GUESS WHOSE CASSETTE TAPES ARE ON THE COVER OF MOLLIE MAKES!(tee hee mine!)

You guys, it has been crazy surreal! And having to keep this under wraps for so long has almost made me want to burst! But it's true, I've found myself on the cover of Mollie Makes, issue #94!

Dream. Come. True!

I was given my very first Mollie Makes as a birthday present, six years ago. It was love at first sight. The dreamy projects, the snazzy make and takes, the styled photography, the colour palette. I honestly could never get enough... and I have the back issues to prove it! I never dreamed one day my work would be on the cover!

Out of the blue I was approached by Lindsey, of Mollie Makes... and then the secret sewing, photo taking and pattern writing began... and now it's here. In fact I just received my copy in the mail today! 

I picked up issue #92 when I was in LA last week. North American copies seem to take a while to hit stands here. I'm guessing #94 will be in another month or two, depending on your store. If you're subscriber you may have gotten your copy already. Or, if you live in Europe, they hit the stands yesterday, June 21st!

I hadn't realize this but if you subscribe for the paper version of the magazine, you'll received a Liberty "The Cottage Gardens" fabric bundle plus a BONUS Mollie Makes project book! BUT they also have digital versions that can be found on APPLE, itunes and Google Play. Even their newsletter is dreamy!

In the meantime, here's a teaser on ISSUU... and recommended for your listening pleasure, as you stroll through pages: The GO GO's, WE GOT THE BEAT! Happy summer everyone! And remember, "We're not old. We're Retro!"

I'VE BEEN MEANING TO MENTION...

A few weeks ago The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild posted about the class that I'll be teaching. The workshop is called, "How to Design a Paper Pieced Block." Here's the write up and the details: 

When I learned to paper piece (from VMQG’s very own Sonja Callaghan) my brain exploded with possibilities. There were a ton of great blocks out there already but the challenge to design my own blocks was too irresistible to not give it a whirl. I didn’t jump in right away though, it was intimidating… all those pieces!

People seem to LOVE or really not love paper piecing but I’ve never met anyone who feels indifferent about it. If you love the process and the graphic nature of it then I bet you’re ready to design your own block. All you need is a basic understanding of paper piecing and you can join me on April 22 at the Croatian Cultural Centre, as we walk through the process of designing your own individual paper pieced blocks.

Registration is open! email workshops@vancouvermodernquiltguild.ca to register or to be added to the waiting list.

When: Sunday, April 22nd

Where: Croatian Cultural Center

Cost: $50 members; $65 non-members (fees are non-refundable)

Also on May 26th, I will be teaching a workshop for The Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild. The location, times and price are all still to be announced BUT we will be making Cassette Tape Zippy pouches! Small, medium and large. Yay! And if we have any left over time, maybe we can squeak in a Match Book Needle Book too! Fingers crossed. I'll keep you posted closer to the date.

Speaking of the FVMQG, Sherri Chalke and I have been invited to be the featured quilters at their Creative Stitches booth on March 16 and 17th at the Abbotsford Tradex. It's coming up quick AND it was a HUGE honour to be asked.

So there you go, hopefully we'll bump into each other at at least one of those venues!

Okay now for HAVE YOU SEEN: Sarah Watts' Craftedmoon enamel pins? BACK THE TRUCK UP! They're the BEST! I may have bought a few at Quiltcon...or three...but who's counting: wink, wink! And for the record, I hope they get to open that mini golf course one day!

And Last but not least RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: When deep down a Youtube rabbit hole I discovered this band called the FRIGHTS. The song is called "You are going to hate this" BUT I don't! I HEART IT!

SO WHAT'CHA, WHAT'CHA, WHAT'CHA WANT?

It's been quite a year! To top it off I've been flooded with requests for teaching. Yay! I'm super excited about that since I've been dying to get back at it. I need your help though. The requests coming in are very generous and are open to teach pretty much whatever I want! This is where I need your help... I have loads of ideas but "What'Cha" want? Do you want one day workshops on:

• Paper Piecing? (specifically the Cassettes?)
• Cassette Tape Zippy Pouches/ Book Cover?
• The Control Freak pattern?
• The Cassingle?
• The Boombox? Or the sewing machine cover? (these would be a two or three day workshop)
• How to create you own Paper Piecing pattern?
• Repeat Lino Cut printing on fabric?
• Letters in the Third Dimension? English paper pieced and machine sewn (embracing the Y-seam! Not as scary as one would assume. I can't wait to show you the new one I'm working on! Eep!)

*All my classes include colour theory.  

Which would you choose, or do you have any other suggestions? I'd love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and for your time, one commenter will receive a free Lysa Flower Pattern of their choice! Easy Peasy just like that. 

Speaking of giveaways! Did you see these ones? Stephanie from Patch & Dot is giving away some fat quarters plus other goodies (ooo! I really want those pencils!) AND that ray of sunshine, Natalie (HungryHippie Sews) is giving away NINE of her favourites (products, patterns, and books)! Can't beat that!

Now you're never going to guess what I'm recommending for your playlist this week! While I was down the YouTube rabbit hole I found a Muppets version of the Beastie Boys doing SO What'Cha Want! Perfection.

ANNABEL WRIGLEY'S DAISY CHAIN GIVEAWAY!

Have you ever come across fabric that made you gasp? Where instantly you fell in love?

I don't have a HUGE fabric stash. Having too much fabric stresses me out. I like to buy per project when I have a plan. It keeps my stash lean. BUT, I do allow for pieces that make me gasp and leave me with that "I HAVE TO HAVE IT!" feeling. Remember that IKEA "Start the CAR!!!" commercial? Yeah, that feeling.

Well, that's what Annabel Wrigley's fabric collection, Daisy Chain, did to me! It just might be the prettiest thing I've ever seen. And then I met her! She's just like her fabric; beautiful, warm, light, smart and a whole lot of fun! Within seconds of seeing it I bought her fat quarter bundle at Windham's booth this past Spring Quilt Market. I have a few idea's of what I'm going to do with it but I haven't quite decided. I was content just having it in the studio, to Ooo and Ahh over. Then I got a little itch one day. I decided if I did a zippy cassette pouch I wouldn't be using too much right?! Ooo, and if I made a mini needlebook to go in the cassette tape pouch that wouldn't be using up too much fabric either! I still have oodles left. I realize I'm being pretty precious with it. I can't help it, it's SOooo PRETTY! 

Definitely be sure to check out Annabel Wrigley's Instagram feed this week (@littlepincushiostudio). Each day this week she's giving away a fat quarter bundle of Daisy Chain... Go! Go! Go!!!

Oh wait before you go... I'm also pleased to announce the CASSETTE TAPE ZIPPY POUCH TUTORIAL is ALL done! Yep! It's ready and waiting for you, anytime you need it. It's also posted on my website under SEWING DESIGNS. Big, BIG thanks to my pattern editor Jonna (once again, love ya girl!)

RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR PLAYLIST: Just as pretty as the Annabel's collection, Shakey Graves, DAISY CHAINS.