dreams of sewing machines

Retro-Action

2009-08-08T10:05:00.012-04:00

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!

2009-08-03T11:39:00.001-04:00

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!

2009-07-31T09:50:00.006-04:00

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

2009-07-30T21:07:00.002-04:00

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

2009-07-26T23:25:00.001-04:00

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

2009-05-29T11:30:00.003-04:00

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!

2009-03-23T08:13:00.007-04:00

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

It's pi Day!!!!

2009-03-14T09:21:00.003-04:00

For those of you who don't know, I (Michie) am a HUGE math geek, and thus celebrate pi day... which is today! March 14! (3.14)

So today, everyone celebrate the day and go have some pie! I probably will scrounge around for any dessert that even looks like pie! Probably some really nice, organic cake-like-thing from Tupelo Honey, but close enough!

And then, a rockin concert tonight at the Orange Peel... some Ani Difranco. So yes, this update is a little rambly... but I'm just super excited and about to be late for work!

HAPPY PI DAY!!!

Piece Out,

Michie

Howard Street Handmade

2009-02-17T21:36:00.003-05:00

Wanted to let everyone know about a rockin' upcoming show opportunity!

-The First Howard Street Handmade will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 11 am to 5pm at 227 Haywood Road, in Asheville, NC.

There are 20 total slots available for vendors. These slots are 3' each, so vendors need to either bring their own 3' table or be willing to share a 6' table with one other vendor. Table fee will be a special introductory $10. After the first one, if all goes well, the next HSH will be one month from the first one, and the table fee will be somewhere between $15 to $25. If it continues to be successful, we will have them more often, every two weeks or even every weekend. The table fee is a one time commitment for each event. There's no obligation to be a recurring vendor, however space preference will be given to recurring vendors.

Applications are due soon! February 22, so hurry. If you have any questions, you can ask us or email the ground at howardstreethandmade@gmail.com. Email for an application if you are interested!

Ellen and I are really excited about this, and we'd like to see lots of people there!

Piece out!

Michie Lee

Down Twitter-Bird!

2009-02-02T20:12:00.008-05:00

Wow--Michie is on the road and all about updating the Twitter! In honor of her new-found love of twittering and her constant take to the skies, I have decided to make this post about my favorite bird-related things.

1. This Burton jacket! It's a little hard to see, but there are all these sweet little birds on a wire perched all over the jacket.
2. "The Littlest Bird" by The Be Good Tanyas.
3. Spool's bird mobile--I made one for my new niece, Annabelle. I'll post pictures just as soon as Annabelle gets to the oxygen-part of this world (as opposed to the womb-part) and I make it back down to SC.
4. "Winter's Come and Gone" by Gillian Welch.
5. The Bountiful Cities Project's Annual Birdhouse Project (by way of Jodi's blog!) Hmm...I wonder if they'll accept a quilt of a birdhouse?
6. "Blackbirds" by Erin McKeown...starting to get a little idea of my musical tastes? :)
7. The Little st Birds--a great little children's shop here in Asheville. Something tells me someone else loves The Be Good Tanyas....
8. Joel Dewberry's Aviary collection...I think I need 20 yards of the Almond-colored sparrows.
9. "Texas" by Po' Girl...ok it's not bird-related but Michie had to fly to get there!
10. The bird quilt I'm about to start working on for Annabelle!

Ok, that's all for now.
Tweet!
--Ellen

Do you Twitter?

2009-01-29T09:38:00.002-05:00

We do!

http://twitter.com/fishyfishyquilt

or check out the widget to the right of the screen!

Maybe I'll update more when I'm on the road!

Piece out!
Michie

Yeah for a new look!

2009-01-23T23:45:00.001-05:00

So! I've been steadily working on the website, and I finally got it to a professional look. Tell me what you think! And also, tell me if you find any mistakes... was working on it late at night... and well you know how that goes!

Piece Out!

Michie

Haven't Heard From You In A While, Michie & Ellen

2008-12-17T21:47:00.001-05:00

Post-visit from friends, Ellen and I have jumped back on the stitchin' bandwagon for the Holidays! Just wrapped up a queen size quilt for a Texas client... made mostly from her dad's clothes! Not your typical "t-shirt" quilt. Really thought it turned out well! Nice, clean lines, can't wait to do two more for her!

But for now, we are working on family Christmas presents... the one time of the year where we are busting our butts for deadlines for ourselves!

But! We are thinking ahead of the new year. Out with the old, in with the new. We are working on a new theme for our newest collection, which we think is quite possibly the most amazing thing! And also, new ideas on smaller projects, so everyone

can enjoy art from Fishy Fishy! All I can tell you, is that come January, we are going to be working our tails off! I know you are excited, because we are too!

However, for right now-- I'm just going to say Merry Christmas to everyone. And leave you with this image to be inspired in the next couple of weeks.

Amazing doll by Ravenhill Designs! Click here to see her flickr page!

Piece Out!

Michie

The Big Crafty!

2008-12-07T22:05:00.000-05:00

And this is why we choose to live in probably the most amazing place for artists...Today's awesome event: THE BIG CRAFTY! Ellen and I grabbed our friend Laura, and headed down to Pack Place this afternoon!

This was my very first Big Crafty event... and I was awe-struck! There were

so many amazing artists there, and everyone was in the holiday mood, that although it was way packed (which of course was a good thing), everyone was super nice. We even ran into a few faces that we recognized, which being fairly new to the whole Asheville world of craft, was pretty spectacular.

A couple of ya'll asked if we actually had a booth at the show this year, and although we didn't, we are already stoked about the next one. I think I can speak for both Ellen and I, when I say we are really excited to be apart of this community, and look forward to knowing everyone.

But I have to do some mad shout-outs to some new artists that I met/saw today!

Buncombe Belt Buckles! Visit their etsy account here! They were rockin' a sewing machine money clip, which or course was a big hit with us sewin' folk. I was craving a belt buckle, to complete the look of total crafty

nerdiness, but opted out for the moment... Although I might have to start collecting buckles now, if they are all going to rock like this Beaver one... :) They also have some vegan belts!

Sweet Mess -- Visit them at etsy.com.... here! They had really amazing Christmas Ornaments... that we don't have to pack away after the Holidays! A picture of our new ornament on our sweet little tree soon!

And last but not least...

Miss Fitt & Co. - Which make felted hats and other warm accessories. Didn't get a a chance to purchase myself a hat... but would really dig one for Christmas... hint hint! www.missfitt.com

I wish I could throw mad props to everyone there! I'm sure Ellen will post some of her favorites too! But for now, I've got some sewing to get to!

Piece Out!

Michie Lee

P.S. - Carrie, this updated post is for you!

Soap!

2008-12-03T20:55:00.000-05:00

Yay! I got new soap today! Why so excited, you ask? Because it's Faerie Made! Today I ordered some Gypsy Spice and Yule from her amazing variety of happy, chunky, homemade bars of soap. I'm so excited to unwrap these...the Yule is actually a festive holiday gold (it's flecked with mica!); I wonder if it will make me shimmer? Anyway, this rockin' woman has a great thing going. I think I just met my soap supplier! I eat rice and beans everyday if needed so I can splurge on a good bar of quality, locally made soap.

That's all for now. Soap! Yay! Maybe I can trade a quilt for a two year's supply of soap...? Hmm....

happy showering!

ellen

I can see a lot of life in you

2008-12-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

I love being inspired. I really do. I feel like it doesn't happen often enough, not because there are not amazing things around me, but because I get stuck in my own little world and forget to cleanse my pallet so I can experience things in a little purer way. What am I rambling about? Natalie Chanin! Last week I read an article in Stitch Magazine about Natalie Chanin, founder of Alabama Chanin and author of Alabama Stitch Book. Everything Natalie designs and creates is handmade, as in hand-sewn by folks living in Florence, Alabama. Hands. Needle. Thread. Fabric. Simple as that.

Reading this interview made me realize that I'm not connecting enough to my sewing. What a thing to realize right before I begin quilting a queen-sized quilt to go at my parent's house at the beach. Hand-quilting is out of the question--beach things need to be able to go into the washer and dryer without worry. Also, Christmas is only three weeks away--nowhere near enough time to do this thing by hand. So on the machine, it goes.

As I started sewing though, I began noticing the fabrics in the quilt in a way I had not done since piecing the individual blocks. They are such beautiful fabrics (yes, the one you see in focus is an older Amy Butler fabric...I swear I sew with more influence than just hers!) and I had nearly forgotten how much I liked each one.
The result? Probably nothing noticeable. However, I quilted this big queen-sizer with a little more joy than expected. Hopefully my parents will feel that when they curl under the covers.
--ellen

PS--The Post Title comes from a great song called "That Dress Looks Nice on You" by Sufjan Stevens.

sewing for little people

2008-11-26T11:52:00.000-05:00

Welcome! I've gone and done this blog behind Michie Lee's back so hopefully she will approve!
Currently we are both working on Christmas presents. I am finishing up on presents for my nieces (5, 3, and 8 months). I love sewing for the little girls because they love anything and everything. I mainly stick with bags and stuffed toys for them (they love moving things in and out of bags). My favorite inspiration book for this right now is Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones . I always love Amy Butler designs and fabrics, but I think this book might be my favorite. Everything is easy, clean, simple, clever. Basically, this book makes me happy.

That's all for now, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
--ellen