bound mini quilt + pillow + giveaway || 30 Days of Sewing with Art Gallery Fabrics

Happy National Sewing Month!

303 Kona Colors + One Little Mistake

303 colors is a lot, right?  It is, and Beth from Stash Fabrics  asked a few quilters to put together some bundles for you because she now carries ALL 303 colors. I hope you will check it out.  

At first, I was immediately drawn to do pick out something bright, but I got to thinking that more than likely most of the other bundles would be bright.  I wanted to provide Beth's customers with variety, and I think this bundle does just that.  It is also perfect for both sexes and can be broken up to work on a smaller scale, providing even more variety for your projects.   The colors work really well together.  They are rich, sort of manly, and will be perfect for your fall quilting!  I don't know about you, but I'm already day dreaming about fall with cooler weather and colorful leaves on the trees.  

Mistakes Happen

I went back and forth a little about whether or not to share this part with you.  Then I thought, why not?  I ran into a little problem with what I had made, and of course, I only wanted to show the best AND be the best as I could for this hop.  But life isn't always perfect, is it?  As a maker, it is sometimes hard to critique your work and then to publicly come out and say it could be better.  Mistakes are definitely part of the making process, and they happen way more frequently than I would care to share.   

Originally, I made a quilt top (just needed a few more seams) loosely following the directions by Lizzy House from her Catalog Quilt pattern.   This is what was on my design wall.

Spontaneity came full force towards the end of making the top, and I decided to cut it up.  You have to understand me though to know that I rarely get attached to my quilts or fabrics.   I love them.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm just not like a lot of other people who would shudder at the thought of cutting up a quilt top or altering it in some way that could produce a totally different outcome.  To me, it was just fabric, and I wanted to experiment.  It's the fear that stops us from exploring.  Fear we will ruin a good quilt top. Fear of the outcome.  Fear of wasting precious time because um, hello.  That top took me several hours to prep, cut, and piece.  Fear of hurting someone's feelings, including our own.  Fear of making mistakes.   Well, in my opinion, cutting up that top was possibly a mistake.  I know some of you will absolutely love the improv log cabin I made, but it's not sitting well with me like some of my other work.  I'm not beating myself up about it, but I am little bummed it didn't turn out quite like what I had envisioned in my head.  But then again, can improvisational piecing ever come out just like what we had in our heads?

If I could go back to the Catalog quilt, I would. It was a risk I took, and it was something I would have never known unless I took that risk.  Would I take a risk like this again?  Most certainly!  Sometimes the biggest risks can yield the greatest results, but you never know until you take that step.  If you want to ever expand your skills or abilities, you need to learn to push on.  To push through the mistakes.  To push through the pain.  To push through the fear.  You can do it!

I also played around with some of the leftover scraps, which I loved the outcome of this.  I do have plans for this, and I can't wait to have the time to implement it!

Stash Fabrics offers all 303 Kona colors and provides free shipping on orders over $50.  You can get 10% off your entire purchase now through the entire month of August with the coupon code “WOW303”.  It expires September 6th 11:59 EST and does not apply to pre-orders or clubs.

Here is the link the to my bundle and the link to all the bundles.

Stash Fabrics Kona Blog Hop Schedule

July 17 – Darcy @ Modern Cozy
July 23 – Jacey  @ Jacey Craft

July 30 - Kelly @ Kelby Sews
August 3 – Nancy @ Owen’s Olivia
August 6 – Jodi @ Tales of Cloth
August 10 – Megan @ City Stitches
August 12 – Rita @ Red Pepper Quilts
August 17 – Elizabeth @ Andpins Handmade
August 19 – Tara @ Rad and Happy
August 21 – Sharon @ Color Girl Quilts
August 24 – Allison @ Allison Sews
August 27 – Kristi @ Schnitzel and Boo

August 31 - Jessee @ Art School Dropout

xx nancy

One year ago: Pattern Parcel

Two years ago: Hexagon Clock

Three years ago: For Gracie

Four years ago: Homemade Laundry Soap


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

My bundle was given to me to create to a project to showcase the colors I chose. I have shopped with Stash Fabrics before, and I love their customer service and shop.  I only promote businesses that I feel would be good for my readers to know about.  

Etno Quilt Top || Pat Bravo of Art Gallery Fabrics

Hello all, and Happy Spring!  I was asked by Pat Bravo to participate in her Etno Blog Tour.  This tour shares with you her newest collection, Etno.

Inspired by ethnic patterns, Etno features a colorful selection of fun prints in yellows, pinks, blues, blacks, whites, and tans.   I combined most of the prints using flying geese and half square triangles to create my Etno quilt top.   Are not the fabrics lovely?

For the official list of those participating in this hop with links, please visit here.

April 3rd ~ Teri at Fa Sew La
April 4th ~ Lisa at The Quilt Jam
April 5th ~ Hilary at Young Texan Mama
April 6th ~ Sharon at Color Girl Quilts
April 7th ~ Marija at Marija's Fabric Creations
April 8th ~ Nancy at Owens Olivia
 April 9th ~ Becky at Sewin 4 Him
April 10th ~ Erin at Poppy Quinn
April 11th ~ Kathryn at Up*It*Is*Quilts
April 12th ~ Lori at Lori Hartman Designs
April 13th ~  Abbey at Sew Charleston
April 14th ~ Aida at Aika Maku
April 15th ~ Debbie at A Quilter's Table
April 16th ~ Lara at Scrap Quilt Preach
April 17th~ Isabel at Lamb & Wolfie
April 18th ~ Kylie at Faith Love Fabric

Please stop by Marija's Fabric Creations and check out tomorrow's feature at Sewin 4 Him to see what these quilters are up to.

Helpful links:

Art Gallery Fabrics
Pat Bravo's Blog

Find me elsewhere:
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest


Have a great week!

xx nancy

One year ago:  Sweet as Honey
Two years ago: Bedroom Makeover
Three years ago: My first quilt


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

sweet as honey

Hello!  Today is my stop on the Sweet as Honey Blog Tour hosted by Bonnie Christine of Going Home to Roost.  She is the creator of this line, and it is sweet indeed.  When she asked me if I wanted to participate, I immediately said yes.  Matt and I raised honeybees for awhile before the unexpected mild temps during one winter killed them.  We lost our hives.

My fabric did not start out as strips.  In fact, they were triangles for a quilt, but it just didn't seem right.  I knew I had to take a different path.  I've never worked with courthouse steps before, and I wanted to give it a try.  The Essex linen in Steel juxtaposes the bright colors.  I paired it with Art Gallery's Squared Elements in Seafoam to calm my selection of fabrics.

As you can see, this collection is fun and cheerful and centered around a woodland theme.

My favorite photo of all though is probably this last one.  It was a bit underexposed, which made the fabric radiate, in my opinion.  The photo was so moody and dark, and it was just the perfect opposition to the sweetness found in Sweet as Honey.

There are 25 bloggers participating, which means 25 projects you can see using Sweet as Honey.   Tomorrow's stop is with the miss Bonnie Christine herself, so you won't want to miss that!

Here's the roundup.

Monday March 3rd – Jennifer | Hopeful Homemaker
Tuesday March 4th – Jessica | Haile and Co
Wednesday March 5th – Meg | Milk and Rhubarb
Thursday March 6th – Meghan | Eat Live Make
Friday March 7th – Sarah | Crinkle Love
Monday March 10th – Amy | During Quiet Time
Tuesday March 11th – Corey | Little Miss Shabby
Wednesday March 12th – Amanda | Material Girl Quilts
Thursday March 13th – Sarah | No Hats in the House
Friday March 14th – Caroline | Sew Caroline
Monday March 17th – Ale | Golden Willow Quilts
Tuesday March 18th – Emily | Beautiful Hello Blog
Wednesday March 19th – Melissa | Lulu The Baker
Thursday March 20th – Nancy | Owen’s Oliva
Friday March 21st – Bonnie  | Going Home to Roost
Saturday March 22nd – Cindy | School House Patterns
Monday March 24th – Melissa | Missouri Mel
Tuesday March 25th – Shannon | Very Shannon
Wednesday March 26th – Heidi | Hands Occupied
Thursday March 27th – Barb | Knack Studios
Friday March 28th – Caitlin | Salty Oat
Saturday March 29th – Karen | Celebrate Life With Us
Monday March 31st – Kellie Kraft Nurse Quilt
Tuesday April 1st – Krista | Everyday Miija
Wednesday April 2nd – April San Pedro | I Am Artisan


Want to buy Sweet as Honey?

You can purchase from BobbieLou's Fabric Factory.

xx nancy

One year ago: Dresser turned Activity Table
Two years ago: How to fix veneered banding

Minimalista Quilt + Giveaways from Art Gallery Fabrics

**This giveaway is now closed**

You may remember this Instagram I posted two weeks ago.  Well, my Minimalista quilt is finally finished.  (Anyone interested in naming this for me, since I am not particularly fond of naming quilts.)

Find Art Gallery Fabrics' Minimalista at these fine retailers:

Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory
Stash Modern Fabric
Fat Quarter Shop

Quilt info:

66" x 77"
The petals are outlined in White Linen.  Background color is Mystic Grey.  Accents inside of petals are Moonstone, except for one, which features Script Noir.  The quilt back is Flora in Turquoise and is hand bound in Squared Elements in Shadow.  All fabrics are Art Gallery Fabrics.  I used Aurifil's Silver Gray #4060, which is variegated and 28 wt, for the quilting.  Quilter's Dream cotton batting.

xx nancy

Find me elsewhere: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Bloglovin'


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

A few Black Friday Sales

Happy Thanksgiving!  For those of you living outside of the States, now may be a good time to take advantage of a good deal!  If you buy too much fabric this weekend, it ain't my fault.  (I'm already trying to figure out how to hide the fabric that's heading my way.) And let's pray no one dies in a Wal-Mart this year.  Enjoy your holiday and the sales and be safe!

• Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory is offering 25% off any order with the coupon code GOBBLE.  Ends Dec. 2 at midnight EST.  

• Friday, Nov. 29th  Maze and Vale will further mark down Misprints and will carry some Sample Packs, which sell out very quickly.

• Stash Modern Fabrics has 20% off all bundles, including you pick your own fabrics bundles.  No coupon code necessary.  Free shipping on orders over $50 with code SHIPFREE50.

• Tactile Fabrics has 20% off bundles, yardage, and pre-cuts.  Save an extra 15% with coupon code CYBER2013, which is good Friday, Nov 29th - Monday, Dec. 3rd.    

• Poppyseed Fabrics is offering 20% off everything in the shop thru Monday, Nov. 29th at midnight. Minimum purchase is $15.  Use coupon code HOLIDAY20

Also, there are a few spots left in the Anna Maria Horner Dowry Charm Swap, if you are interested.

xx nancy

AMH Charm Swap - DETAILS + SIGN UP

Last week, I announced the idea of an Anna Maria Horner  Dowry Charm Swap, so let's do this!!

Here are the details.  Please READ carefully, as you agree to the rules when signing up.

I hope you will join us!



What are we swapping?

One yard of (56) 5" x 5" charm squares, which will include all 24 prints of AMH's Dowry plus four additional AMH True Colors Collection prints.  You are ONLY responsible for Dowry.  To make things easy, I have assigned True Colors to two ladies who have already agreed to ordering, so please do not buy True Colors for this swap.

via Marmalade Fabrics

Charm swaps are a great way to get an entire collection without spending a fortune.

via Marmalade Fabrics

via Marmalade Fabrics

Rules:

• There are 24 spots available.  Each person can take a maximum of two spots.  The swap will not start until all 24 spots are taken, so please help spread the word!
• Due to time and shipping, this will be a US only swap
• If all the spots are filled, there is an alternate list in case someone needs to back out after signing up. (Alternate list is found via sign up sheet below)
• Each person will buy one yard, or two yards in the event you take two spots.  You may want to purchase an additional 1/4 yard to allow for any mistakes.  If you take two spots, you will buy two different prints.
• No duplicates will be allowed, so please pay careful attention to what has already been purchased when selecting the print you want to buy.
• All fabric must be new, unwashed, and handled in a smoke free home.  For those who may have pet hair or dander allergies, please do not allow pets to lay on the fabric.  
• Precision cutting is important, so I recommend ordering an extra 1/4 yard if you happen to make a cutting mistake.  Please click here for a great tutorial on how to cut 5" x 5" squares.
• Once your fabric has been selected, immediately upload the image to the AMH Dowry Charm Swap Flickr group.  
• Once all the spots are filled, you will have up to two weeks to purchase and upload your print to Flickr before an alternate person will take your spot.  This will only insure that all those who are participating will receive their charm packs in a timely manner.
• If you forget to send a prepaid envelope with your charms, it's not the end of the world, but it does make things a little more difficult and pricey on your part.  Please note that I will not ship the charms back to you until I receive payment.  
• If you run into any problems, please contact me!  I want to make sure you get Dowry!

How to enter:

SIGN UP HERE.  You may also include the name of the print you wish to purchase, but it is imperative that you upload an image to the AMH Dowry Charm Swap Flickr group.  Please list the name of the print.  For example, "Postage Due in Toast."  No duplicates are allowed, so it's first come, first serve.  (But we will all end up with the same prints in the end :)

Commenting below will not guarantee a spot, but if you are having issues signing up using the Sign Up Sheet,  please let me know ASAP.  I will most definitely be checking my emails periodically to make sure things are running smoothly for you all.


What do I do?:

In no way does the information below mean to sound condescending in any way, but I remember with my first swap thinking, "What do I do????"  So I hope this helps for any swap virgins.  :)

• After receiving your fabric, you will press your fabric, and cut it into 5" x 5" squares.  You will get 56 squares out of one yard.  
• Place your squares in a small Ziploc bag (or any other sealable bag will do).  Please do not fold your charms in half.
• Write the following on a card: your name, email address, Flickr user name, and mailing address.  Place the card inside the bag.
• Place the bag into an envelope, but DO NOT seal it.  
• Take it to the post office with an extra envelope that is self addressed. (Please write down my address too, so I don't have to that 26 times.  :)
• Have the post worker weigh the envelope and the charms.  Have them print out a prepaid mailing sticker, and place it on the empty self addressed envelope.
• Place that self addressed envelope inside the envelope that will be mailed to me.  
• Once all the charms have arrived, I will divvy them up, and mail them back to you using your self addressed envelope.

When should I get my charms back?:

• Once all the spots have been filled, it should take no longer than 4-6 weeks to receive your charm pack.

Are there any Dowry sales going on right now?:

Stash Modern Fabric currently has 20% off any bundles, including the pick your own fabric bundles, so you can buy Dowry for 20% off!  Beth also offers free shipping on orders greater than $50 with the code SHIPFREE50.

Marie - Madeline is currently offering 20% off Dowry.

I do not know when these sales will end.


Helpful Links:

Sign Up Sheet  **there was a minor error this morning, but it is fixed.  to add your name, please click a box below Name.   if you cannot edit the list, please try opening in a different browser.  

AMH DOWRY CHARM SWAP FLICKR GROUP

My email:  owensolivia at hotmail dot com


xx nancy

AMH Dowry Charm Swap

Photo credit AMH

Okay, this is a totally spur of the moment post, but while I was browsing fabrics, I wished I could get my hands on Anna Maria Horner's Dowry collection without spending an arm and a leg.

How about a charm swap using all of the prints in Dowry??  I know, right?!!!

General things you will need to know that will help you to decide if this swap is for you:


+26 spaces available (I'll account for the other two making 28 total)

+ each person buys 1.25 yds  (.25 yard allows for any cutting mistakes)

+ charms are 5" x 5" squares and precision cutting is important

+each participant will receive 2 charms of each print in return for a total of 56 charms

+ each person is responsible for cutting, mailing, and paying for postage to mail the package back to you

+ fabric must be new and handled in a smoke free home

+ open to US residents

+ charm swaps typically run 4-6 weeks long to allow buying, cutting, and mailing time

+ sign ups will start this Monday, November 25th.

**There are 24 prints in the Dowry collection, but I would like to take a vote after the group is filled as to whether or not people would prefer additional larger scale Dowry prints or a few prints from other collections like Hand Drawn Garden.  We'll need 4 additional prints, but we can work this out later.

Okay, so what I want to know is who is in?!  Are there 26 people out there who would be interested??  In the meantime, I will work on another post with a sign up sheet, and all the other information that you will need.

Welcome Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory + Discount Code

I am happy to welcome Bobbie Lou's Factory as owen's olivia newest sponsor!

Who is Bobbie Lou?

Chelsea Graham is the owner of this adorable Etsy shop, and in her own words she explains,

"Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory is inspired by and named after my Grandmother, Bobbie Lou.  She was an amazing seamstress and spent most of her free time sewing clothes, dolls, and other beautiful items for her daughters and grandchildren.  She handmade every single one of my "fancy" holiday dressed growing up as well as countless other treasured items that I hope to one day pass on to my own children."

What I noticed right away with Chelsea's shop is the bright colors and selection. Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory offers a large selection of modern prints from your favorite designers like Michael Miller, Windham Fabrics, Amy Butler, Art Gallery Fabrics, Tula Pink, Alexander Henry, and many more!  She even has a sale section that is worth looking into.

Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory offers custom bundles and is willing to cut as small as fat quarters or quarter yards.

Premier Prints Home Decor

Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory offers quilting cottons AND Premier Prints home decor fabric.

Birds of a Feather // Glimma // Ziggy

Yonder Star // Ojo De Dios // Socks the Fox

Chelsea is offering a discount until December 6th, 2013.  Enjoy 15% off any order with the coupon code HELLO.

I hope you will click over and say hello.  I'm sure you will find something you will love!

Bobbie Lou's SHOP  **  Instagram @bobbieloufabric

xx nancy

Giveaway || Stash Modern Fabric

**This giveaway is now closed.**

Hello!  Today's giveaway is sponsored by Stash Modern Fabric, and Beth is giving away a $25 gift certificate to one lucky owen's olivia reader!  Stash Modern Fabric opened in 2011, and it has been thriving ever since.  I've been shopping at this store for awhile now, and I have to admit it's one of my favorites because of the selections Beth carries.  You will find great designers like Leah Duncan, Jeni Baker, Sarah Watson, Amy Butler, and many more.   Make sure to sign up for her newsletter, so you can stay up to date on new releases, sales, and giveaways!  Stash Modern Fabric is currently offering 15% off any bundle, including the create your own bundle, AND all orders ship for free when you spend at least $50 with the coupon code SHIPFREE50 (domestic only but there is discounted international shipping).

BLOG ** SHOP ** FACEBOOK ** TWITTER ** INSTAGRAM

Up for grabs: $25 gift certificate to Stash Modern Fabric.

Open:  Everywhere and to anyone

Closes: This giveaway will end Tuesday, October 29th at 11:59 EST.

Other stuff: Please make sure to leave your email address, if one is not connected to your profile.  Winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. 

Three ways to enter:

• Visit Stash Modern Fabric, and let me what you would buy with your gift certificate.  (Mandatory Entry)
• Follow Stash Modern Fabric through any one of the social media sites listed above, and leave me a comment letting me know how you enjoy following SMF. (Optional Entry)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook, your blog, Instagram, Twitter, or another social site, and leave a comment letting me know you did.  (Optional Entry)

Good luck!

The winner is . . .

#3 - Lorna McMahon

An email has been sent Lorna!

A huge thank you to all those who entered and support Stash Modern Fabrics in any way.  

xx nancy