Book Winner AND a Very Special Offer!!

Thanks to all of you who posted a comment to the blog. I so enjoyed reading each and every one! Thanks for the lovely words about my home and work. It made my day!

To answer just a few of the questions that were asked:
The white china cabinet really isn't one at all, it is actually a bookcase that is bought by the piece at Ethan Allen. I wanted something that looked more like a built-in cabinet that was more shallow than a regular china cabinet, plus I wanted to feel like I could add books and other items to it without it looking weird. It still has glass shelves and lighting, so it is especially pretty at night.

The Halloween spider dress is indeed the Betty June, just dressed up for the occasion! I wore a buckram slip underneath to give it a bit of extra pouf. It was great fun to wear and I am glad that so many of you liked it. It just shows you how adaptable the patterns are....don't be afraid to extend the limits of your imagination!!

And now for the book winner.....according to random.org, #151 is the winner! Congratulations!!

All Things Beautiful said...

I enjoyed your post with all the pictures. I would love to win your book.

January 9, 2012 12:20 PM

 Please contact me with your mailing address and I will get your book right out the door!

SPECIAL OFFER
 THROUGH JANUARY 13TH AT 11:59CST!!
Are you bummed that you were not the winner? Please accept our special offer on
Sew Serendipity Bags
of 10% additional off the $27.99 price, making it only $25.20....
and that's for an autographed copy!
IN ORDER TO GET THIS SPECIAL OFFER, PLEASE TYPE SPECIAL10
IN THE MEMO BOX WHEN PLACING YOUR ORDER.
We will calculate the discount and send you an updated order status (or PayPal refund). You will not see the discount in your cart at time of checkout.
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New Year, Fresh Start, and a Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED!

Hey Everyone!

It has been exactly 3 months to the day that I have posted here at the blog. I am sorry for my absence. I really didn't mean to be away for so long! It has been eventful around here, to say the least. Since the last time I have written, another market has come and gone, as well as the whole holiday season.
I can't believe that it is 2012 already...where did 2011 go? It is also hard to believe that this is the start of our 11th year with Serendipity. I feel so grateful for all the blessings in my life, especially for the opportunity to do something I dearly love for a living...I highly recommend it!

2011 brought many changes here at Casa de Whitt...we did some work on the house starting in September after we got a new front door put into the house. Of course, that happened during the HOTTEST week of the summer, and if you live anywhere in the southern US, you know how hot it was. Here's a photo of the new front door. It really changes the look of our home and we love it!

Once that work was finished, we had already decided that we would get rid of carpet in most of the house and add hardwood floors. BUT before that could happen, it was best to get walls painted and get rid of some older furniture for a fresh new look in the house. I spent most of the late summer and into the fall designing and writing the fall patterns, looking for new furniture and ordering sewing new pillows and window treatments, and generally overseeing the work on the house. To say that it was hectic is an understatement!

The work finally finished up mid-October and then market was upon us. The new furniture arrived and basically sat in the house without much else being done decoration-wise. For those of you who know me well, this is just the sort of thing that makes me nuts! I just didn't have the time to devote to decorating that I wanted so I put it on hold until we had market behind us. Once November was here, I was able to slow down a little and get everything back in its place. In hindsight, it was the best way to go but in October it seemed like it would never get here. Here are a few shots from market:

The "girls" got a change of clothes for each day of market again!

On Halloween, just two spidery girls!

My interview for Pat Sloan's radio show!

The rest of the year flew in the blink of an eye! Once I thought I was finished decorating, it was time to ramp up the Christmas decorating. I am a Christmas decorating fiend so I have to start before Thanksgiving. 8 trees and various decorations throughout the house makes for a big mess, but it is glorious when finished! I bought an artificial flocked tree this year. I have ALWAYS wanted one...and I love it!

During the Day

During the Evening

We had a restful Christmas with our family and rang in the New Year with cherished friends....now it is time for that FRESH START!!

I will be working on the Spring collection shortly (coming in May) as well as my THIRD BOOK! I know...it sounds hectic, but I think I am ready to take it on and I do love to keep my hands busy. As I get a little further along, I will give you a few hints about the new book...we are hopeful that it will be available by the close of 2012. That seems like a long time from now, but I know the time will fly as it always does.
I am not much for new year resolutions, but I will say that I will try not to be absent from the blog for 3 months again! It seems like when I have a lot to do, the blog is last on the list. It isn't that the writing is a problem, it is getting all the photos ready that seems to drag me down and I talk myself out of posting because I think I don't have enough time. I promise to try and do better this year!

NOW, if you are still with me here, it is time for that giveaway! Sew Serendipity Bags came out in late September so I know a lot of you already have had an opportunity to get a copy, but if you haven't, here's your chance! I will be giving away ONE copy to a lucky winner starting right now and going until 11:59 CST on Monday evening. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 10th. PLEASE leave ONLY ONE comment to enter. That makes it fair for everyone. Thanks so much!

Happy Sewing!!

New Fall Collection: Meet Savannah!

The last new design in the fall collection is the Savannah Swing Jacket. Featured in two lengths (hip or fingertip), this jacket has a slight flare that floats away from the body for great and stylish swing! The sleeves are 3/4-bracelet length with many options for finishing out the cuff. You can choose a contrast turned cuff, ruffle, narrow band, or plain band with an optional button trim. The bodice has variations for double or single pleats as well as a squared or rounded front. The collar has a few options too. You can make it from the same fabric, contrasting fabric, or ruche it for great added textural interest.

For those of you who have been wanting a lined jacket, here it is! I have included full instructions for lining the jacket as well as an option to leave it unlined for those of you who would like a lighter weight jacket or maybe you just aren't ready to tackle the whole "lining thing" just yet!

This jacket is just fabulous made up in lovely textured heavy silk, wool, home decorating weight twill or sateen, and linen. It is best to stay with a heavier weight fabric for the jacket so that it hangs appropriately. This is one of the few times that I would recommend that you NOT use quilting weight cottons. There are so many wonderful heavier fabrics available that I am sure you will find something fabulous to make your jacket from.

You will notice that I also chose to mix it up a bit with my buttons. I have placed covered buttons on several, varying the size based on my whim at the time of making the jacket. Sometimes the buttons match, covered in the same fabric as the jacket, and sometimes they are made from contrasting fabrics. I also found some great accent buttons too, so don't be afraid to mix two different styles of buttons or more on your jacket. Let this design speak for your personal style!

It looks like we will be able to get these patterns listed very soon, so watch for next week when they will be available for purchase!
Happy Sewing!!

New Fall Collection: Fashion Formula Skirts, Volume 2!

The Fashion Formula Skirts booklet that I released last fall was so popular, I decided to see if I could come up with another volume of easy to sew skirts. I had so much fun coming up with new ways to get a cute skirt from just strips and rectangles! If you are familiar with the first booklet, there are NO pattern pieces required as all of the skirt pieces are cut with a rotary cutter, ruler and mat, based on your hip measurements. There are four designs in the new booklet and all of them feature a yoke and the option of an elastic or drawstring waistband.

First up is the Jolie Pouf Skirt. This is a double layer skirt with simple pleating along the lower edge of the overskirt to create the scalloped edge. I love to use high contrast fabrics for this skirt. I think that it would be fabulous in cotton voile. Little covered buttons or fabric flowers at each scallop would be a lovely added touch as well.

Next is the Gabrielle Godet Skirt. This one is made from tapered panels with the insertion triangular godets between along the lower edge. The black version has eyelet fabric for the godets and lower edge ruffle trim. It is fun to mix textures of fabric with this one. I think a beautiful skirt could be made from a lovely heavy silk with lighter silk (maybe dupioni) godets. It would also be great made from linen or a lightweight wool or twill for a wonderful fall look. I also included covered button accents above each godet on one of the skirts just to add a little more detail.

The Corinne Pleated Skirt is made from pre-cut 2 1/2" strips, or you can cut your own. This is a great way to use a pre-cut strip roll, if you have any lying around. You get to enjoy the whole collection of fabric all in one skirt! I have included options for a contrasting hemband, frayed seams for a shabby look, and one skirt that I cut the strips from two fabrics to get a great alternating pattern.

The Adrienne Pieced Skirt is the last in the group. This design uses the technique of paper piecing. Don't be afraid if you have never done this before, as it is a snap to do! I chose a diagonal pattern for my panels so the skirt would have a chevron pattern when sewn together (reminiscent of the Missoni craze going on right now). I just used my extensive stash of black and white fabrics and put a pop of color in each panel as I went along. I love the result! I think it would also be fabulous done in bright colors with a pop of black here and there. This is a fun skirt to make with endless possibilities on the piecing aspect. It is a great way to use up that stash of little scraps you have!

We should have the booklet in stock very soon....will let you know as soon as it arrives!

Happy Sewing!

New Fall Collection: Meet Madeline!

The first of the new fall collection is the Madeline Maxi Dress. I designed this one for myself this summer as I found that most of the maxi dresses were just too crazy and loose for my liking. Once it was designed I just loved the way it came together, so I decided that it had to be a pattern! I love wearing this dress and it never fails that I get compliments everywhere I wear it...you will too!

It is a snap to sew together. The waist is slightly raised to give you the slimmest waistline profile and you have two choices for the skirt length. Several choices are offered for the hemband. This dress zips up the back and if you follow my tutorial for inserting the invisible zipper, you will be feeling like Super Seamtress!! As usual, there are numerous ways for you to mix and match your favorite fabrics to make your own unique creation.

Here is a gallery of the shots taken for the pattern cover. I am doing the full leaflet for the pattern again so you get a lot of different images as inspiration. This design is currently at the printer and should be here within 2 weeks. We will be sure to let you know when it is available for purchase.

Next week....some new skirts!!

Happy Sewing!!

It's Here!

Just wanted to check in really quick and let you all know that the new book, Sew Serendipity Bags just arrived here yesterday. It is up for sale on the website and signed copies are ready to ship! Go here and order yours right now!!

The book is beautiful and completely packed with great designs and techniques. It is the perfect companion to Sew Serendipity and I just couldn't be prouder!

I can't wait for some of you to get some projects made and posted to the Facebook page. It is always so fun to see what all of you come up with. I am so grateful to all of you for purchasing my designs and making them your very own. This book is even dedicated to all of you as a token of my appreciation!

Here are a couple of shots from the new book to whet your appetite:

The Socialite Handbag



The Laptop Messenger Bag

The new book has projects to suit everyone's skill level as they are divided into sections: Simple, Intermediate, and Challenging. I have built in skills and the use of lots of great tools to make your experience an enjoyable and successful one.

I will be introducing the new fall designs in the coming days that will be available starting mid-October, so stay tuned!

Happy Sewing!!

We Have A Winner!

I just entered the numbers on random.org and we have a winner for Nancy's book!

It is #47, Kathryn!

Kathryn says, "My sewing career started as a garment sewer in 4H. I still love it. Nancy is a favorite of mine on PBS." 

Posted August 27, 2011 3:49 PM

Congratulations, Kathryn! Please contact me here and send your mailing address. I just know you are going to love Nancy's book!

Stay tuned! I am putting the finishing touches on the new patterns before they go to print....sneak peek VERY soon!

Happy Sewing, Everyone!