QUILTS 4 QUADS COMPLETE

I must say that your comments about my mini quilts have been so heartwarming.  I love that you loved them and that you took the time to tell me so.  Between the comments here, on Twitter and the emails I'm pretty sure I have inspired a few of you.  Just talking about this makes me want to drop what I'm doing and run to the studio.  I already have my next idea and my stacks of scraps are poised and waiting. 

I wanted to take better photos of those Quilts4Quads before we sent them off to their rightful owners.  We had a beautiful weekend here..a perfect Fall day to take some pictures outdoors.  It was a bit difficult to not have the sun dapple onto the quilts, but a little dance here, a little rearranging there and here ya go. 



Closup



Almost 2 years ago I started making several of these squares out of my Flights of Fancy.  I blogged about them here and here and accumulated quite a few.  While it was a fun exercise, they just ended up in the Uncertain Future pile waiting for their assignment.  When the Quilts4Quads idea popped in my head, so did all those squares.  So I made piles of scraps; only one pile lacked pinks for the lone boy in the bunch.  Those squares suddenly had a bright future. 



Carole took the aquas and greens and created her first patchwork quilt.



Lisa whipped up hers using some oranges, pinks and aquas. Sweet.





I put together the last two in pinks/greens and pinks/aquas

We got the help of a couple other talented women that quilted and bound all four in record time.  Lois and Linda, you are angels!

I'm so pleased with the results.  For a bunch of busy ladies with hectic schedules I frankly think it's a miracle that we could pull this off.  Completed projects are so rewarding, aren't they?

SHOW + TELL DIAPER BAGS AND MAGAZINES

One of my friends emailed to show me some Kalencom Diaper bags she was carrying in her store.  Out of curiousity I got on the Kalencom website and was a bit confused because the bag she showed me wasn't on their website.  So I did a bit of research and look what I came up with!  I found 17 diaper bags and Midi bags using my fabrics.  I don't know if that's all, but I was very happy.  Pretty cool huh?  I have to wonder what I'd do if I spotted someone with one over their shoulder.  I'm pretty sure I'd make a fool out of myself.  I put large images of each bag in Flickr.  Thanks Kalencom!

So, if that wasn't enough fun, have you seen This magazine?

Thanks to Christine at Michael Miller, I have now.  Sew Wow offers an upscale and sophisticated approach with awesome photography, ideas, patterns... and it's all online!  And look at this adorable project using my Flights of Fancy fabrics.  Just want to know if that baby is included...should be.  Just saying.  Go over there and see what I mean.

SO MUCH TO SAY + GIVEAWAY

I've been a busy girl, but oftentimes have nothing to show for it. Most of what I do seems like it takes forever to get completed. I've started a quilt for my Amelia in hopes to have it finished for Christmas. Since that isn't happening, I'll show you at least the start. I'm using fabrics from my Summer Soiree. I have appliqued the flowers and leaves onto the pieced vase and background. It's the first time for me to applique, and I think I did pretty darn good. I'm having so much fun planning it out. I'll share more as I get further along, but don't hold your breath. I wouldn't want you turning blue on my account.

Okay, I just had to show you another sighting of my fabric on TV. This is from the CBS show, Accidentally on Purpose, starring Jenna Elfman. I have never seen this show, but emails had me checking it out. Sure enough, it is indeed my Par Avion from my Flights of Fancy fabric collection that Jenna is sitting on (instead of wearing). Gee, my doctor uses paper, but I'm sure that will change now! Not exactly what I had in mind when I designed it. Hope they used the laminate for easy cleaning (eewww, did I say that?).

I have several projects and deadlines spread out here, there and everywhere, some of which I can't wait to share with you, but most as I mentioned are not complete. I find that I have no trouble coming up with ideas and designs, in fact, I can't turn them off. The problem is all the behind the scene details slow me down. I have no time to play with my new Woodland Delight fabrics right now. I'm sitting here today with a long list of what I should be doing, but find myself "daydreaming" (another word for procrastinating) over a fresh stack of Woodland Delight. Oh what I'd love to make with these new fabrics. Hhmmm, maybe you can help.

Whatya say I give you a choice between these two stacks and you tell me which one you'd choose and what you'd make with them. Easy enough, right?

PINK WOODLAND DELIGHT

GREY WOODLAND DELIGHT

On Tuesday the 15th I'll randomly pick a winner for the PINK and one for the GREY. Each stack contains 1/2 yard of the fabrics shown; enough to make something birdalicious, wouldn't you say? Can't wait to hear what your ideas are. You just might speak them into becoming reality. Fun, huh?

Now I need to get back to work and leave the daydreaming to you! xoxo

OKAY. I STEAL

Maybe while others have moved on, I'm still thinking about Houston Quilt Market 2009. What a blur it seems now that I'm back and still cleaning up the debri. I somehow didn't get my fill, so recently looked around and found more photos I wish I had. Well I do now. I asked Mary, er, I mean TOLD Mary I had to have this picture of us two being so good. Love that gal!

Now who wouldn't want this photo? Found it on Patty Young's blog. Thank's Jon for a great shot of fun at the Michael Miller 10th Anniversary Party. What a happy evening.

I snatched this from Kathy's blog. Only I know just how much is missing in this photo. I had big plans for the booth. Oh well. Let it go Paula! Just let it go.

I took these on my iPhone of my Tim (MacGyver) Prass doing what he does so well. By the way, I'm sure you're wondering how many husbands can actually fit their entire bodies inside the frame? No pictures of me that evening because I was literally lying on the floor staring into space after way too many hours without sleep. Every once in awhile I'd say "Lookin good, hon," or "Great job, MacGyver (yawn)".

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On another note, in a very short time I found these three items made from my Flights of Fancy fabrics. Jona told me at Market that JoAnn's had sewing baskets using my Papillon fabric. I kind of didn't believe it at first, but then realized Jona sells all my fabrics and uses them herself, so she could spot the real deal. When we all got back home, Jona Twittered this picture of the basket. Yup, that's mine, sittin right next to my buddy Sandi Henderson. How fitting. So, I made a trip to the JoAnn's here and they didn't have it...yet?


Then I was clearing out the stacks of mail and flipped quickly through a trade magazine and found this diaper bag with my Zinnia Path fabric (Flights of Fancy). How fun was that?


About as much fun as running into these pj's from The Cat's Pajama's! They are flannel, but that's definately my Fretwork Stripe. Darned if I wouldn't love to be wearing these while using that coordinating sewing basket (above). You can see that, right?

THE END!

PAPILLON IS FLYING HIGH

I kept getting emails and Twitter messages that an apron made from my Papillon fabric from Flights of Fancy was on Army Wives. So this morning I got on the Army Wives website and there it was. Wonder where the apron came from? I kinda think the only thing that could make it look even better is if there was an XXLL label right on the front that said PAULA PRASS. I'm just sayin...

It's really not uncommon for us to find my artwork, picture frames, even rooms I've designed in magazines, books and catalogs. Just yesterday saw my picture frames on the Atlanta Gift Mart application form. The biggest accidental find was a room I designed ended up in this book. Imagine standing in a bookstore flipping through and finding your own designs. No mention of the designer.

Here's the room, which was also on the front cover of this BH&G Window & Wall magazine and you can see all the Before and After's on this previous post.



I did have a bit of an announcement, but it will have to wait for now, sorry. Nothing that I can't put off for another post. Just wanted to share my Papillon goodness with you.

LIL OF THIS, LIL OF THAT

Well, what's a gal to do now that we are only selling retail on Paula Prass and mimi's collection. We are still finishing some promised orders, but I do see more time to do some things previously neglected...like yard work! We have been weeding, planting lots of flowers, weeding, transplanting and more weeding, whew. Did get help one day from my Little Miss Amelia.

Between lots of yardwork and keeping the grandkids for several days I managed to hurt my back. Ended up down and a bit drugged out for a few days (fortunately AFTER the kids were gone). Feeling much better now, thank you!

So while I was resting (and drooling, sorry!) I hopped on my Flights of Fancy Flickr group and found many more lovelies. Thought I'd share a few here:

Delightful clothing by Sweet Dreams Designs......

Another gorgeous handbag by Gardenhouse.....

A delightful peasant dress by Travelin Light Designs.......

And a Springtime jumper by iveyc95.......

This quilt is just one piece from a whole bedding set by s. saunders (so much more here).......

On another note, Kay Whitt sent me a couple better photos of things she made out of my fabrics. First, A closeup of her wonderful trench coat pattern using the new laminated Spring Flights of Fancy for Michael Miller.

Then she made this awesome handbag using my new Summer Soiree in the Manhattan colorway. Go check out all Kay's patterns over at Sew Serendipity.

Speaking of patterns, as a new fabric designer with 2 Quilt Markets under my belt now, I have been amazed at how many people seem at least, if not more interested in the outfits, bedding, pillows and handbags. I'm just sayin I have two fabric collections now, isn't that enough? Apparently not. So, I am actually at the drawing board and planning some upcoming patterns. I actually have had some sketches of clothing, etc. designs for some time, and a handbag that is nearing completion:


So that's what I'm up to. And in between, trying to reclaim my life by enjoying my yard, my family and friends and the Creator of it all! Hope you are doing the same.

QUILT ALONG + HUGE GIVE AWAYS

Wow, I seriously think I am a week behind. Yesterday I noticed several people wishing me a good weekend. Had no clue that this was Memorial weekend until Jennifer broke the news to me. I lost a whole week. Where did it go?

I must have lost that week during Quilt Market. I handed out flyers about this incredible Quilt Along and told everyone it would begin after Quilt Market. Not so. It's already underway, so if you're just tuning in, let's not waste another moment! This is BIG!

Do you remember Dana @ Old Red Barn Co. and her amazing Quilt Giveaways? Well, she has truly outdone herself this time! Dana has planned a six week Quilt Along with weekly Give Aways. Go get a better look at this Grand Prize. Yup, it's the Janome 6600 sewing machine.

Told ya! Hold off all your Memorial weekend plans until you can get over to Old Red Barn and get signed up. Dana is going to give you impeccable instructions. I understand that you get extra points for using my Flights of Fancy fabric! I saw some of my e-stores at Quilt Market and they said they restocked the Flights of Fancy for this event.

Besides the wonderful Dana, I also wanted to introduce you to Sarah Pead, the graphic design student that worked on the artwork for this Give Away. I find Sarah's website fascinating, as she puts her actual school projects online. Boy that brings back memories! Go say hello.

I know I have so much more to share about Quilt Market, and lots of people to talk about, but this post became a priority. Maybe next week will truly be next week for me.

I CAN SEE THE PILES AND PILES AND...

Ever wonder why I never finish those creative projects that I promise to share? Have you noticed that I'm not sharing my beautiful garden or luscious recipes? It's because I am buried in these piles of picture frames and so much more. Simple meals or fast food replace favorite recipes and my garden is only an imaginary one these days.

Truth is, at one time I was a fairly decent gardener, enjoyed creating delicious recipes, reupholstered my own furniture, heirloom quilted, made my own clothes, window treatments and bedding...am I making you ill yet? If it makes you feel better, I never learned to take photos beyond the aim, click and shoot kind. I'm slowly warming up to computers, but still don't trust them. Anything mechanical hurts my brain. And math...absolutely HATE math.

Well then, what happened? Glad you asked. Long story very short; we ended up a manufacturer of home and children's decor in 2003. Here's a snippet of our world these days.

I made an attempt to start another project this weekend. Here's the beginnings of a Flights of Fancy patchwork handbag that I started and I can only hope it won't get buried under the piles.