Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Spit 'n Polish

So? What do you think? I spent a LOT of time yesterday working out some design changes to the blog. I'm not sure it's a finished product quite yet, but there are some changes happening in Poppyprint Land that required a bit of an upgrade, I felt.

Most importantly, I have a fantastic partner who's joined us here! Tammy of Marmalade Fabrics, purveyor of fine modern fabrics & funky patterns and provider of first-rate customer service, has come to play. I recently had the pleasure of ordering and receiving a wonderful package from Marmalade and am very excited to toot Tammy's horn. You'll likely be doing the same thing when you see what she's given me to share with one lucky reader in the next Birthday Month giveaway (tune in Friday for details). Check out Tammy's well-stocked shop by clicking on the Marmalade button up there on the right! You might want to jot down your favourites or even start a wish list....you know, just in case.

Summertime isn't traditionally super productive in my sewing room - I like hanging out with my kids and doing fun summer activities. Just this morning, T and I enjoyed a gorgeous bike ride in the demonstration forest. We were treated to a special siting of a doe and her twin fawns! They were in the shade of the forest, so I wasn't able to get a photo, but you can get the sense of the ride in this one:

photo
Mr. Casual (no cars on this road, so no-hands is a preferred option)

There are a couple of small things I needed to sew up before our week away. First is Meghan's June block for the VI Bees. Due to the mail strike and general tardiness of Canada Post, I didn't actually receive the fabric until June 30th, so I'm anxious to get this back to Meghan so she can piece her husband's patriotic quilt!

Meghan's block - VIBees June 2011

And next up is this passport holder for a friend. This friend is able to piece ridonculous quilt blocks, but claims anything remotely bag-like is out of her realm. Poor dear, I took pity and said I'd make one for her next trip....plus she's got twice as many kids as I do, so in theory I have more time. Oddly, our rates of productivity tend to show the opposite (she may have 2X the offspring, but she also makes twice the amount of stuff I do!). It's entirely possible I've been had. At any rate, this is her RSR passport holder (based on my memory of the Runaround Bag pattern by Lazy Girl Designs).

Passport Pouch by Poppyprint
zip front

Passport Pouch by Poppyprint
slot pocket back

Passport Pouch by Poppyprint
Oh! And what's that I see in the lining? Liberty, you say?

That's all folks. Next task is preparing my fabric for the VI Bees. I picked July. What better month to receive 12 quilt blocks in the mail than your birthday month?


17 comments:

Meghan said...

I love the passport holder!!! And of course my block!!! Twin fawns-lucky. All of your pictures make me wish I could hop across for a visit soon!!!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

Add me to the list of those who want to pop up.
Blog looks great! As do the projects! :)

WandaFish said...

The blog's looking really pretty - love the Marmalade colour coordination!
Great block and I'm now coveting your passport holder as well as your thread catcher and RSR tote!

Marg said...

The passport holder looks great, and oh, a hint of Liberty, very nice!

Marie said...

I'm thrilled to see that Tammy joined you. I just recently order fabric from her, because of the recent blog you did and also on your advice that Essex Linen is lovely.
Yesterday the mailman (not on strike here, thank goodness) made a major delivery of three packages and one was from Marmalade! It IS lovely! I love the feel of it and can't wait to get started on a project, now which one...
p.s. Love the purse, was looking for a little purse for the farmers market, this could be it!

Lesly said...

Cute passport holder! What a good friend you are!
P.S. I ordered from Tammy recently (still waiting for Canada Post to catch up the backlog) because I liked her shipping structure - priced according to the value of the order. I appreciate not having to pay $23 on a $10 order, which is what some other online shops stick Canadians with.

Mama Spark said...

The ride looks amazing! Love that kind of stuff. When exactly did you say is your bday? Mine is in July too.

Deon said...

Very nice! I love the passport holder and the new look to your blog. I'm revamping mine right now too, and I know it's a lot of work! You're much further ahead than I am though! LOL! It looks like you had a great time on your bike ride too. What a gorgeous ride!!

Amy Friend said...

Congrats on the sponsor and the new look of your blog. I tried to make mine two columns and can't!! Looking good!

Unknown said...

The site looks great Krista, and you have a sponsor!!! Way to go you! Upward and onward, eh?

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Oh my giddy giddy giddy aunt - that is the COOLEST passport holder ever in the whole wide world. I promise you that I will send you a pic of me in the airport on the way to my holiday reaching for the passports from this totally fabulous bag. You are the BEST BEST BEST and I love it and LIberty??? Really? A Liberty lined Ruby Star Rising Passport holder all for me!!! YAY. Love love love. XXX

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Lynne is just too lucky!! I'm not speaking to her anymore!

Canadian Kristin said...

Love it!!! You have the funnest fabrics in your stash!

Arita said...

The site is looking great and congrats on having a fabric sponsor.

felicity said...

Love the new look, Krista! And I *really* love Lynne's passport pouch!

randi--i have to say said...

loving the bag! so cute and perfect fabric. :)

Dianne said...

I like the new look! Block and bag are both tres bon! Starting your day with a bike ride in our lovely forest is a fine thing, your photo makes me want to be outside!!