Canning Season

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It's been a great year to have a garden (at least in Ohio) and seems even with all the heat, we still got plenty of rain to make everything grow and produce like crazy! Right now I'm busy canning tomatoes and salsa every weekend. Thank goodness my husband helps me--he's in it for the salsa! 

Awhile back I did some house cleaning on my Free Pattern page because I want to update the older patterns and reformat everything for a cohesive look. Slowly but surely, I'm bringing back some of the patterns. 

With all this canning and kitchen work, it was time to dust off my Upcylce Apron pattern (formerly called Apron from Sundress) and put that pattern back up for free downloading. 

As summer is winding down, now's a great time of year to pick up a second-hand sundress at your local thrift store, or maybe you have one hiding in the back of your closet!

Selection of sundress at Goodwill

I selected this plain but feminine linen sundress.

Download my free Upcycle Apron pattern and in no time, you'll have a fun apron for covering up while cooking or other messy endeavors like painting or gardening.

When we were canning this weekend, I found a 1979 canning jar lid in the canning supplies given to me by my Mom. She was a big canner in the day and our family garden was a quarter the size of a football field. The date on the lid was exactly 37 years ago on Sunday and it gave me an idea to take some flat lay photos of canning lids and the handed down canning ephemera. I really got a kick out of doing these photos and emailed them to my Mom who also really enjoyed seeing this stuff immortalized in a photo collage. 

I hope you're able to enjoy the bounties of summer as well. If you're not much of a green thumb then hopefully there's a farmer's market near you to take in the these glorious last days of summer. 

Summer Discoveries

Fourth of July means summer's now in full swing. If you're like me you still want to be sewing projects but not a lot of big commitment ones. After all, you still want to be outdoors, weed the vegetable garden, and have some summertime fun. Here's a few ways I've been keeping creatively active and still have time to get away and play outside. 

1. Garage Sales

I honestly don't stop at garage sales as much as I used to. I was an addict in the old days but as you amass a bunch of stuff, you no longer want to have a bunch of stuff. But...I've been clearing out my basement and house and with my kids now grown and starting their own homes, that helps me clear things out rather quickly. So, I may have stopped at a few sales the last couple of week. 

Garage sales can be a great resource if you're redecorating. They're phenomenal at saving money if you have kids (clothing, toys, etc.), and also offers an interesting array of crafty materials and inspiration. 

I found these goodies for a steal with photography in mind for the trunk and chair. The mug was total impulse because I love funky coffee cups. I'm always on the hunt for fabric and totally scored with this 6 yards of vintage blue fabric. 

Sometimes you see stuff at sales and you wonder, where the heck will I put that. Well, if you love it and it's a good price ($10 vintage drafting table), then buy it! You'll figure out where it goes later and not be kicking yourself for leaving it behind. I'm glad I bought this table. It now is set up in my basement art studio and I love it!

2. Painting

A great way to stay creatively active in the summer and maybe even do so outdoors at the same time is painting. Watercolor, acrylic, or oils, painting is low-commitment on your time and fun to do. It's also great to get the kids involved although they will lose interest before you do. Some of you may know that I used to paint. I mainly painted in oils and loved landscapes and landscapes with barns. It's been way too long since I've picked up my brushes and they have been calling. You can see some of my past art work on my new Instagram feed sharonhollandart. Follow along as I post new stuff.

Blue Shade by Sharon Holland 20'' x 20'' oil on canvas

Blue Shade is my second canvas upon my returning to painting and it turned out pretty good. The first attempt was definitely a warm up exercise. It's amazing how much you forget! I have a long way to go but now that my studio is in order I can pop down to my basement when I have a little free time or need a break from my normal workflow and work on a new piece. It feels good to be back.

3. Discover New Books

Visit your local library or browse a bookstore. Finding new books is a great way to invigorate your creativity. I just purchased a super exciting craft and hobbies book called Wise Craft by Blair Stocker for "turning thrift store finds, fabric scraps, and natural objects into stuff you love". Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! Not only is Blair the sweetest person, she's an amazing talent and highly creative designer. I cannot get enough of her quilts and sewing projects. Go see more about Blair at Wise Craft Handmade.

The projects in Blair's book Wise Craft are arranged in four sections, one for each season. With 60 amazing projects of varying involvement, you could fill your (and your kids) summer with endless crafting pleasure.

4. Go Online

Summer is definitely a time to slow down a bit and enjoy life. But, it may also be a good time to work ahead on projects for gifts or the holidays ahead (way ahead, I know, but those holidays have a way of sneaking up on us when life gets busy). Why not start some of those projects early? 

I like to start Pinterest boards for all my projects. I'm currently wrapping up a fabric collection for fall Market and before I even drew one line, I had a Pinterest board started with mood board inspirations. Maybe start (secret) boards for all the ones on your gift list. That way when you come across something you think so and so would like, pin it and when you need to buy or make for them you have all your thoughts in one place. 

Going online is also a great source for sewing projects. Of course, you already know that, you're reading this blog post! My friend and Art Gallery Fabrics 'sister' Maureen Cracknell has a wonderful blog that you absolutely must visit. She is currently posting projects that are great for everyone to love like this small, quick summer projects the Herringbone Backpack. Maureen also teaches a Craftsy class about Quilt As You Go which is great if you've hesitated about getting into quilting because of the finishing part. 

Herringbone Backpack by Maureen Cracknell

5. Win

FAT QUARTER BUNDLE GIVEAWAY!

What better way to liven up your fabric stash for summer sewing then with new fabric! The fabulous Bari J., another dear friend and AGF sister has designed a stunning new fabric line called Joie de Vivre which means a cheerful enjoyment of life. Read below on how to enter this months fabric giveaway.

This blog is sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop and we've teaming up to bring you a chance to win an Art Gallery Fabrics fat quarter bundle giveaway every month! Yes, a bundle of fabulous AGF fabrics every month. 

TO ENTER:

Giveaway for the Hivernal Cloud Joie de Vivre bundle begins today, Monday, July 4th, 2016 and will end on Monday, July 11th, 2016 at 4 p.m. EDT. 

• Leave a comment on this blog post anytime between 7/4/16 and 4 p.m. EDT on 7/11/16 to be entered into drawing

The winner will be randomly drawn and notified via email so be sure to completely fill out the comment box entry form with a valid email address. If I cannot reach the winner within 24 hours I will select an alternate winner. Check back on your comment after 4 p.m. EDT 7/11/16 to see if you are a winner!

Pre-Show Post

This week will just be a quicky post to show you some Tapestry fabrics Quilt Market prep projects and to also bring you May's fat quarter bundle giveaway courtesy of The Fat Quarter Shop.

With only a week and a half away you can imagine all the last minute details and punch lists I am running through this week. The bulk of my sewing is done. I've stitched six quilts which wait to be packed into my largest suitcase to take with me on the plane. Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt as sewn the coolest bags for my booth and Alexis Wright of My Sweet Sunshine Studio has stitched up the most drool worthy little dresses from the meager fabric samples I was able to send her. You girls are amazing!

Bag and baskets made by Heidi Staples of Fabricmutt

Don't you just love these Pixie Baskets and tote Heidi made? Heidi has a free pattern on her blog for the cute Pixie Baskets and other variations.

Be watching for show news to see the other wonderful bags that Heidi made with my fabrics. I will also post recaps of the show on this blog so you don't miss a thing!

Alexis Wright is a genius with fabric and garment sewing. She took the smallest fabric samples and turned them into adorable dresses. She made four stunning looks and here's just one to give you an idea. So adorable!

Dress by Alexis Wright of My Sweet Sunshine Studio

As for me, I haven't been taking it easy and letting everyone else do the work :) You've already seen the Orange Peel Table Runner free pattern project I made for the show from my new collection. I have 5 more (full-size) quilts ready for the show. Hopefully we will have a break in this rain so I can get them properly photographed before I leave next week. 

Here's a look at my Tracery quilt to give you a little peek at what I've made. You may notice some Gossamer fabrics and Coastline fabrics incorporated into the low-volume strips. I love how my previous collections work seamlessly with this new one. Visit my Instagram feed at sharonhollanddesigns to see a little video of this quilt hung open wide. 

Tracery quilt by Sharon Holland 

Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway!

This blog is sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop and we've teaming up to bring you a chance to win an Art Gallery Fabrics fat quarter bundle giveaway every month! Yes, a bundle of fabulous AGF fabrics every month. 

TO ENTER:

Giveaway for the Joyful Carousel bundle begins today, Monday, May 9th, 2016 and will end on Monday, May 16th, 2016 at 4 p.m. EDT. 

• Leave a comment on this blog post anytime between 5/9/16 and 4 p.m. EDT on 5/16/16 to be entered into drawing

The winner will be randomly drawn and notified via email so be sure to completely fill out the comment box entry form with a valid email address. If I cannot reach the winner within 24 hours I will select an alternate winner. Check back on your comment after 4 p.m. EDT 5/16/16 to see if you are a winner!

Happy sewing!

Featured and Free Quilts

Sharing quilt patterns is the best part about having this blog. I especially love when one of my designs is featured in a magazine and I can finally post about it! The Spring 2016 issue of Modern Patchwork has one of my favorite quilts sewn with Gossamer fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics. 

Spring 2016 Modern Patchwork Magazine

I called this baby quilt the Gunta Quilt. Named for the Bauhaus textile designer Gunta Stölzl. My quilt design was inspired from a period textile design I found online. The straight line quilting stitches mimic the black line element seen the inspiration textile study below. 

Textile design by Gunta Stölzl

Spring 2016 Modern Patchwork Magazine

Last year I did some house cleaning on the Free Patterns page of this blog. I have offered free patterns and tutorials since first going live in 2010. The Orange Peel Table Runner pattern was the first quilt pattern I wrote and published and was a huge success! It has been downloaded thousands of times but was in dire need of a makeover and re-write! 

When I designed my latest Art Gallery Fabrics collection called Tapestry, I knew this was the fabric line for updating the runner. The prints and colors were just perfect! 

I am happy to announce the new and improved (and easier to follow) Orange Peel Table Runner pattern is ready to download for free from the Free Patterns page once again. 

Keep in mind that this is an intermediate skill level block and although not that hard, could be slightly frustrating if you are new to patchwork quilting. The runner is shown here with several of my new Tapestry fabrics along with the Netting String print from Coastline on the front and Buoyant Fog print from the same collection for the backing. I love how prints from past collections can mix seamlessly with new collections.

Thanks for your patience while waiting for this pattern to be reformatted. Happy sewing!