Project Runway- Watch out! Abbey made designed and sewed this skirt herself. Not bad for a 10 year old, eh?!?

My grand niece, Abbey Geaney, came to visit and we had a ball! She learned to sew, and her first project was a Sis boom patchwork pillow. Then she rode Tys and gave him a bath. I must say- he really loves her! It's so nice to have an excuse to play! 

Abbey, we miss you already... come back soon!

Whew! What a whirlwind it has been! Very busy summer sew far (har har!), and it doesn't look to be slowing up. Just finished vending at a lovely show in Bethlehem, CT. where I sold my custom saddle pads. I am also honored to be making one for the Freestyle High points winner, Suzanne Markham, who is so lovely to watch and even lovelier to speak with. This young girl will go all the way! She is #5 in the country in the FEI young horse division. See you in the 2012 Olympics!

Our new camper served as our booth, and if I was smart, I'd be selling them! Everyone loved it! It's called a TAB, has been dubbed a " People Pod", an is very retro in design. We love it!

Gotta get ready for my niece Abbey who will arrive from San Diego on Friday. She's staying for a week and we have LOTS planned. Bronx Zoo, Broadway show, horseback riding, beach... I may even give her her first sewing lesson!

FIRST SHOW! YEAH! (It's over!) Thank you, all my friends who came to support me at the 107th Norfield Church Fair in Weston, CT. It was a good beginning, and a good way to see what people are looking for. Not a bad turnout, considering the heat and high humidity. Then it was off to my son,Jack's, graduation from high school. Congratulations, Jack. We're so proud.... and relieved!

I don't know 'bout you, but our gardens are already in full force growin' mode! Which means the weeds are flourishing as well, which means more time on my hands and knees! I like to garden in style, and so have sewn up some fancy garden aprons and gloves to adorn when hot, sweaty and dirty. Hey, I think I need a hat.... back to the sewing machine!

Just on my way to the annual Sis Boom Spring/ Summer Sale at Jennifer Paganelli's house in my home town of Wilton,CT.

That's my 20 year old daughter, Genevieve, in her S.B. dress, and that's me in my patchwork poncho.

"Tea Time"...  Mar"Tea"ni Time, that is. Of course you can serve up whatever you like on this lovely tray, complete with napkins, all a la Sis Boom Bell Bottoms. Just sponge it clean and towel dry until the next time...

GO GREEN WITH BROWN! Even the worlds best artists know that you need more than just blue and yellow to get a great green! Just look at Claude Monet's gardens- all infused with organic compost from his barnyard friends. This DHFD Compost kit comes with a packet of organic flower or veggie seeds, instructions for planting and maintenance, and the planter comes filled with our farms finest fertilizer, in it's own equine adorned fancy planter. Our organic ground comes in two different blends. "Black Gold"is courtesy of our big guy, Tys ( like Mike Tyson, the fighter), and  Captain John is responsible for the "Brown Gold". You can actually pick your favorite- all insecticide free! Wouldn't these be fun for a class room project?

To inspire folks to think FASHION when they see Sis Boom fabrics, I designed and made a reversible  retro-chic bikini with cape/ cover-up. Also, the pink and blue polka dot dress became a tunic, which Jennifer is sporting at Quilt Market this week! If anyone sees her there, snap a picture for me! All from Jennifer Paganelli's Bell Bottoms line. I need to shoot them on a model- the flash in the mirror thing is not very proffesional! When my husband returns from Santa Barbara, CA, I will beg him to take a few pics. You'd think being married to a fashion photographer I'd have it made. But you know the old saying, "The shoemakers children have no shoes"!

Take off your boots right HERE!

For a TUTORIAL on how to make a floor quilt, go to my website  and click on the "Floor Quilt Tutorial" page... (duh! I'm not being condescending... I just need that kind of help myself...))

I still recommend buying the book, "Floorquilts!" by Ellen Highsmith Silver, which is very simple to read and it has other great ideas and troubleshooting tips.  I just give a brief overview, but feel free to email me if you have questions.