judipatuti

Parson Gray

2012-02-27T16:38:00.001-08:00

Last year textile designer Amy Butler's husband decided to enter into the textile design business. An accomplished musician, he started creating a different kind of music, using fiber instead of notes. His line is called Parson Gray and is a wonderful collection of pale blues, greys, creams and blacks infused with a definite masculine slant!

I've brought into The Grove, 3 bolts of my favorite Parson Gray prints....Trade Blanket, Coral Reef and Cocoons!

He's made the scarf out of Trade Blanket and Cocoons is on lower left square on the back ground.

Below is one of Amy's booth's at the show....as they say..."opposites attract"!

Tucson Bead Show

2012-02-01T20:11:00.000-08:00

Look for me this weekend at the Tucson Bead Show! I will be debuting 2 new products...there's a hint on the sign above for one of them.... and I have tons and tons of new beadmat designs! If you're going, check out my booth (B26) close to the lobby of the Doubletree Reid Park Hotel.......

Hope to See You There!

2011-12-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

HAVE A HAPPY

HAPPY

CHRISTMAS!

Day of the Dead Fabric is In!

2011-09-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Calaveras From Alexander Henry

They've been on order for months, and finally, have arrived! The most popular fabric in my collection at The Grove every October....Calaveras! This time it's sprinkled with a little (just a touch) of gold bling and the skulls are striking against a midnight black background. Great for draping over your table for October Parties or creating a cool shirt or gypsy skirt to welcome the one night each year that the dead "officially" visit our planet!

Indigo Skulls is a new design this year I just couldn't resist! Navy blues and reds outline the laughing skulls on a warm cream background! A friend saw it last week and is already measuring windows in her new apartment for this edgy fabric.

Indigo Skull by Alexander Henry

Don't know how to sew? Try "Steam a Seam" for hems...all you have to have is an iron and you ready to make curtains, napkins, placemats, table runners...I could go on and on.

But maybe you would rather do a little hand stitching?

Then try your hand at embroidery transfers and tattoo Skulls and Zombies or Monster designs on your towels, arm bands, head bands, shirts....

All you need is a little fabric, some embroidery floss, hoop and a needle -

all available at

judipatuti fabrics at The Grove.

They're Here!

2011-08-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

My next, long awaited for, new collection of beadmats has hit the website! I have to say, there are some real favorites here. But I'll let you decide....here's a tickle of what you'll find at www.judipatuti.com.

Emergence...great color palette!

Rolling Hills....reminiscent of growing corn
visited by bees and butterflies!

and...Sweet Nothings! The name says it all!

Be sure and visit the
website to see all the rest!

Leo Has Friends!

2011-08-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago three brave sewers ventured into the land of sewing curves and creating manes to make Leo the Lion a few new friends at The Grove! Although they didn't quite have their "stuffing" yet, the fabrics and color choices made Leo "Roar with Pleasure"!

Kendal, Michelle and Olivia promised to bring Leo's friends back to play once their button eyes are sewn on and their tails have just the right amount of yarn for "swishing"!

Kendal's Lion - love the split colored mane!

Michelle's son hand picked his lion's "coat" and will soon be hugging and loving him!

Pink mane with teal blue eye's were
Olivia's pick for her lion!

In no time at all the three will have "custom" Lions
Purrfect for Purring!

It's All About the Timing!

2011-07-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

When I'm not sewing or doing a jillion other things I knit...I really don't make a conscious choice whether it's cold weather, sizziling hot weather or perfect weather...there's almost always something on my needles.

The problem with not paying attention to the season (if you can say San Diego has seasons) is that I usually finish something and then can't wear it or my giftee has to put it away for a while cuz it's just too warm or too cold.

Such is the case with my most recent "FO" finished object! Friend Marcia deCoster turned me on to an adorable swing coat/jacket by Lisa Chemery. It's a great pattern, knitted top down and can be finished in a short period of time. I used Spud & Cloe's beautiful pure white yarn and made it for my newest granddaughter, Braelyn.

Of course, it's now 80-90 degrees and this isn't really what she wanted to wear...but was a real trooper for her Moma and I as we got her to pose (rather quickly) for a picture.

Actually it's really good the weather is warm, by the time it cools off it may actually fit!

He's a Pussycat!

2011-06-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

Pattern designer Valori Wells calls this sewing card pattern "Leonardo the Lion"...but he's really a sweet, lovable pussycat! Here he's sewn in Alice Kennedy's "Sunny Daze" fabric with yarns from my personal collection from The Grove.

He was easy as pie to make and quick too! While the pattern calls for stitched eyes, I decided this would be for an older child and used button's as eyes instead.

After he was done....I carried him around to show him off and flashed back to Jr. High when we all (or your Mom, Grandma) had fabric "wiener" dogs that our friends wrote on. A predecessor to the High School and College Annuals and now to Facebook's Wall. I guess sending messages to friends never ends...so here's my message to you.

If you're in San Diego, join me at The Grove in July when I teach how to sew
your own little pussycat!

It's Paper!

2011-06-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

On my trek through the Mall the other day, I was stopped short by the display in Papyrus's window. The dress was entirely made from invitations and other printed stationary!

My college, Fashion Careers College, does the same thing for the draping class, using trashbags, magazine pages, newspapers, tissue paper and Trader Joe's paper bags among other things. The results are always inventive and amazing!

To do the same thing, the only thing you need is a pinable dress form and fabric to end up with your own "wearable" original!

Classes! Classes!

2011-05-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

The last two classes I had at The Grove set the record for starting and completing a project in 2 hours! Hard to believe, but the Maggie Purse (sized for a cell phone) was done in record time. Fabrics, ribbon and buttons were chosen, pattern cut out and it was sewn and ready for use! The fabrics, the girls decided on was "June Bug", a great colorful choice for spring! And June is almost here!

The girls in the project board class all had a different visions for their boards. From a strong abstract Asian print (made for office use) to a soft floral for a new grand daughter's pictures! And to think Crate and Barrel was selling these for a lot of money, but here each got to choose their own personal color with their individual decor in mind!

Pretty amazing what a little fabric and a little time can do!

Thread/Thread Everywhere!

2011-03-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

I love fabrics! Mostly the naturals - cottons, wools, linens, silks, but I specialize in contemporary cotton prints that I offer to customers at The Grove.

On a daily basis, I walk out of the house, since I price my fabrics at home before taking them to the store, picking threads off my clothes as I rush to the car. Since I usually wear black, it's pretty noticeable. Last week I found threads on one of my front yard bushes...had to laugh!

But today...after I had driven to work, driven to lunch and was getting in the car to go home again I saw this bright pink thread, from one of my latest fabrics, stuck to my tire! Now that's one determined piece of thread!

I think I'll get a license plate that says "Fabric Lover"!

All Day Apron!

2011-02-28T18:37:00.001-08:00

And who wouldn't want to wear it all day? Lee and Charlene took the All Day Apron class at The Grove and decided on two really different looks, but both in the "now" colors of sky blues and sea greens.

Charlene used "Feeling Groovy" laminate from Michael Miller, which will be perfect when she's washing her dog! While many thicker laminates require a special "teflon" coated presser foot on your machine...this one was a cinch to sew without. She combined it with "Mingle", an abstract little open circle print in aqua and avocado ....

Great combination Charlene!

Lee selected a fabric called Filigree from a new vendor - Art Gallery Fabrics and combined it with lime/aqua dots and gray piping peeking out at the neck and the pocket tops! Very sophisticated pattern combination!

We love the back on this pattern - very flirty!

Great Job you two!

New Laminates!

2011-02-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

I guess you know by now, that I love, love, love to buy fabrics! Before I started selling them at The Grove I always bought fabrics for projects. But as my schedule became so packed, I ended up just "collecting" fabric (time for sewing got squeezed out)! And for those of you who do the same....you know space soon becomes an issue! So buying and selling is the Best of Two Worlds!

I've been on a search lately for some fun laminates...something different than the vintage "cherrys" and "cowboys" and just got a shipment of two really cool prints! They're actually called "Coated cotton", but are usually sold much wider than normal fabric, at 54" to 60" wide. Great for covering outdoor furniture, tables, making bibs, changing mats...all kinds of things!

Here's my two latest...

They're both from Michael Miller...the one on the left is "Bicycles" and the other one is "Lil' Plain Jane". You might recognize the last one since I also have it in fabric too- the colorway is gray, citrine and white - a great color palette for interior design.

Stop in and see these great prints!

Scissor Sitter

2011-02-08T16:59:00.001-08:00

January was full of buying trips...one to the LA Gift Mart to scan the aisles for any sewing totes or other fun things. Last year, this is where I found Amy Butler's stationary that I brought into The Grove to sell with her fabrics.

I also traveled to TNNA in Long Beach, the knitters and needle work association's trade show. While there I noticed a booth for Puffin and Company. Susan (from The Grove) and I bee-lined it across the aisle and checked out her stuff. I love Puffins! They are one of the most colorful birds!

While at her booth, Diane shared with us that the West Coast Puffin was the prettiest, even though there is an East Coast variety. I told her my Puffin story, that many years ago my husband and I took a trip up the east coast from NY and I insisted on stopping in Kennebunkport to see the migrating Puffins. Unfortunately, we were 2 weeks late....I still haven't seen a "real one". Guess I'll have to visit our famous San Diego Zoo for a live sighting!

But what I did see in her booth were beautifully handmade pieces of art that are so useful for those of us that sew!

The scissor sitters have a strong magnet on the back that holds it "pin free" to your top - hook the scissor on the cord and then the magnet holds the scissor on the "lamb"! So cool! I couldn't resist, so I got the puppies, kitties, dove, heart (great gift for Valentine's Day) and of course the cute little lambie shown here.

Susan brought in the stitch holders for knitters - so much fun! Check out Susan's blog for pictures of the stitch holders - or visit The Grove if you're in San Diego.

Time for Wishes!

2011-01-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

Seems like we were seeing Christmas in every store window and ad even before Halloween, and yet it seemed like it would never arrive. Then before I knew it the "Christmas Whirlwind" was in full swing and everything took a back seat to decorating, cooking, baking, shopping and visiting with friends and family.

Here's a few pics of my holiday whirlwind!

Now it's time to look ahead at what 2011 might bring!

To envision doors opening!

A time to make wishes and make those wishes come true!

I wish you all a beautiful, wish fulfilled year!

Judi

The Beadmat Winter Collection is Here!

2010-12-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

NEW ADDITION!
SOLD OUT!
Far Out Floral!

Far Out and Flash Back -
Such "trippy" print!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with my judipatuti beadmats, they are a wonderful addition to your studio or a great gift for your beading friends!

The mats are made in the USA - San Diego to be precise and designed by bead artists for bead artists. The interior features a colorful box for storing your tools a double pocket for other tool necessities and a pocket designed to hold 3 bead tubes. At the top of your beadmat is a ribbon for tying on your "fireline" and the interior surface is an ivory plush fabric that keeps your beads from "running away"!

Your bead mat will have one of these juicy colored tool boxes!

The beadmat is a roll up (like a jelly roll - sorry...my sweet tooth is showing) ready to be dropped in your tote for traveling, or stash on a shelf in your studio!

Here's the Winter Collection!

Carnival Blooms - this time is paired with raspberry Sun Spots!
Great for creating color on a gray winter day!
SOLD OUT!

Spirit Panache is teamed with a great abstract line and inside
hides chocolate (fabric print) circles!
SOLD OUT!

How can you resist this great print? Fandango is paired with a
chocolate and vanilla
Organic Cotton.
SOLD OUT!

Blues and greens are so "in" right now and
Caitlin Blooms
gets it right!
SOLD OUT!

The popular Divine Damask is back!
This time I couldn't resist Lolli Dots
as it's partner!
SOLD OUT!

And for the Wild and Crazy in all of us....
my favorite (am I allowed to say that?)
Crazy Dots and Wild Flowers
SOLD OUT!

I use PayPal for your orders... the beadmats are $38.00 plus shipping. Just contact me through my email (upper right corner of my blog).

Don't forget to tell me which one you want...the quantities are limited and gift giving is right around the corner!

judipatuti

Christmas at the Store

2010-12-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

Mandolin Orchestra

Our neighborhood stores and restaurants have a "Walk About" 4 times a year and last night was the Holiday one! Everyone turns out to sample tasty treats handed out by the restaurants and hear live bands at our internet cafe, begin their Christmas Shopping and sing carols to the Mandolin Orchestra hosted by The Grove, where I have judipatuti fabrics.

This year the weather was perfect...a sweater and warm scarf was all that was needed and the whole neighborhood came out! A trolley took walkers to different parts of the neighborhood and Santa, of course shouted Ho Ho Ho and visited every store and restaurant!

The Grove sparkled with Christmas glam from the little white lights, the Christmas Tree, the mistletoe crystal ornaments, Christmas stockings, wonderful sounds of Mandolins and lots and lots of delightful little sparkly's to give as stocking stuffers!

These trees are wrapped with silk yarn and topped with wool roving or a jeweled pine cone. A perfect Christmas Dinner centerpiece!

The Grove store owners Anne and Susan with the
Celebrity of the Night
Santa!

Watch my blog for the next shipment of Beadmats -
a perfect Christmas Gift idea for that Bead Artist in your group!

Coming Soon!

Halloween!

2010-11-12T09:07:00.000-08:00

This holiday brings out the creative in those of us who still like to "dress up"! I'm always amazed at how creative we can be when we want to have fun and sometimes throw caution to the wind.

One of my Grove students, Lee, decided after seeing the Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland movie that Alice's dresses were a must have! And as soon as the opportunity presented itself...she got creatively inspired by the colors and grandeur and decided this would be her Halloween outfit!

After lots of fabric shopping for just the right colors, prints, tulle, hearts and bustier, she started cutting. On a "Drop in Sew" day at The Grove, I had fun helping her puzzle out the pattern and how to overlay and ruffle the fabric to get the right "look".

Here's a shot of it almost done on the sewing table and then Lee, complete with Alice curls, modeling the finished dress! Job well done Lee, it looks amazing on you!

As many of you know, when I'm not creating, I'm President of Fashion Careers College, and Halloween brings out the "creative spirit" in all our administrative staff! This year the looks were all very fun! We had a kitty, King, pixie, inmate, Wilma, and a witch to name a few. I had to attend a meeting off campus that day, so I threw on a quick outfit (when I returned)- Little Red Riding Hood, the 2nd from the right. The easiest outfit belonged to our CEO, who dressed in regular clothes with a sign "Nudist on Strike"!

Hope you Halloween was fun and you saw
lots of little "creatives" at your
door!

4 Days in the Candy Store!

2010-11-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a whirlwind 4 days in Houston! Weather was identical to San Diego...and the theater district surrounding my hotel offered up a delightful fusion of restaurants! Loved it! And even better was the time spent walking up and down and crisscrossing (many, many times) the floor of the convention center wanting to buy every fabric and pattern in sight!

The booths were amazing...many vendors try to out do each other for the best booth and here's a few photos of some of the best!

Michael Miller Runway!

Michael Miller Fabrics staged a 50's Prom night complete with runway, big white vinyl-tufted "diner" booths for us to sit at and order. But the most fun...the reps all wore 50's vintage inspired clothes or the "real" thing, complete with 50's style "hairdos" and Princess/Prom tiaras.

While their booth took up at least 1000 square feet (almost as big as my house), many designers had small booths to showcase their new collections.

Here's Amy Butler's booth - loved the way the fabrics were displayed. Notice in the background, behind the poof pillows is her raincoat pattern in laminated cotton. I'm currently sewing it up as a sample for The Grove. It's adorable and comes in adult and children's sizes! Amy won a prize for best small booth! It's not hard to see why!
\
Tina Givens also won a Best Booth prize! Here's some photos and one with Tina and I. She's a delight and extremely talented - many of her new fabrics and her new book "Tina Sews!" will soon be joining my judipatuti line at The Grove.

Now begins the wait.... expect some fabrics to arrive in the next few weeks and others over the next few months. It's like seeing all the wrapped packages under the Christmas Tree and having to delay gratification for weeks! I said it then and I"ll say it now...

No Fair!

Buying Frenzy!

2010-10-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Market! Leaving tomorrow to buy fabrics for "Fabrics at The Grove" and for my judipatuti Beadmat production. Once a year I travel to Houston for the largest tradeshow of fabric vendors in one place, at one time that specialize in cottons.

I've been to the textile shows in Los Angeles for apparel manufacturers and they're great shows but don't compare to the Houston Quilt Market for highlighting 100% cotton fabrics!

Last year I met Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner - both very personable, warm and amazingly talented textile designers. I expect to meet more emerging talent this year and buy their fabrics. I have also met some pretty talented pattern designers and will keep my eye out for new pattern lines to sew!

Yes, I'll take lots of pictures to blog about what's coming!

I also plan on scoping out unusual and colorful fabric combination's for my next Beadmat production. Will be setting the production schedule once I settle on the fabrics and their ship dates!

While I planned on wearing Winter clothes - you know - wools that I never get to wear in San Diego, I just found out they're having 80-85 degree weather! Guess I'll be leaving my warmies in the closet and my coat and umbrella hanging on their hooks!

The Return of the Beadmat!

2010-10-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

My next shipment of Beadmats are here...I know...this makes two posts in one day - but just couldn't resist showing them off!

Tool boxes come with each one, in an array of colors from Juicy Lime to Sweet Summer Strawberry!

Divine Damask is for the sophisticated beader that loves patterns in palettes of greys and blacks.

SOLD OUT!

Big Plain Jane I just love for its simplicity and retro 60's feeling!

SOLD OUT

Freebird is a play on "tweeting", flowers and rich color combos!
SOLD OUT!

While Vera's Garden walks us through multiple shades of green on a rich chocolate background!

Love the name of this one....Exuberant! Doesn't that start the creative brain cells snapping?
SOLD OUT!

And then there's Carnival Blooms! Can you smell the popcorn and
taste the luscious pink cotton candy!

SOLD OUT

Trumpet Flowers is a favorite...so-o-o-o grand!

SOLD OUT!

And last...Oh so Sweet Sandalwood!

Each flap hides pockets for seed bead tubes, and other all the things you need to create your
next,and of course favorite, adornment! The short ribbons let you tie on your Fireline and the entire beadmat wraps with the long ribbons and is ready for traveling or moving from the studio to the living room -wherever your creative mood strikes!

Let me know which one you want...each style comes in different ribbon, piping and tool box combination's!

Too see them in use, go to Marcia DeCoster's Blog!

Delicates!

2010-10-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

You guessed it....its those lacey, feminine items of lingerie we buy from Victoria Secrets, Nordies or Intimacy that we usually spend more than we want to....that's what I'm writing about today. Yes, they usually have a price tag that we definitely remove before our better half sees them....but after all aren't we worth it?

Now you're probably wondering why my "judipatuti fabrics" blog is talking about lingerie, especially when I specialize in contemporary cotton prints. Well, I found this darling little pattern for a fun hamper, that's just the perfect size for our delicates, a place they deserve! And I couldn't resist.

Not only would it be great hamper for us, but those of you with new little ones, it would be a great addition for the nursery. And those of you starting your college "dorm" experience...what a fab colorful addition to your side of the room!

The pattern is from Vanilla House and I chose 4 colorful (of course) fabrics to make each piece. The bottom fabric is from Moda: "Spirit Panache", the next tier up is an Amy Butler fabric: "Star Paisley". The next one up is a great fabric call "Boutique Flower Pin" by Moda (looks more like Pomegranates to me)! And the last fabric is also from Moda, part of the Wonderland Collection called "Tweedle Dee".

To combine fabrics easily.... first look for similar color palettes and be mindful of the print sizes. In my selection I put the largest print on the bottom to balance the large size of the bottom tier and put the smallest print on the top layer. I've found this to work well. Once you get more "daring" you can easily mix color palettes by remembering to pick up at least one color in the print and repeat it.

Have fun! It's only fabric!

The flower was also super easy! I used batting to back the fabric. Instead of cutting out the fabric I drew the pattern (on the right side of the fabric), put the batting behind it and satin stitched on my drawn line. Last I cut out the flower. It's really fool proof this way! PS: the satin stitch is just the zig zag stitch adjusted so the stitches are all snuggled next to each other.

Don't you love the buttons? The small button is a new one I just brought into The Grove. Thought it would jazz the hamper up a bit when sewed on top of the colorful abstract button!

I'll be teaching this class at The Grove on Sat, Oct 23rd! If you're in the area...be sure and pre-register, as seating is limited! If you're not in the area...pick up the pattern, have fun shopping colorful fabrics and rev up the sewing machine!

Back to the Gym!

2010-10-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Bridget and Jenny decided to make a back-pack in one of my classes at The Grove. Although the pattern was called "Gym Junk" from Vanilla House, they decided to use their packs for lots of other things and create something that was uniquely theirs!

The pattern was supper easy, including the grommet setting technique used to run the shoulder cords through. Jenny chose a great fabric combination from Robert Kaufman called Mingle Espresso and Mingle Cocoa (don't you just love these names?). Very contemporary styling!

While Bridget used one of my newest fabrics celebrating the "Day of the Dead" (very timely), with fabric from Alexander Henry called Calaveras and a pocket of pretty pink leaves from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane collection called Lindy Leaf.

Congrats!
on a job well done
in
barely a blink of the eye!

Too Hot to Handle!

2010-08-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

August is almost over, but BBQ season is still in full swing! So in preparation for next weekend's Labor Day celebration I decided to make some "Pot Pinchers" to use for the pork 'n beans pot! What's hot dogs without the beans? Right?

Of course, I figured, I'd be the one using them since I made them out of floral fabric. But much to my surprise, my DH said, that while he totally wouldn't use the "rick rack" one, he loved the grey/black/citron printed fabric! AND would even use it!

Thus my latest idea...they are so easy to make that I'm offering a class to make them in Sept. It only takes a couple of hours to knock out one and an afternoon for a pair! While these particular pinchers don't go together...still have the other halves to make....you could mix and match using different patterns on different parts of the pincher! And the combination of fabrics and trims is endless!

If you can't make it to The Grove for the class, pick up the pattern by "Vanilla House" and get some fun fabrics and get ready for that weekend BBQ!

PS...not too early to think about Holiday gifts!

Baby's on her way!

2010-08-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

My sewing studio has been a whirlwind on activity in the last month! My daughter is about 3 weeks away from delivering her 2nd daughter and we've been designing and decorating the nursery for my new granddaughter.

Trysta, my daughter, decided to have birds as the theme so we designed a tree that she put on one of the nursery's walls and then designed birds and leaves to attach to the tree. The tree is a textural wall paper and the birds and leaves are made of 2 pieces of fabric with padding in the middle to give the birds and leaves a little weight.

The beginnings of the Tree!

On the Wall!

To go with that we designed a birdie crib blanket backed with flannel and edged with all the fabrics that we used on the tree. The fabrics are from the "Arcadia" collection by Sanae while the back of the blanket uses "Chirp" designed by Katie Henniger for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

and I mustn't forget "Monster Iris"
who now has a place in the
Nursery!

...guarding the crib!

What a lucky baby!

Love in the Summer Sundress

2010-06-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

Love in the Summer with
Namaste Bag and Circular Knitting Cast

The first day of summer has come and gone and it's time to think about warmer summer breezes and days at the beach! Thanks to a student of mine, I was turned on to a great little dress that's begging to be sewn...so of course I couldn't resist and now I'm teaching a class in it this month at The Grove.

It's a free download pattern from SewStylish.com. Granted you have to piece together the printed sheets...but they're clearly labeled and easy to follow. Just clear your living room floor so you'll have lots of room to spread out! It comes in a multiple of sizes and would look good on most body's since it's an empire waist and has a forgiving skirt shape.

I made it in two fabrics from Alexander Henry called Catlin Blooms and Catlin Stripe and the colors look great with the Namaste bag in the picture. Both fabrics and the bag are available at The Grove.

The pattern was originally printed in Twinkle Sews, along with a number of other creative and fun patterns. The book provides the patterns, so it's worth the purchase! The only challenge I had in making the dress was figuring out the bra pieces, but once that was done, the rest fell in place.

Join me this month if you're in town or get the pattern and sew this great little dress!

1 month later

2010-06-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

Remember the babies we planted?

Well, the tomato, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and melons are making a statement in our backyard! The volunteer tomato plant is at least 5' wide and overshadowing the little garlics in one of the beds, but at the same time it's looking out for all its' little sister plants.

You can see the "mama" plant behind all the babies that are now growing taller and taller.

The cucumbers are vineing up by sending out little curlie ques trying to find something to latch onto...so we surrounded them with a portable doggie fence and gave them a piece of wood to reach up for!
One of the bean plants is still only 5" tall, but its' already sent out a few beans!

I think we're going have more tomatoes than we know what to do with...
anyone have a good marinara recipe?

Alumni Success!

2010-06-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

One of the most rewarding things about being in the College biz is being able to follow my grads into their careers and track their success! Ok...I guess you see what's coming - yes, I'm going to brag!

About 2 years ago my College held a Project Fashion contest based on the ever popular "Project Runway" TV reality show. Contestants came from across the US to participate and compete for college scholarships. Ziba Khatibi was actually from our own backyard and had always wanted to design, which was apparent with her winning design of the day!

Because Ziba was able to translate the trends presented by Charlotte Russe's forecasting presentation, her winning design was put into production by Charlotte Russe, and sold in their stores. She was featured with signage and display in their Fashion Valley Store window!

Well....it's now many years later and Ziba has launched her own website with her unique vision apparent in trendy, edgy jewelry. It appeals to all markets with it's use of different media and a definite feminine flair! Check out her website www.zibakhatibi.com for more great looks!

She was also featured this year in 944 magazine, http://www.944.com/articles/ziba-khatibi-raw-jewelry/

Thanks for letting me brag!

Growing all things good!

2010-06-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

Last week we finally took our little seedlings from the grow light to sunshine! They were ready to meet the real world of 12 hours of light on and off.

Last year we built 5 raised beds in our back yard and had a bounty of tomatoes and zucchini. So this year we decided to expand our options and added beans, melons, cucumbers, onions, and peppers!

One of last year's tomato plants threw off seeds and re-sprouted by herself "outside" the raised bed. It's huge...as you can see behind Richard, who is ready to plant with spoon in hand and babies looking eager for a new home!

Of course they had to be planted EARLY in the morning, according to my dh who did a lot of surfing on the subject...so out we were in the garden with the morning light!

Did I say so early that make-up and brushed hair had to wait?

I think we've finally got the watering puzzle down and now they are really starting to grow...will keep you posted along the way.

2nd Production Run

2010-05-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

Putting anything into production leaves you at the mercy of the universe! I find that even when I plan months in advance, things can go wrong...Plan A turns into Plan B and then C, D.....and then finally it's over for this run! Whew...I can stop holding my breath!

With the help of friends, cutting Beadmat pieces and taking unplanned trips to National City where I get the Beadmats sewn, they are finally done and look as beautiful as I expected them to look!

The few changes this time were based on feedback from beaders, Thank You for all your suggestions! I've changed the "Fireline" holder from a snaped strap that threaded with difficulty, to a ribbon that ties. Much better! I've changed the snap to a fashion industry snap which will stand up lots of use! I have some other ideas too, but that will wait until I hear back from those who buy this exclusive run at Bead & Button. So let me know what you think!

Here's some pictures....you might notice the difference in shots...my dear husband is a professional photographer with a great eye and great equipment and minute attention to detail in the set up. My shot is with a point and shoot, with on camera flash and 2 minutes piling them on the floor...but gives a little different perspective.

My shot!

His shot!

Cool Combo!

2010-05-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Still puzzled trying to remember crochet terms. I know, it's not knitting or sewing. I'm sure, given determination and my usual "attack and conquer" attitude I could finally get it. But alas...I'd rather just sew or knit. And then along comes a cute design that makes me want to try it again. Especially when it's combined with one of my loves...in this case, sewing!

The pattern's from Crochet Adorned...a book that is filled with wonderfully colorful photos of inspiring things to make! Yes they're crocheted, but I'm thinking I need to look at understanding this needle art once again. I can actually "chain", OK that's a start. And then "single crochet" - that's step 2. But then the confusion sets in...I seem to double and triple crochet at random .... following a pattern just doesn't happen!

So when I was asked to make this top and teach a class in it, I looked at my friend Susan at The Grove and said ... "you've got to be kidding!" Then I found out she has a great crochet teacher that will teach that part of the class! Yea! The sewing I can DO! and here it is....

Can't you just picture this top made a little longer and worn with leggin's or a little longer yet and worn with sandals? Gotta take out my book and tackle crocheting once again...it's on the leading edge of becoming the "in" style. When you start seeing major European and American designers putting it on the runway, you can bet it's the next big "trend"!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

My friends and I raise our glasses to all the Great Moms who make our world go round!

Happy Mother's Day!

Cousin Ellie

2010-05-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

Didn't think I would do it again...guess I'm just a softie when it comes to friends and monsters! So when my good friend fell in love with Iris and said, "I would LOVE one in pink" - I immediately agreed to create Iris's cousin Ellie.

She's a wild little one, with stars in her eyes, big eyelashes (which by the way she curls every morning) and a cute little belly button! I'm sure when she grows up the talent agents will be breaking down the door!

When Ellie heard all about her new family she began to search my house for things that would create an instant connection...

One morning after curling her eyelashes, I found her going through our CD collection. She'd been playing the piano, but when things got quite I knew I had to find out what she was doing. As a Mom I know that the "quite" isn't always a "good thing"!

And there she was sitting on the piano bench with her picks, asking to have "Diva" turned up!

She was still looking for the "one" special CD, but didn't find it. Thought I was going to have to go out and buy it for her...Did I mention she's a bit of a Diva herself? More on this later....

While pouting, (refused to go a buy a new CD) she decided to burn off a little steam practicing her jumping jacks...her new Daddy, besides being a "music nut" is also personal trainer, so being in "shape" is important to Ellie!

Whew....curly eyelashes, lots of great music, workouts and all in the few minutes after I got up and was trying to get ready for work. At least I thought I was going to get ready....couldn't find my hair brush or clippies...hummmmmm - where's Ellie???

Since Ellie's other Daddy is a fabulous hair stylist, I know that Ellie is a very smart little
monster! She really listened to the stories I shared about her new family.
Love the punky look Ellie!

I finally got ready, rushed off to work and there on the wall of my friend's office was what Ellie had been pouting about all morning. Well, thank goodness I had dropped my camera in my purse, because she grabbed it off the wall and was a happy little monster! Wrapped in her and her new Daddy's favorite superstar Diva!

I'm sure she'll be joining her new Daddy's when they go to the Diana Ross concert later this month....if not they might find all their ice cream gone!

Bye Bye Ellie - be a good little monster!!!

Creativity + Sewing = Smiles and Success

2010-04-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share with you the great work my students at The Grove did in their classes over the last few months. It's always fun to see someone move from "how do I thread this thing?" to "what's the next project you're teaching?" And I have to say, I've met some very talented students who just needed to have a little help in the "land of sewing"!

The first hour or so is often filled with doubt on whether the seam is sewn right or the gathers are puckered in the right places, and I notice lots of "breath holding - even though the Yoga studio is down the street". Once that's worked through, we start to relax and laugh and see something actually take shape before our eyes!

And here are the results!

Lee, in the Stella Strip Skirt she made standing next to her Mom
with the Stash and Dash Bags they made!

Liz with her colorful Needle Case and Jan putting the "pedal to the metal" on her Case!

Lisa and Michelle, almost done with their Dharma Eco Friendly Bags!

And Stephanie DONE!

Katie, Susan, Rita and Lee proudly showing off their awesome Market Bags!

Come and visit The Grove and sign up for a class...May will have drop in and work on your project classes for those that are "stuck" and in June we'll be having a Twinkle Sews Sundress class, a Summer Top class that combines crocheting with sewing (the crocheting part offered in May) and a Joy Bag class!

Whatever you do, wherever you are....explore your creativity!

Roll It and Stash It!

2010-04-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Class is coming up this Saturday at The Grove to make this fun Knitting Needle Case. It's BIG and lets you store a ton of needles! The pattern is from the book Stitch 'N Bitch and is quite easy to follow.

The most fun is picking out the 3 to 4 different fabrics and then it's all "freeway" stitching! That's my term for "put the pedal to the metal" and sew straight! No curves...ALL straight, couldn't be simpler!

Those of you who knit and haven't dusted off your sewing machine for a while, will enjoy "getting back on the bike" and sewing the handy take along roll up!

The Needle Case if folded in half in this shot....

If you're in the San Diego area and are open on Saturday, call The Grove and sign up - a few spaces are still available. They also have copies of the book to purchase. If you're not in the area, pick up the book and get some fun fabrics and sew away!

Iris the Gormet Monster

2010-04-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

In January I saw this adorable pattern by Rebecca Danger of Dangercrafts and couldn't resist it. Mind you I've never, I repeat never, knitted an animal before and I don't have any little ones around that would enjoy it. But I just had the feeling that I HAD to get it and knit it.

It was combined in a kit with Lorna's Laces Revelation, and although it was displayed in many color choices, I chose the blue one.
I tell you all of this because 3 months later, my daughter tells me she's expecting and her and hubby are "thinking blue". Was it Mama's intuition? A mother/daughter telepathy? Did all the stars line up and drag me to the table at the TNNA (knitting and needlework conference) and say "buy me"? I'll never know, and won't question why it was so easy to make and so timely.
So here's some pictures of my latest (non-sewing) project...

Iris had a ball at my house, she posed like a good little monster and then went
crazy with the antics!

Standing on her head...

Looking "Cool"!

And trying to look fashionable when sitting in her carrying case for her trip to her new family.

Yes....she's now with her new mommy and daddy, waiting for a new little one to join the family!

By the way, there's a sweet story that Rebecca writes about Iris. Iris evidently adores food...all the tastes and colors of food. She cooks everyday and is a BIG lover of cheeses! According to Rebecca, Iris will do anything for a nice gourmet meal and would walk through fire for some good cheese!

A Monster after my own Heart!

Dresses and Flowers in Bloom

2010-03-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

Well it's just around the corner and every store window has an array bunnies, fanciful eggs, colorful flowers and Easter baskets. Unless of course you go to the Mall and there you'll see the latest in Spring apparel in pastels or brights!

Since my daughter and grand daughter are way beyond the age for "Easter Dresses", I took my size 5, little girl's dress form and dressed "her" instead. You can take the "little girls" out of the picture, but this Mama still has the urge to sew an Easter Dress!

I challenged myself to see how many fabrics I could work into the dress and it look intentional. Some mix of prints, just looks like anything goes and I tried to avoid that! I used a cute pattern by Portabellopixie called "Claire". It's by pattern and fabric designer Sandi Henderson - who does an excellent job of explaining how to put the dress together. Her pattern guide sheets are little booklets in full color with beautifully clear illustrations. One of the best guide sheets I've seen!

The bodice is made from a Robert Kaufman fabric "Summer Chirp". Can't seem to get away from that cute fabric. Much to my surprise....it was featured in California Apparel News this week as part of the new " Animal Planet Prints" being used by designers for next season! It was accompanied by prints of peacock feathers, lady bugs, butterflys, dolphins and of course leopard and lizard textures! According to CAN the look is "wild at heart"!

Hope you like the dress!

Another colorful mix of different colors continues to pop out in my front yard....

Enjoy my comical snail on guard for bunny rabbits and all things furry!

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Again

2010-03-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

Have you seen it yet? I hear the visuals are amazing, that Alice has 12 costume changes and each one supersedes the one before it! The latest Tim Burton Movie....Alice in Wonderland is all the buzz and the buzz has made it to the world of fabrics!

Having just arrived in The Grove, are Tea Time, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee from Moda's "Wonderland" collection. They are great companion prints that are easy to combine in the same garment or accessories for the home.

I can see them together in Anna Maria Horner's Evening Empire Dress pattern or showing off in multi-patterned petals of Amy Butler's Mid West Modern Pillow pattern!

Break out the machine and start sewing up the special something...for yourself, of course!

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum photo courtesy of Movies.about.com guide, "The Dodo".

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

2010-03-21T17:45:00.001-07:00

Bye Bye Bunnies

2010-03-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

She was so sweet! Reminded me of my grandmother...dressed in a long winter coat (it was raining that day) with a large purse, grey hair and a bright twinkle in her eyes! Walked around the store carrying Ms Bunny at the Tea Party and then bee-lined it across the store when she eyed Ms. Bunny in the Kitchen,then walked up to the cash wrap desk at The Grove and where she spotted Ms Bunny at the Party! She seemed to waffle a bit, looking at the two in her hands and then back to Party Bunny sitting by herself surrounded by chocolate bars, coffee cups and bejeweled note pads.

I was working on an Easter display and of course was curious if she would give one of the bunnies a home or maybe two or three! Couldn't contain my curiosity, so walked up to the cash wrap desk, where Susan was chatting with her!
In the conversation, we found out that she was visiting from Massachusetts and wanted to take something back to her two grand nieces! That's when she decided which of the three bunnies would be going on a trip with her. The nieces are 7 year old twins and what one gets the other needs to get something pretty close to it! So----Ms Bunny in the Kitchen and Ms Bunny at the Tea Party were going to get to fly for the first time!

Good Bye my Bunny's - Be good girls and
love your new Mommies!

Bunnies Dress to Party!

2010-03-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe Easter is just around the corner! Spring break is this week for some of our universities and others are in the next few weeks....break is always looked forward to in San Diego. The beaches are covered with sun tanners and surfers for the entire week. This year may be different, since it's been cloudy, rainy and just not good for getting that head start on the summer tan! But our weather is known for changing on a dime...so you never know!

My Easter thoughts turn to Easter dresses and watching the kids kids hunt for eggs. This year I found some adorable bunnies and decided to dress them in some fun fabrics that are available at The Grove.

There's "Ms. Bunny in the Kitchen", dressed in a scalloped apron with vintage and heart buttons made from fabric by Alexander Henry's Lorenza Collection.

"Baby Bunny has Tea" inspired an over skirt of sweet flowers by designer Sandi Henderson called Vintage Dots.

And then there's "Party Bunny" who seems to think "more is more is more"! Her little under slip - if you can see it through all her many layers of ribbon, organdy and bling (which she insisted on having) is by textile designer Amy Butler from her Midwest Modern 2 Collection named Garden Maze.
They have temporary homes at The Grove until a Mommy gives in to her daughter and gives one of the Ms Bunny's a new home!

Back from production....

2010-03-10T21:30:00.000-08:00

They finally arrived! The first production run of my judipatuti beadmats for bead artists was delivered yesterday! The bead mats are great for rolling up a project and keeping it "tidy" for your travels or even just to use in your studio.

Had a great time picking fabric combination's, the inside pockets are yet another fabric, so there's 3 fun fabrics in each one! Great eye candy! This shipment is for Beading by The Bay Retreat in San Francisco, co-founded by good friend Marcia Decoster, and made exclusively with them in mind.

Let me know what you think...

Fresh Rain...

2010-03-08T23:06:00.000-08:00

It's been raining off and on, seems like every week for the last month. Believe me I'm not complaining since most of the country is buried in snow! I'll happily carrying my umbrella with me, just in case our sunshine turns to liquid! And with the rain, of course, comes unexpected surprises!

Sunday I joined a close group of friends for a lovely brunch in La Jolla at Brockton Villa. It's right on the coast, perched on the side of the hill. We had a great table and were able to watch as the weather began to break and the waves gently nudged the rocky shore.

I really like the ocean on days like that....grey skies with a little blue peaking through and every green thing drinking a much needed drink and getting a lovely little shower.

When I arrived home I realized the flowers and plants in my front yard had just burst with blossoms. They have probably been that way for a while now...but I was able to slow down a
little and really "see" them!

So, I share them with you in h
opes you'll be able to enjoy them as much as I did!

At Peace with the Bag....

2010-03-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Just finished a great little bag to take to the grocery store by designer Kay Whitt of Serendipity Studio, www.sewserendipity.com. She has a ingenious way of putting it together that is not only simple, but leaves nothing to guess! It's the Dharma Eco-Friendly Bag in her collection of patterns that I carry at The Grove. I met Kay at the Houston Quilt Market and bought many of her patterns on the spot!
She's wearing another of her designs, The Torri Tunic, in a fabric by Michael Miller called "Surf".
Both are at The Grove!

The pocket on the front serves two purposes, carrying that pastry item you don't want to get crushed and then when you're done with the bag....just fold it into the pocket and toss it in your car. So easy!

I chose to use two fun fabrics from Michael Miller, "Humming Birds" and "Luna Moth". The selection was made with my husband in mind, who does the grocery shopping for our family. I thought the Luna Moth, in the darker eggplant color was just perfect for him! And I was right, he very reluctantly gave it back to me so I could use it as a sample in the store for a while. I'm thinking I may have to make another one....oh, did I mention that the pattern comes in 3 sizes and they all snuggle into each other and fold up together! So cool!

It's a fun class project that I'll be offering this month at The Grove! If you're not in San Diego, pick up the pattern choose some fun fabrics and make up one that's very uniquely you!

No Place to Put Your Stash?

2010-03-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

I found this great little pattern, that when it's made up looks really professional! It's an Amy Butler design called Stash & Dash Bags... I tested it this week and wondered about the zipper install. No problem (eazeee schemeeze) as a good friend would say! It's going to be a March Sewing Project - can't have too many of these - I never seem to find enough cute bags to keep my "things" in!

I've chosen to use some fabrics by a new textile designer Katie Hennagir. She debuted her new line at the Houston Quilt Market in October, where we met and chatted. As sweet as her picture! The little bird and the green, broken line fabric is from her new collection called "Chirp" for Robert Kaufman. It's truly an inspired line and I anticipate seeing more of her in the future!

judipatuti????

2010-03-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

It's fun to see and hear people's reaction to the name - judipatuti. It usually elicits at least a smile but generally a giggle and a comment - "That's so cute!" I'd love to take ownership over it, but actually it was given to me. No not by my folks, or by my best friend or my first boyfriend who loved to tease me. But, it was given me by one of my college employees who nicknamed everyone she worked with...mine stuck and I think it's really apropos for the fun fabrics with which I surround myself!

I hope you like it and will visit my blog often to see what's new and fun and of course an occasional offshoot on family and friends, who also surround me. A wonderful husband, talented daughter, (in the fashion industry) who's daughter is our family fashionista, and a son who's given me 2 great grandsons!