sewhungryhippie

Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness is the designer behind this fabric line, FANTASIA. She was so generous and kind to send me a bundle of fat quarters, I was truly so grateful. I had to dive in immediately upon opening the parcel. 

I mean-it was like winning on those scratch Lotto cards, ya know? (But better.) I won $45 once off a scratch card and thought my year was made. LOL 

I just adore the color palette of this line, it's cheerful and pretty and has pOps of bright colors. There are modern twists worked in (the stripes hello love!) and yet a distinct 70's vibe to me, with the large flower designs. And let's not forget the sweet sort-of calico feeling with the tiny flower fabrics, I adore those so much!!! It all works, I don't know how she does it.

It's made me reflect on the designing process so much, to be honest. It must be instinctual, a feeling of "knowing". That's all I can think of, just like when I combine different colors and fabrics together, I just "know" if it works or not, there is no real method. 

What do you think? Could you teach this process if somebody asked you to? 

I sewed simple 8 1/2" squares throughout so the fabric could sing. 

I took the remaining remnants and chopped cut them into 2" binding strips, sewed those together and used my handy Simplicity binding machine to create a patchwork binding. I usually straight stitch the binding on, but this time I did a tight zig zag stitch so there is extra strength, as I can see my girls fighting over this! LOL  They are both Unicorn crazy. Well, so am I actually....but never mind. 

We're having a snowfall today, and though I was shocked at first when I woke, now I'm reveling in the light and the quietness of it all. There is something inherently peaceful about a fresh snowfall.

The backing is a soft gray flowery fabric I bought at Joanns on the latest sale, I think 4 yards cost me $10 or something, it was an incredible sale.

The pink light is when my Dad walked into the "studio" and flipped on those ghastly tungsten lights--ewe.  The "studio" is actually a barn, so don't let me fool you into thinking I've got a set up.  I love barns yo! Space. Now if only he'd let me paint it all white inside!!

The quilt is stippled throughout, which I do on my Bernina 1008, a no frills basic workhorse sewing machine. I am asked so often on what machine to buy for new sewers, and I always answer "no bells, no whistles, non computerized Bernina".......I think it's like buying a car, you can add all the frills, but in the end you mostly use it for one thing- to get somewhere. To get something done.

But that's just my opinion. :0)

Pop over to Sara's blog and have a look at her work, she does everything, including enabling you to find the best deals on fabric! :D Every Friday she does a post called "The Fabric Enabler" and it's brill. Perhaps mean to my pocket book, but you can't have everything you know....

I'm off to knit these chunky scarves today, as clearly I'll be needing them a bit longer. 

Mother Nature you are a funny one. 

Oh, and before I forget, I'm starting to load pics again on Flickr. I left it for a long time, but there is so much brilliant inspiration on there that I think it would be a disservice to myself if I ignored it. LOLOLOL That's my reasoning, go with it.

If you're on Flickr let me know so I can follow you! :D

Cheers friends, have a wonder filled week.