Here Kitty, Kitty! My Meow Meow cat fabric is here!

Meow Meow Fabrics

I have received some advance pieces of my new Meow Meow fabric collection.  They are piled here on my cutting table so that I can start sewing with them.

I am so excited about  this fabric collection – cats, cats and more cats, all completely inspired by my Kitty Kat’s attitudes.  Meow, Meow will debut from Quilting Treasures at the International Quilt Market in a couple of weeks. The collection turned out just as I envisioned it when I first started designing it – I could not be more pleased!

I think you will be enchanted by designs and colors of these whimsical cats and find a favorite cat “tude”.

Check back as I will show more of these fabrics very soon and some of the projects I’m creating with them.

More from Quilt Market – Lynne Farris, a remarkable woman and author of “Fresh Felt Flowers”

I have been wanting to post more about Quilt Market, but my plans didn’t work out due to computer problems. I just hate computers when they don’t work right! Unfortunately, they are a necessity. But there is just so much unproductive time when the computer acts up. new hard drive requires hours and hours of time loading software and files.  UGH!!!! My husband believes that no one can have as many computer problems as I have.

Anyway, back to Quilt Market. I want to talk to you about my friend Lynne Farris and her new book, Fresh Felt Flowers. Lynne is shown below with a bouquet of

Lynne Farris with bouquet of felt flowersflowers from her book.

Fresh Felt Flowers, published by C&T Publishing, is a new book that showcases techniques created by Lynne to make three-dimensional flowers from wool felt and then detailed using a sewing machine. Fresh Felt Flowers by Lynne Farris You don’t need fancy stitches, just a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch. Lynne makes it so easy to create 17 beautiful textured flowers that you don’t have to keep watered and that don’t die.

Lynne Farris with Phyllis Dobbs at Houston 2007 Quilt Market.jpgLynne is autographing a copy of her book for me. The smile you see on Lynne’s face is a natural for her.  I’ve known her for many years and she has the best sense of humor and is just downright funny.  She has entertained many of us at various gatherings with her acting talent in humorous skits. But when it comes to designing, Lynne has a very serious talent.

Please check back for more from Quilt Market.

Recycle those old sweaters! Don’t toss them.

Its that time of year again to pull out your fall and winter clothing.  Its still pretty warm here in the south, so I haven’t started sorting through my winter clothing, yet.

If you have sweathers you don’t wear any more but just can’t part with them, or just haven’t gotten around to discarding them, stop! Before you toss, think of ways to give them new life. They can be recycled into really fabulous gems – unique one-of-a-kind items for a decorative touch to your home or for a wardrobe accent.

sweater_pillow-st.jpg

This is a pillow that I made from a gorgeous brightly colored striped sweather that I just didn’t want to part with. (As you get to know me, you will find that I’m addicted to color!) Just cut a square or rectangle from the front or back of your sweater and use a nice coordinating fabric for the pillow back. If you have a good front and back to your sweather, you can make two pillows for a matching pair, or use one as a gift.sweater-pillow.jpg This pillow was made from a fisherman’s knit sweather. Add trims, tassels, or other embellishments to put your own personal touch to all the items you create with sweathers.

Here’s a bottle bag I made from another sweather.bottle-bag.jpg

You can create all kinds of fun things – decorative gift bags, purses, totes or a lingerie bags. Use the smaller, irregular areas to create small sachet pillows .  Use the sleeve to make a storage holder for plastic bags. The list is endless of what you can create. Just use your imagination!