Well, here we are at the end of October, and I'm just now getting around to sharing a little of what's been happening around here! The past few months have been filled with family, fabrics, flowers, and plenty of creative projects. Time certainly has a way of slipping by when you're busy doing the things you love!
August was a busy month, and one of the highlights was having a photo shoot of my little "she shed" creative space. It may be small, but it's packed full of colorful fabrics, threads, patterns, and all the tools of the trade. Ashley is an amazing photographer, and she captured the colorful, creative vibe of my space perfectly.
Since I wanted a few extra flowers for the photo shoot, I headed to our local Saturday farmers market to see what I could find. I didn't realize we had such an amazing flower farm right here close by! Their market stand was set up so you could choose individual flower stems and curate your own bouquet. Of course, I loved that! The flowers were absolutely beautiful, and I have a feeling I'll be making regular trips back.
I also chose ten of my favorite surface pattern designs to submit to Pattern Magazine. Going back through my designs to decide which ones to send was an interesting exercise. I was pleased to see how my skills have grown and changed since I first started designing. But you know what? Some of those earlier designs are still among my favorites. Sometimes a design just makes you happy, no matter when you created it!
Even though I love designing fabric myself, I also love and admire the work of other fabric designers. And that brings me to something new and exciting in my Etsy shop.
A little stained-glass magic – The Dear Clara Collection. I recently purchased the entire Dear Clara fabric collection by Jason Yenter for In The Beginning Fabrics, and I honestly think it may be some of the most beautiful fabric I've ever seen. The colors and designs make you feel as though you're looking through a brightly lit stained-glass window. The collection honors Clara Driscoll, the remarkable artist who led the Women's Glass Cutting Department—the group that became known as the "Tiffany Girls"—at Tiffany Studios in New York City. There are three different quilt patterns designed to showcase the collection, and I now have quilt kits available in my Etsy shop, along with most of the individual fabrics by the yard. If you love rich color and stained glass as much as I do, this collection is definitely worth a look!
Over the past couple of months, I've also been busy replenishing my stock of embroidered tea towels and Christmas ornaments. I've added several items to the Etsy shop that, until now, were only available at my in-person craft shows. So, if you haven't visited the shop lately, there are quite a few new things to see!
One of my longtime popular items has been my baby crinkle tag toys. I've heard from moms and grandmothers who are looking for more natural materials for their little ones and have asked whether I could make an all-cotton version. I was happy to oblige! There are now crinkle tag toys available with 100% cotton fabric and cotton fabric tags. The crinkle material itself is securely enclosed inside, so the materials touching baby's skin are cotton.
And then came one of the most exciting—and definitely most fun—days of September.
We went wedding dress shopping!
Our middle daughter is getting married next year, and the wedding will be in Italy! She found her dress, and now the planning and anticipation begin. A wedding is exciting enough, but a wedding in Italy? That might make it just a little more exciting!
And just like that, October arrived! This month has been filled with family visits, harvesting the last of the fall crops, and making big pots of warm, comforting soup. There's something so satisfying about gathering the last of the garden's bounty and turning it into something delicious to share around the table. I love this time of year, when the pace begins to shift a little and the kitchen fills with the wonderful aromas of homemade soup. Of course, there has been plenty of quilting going on, too!
I finished the next grandbaby quilt, and this one just might be my favorite so far. It features twelve beautiful swans in sweet, girly colors, with lots of unique free-motion quilting to give each block its own special character. I had such fun adding all those little stitched details. There's something especially meaningful about making a quilt for a grandchild, knowing that each stitch is part of a keepsake I hope will be treasured for years to come. Although I have to admit, I think I say "this one is my favorite" every time I finish another grandbaby quilt!
We also managed to sneak away for a couple of days in Colonial Williamsburg, one of our favorite places to visit. The weather was wonderfully pleasant for strolling through the historic area and enjoying the beautiful colonial architecture. One of the highlights was attending our favorite colonial concert at the Governor's Palace. There's just something special about hearing music from another era in such a beautiful historic setting. It's like stepping back in time for a little while.
On the surface pattern design front, I submitted several designs to Ivy City Co. for their recent art call. I absolutely love their beautiful dresses, especially the coordinating "Mommy & Me" styles. How sweet would it be to see one of my fabric designs made into matching dresses for mothers and their little girls? I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Submitting artwork can be a little intimidating, but I always remind myself that every submission is another opportunity to grow, learn, and perhaps see my designs find their way into the world in a new and exciting way.
As October draws to a close, the Shenandoah Valley is putting on its beautiful autumn display. The mountains and hillsides are dressed in shades of gold, orange, crimson, and rust, and there's inspiration everywhere I look. I don't think I'll ever tire of the beauty of God's creation or the endless combinations of colors and textures He has placed all around us.
Between family visits, quilting projects, fabric designs, a little traveling, and all the everyday happenings that fill our days, these past few months have certainly been full.
And while I may be a little late sharing all of this, sometimes it's nice to look back and appreciate just how many wonderful little moments have been tucked into a season.
I hope you're enjoying your fall as well—whether that means gathering with family, stitching up something beautiful, enjoying a bowl of homemade soup, or simply sitting for a few moments and watching the leaves drift down.
Here's to cozy days, colorful fabrics, cherished family memories, and all the beautiful things still to come!