You might have seen Rashida Coleman-Hale’s Snappy Coin Purse Tutorial over on the Timeless Treasures site. Or her lovely I Heart fabric collection from 2011 featuring retro robots, cogs and flowers in vases. Or her first book, I Heart Patchwork, which included nearly two dozen Zakka-style projects.
And now she’s back with more projects in her newest book Zakka Style (C&T Publishing). The projects embody the aesthetics of zakka–simple, not overly decorated, using a variety of materials, particularly cotton, wool and/or linen.
And if coordinating with all those designers and projects wasn’t enough, Rashida also has a new fabric collection coming out from Timeless Treasures this month: Washi, named after the Japanese paper.
Embroidery is everywhere these days, growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. Whether it’s new patterns from Anna Maria Horner or books like Stitched for Fun, a recent release from That Patchwork Place, there are embroidery projects for everyone of every skill level.
Stitched for Fun is great for beginners and those who have long loved handwork. The simple and fun motifs will inspire even a complete beginner to take up needle and thread. And each design is shown on a different object–whether it be a French café on an apron, cheerful weather clouds on canvas shoes, or a beaming moon on a lampshade–and is accompanied by straightforward instructions.
Preeti by Jessica Swift at Houston Quilt Market 2011
Jessica Swift is known for her love of color and her new line is just another example. First shown at Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Preeti is described by Blend Fabrics as “a marriage by design of hand drawn florals, large-scale feathers, and a mix of geometrics.” With a mix as varied as peacock feathers and raindrops, Swift mixes together color and design beautifully.
This challenge was created to celebrate the history of sewing by recognizing both Singer and Coats & Clark, who are both celebrating significant anniversaries this year (160th and 200th, respectively); as well as educate and inspire through the life and work of Mary Brooks Picken, the authority on fashion and dressmaking in the early and mid-1900s.
Mary’s work is the basis for Barickman’s book, Vintage Notions, just one source of inspiration for this contest. Entrants will be using one of three pattern options to get inspired: Vintage Notions, Indygo Junction patterns and/or several free patterns they are offering.
As you know, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is ending it’s incredible 9-season run on ABC in 2012. As you might imagine, it’s a little difficult for me to accept this. The show has been my life for almost a decade and I’m incredibly proud of it.
EMHE will continue to air in repeats domestically and worldwide and ABC is producing special episodes. By the time the series ends later this year, the show will have helped over 200 families using a half-million volunteers across the nation. It’s a truly remarkable run. Westminster Lifestyle Fabrics has been a part of the success of EMHE helping in room designs, by providing fabric and by finding quilt makers when needed.
Today, my new daytime series The Revolution premieres on ABC at 2 pm ET. This new series comes from the producers of “The Biggest Loser,” and “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” and will feature an innovative format never before tackled on daytime television.
The main idea behind The Revolution is to encourage change–small or huge–in any area that needs it. The co-hosts for the show possess expertise in the most common areas daytime viewers (mainly women) say they want to improve: relationships, health/medical, diet/fitness, finance, fashion/style, and home/environment. I have been working on the show for a couple of months now and I gotta’ say, it’s really exciting and fresh.
We’re just getting started with The Revolution, but already we’re excited about the possibility to showcase some of my design expertise in new and unique ways.
Michigan State makes a great point with this video: If want to make a positive and important impact on your community, your city, and your state, it starts by buying locally from independent shop owners. They are the lifeblood of our communities. Take a minute to spread the word and share this video with others! […]
You might have seen Rashida Coleman-Hale’s Snappy Coin Purse Tutorial over on the Timeless Treasures site. Or her lovely I Heart fabric collection from 2011 featuring retro robots, cogs and flowers in vases. Or her first book, I Heart Patchwork, which included nearly two dozen Zakka-style projects.
Embroidery is everywhere these days, growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. Whether it’s new patterns from 
Today, my new daytime series 
