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
Well, you already know how excited I am about all your news. :) But I'm gonna tell you CONGRATULATIONS!! again anway. I'm so proud of you and excited about what's coming from Sheree's Atelier. xoxo
Posted by: Mary | June 17, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Wow...I really hope I could win this one :)
There will be plenty of projects for these scraps: purses, pincushions, doll's dresses, hair accessories and lots more.
Posted by: Cindy | June 17, 2009 at 06:57 PM
I am already in your mailing list and so glad to be one (^_^)
Posted by: Cindy | June 17, 2009 at 06:58 PM
i donothave a blog nor do i tweet, or twitter
but i use scraps to make soldier quilts for a ft hood returning injured soldiers, i am making a lotof bonnie hunter designs. and today i made a yard of fabric sewing strips and pieces together. THANK YOU for this
I will share it with people I know
Posted by: carol craven | June 17, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Wow! You have a lot going on! So nice of you to include us! I would love to use these scraps to make some softies and something great out of the Amy Butler book! So generous of you! Thanks a ton!
Posted by: Amanda | June 17, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Oh... I am also already an email subscriber! =)
Posted by: Amanda | June 17, 2009 at 07:14 PM
i would make those amy butler patters if i win.
Posted by: Lo | June 17, 2009 at 07:17 PM
i am a mailing list subscriber.
Posted by: Lo | June 17, 2009 at 07:19 PM
What a great giveaway, I love scraps, I use them all the time in my work making buttons, applique and trims for my chenille skirts and pants. I subscribe to your blog and receive your newsletter>
Miriam in Australia
www.bubbachenille.blogspot.com
Posted by: Miriam | June 17, 2009 at 07:28 PM
what a fantastic prize Sheree! thanks so much for the chance to win! i am obsessed with log canin quilts at the moment, and scraps are perfect! i am new to sewing, so dont have my own scraps yet, so this would be perfect! i would also love to try that pattern, i havent seen that one before, and that would give me a great chance to break away from quilting!
THANKS AGAIN...
P I C K M E P U L E A S E ! ! ! !
Posted by: danielle | June 17, 2009 at 07:33 PM
I joined your mailing list.
I would use the fabric to make a lovely bright cheerful new purse for myself. I have a new x purse pattern bought at my local quilt shop to make a purse with. Perfect for scraps.
And I am on my third salvage edge quilt. So two uses for the fabric.
Dorothy
Posted by: DorothyMatheson | June 17, 2009 at 07:33 PM
ps I already subscrube to your mailing list!
Posted by: danielle | June 17, 2009 at 07:33 PM
pps- i also blogged about you over at www.feelingthefabric.blogspot.com
Posted by: danielle | June 17, 2009 at 07:34 PM
ppps. i just joined your sewing circle- great inspiration there! and i was SO happy to see more photos of that beautiful wedding quilt you made! i am OBSESSED by that! i even dream about it- totally love it to death and want one of my own : )
Posted by: danielle | June 17, 2009 at 07:36 PM
I would try my hand at my first scrappy quilt. Maybe a wallet or two as well!
Posted by: Brooke | June 17, 2009 at 07:36 PM
I would love some of your 'cast offs', i'd probably make some piece bags, clothes and maybe even think about a mini quilt. i subscribe to both your feed and your list and am a member of the sewing circle
Posted by: Sharon | June 17, 2009 at 07:41 PM
I am a subscriber to the mailing list!
Posted by: Brooke | June 17, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Just joined the flicker group!
Posted by: Brooke | June 17, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Hi Sheree! I love the Whisper Emma Dress! It's gorgeous. The others are beautiful as well, but that is my favorite. If you ever need a tester for your patterns, let me know! OMG, what lovely fabrics in your giveaway! What would I make with them? Handbags, wallets, patchwork quilts (I have a couple friends who are having baby girls in a few months and those scraps would be lovely as baby quilts.) The possiblities are endless! Thank you for such a fabulous giveaway. Congratulations on your new studio, I know great things will be forthcoming from it.
Posted by: Carol R | June 17, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Pillows, pillows, pillows! One of my sewy dreams is a pillow shop where shoppers drop in for a quick gift or pick-me-up in the form of a pillow. Sets of pillows, series of pillows, huge and tiny and every size in between. I am at least doing a few local craft shows this Fall, so I would definitely put those beautiful scraps to good use. Good luck to everyone!
Posted by: lisapeaceandlove | June 17, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Ooooo, what a delicious box of goodies!! I'd probaby use it to make some lovely quilt blocks. I love that pattern too. Would def. make one of those. Thanks for the giveaway. :)
Posted by: Bibi R. | June 17, 2009 at 07:57 PM
I just love the little girl dresses you make. My little Gracie would love wearing them!
That box of fabric scraps would come in handy when whipping up little wallets or pin cushion bags, or my new favorite - the disappearing 9 patch!
Thanks for the chance!
MGM
Posted by: Mary Grace McNamara | June 17, 2009 at 07:58 PM
You're gonna love Houston. I miss it soo much.. :(
Oh....I'm a newsletter subsciber!!
Posted by: Bibi R. | June 17, 2009 at 07:58 PM
I subscribe to both the newsletter and the feed! Don't want to miss a thing!
MGM
Posted by: Mary Grace McNamara | June 17, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Those scraps are beautiful. They'd make a beautiful quilt, but I'd like to use them to make a quilt for charity as they look so cheerful.
But whomever wins, I'm sure they'll enjoy them.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
SewCalGal (@) live.com
Posted by: Sew Cal Gal | June 17, 2009 at 08:00 PM