Home from the CHA show in LA

Well we made it home safe and sound (only getting delayed one day from the massive snow storm aka Blizzard of OZ)! Here are some pictures of our booth at the show. We got some new signs and tried little clothes lines this year to display the linens we offer. It turned out pretty cute.

Chris and Matt

There were so many wonderful ideas at the show-one of the coolest new items I saw was the g2 Glass Bottle Cutter.  Check out the you tube video here. This product is so cool, made from recycled aluminum and can help you recycle other products into art! 

Another great thing I learned about at the show was Zentangle. It is a wonderful way to relax and create something at the same time. 

These are the zentangles that were created in my class--each person is making the same basic patterns and given the same instruction, yet they all come out different. It is a wonderful exercise for people of all ages. You can give this project to a 4th grader and a 50 year old man. No matter what the results are something beautiful both aesthetically and mentally. It really gives you focus without having to follow rules. It is very liberating. Sometimes you just need to draw....and not worry what it comes out looking like. Zentangle is kind of like yoga for the mind. Check it out! Read more about the creators and get signed up for the newsletter here.

There were so many booths and so little time, but I did get around to see a lot of them. I will post more this week. I must get back to finishing the four new SR patterns (yes four!!) They will be available in March!

Happy Stitching all!
Brooke

Dragon Pillowcase

Just finished this pillowcase for our trade show booth. I love it! might have to do a matching one to go with it. I had so much fun picking the colors for this project.

The pattern is out NEW Aunt Martha's #4019 and you can find it here if you want to make a cool pillowcase of your own!
Next time I might add some cool asian fabric on the cuff of the pillowcase, give it some more color. But I really like how the dragon stands out against the white.
More to come from this pattern, I love it. There are so many things you could make with it!

Happy Stitching all!
Brooke

Inspiration Thursday

Somedays you just need some color and pattern. This quilt was just so beautiful I had to share it. Again, over at V&A there is always inspiration for me. 

You can read more about this beautiful "Crimean Quilt" here.

Hexagon quilts are a mystery to me. Something I wish I could ask my grandmother about. She made very few, so I have a feeling she would tell me they are not worth the time-however this beautiful quilt stands to prove otherwise. It is amazing to look at. This one is made of wool in India by Francis Brayley. My guess is, it was a lot of work and a lot of hours. But very well worth it. It is amazing to me that something made in the 1860s is still relevant and interesting to many people. Do you think Mr. Brayley had that in mind when he made it? Did he know it would be viewed by thousands and thousands of people? I think that is why I love making things so much, it can mean so much to people that you might never meet.

Well, more inspiration coming your way this week. I have organized my digital files of inspiration for the new year! Wahoo--one new years resolution under way!

xoxo

Brooke

A work in progress....

Well, another work in progress for the Trade Show coming up. This one is a pillowcase. I used the new Oriental Designs Pattern (you can find it here). I just love this pattern--and just in time for the Chinese New Year! I will be sure to post an after picture-this one will look so good all pressed up on a bed. I can't wait! Not much more left to do.

Well, I hope you had a wonderful time ringing in the New Year! I am looking forward to what 2011 will bring-many projects I'm sure and many new patterns (wink wink) :)

Happy Monday All-hope your week is filled with lots of stitching!

Brooke

a little weekend inspiration

I love looking through the collections at V&A. There is always so much to be seen. I found this little beauty today.

 It is amazing to me the time women used to take on making special garments. Take this smock for example, think of the time each stitch took, how long it took to draw/transfer this design on, and how large this piece might have been. It is amazing to me, just amazing. I wish I could go back in time and get to see the making of something like this. See the techniques they used, see the wheel they spun there thread on, and of course the magnificent event they wore it to. So many things to dream on.  To see more on this smock, including a description...click here.
Well I am off to Colorado for two days, but I will return with a lot of stitching finished, so more projects to share on Tuesday!

Happy Friday!
-Brooke

Busy Stitching....

I have been busy stitching up some samples for the CHA show coming up in Jan. Just thought I would share the finished products!

Hope everyone's week is flying by!!

Happy Stitching,
Brooke

Free Snowflake Ornament Pattern!

Hop on over to our Flickr page and you will find this FREE ornament pattern. 

You can make ornaments for your tree, your kid's teachers, gift tags, put these on a blanket, scarf...the possibilities are endless!! Post some pics to our Flickr group when you get the snowflakes stitched up! 

Happy Holidays from Colonial Patterns! May your holiday be filled with love and joy!

-Brooke