The La Todera Blog is Moving

Hi everyone!

Just a note to say that you can find the latest La Todera blog posts over at my regular website: 

https://latodera.com/blogs/news

This blog will remain in place, but will no longer be updated.  Thanks for visiting!

As always, blessings and happy sewing!
xoxo Julie

I Heart Strange Flowers!

Good afternoon!

Wow, it's so hard to concentrate on such a sunny, mellow day here in Orlando!  Going to keep this short as I have a whole lot of gardening to catch up on...

Here are a few pics from my porch and yard:

Lifesaver Cactus

Turmeric Plant

Dog Tail Cactus.  We call her 'Medusa.'

Lithops, or 'Living Stone' succulent

Baby pineapple

I have a big crush on this guy. We call him Jerry Garcia!

Macho fern.  We call him Jimmi Hendrix.

Impatiens

Mexican Petunia

Caladium 'Love Everlasting'.  Corny, I know.  And yes, I partly bought them because of the name...

In addition to growing cool plants, I love to study them as well- have you seen the La Todera Pinterest board called Strange Flowers?  It's kind of like a wishlist for my garden and patterns :)

I consider gardening not only good for my mental health, but it is ALWAYS providing my new inspiration for fabric flower, pincushion, and other types of pattern designs.  In fact, I consider plants and flowers a business expense!

Pinwheel Present Pocket- a free project

Hi peeps,
I've gotten quite a few emails about a project I did on Quilting Arts TV- The Pinwheel Present Pocket.  People were looking to get the template and instructions.  What? You can't sew as fast as we made it on the edited TV segment??  Just kidding!

So I've made it easy for you.  Here is the linky-loo.  If you have any trouble, the secret to finding any of the free projects on Quilting Arts is that you have to log in to the site.  Signing up is free and easy if you don't have an account.

Let me know how you like this project!  The Present Pockets whip up so easily.  Great to gussy up a gift card or make that cash gift just a little more special.  They are reusable, so it's the gift that keeps on giving.  Why not make up a bunch to have on hand for those last minute gifts?

Have a blessed day,
Julie

PDF Patterns in the House!! (Ok, in the online store!)

Did you know that U.S. Postal have increased yet again???

That was my last push to convert La Todera patterns available on my website and etsy site to PDF form. No more shipping costs for you, and no more stamp chasing for me!

Truth be told, I've gotten hundreds of requests for PDF patterns from far flung fans around the globe.  Not everyone lives near a quilt shop, and not everyone lives in a place where the postal system is, well, ...trustworthy.

And then there are those, (like me!!) that when they want a pattern, THEY  WANT IT NOW!!

Same patterns in a similar, familiar format, 'cept now you can have instant gratification with an instant download!

Why not treat yourself to a few of the patterns you've been wanting to try?

Get 10% off your order from www.latodera.com 
this week (through 2/2/16) 

with code: INSTANT.

Still prefer the hard copy patterns? You can find the paper patterns in your favorite quilt shop.

Here are a just a few of my favorite quilt shops:

Sewitup.com

The Quilt Asylum

SewMuchFun.com

BellaRoseQuilts.com

'Hand Sewing Only' Pattern List and Discount Code

Anyone for a little hand sewing?  By popular request, here is a complete list of La Todera 'hand sewing only, no sewing machine required' patterns: 

1. Kafflower Brooch  2. Kabloom! Pincushion  3. Dinnerplate Dahlia Brooch  4. Momo Flower Brooch  5. Kanzashi Flower Fascinator  6. Hydrangea Brooch  7. Cream Puff Christmas Trees Pincushions  8. Perfect Pansy Brooch  9. Berry Bunch Brooch  10. Winky Pumpkin Pincushion  11. Pointsettia Brooch
12. Phalaenopsis Brooch  13. Proud Poppy Brooch  14. Full Moon Fabric Medallions  15. Camelia Gigantus Brooch
16. Cactus Flower Pincushion  17. Bling Balls Christmas Ornaments  18. Cymbidium Orchid Brooch
19. Kanzashi Badges

   

What's the big whoop? Welp, these patterns are perfect for take along projects for car trips, vacations, waiting for your kids at sports events, etc. OR, just something to do whilst watching your significant other's favorite TV program (which may or may not be your favorite too... :)  ) These patterns are also for the folks that want to 'sew' stuff, but don't have a sewing machine or the machine is sick in the shop. Then there are the people that just love hand sewing.  (I'm not talking fancy stitches here, people.  I'm talking big running (in and out) stitches.)

Yay for handsewing!  And just to celebrate that concept, we're having a little sale!  Just hop on over to the shop.  Use the code HANDSEWING and get 25% of your entire order, just like that! Shazam! 

(thru March 31, 2015)

Adventures in Fabric Book

Hi Blogland!

I'm just having a love attack about my book,  'Adventures in Fabric.'  I'm absolutely wild about how it came out- the graphic designer and photographer are at the top of their games with this book.  And I'm so happy about the range of projects, the reviews that it's gotten (Publishers Weekly, Mark Lipinski, Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably, Susan Brubaker Knapp (host of Quilting Arts TV,) Australian Homespun Magazine (Jan 2015,) and more!)
Do you have your book yet?  If not, you can order one here- I'll be more than happy to inscribe it for you if you like.
Already have your book?  Would you be kind enough to pop on over to Amazon and leave me a review?
Made any projects?  Please email me at julie@latodera.com so I can toot your horn!!
Thanks for reading and I hope everyone has a crafty weekend!!!
I'll leave you with some eye candy from Adventures in Fabric...

Back cover, see Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably reviews :)

Mama and Baby Llamas Project

Harlequin Star Pillow Chair Project

Butterfly Bunting Project

Peacock Pincushion Project

Lavish Lantern Ornaments Project

Plumeria Placemats Project

Susan Brubaker Knapp wearing a Zaftig Zinnia she made from the book :)  Isn't she gorgeous?  She never ages!!

Front cover

Welp, the holidays are over and the rhythms of real life are taking over again...  I'm grateful for the return to routine, actually.  Maybe it's age, maybe it's life changes.  But I'm ready for routine!!

The holidays begat some personal projects.  Personal projects for me usually mean quilts and working from my personal stash of recycled cotton shirts.  Here is the fruit of my labors:

Mapping out a schedule for regular pattern releases for the coming year.  Any requests?  More fabric flowers?  More quilted handbags?  More home decor accessories?  Whadday'all feel like sewing?

International Quilt Festival, Houston, 2014

I'm so excited!!  Only a few short weeks til the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas!! ( Oct 30-Nov 2, 2014-  but note that classes start Oct 27 )

Yay!!  I've been busy putting together kits for my students- everything from instruction sheets to fabric circles and pin backs!  There will be extra kits for purchase during the class in case you'd like to make more than one project or buy some for gifts :)

Want to come take a class with me?  Here's the lineup-  and sign up HERE.

Harlequin Star Pillow  #139  

Mon, Oct 27, 9-12 

Take your projects to the next dimension!

This extraordinary 3-D star-shaped pillow will be the whimsical focal point of your room. Enjoy quick construction with the new fusible 2.5'' grid. Make it in class, stuff it at home!

Sign up HERE.

Razzleberry Pincushion  #159  

Mon, Oct 27, 2-5 pm

It's a jumbo 6'' pincushion with a shape reminiscent of a berry- but flip it over and it's also a bowl!  Super novel and giftable!

Sign up HERE.

Fabric Orchid Brooches Sampler  #243 
Tues, Oct 28 9-12 

Learn to make three types of fabric orchids phalaenopsis, cymbidium, and slipper. Versatile and unusual, they look fabulous on jean jackets, purses, and wedding keepsakes- even on art quilts!

Sign up HERE.

Camelia Gigantus Brooch   #263

Tues, Oct 28 2-5 pm 

These oversized ombre-shaded fabric flower brooches look great on everything from a jean jacket to a purse- or how about adorning an art quilt? Perfect for gifting!

Sign up HERE.


Hope to see you there!!

The Olmalaika Home and it's Angels

If you're wondering, Olmalaika means 'angel' in KiMaasai :)  With that as an intro you KNOW this is going to be a good story…

Today I want to tell you about the Olmalaika Girls' Home in Kenya.  To do that, I'll have to rewind a bit to about 6 months back.

A kind woman named Gwenyth contacted me on Facebook.  She was a La Todera pattern customer, and also a supporter of the Olmalaika Home for Girls.

The Home is a refuge for girls that are facing early childhood marriage and/or female genital mutilation in Kenya.  That's right. Genital mutilation is still being practiced in many parts of the world.  Girls are being married off as young as 6 years old.  And to make them more 'desirable' brides, they are mutilated.  I shudder just typing that term.

Kim DeWitt and her girls

The Olmalaika home was started by Kim DeWitt- you can read more about the story, which is a fantastic and super heart warming one- here.

Back to Gwyneth in Australia.  Gwyneth is a friend of Kim, and a frequent volunteer at the home.  Gwenyth had the idea to teach the girls a craft to give them a skill and something to sell the create an income stream for the home.

Of course I was really excited about this idea, and had to come up with the perfect pattern.  It had to be easy for all skill levels, cost effective to make, and small enough to transport for purchasers of the future ornaments. The Olmalaika Angel Ornament pattern was the result!

Finished Olmalaika Angel Ornament

Olmalaika Angle Pattern cover

This past July, Gwyneth brought the pattern and supplies to Kenya and helped teach the girls how to make them!  Look at these precious photos:

Olmalaika Angel Ornaments made in African fabrics!

They are planning to make the angels to sell as souvenirs for visitors to the home, as well as to be sold in the in the home countries of the visiting volunteers.

To continue my own involvement in the project, I'm selling the Olmalaika Angel Pattern and donating the proceeds directly to the home.  If you'd like to buy a pattern of your own, they are available here.
Of course the pattern can be customized with your choice of fabrics, floss colors, etc.

Olmalaika Angel Pattern cover

So why not get your own pattern and make Olmalaika Angels for everyone on your holiday list?  You'll be crafting for your loved ones as well as helping some beautiful little girls in Kenya :)

Quilting Arts TV 1400 Series

Hi everyone!
It's my honor to take a turn on the Quilting Arts TV Blog Tour for series 1400!

What a thrill to be included in this series, the first of Quilt Arts TV's new host, Susan Brubaker Knapp! Susan is an amazing artist in her own right, and is lending her broad talents in quilting and hosting to this well loved show.

Susan Brubaker Knapp and I

Want to know when the show will air in your area?  Go to www. and type in your zip code to see when series 1400 series will be shown near you.
Wanna see previews of the episodes?  Check out this link.

Don't wanna wait for the episodes to air?  No problem!  Buy the series in DVD form and watch them anytime you like!  Live outside of the US?  This is the option for you!  All of the projects and techniques are fab!!

Buy your DVD here

I'm so excited about the projects I developed to be featured on this series!

The first one is the Pinwheel Present Pocket on Episode 1413.  (Click for preview.)

Perfect for little gifts like cash, gift cards, earrings etc.  And best of all, it's reusable!

The second project, featured on Episode 1409, is the Buttercup Brooch.   (Click for preview.)

Who doesn't love a buttercup?  You'll learn several key fabric flower construction tips.  Make a whole field-ful!

Buttercup Brooch

Thanks Quilting Arts TV for a great experience, new friends, and new opportunities to share!

Want a lil bit more on the filming process?  Check out this previous post.

Here’s the bloghop schedule, plus you can also read all about it on Quilting Arts Editor Vivika DeNegre’s blog here. Keep coming back here to click on the appropriate link for each day.

• July 18: Vivika DeNegre at  http://www.quiltingdaily.com/…/qatv-14-sneak-peek-…. and

• quiltingdaily.com

• July 19: Luana Rubin (luanarubin.typepad.com)/

• Linda Friedman (lindasartquilts.blogspot.com)

• July 20: Sarah Ann Smith (sarahannsmith.com/weblog)/

• Karen Gloeggler (Seminarandsew.com)

• July 21: Carrie Bloomston (suchitysuch.blogspot.com/

• Catherine Redford (catherineredford.com)

• July 22: Sue Reno (suereno.blogspot.com)/

• Rebekah Meier (rebekahmeier.com)

• July 23: Lyric Kinard (lyrickinard.com/blog) /

• Margie Ullery (ribboncandyquilts.blogspot.com)

• July 24: Cheryl Sleboda (muppin.com/wordpress/) / Julie Creus (todera.blogspot.com)

• Jane Sassaman (janesassaman.com/weblog)

• July 25: Susan Brubaker Knapp (bluemoonriver.blogspot.com)

My New Book- Adventures in Fabric, La Todera Style!

I feel like I've been holding my breath-  I'm so proud to announce the upcoming release of my first book! - Adventures in Fabric, La Todera Style

Release date: Nov 1, 2014

 To give you an idea what the book will contain, I'm lifting the description that Stash Books (my amazing publisher) has given my tome….

"This festive collection from designer Julie Creus brings together bright fabrics, ingenious construction methods, and a large dash of whimsy to make 3-D effects like you’ve never seen before in fabric. Create usable art with ingenious new techniques for fabric folding, fusing, weaving, and thread wrapping. Get 20 vibrant projects—jewelry, table decor, pillows, sewing accessories, holiday decorations, children’s softies, and balls—for the price of 3 individual La Todera patterns. Scrap-friendly projects are usable as well as beautiful—and they’re fun to make. Julie’s inventive methods make the sewing easy, whether you are a beginning or expert sewist."

This book has been so long in the making.  I've been stashing away key designs in a notebook, just waiting for the right time in the life of my business to mold into a book.  So it's chock full of choice designs!  I collaborated with fabrics from only my very favorite designers.

One of the parts of the book I'm most chuffed about are the endorsements from three of my favorite people:

Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably, and Marcia Derse
(Every time I remember that bit, I think I must be dreaming.)  

I left it all on the dance floor with this book. I'm exhausted, exhilarated- and can't wait to do it again!!

Thanks to all of the people that helped make this possible. My heart is full. :)
I couldn't have asked for a better publisher, editors, designers, marketing team.  Family and friends- all so supportive and helpful, and understanding when I was crazed with deadlines and details. :)

I'll leave you all with an image from one of my very favorite projects in the book, the Peacock Pincushion.  This pattern is dedicated to Amy Marson, the publisher of C&T Stash books, a woman I admire ever so much, and with whom I share an inexplicable, crazy love of peacocks :)

The Peacock Pincushion, one of my fave projects in 'Adventures in Fabric'

More will be revealed…