Rebranding in progress

Many of us have had devastating blows during the pandemic--both directly and indirectly--and my family is no different. I won't go into details, but those blows have taken me away from home for long stretches at a time.

I still love designing handbags, and still love The West. (Hard to tell, as I've neglected both my shop and this blog since...everything.) I’m so much more than the western stuff, though. Recently, I followed a thread of an idea that led me to purchase software for quilt pattern design. What a fun and challenging journey it's been!

My first quilt pattern, called “Homebody Blooms,” will be ready for release soon. The recent fabric collection—Cozy Up, by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics—inspired the design. It's a fabulous group of fall-feel fabrics. And, if you've already stored your Team Autumn hat for the season, no worries! I love playing in EQ8 (Electric Quilt, for the uninitiated), and am doing mock-ups of my Homebody Blooms pattern in other fabrics to share with you for inspiration. (Think I'll start another one with a Christmas theme.)

The binding's ready (wrapped around the vintage clothespin in the photo), the flimsy's at the longarm quilter's, and the pattern is with testers now. A PDF download will be available soon in my etsy shop. Stay tuned for some sneak peeks! 

So. Time for this cowgirl to put those blows behind her, pull herself up by the bootstraps and drive this herd of ideas—both western and non-western--to market.

Etsy Front Page!

Remember that Card Corral? The Navajo design with colors that remind me of Santa Fe? It made the front page of Etsy. A real honor. I'm beyond excited. Much thanks to the Treasury curator, Kimberly, of 14xbags!

Five Golden Rings...

Fifth Treasury for my Southwest Card Corral, and it feels like Christmas!
Curator: Starfly Creations. Thanks, Starla, for including this in "The Beauty of the Southwest."

Stampede!

Sure, to some Etsy shop owners, this isn't much, but to me it feels like a stampede. Another Treasury, this time it's my Wild Horses Wristlet. Second row, item #4. Thanks, Genevieve, of Turquoise & Bone!

Thursday's Thread: An Unlikely Thread

On Friday, I hopped over to Jennifer's Quilt Shop (an adorable and tempting place for a fabriholic such as myself) in Pinckney, MI, to pick up thread for one of my latest fabric acquisitions. At checkout, I noticed a fabulous card featuring the quilt shop, made by a very talented paper artist. I was told it was crafted by the owner of Polly's Paper Studio, the small town's scrapbook store. Scrapbook store? Clearly, I've been spending too much time holed up in my sewing cottage.

On my way out of town, I made a quick stop, which turned into roughly two hours. Owner Ginny--and the rest of "Polly's Peeps" who ducked in and out--were knowledgeable, welcoming, and most of all, friendly. Ginny mentioned her Etsy shop and, since meeting other Etsy shop owners doesn't happen to me, I struck up a conversation. (So. There's my excuse for the two hours plus....)

I left with:
1. goodies for my paper stash (yeah, I love to scrap, too, and Ginny has inspired me to get back with it)
2. gifts (a Halloween kit I purchased for granddaughter who also loves paper art can be found in Ginny's Etsy shop)
3. best of all, a few more friends

Thanks, ladies.

Featured in Etsy Treasury!

How about that? My "Round Up Your Gear" zip pouch made from Buffalo Bill fabric was featured in an etsy treasury. Check it out:

'wild wild west' by kokodiablo

Pendleton? Or, Pendelton?

Here's one of my latest creations, and it's going in my etsy shop today. With its 3" gusset, I've named it Fat Bottom (think Fat Baby boots....)

Last year, while using this retro rodeo fabric--along with Pendleton wool and Swarovski crystals--to make a commissioned handbag for friend and fellow writer Ann Terry Hill (Pendleton Round-Up at 100: Oregon's Legendary Rodeo), I noticed that Pendleton was spelled differently on this designer fabric (Alexander Henry). Being a writer and former editor, I had to get to the bottom of it: Was it a mistake on the part of the fabric manufacturer, or an early spelling? I asked Terry, and she assured me that Pendleton had never been spelled with "el" instead of "le."

Next, I e-mailed the manufacturer directly, just in case they were making plans to re-issue this fabric. I received a response (doesn't always happen), and had a lovely exchange with an Australian woman. I mention this because she pointed out her problems with the spelling of color (American) vs. colour (Australian)--a word used often in the fabric industry.

And, so that you know, no current plans for a re-issue of this fabric. More items from this great rodeo  fabric will post soon--grab 'em while you can!