Anna Maria Horner in Los Angeles!!

She was here a couple weeks ago....  Can you believe it? Not only did I get to meet my favorite designer, but I also got to take a class with her. She taught a Multi Tasker Tote class and it was fantastic. I've always wanted to go to a Heather Ross weekend sewing workshop but could never get in! She has been a guest teacher on several occasions.

I used to sew a little in high school and stopped when I started college.  I began sewing again after I had Taylor. I began to shop for fabric online and discovered designer fabric! I found this Chocolate Lolliop print and fell in love! I quickly realized that there was a coordinating collection and had to have it! This was the collection that got me hook, line and sinker! I now have a terrible fabric addiction....

After class, she hung out and spoke to our guild. She talked about how she got started. Showed some of her sketches, clothes and of course, quilts.

The funniest part is that she doesn't really consider herself a 'quilter'. Oh, she has a new line coming out in May called 'Field Study'. We got a sneak preview and it's amazing!

Well Anna, I enjoyed my class with you, loved hearing you speak about your career / life.  I don't know how you do it with all those kids!!!  You are truly an inspiration! Please come back to LA soon!

Oxox,

Sunny

Embroidery 101

On Saturday, I got the chance to take an Embroidery class at Lauren's shop, Sew Modern with these lovely ladies! 

Just in case you don't recognize them, they are Cath & Kirsten aka Prints Charming!
Yes!  All the way from Australia!  :)

Check out all the loveliness they brought to inspire us. 
(There is some serious needlework going on over here!)

I don't know how to embroider.  I've always wanted to learn so I was very excited to get started!  :)

Class started and we got our choice of either one of these.

I went with this one because I always use white, and I wanted to try something different. 
Look!  They even provided a little booklet (like CliffNotes!)
Super Cute, huh?

I learned a bunch of new stitches:  blanket, daisy chains, couching and how to hide knots too! 

This is what I came up with at the end of class. 

YEAH,  RIGHT!

Ok! Ok!  This is one of theirs...

Before we knew it, class was over and it was time to say good bye to this dynamic duo.

If you ever have the opportunity to take one of these classes, I highly recommend it!

Kirsten, me & Cath

Kirsten & Cath, I loved meeting you and taking your wonderful class. 

I promise to keep practicing and make you proud. 

Please come back again.

LA Loves you!

Oxox,

Sunny

PS.  Thanks so much, Lauren for arranging such a great class!  :)

Denyse Schmidt Workshop

I was lucky enough to take a beginner's improv class with Denyse Schmidt.  When my guild asked if there was any interest in taking a class with Denyse, I thought I was going to faint...  I asked my husband if we could take a family trip to the east coast so I could take one of Denyse's classes.  He said yes.  Now, we don't need to take that trip.  We still might though...

Anyway, back to the workshop....  First of all, Denyse is every bit as awesome and nice as she seems.  She's very laid back and such a great teacher.  I thought I knew how to make an improv quilt.  I was wondering what I would gain from this class.  Boy, did I learn alot!  Using what I have, curves, but the biggest lesson I learned was to "LET GO".  It was so 'freeing' once I did so. 

Here are the first 2 blocks I made only using the fabric that Denyse provided.  Notice the natural curves?  That because I didn't use my ruler.  That was pretty cool too!

Here are the other blocks I made using fabric that I brought.  It's the KJR green posies.  On the bottom left block, I used the wrong side of the fabric by accident.  Denyse saw what I did and said, "Just go with it".  I was like "REALLY?!?!?" So I did and I'm happy to say that I love that block.

I made 2 more blocks a few weeks ago. 

I decided to to turn these blocks into a wall hanging / art quilt that I'll hang in my sewing space. 

It will go nicely with this photo. 

(photo courtesy of Maria.)

Thanks so much for vsiting us, Denyse!!!  You are truly a Rock Star! 

DS, We love you!

oxox,

Sunny