Quilt Haiti: Mission accomplished!

Thank you. Thank you, Tammy Gilley for coming up with this great concept. Thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful collaborative project. Thank you for waiting patiently for me to finish my end of it. Thank you to Jennifer Paganelli for providing the backing and for creating all of the beautiful scraps that made up these 30 squares. Thank you to the girls at Make and Mingle for inviting us to use their space to hold our "bee".
This quilt will be raffled off for $5./ticket or 5 tickets for $20.00. If you would like to be a part of the raffle, leave a comment and I will send you the ticket. You can send me a check, or pay via Paypal. It will be on display at Witchypoo in Wilton, Ct from today, Sunday May 30th-Tuesday June 1st. It will then be at Make and Mingle until a winner will be chosen Friday June 11th. It is 74''x 90", 100 % organic cotton batting, with a candy striped backing. The money will go to Marilyn W. Dugan Foundation, Inc. who has done a lot of work to raise funds and bring supplies to Port au Prince.
There were enough quilt squares to make 2 quilts, the 2nd one- hopefully done by June 1st, will be going to Haiti with Tammy's people sometime in the month of June.
I have to say, I can't wait to collaborate on another quilt like this. It really was a joyful experience. Next time, we'll make it a pot luck! It's going to be hard to let go, especially for Ollie, but I know it will go to a good home.

Runaway apron!

Before I even had the chance to photograph it, this butterfly apron flew off and onto Natalie's dress form for at Make and Mingle. I love the Alexander Henry mod print I found there, and the heavier weight gives it a little more substance. The "self belt" is actually functioning and the bakelite vintage buckle was snapped up at Make and Mingle, along with the pink vintage button on the pocket. I think this one maybe pattern worthy.
I am hoping to do my hammock sample in the same fabric. Come and join us for that class, and have your custom hammock done for Dad before his day of worship... of we course, we worship you everyday, dear....
Thank you for all of your kind words, Natalie! I feel so inspired when I'm at your studio. I can't wait to see what comes next.

New look for old shoes.

It was too chilly to wear the beautiful sundress that Jennifer Paganelli had made for me, so I had to do something quick! I ended up with a cute little blazer from anthropologie and skinny jeans and good jewelry. Too casual? So I decided to dress up and old pair of black Steve Madden flats with these cute ribbon rosettes from Make and Mingle. You can buy some (and cool flats,too) just like these there, or rosettes from from M&J Trimming.
Or make your own! I am going to teach my Pillow Addicts Anonymous class at M&M how to embellish with rosettes tomorrow. I'll document the process- sometimes successful, sometimes not...always fun!
....and share with a tutorial tomorrow!

A "Little Bird" told me...

It's out! Little Birds: 26 Handmade Projects to Sew, Stitch, Quilt & Love (Design Collective) by C&T Publishing's Design Collective is now available. It features my custom quilt design that I made for Cortney and Bob Novogratz and their most recent BRAVO TV "9 by Design"
addition, Major.
The book, "Little Birds", includes all of the instructions and templates you need to make this colorful, mid-century modern inspired baby quilt. The other 25 projects are just as adorable and this new division of C&T Publishing is really giving quilting and sewing the new spin it deserves. Other great artists, like Bari Ackerman, have had a lot of fun putting these projects together. Now it's your turn.
Last nights episode of "9 by Design" told the story of a little school friend of the Novogratz family, Jasmina Anema, who suffered from leukemia. The Novogratz clan and other school families put on a great fundraiser to help Jasmina and her mom with medical bills. Jasima was a warrior, but she succumbed to the disease in January.
For anyone who orders a book from me ($15.95 + $2.00 shipping) during the month of May, 100% of my profit will go to The ONEFORJASMINA Foundation.
Please take the time to look at the beautiful site and the pictures of this special little angel who was not with us long enough. You can make a difference.
So, forget about "Making your Bed"!
Get the book, make a bird, and maybe save a life.
Thank you. Shoot me an email if you want one. The book will also be available at Make and Mingle in Fairfield, CT.
Nancy

Tote-ally cool.

My die-hard Tuesday morning students made it into Make and Mingle to make some fabulous grocery/beach totes. We all looked a bit like drowned rats when we finally got there (4.9'' rain that day!) but everyone left with a tote in tow. Connie with her springy green and white (Paula Prass?) canvas, Tracy with her Anna Maria Horner Oil Cloth, and my orange and white geo-bag. Next week, who knows? However- I am hoping for better attendance... report cards come out in June!
It just goes to show that you could wear a paper sack, if it's made out of great fabric- like we all got at Make and Mingle.
Here are some sunny new fabrics that just came in from Art Gallery. You must come in and see what's new!

My work has just begun.

Sunday was the uber successful Quilt Haiti event at Make and Mingle. I cannot express the joy we all experienced coming together, doing what we love, with loving people- many who we all met for the first time, and many quilting for the first time! Karen and I even experimented with some silk screening of gnomes and Buddha's- all hand drawn by Natalie!
I had two days before I recovered from my quilt hangover- the only remedy being, quilt, eat, quilt, eat... you know? The "old hair of the dog"....
The first 3 squares are from Charlotte Lyons, Kate Spain and Jennifer Paganelli- I wish I could remember who did all of the others. A giant kiss and thank you to everyone who participated, and especially to Natalie, without whose blueberry muffins , I would have never made it!
The finished product should be ready for viewing mid April. Details to follow!