I have a thing for buttons...especially vintage ones!  I don't know what has gotten in to me, sharing these babies!  These are all vintage mother of pearl.

Okay now, I think that's enough! 

Leave a comment on this post to enter.  Even if you are on the mailing list...you need to leave a comment here to be entered.  And you'll get your second entry by being on the list.  Just put a note in your comment that you're on the list and you'll get your second entry. 

Tell me what pattern you'd choose if you won.  Or tell me what are you making?  Where are you traveling to this summer?  What's making you laugh these days?  Or just say "Sheree, I want to win!"  I'll randomly choose the winner on Monday.  I know...it is a short one.  Sorry about that.  I just could not find time to get this up sooner.

Let me leave you images of the sweet kiddos.  Just because I have family and friends that read this blog that have no interest in winning fabric.  They just want to see the kids!  So here's one of my girl...taken yesterday...the last day of school. 

Yup, she is ready for summer vacation!

Here is one of Lucas writing in his journal.  We have a cousin of my husband's here for the summer.  She is 16 and just a doll!  Already helping me out tons with the kids.  Lucas was writing about her visiting with us. 

And then here is a picture of Leah and her buddy Reagan chilling out in the garden after some pool time.  They've got this whole summer vacation thing all figured out!  We only have two of those chaise loungers, so pure Lucas had to sit on the bean bag chair.  I'll have to pick up a couple more chairs because they are everyone's favorites!

Okay now...back to the kiddos I must go!  I'll see you all on Monday night!

Hugs,

Sheree

Schwoo and Sewn!

Added!  SEWN GIVEAWAY will be posted tomorrow!!  Sorry for the delay!  It will be a short one...drawing will be done on Monday, June 8th.  So check back tomorrow to see my fabulous giveaway for the SEWN LAUNCH PARTY!

This has been a crazy last two weeks.  But school is officially out and summer vacation has begun!  So much has happened in the last two weeks.  I put that extra day during the Memorial Day weekend to good use, sewing up teacher's gifts, getting samples together for the back to school trunk show, which has been pushed up a week and will be on Friday, July 10! Yes!  That is like 5 weeks away.  Hello!  I also have a studio space in downtown Houston!  I know, exciting.  But  more on that in the next post!  Woohoo for me though.  I can't even tell you all how excited I am about this space.  What else.  Oh, the kids have their last games of the season (tennis for Leah and t-ball for Lucas).  So there were celebrations and coaches gifts to get together.  I'll remember to share some pics of the two sports stars in the next post as well.  And finally, the kids summer sewing camps are all organized and both classes have booked up (actually over booked).  I will probably be adding on some classes in August.  But I have to see how my schedule is after the trunk show.  There may just not be much time. 

So on to some pics.

Here are some images of the wedding quilt I made.  The wedding is this weekend.  But I can't wait any longer to share these pictures!  Remember, I told you all the bride and groom and bridal party will be sitting on this quilt during the outdoor wedding reception.  I just think this is so cool.  And wish I would have been in to quilting when I got married!  I would have loved a reception like this!

I also made 14 tablecloths and some napkins.   The tablecloths will be used as picnic blankets for the guests at the outdoor reception, and then gifted to different people that helped out with the wedding.  Isn't that awesome!  And the bride and groom are keeping a couple for themselves as well as the napkins to use in their own home.

I am almost done with  a surprise gift for the bride that I'll be sending off to her next week as a wedding gift from me.  I don't even know the bride personally, as this job was booked through my website.  She'd been searching for blankets to use at her picnic reception and came across my website and saw the baby blankets I had up and just emailed and asked if I could do larger ones.  Then all the details were worked out via the internet, email and phone.  It was such a pleasure to do this commission.  The bride sent me pics of her dress, the bridesmaid dresses, the cake and the flowers.  And I sent her to some of my favorite fabric manufacturer's websites and introduced her to the work of some of my favorite designers.  And in the end, we settled on the Drawing Room Collection by Anna Maria Horner. 

Next up, some pics of the gifts I made for Leah's Second grade teacher.  It was her teacher's very first year of teaching, and I was so happy to make her a quilt using the children's artwork.

quilt back

Leah and I also made her this cute tote bag.  And Leah wrote her a sweet note on one of her lovely cards from Belle and Boo on Etsy (love her work!).

Okay, that's enough pictures for today!!  Let me announce the winner of last week's giveaway quickly!

Congrats to Jules!!  Get in touch with your information and I'll a sweet strawberry tote off into the the mail for you to enjoy!

All right, I'll be back tomorrow or Saturday with more goodies to giveaway and more pictures to share!

Hugs,

Sheree

TGIALW........

Hey Folks!

Happy Friday to you!  Before I get into TGIALW, I want to point out that this is a long post.  And the Freebie Friday's Giveaway is all the way at the bottom.  So don't be discouraged...read on (or skip to the bottom if you must!  Just don't tell me you did that...as you'll break my heart! smiles).

So Yes, Thank Goodness It's A Long Weekend!  Am I the only one completely exhausted right now?  It is that time of year...the end of the school year..where it seems the days get shorter and shorter.  And there is never enough time for all the activities. We are wrapping up the kids' sports seasons, too.  But no practices and no games this weekend!  Yay! 

I am so looking forward to having one extra weekend day!  Because I need an extra day...I really do. 

An extra day to spend with my little family.  Hubby was gone to Vienna, Austria for a whole week (he left on Mother's Day!) and then came back to an ultra busy week at work, so I feel like we just have not spent enough time together!  Then the kids have been busy with school work, after school activities and friends.  So some good old, 'nothin planned family time is in order.  We'll continue where we left off Mother's Day weekend, handing out here (sorry for all the pics, by my father-in-law has been waiting patiently for me to post a garden update!).

We recently picked up some chaise loungers and umbrellas here for a steal!  We still need to find a little table to put in the the middle to hold some drinks and a book or two.

The cannas are in full bloom.  I need to thin them out in the Fall..they are way over crowded....but pretty none the less. 

And the pool water has been sitting around 86 degrees for the last month.  This is with no pool heating...just the heat from the sun!  Amazing!

My favorites in the garden.  Lookt at how those two tall ones on the left have bowed into a heart shape...they know I love them so!  These have been blooming for about 6 weeks now.  I hope they bloom all summer..we'll see!

My father-in-law (Opa...the German name for Grandpa) planted a bunch of gladiolas for me.  The first one bloomed a couple weeks ago...it was red...my favorite!   

Opa bought us some Texas Blue Bonnets back in March when...they are blooming beautifully!

Thanks Opa!

Tiny new grapefruit tree we planted in April.  There was a huge banana tree here before.  You can see some of the little sprouts shooting back up!

We also planted 3 fig trees...this one is already producing loads of fruit...52 figs and counting!

The others have not started fruiting yet...we bought 3 varieties that will produce at different times so we'll have figs all year long!

Organic Basil from seed....I use alot of basil...and the basil I find here in the stores is a very spicy..peppery basil.  This is sweet basil...yum!

Nursery Tomatoes producting fruit...We eat alot of tomatoes! We have 12 plants growing that we planted from seed.  Then we planted 8 more nursery plants so we'd have some early tomatoes as well.

Melons from seed..they are starting to send out the shooters and really grow now!

Organic broccoli from seed...Broccoli is a fave with the kids, so planting some was a must. 

Squash and cucumber from seed...they are really starting to take off!

Organic tomatoes, peppers, canteloupe from seed and okra from the nursery.

Our little garden is our little sanctuary.  This is where we have been eating dinner during the week and having breakfast, lunch and dinner on the weekends.  And during the last couple months, we have been spending at least many hours out here...planting, weeding, mulching, weeding, cutting, weeding, watering, weeding.  Yes, weeding is not my favorite thing to do..but I am determined to keep this little space as chemical free as possible (I know, this from a chemist!).  I have nothing against chemicals...I just don't want them in my garden.  But this whole organic gardening thing requires a bit more time and love and patience.  And a ton of reading/research.  The up side of all this, on top of the health benefits, is that I am getting in lots more N.E.A.T. ! It is easy to work up a sweat in this garden as well, because it is HOT!  Often when I go out to weed, it is before 7am and it is already in the 80s.  The heat also poses a problem with what I can plant.  Alot of the seeds I bought, I can't plant until Fall...but that means I get to have a winter garden, which is way cool!

What else?  Oh, and I also need an extra day to sew.  I have to finish up the projects for the sewing classes I'll be teaching at Hancocks Fabrics.  Man, those classes are coming up fast...but I am also done and will run through all the projects a second time, just to check for errors and such.  But it should be so much fun. I can't wait so show you all what the students make!  Plus I need to put some finishing touches on items for the next shop update here.

For those of you in the area,  will be teaching 3 1 week long kid's summer sewing camps.  The classes are for ages 8-15.  Sign up starts next week.  I got a call from the folks at Hancocks that the phone is ringing off the hook with folks asking about the camp and they asked if I could schedule several more.  They also want some adult classes in the evening.  I am holding back right now because my friend Debbie has booked her trunk show!

So yes, I need an extra day to start getting a plan together for this trunk show...my first trunk show!  I have the fabric groupings all set.  I put them all together in a pretty little swap book!  I have to make some final decisions on the designs.  I don't want to offer too many options...because I'll end up driving myself crazy.  But I want to definitely offer enough variety and options for folks....lots of mix and match!  I have to figure out that right balance.  We'll see.  But her show will be on July 17!  I am so excited, can you tell!  I'll show you all some previews soon.  :) 

I could also use another day to get the end of year teachers' gifts ready.  I can't talk about the gifts just yet, because the teachers visit this space and I don't want to ruin the surprises!  But I can't wait to show you all what I am making.  I am thinking about writing them up as tutorials/free patterns.  What do you all think?  There are soooo many tutorials and free patterns on the web.  I wonder if I would be wasting my time putting something together?  Thoughts/suggestions?  I'd do it if folks were interested. 

Okay, enough with all that. This post is already ridiculously long!  Let's get on to the Giveaway for goodness sakes!  Because I really like you all, I whipped up this super cute summery tote...just for one of you!  

Do you like it?  I sure do. I may have to make myself one.  I used some lovely strawberry and do printed japanese linen on the outside and the lining is made from an organic linen fabric I brought back with me from Europe!    It's perfect for anything really...especially for those visits to the Farmers Market, don't you think.  I'll leave this contest active for 1 week.  Enter by next Friday, May 29.  I'll draw a name and announce on the following Tuesday. 

I have to give credit to my husband on this one.  I showed him the other giveaway I had planned and he said, but why aren't you doing someting red, white and blue for Memorial Day?  He's in my head, people.  If I were not so tired, I would have been on top of it!  Really!  I'd better watch out before he tries to take over this blog. He has actually already suggested some blog topics for me, which cracks me up completely, because he doesn't even read the blog!   I guess if I start blogging about what he is suggesting (road cycling, food, endurance excercise), he'd read it.  But then I think you all would stop!lol

One last thing before I go...For those of you that are on the mailing list...don't forget to use your coupon code at checkout so you can save 15%.  I see  some of you are shopping and not using your code and I know you are on the mailing list.  And remember..the drawing for the $50 gift certificate is still active throughout the end of May!  If you need me to resend you the Newsletter with the code and giveaway information...let me know and I'll resend it to you.  I just don't want you all to miss out on your chance to save. :)

Okay then...I am off.  Time to meet my girl at the bus stop!  I'll see you all back in this space in a couple days.  In the meantime, you all be safe this weekend!  Have a wonderful Holiday for those of you in the US.  And I hope you all find some time to make something lovely!

Hugs,

Sheree

Up and Running

I finally launched my new website, folks!  I am so happy to finally have this done.  Well, it will never really be done, but it is open and folks can shop.  I have been working on making this happen for a while now.  Those that have been following my blog for a bit will remember past posts when I said I was almost there....go slow to go fast...almost again! The sudden move from Germany back to the US really put a dent into my plans to launch last summer.  But everything happens for a reason, right.  And the important thing is it is up and running now. 

As I told you all before, Miss Ingrid did all the graphics and the logo for the site.  I am always thrilled to work with Ingrid.  She is very versatile and always helps me out at the last minute!  Thank you Ingrid!  Big smooches to ya!

Can I show you all the little ad I put together for the site?

It premieres today.  Giddy...Yes, I am!  I am new to all this advertising stuff.  Let me tell you, it is stressful!  Thinking about where the right places are to advertise.  Weighing costs versus potential for sales.  I have no experience in all this marketing and such.  So it makes my head spin, quite frankly!  But I am learning...day by day.  So old and still so much to learn!lol

I am exciting about the opportunities this website will give me as far as helping to raise money for some of my favorite charities. We are partnering with Nest and will be donating 25% of the sales of all items in the children's category directly to them to help fund micro loans.  We are so excited about this partnership!  We'll also be hosting trunk shows for those that want to do fundraisers for Nest.  Again, 25% of the trunk show sales will be donated as well.  I think it would be great for someone to host a bridal shower or baby shower as a trunk show and they could help a great cause...don't you?!

I am currently working to make partnerships with a few other charities that I'd love to support through website sales.  Very exciting!  I have been given so much in my life...given so many amazing opportunities, especially with education and scholarships...so it feels wonderful to be positioning myself to be able give back in this way.

I plan to add new items to the site every 7-10 days, just to keep it fresh! I still have so much stock to add.  And of course, I'll be sharing weekly or biweekly product updates here on the blog.   I haven't decided if I'll set up a separate blog for that website just yet?  I don't think I can manage another one, really. We'll see. I may just post simple updates in a blog format directly on the blog.

What else?  Well, actually, I won't go on and on about it.  But please do stop by and have a look around.  If you see any typos, things are not working correctly, etc., would you please let me know. Please email me direct.  I would soooo totally appreciate it!!! 

Now, before I go, let me announce the winner of the giveaway.  Congrats RITA!!  You all must stop by Rita's flickr stream...she is always working on an amazing quilt!  Rita, get in touch, please!

I'll be back on Friday with some pictures from my garden (my father-in-law is waiting patiently for an update!) and to announce the next giveaway!

Until then, you all be safe and happy!  And make something beautiful!

Hugs,

Sheree

New Giveaway..Organic Cotton Tote meets Flea Market Fancy

Hey People!

Well, I am back with the giveaway...a day late...but better late than never, right!

I am a bit under the weather and moving at snail speed these days, so bare with me.

Here is the latest Giveaway...A gorgeous bag, perfect for treks to the Farmers Market, Flea Market, or regular Market even. This is so cute, you can just use it as an everyday tote, really.  I know I'll be using mine on the daily for the next couple weeks!  I am giving one of these away...just leave a comment on this post to enter to win...read more details at the end of this post. :)

shown, filled with cereal from the cupboard and flowers from the garden!

up close...decorative stiching and vintage mother of pearl button...love!

The Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy fabric collection will go down as one of my top #3 all-time favorite collections.  Seriously.  It came out just as we were packing to move from New York to Germany.  I got in a couple bolts just before the last box was packed.  I can remember cutting some up and taking it in my air freight shipment, along with the sewing machine, serger and other crucial supplies and the first thing I made in our house in Germany (on a fold up table borrowed from my MIL) was these items below! 

Man, Leah has really grown!!!  My sweet girl!

I also love this little collection I made a few months later! 

I sold a few of these as customs on Ebay and on another online boutique site I used to be a part of called Blossom Street.  Flashbacks!  These are still some of my most favorite designs and will be turned into patterns soon.  As I work on the patterns, I just wish I have more yardage of this fabric.  I have decided on the fabric I'll use for the patterns...but boy, do I wish I had enough yardage to redo these!  They would be perfect for the pattern covers, don't you think?  Leah can still fit the skirt (of course it is much shorter now, but still cute!)  but all the other pieces are way too small, as I made these over 3 years ago.

Anyway, enough of the memory lane and going on and on here!  Back to the giveaway!

To enter to win the bag just leave a comment on this post.  I want to know, what are you working on these days.  Anyone else making bags to replace the plastics at the grocery?  Anybody love Flea Market Fancy as much as me, especially the red/aqua colorway!?  Anyone hoping/praying it will be reprinted!lol  And yes, if you are on the mailing list..you get your second entry as well.  I'll use the random number generator again to select a winner.  Enter by next Tuesday, May 19.  I'll announce the winner on Wednesday morning.

Good luck to you!

Hugs,

Sheree