Notes from the Patch

Biker Babe

We had a celebrity visit us today.

She rode up on a Harley...

in full leathers.

It's Elizabeth Scott from Late Bloomer Quilts - the famous fabric and pattern designer known for pink roses and all things girly. (Evidentally there is another side to Elizabeth). 

Elizabeth showed me a new pattern she designed using Pam Kitty Morning's new fabric line. You guys are going to freak'n love it. I'd show you but Elizabeth said she'd kill me if I did and I'm smart enough to know better than to mess with a biker chick.

Encourage one another,

 

Tunics

I spent the better part of Saturday in the mall. It's bad when the sales clerk recognises you from earlier in the day and asks if you've been shopping all this time. She commented that when she spends that much time in a mall it usually means trouble. I know what she meant. Let's just leave it at that.

To my defense, it's a new season, I have a big trip coming up and my wardrobe is old and tired (not unlike its owner). 

I have a friend who always travels with her oldest clothes. She even packs clothes from her Goodwill donation bag then throws away clothes along the way leaving room in her suitcase for souvenirs. Brilliant. But for me I want to pack new outfits. It's like having a new dress for that first day of school. It's what makes a fairy tale trip feel all the more magical. 

Anyway... (I do have a point here some place)...

One of the trends I noticed during my marathon shopping trip were tunics in fun, colorful Bohemian type fabrics.  They were showing them as cover-ups, as dresses and as long shirts over skinny jeans.

 ummm...I'll be wearing mine over the jeans with a cami!

So when I unpacked these fabrics on Monday I naturally thought TUNICS!

 We immediately started searching for the perfect pattern and found this one.

It's perfect and I can't wait to give it a try!

Encourage one another,

I scream, you scream...

Barbara brought in this adorable little dress this morning.

The minute my sales rep showed me this pink and white striped fabric with its darling old fashioned ice cream trucks I knew it had to be a little dress.

Fortunately, Barbara shared my vision.

We all are rediscovering our love of garment sewing around here. There is just something so rewarding about getting compliments on an outfit you've created. Having someone ask where did you get that ? and then proudly confessing, I made it. It doesn't get better than that.

Can't you just imagine taking some little cutie out for ice cream in this? Talk about a show stopper.

You can get the pattern here, the fabric here and the whole kit and caboodle here.

Prepare for compliments.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

 

Big fish, little fish...cute dress!

Warmer weather is just around the corner and we have a darling project for you!

We've teamed Michael Miller's Fishies print with a cool and carefree Quick Sew pattern to make the perfect summertime dress for your special little Miss.

We've kitted this sweet dress complete with all those buttons and ric rac (fits sizes 1T through 4T). Unfortunately quantities are very limited so if you'd like a kit, please don't wait.

Thank you Beverly for another adorable model. It's always exciting for me to pick the fabrics and trims then send them home with you to work your magic. I'm never disappointed and always grateful to be able to tap into your willing creative skills.

Encourage one another,

Don't forget our anniversary sale starts Friday morning at 10:00 am sharp. Internet orders and in store sales will be discounted 27% Friday and Saturday only. Just say "happy anniversary" in the comment box on your internet order and we'll take 27% off your entire order at the register.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

When these two bolts arrived Monday morning I asked Annette and Andi if they were familiar with the characters. My sales rep told be they were a big deal, but I must confess I'd never heard of Yo Gabba Gabba. Neither had Annette or Andi. Andi suggested we wait for a pre-schooler to come in - maybe they could educate us.

Meet two year old Madison. Not only did she love the fabric, but she knew all the characters by name.

There's Muno and Plex...

and Foofa and Toodee...

 and Brobee...

Whew, lifting these heavy bolts is very hard work!

It's a good thing Madison brought her Grammy to Strawberry Patches because Grammies have a really hard time saying no when it comes to grand kids.

Grammy I want this one and

this one too!

I'd say Madison is one smart shopper!

It's time to dance!

Sorry for the blurry photos but girl friend can really bust a move!

I think we made one customer very happy!

Encourage one another,

 

It's fun to travel but it's always good to be home.

I missed my bed, my store and my blender. Not necessarily in that order.

It was fun to come to work this morning after three days away to see what new things arrived while I was gone.

I was especially excited about this collection from Moda.

Athill Range by Cabbages and Roses perfectly blends vintage English charm with soft, muted color. 

It's sure good to be home!

Encourage one another,

 

A day of good shopping and a dinner full of surprises

Bill and I flew into Vegas Tuesday morning to attend a textile show. 

It's a small show that's seen better days, but some of us believe in her and are doing our best to revive her.

Fortunately some very cool companies believe in the old gal too.

I come to support my friends who rep for some amazing fabric companies and because I always find something unexpected. I come to find that unusual something that makes the whole trip worthwhile.

And you know what? I'm never disappointed!

Bill and I celebrated a day of great shopping with a lovely dinner at Bouchon in the Venetian Hotel. The hostess greeted us with a smile and wished me a happy birthday. (It was not my birthday - this caper clearly had Bill's name written all over it).

Our waiter Adolpho had a rather heavy accent and as he recited the evening appetizer specials he suggested the port cheese as a nice complement to our wine. Since I've been eating mostly vegetarian lately I told him the special sounded perfect.

As we waited for our cheese to arrive I noticed the black board behind us with "pork cheeks" listed as an appetizer.

I told Bill that I thought it strange that our waiter hadn't told us about this particular appetizer.

Then Aldopho returned with this

Not port cheese but pork cheeks!

They were surprisingly delicious.

After dinner Adolpho asked us if we'd like dessert. When I declined he asked if I were to want dessert, would I want chocolate or caramel?

Apparently if you tell them you're celebrating a special occasion, dessert is on the house.

Tonight as we made reservations at Tao the woman asked us if we were celebrating a special occasion.

I took one look and Bill and emphatically replied, NO!

Encourage one another,

 

On the road again

Bill and I are off to Vegas bright and early. We'll be attending the textile show there as well as squeezing in some time for gambling and dinners at a couple of our favorite restaurants. We're the only couple I know that really likes Las Vegas and we love having the excuse of work to go.

This is one of those quirky shows where I find all kinds of random things like bird cage veil from New York, feathers from I don't want to know where and unique trims and ribbons. I just never know what I'll find that I didn't know I needed. That's the coolest thing about this show - you know, besides the location.

I'm charging my camera as I type so hopefully I'll have some show and tell for you all tomorrow.

Wish us luck and some good shopping!

Rumour Has It

There's a rumour going around that we're adding an Almond Milk/Glowing Green Smoothie bar here at Strawberry Patches.

I have no idea where people come up with this stuff!

It's true, we did have new cabinets built by my uber talented friend Dennis Parks, but we won't be serving shots.

What we will be serving up is the most luscious wool chocolate dipped strawberries

and dyed eggs...

all made from yummy wool felt.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you our new wool bar...

We now carry wool felt in a rainbow of of delicious flavors.  

When I described the cabinets I wanted to Dennis, I told him to foof them up.

I just love that man, he understands foof.

Aren't these absolutely gorgeous? I wanted a low counter top that wouldn't block the view of the color wall.

Each side holds forty bolts of fabric.

That's a whole Moda collection of fabric people...

...on each side!

Annette says it's time to go shopping. We have new empty shelves to fill.

Cheers!

Encourage one another,

The Tale of Little Red Riding Hood, the Friendly Fox and the Messy Store

These adorable fabrics came today

and although the store was torn up

in preparation for new cabinets which are being installed tonight,

I couldn't resist getting out my camera and my little red sewing machine for an improptu

photo shoot.

I'll be back tomorrow for a sneek peek at our exciting new department.

I think you're going to love it.

Encourage one another,