I thought I was pretty clever when I came up with the title of this post. We are the 16th designer on the Moda Pillow Talk blog hop, it is the 16th and we are Sweetwater- so it made sense to me!
For those of you who are new, Sweetwater is actually 3 people. My mom, Karla; sister, Susan and me, Lisa.
When we were asked to make a pillow that represents us, we knew we would use words to tell the story. We love words, typography and anything graphic. Here is our pillow:
Most of the words represent our company now- our fabric lines, our blog, etc. "1986" represents the year my mom started her company "Farmyard Creations". That seems like a very long time ago, but I can remember spending my summers folding patterns and earning $5 per 1000. Seriously, a whole five dollars. My niece, Jordan, commands a much higher rate now.
Of course, we put the words on a label. Labels are a huge part of our business. And for those of you who know us, you know we put labels on everything:
So, if you would like to try our labels, we will personalize one for you so you can make a pillow similar to ours:
We used some of our favorite words,because we know they describe you or someone you love. We personalize it by putting a name(s) or word at the bottom of the design. On the sample, we have my sister's last name along with the names of her family members. You can have anything you wish printed on that line.
The pillow kit, including the label, fabric and pattern is available on our Etsy site. You can also purchase the label separately- it looks great framed.
Okay- here are our answers to the blog hop questions (because there are 3 of us, I made everyone have separate answers):
What is a little known fact about yourselves?
Lisa- My husband is a dairy farmer and I hate milk.
Susan- I know how to walk Indian style on my knees. It starts with this position (notice the nice brown grass):
Now up your knees:
Now just put one knee in front of the other:
I'm sure it would be better on video, but you get the idea. Now try it!
Karla- My first job wasn't too creative. I was 15 and cleaned cabins at a Colorado mountain resort. I made 50 cents an hour.
How do you relax?
Lisa- That's a tough one. I'm not one for sitting, but I do read a little bit before bed to help my mind shut off. My ultimate relaxation is taking a 90 minute walk. I rarely (never) get to do it anymore, but it sure relaxes my mind.
Susan- I take a very, very hot bath every night. I come out looking like a tomato.
Karla- I love reading blogs. Quilt blogs, decorating blogs, etc. I consider it market research.
What do you wear to bed?
Lisa- T-shirt and shorts. Every night. But it has to be a white t-shirt. Don't ask me why. Absolutely no flannel.
Susan- Plain, very old and raggy t-shirt and shorts.
Karla- T-shirt and pajama pants. I love flannel.
What kind of pillow do you like?
Lisa- I like whatever pillow is on my bed. I'm not too particular. However, I was at a hotel recently that had square down filled bed pillows. I really liked that- just the right size for my head. I looked for some and found them at West Elm. They were $24- and I would need 4 to spread across my bed, so I'll just stick with my old $10 Target one for now.
Susan- Kinda picky. I need 1 soft and 1 hard pillow. The hard one has to be on top of the soft one. Actually, I am really picky about my bedding. I have a problem with hotels. Not only do I bring my own pillow, I bring my own blankets. I will absolutely never touch the sheets, blankets, bedspread or pillows at any hotel. Even if it were the Four Season (where I have never stayed), I wouldn't touch it. I'm convinced there are cooties in all of that. I do use their towels, though. Go figure.
Karla- Soft. When I travel I would like to take my own if it would fit in my suitcase.
When you were young did you sleep with a stuffed animal?
Lisa- I did sleep with a doll. Her name was "Baby Beans". She was pink, kind of dirty and had really ratty hair.
Susan- I slept with 2 stuffed animals- Papa Smurf and Smurfette. Both looked a little ragged and grungy.
Karla- Nope.
Do you sew in bed? Read? Watch tv? Eat?
Lisa- I just read. Wish I could watch TV, but we don't have one in our bedroom.
Susan- No sewing, no reading (I can count the number of books I have read in my life on 2 fingers). No TV- we have a small TV in our bedroom that you would need a microscope to see. No eating. Just sleeping.
Karla- Only reading in bed. Usually magazines.
How many nights have you or your spouse spent on the couch?
Lisa- The only time I sleep on the couch is when my husband isn't home. I admit to being kind of scared at night when he isn't there, and for some reason I feel safer on the couch. I have no idea why. My silly mind just thinks that if someone were to break in and attack me, they wouldn't do it if I were on the couch.
Susan- I sleep many nights on the couch (by choice). If I can't fall asleep, I go directly to the couch and I am out like a light.
Karla- Not the whole night, but I fall asleep quite often watching TV on the couch.
Nighttime toddy?
Lisa- I do most of my work at night when my son finally goes to sleep- so I usually have a little snack, not a "toddy" though. I usually eat something I don't want him to have, like chocolate.
Susan- No toddy.
Karla- Would a McDonald's Coke count? McDonald's has the best Coke.
Early to bed or all-nighter?
Lisa- Oh I could stay up all night and not get tired. But mornings- I hate them!
Susan- Not early to bed, not an all-nighter. I'm a tweener.
Karla- Early to bed- but not like 7- more like 9:30.
Who would you most like to have a pillow fight with?
Lisa- Probably my sister. I need to get her back for torturing me when we were kids. She used to play a game of who could hit the hardest. She always won because I never hit her. Don't worry, she grew out of her mean stage. Now her son tortures me. I used to be able to wrestle him and let him win. Now the seven year old just takes me down.
Susan- My sister. I know I would win because she wouldn't fight back.
Karla- Lisa and Susan. It's generally two against one in all our decisions. And I'm always the one.
Now for the best part. Of course we are going to give something away! My sister said the other day she was tired of talking about Sunkissed on our blog. Well, too bad for her. Our next fabric line isn't here yet, so this is what we have. If you aren't too tired of trying to win some Sunkissed, leave us a comment telling us what colors you would like included in our next collection to. Well, technically it's not our next collection, because we hope to show you that in the next few weeks. But the collection we haven't designed yet. Not making any promises, but we do listen!
The winner will win an entire collection of fat eights (from Sunkissed of course!).
We will announce the winner on Monday- right after the Moda Pillow Talk blog hop concludes. Don't forget to visit Deb Strain's blog next. She could possibly be the sweetest woman on the face of the earth!
*OOPS! We screwed up. Tomorrow is Barbara Brackman and Deb is on Friday. Sorry!
sooooooo much fabric in the universe but this is UNIQUE and
I don't have another breath until I have some! Brighten my world.
Posted by: Louise Jones | Monday, February 11, 2013 at 08:28 PM
I like a softer green with lavender, cream and maybe some citrus-y color like orange sherbet, peach or even pink. I love what you three are doing, you have awesome creative ideas. Your fabric collections are the bomb. I can just stare at your blog pictures all day. I would like one of everything you have made please :)
Posted by: Kathleen O'Grady | Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 08:57 AM
I love sunkissed. I ordered a jelly roll from the UK (the only place I could find one.). It took 6 weeks to come!!! I can't wait to cut into it. I like color - all of them. I look forward to seeing what you guys will come up with!!
Posted by: Gwen Taylor | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:41 PM
I would love a chance to win some of your fabulous fabric! I have a pink kink in my think, in other words only pink for me! Thanks, love what you ladies are doing!
Posted by: Trisha Weekes | Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Hello!I always motivated by you, your views and way of thinking......
Again, THNAKS FOR THIS NISE POST!!!
Posted by: Nike Shox Cheap | Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 09:47 PM
Cherry red, raspberry, aqua and a bit of pinkness would be fabulous.
Posted by: Kerry | Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 03:28 AM
I don't know what to suggest, your other lines have been so gorgeous. Maybe something purple and gray or yellow and gray. (Am I too late for the drawing? I hope not.)
Posted by: Shannon | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Wow! You all remind me of my mom and sisters. Makes me miss them bunches. And who could get sick of sunkissed?!? Its my new favorite line in the fabric world. Anyhow I'm in love with orange and aqua.
Posted by: Amy | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM
The Pinks, of course as I am a pink girl, but not too girly. Having raised two boys pink was not often seen in my house and now that they are on their own I am bringing pink back into my life.
I love that you are from Colorado, spent my middle school through college years there and if we ever leave Alaska, Colorado is where I plan to return to.
Love your blog, it is fun and cheerful, just like your fabrics in your Sunkissed line.
Posted by: Wanda | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:56 AM
WOW 857 responses...so that makes me 858 (if my post makes it next) well for your next line, I'd love to see some tourquise, lilac, yellow, green...ummm makes me feel happy!!! Whatever you pick I know it's going to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Cheryl | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:22 AM
I LOVE Sunkissed, you can talk about it as much as you like LOL! I have enjoyed your previous ranges (I have a kit with Authentic fabrics to make up), but Sunkissed is my favourite. Bright and clear pink and green are my ultimate colours, so I'm not sure what I can suggest for a future range. More of the same?? Or maybe something citrussy, bright orange, yellow and lime green. Yum!
Posted by: Alison | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:21 AM
I love blue the most and with a silver/grey.
It is going to be authum/ winter with this line.
Good luck with it.
Greetingsd from Holland,
Marga♥
Posted by: Marga♥ | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 08:21 AM
I'd love to see some lime, strawberry or cherry red and cheddar, and of course also text fabrics in these colors
Posted by: Lil | Monday, February 21, 2011 at 05:50 AM
LOVE your fabric. It goes perfect with my little 8 month old baby's room. Making a wall quilt for her room would be wonderful.
Posted by: Melissa | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 09:31 PM
I love Sweetwater's fabric lines - the colorways are soft, cozy, and comfortable looking. I'd like to see either a black & white with hot pink and lime or something Americana. Love your pillow and, of course, fat eights of Sunkissed would be absolutely wonderful.
Posted by: Janet Holland | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 09:00 PM
I'm a big fan right now of the red, auqa, gold and apple green. As for the Sunkissed line - loved it then, still love it. Just so cheery in these brown days of Colorado winter.
Posted by: Lori S. | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Blues, greens, shades of grey and some creamy pale yellow, mostly tinted colors.
Posted by: Susan | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 06:10 PM
I would love to see reds, greens, blues, yellows.
The pillow is so you (guys) and I enjoyed reading your answers to the questions. :-)
Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 04:39 PM
I'd love some Sunkissed! I'm into bluesy-greens right now and a medium blue-gray. I'd love to see those in the next collection you design.
Thanks!
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Love the sunkissed fabrics! What a great pillow :)
Posted by: Michele | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 02:36 PM
such beatiful fabrics, nice blog site.
I like your blog it is easy t read. the pillow hoph has had some blogs taht are WAAAY TOOO techy.
Posted by: bea | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 02:09 PM
I would like to see blues, browns, tans, and greens. I love what you guys already have. Hope to win! :D
Posted by: Demoated | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Pinks ( I love them!!) and sky blues! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Posted by: Whitney Moss | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Reds, greens, blues, yellows and of course lots of words! Love all your lines, and love this pillow!
Posted by: Mary Lou | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 09:30 AM
Hope I'm not to late to play...but I would love to see my fellow Colorado gals use some colors from our wonderful CO landscape: CO blue spruce-blue/green, Ponderosa pine green, and of course this time of year on the plains-a warm straw/brown! Love Sunkissed, can't wait to see your new collection.
Posted by: Jane | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 06:44 AM
Love your new fabrics! I think a new collection with shades of the sunset would be great, you could even call the line "Sunset". Colors like coral, oranges, pinks with turquoise blue, sunset blue, sky blue, possibilities!!!!
Thanks for the chane to win some sunkissed!
Posted by: Janan | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 06:44 AM
I love yellow....and brights....purple, turquoise, hot pink, periwinkle....oh what the heck! I love color. Sunkissed is a wonderful collection! Thanks!
Posted by: Monica | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 05:36 AM
What about lavender colour.
I think everything on earth tone is very much sounds like sweetwater. I love fabrics with letters so please do not miss that :)
Posted by: Suzy | Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 12:54 AM
I am loving orange, pink, blue, and green. I have visions for those :)
Posted by: Carli | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Green but a new cooler version. Like you do. I would love to win. So I can stop buying it(:
Posted by: Lisa Arndt | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 10:44 PM
I would love pinks and browns!
Posted by: Tricia | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 08:50 PM
836 comments so far, wow. I like reds and creams, but that sun kissed is drool worthy for sure.
Posted by: Diana | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Next colors...maybe some yellows and blues with a little eggshell color and of course lots of words and type. :) Your fabric lines are so unique and beautiful! I too would love to win some sunkissed. My daughter is thinking about doing her baby's room accessories in the sunkissed line. :)
Posted by: Chris | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 07:18 PM
I'd love to see more of that honeysuckle pink from the Sunkissed line! I can't get enough of it (maybe because this has been SUCH a long winter?). Can't wait to see what's next - and thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Shannon | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 07:04 PM
I'd love some nice bright red, maybe bright green and grey. :)
Posted by: Melanie | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Will just try to keep getting a win under my belt hopefully 832 is my lucky number love the pillows, labels keep up the great work love it. Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Forward | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 05:32 PM
I love the sun kissed colors. The pillow is so "you". I love the clean graphic look that your quilts have...just my style!!!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 05:29 PM
I love this line, and for your next collection I would like to see you do something that could be coordinated with the scraps from this line. Your sunkissed collection is such a soothing collection.
Posted by: Perry | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 05:20 PM
On my gosh.,..love the fabric. I hope I get picked. I want a word pillow...thinking thinking want to create...Ellen
Posted by: Ellen Perry | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 04:28 PM
I would like to see some purples and grays. Looking forward to seeing your next line of fabrics, if its the new Xmas line, I saw a bit of it on another blog and it looks great!
Posted by: Valerie | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 04:17 PM
My favorite colors are bright they make me feel happy. I love fabrics that have several different colors on them also. I like when you look at something and at first you don't think it goes together but as it grows on you, you come to love it!
Posted by: Tammra Neese | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Blues...yellows...creams....
Posted by: Gail | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 02:12 PM
I love those soft colors and think the name "sunkissed" really suits them. This blog hop has been so much fun and all of you sound like you have so much fun working together. Could anything be better than being able to work with people you love and for the work to be creative and fun!
Gail :)
Posted by: Gail | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 01:26 PM
I love soft colors. Or Fall colors. But I like summer colors, too. Actually, I like it all!
There are so many creative things to make and do with all sorts of different colors!
Posted by: Mary | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 12:42 PM
I love the yellows and grays. For you next line I would love to see a all boy line. I know you just did some browns and blues but I am looking for all boy - no flowers. I have such a hard time finding boy stuff. Greens, blue, brown, red.
Posted by: Joy | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Bright orange, purple, aquas, blue, fusia. Love love your fabric designs and also love your labels. I'm in your label club and so enjoy my new labels and project sheet each month.
Posted by: Cindy | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 06:51 AM
Love Sunkissed~ would like to see some grays, aquas, browns, and corals.
Posted by: Jan | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 04:08 AM
At the moment I am loving grey & natural linen tones.
Posted by: Kym | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 03:14 AM
I have loved all of your color combos and they have been a pleasure to work with! I love grey so I would definitely love to see what you would do with grey and maybe a deep purple...and maybe a yellow thrown in there too:)
Posted by: Ally | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 10:05 PM
I would like to see some purples, aquas and greens (like the colors of the ocean)
Posted by: Judy S | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 09:35 PM