Creative Thursday

they're all here {1} + {2}

6" x 6" and 7" x 5"

It's nice to be surrounded by things you love.

{originals are available here - also available as prints in the shop}

curated fabric bundles

Speaking of patchwork - I've decided to add some new 'curated' fabric bundles to the shop = color to create with.

Since each fabric collection is a limited edition printing, some of the intial fat quarter bundles are now gone. However I do still have some of the patterns and I thought it would be fun to put together themed bundles, mixing six designs from different collections in color groups that inspire me.

Introducing the four 'Birds + Bunnies' bundles. 

 

my ideal grocery list + an organization tip

Did you see the new notepads in the shop update last Thursday?

Want the story behind these? Well first I'm exploring adding more stationery products to the Creative Thursday collection.

Second is my continued appreciation of an organized life. I'm a list keeper for sure.

Finally, third, and most importantly to fulfill my quest for the ideal grocery list. 

We keep a weekly grocery list,  like, I'm assuming most everyone does? The way it works in our household is that Sean and I trade off going to the store for our main grocery shopping once a week.  The idea is that we try to plan ahead, limiting the time that gets eaten up by too many random trips to the store. There are always the exceptions of course, like when we want a special treat or buy something super fresh to be made the same day, or when I go to the Farmer's Market. What has taken me years to figure out is; why not only plan my grocery list ahead of time but from an actual menu for the week - and by menu I mean mostly dinners as breakfast and lunch in our family is pretty simple and consistent -  instead of going solely off of what food supplies we we are out of, and what our favorite foods are for the season. Might seem obvious - yes? to plan your meals for the week, yet for a long time I was not able to make the time for that or find a grocery list that has place for you to write them down. Because! It's so helpful to have the menu in front of you when you're actually at the store so: a) you remember why you're buying the food on your list and: b) if you forgot to write down one of the ingredients for your meals, seeing the name of the dish might remind you? 

So that's my big organization tip - or make your life easier tip - for this week. Simple, just a little pre-planning required. Taking the time to figure out what you're going to eat {at least dinners}  on each day ahead of time, makes the shopping so much quicker, while answering the daily question 'what's for dinner?', while also eliminating the stress and frenzy that usually follows that question when you're fast and furiously throwing together a meal from what's in your fridge, freezer or pantry or all of the above. 

If you don't already know this about me, I love food. While an awesome meal out on occassion is a favorite, we are happy eating at home most nights. In the past couple of years I've been having way more fun cooking and trying new recipes. I honestly think it has something to do with being more organized, leaving me feeling like I actually have the time to cook. It's become some sort of a meter as to how balanced my life is at any given moment. Time to make a meal = in balance. No time = flying by the seat of my pants. Neither one is right or wrong. I've just found that right now I like having more days in balance than out. Preparing thoughtful dinners {not necessarily laborious} has become a priority in our family, not just this thing we have to do to keep my our energy going and blood sugar up. {because you don't want to see the crankiness that ensues when Sean or my blood sugar is low}

We also take a lot of pride in trying to use all of the food we buy. It seriously bums me out to have to throw anything out at the end of the week or have a fridge filled with foods that are way past their expiration date. One simple 'menu' section fulfills all of this for me, so I decided to make my own customized grocery list. I also added a third section for 'household' items since we often buy our household supplies at different locations. Should this kind of a list also work for you? I've added a few to the shop.

All the years spent rebelling against a plan, I get it now. A little planning is good. Thank you Sean. It's his fault, I mean influence. He and I also trade out cooking on different nights of the week and if you want to see planning in action, this man has his meal preparations complete way ahead of time {I'm still working up to this}  

Ease, more ease in my life. That's kind of been my word for the year. Personally and professionally I'm seeing if I can make more choices with ease. 

spring shop update + 24 hour sale

Lots of new treats in the shop and a 24 hour sale that is happening until tonight, 11:59 pm PST.

pins and magnets - these little guys make me so happy.

12 surprise fabric bundles

Have just been added to the shop! 

colorful zoo

12" x 9"

{click here to buy original - also available as a print}

Locally Grown

  

So the story goes like this: Christmastime, a couple of years ago; Sean's stepmom, Jan,  had a request from her granddaughters for some chicken fabric. The request by the way is because they LOVE chickens. Aside from having an extensive garden, they also raise their own chickens and goats at their home in Northern California. Jan looked and looked, telling me she had the hardest time finding some fun chicken fabric for the girls. That's that - I thought as soon as I can, I'm designing some chicken fabric. {which I like to call the "prosperity hens"}

The second inspiration behind this story is my own desire to start a garden even in the middle of a thriving metropolis, Los Angeles; because of my love for fresh, healthy food, cooking and the kinds of delicious meals where your favorite people gather around the table for hours. I also shop locally, every week, at my neighborhood Farmer's Market. While my garden has only grown to include cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs in pots, one of these days...I will expand it.

And, this is how the desire for chicken fabric grew into an entire collection.  It's here! As always I hope you love it. From what I hear so far, the sheep might be a hit?! I also tried out a completely different, more neutral color palette, which I call "Natural", and the other with my signature brighter palette, reminds me of vintage kitchen colors so I've been calling it "Kitsch".

You can find it at independent quilt shops both brick and mortar and online, and I have fq bundles in the shop. 

Some larger samples of a few of my favorites too.

Oooh! and I almost forgot! for the first time I've introduced tiny stripes to the collection, acting as a solid to combine with the color palette I typically use. I'm super excited about these and how perfect they blend into all kinds of projects.

Speaking of! Faith of Fresh Lemon Quilts put together this great Farmer's Market Tote tutorial using "Locally Grown". Right! aren't these going to be perfect for a trip to the farmer's market? in the form of an  apron or a tote bag? In fact I've been carrying Shaerie's tote bag as my go to purse for the last few months, and made another one this week with the green wreath pattern.

enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! create! create! create! Send me photos of what you're making. I can't wait to see. Or post them in my Flickr group. Have I told you about the Flickr group? so much good stuff there! thank you for sharing what you are creating.

it's on!

The shop update has begun. I ended up listing 49 items! Also my sewing machine had a hiccup {meaning it stopped working} mid way through the stocking sewing, so if you miss the first few, check back later as I will definitely be adding more. Hope you enjoy everything!

 

holiday cards + a creativity webinar tomorrow

I wasn't going to create these this year, but then I couldn't resist.

You can find them over in the shop. 

And! I'm one of the authors participating in a webinar on creativity with Mary Beth, Sandra and Darlene. Join us for an hour, ask us questions. Registration free. You can sign up right here.

santa's workshop - holiday shop update this Thursday 9 am PST

Here's what's been happening. It's feeling a little like Santa's workshop in my studio. I love having my holiday shop update so much all I want to do is create right now. Every chance I get I'm painting, sewing, making. I have the best time working on new creations that I think you might enjoy, and while I'm at it I want to make everyone I know a gift, but first the update this Thursday November 29 @ 9 am PST, I'll be releasing at least 30 new treats, from ceramics to ornaments, to stockings , to new canvas art, to paintings. 

Also, if you didn't get my recent email, I'm still taking a few orders for personalized oranments.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Another post to follow but if you are in L.A., Saturday December 8 - Join me for a an event celebrating the release of my book 7-10 pm. 220 Pier Avene Santa Monica 90405

until then, see you Thursday!