makelifesweet

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!

I knew that would happen.

Running out of those kits.  I knew we would.  Unfortunately, we don't have any more of that multi-colored canvas, and Moda is out of it, too.  But we do have some good news!  We have some of that canvas in grey! We don't have time to actually make a bag out of it, but we can cut some kits.  Here is the fabric that is in the grey kit:

The outside is the numbers, the red is the lining, and the grey floral is the ruffle.  I think this may be my favorite color combination- I'm a sucker for grey.  

We also ran out of the navy kit, but we found enough fabric for 2 more kits (maybe, they might be gone before I get this posted).  Find all the kits in our shop now.

On to something new.  Well, not completely new.  We have had this Easter basket for a couple of years, but now we made it in our Reunion fabric.

Both the yellow and green kits are available now in our shop.

Now for some really big news.  We had so much response from my mom's wood sign yesterday, that because we are absolutely, positively 100% crazy, we are going to sell them.  I'm not quite sure actually just typed that, but I did.  We are selling them.  For the next 7 days only.  We will take orders for 7 days and then make them.  Oh that's going to be a fun day.  But I'm definiately making one for myself.  Just keep in mind, when the 7 days are up (as in next Thursday), we won't be taking any more orders for these. They are definitely limited edition.  Also keep in mind if you order one, it will take a couple of weeks to receive it.  All the ordering details are here.   

Finally, I wasn't too happy with the photo I posted yesterday of our March Label Crew project.  So, as luck would have it, my niece was here today and was glad to model it.  It looks much better.  I should have Photoshoped in some green grass, but oh well.

Have a great Wednesday!

Oops...

Today was supposed to be a big posting day- we actually have quite a few things to show you.  I had it all planned- we need to show you our Label Crew project for March, plus we have a few things ready for Easter.  Ya, I know.  Easter.  But..........I got to work and forgot my camera.  Oops.  Double oops.  And it's not like I can just go get it- it is a good 80 miles.  So, I blew it.  It will have to wait till next week.  

So now I'm just scanning my computer looking for something to post about and I've got nothing. Nada.  Zilch.  Nothing.  Because you really can't blog without a photo.  So, I'll leave you with a personal picture.  We haven't shown the kids lately- all I have is a photo taken of Cash the other day.  Hope you have a great weekend.

What's coming next...

As always, we have more ideas than time.  So we thought we would give you a teeny tiny peek into a few things.

First, we have two fabric collections being released in the coming months.  Yep, two.  And they couldn't be more different.  Here's the story.  (You might have to read this section twice or three times to get it.  I'm not sure I can explain it clearly, but here goes):

Fabric collection "A" is now being shown to stores.  We would usually have our actual fabric samples to show you by now, but not this time.  We have to wait until April to get any of the fabric.  However, the fabric will be shipped to stores in May.  If you follow our blog, we usually show you our newest fabric collections about six months in advance of shipping to stores.  This time it will only be one month.  Which is good and bad.  If you really like it, you won't have to wait long before you can actually have some.  On the other hand, it only gives us a few weeks to make the quilts that go with the collection (and all that goes with that- quilting, photography, instructions, covers, etc).  So, good for you, not so great for us. 

On to collection "B".  This collection will be shown to stores in April (I'm about 95% sure that is correct).  But, for this collection, we will have our fabric samples at the regular time- 6 months before shipping.  It should ship in September.  If you are following along (and I'm about 95% sure nobody is), that means we will show you the fabric in March- in just a few short weeks.

So, to summarize, we will be showing you fabric "B" before fabric "A", but fabric "B" won't be available until September, and fabric "A" will be available in May.  Got it?  Right now you are probably thinking to yourself "who cares".  I wouldn't blame you.

Now for the part someone may be interested in.  We are dying to show you fabric "A".  We do have some digital images, but they just don't do it justice.  They look so much better in fabric.  But I will give you a few bits of information.  Like the name of the collection.  Lucy's Crab Shack.  Now I know you're saying, "what?".  Here's another bit of information.  It's a kid's line.  Not so much a baby line (although it would be adorable for a baby), but a kid's line for all ages.  Think happy, fun colors.  Think summer at the beach (and I could use a little of that right now).   And even though "Lucy" is used in the name, it's not just a girls line. We've got the boys covered, too.   

As for fabric "B", we will just wait a few weeks to show you that.  I will tell you that it is the exact opposite of Lucy's, but I love it just as much.

Oh, and we are right smack dab in the middle of working on another collection for next year.  Next year as in a whole year from now.  But no hints. You never know, we might change our minds on themes, colors, and designs before we submit it, so we better just leave it at that.  

On to the next thing.  Because Reunion is now shipping to stores, we are releasing the charms that coordinate.  We can show you those.

We chose a few of our favorite prints from the Reunion collection.  Here is my personal favorite- the bunting print paired with a mini check charm:

The Dates:

More of the bunting:

Daisies:

Mini Checks:

The X's:

And a variety strung together:

 

They are available in our Etsy shop now.

Moving on, we are planning something I totally love starting in April (or May or June- just depends on a lot of things).  Again, we can't let out all the details, but it is a monthly club!  We will still have our Label Crew, but this will be something completely different.  Check back in the coming weeks for details.  

One more thing- we will have a completely new product category in our Etsy shop soon.  Different from our canvas prints, labels, charms or patterns.  Something completely new!

Sorry we can't show you any of these.  Just wanted to let you know what we were working on and what to expect in the next few months.   I'm sure I forgot something, but if I did, it will just have to wait.  Have a great Wednesday!

 

 

One More

One more Valentine Kit!  Who doesn't need a reusable gift bag- you don't have to wrap and you don't have to find something cute at Target and then get the tissue paper to match (which I always forget to do- I get home and no tissue paper).  This kit includes 4 burlap bags with the fabric and labels:

They are available in our shop now.

About yesterday- thank you so much for the support.  I've calmed down- but thank you so much for your comments.  I'm having a better day- hope you are having a good one too!

Some Good Some Bad

Just a few things today.  Two very good things.  One not so much.  We will start with the not so good.  

We generally (like always) use our blog for positive subjects.  Today, I'm venting.  Just for a little bit and then I'll be over it.  Here's what happened:  Last night I had the sudden urge to see what was happening in the scrapbooking industry.  The CHA convention is held every year around this time, and because we used to be in scrapbooking we had a booth at the show for 8 or 9 years.  I sometimes miss it, especially at CHA time. So I was just interested in what was going on.   Which led me to several scrapbooking sites.  When I opened one page, I couldn't believe what I saw.  Our fabric!  This one:

From our Authentic collection.  Designed by us in 2008 and in stores in 2009.  Only it wasn't fabric.  It was paper.  And it didn't have our name on it.  It had another company's name on it (which I had never heard of).  And it was being sold.  For money.  By someone else.  To be fair, the "designer" added the word "enduring" to our design.  I guess that was his/her insurance that they weren't copying.  If you are interested, you can find the image of the paper design here.

I don't get outrageously mad very often.  But this was one of those times.  Here's the thing.  I totally understand that we are all influenced by what we see.  I am.  In designing, I'm influenced by magazine covers, store windows, a font on a billboard, a word in a book, lots of things.  I'm also influenced by other designers.  It is impossible not to be.  There are things I love and things I don't.  But...it can only go so far. It is totally unethical, not to mention illegal to copy someone else's work and claim it as your own.  For goodness sakes if you are going to copy, change the words.  Or the fonts.  The style it was put together. The color.  Seriously.     

I also get that there isn't a copyright on words.  Or numbers. Or stripes, dots, plaids, whatever.  But this is ridiculous.  I know there will be people thinking "why is she making such a big deal about one paper design?".  There are about a bazillion patterned paper designs out there.  This one isn't going to make any difference.  I get that.  But I also know we spend hours upon hours trying to come up with unique collections that represent our style.  It's just the principle of it.  Ok, I'm done.  Here anyway.  I will contact that company, give them my view on it and it will be over.   Thanks for letting me vent.  

Now, on a lighter note, we are so excited to be a guest blogger today over at A Little Bit Biased (Amber at GiGi's Thimble).  Actually, Susan was the guest blogger.  She is extra excited today that Amber gave her the friendliest designer award.  She let us know about it first thing this morning.  Anyway, Amber is totally sweet herself.  Check out her blog, and a few photos of our studio here. 

The last good thing is that we have a winner of our latest contest.  Congratulations to Karen, who wrote:

Always love the charms ladies, soooo cute!

Just e-mail us at [email protected] and we will get a charm in the mail to you.

Oh, one more good thing.  Mom is working on yet another Valentine project.  Thought we were done with Countdown to Kisses, but I guess not.  We will show you later this week!

Day #5

Day #4 of our "Coundown to Kisses" event features a zippered pouch- a great idea to package a sweet gift for your Valentine (think makeup, jewelry, perfume, candy).  

We slipped one of our charms on the zipper for fun.  Those are sold separately.

You can find the kits on our Etsy site.  Each kit will include enough fabric to complete 3 pouches.

And yes, my heart is broken. That's what happens when you are a sports fan.  The good think about it is that I'm used to it.  Totally used to it.  I still love you Broncos.  September is only a few months away.   

Day #4

Happy Friday!  Today's product for our "Countdown to Kisses" features 6 new Valentine Charms (including some personalized monogram designs):

You can find them here

And just one more thing.

Go Broncos.  That's all I'm going to say.  Promise.  See you next week.

Countdown to.....Kisses!

It seems as we just wrapped up our annual "12 Days of Christmas" event and whoa!  February is only a few weeks away.  I love Valentine's Day.  My husband totally spoils me with roses, candy and dinner out. Not really.  Not even close. Not that I'm complaining. He's one of those that claims "everyday is Valentine's Day with me".  Which is usually about 99 percent true.  We did celebrate Valentine's Day one year- he gave me flowers and took me out.  That was the first year we were dating.  Long time ago.  Anyway------

The biggest reason I love Valentine's Day is that I have hope.  Hope that winter is going to be over soon.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Even if it is a very cold tunnel.  Last week I was at the mall and got excited about all the red and white in the stores (like Crate and Barrel and Williams Sonoma).  I love red and white.  Not Christmas red and white (although I love that, too).  But happy, fresh,  almost spring-like red and white.  Which brings me to our 2012 edition of

We used to call it "Hugs & Kisses", but I thought "Countdown to Kisses" was even cuter, so I changed it.  Didn't tell my mom or sister.  I just made the decision.  They will find out when they read this, which may or may not go so well for me.  

We will have a new project every day for the next um.... I really don't know how many days we will have this.  We have quite a few projects completed, but you never know when someone will come up with another idea.   So, for the better part of the next couple of weeks, we will have Valentine projects with the kit available on our Etsy site.

Our first is a take-off on our best selling item from Countdown to Christmas.  Here is our Valentine edition of our framed name label.

I love it framed, but I also think it would be super cute on a pillow or towel.  You can also have it personalized with a first name instead of the last name that is pictured.   The label is 4" x 5" and is packaged with the grey fabric that will fit a 5" x 7" frame opening.  

Come back tomorrow for a new project.  Right now I have to go- my husband is taking me out for dinner.  It really is Valentine's Day everyday with him.  Just not on February 14!

Back To Normal

At long last, I think we are officially back to work.  We had a great Christmas and we hope everyone's holiday was as much fun as ours.  First, a few things about Christmas.  As far as presents go, the theme was definitely "1001 ways to get on the internet".  Or I could name it "1001 ways for 3 kids and 6 adults to find a way to play Angry Birds".   From the iphone, to the ipod touch, to the Kindle Fire to a Droid phone to...etc, etc, etc.  I think we are teched (I know that is definitely not a word) out.  Which brings me to my treasure that my mom gave me.  Nothing technical at all.  She bought an old, beat-up rocking chair at some type of flea market and turned it into this:

I wish I had a "before" picture to show you the transformation.  A few months ago, I stashed away some of our Hometown grey dot canvas for myself.  I didn't know what I wanted to do with it, but this definitely works.  And I love the pillows- especially the circle one!

The kids also received some non-electronic items.  I pulled them away from their various devices today just long enough to start decorating a cardboard playhouse that Santa brought Cash:

I think they actually had more fun coloring and creating than they did playing a video game- just don't tell them that!

So back to the work stuff.  Before Christmas, we made our club project for January, but are just getting around to blogging about it.  I know what you are thinking.  Valentines Day.  Christmas was only 2 days ago.  But if we sent you this in February, you wouldn't have time to get it done.  So Valentine's Day is the theme for the January Label Crew!

Also, for all of you asking about our new Reunion patterns, we will have them on our Etsy site next week.

Have a great day!