More Merry “Making”!

December 2nd, 2009

I am hoping that you all survived Thanksgiving and are in the mood for some more holiday merry making. So here is another little idea to add to your crafty gift list. Pot holders are a great excuse to bust into your fabric stash and satisfy your fabric fondling needs on a cold winter’s day.

My kitchen is tomato red and flows into an orange and yellow living room, so the fabric was chosen to match the color scheme. I began by making little 8″ quilts by sandwiching the top fabric with batting and an ugly back fabric. Then I quilted through the layers with topstitching thread.

Next I covered the ugly back with an 8″ square of red terry cloth cut from a cheap fluffy towel.

The binding is machine stitched, remembering that these are meant for use and will get dirty.
So no agonizing over perfection! This would be a perfect use for novelty fabrics, too.

I also want to share our new “Spider” chairs with you. This is one of a pair of walnut

mid-century modern chairs that we had refinished and reupholstered in the Teasel and Lace fabric from last seasons Prairie Gothic line for FreeSpirit. It is really a treat to have such
elegant pieces of furniture wearing my own fabric!
This chair has found a home in front of our red book case. Love the contrast! The extra pillow is for cat protection. As you can see, Pumpkin has already claimed this seat as her own.
Smart cat!!

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

More Merry “Making”!

December 2nd, 2009

I am hoping that you all survived Thanksgiving and are in the mood for some more holiday merry making. So here is another little idea to add to your crafty gift list. Pot holders are a great excuse to bust into your fabric stash and satisfy your fabric fondling needs on a cold winter’s day.

My kitchen is tomato red and flows into an orange and yellow living room, so the fabric was chosen to match the color scheme. I began by making little 8″ quilts by sandwiching the top fabric with batting and an ugly back fabric. Then I quilted through the layers with topstitching thread.

Next I covered the ugly back with an 8″ square of red terry cloth cut from a cheap fluffy towel.

The binding is machine stitched, remembering that these are meant for use and will get dirty.
So no agonizing over perfection! This would be a perfect use for novelty fabrics, too.

I also want to share our new “Spider” chairs with you. This is one of a pair of walnut

mid-century modern chairs that we had refinished and reupholstered in the Teasel and Lace fabric from last seasons Prairie Gothic line for FreeSpirit. It is really a treat to have such
elegant pieces of furniture wearing my own fabric!
This chair has found a home in front of our red book case. Love the contrast! The extra pillow is for cat protection. As you can see, Pumpkin has already claimed this seat as her own.
Smart cat!!

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Pint Size Patterns

November 11th, 2009

Today I am happy to introduce our new series of Pint Size Patterns! These economical little patterns are thanks to your persistent question, “Do you have a pattern for that?” Now I can say, “YES, YES, YES!”

The size of a greeting card, each pattern unfolds to reveal “user-friendly” directions for each fun project. Also included is a colored envelope for easy gift giving.

All instructions are easy and clear enough for beginning stitchers, but also entertaining enough for accomplished ones. The projects are classic and can be made again and again. I have made at least 30 pillowcases in the past year and as many napkins and contrasting napkin rings and plan to make more as Christmas gifts.

Pint Size Patterns are perfect for using new personality prints, like Sunshine and Shadow, but they are also great “stash busters” to use up that wonderful fabric on your shelf. In fact, that would make an inspiring gift for the young crafter… a pattern, a stack of fabulous fabric and some basic sewing supplies.

I have also found that these simple projects are great stress relievers, too. They are a nice excuse to spend an afternoon fondling fabric and combining colors… can’t get better than that!
And you really need some new napkins to spice up that Thanksgiving buffet, don’t you?

Like me, many of you have also made the “homemade pledge” for gift giving this year, and not only for your pocket book. There is nothing as special as a personalized gift made with loving hands and hearts.

So this is my gift to all crafters, an easy way to begin the “merry making” for a creative holiday season. In the next few weeks I will show more examples of each Pint Size Pattern made in a variety of moods and fabrics, so stay tuned.

For more information and inspiration, please visit JaneSassaman.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Pint Size Patterns

November 11th, 2009

Today I am happy to introduce our new series of Pint Size Patterns! These economical little patterns are thanks to your persistent question, “Do you have a pattern for that?” Now I can say, “YES, YES, YES!”

The size of a greeting card, each pattern unfolds to reveal “user-friendly” directions for each fun project. Also included is a colored envelope for easy gift giving.

All instructions are easy and clear enough for beginning stitchers, but also entertaining enough for accomplished ones. The projects are classic and can be made again and again. I have made at least 30 pillowcases in the past year and as many napkins and contrasting napkin rings and plan to make more as Christmas gifts.

Pint Size Patterns are perfect for using new personality prints, like Sunshine and Shadow, but they are also great “stash busters” to use up that wonderful fabric on your shelf. In fact, that would make an inspiring gift for the young crafter… a pattern, a stack of fabulous fabric and some basic sewing supplies.

I have also found that these simple projects are great stress relievers, too. They are a nice excuse to spend an afternoon fondling fabric and combining colors… can’t get better than that!
And you really need some new napkins to spice up that Thanksgiving buffet, don’t you?

Like me, many of you have also made the “homemade pledge” for gift giving this year, and not only for your pocket book. There is nothing as special as a personalized gift made with loving hands and hearts.

So this is my gift to all crafters, an easy way to begin the “merry making” for a creative holiday season. In the next few weeks I will show more examples of each Pint Size Pattern made in a variety of moods and fabrics, so stay tuned.

For more information and inspiration, please visit JaneSassaman.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Great Greenville Arms

November 3rd, 2009

When I woke up this snappy autumn morning I was happily reminded that I get to visit the cozy Greenville Arms 1889 Inn for my final workshop of the year. This will be my second stay and I can hardly wait. The Inn is owned and lovingly cared for by Kim and Mark LaPolla. Kim is a quilter and Mark is a Chef de Cuisine and they have combined their talents in this ideal venture.

They cater to an artistic and loyal clientele by hosting painting and fiber workshops all year round, the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops. Most guests are housed and very well fed in the historic inn during the week. The atmosphere is friendly, warm and comfortable and meals are sociable and delicious! Mark is also a Chocolatier, so there are other obvious advantages, too.

But the story just gets better. Here is the studio, behind the house, where all the workshops take place. Everyone has their own table and some elbow room, so the space is just the right size. You get to know your classmates very well by sharing meals, ideas and quilting techniques for 5 days. There are some classes that have a perfect chemistry and my class at the Greenville Arms was one of those!! So you can see why I am so anxious to return.

You can see our mutual affection in this happy picture. So if you have had a busy year, like I have, a pampered visit to the Greenville Arms in early December will have you revived to face the holidays and inspired for a new year of creative quilting. The dates are Dec. 6-12 and I hope to see some of you there!

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Great Greenville Arms

November 3rd, 2009

When I woke up this snappy autumn morning I was happily reminded that I get to visit the cozy Greenville Arms 1889 Inn for my final workshop of the year. This will be my second stay and I can hardly wait. The Inn is owned and lovingly cared for by Kim and Mark LaPolla. Kim is a quilter and Mark is a Chef de Cuisine and they have combined their talents in this ideal venture.

They cater to an artistic and loyal clientele by hosting painting and fiber workshops all year round, the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops. Most guests are housed and very well fed in the historic inn during the week. The atmosphere is friendly, warm and comfortable and meals are sociable and delicious! Mark is also a Chocolatier, so there are other obvious advantages, too.

But the story just gets better. Here is the studio, behind the house, where all the workshops take place. Everyone has their own table and some elbow room, so the space is just the right size. You get to know your classmates very well by sharing meals, ideas and quilting techniques for 5 days. There are some classes that have a perfect chemistry and my class at the Greenville Arms was one of those!! So you can see why I am so anxious to return.

You can see our mutual affection in this happy picture. So if you have had a busy year, like I have, a pampered visit to the Greenville Arms in early December will have you revived to face the holidays and inspired for a new year of creative quilting. The dates are Dec. 6-12 and I hope to see some of you there!

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Season for Reflection

October 27th, 2009

Last week marked the culmination of several important events. The first was The International Quilt Market in Houston, which was early this year and had vendors scrambling to prepare their wares in time, including me! Here is a picture of my booth. I decided to be spare and modern this season, with just a black surround to show off the new fabric and patterns. (More about them next week!)

My sister was kind enough to take time off to help “mind the store”. It was a nice opportunity to introduce her to the “wonderful world of quilting”. The booth was perfectly positioned on a main isle, so even though I could not wander, I was able to greet all my friends as they happened by. As always, Houston Market was a grand time to reconnect, review and to see some extra ordinary quilts.

Many new projects were being promoted, of course. One of these was a new book by Eleanor Levie called Unforgettable Tote Bags. This is another of her collaborative projects in which she invited several quilters and designers to create or decorate a practical and ecological tote bag. Here is my contribution, a liner for your bike basket-very green-no plastic bags and no gas!

This design was inspired by the new European craze to personalize your bike with paint, flowers and found object collage. We used Prairie Gothic fabrics and plenty of Art Girlz felt beads, of which you can never have too many!

After my return from Market, the MetCap Bank hosted an opulent opening for my show. It was a dark and rainy night in Chicago, but the beautiful Tree Studios and so many old friends made it a night to remember! The work is on display through January 15, so please stop in if you have a chance.

So now I am sighing a breath of relief and trying to regroup for the next season of dreaming, designing and SEWING! I am taking the month of November to work on a new art quilt, which is much overdue and heavenly to be working on as we watch the autumn landscape make dramatic changes everyday!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Season for Reflection

October 27th, 2009

Last week marked the culmination of several important events. The first was The International Quilt Market in Houston, which was early this year and had vendors scrambling to prepare their wares in time, including me! Here is a picture of my booth. I decided to be spare and modern this season, with just a black surround to show off the new fabric and patterns. (More about them next week!)

My sister was kind enough to take time off to help “mind the store”. It was a nice opportunity to introduce her to the “wonderful world of quilting”. The booth was perfectly positioned on a main isle, so even though I could not wander, I was able to greet all my friends as they happened by. As always, Houston Market was a grand time to reconnect, review and to see some extra ordinary quilts.

Many new projects were being promoted, of course. One of these was a new book by Eleanor Levie called Unforgettable Tote Bags. This is another of her collaborative projects in which she invited several quilters and designers to create or decorate a practical and ecological tote bag. Here is my contribution, a liner for your bike basket-very green-no plastic bags and no gas!

This design was inspired by the new European craze to personalize your bike with paint, flowers and found object collage. We used Prairie Gothic fabrics and plenty of Art Girlz felt beads, of which you can never have too many!

After my return from Market, the MetCap Bank hosted an opulent opening for my show. It was a dark and rainy night in Chicago, but the beautiful Tree Studios and so many old friends made it a night to remember! The work is on display through January 15, so please stop in if you have a chance.

So now I am sighing a breath of relief and trying to regroup for the next season of dreaming, designing and SEWING! I am taking the month of November to work on a new art quilt, which is much overdue and heavenly to be working on as we watch the autumn landscape make dramatic changes everyday!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Re-Energized for a New Season

October 27th, 2009

Well, last week several projects came to fruition! The International Quilt Market in Houston was early this year, putting all vendors in a spin to get everything prepared in time. Here is a picture of my booth. I decided to be crisp and spare with a simple black setting to show off the new fabric and patterns. It was wonderfully sited, so even though I couldn’t wander, I was able to catch all my friends as they stolled by. My sister took time off to help man the store and it was nice to introduce her to my world of quilting.

Of course, many new products were introduced at Market, including another new collaborative book by Eleanor Levie called Unforgettable Tote Bags, in which she invited several talented quilters and designers to create or decorate a practical tote bag. This is my contribution, a tote to line your bike basket. It was inspired by all the decorated bikes I saw in Europe during the Baltic Quilt Cruise. I sincerely hope Americans catch on to the healthy and ecological biking

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Re-Energized for a New Season

October 27th, 2009

Well, last week several projects came to fruition! The International Quilt Market in Houston was early this year, putting all vendors in a spin to get everything prepared in time. Here is a picture of my booth. I decided to be crisp and spare with a simple black setting to show off the new fabric and patterns. It was wonderfully sited, so even though I couldn’t wander, I was able to catch all my friends as they stolled by. My sister took time off to help man the store and it was nice to introduce her to my world of quilting.

Of course, many new products were introduced at Market, including another new collaborative book by Eleanor Levie called Unforgettable Tote Bags, in which she invited several talented quilters and designers to create or decorate a practical tote bag. This is my contribution, a tote to line your bike basket. It was inspired by all the decorated bikes I saw in Europe during the Baltic Quilt Cruise. I sincerely hope Americans catch on to the healthy and ecological biking

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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