Fresh Figs

A Flurry of Activity

Well we have certainly entered into that time again around here.... the next round of patterns are well on their way and we are finalizing swatches for the next fabric collection. Given that I am still designing patterns with one collection while starting to dream of swatches and yardage of the next one coming in soon...  this is kind of a strange time for me. I end up feeling a bit schizophrenic as my husband lovingly refers to my general state, being pulled in many different directions at once, each one just as interesting as the next. So many colors, patterns & designs swimming around in my head that it really does feel like there are several of me in there!

Just to add to the fabric mix around these parts, I have been finishing up the next Fresh Vintage issue and sending it off to the printer. And even though this is issue #11 [can you believe that?] I am still somehow amazed at how long it takes to edit the entire thing, clean up & crop the pictures, write the copy, edit the directions, add the decorative elements... etc, etc... You know that they say that doing the same action over and over again and expecting a different result is a sure sign of insanity.... well, if the shoe fits I tell you!

Here are a few sneak peaks of the extra project in this issue. I have been using the two of them interchangeably with great joy as I never had a proper laptop bag before this and was always shoving my beloved Macbook here and there and wherever I could fit it. But that became somewhat more of a problem a few months ago when we upgraded to the new 13".  Now I am not complaining by any means, but finding a good bag or briefcase to fit my new friend became increasingly difficult and thus the new Patchwork & Mosaic Laptop Carry-All Bags were born. Super simple envelope type construction that can be easily finished on a weekend afternoon. In fact aside from the quilting done by my fabulous quilter friend Diana, I made both bags in one day. Full instructions for both will be in the upcoming Fresh Vintage issue.

If you are on the auto ship, your issue will ship the first week in March. If you want info on subscribing, feel free to email us at freshvintage@figtreequilts.com  anytime.

Patchwork Bag

Mosaic Bag

Front of the Mosaic version....

Happy Valentine's Day

We are up in the mountains today sharing a family Valentine's adventure. Perhaps not what I would have chosen on a romantic level, but a wonderful choice nonetheless. 

We woke up this morning to it snowing outside our window, our car covered in about a foot of snow and a winter wonderland all around us, the likes of which my California born and bred children had never seen! In retrospect, I am not sure I could have thought up a more romantic Valentine and certainly one that will stay in our family memory.

Just noticed that in one of my favorite places, Emily was reminding people that she had these beautiful little paintings to share for folks to download and use as they wished!  I love her art and find it so inspiring and soulful... thought you might enjoy a peek if you don't already know her....

Happy Valentine's Day!

Talk to you soon.

Where Women Create

I don't know how many of you have already discovered this wonderful new publication but I thought I would share it just in case you hadn't. It is a collaboration between Stampington [ of the beautiful Somerset series of scrapbooking bookazines...] and Jo Packham, author of the classic  book Where Women Create, a long time staple on many of our bookshelves I am sure.

I first read Where Women Create, the book, when I was just starting out in business  and I can still remember the profound impact the book had on my desire to pursue my dream, to hone my vision and to generally be inspired by the women portrayed in the book. Today, many years later, its well used pages are still on my actual bookshelf as well as on my blog bookshelf below. It is still a book that I go back to for inspiration again and again.

I first met Jo a few years ago at one of the Quilt Markets when this wonderful magazine was still in the initial stages and I remember thinking that this newest Stampington brain child was sheer genius!
I mean who of us creative types doesn't want to see the design spaces of those who inspire us with their creativity and their art?
After giving us such beauties as Somerset Studio, Somerset Life, Sew Somerset, Artful Blogging.... just to name a few, I had no doubt that this newest venture would be enchanting!  And of course, it has not disappointed...

A few of my favorites from the first issue are here below..
 
Kaari, my new friend and fellow MODA fabric designer- your studio is just as I remember it when we came to visit on our little Hollywood adventure....

And from the Second Issue [available now]....

If you haven't already subscribed, then I highly recommend that
you do here...

Talk to you soon.

The Pastry Shoppe.... round two

For those of you who enjoy more of the pastel side of things The Pastry Shoppe patterns are also done in the newest 3 Sisters collection, Aviary. Aviary is a soft pastel grouping with soft pinks, baby blues, meadow greens, all on a soft white background. These are not usually the tones that I work with personally but I thought they made a good grouping to show the versatility of these Turnover™ patterns in the booklet.

Here are a few of the options...

Sweet Pasteles...

Taffy Treats...

Cream Swirls...

Custard Turnovers...

 

Don't you just want to run to your nearest bakery. I know that is where you will find me this Monday morning.

Talk to you soon.