For those of us who celebrate these Holidays (it doesn't matter to what religion we belong), we immerse ourselves in a period of reflection. A period of withdrawal, of contemplation, where we start thinking everything we go through during the year, and what the next one will bring to us. Sometimes we think why "this thing" happened instead of "that one". As always, I think that God is present in every thing that we do, in every decision that we take, and in every situation that is presented us EVERYDAY, either we see it or we don't. What happens is that sometimes we wait for these days to look for Him. We sometimes complaint instead of being grateful. And it happens to all of us.

I want to tell you that I'm grateful for everything that I have and that happen in my life. Grateful of my family, for having the most wonderful husband of the world, for being able to be next to him after 23 years. I'm grateful for having also the best son of the world, honest and with a noble heart, whom although is my only one, I feel he is worth thousands! I'm grateful for having my alive and vivacious mother with 81 years, and to be able to enjoy her, for having a sister as none, for me the greatest! I'm grateful for my work, of being able to work at what I really love, and what is more important, of being able to share it with all of you! Of new friends that I'm able to make in this industry -or, as I like to call it, this family- everyday. That, although often many barriers block my way -like a different language, or not have been born here-, I put my heart and all my love to overcome them.

What also happen to many of us, is that we wait until the last days to do our New Year's resolutions, thinking that we are going to feel more forceful this way. I propose not to wait that much, that the whole year we promise ourselves new challenges, to overcome new goals, in the process of being better. We can always give ourselves a new opportunity, not only the first one. It is always a good day to begin something new, more positive or different. Moreover in these moments of economic anxiety, we always know that everything will be better "one" certain day in the future. And we take refuge and value much more everything that we do "homemade". Homemade, even if it's not that expensive or impressive as store-bought, is more expensive and impressive in the heart of the person who receive it. It's something that it's made with LOVE. 

With these thoughts, I always wonder how many possibilities can have the human being of being better everyday. From Art Gallery Fabrics, I want to wish you always the very best, happiness in your soul and peace in your hearts. Always.

Handmade rocks! So keep on stitching...

Patricia

It is because is "in fashion", or because it's "standard or sell-able", or because I feel that the colors go together??

You guessed it! When I begin to pick colors for a fabric collection, and "I FEEL" that they go together, this feeling is stronger than the thought of pairing them because pure conventionalism, or because they are fashionable. And I say: "I dictate the fashion of my feelings."

But my biggest joy is to be able to share those "feelings" with all of you!! The fact that we can "connect", and you can be inspired by my color choices and designs...

The reception that Botanica had at Quilt Market was incredible! Many quilt and sewing lounge shops have already pre-ordered the whole collection. Some of them ordered in 2 color ways, others in only one. If you need to order some prints that your local shop does not carry, you will find a new shop on-line link, -on the left sidebar- where it will take you to a list of on-line stores where you can order once they arrive.

I have many projects in mind for this collection, (one of them  ptsss ..., do not say this to anybody) several quilts in magazines for next year ... and some patterns projects that I will tell you later on another post.

Here I want to give you a "preview" of the swatches...The collection will start shipping in January, just perfect to begin thinking about projects for the spring!

Meanwhile I was writing this post, my Sheebo was enjoying a placid sleepy time by my side. He is already 13 years old, and ultimately he sleeps a lot...

My French Riviera Collection

The colors are beautiful and -kind of new- for babies and what to say about the fabrics' styles! Designers as Joel Dewberry, Heather Bailey, Amy Butler and, me!, make these bedding sets to show super modern and stylized.

Heather Baileys' Pop Garden Collection

Stylish hooded towels, t-shirts, blankets, wet sacks, and an endless number of new products (everything custom-made), that captivate the imagination of posh moms.

Here I show you some photos about how she shows on line the samples of fabric arranged by collection, for each bedding set that you can buy.

Jonna's custom-made t-shirts

I love this custom-made movement -"on demand"-, and I am seeing it more and more on the sewing market. "Hip designers" for "hip moms!"

Kudos for Jonna!!

Can anyone tell me more about this trend?

Handmade rocks!  So, keep on stitching...

And I really like that! It's true that time brings changes, and as a result there's a change in fashion but, how nice is to renew ourselves! What do you think about babies wearing these colors: chocolate, turquoise, coral and other colors earlier thought-out?

To make a booth looks its best is not an easy task. We always want it to look like a boutique (although the show is only for 3 days) so shop owners can see all the pretty things that we have to offer, and they can show them to you later on at the quilt store.

Some of our new samples

My husband Walter helping costumers choose some fabrics...

I felt happy to return after so many days because I missed my son sooooo much (yes, I know, I still feel like a "mother hen", even Alex is 19 now), and my dog who is my adoration also.

I am here with some of my quilt samples

This is a new top made by Indigo Junction... I love this pattern!

We returned driving and it took us 22 hours to get to Miami. We came back tired but happy. It was great! Shop owners loved the new collections and they were saying that they could not wait to having them at the stores.