{is this thing on?}

Over the summer, I jumped from the wordpress.com platform to wordpress.org.  Seems that not all of the glitches were worked out…

Just checking in with you – if you didn’t make the jump with me, well, I’m still here!  Be sure to update your bookmarks to twopeasinapoddesigns.com.

Hope to see you there!

xoxo,
Trish

{blessings from above}

Back when I was still doing home trunk shows, I was introduced to a sweet girl who has since become a dear friend.  We get together and lunch and “LOFT” as we call it which means – eat and shop over at the LOFT clearance racks.  Her husband used to play in our worship band at church and is very talented.  And she and her husband had been trying to have a baby.  And at a show, back in Autumn 2009, she ordered a baby quilt and all kinds of baby things from me.  But no baby at that time.  It was for her hope chest.

Usually, when I sew, the door is open and kids come in and play while I stitch away.  That day, the day I was sewing up her order and making her baby quilt, I shut the door.  As I cut the fabric, I prayed.  Every time my fingers brushed against the fabric, I prayed.  As I ironed, I prayed.  As I sewed, I prayed.  I asked that God would please bless this family with a baby.  I prayed that the blanket I was making would soon be wrapped around a sweet baby, a gift from God.  I prayed, and prayed, and prayed with every touch of the fabric, with every stitch for my friend to please have the baby she so dreamed of.

A couple of weeks ago, those prayers were answered.

When I saw the preview photos on Britt’s page, I lost it.  I mean, tears of joy, can’t see the screen, bawling my eyes out lost it.  There, on that quilt I made and prayed over so intensely, lay a sweet blessing from above.  The answer to a prayer.  A perfect baby boy.  My friends baby boy.   I could not be happier for the proud parents.  Thank you GOD for You are good all the time.

xoxo,

Trish

 

: : eat, work, sleep, repeat : :

One of the first rules in blogging is nobody wants to hear you apologize for not blogging.  Because I’m quite certain no one is waiting with baited breath for me to drop my next post so I won’t apologize for being mostly absent.

Since the kids have been out of school, I, um, apparently don’t have time to work anymore or much of anything else so that I can cart my kids around town to all of their activities.  Right?  You are in this same boat with me I’m sure…and I would not change any of it most of it for anything in the world.  There is just something about summer, unscheduled pool visits and late nights playing outside and impromptu ice cream stops that just make life very happy.

Via my iphone…and for the benefit of my kids someday, when they read this and when they complain to me about how busy they are with THEIR kids – oh please girls – your Momma has SOOO been there.

Sewed like a crazy woman in preparation for shooting a video for Simplicity for their new Deluxe Bias Tape and Piping Machine. It's super cool and I have a few giveaways from Simplicity coming soon!

The videos we made for Simplicity will be available on their website, available to retailers and my understanding, at kiosks in JoAnns where they will be selling these Simplicity machines.

I had the pleasure of working with Candie Cooper and Carolee from Carolee's Creations

Candie does amazing felt work and jewelry designs that are fabulous!  And she’s a hoot!  You should visit her blog and check it out – it was a whole new world to me to see the work she does.

Carolee was a blast to talk to – her daughters all work with her in her scrapbooking business that now includes fabric and ALSO clothing?!  She has a boutique line that I love, love, love!  You’ll find Carolee’s fabulous stuff here at AdornIt!  Click on the Boutique section to see the fabulous clothing they have – I swooned!

Carolee's daughter Jackie did the Simplicity video for their new rotary cutter machine. Awesome machine. Jackie - sweet as pie!

These are some of the adorable projects the AdornIt girls created for the new Simplicity craft books. You'll find these books in JoAnns soon (and a copy I'll be giving away soon!)

We used this banner to decorate the set for the video...made with delicious fabrics from SisBoom!

I had to promptly hang it in my peas room afterwards…please tell me your kids have hundreds of stuffed animals on their beds too, right?

We had a "how to put a fire out" clinic with our 4H club

My husband and i enjoyed an extremely rare date night - dinner and a movie. Fabulous.

The girls made mixed media collages for Fathers Day.

 

 

Swimming. Swimming. And more Swimming. Practice, Play, Meets...we LIVE at the pool

Garage Sale. My friend was hosting a garage sale and I hauled two van fulls of stuff to unload. Good to purge now and again.

The girls and one of their friends hosted a lemonade stand for charity - they had so much fun and raised $34 for the Sam Bish Foundation.

As a reward, we let the girls get ice cream from the ice cream truck.  It was funny because my girls were like, “What’s that music?  What is that??” – living in the country, they had not seen an ice cream truck before.  They loved it!

A week at Vacation Bible School - big girls were helpers and Sprout got to go to camp for the very first time! We've been rocking out to our music CD we got from camp all week!

And to top off my busiest June ever...we helped out a 4H friends handmade wedding on their farm.

Our 4H advisor was literally putting the finishing stitches into the dress minutes before the wedding and I helped to trim the tulle so the bride wouldn't trip on it. She looked like a dream.

Us 4H Moms helped to serve food to all the guests and the peas had fun helping too. It was perfect weather and delicious home cooked food!

In between all of these things in the last two weeks I tried, although not very well, to work at my day job too (had to take vacation days just to take care of my family!).  If you’ve emailed me or requested something…I will get to it eventually but it would be a good idea to message me again as a reminder.  Just sayin’…

I’d like to say things are winding down but swim, swim, swimming this week, 4H sewing clinic and sleep away camp later this week.  PLUS…I may or may not be filming some sewing classes to offer online!

What are you up to this summer?

xoxo,

Trish

 

:: Hoot-N-Nanny Quilt ::

A quick show and tell…Stacie made this adorable version of the Hoot N Nanny Quilt a few months ago for her new nephew.  She just sent me photos of it in the nursery and it is so adorable!  Thanks for sharing Stacie!  You did a fabulous job and I think this was Stacies very first quilt ever!  Love it!!

xoxo,

Trish

 

::sew sew sew along::

A couple of fun finds I had to share…

Come over to Sew Sweetness for an Ava Bag Sew Along…Quilthome.com is even offering a nice discount for participants on fabric and the pattern(s).   Later this summer, they will be doing the Madison Bag.  I have some goodies planned for those who participate (which may or may not be some finished bags…)

Sarah B Designs is leading a sew along of the Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress.  So adorable…loads of fun!  What are you sewing up right now?  Or special projects coming up?  Wanna share some fun links of your own?  Post them in the comments section so we can check them out!

xoxo,

Trish

: : sneak peek behind the scenes : :

I have been super super busy so far in June.  Busy time for me at my day job.  Busy time with Two Peas.  Busy.  Busy.  Busy.  Summer should be for relaxing.  And I am…I mean, I’m typing this poolside for goodness sakes.  Can’t beat that for an on the go office location, can ya?

Once I finish filming an upcoming commercial next week…I’ll be able to breath again.  But just a little.  It’s a good kind of busy.  A fun kind of busy.  The kind where I’ve been designing a million new projects for Two Peas patterns and external corporate clients.  Drawing and thinking.  Taking classes again at Columbus College of Art and Design this summer (this time in the fashion program – we watched the documentary about Valentino this week – who knew haute couture was so fascinating?!).  Working up proposals for new products.  And all by my itty bitty self…I styled our last photo shoot.

It was much more urban and edgy than the last shoot we did and it was really fun to try something new and a little out of my comfort zone.  Although you may think my sewing is modern…to me, its uber conservative and I’m really an old fashioned girl at heart.  Love antiques and old things.  The dustier, rustier, and worn out the better!

Britt Lakin Photography, my commercial photographer, is amazing.  Have I said that before?  Only like a million times, right?  I can write up the story line behind each photo that I want and let her run with it.  She nails it every time.  I heart her.  A lot.  A lot.

So here it is…a sneaky peek behind the scenes of our latest shoot.  {you can click on each image to see it enlarged}  {yes they are grainy…all were taken on my iphone with the exception of the one watermarked by Britt}  {And no, that adorable Westie dog is not ours…Murray happened to be walking down the street and his “Dad” was gracious enough to let him be in one of our shots.  Is he the cutest or what?  Looks just like Coconut from American Girl!}

{poppyprint}

If you’ve been around here long enough you know that this “Monday Mornings Inspiration” doesn’t necessarily mean it will actually appear on Monday because it rarely does.  Like all you other Moms out there…its the end of the school year round up and for us the start of swim team (2 practices a day 3 x week plus 2 more on the other days…so, lotta lotta poolside sitting for me).  I have been working, crafting, cursing my sewing mishaps new sewing patterns.  For some reason, these have been a little tricky for me – lots of details for beginners and advanced sewers.  I think you’ll love them but they have had me cursing under my breath a bit more than normal.  Our photo shoot is tomorrow for all the new patterns for the remainder of 2011 – very anxious to share them with you!  I’ve also been preparing for a video / commercial I’m shooting for a company and I’ll share more about that as I can.

Where were we?  Monday Mornings Inspiration – and this is a fabulous one!

 Krista Hennebury  of Poppyprint is one amazing quilter from British Columbia and like many of my bloggy friends…I kinda forget when we met.  I think she may have won a giveaway of mine many moons ago and I’ve been stalking her  enjoying her blog ever since.  She was recently named to the list of Top Quilting Blogs for 2011.  Such a talent and always a breath of fresh air and joy to visit her blog.  It’s my pleasure to introduce you to her so you too can stalk enjoy her blog.

When did you learn to sew?  And what inspired you to begin? 

I learned to sew on a machine in 6th grade home economics class, when I was 12.  I had already learned to knit and embroider at Girl Guides.  I wasn’t an avid sewist, but I did make a few sundresses in high school on my Mom’s Singer.  After my children were born, I made a few Hallowe’en costumes, curtains and hemmed a pair of jeans here and there.  I loved collecting fabric, though I wasn’t sure why until my early 30’s when I signed up for a quilting class at my LQS.  I was immediately hooked on patchwork and took class after class to build my skills.

Had to throw in this version of my Hazel Hipster Krista made...so cute!! Ruby Star Rising fabric...

What are some of your favorite projects to stitch together?

Quilting is my foundation but I really love making purses, bags, and zaka-inspired small projects like wallets and pillows. I enjoy making special gifts for people that I know will appreciate them, as well as making items for fundraising events like silent auctions or raffles at my children’s school and community events.

Do you create any of your own patterns?  What is your process like for creating your own pattern and what advice would you offer someone else who is new at drafting their own pattern, for quilting or otherwise?  How should they get started?  

I have designed several original quilting projects, mostly for online swaps (which are a great venue for trying new things and stretching your creative skills!). In those cases, I looked to my partners for an inspirational idea, be it a favorite style, colour or design motif.  Photography is also a hobby for me and often I’ll use one of my photos as a jumping off point.  Sometimes, I’ll make a rough sketch of my idea (for an art quilt), or for a traditional patchwork I will draw it out on graph paper.  I think doodling and colouring is a great way to start trying out ideas.  Although my background is in science, I am not that formulaic when I work. I tend to thrive on trial and error instead of detailed planning!  If I know that I’ll want to make something again, or share the pattern in a tutorial, I will take notes and photographs while making the project.  Then I always make the entire project a second time, refining my instructions as I go along.  I like brief, to the point, clear instructions with illustrations or photos for clarity (see? science girl).

Is quilting business or pleasure for you? 

Lucky for me, it is 100% pleasure with a little bit of business thrown in.  I started a retreat business 5 years ago hosting 13-hour day retreats in a public hall not far from where I live.  I cater all the food, set up the hall with my husband’s help, provide ironing stations, basting tables, goody bags, door prizes and support if anyone needs help with a project. The retreats have become so popular, the 25 spots available sell out in less than 24 hours!  I really cherish the community that has been built around the retreats and am thankful for the small income they provide.  I did save up for two years to upgrade my sewing machine, but let’s be honest; most of my income goes straight back into fabric!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Our family is planning an extended holiday (maybe even a house exchange?) in France for summer 2012 to support our children’s French learning, and to refresh our French, too!  I’ve been lucky enough to travel extensively, for work and pleasure before having children 14 years ago, so even though that wanderlust is still there, I don’t have the same 

desire for adventure that I used to…it’s more about spending quality time with my husband and our two teenagers now. I’m worried they won’t want to travel with us much longer!

What’s next on your sewing table? 

Hmmm, let me analyze the pile (which is always pretty high). Quilt and bind a relief quilt for Japan on behalf of my friend who doesn’t have a walking foot, finish the baby gift for my new nephew, make a purse for an upcoming silent auction, continue work on a new quilt for our bed, make myself a new bag with gorgeous home dec fabric that just arrived yesterday!

Was I right or was I right?  Isn’t she fabulous?  I know, I know…another blog to add to your reader.  You won’t be sorry!  And you’re welcome.  Go visit Krista on her blog and tell her I sent you!

I’ll try to post again soon…but no promises.  Best to catch me on facebook or twitter (trishpreston) here in the next week or so if you wanna keep up with the commercial shoot, etc.!

What are you guys sewing up lately?   Leave a comment and a link to your blog and share what you’ve been sewing up this summer!

xoxo,

Trish

::rolled rosette tutorial::

I think I’ve been promising this for a very long time…and ta-da!  FINALLY, here it is!  A little video tutorial on how I make those rolled rosettes.  I even spill the beans on one of the other flowers I make too…

One of the sweet neighbors came over several weeks ago while I was making some and wanted to know how I did it.  I showed her and handed over some supplies.  In no time, she had made several and put them together in this fab necklace.  She’s 12.  If she can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!

Here it is!  Have you made these before?  Do you have a fun idea on how to use these rosettes?  Please share!

xoxo,

Trish

{tgif} thank goodness it’s friday

I’ve had a rather busy week.  Just stuff.  Random stuff.  And since my hubby works for the park service, weekends around here are a little different than for most.  We aren’t “Saturday / Sunday” weekend folks.  Our weekends fall usually on other days but this weekend is the Indy 500 (for those of you who don’t know what that is…it’s a car race.  In Indianapolis. Sense my excitement.)  And to my husband, it’s a holiday bigger than Christmas.  He cooks and makes it a big party.  So, I’m rather looking forward to our upcoming holiday weekend where we get to be like normal people with real weekends and be all together for the day.

I have giveaway winners to announce!  The Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway response was amazing!  I loved it for so many different reasons.

1) I met a bunch of people from my own backyard, Ohio, that I hadn’t met before.  I’m thinking we need to plan a crafters meet up at some point!

2) I can’t even count how many people from outside the US entered this giveaway.  Spain, Singapore, Germany, UK, Ireland, France, a lot a lot of Aussies, Turkey, Ukraine…wow!  I really enjoyed going see new blogs for those folks and seeing what they are crafting up.  Amazing how much alike we are and how interesting our differences are…

3) There are so many amazing sewers and paper crafters and knitters out there!

4) The thing I most enjoyed about this is everyone introducing themselves.  I think I may ask for that on every post because it really helps me to connect with each of you and get to know you!  It was so fun to hear what things you are crafting, about your kids, where you are from.  I get tired of talking about myself all the time!  And I love hearing about YOU!  There were a lot of folks who said they had been following my blog for awhile now and I don’t think I had ever seen their name so I was so thrilled to finally meet them.  PLEASE oh please, say hi more often!  I really sincerely mean that!  I’m thrilled to meet you!

So here they are, the giveaway winners from the last two giveaways:  from the talented Ms. Jan DiCintio – the Daisy Janie fat quarter giveaway – winner was #35:

GRACE – Congrats!  E-mail me so I can get your info over to Jan and you can get busy crafting with her gorgeous Shades of Grey fabrics.

Next, Sew, Mama, Sew – 2 prize packages to be had!  First up…the Hoot-n-Nanny Tote bag with the pattern for this bag.  Winner is….#9, Connie!

Second prize package was the pretty little clutch and a surprise bundle of 4 Two Peas sewing patterns…winner is #608, Karen!Such a pleasure to meet you all and I thank you very much for your many kind words and support.  Winners, email me so we can get you all squared away!

Stop back later – that video I promised with the rosettes…trying to figure out a way to get it uploaded for you today!  That’s the one drawback to living rural – not great connectivity.

I also wanted to give thanks to our men and women in service – this weekend begins the summer for us here in the States and we kick off with Memorial Day, remembering all those who have made sacrifices for us to keep us free and safe.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  To the wives who pull double duty while your husbands are deployed.  To the Moms and Dads who raised amazing kids who make this sacrifice.  My prayers are with you not only this weekend but always.

Last year I posted this tutorial for a t-shirt refashion using a military print shirt…thought it was worth mentioning again in case you missed it.  It’s a fun one and great for this weekend!  Happy Memorial Day!  Let Summer begin!

xoxo,

Trish

{sew, mama, sew giveaway day}

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  Such a fun event – Sew, Mama, Sew sponsors a day of giveaways all over in blogland and you could spend hours and hours entering to win all the fab things that many talented folks are giving away on this day.

My name is Trish – if we’ve not already met – it’s nice to meet YOU!  I wear many hats but on most days, I’m a sewing pattern designer.  I’m super excited to be a cast member on the new upcoming PBS show It’s Sew Easy and I continue to work on projects including publishing my patterns (you’ll find a really cool new bag pattern I designed, the Studio Satchel in the next issue of Stitch).  You can read more about me HERE if you really want to…otherwise let’s get to the giveaways!  {This giveaway is open until May 25th and I will ship internationally}

I’m offering up a double prize package.

Package #1: A copy of my Hoot-N-Nanny tote bag pattern AND a finished version of this bag.

Package #2: One very pretty clutch (like one of these!) and a 4 pack of assorted Two Peas patterns!

Sound good?  I would love to have you connect with me > subscribe to this blog<  or  > friend me on facebook <  or  > follow me on twitter  (I’m trishpreston) <

To enter this giveaway, simply leave me a comment and introduce yourself!  Happy SMS Giveaway Day!  Find more of the giveaways listed here.

xoxo,

Trish