UPDATES!
(because I'm too tired to come up with a more clever title)

Jon's been traveling quite a bit lately for business. He spent all last week in Florida and is back there this week... well at least someone in this family gets to enjoy decent weather! So, as you can imagine it's been crazier than usual around here. You never know what you have until it's gone, right? I've been wearing many hats to say the least, from work-related tasks that he had already taken over and I had almost forgotten how to do, to family stuff. Case in point, Jon has been handling breakfast around here for as long as I can remember. Now my mornings go a little like this:

Girls: "That's not how daddy does it!"
Me: "Yeah? Well, daddy's not here, so DEAL!" (haha, not really, but sometimes that's what I wish I could say!) ;)

But life must go on, as they say, and we are having one of our busiest times yet. Jon reminded me this morning on the phone that I hadn't blogged in over 2 weeks. There's so much to talk about I feel like I need to break this up into topics, so here ya go:

FABRIC

I received strike-offs for my new line yesterday. This is the one that debuts in May at the Spring Quilt Market. Everything looked great! Either I'm getting better or our mill is getting better (or both) but I am just thrilled with how smoothly this process is going now, not like all the hiccups I encountered the first couple times. And, is it me or are things moving a lot faster these days? I remember waiting impatiently for what seemed like forever to get these proofs and now they're here before I know it. hmmmm...

Anyway, I'm not quite ready to show the collection yet because it seems like Flora & Fauna just hit stores the other day and I really want to let it shine in the spotlight a little bit longer before I divert everyone's attention to the new stuff. But let me tell ya, though, I am really mixing it up this time... totally different style! Love it!

OKAY, OKAY, you twisted my arm... but just a little sneak (the type that makes you wanna pull your hair out cause you can almost see something)

playdate-strikeofs-1

playdate-strikeofs-2

playdate-strikeofs-3

This collection comes with a surprise print too, not shown above. This one is so special to me that it deserves it's own posting. You'll see what I mean. ;)

Oh, and I think it's finally safe to announce that this Quilt Market I will be showing my fabric designs in 3 different substrates:
quilting cottons
100% cotton interlock (knits!)
cotton laminates (oilcloth!)

I'm having such a great time coming up with projects for all 3 fabric types and even dreaming up ideas to mix & match between them. :)

PATTERNS

We will have 4 new patterns debuting this Spring as well. Just like with the fabric, I don't want to reveal anything yet because the last set just launched barely a month ago, so let's not steal the spotlight. But I can tell you this much: there will be something for kids, something for women and something for dolls. Is that enough of a teaser for ya? ;)

Oh, and speaking of patterns, our beloved KYOKO is finally SOLD OUT! Yep, we underestimated the demand for it once the Mini-Kyoko pattern came out and didn't re-print with the last run. We are not scheduled to print again until early May so it'll be back-ordered for a few months. Sorry! But if you are looking for Kyoko, I invite you to check our extensive list of retailers at the bottom of this page. Retailers: if you've run out of Kyoko and need to re-order, don't fret. We have several US and International distributors that still have Kyoko in stock... email me for a list.

European retailers, we have a new distributor in the Netherlands that services all of Europe, so if you want to avoid those high overseas shipping charges, you may want to check them out. They are fully stocked at the moment... yes, even Kyoko! :) Email me at info@modkidboutique.com for their contact info.

MY MOM
Hey, look mom, you have your own topic! ;)

My mom, a.k.a. Marieliz Creations on Etsy, has finally joined Valerie in the ranks of "licensed sewing pattern designer" for MODKID, LLC. She has already submitted her first pattern design to us and it has been put into production. Can't wait for you all to see. Between the 3 of us we should be able to crank out a wide array of pattern styles and diversify a bit more than we did last year. And, just like with the patterns Valerie designed for us, all patterns will come with the signature MODKID look & feel that you are so accustomed to.

Speaking of my mom, she has also been busy filling up her Etsy store with all kinds of goodies. Check out these apron/oven mitt/towel sets she has up right now. How fun!!

Marieliz-Apron-sets


TALKING AND WRITING
Seems like that's all I do these days... write and talk, talk and write (oh and I eat too!)

May will be such an exciting month for us! Not only do we have Quilt Market to look forward to, but also I will be featured in two great industry publications. Where Women Create and American Quilt Retailer will both have articles about yours truly in their May, 2010 issues so go check them out.

Also, a reminder for all you local folks that I will be speaking next week in Peoria. Michael Miller has graciously donated some amazing gift packages, so some of you will walk away with a great freebie! Here's the info:

“My Journey as a Fabric and Pattern Designer”
by Patty Young
March 3, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Gems of the Prairie Quilters
5614 N. University St., Peoria, IL

GIVEAWAY
Here it is...

If you've read this far, I commend you... and reward you... with your chance to win some yummy fabric. Tell me what your favorite colorway is in Flora & Fauna (or your favorite design) and I will pick a winner to take home a 5-piece 1/2yard bundle of your favorite! GO!

I will pick a winner randomly a week from today.


******
Oh, one more thing... Jon and I will be celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss this weekend so we are going away to a spa retreat where I plan to do as little techie stuff as I physically can (you know it's an addiction, right?) Jon asked where I wanted to go for our anniversary and I said I wasn't interested in sightseeing, shopping (gasp!) or anything complicated. I just wanted to enjoy his company and relax, relax, relax.

So, if you think I've fallen off the social networking world in the next few days, I haven't... I'm just bathing in mud with two cucumbers on my eyelids and a Mojito in my hand!
******
Just Dance Da Da Doo Doo Mmmm

I got a little bit of "me time" this past Sunday while Jon, Sophie and Sydney attended our annual Daddy-Daughter Dance. Jon didn't even freak out when I told him the dance ended half-hour past the start of the Super Bowl. If the Vikings had been playing, that would've been a whole other story! Although he did seem quite put out by the fact that someone walked out with his brand new Calvin Klein topcoat (definitely his most expensive piece of clothing!) Having faith in the goodness of people, we all believed it was an honest mistake so Jon left his contact info at the front desk, but it has now been 4 days and no one has turned it in. :(

d-d-dance1

Anyway, the girls had a blast. I'd like to say I used that "me time" wisely but, after a 2-hour prep time (I have no idea why it took so long), pictures and kissing them all goodbye, I collapsed on the couch and just slept. I guess I must've needed the rest. It has been kinda hectic lately.

d-d-dance2

We don't have any photos from the dance itself because I forgot to charge our point & shoot camera and Jon didn't want to take the SLR, so this is all we have...

d-d-dance3

Oh, one interesting tidbit: Sydney wore a "vintage MODKID," meaning that this was the very first dress that carried a real MODKID label versus just fun stuff we made for them as babies. This dress was the first item I ever listed on eBay when I joined the children's boutique community way back when. It was listed as a "custom" which meant the winner of the auction actually received a new dress custom-made to their child's measurements. That's why we still have this one.

I can't believe it fits her so well now. She was just a baby back then!

Even back then I was a Michael Miller fan. Cool, eh? :)


(And to the douche-bag who took Jon's coat: it may have been a mistake at the time, but surely you must've figured out you're not wearing your own coat by now! Do the right thing, man!)
A brisk and lively tempo

That's what "Allegro" means... and that's my poor attempt at having an interesting blog post title. Oh well! I'm still buried in work here (in other words, there's a brisk and lively tempo in the studio) and in addition to that I'll be attending a couple of local events in the next few weeks which I'll detail at the bottom of this post in case you're in the area and want to stop by.

But while I'm here I wanted to wish one of our awesome retailers, Allegro Fabrics, a VERY HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY. They have been a great supporter of me pretty much since I started and currently carry a wide selection of my fabric designs and sewing patterns. And I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen for their very first Designer Interview. Go check it out... they are having tons of sales this week!!!


If you live in Central Illinois or will be visiting in February & March, here are a couple of events I will be attending:

The Central Illinois Textiles Show
Sunday, Feb. 7 and Monday Feb. 8, 2010
Eastland Suites Center in Bloomington, IL
(Valerie and I will be there on Sunday morning)


“My Journey as a Fabric and Pattern Designer”
by Patty Young
March 3, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
Gems of the Prairie Quilters
5614 N. University St., Peoria, IL

Oh, and hey, there's still time to enter to win that sweet Flora &Fauna bundle over at TRUE UP. The contest ends tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 5th. Thank you all for the amazing comments over there... you all make me blush! :)

Now, back to whistling while I work...
Want fabric?

You guys all know how much I love to blog... I'm a social media junkie! So you know if I stay away from here & twitter for too long there must be some juicy stuff cooking up at the studio. Oh I have so many things to share with you in the coming weeks... new fabric, new patterns, new "secret stuff". I'm even stirring up a fun giveaway and a free tutorial into the mix, mmmm... smells great! So please keep checking for a taste of things to come.

In the meantime, you must check out this interview I did at the True Up virtual offices. Those girls were so warm & welcoming that I felt comfortable enough to share my design process with them... ohhh... some real behind the scenes stuff in there, don't miss it! (Plus, of course I am giving away some fabric there too!)

Proudly designed by | mlekoshi Playground |