makelifesweet

Paying for my laziness.

I knew this would happen.  Last week before Quilt Market everything was in a frenzy.  As it usually is before market.  A million things to remember.  I million things to pack.  And I got tired.  And a little bit lazy.  I convinced myself not to take my super-duper heavy, super-duper big, super-duper expensive camera to Kansas City.  I really didn't want to drag it on the plane, deal with the lenses and make sure I knew where it was at all times during our trip.  Besides, I have an iPhone, right?  

Well, if there is one thing I learned at Quilt Market, it is I am really, really bad at taking iPhone photos.  Maybe I should read a book or manual on that.  I thought you just point and shoot.  Well my pointing and shooting just ended up with a whole lot of blurry pictures, which no amount of Photoshop will help.  So instead of spending the whole day editing really bad photos, I decided to just post the few I have that are somewhat, sort of decent, in their own really bad way.  

Okay, that's it.  4 photos.  Sorry to overwhelm you.

So instead of photos, I will just tell you a few highlights of our trip.

•  First of all, my mom needs to find some really, really good shoes.  Seriously.  I don't care what they look like.  She doesn't exactly have the greatest feet to begin with, but she needs to remember that cute shoes are secondary to comfortable shoes.  Especially at a trade show.
• My sister and I need new clothes.  Or at least one of us needs new clothes.  So we don't look alike.  Our closets consist of only a few colors.  White, grey, navy blue and black.  That's it. And since it is close to summer, we forget the black.  So that leaves only white, grey and navy.   I don't know why because we love to change up the colors in our fabric lines.    It looks a little funny when we both have white pants and navy sweaters on.  And, no, we didn't plan it.  For the 100 people that asked.
• Jack Stack Barbeque is a really, really good place to eat.  I just went to their website and discovered they have mail order.  Oh my.
• The best part about Quilt Market is that (as tiring as it is), it revives us.  Sometimes I feel as though we are isolated in our office, in front of our computers or sewing machines.  At market, we actually get to talk to people, get feedback and think more creatively.  Speaking of thinking creatively, we have a fabric collection due next week.  Yikes.
• And even though I'm completely embarrassed about the photos, and I swear I'll bring my good camera next time, I can't completely promise that.  I know we will be just at busy, just as frenzied and it may just cross my mind that the iPhone is just fine.  We'll see.

I have a few other things to tell you today.  First, here is a peek of our Label Crew kit for June (which ships next week!)

We call it Lucy's Beach Bag.

It is made from Lucy's canvas and has pockets on each side.

But my favorite part about this bag is that the sample is lined with our coated fabric.  It will be perfect to take to the beach or pool and throw all those wet bathing suits in.

We will post the kits in our store next week- they will also be available in green, navy and orange.  For more info on our Label Crew, please click here.

Finally, even though we are knee deep in Lucy's Crab Shack, our Mama Said Sew patterns are ready and available in our shop.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend- we will see you next week!

Hey all you Lucy lovers-

The fabric has arrived!  Lucy's Crab Shack arrived just as we were coming home from Kansas City.  Which means we have lots and lots of kits to cut (for all of you who pre-ordered those kitchen towels and table runners, we are working hard to get those out).    

We also just finished up the patterns for this collection. 

First, my favorite.  I love that each border is a different print.  This one is called "Surf Club".

Next is Beach Blanket:

And the last one is called Number Games:

My favorite part about this one is the numbers our quilter used in the quilting.  You have to look closely to see those numbers!

This is the boy version.  Here is a digital image of what one with a pink border would look like:

 

Special thanks goes out to my mom's friend, Barb, who let us borrow her beautiful backyard for the photo shoot!

All of the patterns are available now in our shop.  Unfortunately, because of the timing and delivery issues with this collection, we weren't able to order fabric for kits.  So while we do have the patterns, we don't have the fabric kits for these.  However, we do have a limited supply of Lucy pre-cuts in our shop.  We will also be using the fabric in our Label Crew fabric kits for the next couple of months, so look for those.

Speaking of Kansas City, we had a great time at Quilt Market.  I have no idea why three days of doing basically nothing but talking to people can make me sooooooooo tired.  Which is why I haven't put together a Quilt Market post yet.  But I'm working on it- we will show you pictures later this week!

Oh, and the Mama Said Sew patterns will be in our shop later this week!

Just A Reminder

Today is the last day to reserve quilt kits and backings for our Mama Said Sew patterns.  We will be taking them off our shop this evening.

Tomorrow we are off to Kansas City for Quilt Market- and today we are running around like crazy people trying to get everything done!

We do have a winner for our contest.  Congratulations to Lori, who wrote:

I am in love with Mama's Garden. The new fabrics are all gorgeous! Can't wait to get my hands on some and play. Smiles to all! :)

We just need you to e-mail us your mailing address and we will get the patterns to you.

The patterns for both Lucy's Crab Shack (which we haven't shown yet) and Mama Said Sew will be ready next week.

Sorry for such a short post- we will have a full market report when we get home!

 

 

 

The Patterns...

for Mama Said Sew are finished.  Almost.  At least the covers are finished.  Here they are.

Mama's China

The fun thing about this pattern is that you can make all 3 quilts (one red, one black and one grey) using one Jelly Roll.

Mama's Garden

Mama's Strawberry Pie

Mama's Spools

Mama's Stuff (Sewing Kit)

We are giving away a complete set of these patterns.  If you would like to enter, simply leave us a comment and let us know which of the Mama Said Sew patterns is your favorite.  I know which is my favorite, but it is fun to find out yours.

As we said before, the fabric for these won't arrive until August.  However, we are taking pre-orders for the quilt kits now.  BUT- if you want a kit, you only have until Tuesday, May 15th to reserve one.  We need to place our order for this collection next week, and we want to make sure we have enough for everyone who wants a kit.

A few months ago, we did the same thing with our Reunion patterns and it seemed to work well. Except one small thing. Which really wasn't a small thing.   We were expecting the fabric weeks earlier than when we actually received it, so those that purchased the kit had to wait longer than what we intended.   The kits were completely pre-paid and we hated the fact that they were late.  So this time, we are going to do it a little different.  Instead of purchasing the entire kit now, you will only have to pay for half of it now, and the other half when the kit is shipped.   We think that is more fair to those of you who want a kit.  

We are also offering backing for each of the kits, and they can be purchased separately from the quilt tops.  

They are available in our shop now.  Please remember you only have a few days to reserve one.  The patterns will be ready to ship as soon as we get home from Quilt Market (which is next week), so we will list the patterns then.  

We will choose the winner of the pattern set in a few days.  Good Luck!

My Favorite Prints

Whenever we have a new fabric collection, we design art prints to coordinate.  I have loved all of them, but these new ones from Lucy are my favorite.  I love them because they are so happy, they remind me of summer and they look so cute together.  I am going to hang 6 of them together in my little boy's room.  That's the plan, anyway.  Just as soon as his matching quilt gets finished!

The first one is customized and comes in green, blue, orange, pink or gray.

 

They are available now in our shop.

We are super close to getting all of our quilt patterns finished up for both Mama Said Sew and Lucy.  We plan on posting those next week!

They are posted!

The fabric kits for our May Label Crew project have just been listed in our store.

You can choose from the Reunion kit:

Or the Lucy's Crab Shack kit:

Here's the thing.  We have been getting several e-mails and calls about this particular kit, so I'm thinking it may go pretty fast.  We have a very limited amount of Lucy's fabric right now, so we have a limited amount of kits.  BUT-  when our supply is gone, we will list them as a pre-order.  We are expecting the fabric in just a couple of weeks.  So if you want one, and it looks as if they are gone, keep checking back until the preorder is listed in our Etsy shop.

We also have some more fun items for Lucy this week, so keep checking back!

Something New For Lucy...

We thought we would make some fun charms that coordinate with Lucy's Crab Shack.  

These can be personalized with any name or word:

These would look adorable on a backpack:

And the next 2 are some prints from the fabric line:

They are available in our shop now.

Just a reminder- our Random Acts of Kindness ends tomorrow if you were thinking of ordering something!

Have a great Monday.  

Our Weekend In Portland

It has been 2 weeks since we visited Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe in Portland for their SPRUNG event.  We've been so busy with everything else, I haven't gotten a chance to tell you a little about it.  

First off, I've never been to Portland before.  I haven't even been to Oregon before.  This is the first thing I noticed:

It rains there.  They have flowers blooming and green trees.  Lots of trees.  I'm just not used to flowers looking like this in April.  

Next, the store was even better than I had imagined.  Seriously, Hollyhill  is amazing.  If you ever visit Portland, do not miss it.   We also had a great time visiting their gift shop (just down the street) called Pickleweed Hill- isn't that the cutest name!

We had a great time Saturday at the event.  Here are some shots of the day:

This was actually a very relaxing trip for us.  In fact, we even had time for a movie.  Now you might not think that is such a big deal, but for me that never happens.  Not that I don't love movies- I just have two things that get in the way.  No time and my husband.  He hates movies.  All movies.  He just doesn't see the point of spending what little free time we have going to a movie.  He wants to be able to do things where you talk- to me, friends, whoever.    Okay, I get that.  So you think I would be able to at least rent a movie and watch it at home.  Wrong.  To him, renting that movie means commitment.  If we spent the $3.99 on it, we have to watch it no matter what.  And he just doesn't want to commit to that.  He may not like it, and he would have to keep watching.  Or he might fall asleep.  Or the news might come on.  And heaven forbid we miss the news.  

So, we got to go to a movie!  I really don't pay attention to what's coming out or what's popular because I won't get to see them anyway.  But my mom had heard about this.

I had no idea what it was about, so I was game.  OH MY GOSH!  Who thinks of these things?  About 30 minutes in, I was seriously considering leaving.  The whole idea of the story made me sick to my stomach.  My mom had heard it was kind of like the TV show Lost (which I loved).  Um, It's not like Lost.  But I didn't leave. Strangely enough, I actually kind of got into it.  I just had to get past the whole premise of the story.  Which I obviously did.  Because the first thing I did when I got to the airport to come home was to purchase the 2nd book in the series.  Now I'm hooked.  But seriously, who would think of this story?  

Anyway, we had a great time in Oregon, and we want to thank Jan and Brian at Hollyhill for the wonderful experience.  Even though I'm up all night, every night, reading that book.  

Just a quick reminder that our Random Acts of Kindness week will end on Tuesday.  If you don't know, any order at our Etsy shop will come with something free!

We have more new products to show you, and I planned to do that today.  But it is really hard to take pictures when the wind is blowing about 1000 mph, so I'll have to wait till next week.  Have a great weekend!

The Third Time's The Charm

I walked into our office the other day and just started laughing.  All I could say is " Really?!!!  We've done this now three times!".  Which I got a swift reply of "If it's not broken, don't fix it!".

Here's what I'm talking about.  Number one:

Number 1 just happens to be the most popular item we have ever done.  So, it made sense to do Number 2 at Christmas:

Number 2 was our most popular item in our "12 Days of Christmas" event last November.  So, you can guess Number 3 is another ruffled kitchen towel- this time made with Lucy's Crab Shack for summer:

The only reason there isn't a Number 4 (yet) is because my mom can't let go of a tiny little morsel of her small stash of Mama Said Sew fabric.  Of course, she has no trouble making things and selling kits from the little stash we have of my favorite fabric at the moment (Lucy).  But never say never.  I'm sure there will be a kitchen towel in Mama's future.  

Which leads me to- if you want a kitchen towel in your mama's future (for Mother's Day), you can get the latest kit in our shop now.  And you don't necessarily have to give it to your mom.  I know I won't.  I would really like to keep this one for myself.    Mom already has a few! 

83 degrees and ready for....

Summer!  Yep, as I write this, the temperature reads 83 degrees.  In April. In Colorado   And no wind.  Something must be wrong.  But I hear it's snowing in Pennsylvania.  So sorry.  But  our new Label Crew project may get you ready for my favorite season of the year.

This table runner will be perfect for summer.  On May 1st, we will offer the fabric kit in both Lucy's Crab Shack and Reunion.

For more information on our Label Crew, click here.

We have been very busy creating new things with Lucy.  Look for our new ideas here this week- they should give you great ideas for Mother's Day gifts- which is quickly approaching.

Our first project is an adorable Heart Favor Bag.  

There are so many possibilities for these- favors at a Mother's Day brunch, baby shower or birthday party.  You could also tuck in special treats and use it as a gift bag.

The labels on the bags can be customized with any word or name.

The kit includes the fabric, pattern and labels to create 6 favor bags.  They are available in our shop now.  Now for the best news:

Because we will have several new projects and items in our Etsy shop this week, we thought it would be a great time to do another Random Acts of Kindness  week.  You may remember us doing this several months ago- and we thought we would do it again.  If you don't remember- every order that is placed in the next week will receive something fun for free!  It could be a pattern, sheet of labels, maybe a canvas print or book.  You will be surprised with what you get- hopefully you will love it!

One more thing.  We have a winner!  Congratulations to:

Allison, who wrote:

This is my new favorite line!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors yall chose! Oh how I hope I win some!!!

Congratulations, Allison.  Just e-mail us at info@sweetwaterscrapbook.com with your mailing address and a pre-cut of Lucy's Crab Shack will be on it's way!

Thank you so much to all of you who entered.  We love reading your comments.  Have a great Monday!