Grand Revival Designs

YEAH FOR SUMMER CAMP!!!!!! and giveaway!!!

Ok, whoever thought up the concept of summer camp is a real genius. Don't get me wrong, my kids are my world, I love them infinitely, but I haven't been able to get anything done since school ended! Seriously, almost nothing!! And I have a lot of stuff that needs doing so it's been a bit of a problem. But today the clouds opened up, the sun came out, the angels sang, there was even a rainbow, ok, not really but it just seemed like that because camp started today and I could actually get things done!! Work that can literally take a week when they're home I got done in one day today. And the cherry on top is that they actually had fun at camp. So, I had seven hours of kid free time and bonus!! it was guilt free cause they were happy!

So, I'm in a crazy good mood. What feels better then really being able to check things off your list that have been sitting there for weeks? So, yeah the patterns that I've been talking about for months, here are the covers! all ready for the printer, they should, if the stars line up right, be shipping out to shops in about two weeks. I shouldn't be so relieved cause I'm not quite there but the almost there feels too good not to celebrate sooooo I'm giving away one each of the new patterns above and one of the fatquarter stacks of the winner's choice from the post below from the Fat Quarter Shop. So, leave a comment and celebrate the beauty that is summer camp with me!!!!

***NOTE*** Thank you to you wonderful people who pointed out the spelling errors!! Corrections made...

Introducing the Ava Bag

Helloooooooooo!!!!! It's been a while. It did turn out to be the flu. All five us got a visit from the flu fairy despite going through a gallon of Purell in an effort to prevent the spread. It left me feeling a bit tired and devoid of creative energy for quite a while but maybe that's a good thing. After lots of taking it easy, the creative juices started flowing again and I came up with the Ava Bag pattern. I am really loving this bag. Really easy and totally reversible which I always love and with two different handle options. This pattern will be introduced at Spring Quilt Market to coincide with the Ava Rose fabric collection. Can't wait to make this bag with Ava Rose fabrics (though I am so lovin that 2nd version made with that killer Amy Butler print from the Lotus collection). My collection won't be ready till just a couple weeks before the show which means lots of last minute sewing.

Speaking of Quilt Market, I'm gonna be doing a schoolhouse for it which is a fifteen minute talk to store owners. My topic will be about the new wave of sewing, sort of the Project Runway generation of sewers, who started sewing as adults and really look for quickish projects, especially bags, kids clothes, aprons, etc. as well as all the wonderful home sewing and design businesses, often started by moms, on etsy and ebay.

If anyone has any ideas along these lines to pass along to store owners, examples of this trend, or your own personal story I'd love to see your comment. Also, anyone who has advice about public speaking please, please share it with me, I'll be eternally grateful as, though I did it last Quilt Market, it scares me to death and I want to try to be a bit calmer, less nervous and less geeky this time though less geeky is probably asking too much, I mean I can't really change my whole personality in two months!

Aprons On My Mind

 


Thanks everyone for the moral support on the last post...It's really good to know I'm not the only one who's not perfect!! The day got much better from there and Benji was a real hit. Ok, the 70s era acting style was pretty bizarre, even the kids thought it was pretty bad, but that incredibly cute little dog still made me go all mushy inside and the kids felt the same way.

Still workin on Stella Apron. Put her aside for a long time because of other priorities but we're gettin there. Just workin out pocket styles and sizes, and I think the proportions on the half apron may yet change a bit. Maybe, just maybe it'll be done, printed and shipped out in a month or two but I can't honestly say for sure. Tomorrow I've got strikeoffs (that's the first version of the fabric that comes back from the mill) coming and that could mean a whole lot of craziness for a while. I get, well, really really focused when strikeoffs come, obsessing on each and every color. I drag these pieces of fabric from room to room to room comparing the color in different kinds of light. I get a bit nutty in other words and there'll be a lot of take out food for the next few days so I can just concentrate on getting it done. If things are lookin pretty good I'll try to post a little sneak peak. Talk to you soon, I hope!

Thank you & 2nd Post Giveaway

 

Ok, so I know this is only my 2nd post and all but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who stopped by for the very warm welcome to blog world...I've been a fan of so many of you bloggy girls for a long time so it's really exciting to start this one. I'm thinking it'll force me to do more of the things I love, like taking pictures and being creative. For me, and I'm guessing for so many of you out there, being creative even in the smallest and silliest ways really does feed the soul and lately I just haven't been doin enough of it.

And what better way to say thank you then to give stuff away, so I'm giving away 1 pattern for the Flea Market Bag and 3 yards (1 1/2 for the outside and 1 1/2 for the reverse side) of fabric of the winners choice. Check here to see the full range. I just received my fabric shipment so I'm way excited to share it.

So just leave a comment and I'll use that random number generator thingy to pick the winner. Considering it's the 2nd post everyone has a pretty good chance of winning.

What is it about stacked up fabric? I know I'm a little geeky but it really gives me a thrill.