my brown bag studio

big news!

2012-02-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so... wow for all the comments/entries on my giveaway! I had quite the task yesterday sifting through my flooded email box, but enjoyed it so much! Thanks to everyone who has entered... good luck to you! And since the draw won't happen until Sunday, you still have lots of time to enter by clicking here.

And did you notice the title of my post? Yep, there's big news to share! Tomorrow my

"Grandma's {Playtime} Buntings Quilt"

will be featured over on Moda Bake Shop. It's my second project in the Moda kitchen and I had a blast putting it together. Here's another quick little peek to hopefully get you interested... see you tomorrow!

it's GIVEAWAY time!

2012-02-21T23:23:00.001-08:00

February is almost over, and Spring is just around the corner. For me and my girls, a big part of Spring is the start of the craft and farmers market season. We're planning on having tables again this year at a local event, and to see that we're ready, I'm always looking for affordable fabrics to create with. And that's why I really love shopping with Green Fairy Quilts. I posted recently on quilting with a budget and I can honestly say that all of my precuts come from Green Fairy Quilts. Their prices are amazing and they are so friendly to work with.

I'm very excited today to be offering my first sponsored giveaway with Green Fairy Quilts, and I know for sure that the prize will help get you in the mood for Spring...

...it's a wonderful Farmers Market Fat Eighth Bundle!

Here's how you can enter to win this amazing prize!

1. Become a follower of my blog for one entry... let me know in a comment that you've become a follower (I will check!)
2. Mention this giveaway on your blog for another entry

3. Sign up for Green Fairy Quilts' newsletter here for a third entry... again, let me know in a comment for a third entry

4. Tell me what you'd create with this gorgeous bundle of fabrics for a fourth entry. (Personally, I'd start with a new market tote and go from there, but that's just me)

Please be sure to leave your email if you are a no-reply blogger... if I can't contact you, then you can't win!

I want to say a huge thank you to Green Fairy Quilts for this generous giveaway... what a wonderful way to help us look forward to Spring!

I'll draw the winner on Sunday, Feb 26th... good luck!

my Tuesday timeout...

2012-02-21T20:52:00.001-08:00

...was a little quieter than usual since my usual sewing buddy had to take a sick day... and so did my sometimes sewing buddy. But I stuck to the day's plan all by myself and got a start on my Granny Square Quilt.

Have you seen the wonderful tutorial over on Blue Elephant Stitches' blog? Go have a peek, and then start granny squarin'. You won't be sorry.

signs, sealed and delivered...

2012-02-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

Every time I finish off a custom order, I breathe a little easier. I love the work, but always worry until the project has been delivered. This was a set of custom signs for a local counselor who needed to update her exterior signage. Our wet weather had really done a number on her old signs. Anyway, after a little back and forth legwork to get the colors and finish just right, I'm happy to say that she was happy with my work! And that makes for a great start to my week!

Debbie, thank you for your business! I really appreciate it!

goodbye, Su Hyeon!

2012-02-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

So this morning, bright and early, we sent our little Su Hyeon on her way, back home to Korea. {Her "Canadian" name is Jenny, but I'm sure we could have handled Su Hyeon!}

We had a fun 7 weeks with this little cutie, despite the mountains of homework she had. And when I say "she had", I really mean "we had". She loved our cats, playing games, doing art projects with our girls, and especially dinnertime. I think I should have weighed her upon arrival and then again this morning!

She was definately a bright spot in a rather blah time of year. Here are a few quick pics to share... and yes, she really was that tiny!

We'll be getting a grade 10 Japanese girl in 10 days to finish out the school year... it just gives us enough time to renovate our basement again. Us, lead a quiet life? Are you kidding?

budget quilting - it can be done!

2012-02-16T21:39:00.001-08:00

Precuts containing an entire line of fabric? Amazingly genius, but potentially very expensive.

I am a quilter on a very tight budget and I don't think I've ever spent on the 'whole package' when it comes to making a quilt... meaning that my projects are usually based on something I truely love paired with something I've found that works with it. I'm a believer that name brand does not necessarily a beautiful quilt make.

I took a little fieldtrip south of the border yesterday with a couple of girlfriends. It just made a regular Joann's run more fun. I brought my Reunion jelly roll along for the ride, in the hopes that I could find some affordable yardage to work with it. I love the new Denyse Schmidt print that I ended up with (on sale!) and I have big plans in place for this combination... now I just need the time!

Here's another bit of yardage to blend with my Hometown jelly roll and charm pack... a couple of fabulous pindots that are the perfect counterpart... I bought them at 50% off from Fabricland. Now I just have to work up the nerve to cut into them... oh, how I love me some Hometown!

And this is a FQ bundle I found at Walmart of all places. It cost less than a game of bowling, which fit the budget just fine. I need to take it with me next time I'm bargain hunting... I'm sure the perfect yardage is out there somewhere, and hopefully on sale. Then, I'll just need a little inspiration to strike.. sorry, bad joke, I know.

How do you feel about mixing your precuts with outside fabrics? Are you a bargain hunter like me, taking something as your starting point and going from there? Or do you prefer to build your quilts from a complete family of fabrics? 'Cause inquiring minds want to know, you know.

happy Valentine's day...

2012-02-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

Are special things happening in your house today? Since we're in for another crazy day here it looks like it'll be business as usual. Oh, there'll be a little giftie or two for the girls this evening, and Robyn made a pan of cream cheese french toast to pop in the oven for dinner, but there hasn't really been time for much else. Emily is home sick. Julianna has basketball tournaments all day. I'll catch one of her games this morning and then head for my Tuesday timeout. Robyn's working from home, starting a reno on our basement to build another bedroom since it looks like we're in the homestay way for the long haul. Our Korean student Jenny will likely be buried in homework. Valentine's Day? Not a huge priority. But that's ok. We love each other, and we know we are loved in return.

Yesterday, I did manage to get this little cutie to the binding stage and I'm so pleased with it. It was made with some of the Japanese fabrics I received before Christmas from one of our homestay girls. I'll finish it today and it will be all the Valentine's decorating that will happen this year. But like I said, we love each other, and we know we are loved in return. And that's enough.

(And have you ever tried quilting with slippery fabrics like these--yikes!)

she's all finished...

2012-02-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

...I'll let you know when she's about to appear in the Bake Shop.

(As if I could keep a secret.)

a request for prayer...

2012-02-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's raining today. I dodged the raindrops while running errands, then updated my etsy shop and am now having Greek-ish salad for lunch before starting the after school routine. Pretty ordinary.

I had a call from Rita, our church sectratory, to tell me that a lady from our church was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It really stopped me in my tracks.

The decision was made that a quilt is needed to wrap her in warmth and love... it will be available on Sunday for the congregation to sign. I was honored that Rita asked me for a quilt. I think the one I chose will be perfect... the signatures will become part of the design, just as this diagnosis is part of God's design for this lady's life.

I'd love if you could remember her in prayer.

{Also, does anyone know what type of permanent pen would be suitable for writing on a quilt? Thanks for your input.}

wordless (except for woo-hoo, it's at the binding stage!) Wednesday...

2012-02-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

go...go...go...stop!

2012-02-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

Sigh. It never fails. Just when I find myself on a roll (go...go...go), finishing projects left and right, something gets in the way(stop!). Today's "in the way" came in the form of a sick sewing machine. The good news is, the sewing machine doctor took it right away. The bad news is, I was faced with paying the extra charge for one day service compared to just the regular cost for normal service. The good news is, I'll have it back tomorrow. The bad news is, it cost me $20 extra at a time when $20 extra is $20 extra. Why didn't I just wait it out, you ask? Well, because normal service means a three week wait. And because I'd probably go crazy without it for three weeks.

Anyhoo.

This is what I was working on before catastrophe struck...

(It's my new project for Moda Bake Shop and is sooo close to being finished. Thankfully I splurged on the next day service, right?)

Friday (soon to be) finishes...

2012-02-03T10:09:00.000-08:00

My day started waaay too early and will last waaay too long. Here's the sweetened condensed version... try to keep up...

‎4:45 alarm... kiddo #1 off to skiing with school at 5:45, kiddo #2 early band practice at 7:30, kiddo #3 off for snowshoeing with school at 7:30... after school, kiddo #2 to basketball tournament. Homework? Probably. Squeeze in an early dinner. 6:00, kiddo #3 to band gig at Trinity. 6:30, pick up kiddo #1, then home for her dinner, shower, 2 hours of homework, bed. 10:45 pick up kiddo #3 from band gig. Tomorrow, 6:45 kiddo #1 to Victoria for the day, pick up at 10:00. I think I'm on auto pilot.

Reminds me a little of this day.

That said, the sun is shining, I've heard a few birds singing, and I had a coffee too large to even be allowed. Lots on the go all around me these days, including in my sewing room. I thought I'd share a few projects that are sooo close to being finished. I've been in the mood lately for darker colors and prim stitching so here's what I've been up to...

A sweet little window sill/candle/table mat...

A square topper that grew from an orphaned log cabin block that was just begging to be used...

A little wall quiltie/table runner that grew from a stack of long-forgotten-already-pieced half square triangles that were also just begging to be used...

And a runner with wool saltbox houses that I can't wait to cross off the list. This poor quiltie has been on the go for so long.

Hope your Friday treats you well!

it was a month of custom catch-ups...

2012-02-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

You all know how my Septembers, Octobers, and Novembers work... for months I'm in mad preparation for my Open Houses and Christmas markets, and it's pretty much all consuming. By the time December hits, I'm still riding the wave somewhat, and it's the time to create for family and friends. Usually by then, a few requests for custom this and thats have rolled in. I've learned (the stressful, hard way) not to take on anything extra after the market season is finished, in order to be able to take a breath and enjoy Christmas with my family. Well this time around, the orders came in as usual. There weren't a lot, but they were still waiting for my attention.

Well, most of January passed in the blink of an eye before I even realized it.

Towards the end of the month, I managed to find my inspiration and get to work. This is one of the orders that was for Lisa and I'm so pleased with how it turned out...

Hooray for crossing an order off the list!

wordless Wednesday...

2012-02-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

aren't you glad?

2012-01-30T21:10:00.000-08:00

80%

2012-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

I got hit with a bit of a flu bug last weekend, and I'm still running at about 80%. I'm at the point where the blah is old and I just want to feel better. Luckily, it wasn't bad enough to stop me from taking my Tuesday timeout on the road this week with my bestie and picking up some wonderful grey woolfelt... 80% wool woolfelt that is. (See how I seamlessly fit the title of my post into the body... twice?) I had big plans for it and today got up the energy to hit the sewing room.

The pattern is this one by Keyka Lou. I made it into a cross body bag and this time added a flap closure. This is my summer version of the same bag, with a long strap as well. Totally a favorite! The lining I put with the grey was a gorgeous cotton left over from the making of this bag. Another favorite of mine.

Remarkably, adding grey to my day brightened it a little. Even though I'm still feeing kind of yucky. True story.

thir{13}teen

2012-01-21T19:14:00.000-08:00

When your youngest hits a milestone like this, you know for sure that you're getting older. It's not that I didn't feel it when Emily officially became a teenager, but now that Julianna's there too, it's just a little more real to me. My daughters are growing up in front of me and I'm just not sure that I'm ready for it. I love that they are each so individual in their style, choices, and talents. I love that they love their family and they love the Lord. And I also love that through the years, they've learned to always be themselves. Take the Kermit the Frog t-shirt for example. Julianna understands that it's not always easy being green. But she also knows that with God, she can do anything.

And as her Mom, I'm glad to know that she knows that she wouldn't have it any other way. So Happy Birthday, Boop... make a wish! The best is yet to come!

snowing, blowing, and swooning...

2012-01-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

I've had three happy kids in the house this week, due to two snow days in a row and the threat of a third for tomorrow. The weather has been extreme for southwest BC! Heavy snow that's sticking around, icy temps and winds, and the threat of another big dump overnight tonight. As a result, schools were closed and Monday and Tuesday were filled with sledding, sugar cookie decorating, picnicking in the living room with a dvd, visiting friends, crafting, and pajama wearing. On Wednesday and Thursday they were back to school and I played catch up with the laundry, groceries, baking, and a little sewing. We're not sure yet what tomorrow will bring, but it's been a good week for all of us.

Here's what I spent a little time on... my second Swoon block...

I was loosely planning to make a whole quilt with some wonderful civil war themed fabrics that I've had for a while, but I can't really decide if I'll stick with it or not. Oh well, even if the individual blocks are destined to become table toppers, at least Java likes them! *edited... Um, that's London in the pic, not Java! Sheesh, maybe I've been cooped up a little too long with too many cats!

wordless Wednesday...

2012-01-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

snow update... etsy update...

2012-01-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

Still snowing. Aren't you glad you asked?

And since I'm grounded today, due to much too much white stuff falling from the sky for my driving enjoyment, I thought it would make perfect sense to get a bunch of new listings into the shops. Much, much warmer inside than out, I say.

Quilties and other goodies are here.
Bags and purses are here.

Happy snow day everyone!

...and the snow snow snow came down down down...

2012-01-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Enough said? The kiddos are home from school, they've ALL completed their homework for the day (reading and vocabulary for our Korean student), they've helped to shovel the driveway, the sugar cookie decorating is begining, and the kitten's trying to figure out what on earth is happening outside her window...

Looks like it's going to be a warm and cozy winter day!

frosty (blogging) friends are the best!

2012-01-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

So it sounds as though some snow is set to fly this weekend around here (hmmm... maybe Mr Weatherman read my last post?) The kids are excited, especially Jenny (our 10 year old Korean student) although Emily is hoping there's NOT a snow day next week. Crazy right? Actually it's because she has upcoming exams and doesn't want to miss any classroom time. Smart girl!

To make sure that I received at least a little snow this winter, my good blogging friend Julie agreed to have a snowman swap with me. Well, her package arrived on my porch this morning and totally, totally made my day. Look at how wonderfully packaged all the goodies are... it looked lovely but I must admit, it didn't last long!

Julie over-gifted me and I love everything she sent... especially the maple leaf cookie cutter! How Canadian, eh? Awesome! So here are the gifties...

A wonderful red checked kitchen towel (I LOVE the red!), maple leaf cookie cutter, and sweet mini snowman pillow...

...a tall snowman figure for my mantle, two mini snowman magnets (love 'em!), a beautiful scrapbooked journal, and the most amazing snowman runner...

Let me tell you, by the time I hit "post", these goodies will be placed around my home, all ready to greet the snowstorn that's been promised. All I'll have to do is add hot chocolate and the flurries can begin!

Thanks so much, Julie! I'm sending warm winter hugs across the miles!

in anticipation...

2012-01-12T10:59:00.000-08:00

I'm not much of a cold weather person, although I am hoping for a little snow to pretty up the winter. After all, if it's going to be cold, then it may as well snow. I do however love summer... probably because I'm not much of a cold weather person. I love seeing beach towels hanging on the line, and nothing beats sheets dried in the sun. In anticipation of the warmer months ahead, I made this little clothespin bag to hang on the line. It will most likely end up in the shop and not on my own line, but I figure that if it helps someone else anticipate the warmer months ahead, then it's a good thing.

{the pattern can be found here}

wordless (ok, maybe it's a little bit wordy) Wednesday...

2012-01-11T09:56:00.001-08:00

my Tuesday timeout...

2012-01-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

...took place yesterday rather than today. My sewing buddy had a field trip to attend with her daughter so we sewed a day early.

I completed my two '12 Days of Christmas' quilt tops and am so pleased with them! Great fabrics, great project, great feeling to be nearly finished!