We're leaving tonight for Houston. Getting in late but that's okay because all the action starts tomorrow anyway. I'll be tweeting from the Schoolhouse series so don't go too far. I'll also have lots of posts next week (all week long) and I'll be sharing my swag (stuff we all get) with you.
In the meantime, here are some things you can do while half of your favorite sewing bloggers are away from their computers. First of all...paint! Yay for spray paint! I saw this orange color and grabbed two cans even though I had no idea what I would do with them. I put Joey to work spraying a (previously green) shelf for me.
The last of the summer's sunflowers.
This shelf was pale pink a few days ago. Not any more! Guess what time I took this picture.
Read or start a blog! I recently got two great books that are not only beautiful to look at but just stuffed with oodles of inspiring ideas. The Home Sewn book by Kaari Meng of French General is beautiful and has 30 projects. I'm getting her Rouenneries fabric in the store sometime this month and you can run over there and take a sneak peek and start making some plans because it is truly special fabric (some amazing linen blends). I'll let you know when it arrives!
And the Blogging For Bliss book is a wonderful resource loaded with pretty pictures and lots of advice from many of our favorite bloggers. I think it actually sold out recently but will be re-stocked at Amazon soon. If you are considering starting a craft/sewing blog then this book is a must have. Tara Frey covers everything in this book.
And here are some great magazines I picked up recently. Where Women Create is full of beautiful studios by creative women. I loved the article on Angela Cartwright (previously famous for....? C'mon!). Quilting Ideas seemed a little spendy (12.99) until I opened it up and saw all the patterns and tutorials (including a fab bag by Monica and sweet skirts by Tanya) and realized it was quite a bargain at that price! And then I had to have Sew Beautiful because.....
I made these outfits! I got an email from my bloggy friend Sivje telling me these were in print and it took a week of searching before I finally found the magazine. Last year I made the little bubble dress and boy's playsuit for Liesl and this fabric was such a joy to work with. The dress is made with Liberty fabric and I looked everywhere for this print so I could make myself a blouse but it is nowhere to be found. The playsuit is brown wool with a small Liberty trim. Nice.
I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed with the changes Sew Beautiful magazine has made. I used to subscribe but when I stopped smocking all the time I eventually let it lapse. Well now it's still got smocking stuff but it's also full of great (non-smocked) kids clothes (and grown ups!), patterns, aprons, etc. It's really worth checking out again!
And if you get bored after doing all those things you can join the great give-away over at Park City Girl. Here Blogger's Quilt Festival starts Friday so be sure to join! And if you want to see something beautiful you can run over to Puddin Pop and visit Tonya's new baby (yay for babies!!). Or you can check out Mona's new blog (yay for new blogs!).
And don't forget...you can also shop! I have tons of new mark downs in the store (Laura Gunn, Bari J, Joel Dewberry, Amy B, and more!). I'll be back in a few days! Keep on sewing!
