in progress

19 more needed, 17 are done.....just waiting for my mail to come.

This was initially going to be much larger, but now I'm thinking of keeping it small. 3 more blocks....that is all.

money well spent

Are there any recommendations for a stamp pad with fabric ink?

they're 3!

I know two princesses that were born on the same day. One lives in Kauai, my niece, and one lives here in California, my bff's daughter. Both were born to gorgeous, dancing mommies, so they are tiny dancers themselves.

I made them these to do some twirling in.....here's the tutorial. Thanks, Plumtickled! (cute name, right?)


They also got these....the tutorial can be found here. Thanks, Skip to my Lou....great tute. I filled the crayon rolls with non-toxic triangle crayons, so they won't roll off the tables in restaurants. They're so cute and easy that I'm thinking of changing the measurements and making a roll for my make-up brushes. I could use it when traveling. I'll be sure to post a tutorial if and when I get to making one.


Happy Birthday, girlies!
love, Auntie Autumn

beach house quilt

My hubby and I say we will retire on the beach one day. My beach house quilt will rest on his crusty old-man armchair that he's destined to own. It will be used for our grandkids when they visit. It may even keep my legs warm when we watch the sun set.

I'm 32, so I have years to complete it, but I just can't wait. I started it last night and am hoping to finish it soon.

My inspiration came from this quilt. I've admired it for quite some time. I visit the picture often, waiting for the right fabric. Lately I've been on a mermaid kick.

The tutorial for curved piecing came from this site. It was my first time using freezer paper for quilting. It's awesome and easy. My only additional tip would be to allow the fabric and freezer paper to cool completely, prior to removing the freezer paper from the block. Also, when the tutorial says to use MORE glue......use MORE glue.

Inhale....can't you just smell the salt air?

california is awesome

While in Kauai I had a moment, just a moment, of homesickness. In that short moment I realized how lucky I am to have spent my entire life in California. Even better, my kids are going to grow up in California too and it's my job to make them appreciate every day of it. True, I've had those thoughts, while on trips in other places, considering moving to other states, but California's bright sun and mild winters are my comfort zone.

Every year I promise to my girls that we will head to the beach as much as possible during their summer break. Then, we find ourselves running to and fro soccer practices, pool parties, movie theatres and never step on the sand quite as much as intended. This has been the year for us. I've taken every possible opportunity to make the drive to different beaches along Southern California, discovering new places that I've never been to. It has become an obsession for me. I will sink my toes in the sand of every beach along my part of California at some point in my life. I will know California and embrace my home state.

Summer of 2009 hasn't been a productive one for me, in terms of creating. My sewing machine is only getting use on occasion, but my skin is a golden tan and my hair is lighter. My boogie boards still have sand on them and I've been researching different surf classes for my girls and I.

Enjoy Summer. Find local parks to walk in and plan camping trips. Become a tourist in your city. Pick up pamphlets and see your state through the eyes of someone else. Teach your children about their local lakes and beaches. Love your home.

kauai, part 2

The fabric was wonderful.

happy 4th of july.

Wishing everyone
good food,
loud fireworks,
a margarita (or two),
and
some fun in the sun.

my part

Chen,

You said you like, "pink, green, blue and yellow"....and, "anything from the sea".
Then, I went to Kauai to visit this little girl.
Every time we saw a woman swimming she turned to me and said, "she's a mermaid."


I visited some fabric shops looking for "pink, green, blue and yellow", but kept thinking of "she's a mermaid". The perfect fabric was sitting at home, in California, in my stash. So, I picked up some fun flowers that reminded me of sea plants, but used my stash for the rest. The Amy Butler dots remind me of bubbles and the other Amy Butler made me think of coral. The other dots...more bubbles.

I hope you like it. I loved making it.


hugs from California,

placemat swap

Today I got a great package of goodies from my friend, Chen, of Mushyhed's Sweatshop. She's the greatest. Check out my awesome placemat! I told her I loved circles and circles she provided. What a great gifter. She included all sorts of fun stuff. I can't wait to listen to the cd......maybe with a glass of wine, while quilting. Good stuff.

I love looking at the other swaps in the flickr group. What a fun group.

kauai, part 1

This is going to be a long journey, so I'm breaking it up into manageable pieces. First, I want to share the stores that I visited.

My hubby, Jasen, deserves credit for his patience. He was my willing guide around the island, taking me from the Southside to the Northside and even visiting the same store TWICE. He took all my storefront photos, while I perused the inside of the stores. That's love.



Vicky's Fabric Shop
(808) 822-1746
4-1326 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI
Located on the right side of the road, if you're heading North. Don't blink....you might miss it. It passes by quickly. This was my first stop and where I found my bikini print. Vicky's Fabric Shop is great. The girls are friendly and Vicky, herself, will tell you of how she moved to Kauai years ago, from LA. I found great Hawaiian prints and some awesome Amy Butler and Alexander Henry. She also has quilts for sale, along with patterns for authentic Hawaiian quilts.





Discount Fabric Warehouse
(808) 246-2739
3-3215 Kuhio Hwy # 9
Lihue, HI
The Discount Warehouse is a must-go. I spent the most time there and found some great stuff. I bought two Heather Ross prints and some great japanese fabrics. The ladies are wonderful and one, who I never got her name, was so helpful in discussing machine shopping. They have quite a huge variety of machines set up and my new friend gave my loads of advice. The prices are fantastic and when you consider sales tax is only 5% you may want to think about making a purchase and having it shipped home. I considered this.....for a moment.
The store was a little difficult to spot. We passed it twice. It's on the right side if you're travelling South. The shop in front is Two Frogs Hugging. It's a teak furniture store. It may be easier to look for that.



Kapaia Stitchery
(808) 245-2281
3-3551 Kuhio Hwy
Lihue, HI
How cute is this storefront? You won't miss it, so I won't bother to tell you which side of the street it's on. Beautiful quilts hang in the windows, the patterns for them can be purchased inside. At Kapaia Stitchery I found most my Hawaiian prints, Amy Butler, and some other fun prints. There were so many handmade items that I wanted to buy, but I refrained. My husband only has so much patience and it had started pouring "cats and dogs" while I was shopping.
I was inspired by one of their window displays... "The Postcard Quilt". I decided not to buy the pattern, so I could make something a little different from what they displayed. Mine will be smaller, more my sized. I did buy the bundles that were so perfectly matched up for "The Postcard Quilt".

Fabric shopping in Kauai, just my style.