The Fabric Monger

moving to a new blog..

2011-08-14T20:54:00.002-08:00

hey all, just a heads up I am moving my blog posting in a new direction.. meaning hopefully posting more often! :) you can find me now at www.re-inventhewheel.blogspot.com, so come on over and check out the new blog!

Life on Fast Forward

2011-08-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

It seems that time seems to speed up with a child around! My baby is already in the potty training phase. She is doing great but I cannot believe time has gone by so fast.
It has been quite a while since I've posted here. I have been busy busy working on lots of things.
If you want to find out more about what I've been up to visit Seams Like Home in the University Center on August 19-21 for our fall class sale! Almost everything will be 20% off, including my new classes!
Looking forward to seeing you here in blog-land, as well as at the store!

Long time..no post!

2011-03-06T11:02:00.001-09:00

Hey All,

It has been awhile since I posted. Life has been very busy with our baby, Alia. We celebrated her first birthday on January 30th. I can't believe she is growing so fast. I haven't been able to sew as much as I would like but have been having a lot of fun with Alia. I have also ventured into the cake/cupcake decorating arena! I love having fun and tasty hobbies! Right now I am working on a few things all at once. I just discovered a great book by Elizabeth Hartman called "The Practical Guide to Patchwork", it is a great beginner to intermediate book. I am currently working on the Kitchen window quilt! (Check out Elizabeths website www.ohfransson.com)

I am also working on my collection of Man-cases (Aka pillow cases with Alexander Henry Man Fabric!) Once I finish up, I promise pictures!

I'm heading back to the sewing room, since the hubby and baby are out for a little while..gotta get in my sewing time when I can.

Take care all, and until next time...sew away!

Football Fanatic Pattern Typo

2010-08-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

To all my fabulous first round pattern purchasers..I want to make you aware of an error on the pattern that was graciously brought to my attention by a customer. On the back of the pattern, in the fabric requirements for the end zones is listed as 1/4 yd, but it should be 1/2 yard. I apologize for any confusion this has caused anyone. I am very grateful that you all have purchased the pattern and would appreciate notice of any other typos you may find.

Thanks all.. Happy Sewing and enjoy Football season!

I am off to watch the Broncos/Lions game with the hubby! :)

My First Pattern

2010-07-29T11:58:00.000-08:00

Okay world..are you ready for this? My first pattern "Football Fanatic" will debut on August 1st at Seams Like Home Quilt Shoppe! That is just in time for SLH's Fall Class Sign Up. I will teach the quilt as a class in September. If you sign up for it (and other classes) during August 13, 14 & 15 you will receive a 20% discount on your class fee, as well as any supplies you buy!!
I am very excited to release this pattern and to enjoy my fellow football fans during class. Even if you're not a Denver Broncos fan, we can put our differences aside for a few hours and have some fun!
The pattern cover will have a generic football field on it (for copyright reasons.. don't want to make anyone mad!) but here on the blog you can see what my quilt looks like. During class I will help you creat your own logo. It can be your favorite NFL team or your kids high-school team!
Come to SLH to sign up and help me celebrate the release of my first pattern!
Happy Sewing!
Enjoli

Finished the Ice Cream Dress

2010-05-10T19:28:00.000-08:00

Okay here is the Ice Cream Dress debut. It was easy and fun, and turned out oh so cute! :)

Alia's Closet

2010-05-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hey All-

So since I last posted I've been playing with the kiddo (of course!) and making clothes for her. Currently I am obsessively making Oliver + S patterns for her! I just finished a couple of sailboat pants and a top. I have about 10 more tops cut out (told you I was obsessed!). I am also getting ready to start one of their newest patterns, the "Ice Cream Dress" out of some older kokka fabric! I will post pics of it in progress once I get going. Here are some pictures of the sailboat outfit! Also some pics of my migration from the sewing room to the dining room table!

Gotta get back to sewing before Alia's grandparents drop her off! :)

P.S: I figured I should post some pics of the kiddo too!

Shame Shame on Me

2010-02-12T13:47:00.000-09:00

Okay, so its been longer than a week.. but I have an excuse and exciting news!! I had our little girl, Alia Fay Strait on January 30th at 3:42pm. She was 7lbs 6oz and 20 3/4" long! She is beautiful! :) Of course I'm her mommy, I would say that, but really she is a pretty baby (this was a fear of mine before she came out!). Any way life is of course a bit busier with her around, but also much more wonderful! I will post pics soon! :) Until then..keep on sewing and creating..soon I will be able to do that again!

New Years Resolution

2010-01-26T13:45:00.000-09:00

Okay, so its a new year and a new opportunity to be better at blogging... I do have to submit a disclaimer though.

Disclaimer: Pregnant lady about to give birth hopefully anyday now... so probably has less time to be blogging but is going to make an effort to post at least once a week!

Alright disclaimer written. Now onto an update on life. Obviously from above you already know that I'm knocked up and about to pop any day now. Officially our munchkin is due on Feb. 11, so we shall see when she shows up. We are having a little girl, her name will be Alia Fay Strait! No doubt she will be the cutest thing this world has ever seen! :) I will post pictures of her as soon as she shows up. Oh heck.. I'll post some sonogram pics for all of you when I get home!

Okay so, beyond baby my life has consisted of getting ready for this class session as the store (Seams Like Home) and making my samples. This session I am teaching some baby type classes (of course) on Sew Liberated's wonderful Mei Tai Carrier (to Meg McElwee...the carrier is fabulous!), and of course cloth diapers, as well as some non-baby related items like Amy Butler's Messanger Bag and various aprons from "A is for Apron" ( another fab book!).

Life is staying very busy here at the store and we are getting ready for a ginormous sale! ( Yah I know "ginormous" isn't really a word but here in Fabric land we use it!) Anywhoo..the sale will be 50-100% off on lots of items (fabric and other goodies) PLUS mom is putting overstock Bernina feet on sale!!!!!!! (ohhh.. I'm hoping to get a sneak peak.. i need some new goodies for my 630!)

So, that is a very quick and dirty summary on the life of the Fabric Monger these days. Like I said my goal is to keep you better posted on little Ms. Alia's life, classes and general fabric-like things! I promise I will post some pics of classes and recent projects when I get home, as well as some pics of the muchkin floating around in womb! :P

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and New Year.. and here is looking forward to a 2010 filled with lots of fun fabric!!

I is a bad blogger!!

2010-01-06T17:15:00.000-09:00

Okay, so I am terrible at this whole blogging thing! :P Hopefully I will get some new pics up of current projects and classes I am teaching this spring! My excuse is that I'm pregnant and therefore extra forgetful...yah i dont know, but i do promise to update you more on life in fabric-land soon! :)

Football Season

2009-09-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

So, in light of football season starting, and that my hubby taught me how to understand football I made him a quilt that is a replica of the Denver Bronco's football field. This is a pattern that I will be hopefully publishing sometime in the near future! I will keep everyone posted on its progress! So, here are some pics to show you just how cool it turned out!!

Home..ahhh

2009-07-01T15:42:00.001-08:00

So, we are back from San Francisco..what a great trip! I have to say that it was probably the most fun I've had on a work trip! We met so many people and saw so many interesting things!! :) Sadly, we have to face the real world again and go back to actually working, not just saying that we are. Lucky for me, I have a fun job and get to do lots of new and exciting things now based on what I learned at Bernina University! Yay for me..

P.S: Pictures of San Fran will soon be posted!!

The Fabric Monger's Favorite Crafty blogs and sites!

2009-06-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, so there are a few sites that I check out every day...don't tell my husband, he thinks I spent too much time crafting anyway!:P

1. www.sewingrepublic.com - a great site for Bernina machine info and fun, easy project ideas!

2. www.oliverands.com- the cutest little clothing patterns for children (the designer for these also has a blog that is fun: distressed.blogspot.com)

3. www.lolaagain.blogspot.com- OH MY, I can't stay away from this site, she is so funny and has great project ideas!

4. www.sewtospeak.blogspot.com- these gals have a store in Ohio, their blog is just fun and its exciting to see what others are doing with their stores!

Alright, I suppose these are a good start for you all. It is always fun to check out fabric designers as well. My fav's are :

1. Amy Butler

2. Anna Maria Horner

3. Valerie Wells

4. Joel Dewberry

5. Kaffe Fassett

Check out their sites as well, they have lots of pics and the fabric is just inspiring!

Still at the Coffee Shop!

2009-06-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

So, Mom, sis and I are still at the coffee shop surfing the net. New discovery of the morning: the Bernina Sewing Republic website! ( www.sewingrepublic.com) Check it out, its very cool!

Second great discovery of the morning: the $10 Wedding dress on ThreadBanger.com

Happy in San Francisco!

2009-06-29T07:27:00.000-08:00

So it's 8:30 am in San Francisco and we are sitting in a coffee shop being computer nerds! By we I mean Mom, sis and I! We are here for Bernina University, which btw has been AWESOME!!! Not only have we learned lots and gotten to play with lots of cool things, but we got the scoop on a couple new products! (We will reveal them when we get home!)

Yesterday was the San Francisco Gay/Lesbian Pride Parade, it was so cool! It's nice to be in a place that is so tolerant. I've never seen more people in my life in support of one cause. Sadly, we only got to see the very start of the parade since we had classes to attend, but what we were there for was awesome!! (Lots of naked people! :P) Not to worry, I forgot my camera so did not get any pictures.

Any-whoo, we have lots of new ideas for our store (Seams Like Home) and will be implementing some on them when we get home! See you back in AK on wednesday!!

P.S: We also went to Britex (this is just to make Paulette jealous!! heh)

Bring On the Pictures!

2009-06-04T13:12:00.001-08:00

Spring 2009 Market

Here is the link the to Album of Market Pics!!

Okay, it's been a looooong time..

2009-06-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

So, it has been a very long time since I posted last. In the elapsed time, I have been to Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh! (which was awesome by the way!) I'll have pictures up and posted hopefully this afternoon! And once my mother gives me the rest of the pictures they will be up too!

We got to see and meet so many cool people at market! Of course we saw Amy Butler, Sandi Henderson, Heather Bailey (we were at the same hotel as Heather!!) and Mark Lipinski!! We sat in on a class by Valori Wells! It was overwhelming how many people we saw. I was on overload a bit!! I could rant on and on about how cool it was, but instead I will just post pics so that you can see how awesome it all was!!

mystery of the missing photos

2009-04-27T10:47:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I can't find the photos of the skirt or the bag... of course I found the one of the injured Beagle.. so here is a rain check on those other two!!

2009-04-27T10:45:00.001-08:00

The Fabric Monger

Sad little Oakley with his bandaged foot!

I guess I'm not too good at this blog thing...

2009-04-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

I know the idea of a blog is to keep it up to date..I guess I missed that memo! Well, since the last post the only things I've had time to do are make a skirt (which is way cute!) and make a travel makeup bag (the Bento Baggu- also too cute)! I will try to get those pics posted soon!!

Life lately has been taken up with school, homework, more school and of course the Beagle breaking his toe (it's a story.. not long, but sadly tragic for Mr. Oakley!)

Long time.. no sew..its very sad

2009-04-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a very long time since I've posted anything, pictures or witty comments! Sadly, I have had no time to post or sew because I am in my last semester at school! (Yay for being almost done) Anywhoo...I have decided that once I am done with school, I will stay and work at my mom's store, Seams! I know you are all thinking, "this girl is never going to make any money.." and you are probably correct! However, besides the fact that I get a lovely discount, she has also bribed me with going to spring quilt market and Bernina University (BU) this summer!! WHOO HOO!! I'll keep you posted on all of the fun had at those two events. And since I am at work and should be working, not blogging, this will be all from me today!

P.S: if you are reading this in Alaska...enjoy the finally sunny day!

The cutest pillow cases ever!

2009-03-06T13:59:00.000-09:00

From more craftiness

these fabrics make the pillow cases!!

My new favorite chair!

2009-03-06T13:56:00.000-09:00

From more craftiness

I've had the rocking chair for a while, but I recovered it and now it is one of my favorites!!

2009-03-06T13:51:00.000-09:00

From more craftiness

Cute little diaper bag!

From more craftiness

the swing bag

From more craftiness

the birdie sling

From more craftiness

the sophia carry-all

From more craftiness

Melly & Me Black Forrest Bag

From more craftiness

the swing bag #2

From more craftiness

the knappy bag

Pillow Projects

2009-03-05T22:09:00.000-09:00

These are the most fabulous, fast and easy pillows you will ever make!!

From more craftiness

Project Pictures...Coming Soon!

2009-02-22T23:26:00.000-09:00

It's been awhile since I've posted... busy playing in the fabric I suppose! Well, as you will see from the pictures that will be posted shortly, I haven't been sitting idle twiddling my thumbs! Most, if not all of these projects are Amy Butler patterns or fabrics! They inspire me to create! Enjoy!

The Source of the Stash

2009-01-29T21:30:00.000-09:00

You may be wondering where does this girl find her fabric amidst the cold and snow in the darkness of Alaska. Well I have been blessed with the fact that my mother is the owner of Anchorage's largest and most impressive fabric store, Seams Like Home Quilt Shoppe(SLH). SLH is the major supplier for my large horde of fabric. You can see where my mother being the owner would get me into trouble, however to make matters worse, I am also an employee. You know, checking in new fabric every other day, really helps you spend that last penny of your paycheck.

To check out Seams Like Home Quilt Shoppe, visit their website: www.akseamslikehome.com

Admitting you have a problem...

2009-01-29T21:15:00.000-09:00

is the first step to recovery.

Well alright then, "I have a problem!"

There I admitted it. Okay, so I have a lot of fabric, but is it really such a serious problem that I have to admit to it and seek help. Some (my husband) may think it is more of an issue than it really is. The husbands, they never understand! Well for all of you out there, who like me, have been "chosen" to horde fabric for the sake of all humanity, there is a place you can go. You will be understood and embraced with open arms! That place of refuge is here; the fabric monger understands.