Website ReDesign: Part 3 Pièce de résistance

I’m boring myself here – and I really like my website – so I imagine you must be falling asleep! One more thing that I just had to show you –

You asked for it! Now the website will show you items that possibly relate to the fabric you are interested it! YIPPEE!

I have to still go link up about 700 items – so not everything shows possible matches yet….but I’m getting there – and I didn’t want to drag this blog series out any longer. My first goal has been to get up all matches with-in the same line, and then I’ll broaden out to other lines that also match!

My hope is that you won’t limit yourself by these suggestions – but it will serve as a starting point for your project.

Our AC unit down stairs is not working – so I think we’ll be leaving the house during this super super hot weekend. See ya next week!

Website ReDesign: Part 2 Specials

I started cutting out a quilt last night and I’m determined to get the top sewn this weekend! So hopefully next week I’ll have some progress to show you…but I think it might be for a Christmas gift – so I have to weigh the benefit of having blogging material against the possibility that the recipient will see the quilt before Christmas. For now I wanted to show you the Specials area of the website. These existed before, but now I have a spot just for them so they are super easy to find.    

Occasionally I want to put a fabric, pattern, or kit at a special price…but the whole category isn’t necessarily on sale – so now you can look in one spot just for these items! Right now, I have all the bolts that only have a few yards remaining all listed at special prices – the quantities are limited – so be sure to look at the amount available before ordering!

The Sale category still exists as well – so you’ll want to check both spots for some great deals!

Website ReDesign Part 1: What’s New

I’m hoping you’ve had a chance to look at the new design on my website! Believe it or not, I’m still working on some exciting features (time…why don’t I have more of it?), but I thought I’d show you around a bit…get you comfortable with a few changes!

First though – I have to ask your opinion on something. You see – I can only figure out how to add a featured area above the main category buttons.

See the Amy Butler logo? That is featured because all her fabrics are on sale….and I want to have an area that I can show you things like that – make them stand out…ya know?!?!? Sometimes it may be a new line or a new pattern, or a super sale….you get the idea.

But I also want the main category buttons to be easy to view and find….like in this picture.  No scrolling required, easy peasy to browse.

So what are your thoughts? Do you hate scrolling down to see the categories sometimes?  Do you like the featured area?  It is easy that way to find out what is on sale or new (depending on what I feature)  And if the featured area is not on top, then it’s below those categories, so would you scroll down to see it?  Or would you miss it since it’s not seen right away?  Hmmm….well, let me know! Of course, I’ll probably flip flop back and forth several times anyway. LOL  

Do you see along the very top? There is a button that says What’s New – guess what? When you click on that it will show you all the products that have been added to my site in the last 30 days! WOO HOO!

This is huge for me because now the website will maintain that automatically – I no longer have to copy products into a separate area and then remember to remove them when they aren’t so new!  Sometimes an old item will show up in there – but only when I accidently delete it and have to re do the listing.    

Now I have to get back to listing many many new fabrics!  SEW much fun!!!!!  Be back again soon to show you some more new features!

H is for Horses

Dropping in again to show you a few pics from another fun day – Hopefully you enjoy the pictures and they don’t just bore you. I’m having lots of fun playing around with my camera. And I’ve had no real time for editing – so a little cropping is pretty much all I’ve done to most of the photos.  

Finding the horses out in the pasture was a lot of fun for the kids. They got to ride in the back of the truck and go explore a little bit. We brought back 2 horses and enjoyed riding for the afternoon. I think next summer Kyle will be ready to go on longer rides on his own. He maybe could have handled it this year if we had more time.

I’m really hoping Haley will let me get some pictures of her in her 4th of July outfit tomorrow- and I read up on fireworks photos – so I’m going to try to get some cool pics tomorrow evening! Cross your fingers that I’ll see you again soon.

No time for…

There has been no time for work.  I was foolish to think I could get any work done while here.  And with places like this tempting me….can you blame me?

(That’s not photoshopped sky either)

I wouldn’t want to miss any of this!

Oh well – work will still be there next week.

Coming Soon

Even though I’m not at home, I am not on vacation. I have a long “to-do” list and I’m kinda hoping that with family being able to help with the kids – I might even be somewhat productive during daylight hours!  Orders are still being taken care of by my wonderful husband  (Really  - he is amazing!) so things will still be shipping while I’m away.

Okay so let me go over some fabric related stuff!

Mezzanine:

Thank you for all the pre-orders!  I can see that you’re as anxious about this fabric as I am.  I had to take it down for a few days while I made some changes on my website but now it is back up and available still for pre-order.

Anticipation is building and you’ve likely seen images popping up here and there of things that have been made with the beautiful fabric – but don’t worry, the yardage has not be released yet.  You’re not missing it yet. *whew* After talking to Patty, it appears the fabric will ship the beginning of July instead of the end of June.      If there was a way I could go to NJ and help the crew at Michael Miller get it out the door faster, I would.  Anyway  I have recently received several emails regarding the pre-orders…I thought I would post a reply here!  

For those that have pre-ordered….I plan to cut on the same day the fabric arrives, so your order will either be shipped out the same day or the next day (that just depends on what time the UPS man arrives at my house.  Sometimes he doesn’t show up until 6 pm!)  I know you’re anxious to get it and I’m anxious to get it sent!       

And if you haven’t per-ordered it yet – there is still time.  Use the code PATTY at check out to get free shipping on orders in the US.

 

Gosh – the website!  That deserves a post of it’s own….so I will dedicate time to that in the future.  Things are changing and you can see some of the changes in place already!  Head over and see the new design.  Above All Fabric  There is so much to show you – so really I’ll just have to blog about it one day.

A few other lines I’m really excited about that will be arriving before long. (I think next week)  From Free Spirit, we have Oh Boy! and Picnic Parade….but my blogging time for the day is up (must keep a decent schedule) so I’ll have to review those later.  Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

PS. Even though I’m not technically on vacation, rest assured, I will be taking some time to enjoy the people and places around here.  

I can relate

I’m on the road but I wanted to get this done tonight and not drag it out any longer….so let’s get to it….

Jody who said:

Where do I begin with the Christmas presents to make? Probably should start on those I didn’t finish for last year’s Christmas and the big one would be a family photo quilt for my Father. He is huge into geneology and I’ve really got to get the ideas and sewing machine going for him. I’d also like to make the kids coordinated outfits before they get to old to be completely embarrased by mom’s sewing.

You are the winner!  And let me just say that I can totally relate!  Thanks so much for playing everyone.  :-) And I’d love to see pictures of everything you do make…so add ‘em to my flickr group!

 

Birds Birds Everywhere (Part 2)

Honestly I had every intention of including all of this yesterday – but then I ran out of time.  So let’s pick up where we left off….

 

My friend Elena sewed this adorable Birdie Big Blocks pattern in the  Just Dreamy fabric! (By the way, these photos are all hers -she has graciously allowed me to use them for my blog) After reading the pattern we made a couple minor changes that I’d like to share with you -

We opted to use 10 different fabrics in 1/2 yard cuts. This makes the background of each block and the binding all different. Also by using 1/2 yard cuts you start out with an 18 inch square instead of a 19 inch square.  This didn’t affect the rest of the pattern – you just end up with a quilt that is a little bit smaller.

I loved it so much I had to make it available as a kit as well – You can buy it here.  If you decide to make this pattern using other fabrics I really would love to see!  Like I said – we used 10 fabrics in 1/2 yard cuts.  The pattern is available here.

The really cool thing is that you end up with a bit of scrap fabric – and I just love what Elena did with that!  She made a really cute baby quilt!  She shrunk the birdie pattern down 50% and put it on a 9 inch block.  Then just used basic strip-work for three rows.  The forth row is the left over binding fabric.  Super super cute – and her daughter is a cutie too – don’t you think?      

Thanks, Elena for letting me share this! (And if anyone else has a project you’d like to share with my readers, please feel free to email me.)

Birds Birds Everywhere

In Pittsburgh I had set appointments with my regular companies weeks in advance. My first appointment was at 10 am on Friday morning. I was late. Thankfully I wasn’t too late – so my Timeless Treasures rep was still able to meet with me.  

Timeless Treasures has an adorable line out called Apple.  It is filled with goodness….yummy yummy retro goodness. Cute little owls, yummy apples, trees, swirls, flowers and leaves.

 

The fabric is cute enough on it’s own – but then they had it displayed using the most adorable pattern, Birdie Big Blocks.  Instantly I knew that I had to get this quilt pattern! And I knew I needed to make it available as a kit for you!  I think it can work with so many fabrics out there!  And of course, it’s available as yardage in my store as well.  :-)

I also thought this would be adorable in the new Just Dreamy fabric….and boy was I right! I will share that with you tomorrow – now I need to go spend some quality time with my family – Hope your weekend is going great!

Christmas Patchwork Quilt

Do you remember the Christmas Patchwork Quilt I made?  A picture to jog your memory?

My friend, Carly, wrote up this pattern for her Etsy shop. It uses one layer cake (pre-cut 10 inch squares) and one charm pack (pre-cut 5 inch squares). It is a GREAT quilt for beginners!  The top goes together quickly since you’re using pre-cut fabric. 

So guess what?!?!?  Carly is letting me sell her patterns in my store.  And I’ve made this exact quilt available as a kit!  So  you can make one too! Even better?  This particular kit includes the backing!  You can find it here.  

Speaking of Christmas….we are about HALF WAY through this year!  WOW!  So even though it’s nice and warm outside – it’s not too early to start your Christmas sewing!   Did you join in the Advent Calendar Sew Along?  I guess I did since I have the button on my blog….but I haven’t made anything yet.  In fact, we have never even used an Advent Calendar in my house.  Oh well.  If you’re looking for Holiday fabrics for the sew along…or for any project,  I have added a few new things to the Seasonal Fabric section of my website.

Okay so you’ve stuck with me this long….why not have a little give away?!?!?  I would love to send ONE person the kit and pattern for this super fun Christmas Quilt.  Just leave me a comment telling me what are some of the gifts you would like to make for the holidays this year.  I like to leave these up for about a week but we’ll be leaving town next week.  So I’m guessing that I’ll need to wrap this up after the weekend.  So comment away!  And if you don’t win…well you know where to find them!