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
Oh my a treasure chest of scrap fabrics. I picture a wonderful bold and bright spider web or diamond scrap quilt, or a stacked coin quitl or...oh the projects are endless!
Posted by: Lee | June 17, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Just to let you know I mentioned your fantastic give-a-way on my blog.
Posted by: Lee | June 17, 2009 at 08:55 PM
I have also added your blog to follow. Your projects are so inspiring, maybe I will start to sew for my girls again!
Posted by: Lee | June 17, 2009 at 08:56 PM
If I winn all those scraps, I´ll do a lot of Yo-Yos, flowers, covered buttons, dolls!
Posted by: angela torres | June 17, 2009 at 08:56 PM
I´m in your mailing list now!
Posted by: angela torres | June 17, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Trying again to leave a comment. Your give away is amazing and I can dream about all the wonderful scrap quilts I could make with all those bright and cheery fabrics if I won!!
Posted by: Lee | June 17, 2009 at 09:01 PM
I have mentioned your give away on my blog.
Posted by: Lee | June 17, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Have added your blog to my reading list too!
Posted by: Lee | June 17, 2009 at 09:03 PM
I'd love those scraps! I'd make a disappearing nine patch or something equally scrappy. Thanks for letting me play!
Posted by: Donna Weible | June 17, 2009 at 09:17 PM
yay for you! wheeee - fall market, new studio - lots of great things happening currently and soon :)
the scraps looks so awesomeee
i would use them for my little plushies.
patchworky plushies sound good.
and perhaps some pouches too.
thanks :)
Posted by: bumblebee_su | June 17, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Wow -- seeing your fabric makes me just drool. I would probably use some of them to make some doll-size quilts, love the purse patterns, I 'd have to give this a try as well. This fabric just looks like so much fun.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Renee G | June 17, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I am signed up for your e-mail list as well.
Posted by: Renee G | June 17, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Oh, wow, what a brilliant giveaway! I would love to come to your house and just raid that scrap box :-)
A big congratulations on all the wonderful news, too. I've been looking into a studio lately and am super in love with yours! Great find :-) That natural light makes me drool!
And good luck with finishing the patterns- I know it's a whole different way of looking at sewing so my thoughts are with you on that one. I'm sure they'll be wonderful.
I'm glad I found your blog!! xx
Posted by: Sandra @ Pepperberry & Co. | June 17, 2009 at 11:22 PM
I would sit and look at them forever then one day an idea would pop into my head and I would CUT. Just like that!
PS I've blogged about you too.
Posted by: cherrie | June 17, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Your studio looks great, I'm very jealous. I would love to receive some scraps... I would use them for some bags and maybe some ruffles to pretty up the kids clothes...
Posted by: Sonja | June 18, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Hi all!!
These are great news Sheree. New studio, the new pàttern collection, congratulations!!!!! What a pitty I don't live near if so I would like to go to the quilt festival.
Hugs,
Elena
Posted by: Elena | June 18, 2009 at 01:17 AM
I'm in your mailing list too.
This box plenty of scraps is like a treasure chest! :D
Posted by: Elena | June 18, 2009 at 01:29 AM
I'm on your flickr group too.
If I won I would use the "scraps" to made a purse, a baby quilt or a skirt, it depends on colors and size.
Hugs!
Elena :)
Posted by: Elena | June 18, 2009 at 02:35 AM
Sheree, the studio space is lovely! What a great opportunity to really explore your creativity! I've blogged about your giveaway and website at http://www.dewdrophandmades.com/mymamamadeit. Best of luck with all of your upcoming projects, I'm looking forward to seeing what inspiring thing you whip up next!
Posted by: dewdrop handmades | June 18, 2009 at 02:37 AM
Whew! I'm exhausted from just reading about how busy you are Sheree! I promise I would make as many bags from that gorgeous pattern as possible - I'm crazy into bags this year. I'm also on your mailing list.
Continued success to you.
laura84watt@gmail.com
Posted by: DianeH | June 18, 2009 at 03:21 AM
I would incorporate the scraps into a wonderful quilt and also make some small patchwork pouches - such great fabrics. I am also on your mailing list.
Posted by: Katie | June 18, 2009 at 03:21 AM
I'd use the scrapps for a patchwork Maxi skirt, they're so 60's and now.
Theresa N
weceno(At)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Theresa N | June 18, 2009 at 03:35 AM
I'm a subscriber.
Theresa N
weceno(At)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Theresa N | June 18, 2009 at 03:37 AM
i would 1st use the pattern and make a couple of those bags. I'm thinking about some patchwork panels that might work with the pattern side panels. and I just love love love scrappy quilts, maybe there would be some to use in the challenge quilt i am working on (my first guild contest entry).
Posted by: nana | June 18, 2009 at 05:03 AM
I love that patch tiered skirt set and the giddy up too!!
I would love the scraps. I could make a quilted journal cover or a fabric scrappy scarf, (my daughter wants to sew one of these for herself.
Posted by: Renee E | June 18, 2009 at 05:13 AM