New Pattern Shop on Craftsy

You can now purchase my patterns on Craftsy, here.  I don't have my full selection up yet, but the good thing about Craftsy is no waiting!  You download the pattern directly from the site.  You can of course still see and purchase all my patterns on etsy. 

Have a Crafty Weekend!

Fun Fabric Stuff

Here is a fun blog by Jessica Wilson - scrumdilly-do Lots of  kid crafts.  More websites worth a look-  http://sewing.org   
http://sewtawdry.blogspot.com
Fiskars has some great projects to try.
An adorable ruffle necktie tee tutorial from McKell's Closet

Jerri McKee and Moonlight Design

     This week has been really exciting what with a 5.9 earthquake and now Hurricane Irene headed towards us.  I was really excited to be able to attend a trunk show by Jerri McKee of  Moonlight Design Quilts .  She makes beautiful pieced and quilted jackets on top of sweatshirts.  She sells instructions and kits.  I forgot my checkbook, but picked up lots of inspiration. 

Fun Fabric Stuff

I definitely could use a WonderWoman Apron from Bethany Sew & Sew .  I love the idea of being a superhero while doing the dishes and making dinner!

Looking ahead to Halloween (like my kids are always doing) - check out these beautiful calaveras .  All hand embroidered- WOW!

And I just thought these pajama eaters are adorable.  There is a tutorial and everything over at Sew Fearless. 

Fun Fabric Things

These cute yo yo pattern weights would really make cutting out more fun.  Thanks Spoonful of Sugar.

I love the look of these Steampunk Softies by Sarah Skeate and Nicola Tedman.  The description is great too.

Over at purl bee they have a summery citrus felt coaster how to. 

Never made your own piping before?  Go to Colette Patterns for a simple tutorial.  And really is that easy to make it yourself.

Hip Pouch by Jan DiCintio

I missed the 3-day sew along at the beginning of July, but I really like this hip pouch by Jan DiCintio of Daisy Janie.  day 1 , day 2 , day 3  Very well done, Jan, thanks for sharing!  This goes on my list of projects to sew.  It would be very handy when I'm biking and walking!

Patriotic Quilts

In honor of Armed Forces Day- Patriotic Quilts!  Actually, any quilt in red, white and blue could be considered patriotic.  With that in mind, these reversible drink coasters could be included.  I've been wanting to sew a large wall hanging.  It would be really easy using flip quilt instructions.  Robert Kaufman has some armed forces and flag prints.  A selection of red, white and blue fat quarters could be used in a patriotic quilt.  A quilt made of bandanas in red white and blue would be pretty.  I just bought a very unusual bandana from Walmart for $1.00.  Actually, the more I think about it, the more I might need to go back and buy enough to make a quilt!

Here are some of my favorite patriotic quilts from etsy-
homespun patchwork
mini flag
antique indigo blue red 1890s quilt
flags in stars
tabletopper
liberty
zig-zag quilt

Enjoy and be inspired while we celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Virginia Fashion Week

The fourth annual Virginia Fashion Week is going on now through Nov.14, 2010.  Lots of shows and events featuring lots of different designers.  Exciting to have this all happening here!  Unfortunately, I can't attend any of it.  To see designers involved http://vafashionweek.net/

Another Good Sewing Resource and Cat Pictures!

A catalogue from Connecting Threads arrived the other day.  It is beautiful and inspiring.  I haven't ordered from them before, but I did check out their website.  http://connectingthreads.com/ is well worth visiting.  They have over 81 tutorials, 124 free patterns!  In Nov. they are supposed to be featuring beginner machine quilting and finishing will be in Dec.

 Emma, trying to doze.

 Sleepy Emma on top of the freezer.

Emma, caught on my watch and hat!  The whole rest of the bed was empty!

All right, back to sewing.

Fun with Fabric (and a Baby)

I ran across this site where the mom constructs elaborate scenes around her napping baby.  They are adorable!  You have to see them to understand- http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/ 

Pattern Review: Christine Jonson #714

This is my new favorite top!  I used Christine Jonson's #714, Cross Your Heart Top (green illustration).  It was quick and easy to sew (took about 1 hour 15 min.).  The instructions and pictures are clear and informative. The illustration shows a little more gathers than there really are.  The length is very flattering and the v neck is comfortable- not too low as some wrap-style tops are. 

It is hard to tell details with the print I chose, so I skipped any extra topstitching.  I just know I'm going to wear the life out of this top and then sew more of them!  http://www.cjpatterns.com/ Visit her website to see other patterns available.

What's New At Cat Song Stitchery-Everything Bag!

The Everything Bag #410 is a new instruction booklet

now available at http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com/ .  The great thing about this is you can customize it to fit anything you need to carry using the instructions!  This example shown is a ballet bag I made for my niece's birthday.  She needed lots of specialized pockets.  The bag is softly structured using fleece.  Fun, easy, quick plus you get the bag you need!

Contest Fabric

This picture doesn't do justice to how beautiful the fabric is!  This is my prize from SewCalGal's Pets on Quilts contest.  She runs some great shows, contests and giveaways.  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/ Stop by and visit!  http://sewcindy.blogspot.com/ donated the fat quarters above.  I'll come up with something special for them.  Thank you again!

Well, the kids are back at school and I am working on my projects that have been piling up.  Also working on 2 new patterns for http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com/

More Fabric Inspired Cakes

These are amazing- fabric inspired cakes!  Almost too beautiful to eat.  My favorite is the calico cake, but the crewel cake and lace ones are gorgeous too!  http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/fabric-cakes

Fabric Cakes

I came across these wonderfully decorated cakes that look like embroidery on fabric or quilting or even a crocheted christening gown! Amazing what can be done with icing. Almost too pretty to eat! http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/04/sunday-sweets-gettin-crafty.html

Pantone Color of the Year- Turquoise!

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20705&ca=4 Pantone, a color forecast service, has announced its color of the year (2010) is turquoise. This is great news because I love turquoise! Especially for spring and summer, it makes me think of Italy...

Martha Stewart on the Today Show

I was eating my morning oatmeal and watching the Today when Martha Stewart appeared. She said there are about 20 million American women that sew! I am thrilled to know this. I had a feeling it was alot. She went on to demonstrate some super easy projects for spring. They are on her website www.marthastewart.com . I'm going to try some soon.

Deals & Coupons - Earn Cash Back When You Shop.

Deals & Coupons - Earn Cash Back When You Shop.: ""
This is a new shopping site I've joined. My etsy shop is listed here. It is completely free to everyone! Apparently you earn money just by shopping through the site. Worth checking out. Anything to increase my shop traffic!

A Sewing Class is Time Well Spent

I just added two wall hangings to http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsongstitchery/ They are both examples of projects I made while taking a class. I love learning new things and also having a time dedicated to making a project with other like-minded folks. This year our local American Sewing Guild chapter will be offering lots of great classes at low prices. Check out your local chapter. Membership more than pays for itself and I always come away from meetings feeling inspired and not alone in my passion for making things! www.asg.org

Quilting Adventures

Happy Holidays and Merry New Year to my friends at Quilting Adventures! They will be opening their new store at Willow Lawn, next to Ben Franklin (Richmond, VA) on Monday December 21. I am looking forward to it! Visit www.quiltingadventures.com for more info. See you there!