A Blank Slate - A Fresh Start?
Hello again! Just dropping by to let you know about what's going on with Tamarinis!
This past weekend I was - well, what else - quilting, and my husband and son were outside doing yard work, battling the mosquitos and the lovely Atlanta humidity. They called me outside to"come look at something." That something was this beautiful little moth.
I snapped a pic because I wanted to capture the beauty of the little creature - and remember that awesome pattern. But it also made me think - how lucky am I that the two hulking men in my life not only called me outside to admire something lovely in nature, but that they stopped to admire it themselves first.
I hope you'll take some time this month to stop and appreciate something lovely in nature - and in your life. What makes you lucky? Make a list. It will make you smile every time you read it!
Workshops, Classes and Demos:
Aug 2 - Sept 6: Stitch'n Quilt
Beginning Quilting - Casserole Quilt
A five week beginner level quilt class, featuring "Casserole Quilt", desgined especially for this class!
Aug 2 - Sept 6: Stitch'n Quilt
Intermediate Quilting - still thinking of a name for this one (pictured at left).
A five week intermediate level quilt class, covering more advanced level blocks, a variety of piecing methods, and an on-point setting.
Contact me if you are interested in a workshop or class at your shop or guild!
A Blank Slate
I know everyone thinks of January 1 as the new beginning - a time forreflection and resolutions. But....I think we have several opportunities during the year for fresh beginnings. Ok, so granted, I fall prey to the New Year's hype - I list some goals and feel energized with good intentions.
But then spring rolls around. Warmer weather, sunshine, birds, blooms - who doesn't feel another burst of energy and inspiration then? You know, the whole "spring cleaning" thing.
I take my spring cleaning beyond the literal. (Oh if only I had a fairy godmother that would some do the literal spring cleaning! I know my closets could sure use it!) Spring is another time for new goals, new ideas, and an almost giddy abandonment of what's not right, not working, not moving forward.
And then there's late summer. Back to school time. My "blank slate" time. My kiddos are all grown and way past back to school shopping. Do you remember that? Getting fresh school supplies. There's nothing like the smell of a fresh box of crayons.
And the new school clothes. Another opportunity to reinvent yourself. To create a new look, a new persona, with the firm conviction that "this is going to be the BEST year ever!"
So - blank slate. As I wiped the board clean from my Market and summer deadlines in preparation for Fall Market and fall deadlines, it got me to thinking about this whole resolution thing. A good thing? I like to think so.
Of course, there's nothing more daunting sometimes than a blank sheet of paper, a blank computer screen, a blank chalkboard (oh no - what am I going to do???). But - deep breath, relax, roll the shoulders - suddenly inspiration strikes - and my chalkboard is filling up. Deadlines, ideas, projects. Woohoo!
So what's new with Tamarinis?
1. My Craftsy class launched! Woohoo. I'm super excited about it, and thrilled with all the terrific folks that have started the class. I love that I can interact with them via the question and discussion boards, and that they can post pics of their projects on the projects board. It has been a terrific experience so far!
2. Shop specific patterns. I've been working with local quilt shops, designing patterns that are exclusive to them for a period of time. What I heard consistently when speaking with shop owners was the need to have something unique to them. So....tada....I'm designing patterns that meet the needs of their customers. If you want that, just send me an email and we'll talk. Below are two I've done for local shops.
3. My Facebook likes reached 200! Ok, I know you probably had 200 friends your first week on Facebook. But for me, this is a MAJOR milestone! So I had a little sale over a weekend to celebrate it. Thanks to all that made it happen and support my efforts!
4. August 25th (mark your calendars!) - another blog hop with Quilter's Newsletter. This is focusing on their Christmas Quilts issue that has just been released. Hint - check out "Prismatic Tannenbaum." Yep, that'd be mine! Check my FB page that week for the links to the participants. And you know there's going to be give aways!
5. And of course, I'm working on new patterns for Market. I think you're going to love them! I know I do. Look for a Market Preview in early October.
So what's new with you?
I'd Recommend:
Craftsy is having a sale!!!! This is their "Dog Days of Summer" sale. Click on this link to get up to 50% off almost all their classes!
What would I recommend?
Repiecing the Past - Civil War Blocks - ok, I know what you're thinking. Civil War blocks and me - not a match. But they are lovely - and you don't have to do them in reproduction fabrics. Think batiks. Think brights. Think modern prints. Ah ha - fun, right? And you can't beat Kaye England....what a master.
Inspired Modern Quilts: 7 Small Projects with Big Style - uh huh - this is more me, right? What fun! And what a deal - any class with seven projects in it. And I do absolutely love the clean fresh lines of modern projects!
Big Techniques from Small Scraps - if you're like me, you've got a scrap basket (or two) that is overflowing. What a great idea to use up those lovely leftovers - and a great excuse to have to buy more fabric when the scrap basket is empty!
Improvisational Piecing, Modern Design - there's something very freeing about working "off the cuff" so to speak. No pesky measuring or matching - just piecing and working organically. And what ever you do is right, because that's how it works out. Wonderful, right?
And of course - Quick Quilted Gifts! Hey - that's mine! Four giftable projects - some a few hours, some a bit longer to make, but all wonderful!
Thanks for sharing the quilting passion with me. Happy stitching!
