Block of the Month

I created a goal this year to actually sew more.  Can you imagine!?  As a shop owner and long arm quilter, it's a rare occasion that I make time to sew something for myself but this year I'm doing it.  What little time I have been able to spend sewing has rekindled a love of fabric and some stress therapy.  When Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life posted that she was doing a new Mystery Block of the Month this year I decided I'm in!!!  I chose a beautiful fat eighth bundle of Nest fabric I had just received as a pre-release on Sample Spree and untied that pretty ribbon ....

And chose a couple of fabrics for the January Block -- Wishing Ring

The blocks will finish at 12", unfinished 12 1/2".  I can't wait to see how this all comes together!!  If anyone wants to join in, it's not too late.   Visit at http://www.aquiltinglife.com/2018/01/quilting-life-2018-bom.html to get your free download of January's block.   Choose at least a fat eighth bundle or scraps and let's get the party started!  Send me photos of your blocks at olieandevie@gmail.com and each month I'll post the finished blocks to have some fun and see what fabrics you are all using. 

Have a blessed day and find some time to do something you love 💘💘💘

Back by Popular Demand!

Since moving the shop back to Idaho I have had several requests for another Quilt Therapy Day!  I will be holding quilt therapy once a quarter -- with the first one of 2018 being in February!  After posting on Instagram a giveaway this week and reading so many comments about why everyone love's to sew, I noted a recurring them -- it's cheaper than therapy!  I am in total agreement.  There is something soothing about playing with fabric, touching it, cutting it up, sewing it back together and seeing what you have created that is very therapeutic. 

With that being said, I have reserved the Lewisville Community Center for two days -- Saturday, February 17th, and Monday, February 19th (President's Day) for some fabulous sewing time.  If you haven't been to a Quilt Therapy Day this is what happens.  You have a fabulous day with friends, fun, and food!  All you have to do is pay a small fee to help with the rental of the community center ($10.00) and you can sew all day, bring a project or projects to work on of your choice (and the supplies you need), and don't forget a pot luck dish or item for lunch.  On Saturday the doors open at 9:00 a.m. with a demonstration at 10:00 a.m. and we sew, visit, and laugh all day!  There will have some fun giveaways as well as a demonstration on a new and fabulous product!  Monday will be more of the same but we will have to finish sewing by 6:00 p.m. because Rhonda has to go back to work on Tuesday. 

The demonstration  this time will be a fun way of paper piecing using Cake Mix and Cupcake Mix patterns by Miss Rosie.  If you've been in the shop you have seen this fun quilt created using a Cupcake Mix and Sweetwater's Authentic fabric.

Cupcake Mix 4 and Sweetwater's Authentic

This is an easy method of paper piecing -- and you can easily make all the blocks you need for a quilt in a day!  I won't go into more details because you need to come and view this method for yourself and try it.  I promise you'll fall in love 💕💕💕💕 There will be a sample for you to sew on with the quilt blocks being used for a charity quilt when completed, and more examples for you to see in person when we sew. 

Here are some more photos taken from Moda Bake Shop of some additional projects made using this method.

Contact us via email: olieandevie@gmail.com to reserve your spot, or call Rhonda at 801-828-8928 or Jasmine at 208-313-0336.  We need to know what day(s) you will be attending.  Spots are limited so RSVP early! 

Scrappy Log Cabin

Hello quilty friends, I know it's been forever, but I really feel like blogging and sharing dreamy photos of quilts, fabric, and my darling grandchildren.

My scrap pile is never ending!  I make up scrap bags to sell, give bags of scraps to charity, and still have piles and piles.  I must admit some scraps are extremely difficult to part with!  I threw some away the other day and Jasmine commented "you're throwing that away!  I didn't think you threw any fabric away."  Does that mean I have a problem?  Or is it my mind always thinking "I can make the cutest something or other with this." 

When the Bloc Loc Log Cabin rulers became available, I decided I was going to start a scrappy log cabin.  My bin looks like this ....

If you follow me on Instagram, you may recall I wrote a little post about this back in October at a quilting retreat.  I am slowly whittling away on this pile of scraps, always adding more, and this is what I am making ...

A Scrappy Log Cabin quilt.  😍 Progress is slow, but when I pieced a few of my completed blocks  together last night into sets of 4 and laid them out, I was tickled pink.  I do believe I have another favorite scrappy quilt!  Bloc Loc thank you for saving me.  The beauty of the Bloc Loc ruler is that I can pick a strip or patch from the bin (and I don't even square it up or always have a straight line), sew it on, press, lock the Bloc Loc onto the seam and trim.  I square up my blocks when I finish piecing them (I am making the individual blocks 7 1/2", finished square of 4 measures 14 1/2").  I sew, press, and trim -- and try to do as much chain piecing as possible to save a little time.  I hope to at least have patience to make a twin quilt or possible one to fit a full size bed.  This will be an ongoing WIP, but when it's done I will have some delightful memories of beautiful fabrics we have carried in the shop, other projects that were made, or even a piece of two from a scrap of a customer quilt. 

I am using the Bloc Loc 1/2" x 1" ruler and my strips finish at 1".  It's easy peasy and you should definitely get one to try, we have various sizes in the shop. I have attached a link to Bloc Loc's ruler tutorials so you can see how it's done. www.blocloc.com/video-tutorials-new/

Bloc Loc 1/2" x 1" Ruler

Now I just need to get started on the project I'm dreaming up with the new Bloc Loc Pineapple Rulers we are carrying (hint -- it will have lots of red and green scraps). 

Wishing you a week of happiness and success!

Rhonda

Lil' Red

And so Lil' Red set off with her basket of goodies on her way to Grandmother's house, but who should she happen to meet in the woods?  Why the Big Bad Wolf of course!  Meet Lil' Red - Stacy Iest Hsu's first  -- and certainly not last -- fabric line for Moda.

This fabric depicts it all.  From Lil' Red, Grandmother's House, the Big Bad Wolf, whimsical trees, tulips and flowers, down to the mushrooms and blades of grass. 

And if the prints aren't cute as can be, there's this darling panel.  How sweet to have your own Lil' Red doll (complete with cape), matching blanket, pillow and even a big bad wolf??

This really is one of the sweetest lines, and what a story it has to tell.  Remember it's new to the shop and new means -- Precuts and yardage at a discounted rate for ONE WEEK from Friday, January 8th through the 15th.  See that little button over there at the top right of where you are reading that says "My Etsy Shop"? Well, click on it and pick up yours while there is still some to be had.
 Evie~

Newsworthy for 2016

I hope you are all sitting down when you ready this post (mostly so you don't faint from the shock of seeing me post on my blog)!  I often think of things I want to write and don't find or make the time.  This year I WILL DO IT!!

 Lots of new happenings including weekly specials, flash sales, fabric destashing (shop and my own personal stash) and new fabric lines discounted. I also have shop hours now if you want to come in person.  Below are more detailed descriptions of the new happenings.


Weekly Specials.  Each week I will be choosing fabric, precuts, fabric lines, notions, patterns, kits, etc. and will be offering those items at a discounted price.   Whether you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or here, you will see a photo come up with the caption "Weekly Special".  You can visit my Etsy shop, search for "Into The Woods" (or whatever the weekly special is) and see the reflected discounts.  At the end of that week the prices will change.  For example:  The week of January 4, 2016, the following special is in place.

"Into the Woods" by Lella Boutique

Layer Cakes and Jelly Rolls $23.95

Remaining yardage in shop is $6.50 per yard

Flash Sales.  I will have random flash sales that may only last a day or two, there won't be much notice, and it will be an opportunity to purchase items at a discount for a short period of time.  As a heads up this time I will hold a flash sale on Wednesday, January 13, 2015 so keep your eyes and ears open.  

Fabric Destashing.  If you follow me on Instagram you have seen a little bit of fabric destashing going on.  I will be selling some of my own personal stash this year.  I have way too much and know that there is never going to be enough time to sit and sew everything I would love to.  I will also be selling more scrap bags, end of bolt bundles, items that are purchased on sale which I can pass on to you at a great price, etc.  (Free Spirit fabrics are a good example of this as I have several in the shop for $5.00 per yard).  The best way to see these items is to follow me on Instagram.  These sales will remain in effect until the items are gone at which time the post will be deleted

Discounted fabric lines.  I'm saving what I think is the best news for last.  With each new fabric line that comes in beginning the day it arrives, I will be offering a discount on yardage and precuts for ONE WEEK.  (You are likely to see yardage discounted $.50 per yard from my regular price, layer cakes and jelly rolls marked down $1.00 each, and fat quarter and fat eighth bundles discounted).   I will be blogging about fabric lines, precuts, items I have ordered here.  In addition, in my Etsy shop I will keep a thorough list of the fabric lines and designers and the months the items are expected to arrive.  This will help you "plan ahead" if you want to receive the discount.  Rules are ... the day the fabric arrives the special starts.  One week later regular prices will be in effect. Watch for the following:

JUST ARRIVED

"Strawberry Fields Revised" by Fig Tree & Co.

Yardage $8.00 per yard

Layer Cakes $26.95

Jelly Rolls $26.95

Charm Packs $7.85

Mini Charms $3.10

Fat Quarter Bundles $105.00

Fat Eighth Bundles $55.00



Shop Hours.  The shop is now open Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.  It's a great way to come browse in person, visit, and save a few dollars.  I have lots of items in the shop that aren't online (i.e. patterns, fat quarters, fat eighths, even some yardage).  You are also welcome to order online and send me a note you want to pick up and shipping will be refunded to you. 

Rules: If you purchase on Etsy shipping overages over $1.00 will be refunded (the postal service is increasing shipping prices again on January 17th).  If you are sent a paypal invoice, please pay promptly so that others will be able to purchase items and not have to wait to see if they are available.   Once the sale is over, regular prices will go into effect.

I know this is a lot to take in and I hope you bear with me while I incorporate all of these changes.  I think you will find it fun. 

Happy New Year! and more importantly Happy Sewing!
Evie~

New Address

You can now find blog posts here at olieevie.com
Come on over and check it out ... lots of new and exciting changes at the new place of abode.

Around the World Blog Hop

Hello there and welcome to my blog!  My name is Rhonda (a/k/a Evie) and I was invited to participate in the "Around The World Blog Hop" by Karen of Laugh Yourself Into Stitches www.chezstitches.blogspot.com.  If you have not done so already, please go and visit her blog and see how amazingly talented she is.  Although we are not related, we share the same last name and I feel like she's a kindred spirit!  

I don't do very well at writing about myself, but I can certainly talk about FABRIC all day (and night).  I LOVE fabric ... I love it so much that I went into the business of fabric in 2013.  I have a website here www.olieevie.com. As for my blog, I try to post a few pictures of projects I am working on, items I carry in my shop, events, and I like to share notions from time-to-time that I run across that make quilting faster, more accurate, and keep me from going bald!  

I have two sons who both serve our country via the Army National Guard and Navy (they are pretty special to me for many reasons), one absolutely beautiful [inside and out] daughter in law, and two of the most adorable grandchildren a grandma could have (#3 will be here in about 8 weeks)!!!  They call me Grandma Ronnie ;o)  

Besides doing long arm quilting, running my online quilt shop, and being a mom and grandma, I also have a full time job as a legal secretary (for the greatest attorneys in the world)!  I stay busy and could really use more hours in a day.  When I'm not at work you will find me at my long arm, sewing machine, or filling orders.  (I don't have a husband, so don't worry there isn't one to neglect)!  ;o)

WHAT I AM WORKING ON

It might be easier to answer this by asking what I am not working on.  When you love fabric and patterns, and you look at all of the beautiful projects out there in the online world, you want to make them all!  I probably have the fabric to do it too!  

I will keep my list of projects to a minimum (I know your time is precious).  First of all, I am participating in the Farmer's Wife Quilt Revival (I grew up on a farm, just another tidbit of information about me).  I am using the fabric line "Persimmon" by Basic Grey for my blocks.  You can find more information about this quilt along at www.chezstitches.blogspot.com

6 blocks shown here, I have 11 done and 100 more to go!

The other day I was driving to work and I had a little brainstorm.  Being there is a new little arrival coming to our family soon, I am trying to design an original pattern specifically for the precious bundle, featuring "Best Day Ever" by April Rosenthal.  Love these bright, cheerful, happy colors.  

I am working on a LeMoyne Star quilt (LOVE this ruler, it's amazing) from Bonnie & Camille's fabric lines. Although not shown in this picture, I have lots of strips and star points cut and sewn ready to be put into blocks. I believe I have various scraps of five of their fabric lines so far ... they all play so well together -- and I am sure you have seen Daysail ... oh my goodness!

I am in the process of writing a pattern for this fun quilt, but am making an additional one using AdornIt Timberland Critters (it takes one layer cake and about 1/4 yard for your inner border) to complete the top. 

This project has been a work in progress for too long ....

I really only have a few more blocks to go, and maybe a border or two,
and this will be a queen size quilt

I should have taken a photo of the stack of quilts that are waiting to be quilted, some for customers, a lot for myself, and I have a couple of awesome quilt tops that once I get them quilted will be photographed for quilt kits!

HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHER OF ITS GENRE

I don't think that anything I do is different.  I look at quilting as a learning experience and I will never know it all. I try to learn as much as I can by taking a class whether in person or online.  Quilting has been around for generations.  In our era, I feel privileged to be able to enjoy an abundance of beautiful fabrics and patterns, not to mention the convenience of modern day technology and amazingly talented woman (and men) who come up with methods that make it painless to quilt.  Where would we be without You Tube, Craftsy, Jenny Doan, Sew Kind of Wonderful .... and the list goes on and on!  

WHY DO I WRITE/CREATE WHAT I DO

This might be the easiest question for me to answer -- PASSION!  I am passionate about fabric -- the look and feel of it, cutting it up and sewing it back together and seeing what transforms!  It's really amazing.  I love sharing my passion with others.  In the small amount of teaching I have done the most important thing I have tried to express is "MAKE IT YOUR OWN"!  Your project doesn't have to be just like the sample, model or picture.  It needs to be you and express you. I am getting into the groove of playing with different background fabrics to create different looks.  I like that you can use a creamy color to create the look of a vintage quilt.   I like to use scraps up and have lots and lots of them.  These quilts were made from bits and pieces of leftovers from previous projects.  I had a lot of fun playing with them!  

A couple of years ago some friends asked me to create some quilts for them for family members for Christmas. They brought me the fabric and my creative juices started flowing.  Although I had dabbled in trying to do some original designs (photos above), it was the winter of 2012 that helped me realize that I wanted to share my passion even more.  I started teaching some classes and have written a pattern or two.  

This is one of the International quilts I designed (another farm project)!

I have created a few designs of my own, some of them have not been shared with others, and some have been put in pattern form.  My mind rarely stops working or thinking about how a block would look this way or that way. 

HOW DOES MY WRITING/CREATING PROCESS WORK

The process is that there is no process.  I can be driving, sewing, reading, or typing and an idea comes to me, I pull a paper aside and doodle and it eventually gets put in the folder with the others waiting for me to open it up and get back to it in the future!  It would be nice to have the time to sort, organize, and spend time creating and writing them all up ... it's kind of my SOME DAY I will get to it pile.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD

I feel very fortunate to have the ability to do what I love.  I donate my time and materials for charity work.  One charity that I quilt and sew for is Quilts of Valor.  You can get more information about that program here.  http://www.qovf.org/  In addition I have donated quilts for auctions or to help raise funds for a charities or organizations I believe in and would encourage each of you to do the same.  You and I both know that there is nothing like having a soft, warm quilt to wrap up in!

Come back next week and I will have a link to at least one blog, hopefully more, that will be sharing their ideas and designs with you and so on and so forth.  Thanks for taking the time to read this post.  I welcome comments and ideas!  

Evie~