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Making

I know I haven’t been posting much this summer, but I just turned in my manuscript for 1, 2, 3 Quilt and I have another month of finishing projects, testing patterns and then photography. But I’m really excited about the projects in the book as I see it starting to come together.

Anyway, I thought I’d also share some summer links:

The Family Cooking Action Pack from Kathreen of Whip Up is pretty great with tons of recipes that the kids can make and enjoy. I’ve also been enjoying Kathreen’s Creativity Series. You can read my post here.

This Flutter Circle Skirt from Shelly Figueroa over on Sew, Mama, Sew! is really adorable.

I also like this Magnetic Tangram Puzzle and this Mesh Bag.

Looks like Heather Ross’ new fabric collection Nursery Versery is available now, and should be in more stores by the end of the month. This is my favorite collection from her so far. I love those precious little mice that remind me of vintage children’s book illustrations. I’m also loving the Seven Seas collection from Cloud 9 and still loving the Monsterz collection. And I’m so excited that Rashida Coleman-Hale will be designing for Cloud 9 with her new collection coming to fall market!

And I got to meet these amazing women a few weeks ago when they invited a few of us Atlanta bloggers down for dinner at their blogger sewing retreat. I have really enjoyed reading all of their blogs.

Rachel of Stitched in Color
Jacey of Jaceycraft
Jessica of A Little Gray
Maureen of Maureen Cracknell
Holly of Bijou Lovely
Amanda of My Sewcial Hour

I’m also busy finishing up a new fabric collection which will be shown at fall market. More news about that soon. So I am working a lot, but just can’t share much of it now.

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Where I Sew Month

Kathy at Pink Chalk Fabrics is featuring sewing spaces on her blog all month long. She’s also giving away 50 gift certificates of $20 each! And you can add photos of your own sewing space to the photo pool. I love to see how people organize and decorate their creative space, whether it’s a dedicated room or the dining room table.

You can see a photo of my sewing space over there, but if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you will know that there is a giant pile of fabric on my sewing room floor, that has now become the dog’s bed. I have grand plans to get some new storage units this weekend. I’m thinking some Billy shelves from IKEA with doors at the bottom. I keep trying open storage, but sometimes you just need to hide the mess.

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Etsy Finds Friday

Vintage Sheet Baby Quilt Kit, $40 from By Mary: Vintage Sheet Fabric.

Mania Screenprinted Fabric, $10 from Blueberry Park.

Flock Mobile, $160 from Bookhou at Home.

Petal Collection, digital files for cutting, $3.99 from A Little Hut.

Pocket Plush Animals, $28 each from Mount Royal Mint.

Family Creative Workshop vintage crafting books, $24 from Pine and Main.

Little House Notebook with Paper Cut Cover, $5 from Hello Possum.

Chevron Stripe Sailboat, $20 from Tweet Toys.

Ruby Star Shining Typewriters, $10 1/2 yard from Quilt Essentials.

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Quilt Blocks Shop Challenge Winner #3

Another winner of the Quilt Blocks Shop Challenge is Jenny Bartoy, who you may know from her blog Stumbles & Stitches, which she writes along with her friend Angel. Jenny has made some really great things with my Quilt Blocks fabric. I love her use of the fabric with linen, of course. And the stars and flying geese designs are just perfect with this fabric.

Here’s Jenny to tell you more about how she got started sewing and opened her Etsy shop:

Thank you so much, Ellen!  I design fabric art and handmade items that I sell in my shop on Etsy.  Inspired by nature, patchwork and clean design, I love to work with linen, burlap, felt and modern fabrics.  I stock my shop with artwork, housewares and accessories as inspiration strikes — usually combining natural linen and bold designer prints for a result that is both modern and earthy.

I grew up seeing my mother sewing, constantly and fearlessly.  My mom taught me the basics when I was young and bought me a sewing machine when I got married.  When my first baby was born, I began sewing regularly, preferring to experiment with my own designs over following patterns.  Two years ago, I launched the blog Stumbles & Stitches with my dear friend Angel to share our projects with each other (and with the world!). Last fall, I opened my business on Etsy and have enjoyed it very much so far.

 I grew up in France and moved to Austin, Texas as a teenager.  I have lived all over the United States and hold degrees in Film and Social Cultural Anthropology.  Some day, I’d like to make documentary films!  Alternately, I wouldn’t mind backpacking around the world with my family or living on a farm in the country surrounded by chickens and fruit trees.  I currently live in beautiful Seattle, WA with my archaeologist husband, our two sons and one rambunctious kitty.

You can find Jenny Bartoy online here: Blog /Shop /Facebook /Pinterest

Head over to her shop and pick up some of these Quilt Blocks pillows before they’re gone!