Retro-Action

Doesn't it seem that all quilters/sewers you know have that fabric/piecing addition just bred into them? Blood to blood, marrow to marrow, I am a product of the women in my family. My mother used to sew all of our clothes; once she even sewed my sister an outfit made from an Esprit pattern (yes, they made patterns in the early 80s!), and at my sister's request, sewed a real Esprit tag into the back. While my sister may have shyed away from that homemade style, I ran straight to it...I used to perch beside my mother's sewing machine to guilt her into sewing. I just wanted to watch. Mom made our school clothes, our Easter dresses, and all our Sunday pretties. My mother taught me that things were supposed to be used and loved. You wore clothes until you grew out of them, then they got passed on down...for better or worse (shoulders seams that hang a good three inches below your shoulder, anyone?)
My mother made (makes) clothes, my Grandmother Tot made quilts. It's in me, through and through. Better an addiction to sewing that a penchance for polyester smock tops....

That's a long introduction to my latest project! My friend, Holly, gave me a completely destroyed quilt that her great-grandmother made. Most of the backing fabric was worn through...Holly had attempted to iron-on a big denim patch to the back (really, Holly?!). Anyway, these past few days I have isolated a section of the quilt that was not totally destroyed. That in itself was a little difficult, but I was able to find a section of 4 rings (it's a wedding ring quilt) to cut out from the rest of the quilt (quilt purists...you did not read that I just cut up a quilt from the 1920s...you did not read it...you did not read it...shh...shh...shh....). Since I cut it out, I have been doing some major handsewing on this sweet beastie...no machine will touch this quilt! My plan is to finish off a small section of the quilt (I think it's about 36" square), and then hand-sew it to a quilted base/back so that it can be hung without worrying about stressing the fragile quilt. Make sense? I'll post pictures later.

Anyway, so that's what's been going on...lots of handsewing and reflecting on my own quilt history. I love knowing that I am participating in a centuries-old tradition. Talk about your retro-action.

WALLETS!

WALLETS!
Originally uploaded by fishyfishyquilts

Yup! Sometimes we sell smaller things too! Take these nifty wallets!

They are the perfect size, and they fit right in your back pocket.

we think Lucinda Williams is tough...tough enough to look good keeping her wallet in her back pocket. so, if it's good enough to look good on Lucinda, it's got to be good enough for the rest of us, right? besides, who wants to carry around a bag when you've got some major rocking and butt-kicking to do.

we're girls and we love these, but they're awesome for men and children as well.

-made and stitched with 100% cotton
-features a large pocket for bills
-two smaller pockets to pack with cards
-measures 4" x 3 1/2" when closed
-tougher than a gravel road
-cooler than elvis
-sweeter than honey

Now selling them on etsy!



Okay... Okay... enough of the sales pitch... back to sewing. :)

Piece Out,
Michie

Introducing...Otto!

So, we're suckers. Plain and simple...suckers. Before we moved into the new house (and when I was having a horrible day), Michie said, "ok. get your shoes on. we're going to the humane society. you need to play with a dog." ...sigh...ok.
At the humane society, we met Otto...a Corgi/Chow mix (a cow!); he was new to the shelter, all kind of matted and stinky! however, he was quite simply one of the sweetest dogs either of us had ever met.
Fast forward a month, we're settled in the new house and where do we go? you guessed it...and guess who was still there--Otto! Yup, he's now clean, trimmed, and as sweet as he could be. He may look a little contemplative in the photo, but no worries...he's usually smiling with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. :) We've had him for a few weeks now and are happy, happy, happy. (and, yes, Otto is now king of the couch. sorry, mom, and dog trainers everywhere....)

On another note, a cousin of mine graduated from high school and had a birthday last month...you think a quilt is in order? I do! Come to think of it, I think it's already done and heading to SC this weekend!

SIMPLE BABY QUILT - OWL

SIMPLE BABY QUILT - OWL
Originally uploaded by fishyfishyquilts

I think this may be the very last of this rockin' owl fabric in all of Asheville! But went to a great cause... a gender neutral baby quilt for a baby shower this Sat.

Piece Out,

Michie Lee

CITY BLOCKS

CITY BLOCKS
Originally uploaded by fishyfishyquilts

Working on getting all this inter-connectivity together... Somehow flickr and blogger and etsy are all going to work together! Even if it kills me...

not really. :)

Piece Out,
Michie

Crickets and Tumbleweed

Ok...so I have a confession to make. I am lousy at blogging. and twittering. and updating the etsy page. and getting back with people on facebook. I just stink. I'm not really sure why...I guess I spend so much of my day sending emails that by the time I get home, I'm just done with the computer. Oh, dear desk job that pays the bills so I can craft...what a neccesary evil you are.

Anyway, all that is to say I am very well aware that our blog has weeds growing in it, tumbleweeds blowing across it, and crickets chirping steadily in the distance. I apologize.

That being said, we've been busy lately! It's felt like finals week when we have 4 exams and 5 papers to write...I have seen pumpkin hour more times that I like lately.

What have we been doing? Well, in the spirit of bloggers everywhere, here's a list:

10--Sewing (really? was there a question?)
9--Planting spring/summer botanical goodness
8--Picking out paint colors for the NEW HOUSE
7--Trying to figure out how to downsize into the NEW HOUSE
6--Helping to organize the June Howard Street Handmade
5--Helping to organize the 1st ever HSH Crafty Swap Bonanza
4--Trying to be a teensy bit social
3--Preparing for The Crafty Feast (yikes! tomorrow!)
2--Packing the current house
1--Buying a NEW HOUSE!

So there you go, that's what's going on.
Any ideas on how we can become an amazingly with-it, hip, and together internet business-people? We're open to suggestion :)

That all for now! We'll update Twitter from the road tomorrow...if you happen to be in Columbia, SC, check us out at The Crafty Feast...over 50 vendors, music, and food! What more could you ask for?
Ellen

First ever Howard Street Handmade a success!

Well, let's just say, that it was nothing short of amazing. Although I only got to spend a couple of hours with Ellen and our booth, what I saw was both inspiring and motivational! Ellen and I promptly went home and started discussing the future of the business, how we want to make sure that we are a beacon for not only well constructed and fully functional pieces of art, but also that we maintain a socially and environmentally conscience way of thinking.

What started as a little notion inside of wonderful Jodi's head, (Short Street Cakes) has become a great craft market. Someone said that we were the "best vibe in Asheville" of the day, and we're already getting more applications for the next Howard Street Handmade on April 18. Let's just say, that we are going to keep uber busy for the next couple of weeks! Which is totally fine with me!


Thanks to Katie and Zen for the photos! Click here to go to the Howard Street Handmade blog and to check out some of the artists that were there!

And to read an article from the Asheville Citizen Times... click here!

Ellen is totally covered up with our quilts! I love it!

Piece Out,
Michie Lee