Sewing Contest Winners!

Thank you to all who entered the Fall 2009 Sewing Contest! I had a ton of entries to sort though and it wasn't easy choosing three winners! Here are my three picks! You will pick up your choice of two of my PDF sewing patterns!

I posted all the entries to my Flickr Pool, so stop by and take a peek at all the gorgeous creations!

A pretty Carson Shirt made for Pia by her mom, AJ.

Two super, extra cute dresses by Dianna Suarez (Caroline & Kyla Patterns).

Tiffany paired the reversible Kyla Pattern with cute ruffle pants for a "Posh" look!

Welcome Maisie!

Ruffles, bows, and a sweet little apron - what more could a little girl want?! The new Maisie Skirt and Apron Sewing Pattern is super simple and has oodles of possibilities. The apron is totally removable, too, and the skirt is precious on its own.

It is available now in my Etsy shop or on my website. Enjoy!

I also should mention that if you have not yet submitted your Frog Legs and Ponytails sewing creation to me for Round #2 of the Sewing Contest - the deadline is 10/31 so you have a few days left. View the details in my Etsy Shop Announcement. Thanks!

Just Can't Resist!

October is the month when the International Quilt Market and Festival takes place in Houston. I sold fabric for a couple years on Etsy, but never got the chance to get to the market. I am dying to go there someday! There are displays by fabric and pattern designers that are to die for and giveaways galore! Next spring, the Festival takes place in Chicago and I WILL BE THERE! That is a little closer to home than Houston. Although I would love to be in the warmth and sunshine right now, as I am sitting at my window looking at what appears to be some pretty nasty looking rain coming my way. Did I mention that it is currently 53 degrees? Ug. So long summer (or the so called summer we never had).

Even though the weather stinks, I am excited about something else;) Have you seen the new fabrics by Sandi Henderson, Amy Butler, and Patty Young? I have been scrutinizing their blogs and websites all week waiting to catch a glimpse of their new releases for fall. My husband came home from work this afternoon to find me pouring over print outs of the new fabrics - trying to exercise some restraint when it comes to ordering and planning for my new designs. He pleaded with me to just order what I will use from another retailer and not to buy the bolts for resale anymore (after many long nights of cutting, cutting, cutting and swearing that I'll never sell fabric again!). Well, I'm happy to report that I just got off the phone with Terri at Michael Miller and I am now on the books for the November shipment of Meadowsweet from Sandi Henderson (30 prints). I will be selling off a good portion of what I purchase, so if you are looking for some Meadowsweet - email me and I will set some aside.

With that said, I do have some kick butt sales going on in my fabric shop right now. Visit me at ruralfabric.com for prices as low as $5.50 on some designer fabrics by Amy Butler and Heather Bailey. Must make room for the newbies;)

Alex Lined Vest for Girls and Boys!

Some of you might have already caught a sneak peek of the Alex Lined Vest on my website! Here are a couple more pics of some really adorable (and cozy) vests I have whipped up this week as examples. I am really close (promise!) to releasing it, just in time for the arrival of cooler weather. It is so versatile. Works for boys (finally a boy pattern, yay!) and girls. Make it with spa fleece, faux fur, or any other warm and fuzzy lining. So cute!
Works for boys.......
Sweet?
Sassy!

Caroline for Fall

Don't let cool weather keep you from creating with your Caroline Dress Pattern! Layer with a shirt and a pair of jeans or tights and Caroline will take you right through the fall and winter seasons and right back into spring! Enjoy;)

Pumpkin Heads

I mentioned a few months ago that our gardening this year was a bust, due to monsoon like conditions (and lack of ambition)...

However, it seems that the pumpkins and the tomatoes
thrived on a complete and total lack of care!

Gotta love a girl who gardens in her sparkle shoes!

Any suggestions on what to do with 500 pounds of pumpkin would be greatly appreciated! Although I did get some great ideas from a cute Halloween magazine I perused tonight when I was standing in the Wal-mart checkout line (eww - it was unavoidable today).

Canada

I just looked back to my last blog and it was July 31st! I can't believe how time eludes me. I was lucky to spend a better part of August vacationing in Canada with my family. We had internet access, so I was able to get my pattern orders out and respond to emails. However, I didn't spend much time blogging or surfing the net since most of my work was done while sitting in our boat docked at the neighboring fishing camp while mosquitoes invaded me and my computer screen. My mother-in-law had an internet card which was supposed to work on our island - but do you think it would work? Of course not, that would have been much to convenient! But I can't complain, it was only a few years ago that we had power put in the cabin. Before that was gas lamps - which was nostalgic and pretty cool in it's own right.


It is one of the most beautiful places on earth - at least in my minds eye - and holds a million wonderful memories for me. I started going on fishing trips to Canada with my dad when I was about 12 and didn't miss a year until many years later when I was 7 months pregnant with my first child. My husbands family owns a cabin there (not the only reason I married him, but it sure ranks right up there;) and we have been fortunate to visit each year with kids and extended family in tow.


I think I finally have the house back in order and I'm ready to start pumping out my fall and winter patterns. If I'm lucky, I might even get one finished tomorrow;) So visit again soon and have a great day!