Happy Sunday People!
Hope you all had a great week/weekend! We have been busy trying to clear out some clutter and just tidy up a bit before the moving company comes tomorrow or Tuesday to evaluate the space and see what sorts of boxes, etc.. They'll need to get this house packed up and shipped to Texas! I have had a knot in my tummy all week as I have been going through things, trying to figure out what to take on the plane with us, what to put in our small airfreight shipment and then the rest will hopefully show up a month or two after we arrive. We are also in the final stretch of purchasing the house. We are under contract, had the inspection done (was so weird not being there, but the guy was great and took loads of pictures and sent a very detailed report). We have a few ammendments to submit, since he found a few things that need repair, like the AC units, and then hopefully we will close the first week of August. Gosh, things are moving...they move with or without you, right? So I feel like I am always trying to keep up without totally shutting down from being overwhelmed. This move came on so quickly...a we found out about the job change about a month ago now! So I am still sort of wrapping my head around the whole thing. Anyway, enough of that!
On to the winners of last weeks giveaway. I drew 3 names from the mailing list on Friday afternoon, noon my time, as promised. I heard back from 2 of the 3 winners. Their packages are all wrapped up and will head out tomorrow morning. Staci won the velvet cord bundle. I can't wait to see what she makes with them. Then Tracey won the pink and brown bundle...she was excited about these prints..I hope she loves them! Once I hear from the 3rd winner, I'll let you know who she/he is and where to find her/his work. Natalie is our 3rd winner...she won that fab red bundle of goodness! She says her sister is going to make a quilt for her using the fabrics...fun, fun! The mailing list just has emails, no names, so I had no idea who I emailed!lol Strange, but fun!
Okay, here is the deal on the next giveaway. I figured, in celebration of our move to Texas, I'd put together a fun Red, White & Blue bundle. Here is a picture of what is up for grabs.
This is a mix of fat quarters, quarter yard and half yard cuts. Loads to work with! Perfect for getting together something fun for the upcoming Labor Day celebrations...or even something for the kids for back to school? Remember, to enter to win this, you merely have to be a member of my mailing list. None of that leave a comment stuff...you can of course leave one if you like, but to be entered in the drawing, you'll need to be on the list. So if you are on the list already, you are in. If you have not joined yet, you can do so by looking to your right on the side bar....type in your email address, confirm the enrollment by checking your email box and clicking on the link, and snap, you are added to the list. You'll then qualify for all the drawings I'll be doing from here on out. Easy,right? I'll draw one winner on Monday, July 28th.
Now, can I talk about Texas a little? When we went to Texas 2 weeks ago to check out the area and look at the schools, houses, etc., that was actually our very first time in the State. I am an East Coast girl and hubby is European. We had our idea of what it would be like (it was not that great) and man, were we pleasantly surprised. Houston has an odd layout to us, and the lack of zoning made for some interesting neighborhoods for sure. There was also construction, everywhere!! I mean, everywhere! New homes, new schools, new shopping areas! Gracious! But there were some really gorgeous areas and there is just an insane amount of family thingsto do, museums, theatre, shopping, restaurants, sports...I could go on and on. We are looking forward to exploring and getting out and about once we settle in. And the weather...forget it!! We were happy sun soaking folks! We were warned about the heat and humidity, but we felt quite comfortable. It was HOT, but not too humid (I am used to hot, humid Baltimore weather!). Maybe it was just the contrast to the gray, drizzly Duesseldorf weather, but we absolutely loved the weather. One thing we liked the most was just the friendliness of the people! Southern Hospitality is strong there for sure...we love that! And the fact that we found a house with a swimming pool, palm and banana trees and 2 nice work spaces for me did not hurt!lol Plus the school is around the corner, so we can still bike to school, which Leah is soo excited about. When we first moved here, she was bummed about not being able to ride the yellow school bus to school (they don't have school buses here), but now, she could care less...biking is the only way to go for this girl!
Okay, more about Houston later. I could go on and on. I am especially excited about being able to go to Quilt Market this Fall!! But I won't even go there right now! I can hardly wait to add to this:
Yup, those are a few peeks at my mess of a "studio". See, there is some empty space there for some new bolts! I have a ton of fabric that has been washed and dried, but needs to be ironed and put on the shelves. Like these...
I love how they look when ironed and stacked!
I'll be going through and pulling out fabrics to put in my air freight shipment and my suitcase. I'll be sending the sewing machine and serger over on the airfreight also, along with some clothes to launch the website with, finally! I am also hoping to get in some summer sewing for my own wardrobe. I pulled these fabrics to start with.
And I bought some new patterns when we were in Texas...I LOVE Vogue patterns, they are just the best in my opinion.
I also like McCalls. I bought that at Joann's, too.
I had not been in a Joanns since we moved here over 2 years ago. And the one I found was in horrible shape. But they had a pattern sale going on...love that. I think the value for these patterns is just unmatched. The Vogues were on sale for $3.99 and the McCalls were $1.99!
I also want to make a couple skirts from this book, Sew What Skirts.
One of my sewing students used this book to make a couple skirts during my sewing lessons..remember I mentioned that back in this post. When you think about how many different skirts you can make with this book, it is such a value at ! It is filled with great instructions for making your own patterns and all the styles are very simple to make.
I also want to make this bag
from Bend The Rules Sewing by Amy Carol.
I bought the book because of this bag! I really need to make it soon.
One last thing before I head out today. I wanted to mention to you all that I'll be doing a fun giveaway to members of my Operation Sewing Room Organization Group on Flickr. I talked about the group here, remember? Since I will to set up my studio in the new house, I have been looking through the group for inspiration! There is so much there. I am telling you, people have set up some really amazing work spaces for themselves! I have been inspired by many and thought I would share some of the spaces here on the blog. So offered a challenge to the members of the group. I'll be showcasing some of the spaces from members of that group. I am looking for people that are willing to let me showcase their spaces, espcecially before and after pictures. All who participate will be entered to win a huge box of sewing supplies from me. The box will include fabric, sewing notions, vintage patterns, all kinds of goodies that I no longer need. I'll snap pictures soon, and will start showcases the studios toward the end of this week. If you are interested in participating, please do so! You can read more about it in the discussions section. Leave me a note there and I'll be sure to feature you and enter you in the drawing as well.
Okay, I think that is enough for a Sunday morning!! Thanks for stopping by and we'll talk soon!
Hugs,
Sheree
