LizzyHouse

I've been Adopted.

I don't understand how they always find me? Little animals seem to seek me out... If I start singing I might be in trouble...

here are my newest babes.

the little cat cries at my window or door. She always know where I am in the apartment, and the craziest thing is, she isn't looking for food. If I let her in, she just goes to sleep on me. She just cries and cries. What am I supposed to do about her? Not love her? I haven't been able to give her a name that will stick yet.

the squirrel is a wiley one. I have found him hanging around on my little porch a lot. I keep a little dish of water for the cat, but I have found that he likes to drink from it too. So I make sure it's full and sometimes I put out a little bit of graham cracker, and he's my squirrel for life.

Now I am having a bit of a shop dilemma and I need your help.

My etsy shop is having an identity crisis. Or rather I am. I was updating it and I have paused. I am interested in knowing what would you be interested in seeing in the shop from me? More prints? More books? more stationary? Some Sewn stuff? Cats? Some block printed fabric? Some fabric? What are you interested in?

let me know... because your wish is my command!

apron shmapron.

For those of you for who know me, who truly know me, know that I am kind of always in my own little world. I do everything in my own little time frame... and it's not a bad thing, but I am always trying hard to make sure it doesn't become a selfish thing... I'm just on Lizzy standard time. And we aren't talking punctuality to lunch; we are talking punctuality to life. I do things when it feels like it's the right thing to do, and not until then. Which isn't necessarily convenient... this is also part of that emotional robot thing i've been talking about...

And I mean it in an everyday sense, and then in kind of a silly sense. Take for instance: the apron. Aprons have been a huge freaking deal for the past like 3 years. Everyone has an apron pattern out, everyone has made an apron, there are even entire blogs devoted to aprons. Everyone and their Mom is all about aprons. Are they still? I'm not sure anymore... Not only that, but I have 2, count um', 2 lines of fabric out in this world, and one of them happens to be kitchen inspired, and not until yesterday my dear dear friends, did I ever make an apron.

Now people have made aprons for me! Which I love, and have used almost daily for the past two years, and I art directed an apron a while back (ie made the pattern and shouted instructions). So its been on my list of things to do for a while...

so Saturday was one of my sweet peeps birthday, and I decided that she needed an apron. So I just sat down and made one. I remembered seeing this pattern, because a friend on mine actually owns it (in Rexburg), and so I just kind of made up how I thought it would go... I was happy with the results, but knew that I could make another one better, faster, because that is how my mind works. When I am off in my own little world all the time those are some of the things I am thinking... how can I make this more effecient?

this morning before church I decided to do just that. I have a new calling where I help prepare a meal on the first Sunday of each month for the congregation, so I decided I would make an apron to match my outfit to cook in. Better Faster. The process becomes almost a game to me...

Anyway, it was a big hit... everyone is telling me their birthday now. And all I really want to say is, making aprons is great. Real cool. You were all right the whole time... I get it now. So I guess I'll just continue to discover things for myself, and you peeps can humor me when I tell you that I'm all about it 5 years after you're into it.

don't judge the pics, it's a little wrinckly because I wore it allll day long. literally.

ps. I was dressed as watermelon.

Fireworks!

In all your spare time between now and tomorrow, you should make one or a dozen of these. Using all my favorite ribbon I put together this show stopper for our festivities tomorrow. I used recycled felt, bamboo batting, and ribbon ranging from vintage to Italian. This thing has got America written all over it.

I've included a slide show of pics with a little bit of a how-to. Just click on the notes for my commentary.

now what's all this about?

what could this possibly be about? And whose feet are those hanging down top left? And why does everything in my room have a little square cut out of it?

One of the reasons it's good to Cherri House's daughter, and a winner!

Sorry for the delay. Thank you everyone for entering my little birthday contest. I really do wish that we could all get together and do all these beautiful things! Think of everything that we could make! Or don't try and think of everything...It might make your head explode, so think about it only for a couple of minutes at a time... every once in a while....

I had the winner randomly selected by a third party, because the comments were all too dear to me to choose one. Maybe that seems like a cop out, but if it were up to me, I would give everything I have away anyway, especially if you needed it more than me. Most of you know how I am about presents... anyway the winner!

Tabernash!

here was the comment:

Lizzy,
If we were to get together we'd pick the lavendar growing in my back yard and make lavendar sache pillows. We could print our favorite designs and share our stacks of fabric. Everytime we sniffed our pillows it would remind us of the fun time we had together in the Bay Area...(we could do rose pedals from Ms. Streisand too) Of course we would have to play her music and eat chocolate chip cookies. (for no good reason other than they are yummie) Happy Birthday!

So, Tabernash, just shoot me an email and the fat stack of Red Letter Day is all yours.

And here is one of the many reason's it's good to be one of Cherri House's daughters.

i always get to go fabric shopping in her scraps when I go home. Remember the term "scraps" is relative.

Where I've been!

First things first. I still have yet to announce the winner of the contest as I had a bit of an emergency and had to hit town. So, that will be addressed this week. Cross my heart.

So go back to Friday the 12th. It was the boat dance that I was talking about to my Nirvana Peeps. Well, I wanted to show you all my dress. It was my gift to me after working hard teaching, and selling my art at Squam! The dance was reminiscent of that of high school years, but it gave us a chance to get dressed up, and we had a fancy dinner at Masu!

Now fast forward to Tuesday the 16th, as we don't want to remember the night of the 15th, for it was spent sleeping in the Portland Airport.... Tuesday morning I caught a flight to Sacramento, because my Portland BFF was home visitng and having a really hard life... so I just decided I would go spend my birthday with her.

Wednesday June 17th. My Birthday.

Ginger and I drove drove to San Francisco for the day! Which is always a dream come true, as SF is one of my favorite cities! We made a detour on the way though... I spotted a J. Crew Outlet store... I have a very keen sense for things like this... We found so much awesome stuff! I even found a new dress that I bought and put on to wear all day!

We also stopped in Berkely before heading into the city. For one reason, and one reason alone. Tail of the Yak. They don't let you take pics inside, and it's understandable. It's like a museum. So many cool things, and antique things. The one thing that I went for specifically was the surprise balls! There is a lady who makes these wonderful surprise balls in all shapes and forms... it's literally like 50 yards of crepe paper wrapped up hiding little prizes. The one I purchased was a daffodil. It had a brass whistle in the middle.

Next we headed into the city, and the first stop was the Curiosity Shoppe! It was soooo good to see Lauren and Derek after Squam. They have so many wonderful things in their shop! If you have not already and you are in the area, make your little way down to Valencia St between 19th and 20th.They really have something for everyone in there. But really though I was just happy to see them again. I make it a habit to see people again when I say I will.

Also, check out their sweet action book, recently released with Chronicle Books, Wallpaper Projects: More than 50 Craft and Design Ideas for Your Home, from Accents to Art.

ate at Tartine for lunch! did some other cool stuff... like this for instance. Hilarious.

you literally get to take a pen tool and draw sparkles on your pictures. Yes please. Even better still, they were stickers...

After Japantown we had a little birthday dessert with my dear friend Veronique! Who I met because of one of my dearest friends Carla Jimison! It was so much fun! We listened to sappy break up music for Ginger. I think it helped. For real.

Then we drove back to Sacramento! It was such a wonderful birthday!

next day, we just hung out in Sacramento. It was sooo hot! I've already been tempered to Portland's mild weather... also I've been meaning to show you my new sunglasses. I think everyone should have a pair.

Friday I flew home to Texas to see my Mom. I'm always grateful for the time I get to spend with her! We had a great day together on Saturday! She got me a facial and pedicure for my b-day! Sooo Nice! Then we ate a lot of sushi, and I took her to see UP. Per usual, I cried the whole time.

Now I am back in Portland. It rained last night as I went to sleep. Almost like a welcome home rain. I want to say how thankful I am for all of your sweet emails, and messages over the past couple of weeks. Your encouragement, kindness, well wishes, and whatnot have been so dear to me. I feel so close to so many of you. It was a really great birthday.

BUT! now I am home, and it is back to work for reals. Finishing a line of fabric, starting some new projects!, finishing some old ones... Oh! and I am going RAW for the next two weeks, any longer than that and I wouldn't be getting work done anymore (anemia strikes again!)

ok. so it will be back to normal around here for a while. Like responding to emails... regular posts... normal lizzy.

have a great week everyone!

ps. if you want to read the hilarious things that Ginger and I write back and forth while she vacations in Mexico with her family, you can follow her on twitter! That is of course assuming that you are already following me...

a little more whole.

I know that we are supposed to be self sufficient. That we should be able to find peace and happiness just from existence. I'm always trying to do that. I think I try too hard. I think I think that if I do it all my self, if I can figure it out by myself, my life, my reason, my whatever, that I will some how be stronger for it.

One of my main goals this year was to not be an emotional robot. I have been one for years, because I felt like that way I would be less hurt by people, by hard times, by failings... but in doing so, I have separated myself from people who would love, and care about me, and in that I hurt myself...

So, I've been working hard to be better. To except people into my life as good, and dear, and broken, and helpful, and beautiful, and funny, and whatever... and this past week at Squam made me feel like it's all possible. I can be open to all the emotion this little world has to offer, and that's ok. There are enough people who love me in this world that I don't have to be afraid of anything.

I've been putting off this post because I didn't know how to say what I felt, or what it possibly meant to me. I have been changed, seriously changed. Not that I needed a major overhaul, but we should all always be working towards our personal betterment, and I feel like I am a little closer, and a little more grown up for it. I am so touched to have met, and been inspired by so many beautiful people.

So here are some little letters. My best way to express all this right now:

Dear Nirvana,
What a blessing it was to share that time and space with you. How grateful I am that it was each of you. I feel like you all took me in, and I am in your debt. I hope that somehow we can be together again soon.

photo by dreamer Laura Nelkin

To my students,
I can't say enough how impressed I am with each of you. The work that each of you produced in the short time that we had together was mind blowing for me, and I always felt like a proud little mama, when a whole section of the gallery table in the dining room was ours, because you were proud too. Please keep producing. Please take risks. Please keep going, and please keep in touch. Always know that any service I can be of to you, I'm yours. Thank you for letting me cry through class. I was moved by your honesty and commitment to whatever it was that you were tasked with. You're just brilliant, and I can't wait to be with you again next year.

Dear Jen and Jonatha
thank you for making me feel like the prettiest most popular girl at camp. Your love has inspired me.

Elizabeth,
Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for picking me out of a crowd, and trusting me with something that is so special to you. Your faith, and love, and commitment to harboring all of the inspiring events that make up Squam have, and will change peoples lives for the better. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

photo by new favorite Maya*Made

To all of you,
If you need to feel a little more whole, need a break, want to be a part of something magical, then make the time, and the effort to do this for yourself. Squam happens twice a year. No prior experience is neseccary, just come as you are and leave as you want to be.

love,

lizzy

Squam Art Fair!

Dear Peeps,

Camp is great. Everyone is being very nice. The mosquitoes are pretty bad though... but in happier new news, this Saturday, here in beautiful New Hampshire, at the amazing Squam Art Workshop, there will be an Art Fair! Cool thing is you didn't have to attend Squam to attend the fair!

Here are the full details:

Saturday, June 6th
7:30 pm - 9pm
Rockywold-Deephaven Camp (Holderness, NH)

For a map to get to RDC: click HERE

The fair will be taking place in the Deephaven Dining room, building #67 on the campus map. Have no worries about finding it as there will be lots of people (and signs) to direct you in.

There are going to be so many great artist selling their work! I have been truly amazed by my fellow teachers so it's bound to be not only inspiring, but a fun event. For Reals...

I will be selling a couple of books, and my fine art prints! I even have a stack of fabric that I think three people have claimed... we'll see who ends up with it.

If you are in the area and can come, come say hi to me! I'll just love you forever

cheers,

Lizzy!

away I go, and a treat for you.

Did you know that Barbra Streisand has a rose named after her? I can't say I'm surprised but it was kind of fun for me to think about someone being so beloved that they are bestowed with their own rose....

I love it here in Portland. I can't stop telling people how happy I am here. I can't remember being this happy. The city Rose Garden is just starting to pop open, and it's a magical thing. That's also something we've been saying a lot. Things have really seemed magical lately. Just so happy...

Tomorrow night I start out on my adventure to Squam Art Workshops. I wish you could all be there with me. As I have finished my lessons, I am so excited, and I wish we could all sit down together, and talk about color, and what it means, and how we can be better using it. And wouldn't it be great if everyone of us could play with surface design ideas together, out loud, not tweeting, just talking, and making. And just try and tell me that it wouldn't be amazing to carve a block of you own design, print it on fabric that you have selected, and some day make it into something that you can give to someone or keep as a momento. We need more of this. We need to take the time to create together. We are better together.

I feel like a little bit of a shmo for not participating in all of the give away stuff. So I will do a give away too. Alright? Plus you know I always do a give away on my birthday... which is coming up.... by the way. June 17th. My birthday...

Here's what you do to enter to win a set of every piece of Red Letter Day (18 fq's total: that's a lot of fabric...)

leave me a comment about a project we could do together. Like if we were to have an art night or a craft day, what would we make? Talk to me, tell me all about it. I want you all to fill up my inbox with sweet things while I am gone, and some lucky peep will get a fat stack of fabric as a result. Piece of ribbon included...

so what was that again? What do I need to do to enter?

leave me a comment and tell me about what we would make if we could all get together and make something. Ok? Be thoughtful, I love it when you are thoughtful. Contest ends June 15th. Ok?

see you when I get back.

love,

Lizzy

Marble Champ Pattern

As promised here it is! When you start reading it, don't be alarmed. You don't have to applique the circles. There must have been some misunderstanding along the way and the pattern instructs you to applique. If you are all about that, then go for it! But if you are not one of those peeps, here is the best solution in the world!

Dale Fleming wrote a book called Pieced Curves So Simple that she released with C&T publishing, and in it she explains how to piece and sew curves without pins! Luckily, Dale did a segment showing how to do the six minute circle.

So I have put together my own slide show of piecing a Marble Champ block. Roll your mouse over the "notes" button to read instructions

Download Red-letter-quilt-pattern

don't forget me, or Lizzy Dish

I did... I forgot to post about this cutey little quilt I made a while back. I got really busy with moving and what not... also, can I just say it's crazy getting settled in a new place. I'm still not all situated! And I've got Squam next week!

My peeps have been here all weekend and its been really great. I hope you all had a great weekend and holiday. I'll check in later this week to say Goodbye before I take off for a while!

I'm loving you, loving Red Letter Day.

The Red Letter Day flickr pool is growing! I am so happy that peeps are loving the fabric. Here are some of the things I am loving!

Ellen, of the amazing The Long Thread, made one of the cutest dresses I have ever seen using Ducks in a Row in Galosh.

Sweet peep, Fallon Akers, makes really beautiful pillows that you can purchase here at her shop.

lots and lots of good things happening. More coming soooon!

Also, the list of retailers continues to grow. Let's keep it current!