signed, sealed, delivered

Well, this post is long overdue. Remember way back when I was working on this? Those bits and pieces did eventually transform themselves into a table runner (double sided):

and a mug rug...

Then perhaps I found a sweet little vintage Pyrex bowl that might have stowed away in the box to my swap partner

Such a fun swap, from beginning to end.

And what did I receive?

Just this fabulous bunch of goodies from Jolene of BlueElephantStitches

I know. Wow. Thank you Jolene for thoroughly spoiling me! I love every detail on every item. Be sure to check out her gorgeous photostream, she is such a talented gal.

If you'd like to join in the fun, swing by the Spicing Up The Kitchen swap group to check for updates on the next round.

Until next time!

Kim

Hopping Along

I have some egg-citing news to share (I know that was awful, but I couldn't resist)! My fabric Easter eggs are featured in the April issue of Crafts Beautiful (published in the UK), which is currently on newsstands!

My free tutorial for the fabric eggs can be found here, and there is also a new link in my sidebar for easy reference.

Because I am very frequently asked about the fabrics I used for the eggs, and they are so hard to find, I've listed some Easter Egg sewing kits in my shop. Choose between Retro Ruler and Hello Betty (click on the photos to go directly to the shop listings):

The kits have nice sized cuts for little patchwork projects, too.

If you are one of my readers in the UK, I have a request: I would be thrilled if one or two of you could send me a copy of the April 2011 Crafts Beautiful magazine as it is not available to me here in the middle of Dairy Country, USA. I would love to offer you not only my eternal gratitude, but a couple of patterns or kits of your choice from my shop in exchange. Please e-mail me if you would be able to do this. The Hello Betty eggs pictured directly above are also available if you do not sew. All set! Thanks to everyone who offered!

Kim

Shop Update

This doesn't happen very often...but I've listed some finished dolls and softies in my shop! I really do miss making critters, so you may see more of these pop up from time to time.

Without further ado, I'd like to introduce:

Astrid

(You already know) Greta

Ruthie

Ginny

And a handful of bunny softies:

and you've already been introduced to Basil:

(Betsy is already on her way to her new home in Australia!)

See you soon!
Kim

cottage license

You've been asking about it, and I've heard you! It is so very flattering that many of you want to try your hand at selling items made from my patterns, and I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about it for a long time.

If you have asked me about this recently and not heard right back it is because I have been inundated lately with these requests and needed some time to think it over. I love to support indie businesses, and honestly, my reaction when someone points out to me a shop that is attempting to sell items made with my patterns is more along the lines of, "Awww...they did a nice job!" and "Wow, that is cute!" as opposed to, "How dare they?!". And then I have to go put on my Big Meanie face and ask them to stop, which stinks.

So. I am now allowing individuals to make items for sale with my patterns. My terms are simple: give me credit in your item listing and hang tags ("This item was handmade using a Retro Mama pattern"), let me know where you are selling your wares (I might want to feature you on my blog or offer you the opportunity to host a giveaway), and the items must be handmade by YOU in your home-based business. See the full terms of my policy here.

Thank you and good luck in your sewing business ventures!

Kim

Bunny love

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you have something special planned with your Sweetheart!

And speaking of sweethearts...

I'd like to introduce Betsy & Basil Bunny to you!

These sweet sleepy bunnies are now available as a PDF sewing pattern in my shop and sidebar. They have hand embroidered eyes and noses, and cute fluffy soft tails. The pattern includes similar techniques to my Stella & Stewart Owls and is a great project for beginner stitchers. A pattern and tutorial for the felt carrots is included, and the fabric Easter eggs pattern is available here for free.

A few finished rabbit softies, including The Betsy and Basil, will be available in my shop, I'll let you know with a shop update!

Happy sewing,
Kim

Making progress

I'm still working on my swap project, bit by bit, and really taking the time to savor it. Usually I plan everything out to the quarter inch, but this time I just kind of winged it, and I love how it's turning out.

My favorite kind of quilting, straight lines--well, straightish--but not quite perfect.

And the binding. I love binding. Even fussy, wiggly linen binding. You might think I'm crazy, I know many folks find this part tedious, but I just love putting a neat finished edge on something quilted. Do you love this part too?

The fancy thimble sure makes the job more enjoyable (thanks, Mom!).

The full reveal is coming soon!

Things that make me happy

I joined this lovely swap group recently, and it's like taking a sewing vacation to make something with no obligation other than to have fun and hope that my partner loves it. It is so fun to see what everyone else is up to, too. With a few hints from my secret swapee about what she likes, I dove into my fabric stash and emerged with this:

I never used to be an orange person, but those orange prints are some of my most favoritest (you read that right) prints of all time. And I love those gray FMF prints too. And don't even get me started on how much I love Amy Butler's Lotus fabric line.

When the midmorning sun started peeking through the windows in my Room, I stole upstairs to start playing sewing.

Happy blocks. I love their simplicty. I was aiming for a slightly more calm, neutral look relative to my usual wowza-that's-bright color schemes. Still, I couldn't resist throwing in those pops of orange. I like this so much I'm considering changing the accent color in my kitchen from red to orange.

This is the front...Don't you just love the texture of linen? *happysigh* The blinding white backdrop is my snow-covered backyard.

I haven't yet decided what to do for the back, think I'll leave this hanging for a couple of days to let it inspire me.

And getting back to the title of this post. A few things that make me happy, in a secret particular order, why? Because it's the middle of the winter on an especially frostbitten day and I need a little something to keep me feeling cheery:

1. my family (especially when not grumpy but chipper and snuggly)
2. the old pink chair I found at a thrift shop for under $10
3. linen
4. hot cocoa on a frosty cold morning
5. re-reading a favorite book
6. fabric (slightly redundant, but necessarily so)
7. wood embroidery hoops
8. Colin Firth (Have you seen The King's Speech? I really want to.)
9. my camera
10. slippers

What things make you happy?

The Room

I finally have my own room. It's not my very first room; that room contained yellow shag carpet, a white canopy bed, pink quilt wallpaper I picked out myself, and a 5 year old girl. Ahhh, the 80s. This is my first sewing room that isn't shared with baby gear, office stuff, or guitar amplifiers.

I don't have very many knick-knacky things in my house or even sweet wall hangy things because of my two little big bruising boys who make me say crazy mom things like, "Don't lick the refrigerator," and "Where are your pants?". But now! I have a room that I can decorate any way I choose.

Inspired by this gorgeous mini quilt and my own UFO, current whereabouts unknown, I decided to make my own birdie Dresden plate wall hanging.

What a luxurious afternoon was spent making something just because! I didn't already have a template, and so used the one from this tutorial. You really should try this, it's easier than you think. The center of the plate is Pink Birdseed from Alexander Henry.

There are 20 different prints around the center, and to be honest, I was worried that it would turn out looking a bit busy. But Little Birdie told me they were her favorite colors and it would all work out, and I agree that it did. The background fabric is a cotton/linen blend that is super easy to work with, and a lovely creamy color.

I hope to share more photos from My Room as it gets fixed up just the way I like. And I must bid you Adieu for now, so that I may say Hello, Vintage Etsy Sellers!

Happy New Year!
Kim

Fresh fallen

Ahhh. You know winter has finally arrived when there's a fresh new layer of pom pom fuzz covering your sewing room floor.

With a cup of cocoa nearby, something entertaining playing on the computer, scissors in one hand and yarn in the other, I discovered that these things multiply like tribbles.

In case you're wondering, I tried both the "finger wrapping" method and the pom pom maker method, and while both yield similar results, the pom pom maker is a bit faster and wastes a lot less yarn. Two tips: 1) wrap the yarn very tightly around those pom pom maker arms and as many times as possible, leaving just enough space to close the gadget, and 2) trim the yarn shorter than you expect for a more uniform pom pom.

By the way, the link to the pom pom maker says it's available only online, but I was able to pick up a set at my local JoAnn's, with a 50% off coupon, score!

The pom poms are destined for Christmas packages and/or tree ornaments, and the fabric? I'm feeling a little infatuated with the red/pink/aqua color combo right now. As soon as I put it on the table I knew I needed to make something with it ASAP.

So I turned teensy scraps from my fabric stack into this cute little triangle hexie pincushion:

I can already tell that I'm not finished playing with this color combo...hmmm...what other good things are to come?

Also, a little off topic, but I wanted to let you know--as I mentioned Friday--I listed some fabric bundles in the shop. A few harder-to-find Heather Ross and Amy Butler prints and good deals on some other discontinued prints.

Have a great week!
Kim

Last day for savings

Just a reminder that today is the last day to save 20% on patterns and sewing kits! Use coupon code KICKSTART20 in my shop, or just check out as your normally would with items from the sidebar.

Here's a little preview of things to come. I'll be doing a bit of destashing over the next few weeks, so look for some fabric bundles to start popping up in the shop!

Kim