Downtown Housewife

Quilt Market: Spring 2012

My market experience started early this year. With the Exception of the hotels valet hitting my car, it was nothing short of a heavenly experience. Quilters heaven. It’s funny “we”, meaning those who sew or stitch in any way, shape or form are called quilters? Random thought I suppose… realistically we all know what a quilter really means! In my book, a quilter is better known as someone who hoards fabric,notions, patterns and books and may or may not take a few healthy items off of their grocery list in order to add to the “stash” because you may need that fabric in the next 5-10 years. For shop owners, Quilt Market is the ultimate shopping spree. The Godfather of all quilt shops. I am lucky to get to have a hand in choosing what goes in "Sew Sweet"! This year not only did I get to shop but I also had the privilege of assisting one of my most favorite friends, Miss. Tula Pink!Amazing! Okay, enough talk, pic time! I took what seemed like 5 gazillion photos but I won’t torture you with every minuet detail. Here it goes…

There you have it! Quilt Market rolled all tidy like into a blog post!

Please not that not all photos are paired with the designer name…I seem to think I will remember every company name but I rarely do… I will take notes next time! Also, for those who may not know, quilt market has thousands of booths so It s pretty hard to narrow down the photo choices! :)

  

2012 Bus Trip!

It’s that time! you know the time right? Time for bus trip pics!!! Despite the over abundance of rain and stormy crazy weather, the bus trip was super cool. There was a huge variety of shops…I don’t think anyone walked away empty handed! One shop in particular stood out to me, everyone has a favorite right? I love anything modern and "Country Fabrics and Quilting" has it! Don’t let the store name fool ya! This shop is modern to the core and I dig it!

Enough talk! Pic time!

16 reasons…

It’s that time again! A bus trip! It’s not too late to join “The Golden Ticket Bus Trip”. Here are 16 incredible reasons not to miss out!

1. It involves fabric…duh!

2. You get to spend money…

3. You get to socialize…

4. Sleep in a cozy hotel…

5. Play fun bus games…

6. Escape reality…

7. See new places…

8. Visit 14 quilt shops…

9. You might get to see… Tula Pink…

10. Margaritas…

11. Wear your cute clothes… this may just be me…

12. See new fabrics and projects…

13. Get inspired…

14. Possibly win $229.00!

15. Get out of doing dishes for 3 whole days…

16. And last but not least you get to hang with me!

(okay that’s not exactly me but it’s close…that’s from last years bus trip where we met Eleanor Burns! She even came on our bus and hung out! What? What? Yep it’s true!

Learn how to sign up HERE! The trip begins May 4th, 2012 so hurry up! You don’t have much time to pick out your wardrobe!

I adore you: lizzy House

Welp… I’ve done it again. You know what I mean… became obsessed with another designer! It’s Mrs. Lizzy House! I’ve been seeing her fabrics and what knot floating around the sewing realm for a while now but never could figure out the designer. It came to me this way; I was reading Quilt Dad's blog and he wrote about Pink Castle Fabrics which has Mrs.Lizzy’s fabric! Yeah! (p.s. great fabrics, I may or may not have ordered a ton of it! hehe) Of course then I went straight to google and found her blog. Her new line, “Outfoxed” is rockin! So here it is… Lizzy House goodness!!! 

And lastly, that’s Mrs. lizzy above. Adorable right? I like to see what people look like so I figured you might too!

Sources: pic 1 & 2, 3, 4 & 5.

Inspiring Trailers…

Still working on the travel trailer revamp! It’s so much fun! It has also went much further then I truly anticipated…well maybe I anticipated it but didn’t say so much to the hubby. lol. So far there has been… wallpaper, pillows, one amazing sofa ordered, light fixtures, new photographs, curtains, things reupholstered, mini blinds, spray painting  and a rug! I can’t wait to show you! For now, would you like to see some amazing inspiration photos?

Can you tell I’m going for a modern feel? It crossed my mind after looking at these pictures that I sure would like to paint the walls and change the counter tops…wonder how mad Jimmy would be if he came home to find that mess?

For the original source of the photos you may find them on my pinterest. 

P.s. Click here, here and here for more travel trailer post!

Tattooed dollies

Remember this post about Heidi Kenney? She has these amazing tattooed dolls for sale on "Spoonflower". They were super easy and fun to make! The dolls come in a one yard cut for $18.00. You simply cut them out, embroidery the tattoos and sew them up!

I read that Mrs. Heidi created the dolls with scrapbook paper and then scanned them. I love how they turned out because you can see the shadows and the textures of the paper!

P.S. I added a little bow in my gals hair and also put a dowel rod in each of them because their heads were a little heavy for their tiny necks.

In awe of inspiration?

Do you crave inspiration as much as me? I hope so! I’ve said it before and I’ll say t again, there are two types of people. Those who read and those who look! I’m a looker, I buy books solely on the pictures! Are they gorgeous? Do they make me want to create? Do they get me giddy?  These are my book buying stipulations! Should you judge a book by its cover? Duh! Absolutely you should! With that said, here are some amazing books and magazines, some I have, others I am dreaming of…

Here’s to invigorating your spirit!

One of the best purchases I’ve made in a long time! This book has the cutest projects!

I just discovered this magazine and I am overwhelmed with joy! It is by far the best craft book I have ever read (a.k.a. looked at). I am not a fan of quilting magazines. They are more often then not, predominantly traditional. I was so excited to find "Mollie Makes" because it includes every realm of the craft world not just quilting… vintage reworking, embroidery, inspiring success stories from crafters, crochet/knit, craft blogging… I can’ say enough good things about it!

"Where Women Create" is always a favorite of mine! Lets face it, women like to see other women successful! We feed off of each other…it’s like a built in gene or something? Any who, It’s published every three months which is just enough time to get me itching for more!

Here’s a book I’m dying to get! "All Sewn up" by Chloe Owens. According to “Mollie Makes”this book shows you how to turn old fabrics into contemporary and colorful 60’s inspired makes for the home. The book includes 35 applique and embroidery projects! Enough said!

"Adventures in Needlework"! This book came out in 2011, why haven’t I seen this! Did you know of this book and not tell me (I’m making a very mean face at you)? Needle work plus tattoo equals awesome!

One again, why haven’t I found this magazine! Judging a book/magazine by its cover…I’m in lve!

What are your favorite books? Do you love inspiring books as much as I do?

Inspiration board: Travel trailer revamp

It’s that time! Time to revamp the travel trailer. I have convinced my hubby that this is our home…even though we have a real home, we have been in the trailer for more then 2 years consecutively! I don’t think men understand? Women, especially those who stay home/work from home NEED a beautiful inspiring environment! Am I right? I have convinced him that spending the money is necessary! I know how to do things on a budget like sewing my own pillows and curtains but I can’t fashion up an alpaca rug or bamboo mini blinds. Therefor, some money spending is necessary!!! Here are my plans… since a travel trailer is basically one long room, I am trying to keep with one consecutive theme/style/colors. I already have the quilt and the wood in the trailer blonde so I am basing my plans on those elements. I am excited to get started! Check back for pics!

Sources:

Bamboo blinds

Chevron pillow

Alarm clock 

Quilt, pillow shams, rug, sofa and toothbrush holder all from Urban Outfitters.

A site to see: Fuck yeah embroidery II

I couldn’t get enough of this tumblr so here’s a few more of my favs!

For original pic sources visit "Fuck yeah embroidery".

A site to see: Fuck yeah embroidery

Really diggin' this site!  Check it out if you love embroidery! Below are some of my favs! All photos are from the tumblr “Fuck Yeah Embroidery”. To see the original source of each photo give the site a visit!

The last one is my favorite! Reminds me of my college days when all I panted was nudes…