National Book Lovers Day and Giveaway!

Today is National Book Lovers Day and I am very excited to be sharing my first and favorite books with you as part of Moda's FUN Book Club Day!

So we are to share our First book we ever bought and our most favorite book at the moment. So here it goes...

My FIRST book {at least I think it was my first book} that I ever purchased was Savannah by Cabbage Rose. The book was published in 2002 and ironically, that was the same year that I started working for Moda Fabrics and United Notions as their web developer.

I still have this and really love all the quilt designs in the book. I even made one of the quilts in the book for a friends little girls room. I wish I had a picture to show, but apparently I didn't take many pictures in 2003.

Little did I know back then that I too would be an author of my own books. Which brings me to my current Favorite Book... Sew Modern Baby.

Is one allowed to be this excited about a book??? I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this book... it is fun, modern, and the projects don't stop with the baby! There are several quilt designs, totes and accessories that can be enjoyed by.. well... pretty much anyone!

For a sneak peek of the projects that are in my new book, click here.

There are so many great books, old and new, out on the market that you will have a hard time deciding which book to buy next! Be sure to check out the Moda Cutting Table blog to find out all the other First and Favorite books that available. This is a new kind of book club and it is FUN! PLUS... you don't want to miss out on the giveaway for 6 books to add to your own collection on Moda's Book Club Day here... http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-lovers-day-hooray.html

My thread of Choice...

I have had friends ask... Does it really matter what kind of thread I use? 

My answer to them... do you want your project to last?

Using a high quality thread will help your projects stay together for years on end. My mom taught me really young that if I wanted my project to last, then to use a high quality thread. They may be a little more than the run of the mill cheap threads, but in the long run, it pays for itself. The saying is so true... You get for what you pay for.

This lesson my mom taught me really stuck with me when I was on the search for a good high quality thread that I could use in all my projects, from machine sewing to needlework. That is when I learned about Aurifil Threads. Aurifil has a wide range of colors, thread weights and fibers types. You should really check out this awesome video done by Mark Lipinski on Aurifil Threads.


Plus it's Italian.. and everyone knows, Italians know all about producing quality products!  ;0)

So, when I decided to seek out an opportunity to have a thread collection to match my Flats fabric collection by Moda, Aurifil was obviously my thread of choice!

 

 I was so excited to meet with Alex, aka: Brand Jedi at Aurifil, to discuss my first thread collection, Flats. 

 

 Flats Thread Collection by Aurifil comes in two different weights... 50 wt for machine stitching and 12 wt for hand stitching. The threads are 100% Aurifil cotton mako and there are 12 colors in each box of threads.

 The colors are the same in both collections... There are dark browns, tan, black, naturals and yellow for the body and hair colors. And then red, orange, green, blue, and grey to match all the clothing colors from the Flats fabric collection.

You can visit the following sites for more information about the Aurifil Flats thread collection and my Flats fabric collection with Moda Fabrics... 

My website... http://www.angelayosten.com/#!flats/c1cmf

Aurifil's website... http://www.aurifil.com/SiteAurifil/ANGELA.html

Moda's website... http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/angela-yosten!OpenPage

The Flats thread collections and fabric collection are available now at a quilt shop near you and online.

Baseball Coach Bouquet and Buckets

Our Baseball Season has officially come to an end. I have to admit... I love being a Baseball mom. The energy and excitement at the games is awesome!  Our little 6U team finished 3rd in our Regional State Tournament which was really cool and a lot of fun. GO TEAM!!!


Anyway... to say THANKS to our head coach and base coaches, the team moms decided to go in on a special gift for each of them. One that they would never forget and personalized by each of the players on the team.

OUR HEAD BASEBALL COACH is a girl and she was great! So I put together this Baseball Bouquet for all the boys to present to her filled with flowers, a signed baseball bat from all the players and candy.

Plus a personalized letter that all the boys signed that read...

Supplies needed for Baseball Bouquet:

Wooden Bat (as the center piece of the bouquet and players to sign)
Candy - Big League Chew Gum, Snickers, M&Ms, Whoppers, Twix, Gummy Bears, Jolly Ranchers, Baby Ruth, Rieces Pieces.
Tissue Paper (to wrap the bouquet)
Fresh Flowers (to add to the bouquet)
Black Sharpies (for signing the bat)
Kabob Skewers (to attach candy to the ends to add to bouquet)
Tape (to attach the candy to the skewers and to help hold the tissue together at the base of the bat)
Ribbon (to finish off the bouquet)

Thank You Letter as shown above (we had the boys sign the letter/card as well)


FOR OUR BASE COACHES I filled a galvanized bucket up with sunflower seeds and topped it with our mascot a Baby Ruth candy bar and a signed baseball from all the players.

The thank you card on the buckets read...

Supplies needed for Baseball Buckets:

Baseball (for players to sign)
Black Sharpies (for signing the ball)
Galvanized Tin Bucket
Baby Ruth Candy Bar
Sunflower Seeds or Peanuts (with Shells)
Toy Mascot
Thank You Card as shown above.


Super easy and the coaches loved it! The boys had a lot of fun with it too. They all signed the bat and balls after presenting the gifts to their coaches. There may have even been a little bit of baseball chanting to cheer on their head coach for the great season they had.  Great group of boys... ready for next season!

Flats made it to the Magazines!

....a continuation from this post.


So... after the Flats got their new wardrobe, new pets and a new Flat House, they started getting a little more attention.

First, they got to sit right next to Editor, Mary Fons of Fons & Porter's Quilty Magazine in the May/June 2013 issue.

Moda Fabrics Flats ad on page 5 of Fons & Porter's Quilty Magazine - May/June 2013

Then, they made their way into Generation Q Magazine - June/July 2013 Issue.

 

Moda Fabrics Flats ad on back side of the front cover of Generation Q Magazine - June/July 2013

Publisher, Jake Finch, even gave the Flats their own little feature "Cuts" section of the magazine and has a couple of the panels plus a free pattern of the Flats house for sale here.

Editorial "Cuts" Flats feature on page 99 of Generation Q Magazine - June/July 2013

Now, they are off on a little trip, where they are visiting some new friends at American Patchwork and Quilting for a feature in the Fall issue of Quilts and More Magazine.

But, please don't tell them about their recent magazine features... we wouldn't want them to get a big head and think they could take on Hollywood. {*wink*}

Chocolate Day

Now this is one holiday I can get into. Can you believe there is an actual holiday for Chocolate?  Who ever came up with this idea... GENIOUS!

Check out all these yummy chocolate recipes I have found on Pinterest.

Now... what to make first? hmmm....

Sew It All - Episode 512

Last summer, I was so excited to be contacted by Sew It All TV to be a guest on my very own episode with host, Ellen March. {Eeeek!}

Ellen received a copy of my book, Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! and loved it! {YAY!!!} So we decided on a coordinating project that could be demonstrated on the TV Show and published in their Sew It All Magazine.

The Tablet Keeper was born and can be viewed on your local PBS station. Be sure to check out your local channel to see when Sew It All, Episode 512 comes on in your area.

Sew it All also came out with a DVD pack of Season 5 that includes my episode along with many other talented Designers such as, Heather Bailey, Mary Fons, Tara Rex, Rashida Coleman-Hale, Vanessa Wilson, Cheryl Kuczek, Kathy Cano-Murillo, Sue Hausmann, Brini Maxwell, Julie Tierney and Sandra Betzina. Season 5 DVD Series can be purchased here... http://www.shopsewitall.com/product/sew-it-all-season-5-dvd/cds-dvds
 

The full instructions and template of the Tablet Keeper/Case Logic Episode can be found in Volume 6 Issue of Sew It All Magazine.

Don't miss it!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Be Safe and Have Fun!  Happy Independence Day!

New Books from Stash Books and C&T Publishing

I recently received the new Summer/Fall 2013 Catalog from C&T Publishing and am very excited to share my newest book and one that I contributed to... plus a couple others.

Introducing... Sew Modern Baby by Angela Yosten. I think this is probably my most favorite book so far. It was designed with Baby and Mom in mind, but the quilts and other projects can really be enjoyed by everyone because of their modern designs.

This is not your typical baby book yet is packed full of baby necessities, quilts, toys and more!  I wanted the projects in this book to be able to grow with the baby as he/she got older. So you will not find any pastel colors, sail boats or other baby themed objects within this book. What you will find are bold high contrast colors mixed with linen fabrics, owls, pandas, and simple modern designs.

Sew Modern Baby will be in stores September 2013.  Pre-order your book today! 


My book is also right next to a fabulous new book, Modern One-Block Quilts by Natalia Bonner and Kathleen Whiting. Natalia did all the beautiful quilting on my quilts in Sew Modern Baby, so I am thrilled to be next to her in the C&T Publishing catalog. Congrats Natalia and Kathleen on your new book! Modern One-Block Quilts will be in stores in October 2013.

Next up is the Amish Quilts: The Adventure Continues book compiled by Lynn Koolish. Amish Quilts book features 21 Amish-inspired quilt projects, plus a photo gallery with 17 more quilts. I am excited to have 2 new quilt designs featured in the gallery section of this new book. Not to mention being featured among some of the industries top quilt designers such as Roberta Horton, Peggy Martin, Angela Walters, Reynola Pakusich, Cathie Hoover, Monique Dillard, Linda Johansen, and more!This book is also celebrating the 30 year anniversary of C&T Publishing. So, be sure to get your book in October 2013!

Don't forget... my very first published book, Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! by Angela Yosten. This is a great resource for machine applique and reverse applique techniques featuring my take on scrappy applique. Learn how to use your scraps and adapt them into your own scrap applique designs.  The designs in this book are geared for boys (young and old). If you guy likes cars and trains, then he will love these road sign designs to go with all things that move. Available for purchase now!

Just above my book in the C&T Publishing catalog... is Camille Roskelley's newest book, Simply Retro. Love her new book! I have already flagged a quilt in her new book that I want to make using my Flats collection from Moda Fabrics. I am pretty sure they put these books in alphabetical order in the catalog, but I feel pretty lucky to be sharing pages and spreads with some awesome people in our industry.

Lots of fun new books coming this fall... what books will you put on your Santa's Wish List?

Birds of a feather...

Last month, Celina Mancurti and I decided to collaborate together to do a fabric swap and then make something with each others fabrics.

I decided to mix our two collections together to make a 20" square pillow.  I love linen fabrics and Celina's designs are absolutely beautiful!

 
All her fabrics are  hand screen printed with water based inks which makes her fabrics very eco-friendly.

Her fabrics mixed with my new fabric collection, Flats, just seem to work beautifully together.

 

Be sure to check out Celina's facebook page for the project she made using our two collections together.

Thanks Celina and Christabelle... This was fun!

NEW PATTERN: Around The Block Quilt featuring Flats

This new pattern also features my new fabric and thread collections from Moda Fabrics and Aurifil Threads, Flats.

A weave inspired quilt that is Layer Cake and Jelly Roll friendly. Great for picnics or simply cuddling up on the couch.

Be sure to check my website to see where you can purchase my new Flats Patterns coming out this week.  For the latest updates on my pattern releases and when they become available to various locations, follow me on Facebook.

NEW PATTERN: Baby Argyle Quilt featuring Flats

I am very excited to finally be announcing one of my new patterns featuring my new fabric and thread collections from Moda Fabrics and Aurifil Threads, Flats.

I love this quilt... simple and classic. Mix and match the color combination for your own custom quilt. It is so fun and can be displayed in any direction.  Pattern and supplies will make up to two complete quilts. Great for new baby gifts!

Photos taken by J Duarte Photography

Be sure to check my website to see where you can purchase my new Flats Patterns coming out this week.  For the latest updates on my pattern releases and when they become available to various locations, follow me on Facebook.

Also, be sure to check out the video demo I did with Fat Quarter Shop featuring this new pattern...

Flats "How To" Video

The day has finally come when the Flats are here and arriving this week to a store near you {and online}! WOOT WOOT!! So exciting that you will all now be able to enjoy making and creating fun new projects and dolls with my new fabric collection.

Here is another fun video that I did with Fat Quarter Shop on How to make the Flats dolls and clothing featuring my favorite interfacing of choice... ByAnnie's Soft and Stable.


Check it out and then go to your favorite online or local fabric shop and buy some of my new Flats doll/clothing panels and coordinating prints to make your own Flats.

So EXCITING!!!!

An Interview with Fat Quarter Shop

The videos continue with Fat Quarter Shop! Check out my interview and learn more about who I am, what I do, my new collection and more... Two videos to the video, Part 1 and Part 2.





Check out all 6 videos on You Tube.

Hot Seat and Favorite Notions with Fat Quarter Shop

A little over a week ago, I took a little road trip to visit Fat Quarter Shop in their studio and film a few videos with them. We had so much fun and even laughed a bit... okay... so I laughed a lot. I never actually realized how much I laughed until I watched myself in this first video... Hot Seat!



Next, Kimberly, Owner of Fat Quarter Shop, asked me about some of my favorite notions.  These are some of the key supplies that I use for almost every project that I make.


More videos and tutorials to come... be sure to check out Fat Quarter Shop's You Tube Channel for all the fun!

A Tailored Bed Skirt Tutorial

 

 

Adding a simple bed skirt to a bed can really help finish off any bedroom. I love making my own bed skirts for our bedrooms so I can make sure it fits perfectly for the bed I am making it for. I also love being able to pick out my own fabrics to give the room a custom look.

Click here to get my free tutorial to make your own custom bed skirt featured on Janome's website.

Good Morning!!!

Roman just wanted to pop in and say Good Morning! :)

Be sure to check back for new Patterns and Videos on the Flats coming soon!

8 years...

Today, our daughter turns 8 years old... honestly, where does the time go??? In just eight more years she will be driving... or flying as she told her Poppy {aka: my dad}. Poppy, she just might make you stick to your word to paint your airplane pink and hand the keys over to her when she turns 16 and gets her flight license. She has been flying with her Poppy since she was 3 years old and loves it!

She even dressed as a Pilot for career day last week at school.

Happy Birthday to our little sweet pea! You are the strongest little girl I know and one of the sweetest. I am so honored to be your mommy and love being able to watch you grow into a little lady.