He's at it again.

Whenever I go to document my completed custom ordered quilt and pillows. Ollie is always ready for a photo op. Honestly, what would I do without him?

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

I think I see a pattern here.

Custom orders are flying in for my silk screened pillows. This one was for a couple who was FINALLY tying the knot. I think the Ralph Lauren boat blueprint fabric is a nice contrast to the skull and cross bones from Kona.
I wish the lucky couple happiness always.

Apron Raffle!

Sis Boom Ms. Willy apron raffle- double your chances when you go on and comment on BOTH Dark Horse Farm Designs and Go Make Your Bed! blogs. Please be sure to check the apron out on my Open Sky Shop on the DHFD blog, just to see what you will be getting! This raffle will end Wednesday 5/5 at midnight and the winner (2) will be announced first thing Thursday morning.
So, start the commenting, and Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Just a taste of what has been already ordered!

Most of you know that my "Go make your bed!" blog has been up and running for over a year know, and that the website will launch sometime this month. Here are two orders that were made with Sis Boom collections, past and present. What a nice Easter surprise for these girls! More to come.....

Teacher's pets.

I have to say that my experience teaching (what limited knowledge I have to offer) has been most rewarding. We laugh the whole time, and no one ever makes a mistake! That's because I encourage imperfection. While we attempt to do our very best, we have lowered the bar. That way we all feel accomplished and in the end our projects are "perfect"! Perfectly us.
The Pillow 101 has been a huge success, and will continue on Tuesday mornings at Make and Mingle- projects to be announced. I think we will either make grocery totes or a clutch. I'm leaving it up to the class.
This Sunday is the "Quilt Haiti" workshop with Jennifer Paganelli- some of the blocks have already been mailed in- it is going to be amazing! Thank you to everyone giving their time and creativity to such a good cause. Special thanks to my dear old friends ( not that old) Patty Carroll and Creative Director at Vogue/ Butterick Patterns, James Bosco. Great job on the squares.
One of my first students, Jessica Donahue, moved away to South Carolina, but keeps me posted with her sewing projects. This "Scottie" is a downloadable pattern from Denyse Schmidt (in Sis Boom fabric). We are hoping Denyse will come and teach the Scottie class at Make and Mingle in June. She is trying to squeeze us in!
All in all, a very productive month so far- and spring has just arrived! Yippee!

Strip because it's fun.

I've collected leftover strips from quilt trimmings, some 90'' long. Cut to 2 1/2'' widths, sew together in one long consecutive roll, then cut to 70'' each. Placed randomly along side each other vertically. That simple, that spectacular. All of the fabrics are from Sis Boom.

A quilt a day- or there abouts.

I am in the throws of getting ready for my new Go Make Your Bed website. The blog is still around, but has been laying dormant over the winter months. I have been so busy here at DHFD with my crafting and getting the Open Sky shop up and running, poor little GMYB took the back seat for a while.
I am creating a ready made line, and also a design wall where you can go to choose the fabrics of your liking. Everything to Go Make Your Bed! Everything you need to know about ordering will be clearly explained on the site, and a FAQ page. But rest assured, I am always just a phone call or email away if you have any questions or need suggestions. In fact, I prefer to speak directly about the order before I start cutting.
The quilts pictured are all made with the new Sis Boom line, So St. Croix, and I will keep posting pictures as the come off of my sewing table. The whole collection will be very varied, so be sure to check back and see what's new.
Also, I will quilt with your fabric for a fee if you get it to me.
My quilts are also available at Make and Mingle in Fairfield, CT.