HELLO my name is Heather

  • Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

    ByHeather Bailey

    Today is office-chair day. We've hopped from one store to the next,
    gathering up enough chairs to outfit my new studio.  It's amazing how
    much time it takes to finish each little step.  Stacking chairs and
    folding tables are next.  I would have waited a month or two — till we
    were closer to our first class or craft-night — but Isaac's good
    friend is hosting a workshop for photographers at my office next
    weekend, so I've got to hunt down those things a bit sooner. That's
    what's goin' on.

    Oh, and my dishwasher is hogging up the kitchen floor and its
    dish-racks are spread around the counters.  The dishwasher is having
    some draining issues, so it's been wrenched from it's nesting place for
    a deep cleanse. The kitchen is no-man's-land till we get it fixed.

    It's such a Saturday.

    -o-o-o-o-o-

    With no clever segue whatsoever, it's time to announce some giveaway-winners!  A $50 gift certificate to TheVintagePearl.com goes to each of the following: (Lucky ladies, please email emily@heatherbailey.com with your contact info.)

    "Oh my gosh…I would LOVE one of these necklaces! They are gorgeous. I have been wanting one for a long time."  Posted by: Jessica Bills | January 26, 2010 at 10:03 PM

    "I LOVE Vintage Pearl; after some loud hinting my girls
    gave me one for Mother's Day last year. I have been wanting to order
    one for a friend whose 2-year-old daughter recently passed away. Thanks
    so much for the opportunity to win!"  Posted by: Stef | January 26,
    2010 at 02:50 PM

  • The Vintage Pearl

    ByHeather Bailey

    When Erin offered to make me one of her silver, hand-stamped necklaces, I was
    all over it.  Who in her right mind would say no!?  What I didn't
    realize at the time was how much I would love my necklace — and wear
    it all the time. 

    VintagePearl470

    I
    have a soft spot for funky jewelry.  But, as it turns out, there are
    plenty of days where I'm not up to the funky stuff.  And it is
    sweet-sweet to joggle the charms on my necklace and think of my two
    kids. 

    Necklace1upA
    Wouldn't these make great Valentine's Day gifts?  I know that each of
    my brothers has received a loud hint from his wife for a Vintage Pearl
    necklace.

    So check this out — when I told Erin I planned to post
    about my necklace, she offered to set up a 10% discount for anyone
    who wants a necklace too (enter Bailey10 at checkout) — AND a giveaway of two $50 gift certificates to her store, TheVintagePearl.com.  There are a lot of jewelry styles to choose from.

    Necklace3up

    Holy guacamole. (I'm kinda jealous. Which is so very wrong, as my necklace was a present after all.)

    Leave a comment to enter — and drop a 'hello' at Erin's blog as well.  Winners will be drawn on Thursday, the 28th.

  • Spackled

    ByHeather Bailey

    Hey all.  It's a good day.  I'm getting a ton done.  And there's a
    tower of amazing chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen, keeping me
    company.

    WallBefore300 Miss
    Charlotte's birthday is tomorrow.  But, last night,
    when I tucked her in, I told her that her birthday was today — big
    oops.  In fact, we told her all weekend that her birthday would be on
    Monday.  I didn't realize the mistake till late last night.  Shoot.  We
    did
    consider just rolling with it, but then we would have needed to include
    her preschool teacher, her brother, and her extended family in the plan
    — and that's just too much.

    I confessed this morning.  She took it well.

    Tell me I'm not the only one who has done this?!

    It's a busy time, I guess.  Charlotte's at
    a childcare place three afternoons a week for the next two weeks while
    I prep and move into my new space.  (I'm sure this has something to do with my
    improved productivity.)  I miss her little self hanging all over me and
    monkeying with my projects.  Ah well.  Two weeks, six afternoons.  I can take it.

    Check out my new wall.  It even has lights.  Oh yeah.

  • Elephantastico

    ByHeather Bailey
    Lolliphant470Sh Henrietta and I have a new friend at the studio. Meet Effie,
    keeper of pink pins and patron of happy thoughts. Doing tricks and back
    flips is Effie's younger brother, Ollie, the circus star.  

    Several religions
    claim that the world rests on the back of an elephant, standing on a
    tortoise. Though neither is ready to carry the weight of the world, Effie & Henrietta are happy to hold some pins for you. Kudos to them for knowing their limits.

    These sweet little elephants make fun baby toys too — great for girls and for boys. I dream of a turtle & elephant mobile.

    MP004-EO_EffieOllieElephantBlog

    Check out the perfect, sloping elephant bums and cute little tails.  Ah, elephants, my newest mini pattern, hot off the press.

    Through 1-31-10, receive 25% off mini patterns — details here.

  • Lucky Number

    ByHeather Bailey

    My son is 13 today.  Thirteen!  What in the world?  I was such a little grown-up at thirteen.  At least, I thought I was. 

    BoxShot470WT Things
    have been extra busy this month.  Isaac has built a wall to divide the
    main floor of my new office, allowing pattern storage to be neatly
    hidden away — and allowing the main work area to be cute-ified. I
    don't know when I'll get around to that cute-ification, but it now has
    the potential, which is a start.

    I have successfully ignored the
    move in order to wrap up some pressing projects.  A serious feat.  It
    looks like I have one more week to go.  Next time I make my way up
    there, I'll snap a photo of the new wall.  It was a lot of work and is
    just about finished.  There is a lot more work to do, but it will have
    to be gradual. With Nicey Jane new on the market and several new
    patterns popping, we're extra busy behind the scenes.

    Box470

    On a
    personal note, I purchased some cool, mid-century modern chairs today. 
    They need refinishing and new upholstery, but I can do that.  If it
    weren't for birthday dinner & birthday baking, I'd be out sanding
    them this evening.  Perhaps tomorrow.

    OpenBox470My camera is back too,
    which means more blogging. I can't seem to get comfortable posting
    without including photos. Case in point, the photos in this post. They
    don't relate to what I'm saying at all, but isn't this a fun vintage
    box? I gave it to Lindsay for Christmas, along with some other fun bits
    & baubs.  It's probably a stationery box from the 60s or 70s.  All
    it needed was a good cleaning and a refreshed interior. I used one of
    Amy Butler's scrapbook papers from a while back.  Don't they say that the best
    presents are those you have a hard time giving away? 
    Something like that. I love funky kitsch like this.

  • Smarty New Year!

    ByHeather Bailey

    SmartyShot

    I'm moving my business
    into a new office/warehouse space. We have a few walls to build and a
    couple of rooms to paint, then the big haul begins. The plump, juicy
    cherry-on-top is that my craft-night fantasy may soon become reality —
    regular thread-covered, music-filled, sugar-enhanced soirees.
    And with the larger studio space, we may be able to convince my
    fabulous mother to teach sewing lessons in the evening. The Phoenix
    area needs more craft socials, if you ask me. (I'm not opening a retail store, just expanding my space.)

    CuttoutSmartyIt
    will take a few weeks to get settled and adapt to the new digs. Let me
    know if you're in the area &/or know anyone who may be interested
    in 'knowing their sewing.' I'll start buttering-up my mom. She's an
    amazing teacher, and she knows her stuff.

    I'm working on a new, free tutorial to post online as well. And
    there is another new mini pattern on the way, and four new premium
    patterns, and several secret projects — busy, busy new year. What are
    your new projects/goals for the new year? I wish I could commit to the
    traditional goal of increased exercise and vegetable intake, but I'm in
    no position to take that on this month. Maybe next month.

    Also!  I need the winners from last month's giveaway to email me their contact info so I can hand out prizes: Heather@HELLOmynameisHeather.com.

  • Happy Holidays!

    ByHeather Bailey

    I
    had a great Christmas week — plenty of time off, plenty of fun. Next
    week I'm wrapping up several business projects and doing some winter
    cleaning at home. I should be ready for the new year around January
    3rd, which is far better than my normal acceptance of the new year in
    February or March.

    Doesn't this holiday pin make a great bow?  Next year I'll post a tutorial & put together some kits or something.

    HollyTag470
    While it's still holiday season, it's time to announce giveaway winners from the Meet Nicey Jane post a couple of weeks ago — $100 in gift certificates to the Heather Bailey Store. (Read the comments when you need a spot of sunshine. They are like reading a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul.) Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to share your stories, weird information, insights, etc. I enjoyed every comment!  (Did I mention, you really should read those comments?)

    Here goes:

    One $25 gift certificate goes to… JENNE

        My husband had a terrible work accident close to 3 years ago. He has yet to
    return to work, but did have his last hip surgery this past Spring. A friend
    at church noticed our bald tires. This past Sunday we left church to find
    new tires–and a repaired tie-rod–on our van.     They had sneaked the keys out
    of my purse, sneaked the car away to the shop and returned it to the spot
    right beside our original one. We didn't notice until they all stood around
    giggling as we packed the kids in the car. A whole group of lovely friends
    was involved, and none of them has much more to spare than ourselves. I
    bawled with joy over how loved I felt. They were just delighted they
    surprised us so.
        Posted by: Jenne | December 08, 2009 at 11:06 PM

    Another $25 gift certificate goes to… MELISSA

        You did say you wanted weird, right? I was at Swiss Days (a huge outdoor
    craft fair) and my mom and I were sitting at a table eating lunch. It was
    crowded and two men and two women asked if they could sit with us. We
    scooted over to make room, and one of the women remarked to me, "Oh, no. If
    you are sitting by my husband, you better guard your food."     We all laughed
    and continued eating, although the man sitting next to me WAS uncomfortably
    close. Table space was at a premium, and he kept scooting closer to me.
    After each scoot, he would say, "Are you okay?", probably in response to me
    leaning away from him. I finished eating, and laid my fork down, and he
    leaned over and said, "Are you going to eat those cherries?" I glanced at my
    pie plate and said that I was finished. He proceeded to grab a potato chip
    from his plate, reach across and scoop up and eat a cherry from my plate.
    Then another, and another, until even the cherry juice had been scooped and
    gobbled. Just as I was thinking, enough's enough, and we were getting ready
    to go, he leaned across me, looked at my mom and said, "Aren't you going to
    eat your cookie?" We handed it over and scooted away post haste. So bizarre.
    I love Nicey Jane, by the way. Jane would know how to handle some random
    stranger eating food off her plate. Me? Not so much!
        Posted by: Melissa | December 08, 2009 at 05:32 AM

    And a plump ol' $50 gift certificate goes to… ASHLEY

        On Saturday, my Mom gave birth to my first little sister! Her name is
    Hadley. She is such a sweetie. 🙂 After 16 years and four sons after me, Mom
    is sure excited!
        Posted by: Ashley | December 09, 2009 at 09:07 AM 

    Now
    Ashley can go to town spoiling her new baby sister with handmade
    clothes, toys, blankets and more. In fact, Ashley's mom commented on Meet Nicey Jane later on, revealing that 16-year-old Ashley was in the other room sewing a baby blanket when her sister was born:

        One of the kindest things someone has done for me lately happened last
    Saturday about 4 a.m.     I was in labor with my sixth child (only our second
    girl) when I thought I heard the whir-whir-whir of the sewing machine.     I
    asked my husband what my daughter (our oldest, 16) was doing and he said,
    "sewing a blanket for the baby". Of course she was! That's just how she is.
    Thoughtful and crafty! Our baby girl was welcomed into the world with a
    beautiful new blanket and lots of love from her sister and brothers. My
    daughter loves your blog by the way!
        Posted by: Angela | December 10, 2009 at 05:44 PM

    Merry
    Christmas & Happy New Year's Week, everyone! Thank you for being a
    part of my life this year.  I love reading your comments and
    interacting with you all in this virtual world of blogging.

  • Smatterday

    ByHeather Bailey

    NiceyJane

    I've
    had the best couple of days.  I got a ton done, which has made it more
    fun to have fun, if you know what I mean.  Of course, my list of to-dos
    is still longer than my leg, but such is life.

    SwirlW I purchased a little table at Goodwill
    two weeks ago, but forgot to go pick it up.  Today, I'm going to go see
    if it's still waiting for me — and if there's any other junk I must
    have on half-price day.  Perhaps I'll put on some make up & have my
    kids lose the pajamas.  Perhaps not.  I love you, Saturday.

    The blanket bling above is from Jamie of Sweet Baby Jamie.  To help me feather my booth at Quilt Market, Jamie made several Nicey Jane
    quilts from my sample yardage.  I'm amazed by her free-motion quilting
    skills.  I don't know how she does it so evenly, without getting stuck
    in a corner as she meanders.  Wow.

    ChurchFlowerCropT Jamie patiently kept these blankets under wraps till Nicey Jane's public debut last week. Now they are all available at her Etsy store. She has a design-your-own-Nicey-Jane-quilt listing too, and her pricing is a little ridiculous, if you ask me — ridiculously low. 

    Well,
    Happy Saturday.  Treat yourself to something fun — a new scarf, a
    candybar, a random, weird find from the thrift store, some time to
    read, a quilt from Jamie.  I might hunt down a new pair of flip-flops. 
    My last pair broke yesterday and I'm not willing to switch to winter
    shoes.

    Basket

  • |

    Holly Day Girls

    ByHeather Bailey

    I have a new 'job' at my church.  I've been asked to teach the
    10-12-year-old girls crafting skills, and to organize service projects
    with them.  Sure! I can do that.  Today is our first activity.  We're
    making holly pins from yo-yos & felt.

    HollyPin470
    Over
    the next few meet-ups, I'm going to help the girls put together their
    own sewing kits, teach them to crochet, develop babysitting kits, learn
    emergency skills etc.  I want to find a senior center we can visit as
    well. 

    They're the sweetest group of girls.  It should be big, big fun.

  • Meet Nicey Jane

    ByHeather Bailey

    NiceyLogoGraphic

    She's gussied up and ready for her big debut. Meet Nicey Janeâ„¢, my
    new fabric collection for Free Spirit. Nicey is sassy, sweet, and ready
    to sew.  In other words, check your local fabric store, as Nicey Jane
    arrived this week. 

    These new prints are available in two color palettes. We'll call the pink/olive/tangerine palette Kissing Booth and the blue/gray/gold palette Porch Swing. Along with florals, geometrics, and stripes, there are also a handful of Nicey Jane cotton solids — which are batting their threads at me now, calling, "Sew with me, Heather. Forget that computer and run away with me."

    NiceyJaneLaundry

    In a couple of weeks, there will also be eight 58" wide laminated
    cottons (similar to oil cloth, but light-weight and super-duper supple
    — must touch).  I'm excited that the finish is light-weight enough to
    be gathered.  Once I finish up my stationery design work this month,
    I'm going to sew up a Smarty Girl book bag with the laminated cotton and give a full report.  I also have some raincoat plans and a kid's booster seat to make.

    NiceyJaneBasketW (I never did show off my birthday bicycle,
    did I?  Nicey is doing the job for me now.  Yep, that's my
    pinkity-pink-ol bike there.  I never would have guessed I'd go for a
    pink bike.  Would have guessed orange.  Or khaki.  Or bright yellow.  I
    love it though.  Wait till you see the bicycle saddlebags I'm planning
    to make out of this print — but in laminate.  Oh yah.)

    Back to the fabric, shall we?

    The collection tells the story of small-town girl, Nicey Jane. Nicey
    heads to the city on Friday nights to swing dance with her beau — but
    not before hanging the laundry to dry & enjoying an afternoon
    picnic on the farm.  The prints are named for Nicey's story: Hello
    Roses, Hop Dot, Swing Toss, Wash-Day Ticking, Welcome Road, Picnic
    Bouquet, Slim Dandy, Dream Dot, Church Flowers, Pocketbook, and Lindy
    Leaf.

    (The Lindy Hop is my mom's favorite dance.  She tried to teach me some moves on the family room rug when I was little.  Tried.  The Lindy is dang-tricky.)

    NiceyJaneBike

    Now for dessert, a little Nicey Jane video.  Be patient with the resolution;  I uploaded this piece to YouTube instead of hosting it on my own site so it can be shared, embedded in other blogs, watched a gazillion times, etc.  I have Isaac to thank for the wink — you'll see.

    For second dessert (what would a Hobbit
    call a second dessert?), I believe I'm in the mood for a celebratory
    giveaway.  New fabric has arrrived — and it's Christmas time — a dangerous combination.  So, three prizes!  One $50 gift certificate  and two $25 gift certificates to The Heather Bailey Store. 
    To enter, leave a comment. Tell us something fun, or interesting, or weird, or clever, or
    something kind someone has done for you.  Something like that.  I do read all of the
    comments.  I'll go first (see comments).

    Happy holidays, my friends.  I'm off to stir some hot cocoa with a
    candy cane and find myself a pair of slippers.  It's cold outside.