Introducing FARMHOUSE II

Hello my Quilting Friends!

We are slowly digging ourselves out from Quilt Market and I have so many different things to share with you but I thought it was high time that I introduced everyone to our brand new upcoming collection, FARMHOUSE II.

Due to the popularity of our first Farmhouse collection [to be completely honest, it might have been one of my all time favorite fabric collections that I have ever designed] several years ago, I thought it was time to do a "take two" with new prints and the same classic color palette that we all fell in love with the first time around. I still get emails today of people who share with me that Farmhouse was one of their all time favorites or the reason they got back into quitting. I love to hear those kinds of stories. 

There is something about this palette that just makes my heart sing. Don't you think?

Now as most of you know, I am a total farm girl at heart. To be totally honest, I am not actually a farm girl... but I dream of being one one day! I dream of a small white farmhouse with a red or yellow door in a small town with a huge meadow behind it. I think a barn filled quilts for retreats might be there too. I see chickens and a couple goats maybe... and maybe even a horse.

... photos taken on a country road north of us in Sonoma. Maybe one day we will live there!

But for now, we live in a small urban town in the San Francisco Bay Area and the closest I am going to come to being a farm girl... is chickens. Yup, I'm all about our chickens right now. We got them in February and by July, if all goes well, we will have eggs!!! We have loved getting to know them. There are five- Hazel, Chipmunk, Oreo, Nugget and Butterscotch. More on the names later... each one has a story :-).  

 

 

Okay... back to the fabric :-). Introducing FARMHOUSE II.

 

 

 

 

 

More goodies tomorrow... I promise!

 

Happy Sewing,

Joanna

 

Fig Tree DESIGNER SELECT SOLID BUNDLE… brought to you by MODA!

If you are new here today, welcome to my little corner of the world wide web! 

I know I have already talked just a wee bit about these this summer but today is a special day in blogland. It is MODA BELLA SOLIDS DAY! If you float around a little today, you might notice that several of us designers are talking about our bundle… all of them are quite yummy, each representing the colors in that designer's signature palette.

Ours is…. well, classic Fig Tree. Not pastel. Not primary. Not totally bright, not totally soft. Somewhere in-between. "Fresh Vintage" is how we have always called it. But this bundle can be best described as plain SHERBET… there is no two ways around it. SHERBETS all of them!

Our BELLA SOLID colors include the following: ivory, butterscotch, cantaloupe, coral, persimmon, light lime, chartreuse, mint, green apple, parchment, fig tree wheat and faded black.

MODA offers them DESIGNER SELECT SOLIDS BUDNLES in these yummy little stacks of fat quarters available at quilt shops worldwide and we also offer them in 1/2 yds. on our site HERE. 

When it came time to make some quilts with the bundles… well, we went a bit SHERBET crazy and created an entire book full of them. I guess I'm not nothing if not a bit obsessive… wait, did I say that out loud?

 

Introducing the SHERBETS & CREAMS book.

The book celebrates these lovely little sherbet bundles and all that you can create with them. It has 5 quilts that are all made with the FIG TREE SELECT BUNDLES and a variety of cream/low volume prints for the backgrounds. Each quilt uses either 1-2 of the fat quarter bundles or a single 1/2 yard version bundle, a variety of cream prints [we have cream print bundles too] and sometimes a bit extra of some of the solids for borders, etc. Each pattern in the book specifies exactly what you will need for each one, each one is a bit different.

 

 

Here are the quilts in the SHERBETS & CREAMS book. Click HERE for more info…

SLICES

 

 

  

 

POPSICLES

 

 

 

 

 

RIBBONS

 

 

 

...If you scroll back in the blog, you will find that we recently had a quilt along for this RIBBONS quilt. Feel free to jump in even now!

 

JELLO SQUARES

 

RETRO

Personally, I am loving every single one of these for the summer. Next up on my personal list… Jelly Squares!

Hope you enjoy a little FIG TREE SHERBET goodness this summer along with me!

Comment and let us know which one of the 5 quilts in the book is your favorite and you will be entered to win a SHERBET BUNDLE GIVEAWAY courtesy of the lovely folks at MODA.

Thanks for following and playing along!

Sherbet & Cream Quilt Along #5

Did you all think I had forgotten you? So sorry for the long break. Between now and when we were last here together, I finished up all of my new patterns, sent our brand new Sherbets & Creams booklet to print, went to Market, graduated my oldest son from high school, went on vacation to Boston and Cape Cod and am now back working my way through 1273 emails!

Phew! I'm feeling tired just thinking about it all. But enough about that, as for the quilt along....

 

 

Step 1:  You now have (20) squares of 4 pumpkin seeds. Add a black center circle to each 4-block. This is both a soft focal point for each block but also hides any imperfections you might have had with the tips of your pumpkin seeds. If you love how your seeds look and want a softer and less graphic quilt, feel free to leave these center circles off. We of course used the STARCH METHOD OF APPLIQUE to add them but you can use any method that you prefer.

Click HERE for the PDF download of the circle. It is basically a 2 5/8" circle [in case you have templates already or just want to trace something you have on hand]. If you are checking to see if your download is the correct size, the circle is 2.62" in diameter.

Step 2: Lay out your blocks until you like the placement. Layout is important because in the next step, you will commit to where they are in the quilt and won't be able to interchange them anymore.

Step 3: You will be sewing those black squares you prepared last month onto the inner corners of the blocks, using the "sew and flip" method that we use in so many of our patterns.

  Mark or press your black squares on the diagonal and use that as the sewing line for each square.

Sew them to the corners as shown. Press out and trim out the excess fabric underneath. Cut out both the black and the background/bottom fabric.

 

It is important to note that not all the block corners have black squares added to them... the outer sides of the blocks are left plain and only the inner corners have squares.

 

Step 4: Once the squares have all been added, begin to sew your blocks together. Pin the blocks carefully so that the black triangles line up with each other on each side. If you sewed them accurately, you should have no trouble here.

Step 5: Add a border if you like. We chose to add a 4 1/2" border [cut measurement].

 

So cut (6) 4 1/2" strips if you want to join us in that size. We used a small black dot on the diagrams in the final booklet. In the actual sample quilt we ended up choosing a brighter cream print from Aloha Girl for a little added punch. The black dot would have been a great choice too… it was a hard call! 

 

 

Step 6: Quilt as desired. Diana added her signature all over swirl feather pattern, leaving the black centers and squares alone . Bind with (7) 2 1/4" binding strips. We used black in the book and coral solid in the actual sample.

We hope you have enjoyed this quilt along! We have had such a wonderful time seeing all of your creations and your process. Many of you are SO MUCH MORE ORGANIZED than I ever hope to be.

If you liked the feel and "personality" of this quilt, it is one of five quilts in our brand new SHERBETS & CREAMS booklet that is hot off the presses and flying off our shelves as we speak. All five of the quilts in the book are made from these same SHERBET SOLIDS and a variety of cream/ low volume prints for the backgrounds and borders, etc. We think all 5 of these quilts are absolutely perfect for the summer! HERE is the link if you are interested in taking a look at the book.

Thanks for sewing along with me!

Happy sewing,

Joanna

 

Popsicles

So here's the scoop.... ha, ha... that's ice cream humor!

Usually we don't release our brand new patterns until a bit closer to Market but this time might just be a special circumstance....

We released our first LITTLE BOXES OF FIGS subscription box last week and most of you who are in the program will have received yours by now. I do want to share that at least one of your boxes decided to take the scenic route courtesy of the US Postal Service. We had a New York customer whose box ended up in Guam first, then Honolulu Hawaii and then finally back to the mainland and on its way to NY. Wouldn't you like to have been on that little boxes travel plan LOL?

We featured a special project in there that we are super excited about. Something that just screams summer! From the emails and comments we have received, it looks like those of you who didn't make it into the subscription program would also like a chance to make this little lovely.

So here she is.... MINI POPSICLES!

 

[that does beg the question if there is a non-mini version coming as well? All I can say on that one is to stay tuned for just a bit longer].

We think she is just a little bit perfect. What do you think?

 

Also in the box was a fun summer towel project, called Summer... I know, I know, not the most creative name ever. But it was just right for this.

 

The Summer towel is available now in our shop as a STARTER KIT for everyone who missed out on the box. It comes with a simple handout, the towel, floss and a pen.

The fabric is perfect for scraps from your stash or using our SHERBET SOLIDS bundle and your favorite selection of cream prints!

Available in the SHOP.

 

PATTERN INFO

Name: MINI POPSICLES

Size: 12" x 53"

Fabrics: MODA Bella Solids and a selection of cream prints

PDF VERSION WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND.

 

Name: SUMMER TOWEL STARTER KIT

Size: app. 28" x 28", the size of the flour sack towel

Supplies: MODA Bella Solids, floss and a selection of cream prints

Kit Contents:  Flour sack towel, Frixion pen, floss, towel handout. No fabric.

 

LITTLE BOX OF FIGS QUARTERLY SUBSCRIPTION

EDIT 1: THE FIRST RUN OF BOXES HAS SOLD OUT.

EDIT 2: WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH THE ENTIRE WAIT LIST AND THE SECOND RUN HAS SOLD OUT. WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING WAIT LIST SPOTS AS WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ADD MORE SPACES.

Thanks so much for your support of our business! No matter how hard we try we cannot seem to keep up with you guys.

 

So…. we have had this in the works for a while but given the amount of moving parts in this little project, it took us a few extra months than expected to pull it all together.

INTRODUCING…

A few months ago, my cousin [who is not a quilter or even a sewer but who supports me and my business wholeheartedly] came to me and said "Joanna, we think you should do one of those subscription boxes like we get for makeup in our family! It should come in a cute little green box and it should have little projects in it and it should be seasonal"….. and then she went on and on and on… because she is a super energetic marketing person with lots of great idea who definitely has the gift of gab. Thanks sweetie!!  I think she had me at "cute green box"! 

I hope you agree with Melonie that It was a great idea and that you jump on board with us as we take off for our first yearly subscription!

Different from any of our BOM programs or yearly kits, these projects will be small, seasonal and four times a year! Here is the scoop… or at least all of the scoop that we can share.

 

LITTLE BOX OF FIGS: A QUARTERLY SUBSCRIPTION BOX

 

We are so excited to share this new program with you. Join us for this beautiful little 6" x 6" box of seasonal Fig Tree goodness, once a quarter for one year...one for each season! Register with us now to secure your spot and every three months you will be sent an exclusive Fig Tree box with a seasonal fabric kit, a seasonal "goodie" kit, a favorite Fig Tree notion as well as a few other goodies that will be added each month. Each fabric kit will be exclusive and newly released especially for this box. The boxes will ship in April [summer box], July [autumn box], October [winter/Christmas box] and January [Spring box]. 

This year's subscription will begin next month in April 2016. Sign ups for the box are now!

The contents of each box are a secret and a mystery until the day that they ship out each quarter but this is what we can tell you:

1- Each quarter the fabric kit will be seasonal. April's box will be summer themed. July's box will be autumn themed. October's box will be winter or Christmas themed. January's box will be Spring themed. A box might looks something like this: a kit for a wall hanging or a table runner for the "fabric kit" A small kit for a pincushion or a flour sack towel or a softie or a small pillow, etc., for the "goodie" kit. One of our favorite notions or something that would be especially useful to complete one of the kits in that box. A few other special items.

2- Each quarterly box will range between $35-$55, depending on that month's kit and the notions and goodies added that quarter. The value of your kit will ALWAYS BE MORE THAN YOUR COST. Shipping will always be standard USPS medium size box.

3- You will sign up for the entire year at once. All you have to do is register and be charged the $4.00 registration fee now. Each quarter when your box ships, the card that you used to register will be charged the fee for that quarter.

4- We do not know yet if we will continue the program next year or if it will be a one year program only. If we continue it, the projects next year will be different. You will not be required to stay in the program next year but this year's participants will be given priority for next year before the spots are opened up to others on the wait list.

5- Spots will be limited as always. We are so very sorry that we are just not able to do our clubs on an "unlimited" basis. We hope to have enough of these available to meet a large demand though!

6-The box itself is a beautiful little "Fig Tree green" box with a lovely sticker.... if all goes according to plan, the sticker will be different each season!

7- If you follow us on our blog, our newsletter and primarily on IG... we will be sharing hints about what is coming in each box!

Please go HERE to sign up and to read THE FINE PRINT. Please read THE FINE PRINT for all the little details that you will need to know!

Welcome to our latest adventure!! The first kit project is being secretly quilted by Diana as we speak and absolutely can't wait to share it with you. Oh my goodness its really cute. Hint: It involves a favorite summer snack. That's all I can say :-)...

Happy Sewing,

Joanna

Summer Fun

We still have so many summer memories to share with you but there just aren't enough hours in the day to get them all in this space in some kind of timely way. But trust me… they're still coming :-)!

For today, I at least wanted to share with you three fun things...

First up-  Our much anticipated FEED SACK BAGS pattern is done, up on the site and ready to ship! We are totally addicted to these bags! I know that so many of you have been waiting anxiously for this since I showed them to you on my way to Quilt Market in the spring and I am so happy that they are finally ready to ship!

… middle size on Gabrielle, serious model pose!

Btw, Miss Gabrielle who has worked for us forever, just got engaged a few days ago. We are so excited for her! If you talk to her on the phone, feel free to congratulate her… really!

This also means that we have to start working on a quilt right away since we have been promising one for this event ever since they were first dating… Or at least it means that we have to start planning one since they are having a long engagement. Phew!! Any ideas?

…. middle size on Gabrielle, off to work.

 

 … all 3 sizes in the studio

 

I'm not sure if I can have a favorite, since I love all 3 sizes… but maybe, just maybe, these minis are my favorite. 

 

 … Oh and definitely my daughter's favorite [this one is hers]! 

 

 

 … medium size [with the cute little pocket both inside and outside].

 

… the large one, Market Tote. Perfect for so many things!

Oh.. and THE BEST THING… is that all 3 sizes can be made out of 1 Jelly Roll. That's right, just 1 Jelly Roll! Gotta love that!

Available in the SHOP anytime you like!  Oh… and if you make one, I would really love to see it so send it to me via IG or Facebook or Email!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Second up- New MODA Toweling! I don't know if you remember the last couple versions we have offered of these wonderful towelings but we just think they are the best! They are 100% cotton, woven in India, with wonderful colors and quality. They come by the yard on the roll and are the perfect way to dress up any surface!

Both of these stripes are perfect for summer projects and really couldn't be any easier. Hemmed on both long sides, these are literally as easy as cut, hem and decorate! Great for table runners, pillows, placemats and napkins!

GROSS GRAIN TOWELING YARDAGE...

 

 

 

AWNING STRIPE TOWELING YARDAGE...

 

 

 Check out the SHOP if you are interested in a little summer redecorating!

We have several more really good things to share on Monday so check back with us then!

Happy Sewing,

Joanna

 

QUILTS & MORE... Meet in the Middle

I love it when I do a project and then completely forget about it until it arrives in the mail or I suddenly see it online! Its like a surprise and a memory all at once. I know it sounds a bit silly, since I did make the project, but it happens to me all the time!

In this season's QUILTS & MORE magazine [American Patchwork & Quilting, Winter Issue], we have a few fun pillows featured.

 

And since I knew you might want to whip up some for your summer or fall decorating, we have some kits!

 

 

 

 

Kits include enough fabric to make (4) of these yummy little projects, including fabric and buttons kits for all 4. You will need to purchase the QUILTS & MORE magazine for the instructions.

Click HERE for more info on the kits.

Have a great day!

Joanna

Summer Fun & More

Hello Friends!

We have been doing a couple fun things lately that I wanted to share with you...

JUMPING  JACKS QUILT ALONG

A few weeks ago, some of my Instagram friends kind of talked me into starting a Jumping Jack Quilt Along with this pattern...

[the original Jumping Jacks patterns was one I created for myself last summer and one of the only patterns that I had the time to work on "just for me". We quickly made it a pattern after it was finished.]

I had never done or participated in a Quilt Along but thought it would be fun to see everyone's blocks as we worked on them at the same time.I have absolutely no business working on a quilt for fun [am supposed to be dedicating every spare minute to new Market collections, patterns and booth prep] but just like the first time I made this quilt, I couldn't really resist. I think it might be because I get to use every single one of my favorite colors and florals in one place, but there is just something about this quilt that makes it irresistible to me.

 

 

 

JUMPING JACKS MINI

In the process of having a lot of fun creating new blocks for a new Jumping Jacks...

I also started a MINI version of the same quilt and worked on it simulataneously. Oh my goodness, I don't know which one I love more! For both versions this time, I created each block with its own combination of 3 fabrics instead of the same stripe fabric for all the blocks like in the above version.

Each new block, both large and MINI, that I made, I loved more than the one before.

 

 

 

 

 

I am still working on the new large version, but finished up the MINI as fast as I could so we could make it up into a fun summer pattern!

Speaking of MINIS...

SAIL AWAY MINI

We hinted a bit at this one earlier on in the summer but finally finished up this verison of our large SAIL AWAY pattern as well. Perfect for the summer, for the cottage or for a little boy's room. This little mini is our little ode to the nautical theme!

 

 

 

 

A FEW NEW BUNDLES

While having fun with these new summer patterns, we also added a few new bundles taht you can use either to get you started on the new MINIS or just as fabulous stash builders!

 

 

SUMMER SALE

And because it has indeed been the "dog days of summer around here" we thought perhaps you might want to get some simple sewing in for the little girls in your life. Both POLKA DOTS & SUMMER and SUMMERTIME are 20% off this weekend as well as any other pattern with the word SUMMER in it!

Click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

That's it for right now. Talk to you soon!

My Little Trip... Part IV

No trip to the British countryside would be complete without some country garden photos... here are a few of my favorites.

I love to think about how the plants all go and look together, why the gardener made certain choices, how one plant plays off the other. The general feel of " slightly overgrown but manicured" is what I love most about the "English Country Garden" look. There is something so magical about it.

Along with my hollyhocks this year, I am going to try to recreate this feel in a small area of my front garden. I already have the overgrown climbing roses and various types of hydrangeas in my front porch area so I think we will start there :-).

 

 

... this jasmine reminds so much of growing up that I can literally smell being a kid again!

 

 

 

 ...believe it or not, this is a maple. Full size leaves and a huge tree. It was unbelievable to look at!

 

 ... felt like The Secret Garden here.

 

... hollyhocks.

 

 ... I seriously need a mailbox hidden in a hedge like that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Trip... Part III

Up today.... the actual thatched roof cottages that the Cotswolds are known for. These are all homes of current families! Can you imagine living in a little dream cottage like this? Hopefully this won't offend anyone who actually lives in one... but all I can think of is a Hobbit coming out the front door! I love them. The roofs are made entirely of straw and many of them have a netting on them at this point to keep them from disintegrating.Apparently from what I heard from one home owner, it takes an ubelievable amount of work and upkeep to keep them!

But then again... who wouldn't want to live in one of these? I mean seriously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to reality.

Up tomorrow... the gardens!