Yes, we are alive *and* well ...

Sorry it's been so quiet here ... and I know so many of you are new followers and probably wondering what the heck is going on.

Well the simple truth is there's been a lot going on, too much really and I decided the only way for me to keep my head above water was to keep my head down and concentrate on my family.

I'm sorry.

But I know you all understand.

I've missed you.

I've missed writing.

I've missed creating and sewing.

But we are doing fine .. we're happy and healthy .. just taking one day at a time.

One of Saskia & Arne's godmothers did a photoshoot with us in September to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary (in August) and we finally had time to sit down and pic out our favorites. This is one of mine! 

How perfect is this?? And why didn't we do it sooner?

I have been wanting to do anniversary pictures for years and we ( ahem, I ) finally made it happen! There are more .. and I put a few on flickr today after editing them and playing around a bit for just a few minutes. Now we have to agree and decide which ones to frame ... or have printed on canvas. Hehe, it might take us another 15 years to agree on that!

I'm also popping in to remind you there's still time to enter the drawing for my giveaway ... it ends tonight! Pop over here, become a follower (if you aren't already), print out the free pattern and leave a comment to be eligible to win a kit for my Charlotte's Keeping Watch block designed for the Glorious Autumn Block Party.

 Be sure to check out the blocks that have already been made too!  Aren't they fantastic?

I love how individual they are turning out! A plaid barn, a brick barn ... the possibilities are endless.


There's another one here but I'm not able to post a picture. I love her web - she did it by machine!!

In the meantime, Happy Sewing!
I'll be back as soon as I can. xox

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Charlotte's Keeping Watch

I had so much fun designing this block for Quilting Gallery's Glorious Autumn Block Party! I have lots to tell and show you too ... about my design inspiration and how I made the block. BUT I am having terrible computer problems today. Good thing Charlotte is watching out for me cuz otherwise I'd have blown a gasket by now and thrown my computer out the window.

I will be adding a complete tutorial (with pictures!) 

and more info to this page so see you again soon.

In the meantime, without further ado ... I give you

Charlotte's Keeping Watch

psst ... be sure to keep reading there's a chance to win something at the end of this post!

click here to download
the free pattern for this block

And be sure to stop by and check out the rest of the fantastic Glorious Autumn blocks!

I will be giving away 5 kits for the appliqué / embroidery portion of my block.

 (Winners will need to supply their own background and barn door – I used cream and brown.) 

To have a chance at winning one of the kits, be sure you are a follower of my blog 

and leave a comment … telling me your favorite thing about Autumn. 

(Drawing will close October 31st at midnight ... eeeeek ... I hope you win!)

xox Jovita

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A Winner's Packet

Remember the U Pick block tutorial I wrote last week for the Moose on the Porch Layer Cake Quilt Along ... Konda picked two winners and I got to send something sweet to Grethe in Norway!

*** Keep reading cuz you could win one too! ***

What's in the package?

• A kit to make the pin cushion you see pictured here. It's an original design by me and coordinates with my Nesting block of the month. The kit includes the wool, rick-rack, beads, buttons and silk ribbon.
• Three skeins of hand-dyed embroidery floss also for the pin cushion.
• A vintage-inspired packet of needles
• A greeting card with five 9" pieces of top quality Jacquard ribbon attached, the card can be mailed to a friend or the ribbons used to adorn many projects.

I hope you enjoy it Grethe!

By the way, I know that some of you have sewn this block as participants in my Skills-Building block of the month (it was block 5A). I've started a Flickr group for everyone to see how many different blocks you can get from this by changing the layout or color selection. I would love for you to up-load your blocks and add them to the U-Pick Group.

But even if you haven't participated in my Skills-Building BOM, you can go download the tutorial, make a block and post it in the U-Pick Flicker Group. No fooling, on April 1st, I'll pick a random winner and you'll get a pin cushion kit too!

In the meantime, you can see all the blocks made for the Layer Cake Quilt Along here. Konda's Quilt Along is a lot of fun, you should check out all the blocks! Pin It Now!

"Not I" Said the Little Red Hen

If you're saying this, you should head right over here to enter my give-away going on Under the Willow Tree.

Thanks so much for all the comments and ideas I've received so far for my first 9-patch.  I don't think you'll mind ... but I've decided to keep the drawing open for another week.  It's my fault ... I *finally* sent out a big email to all my friends in the States to give them the heads up that I'm blogging again.  Otherwise, just those who are on Facebook knew about all the recent activity.

Plus after reading a few of your ideas I browsed through my stash and found these ... I thought it might inspire a few more ideas :)

I have all these ideas about decorating my studio in these colors and would love for it to have the feel of the little tableau you see below.  But unfortunately I don't think it will work in this house ... it was built in the 1930's and has a wildly patterned cement tile floor in brown, greyish and creamish.  The fireplace is also quite a statement ... oh, what to do ... what to do ....

Still I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite inspiration pics ...

(i've lost my source, if you recognize
this please tell me)

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Announcing GOT DOTS and a Give-Away!

So we're ready to begin ... I've had so much fun getting this all ready to share with you!
First I'm going to blame Barb for getting me all worked up about dots, cherries and berries again ... I've always loved them and have so many quilts I would like to make that include these lovely polky dots.
Barb's quilts reminded me of the dot quilt that has been lingering in the back of my brain ... one I had seen with my "sista," Dana, in an exhibition at the Bellevue Arts Museum.  It has such charm.  The maker was obviously using up every little scrap she had.  Well I have scraps too.  Boxes, buckets and bins of them!  So I'm all jazzed to use up a bunch of them and I'm hoping you'll join me in the fun as we venture into the great Got Dots Quilt-Along.

How does it work?  Easy, download and print out a little explanation and a few templates here.  Then dig out your scraps, start sorting and snipping.  Before you know it you'll be ready to make a bunch of these fun dotty blocks.
What do you need?  Background fabric(s) - each block is 6" finished but to allow for applique shrinkage I cut my backgrounds into 7" squares.  Each dotty block requires twenty-one 1-1/4" scraps of fabric.  That's it.  Oh yeh, you'll need needles and thread and a bit of spray starch is recommended - see Barb and Crispy's tutorials below.
Want to join us?  Please leave a comment on the blog and/or in the Flickr group - we would love to know who is going dotty with us.
Share your blocks on Flickr too!  I've already opened up a group and added pics of my blocks and some of the original quilt.  I look forward to see these dots multiply.
Want to win some dots to get you started?  
We've got lots of ways for you to enter a give-away for some great dots to get you going ... dotty ... hehe.

1. Leave a comment here on this blog and tell us what colors you are already dreaming about.
2. Become a follower of my blog Jovita's Patchwork Atelier
3. Become a follower of our blog Under the Willow Tree.  By the way - there's a give-a-way going on there too ... i really really looking forward to reading your ideas :)
   
   
4. Add a Got Dots button and link to your blog - and be sure to tell me about it.
5. Tell us what you think of the pics we've already uploaded to the Flickr group.
   

Wow - that's a lotta ways to win - good luck!

Want to share it with your friends?  No problem - point them to my blog, print out the info for them, whatever you like.  (But please remember - my "pattern" is for private use only - in all fairness, please don't sell it.  You are welcome to share it (hand it out for FREE) in your shop, guild or amongst friends but please make sure to leave my info on the copies.)  The "patterns" will be released as part one, part two ... not sure how many yet.  But it's all free, you'll just want to stay tuned to get all the parts.

Tutorials

• Barb's method - I do mine exactly like Barb but I have a TIP ... let the spray starch soak into the dot before you put the iron to it.  Otherwise you end up with a lot of burnt starch on your iron - trust me, I've done it too many times.
  
• Crispy's method - I am very intrigued and think I might have to try this for my next project or for my own dots that I don't swap.  
  
• FYI - for the great Dot Swap I think it's better if we all stick to the same method - ie. basted over cardstock.
  

Feel free to give a shout out on your blog!  If you have a blog, please then grab a button below - yes I had fun making these too - there should be one to coordinate with the colors of everyone's blog - but if not, give me a holler and I'll custom make one - just because I can :)

Linky info ...

• Cut and paste the following HTML code into your blog or website.

<a href="http://www.jovitaspatchwork.eu/gotdots.html/"><img src="http://www.jovitaspatchwork.eu/gotdots/gotdots_YOURCOLORCHOICE.png" alt="Jovita's Patchwork Atelier - the great Got Dot quilt-along"/></a>

• Choose  your favorite Got Dots button.
• Then where you see YOURCOLORCHOICE in the HTML code - change that to the button color you would like.  Change only those words, everything else should stay the same.
  
• If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Button choices 

fresh2

berry2

choc2

figtree2

green2

melon2

redteal2

rwb2

teal2

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What's in that Hat?

Again, too much fun.  

Darn, forgot we don’t just have a Top Hat lying around.        Build one! 

Quick!      

           So out came the construction paper and scotch tape.  Crushed up 

little pumpkins seemed the best way to disguise the names as Axel (my sweet husband who plays along with nearly everything I do) put in his hand and pulled  out . . . the name of our lucky winner!  

Congratulations to Marie who won a free 1/2 yard of her choice from the Imperial Collection by telling us her favorite Thanksgiving traditions.  

1. •To see the entire Imperial collection designed from Robert Kaufman, click here.

We’ll do another drawing in the New Year, watch our emails and blog postings to find out more!

In the meantime stay warm and enjoy the wintery evenings preparing for Christmas,  Jovita

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Thanksgiving

Having an international marriage and sometimes being in the States and sometimes in Europe means that we often “move” Thanksgiving.  In fact this year, we’ll celebrate twice.

Last night we were joined by a dear friend, Ulrich and our Neighbours for a lovely evening.  We won’t talk about the turkey . . .  they’re different here . . .  But everything else was gorgeous and pronounced deliciously edible by guests who have never experienced Sweet Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce (I add oranges and walnuts to mine).   But I have to say that the Broccoli Salad was the biggest hit.  For the most part (except the Turkey) I was very pleased with the results as well.  However, clean-up . . . well in our house, the holiday has been aptly dubbed "Day of 100 Pots.”  Axel’s family will visit the first weekend of December for another Turkey fest as it co-incides with his aunt/godmother’s birthday. 

As for projects and work this week . 

. .  I continue to work on the stars galore pattern.  I am sewing through it one more time and having it tested before releasing it.  But a kit / block of the month will be available for the colorway in this sample.

More Imperial arrived from Robert Kaufman this week too.  I can hardly wait to start sewing on this.  There’s a beautiful large peony floral in three colorways and the coordinates are outstanding.  All touched with a bit of metallic gold.  There is so much potential . . .
Convergence, 9 Patch Pizzaz, BQ.

Plus we’ve added lots more product and fabrics that are currently in our inventory . . . keep an eye on it, some of it’s in the Sale Corner.

 Lately, I’ve also been having fun with these balls.  In an attempt to spend quiet evenings with my husband, I’ve been working on these.  I can’t sit still with nothing in my hands so while we watch his evening round of news, weather and programs  . . . I’ve been playing.  They’re made from ribbons and silk and we’ll have kits available at our open house in February.
 

And we had so much fun with the Toybox panel drawing (won by Peggy who “never wins anything”) that we’re going to do it again.

Tell us your favorite Thanksgiving tradition and your name will go in a Pilgrim’s hat for a free 1/2-yard cut of any piece of the
Imperial or Florentine collection.

. . . mmm, cranberries!  Jovita

7 Comments 

TERI LEIGH

Hi Jovita!
Thanksgiving was not my favorite holiday growing up.  I was an only child.  My family was the marrying kind - meaning people in my family never said the word "divorce" but rather they were between marriages.  Since many of these people did not want to be in the same room with each other, I ended up being pulled here there and the other place so this relative and that could see me.  On top of that, Thanksgiving food is not my thing.  I have never liked turkey and I have never eaten sugar, so I ended up starving while others gorged on Thanksgiving.  My last Thanksgiving as a single woman was disapointing too.  My father and his wife were in the same town where I was at the time with plans to visit one of her daughters.  I was not on their agenda.  My then fiancee (now my wonderful husband) went to his grandparents for a traditional Thanksgiving and since we were not married yet, I was not invited.  I ended up making a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in my apartment.
Now that I am a real live adult, I understand the real meaning of Thanksgiving.  It is not about the food.  It is not about traveling.  It is not about the super-giant-mega sale that starts at 4 AM on Friday morning.  It is about loving and appreciating the place you are in now.
Michael & I have had some wonderful Thanksgivings.  Some years, like this one, it is simply the two of us.  We are enjoying a quiet day at home.  Michael will make some egg and soy sausage sandwiches later on and we will watch a movie on DVD.  Then we will go work out at our 24 hour fitness center.  It is a good day.
For a number of years we went to an "Orphan Thanksgiving".  A married couple of friends would invite people who did not have local family and we would have a big potluck.  It was a wonderful time of just us grownups hanging out.
I was amazed at the different ways people celebrate the holiday when we were invited to spend it with Denise & Todd Kinsfather and their three boys.  I had never spent a holiday with children.  Remember, I am an only child and Michael & I do not have children.  It was a wonderful experience!  The boys telling what they were thankful for - so cute!  Then after dinner the four of us adults playing a board game.  It was a very special time.
However you choose to spend today, please remember to be thankful for all of the goodness that surounds us.

Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 11:22 AM

EVALYNN B.

Hi Jovita,
We just got back from our journey to Sacramento for Thanksgiving.  Had a great time visiting family.  It was funny that you asked for us to share a Thanksgiving tradition, as I was just thinking about my favorite during the long drive home......   IMy family had almost every Thanksgiving at our home.  My mom was/is an amazing cook so we were always thankful for that!  I always helped in the kitchen as well as my sister.  Mom always made sure we knew how to make the best gravy - it seemed to be a test of womanhood to her.  You had to know how to make good gravy if you wanted to catch a good man!  But my favorite Thanksgiving tradition was of my father carving the turkey and how he always made sure that the wishbone was saved and set up on the window sill to dry to be used for wishing for my little brother and I.   My goodness, how that silly wishbone brought so much excitement!  I hope that your days filled with happiness and warmth and that your wishes come true.  Happy Thanksgiving~

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 10:40 PM

BARB ARNDT

Jovita, Long time,
I guess my favorite Thanksgiving tradition ( other than eating until I'm sick, and visiting with as many family members as we can cram into the house) is going to a movie after dinner. We argue over which flick to see and since so many other people seem to have this same "tradition" the theatre is full and noisy and just fun, even if the movie is not great, like the year I picked Bad Santa!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 07:34 PM

LESLIE

I love hearing about holiday traditions as I'm ever seeking to make traditions meaningful.  (Sometimes the same old thing done every year turns into a meaningless routine along the way.)  At any rate I think it is important on Thanksgiving to be thankful and think about and maybe talk about what it is you're thankful for.  It helps put things into perspective sometimes.  I love playing games after the food it cleared and the kitchen cleaned up: board games, card games, and, my favorite game, Scrabble.  But I do think my most favorite tradition is either sending people home with or being able to take home leftovers so that I can remember the day and the people and be able to enjoy that good food longer (I don't like to stuff myself at one meal.)  Sadly, I didn't get to take home leftovers this year but I do plan to make an apple pie soon.  I have a turkey in the freezer so maybe in Feb. or March I'll thaw it out and make a mini Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful again and coerce my daughter to play scrabble with me.

Friday, November 30, 2007 - 03:32 PM

LIZ SEVY

We have always spent Thanksgiving with family, and it usually turns out to be a casual, fun, and laid back type of day. We've tried many times to add new items to our dinner menu, but each one seems to be someone's favorite part of the meal! So it's usually turkey, cranberries, mashed and sweet potatoes, salad, stuffing and gravy - my favorite is a curried fruit bake that is just spicy enough to add some zing to the whole dinner. Then we gather around and put together a jigsaw puzzle, catch up and watch football. My favorite part is having a house full of people!

Friday, November 30, 2007 - 03:34 PM

ANONYMOUS

Our Thanksgiving has always been the traditional, all the family, turkey/ham salad, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing....this year was different as most of my adult jids and grandkids have been on the east coast this year (they are moving back here this next week, hold them in your prayers as they are driving from Virginia).
So, this year, Andy and I spent the day together.  My middle son, Brandonand his wife Stephanie sat down to an eerily quiet Thanksgiving.
I know this has made me appreciate family more...and Andy says he will try to not grumble when the grandkids get loud...which is frequent if they are all here (we have 7, with another due in June)
And, the 2nd best Thanksgiving tradition is the Turkey tettrazini on Sunday!.
Marie

Friday, November 30, 2007 - 06:57 PM

ANONYMOUS

Jovita:
Our family has the tradition of saying what we are thankful for, which cannot include family, food or friends  (the 3 F's).  This year we didn't know how thankful we could be, when my 29 year old neice waited until this time of the meal (her favorite by the way), to tell us that a melanoma removed on the 19th had "good news", and was not malignant.
Tamara

Saturday, December 1, 2007 - 08:16 AM

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Our winner is ...

What a lot of fun . . . we’ll have to do this more often.

The name of everyone who posted a comment was written on a leaf.

 Then tossed

into the wind and raked into a pile  . . . before . . . my neighbour pulled the name of 

our lucky winner!

Congratulations to Peggy who won a free Toybox panel by posting a comment to my last blog entry.  

It was such a delight to read so many comments and helped to fill a void . . . I’ve really missed the daily contact with customers since we closed the brick and mortar shop and it was so nice to know that it’s a two-way road.  I do hope to keep in touch, through events, emails and blog entries and always invite and encourage you to add a comment.  They are all read and while I can’t answer every single one directly, I do pick out some each week to answer personally.

Be sure to stop by on Friday to see what I’ve been up to in the last week.  

And in the meantime . . .

. . . stop and enjoy the falling leaves,  Jovita

1 Comment
PEGGY

WOW!  Thanks so much.  I guess I can't say "I never win anything" not anymore.

Thursday, November 8, 2007 - 12:10 PM

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