Old Red Barn Co.

Foxglove love

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:05:00 +0000

From today's posey patrol.

-dana

Flood Gates

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:05:00 +0000

-dana

Things I never thought about mothering

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

When my girls were younger I never imagined some of the conversations we would have as they got older. Never in a million years did I think that having a lesson on how to actually throw trash INTO a trash can would occur. Or that I'd have to referee arguments over whose turn it is to sit in the front seat.

I have a brother. And when I squint my eyes and hunch up my shoulders and really try to remember when he and I were younger, I guess I should have known.

But dang.

-dana

Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:41:00 +0000

Every morning I leave the house at 7:10am to take the girls to school. I drop them off and go to the gym. If there are errands to run I do it after working out.

And lately, every morning when I get home I let the dogs out, pet the outside cats and walk around my yard admiring all that is blooming.

I realized today how much I look forward to this new ritual.

I also thought of my Mom today. I get this "posey patrol" gene from her. She always likes to walk around her yard, or a friend's yard, or my yard and see what is growing.

I bet she lets out a little giggle when she reads that I'm doing the same thing.

-dana

Today I'm...

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:16:00 +0000

-- Surging ahead this busy month. The end offers a sweet reward.

-- Wondering why my feet don't seem to love Chaco brand shoes like everyone else on the planet, apparently. The straps don't stay where I adjust them. And I don't find them terribly comfortable. I've tried different styles over the years and was hoping my latest ones were the ticket. I'm not so sure.

-- Closing my online quilt shop after May 16, 2013. I just have too many irons in the fire and some things have to give. This is one of them. Use code CLOSE35 to save 35% off any purchase. I have so many quilts that there are probably a half a dozen more that I could/should/would sell but, like I said, something's gotta give.

-dana

Modern Baby eBook Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:51:00 +0000

The winner was selected by random draw and is Jennifer. Congratulations! Contact me and I'll get all your info and get your eBook to you.

And.

Thanks for all the kind words of support and encouragement. From each and every one of you. You've made this week a happy, shiny, bubbly time that I won't soon forget. Quilting is what I do to relax. To be creative. To express myself. And receiving a supportive Internet embrace from each of you is so very validating. You are my peeps. My people. My tribe.

My friends.

Thank you.

-dana

Modern Baby -- Book Tour & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Contest is now closed. Winner to be selected by random draw and announced in next post.

So, back in early 2012 I sent this baby quilt off to Martingale to be included in their new book Modern Baby. And now, finally, in April 2013 the book is published and out in the world.

This book features 14 quilt patterns for fresh, fun, and modern baby quilts. Many are quick to sew and can be completed just in time to take with you to a baby shower.

I'm still pinching myself that one of my quilts was selected for inclusion in the book. I mean, have you seen the names of the other contributors?

Designers include Amy Smart, Audrie Bidwell, Carolyn Friedlander, Carrie Bloomston, Me, Jake Finch, Jen Eskridge, Lindsey Rhodes, Melissa Corry, Pippa Eccles Armbrester, Sarah Flynn, Shea Henderson, and Victoria Findlay Wolfe.

Dude.

I'm giving away one eBook copy of Modern Baby. Leave a comment for your chance to win.

You'll have 13... count them, 13... additional chances to win an eBook copy of Modern Baby. Visit all the contributors' blogs and enter for your chances to win there too.

April 18, Thursday Jenny, StitchThis! http://blog.shopmartingale.com/

April 19, Friday Shea Henderson, http://emptybobbinsewing.com

April 22, Monday Jake Finch, http://generationqmagazine.com/

April 23, Tuesday Audrie Bidwell, http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com/

April 24, Wednesday Carolyn Friedlander, http://carolynfriedlander.com/blog/

April 25, Thursday Melissa Corry, http://happyquiltingmelissa.blogspot.com/

April 26, Friday Jen Eskridge, http://reannalilydesigns.com/blog/

April 29, Monday Sarah Flynn, http://fairyfacedesigns.blogspot.com/

April 30, Tuesday Dana Bolyard, http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/

May 1, Wednesday Amy Smart, http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/

May 2, Thursday Carrie Bloomston, http://suchitysuch.blogspot.com/

May 3, Friday Victoria Findlay Wolfe, http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

May 6, Monday Lindsey Rhodes, http://lrstitched.com/

May 7, Tuesday Pippa Eccles Armbrester, http://www.pippapatchwork.com/blog/

So, leave a comment here for your chance to win. Then go visit all the other blogs listed above for additional chances to win. I'll announce a winner on Friday, May 3, 2013.

-dana

The scrappier the better

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:05:00 +0000

I made this quilt in a flurry of cutting and sewing back in early January due to the #scrappytripalong frenzy over on Instagram.

It might be my most favorite quilt yet.

-dana

Sisters...keeping it real

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:13:00 +0000

Ah. My girls. Sisters. My oldest inducting my youngest into Junior Beta Club. My heart swells.

And then this.

My youngest left this note and pooping penguin in my oldest's bed for her to find.

Just keeping it real.

-dana

Too good not to share

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:28:00 +0000

Some things are just too good not to share. Like. . . I love them so much that I feel compelled to tell every person I know about them. Like . . . if you've been to my house any time during the last week, I've sat you down and showed you this stationary collection. I got them from Terri Wilhelm Designs. I think the little "hello" cards are my favorites.

And this new Block-of-the-Month. Want to do it too? I signed up at Sew Lux Fabric. I've opted for the email pattern subscription and plan on using some coveted fabric from my stash. It would be so fun if you joined too. Wanna? Then we can share our progress each month either on Flickr or on Instagram? If you do, leave me a comment or shoot me an email and then we can decide how we are going to share photos and progress with each other. Plus, maybe you can help me narrow down my fabric choices.

I'm like the annoying sister that is begging you to come play with me. Perhaps take a modicum of solace in the fact that you haven't been to my house in the last week. Cause I would have pestered and pestered you like a long, lost sister you never knew you had. Just sayin.

And finally this pin cushion ring. Dude! It's changed my life. I got mine from An Art Nest on etsy. She sells out fast so just keep a look out. She blogs at Susannah Kate Sews so maybe you can contact her there and ask when she will have more.

You should see the look I got from the grocery clerk when I forgot to take it off and wore it to the store.

-dana

Pit stop

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:58:00 +0000

We made it home last night after spring break in the big city. Just a few miles from home I dialed my mom's number and I told her we arrived safely. I also told her about these little hedgehog fingernail scrubber brushes that we found during a pit stop. She said, "huh?"

They make perfect sense to me.

-dana

Final Barn Bustin' Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It's raining otherwise I'd totally get better shots. Instead I choose to stand at my kitchen window.

Can I get a whoot-whoot??!!?

-dana

Update 1
Update 2

Helping out Adventure Racing Man

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:34:00 +0000

Last weekend the girls and I got a taste of Razor's adventure racing world when we were volunteers in a race he helped organize. The girls were with him from registration Friday evening through the end of the race at 8pm Saturday night. I joined them early Saturday morning and manned the boat take out check point.

We had an absolute blast. The athletes were funny and kind . . . always thanking the volunteers for being there. I don't know if I was racing for 12 straight hours in rough terrain if I'd be cognizant enough to thank the folks manning the checkpoints and signing off on passports.

Wait.
I take that back.
I know I wouldn't be cognizant enough.

Not Razor. Rather, one of the many adventure racers at this years Jackrabbit Adventure Race

Even after boating in freezing water at the break of dawn, trekking for dozens of miles, and biking for dozens and dozens more, they were still full of smiles.

Again, none of these guys is Razor. But the squirrelly one there in bright yellow is our neighbor. This was their first race and they killed it! Way to go Smokey Mountain Multi Sport!

Adventure racing is not a spectator sport so we can count the number of times we've been at a race with Razor on one hand. Being at this one and helping him pull it off was incredible. Our family, working together, doing something that my husband loves. And loving it too.

And loving him even more.

-dana

Huge Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Three lucky winners will receive a Sew South Swag Bag full of amazing sewing products. Each swag bag is valued at over $200!

Want to see what Sew South was all about? Take a look a this video.

To enter to win, simply head to the Sew South site!

Good luck!

On thread

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:04:00 +0000

A few years ago I was in my local quilt store shopping for thread. I had always used a certain brand and had always bought it from her. But on this day the shop owner started talking to me about what makes some thread better. I must have stood there talking to her for over 20 minutes on the virtues of good thread and in those minutes I learned that long cotton fibers make for better, stronger, easier to work with thread.

I bought a spool of Aurifil thread that day and haven't bought another kind since. Those longer cotton fibers make a difference. My thread rarely breaks while sewing. My needle and presser foot don't fill up with lint. And my bobbin case doesn't need cleaning as often. Plus, this thread doesn't get twisted in my machine and hand sewing with it is a dream.

I posted a picture of my newest Aurifil thread over on Instagram on Monday and it generated a bit of conversation. Come to find out I'm not the only devoted user and though I use 50 weight gray and white Aurifil thread exclusively, these variegated threads are making me reconsider that as well.

-dana

Barn Bustin' Update

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I told you how we were bustin' our barn open to make a garage. More progress has been made in that regard since then.

The lighter colored end there is new construction replacing the old double swinging doors that used to fill this space.

Interestingly, this building was never a barn for housing animals. When it was built in the early 1950s, it was the area auto repair place. The auto fix-it shop. We've found stacks of old receipts showing the kind of work that was done here and the staggeringly low prices people were charged. We kind of figure it appropriate to be parking cars in there again.

Now we are just waiting ~~and waiting and waiting~~ for the garage door to arrive and be installed. Then we are thinking we will be able to install the automatic garage door opener ourselves. Think so? Any advice on that?

-dana

Right along side me

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:06:00 +0000

As I was sorting fabric the other day, this one said she felt like sewing. She hasn't said that in a few years so I jumped up from what I was doing, set up a card table nearby, brought out all my 5" fabric squares and let her pick absolutely anything she wanted!

She put her favorites into ten piles of four squares each and got busy sewing them into rows. And pressing. And pinning and sewing them all together. She then asked for batting and backing and set to quilting it herself too.

Once she finishes sewing on the binding she says it will lay across the top of her dresser.

Sewing together + seeing that she must have been watching me all these years = heart bursting with pride.

-dana

It's in their genes. Or how my family took first place in the local sprint triathlon in the team division and second place overall

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:32:00 +0000

Two weekends ago, my 11 and 13 year old daughters and my 41 year old husband competed as a team in a local sprint triathlon.

The 13 year old, Boo, swam the 500 meters. She hopped out of the pool and tagged Razor who then biked the 15 miles.

Once he was done biking he tagged my 11 year old, Licious, who ran the 5K (3.2 miles.) And she nearly caught the overall winner on the run. Whom I might add is a full on triathlon-er.

I waited in the cold morning air with every form of technology hanging from my neck or wrists capturing it all on digital film, video or cell phone. And I was proudly the loudest "whoot-whoot-whooter" there.

-dana

Sew South was . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Trying to recap all that Sew South was is like trying to nail jelly to the wall. Like frantically trying to describe a dream as it floats away like a whisper before all the details are firmly cemented in my brain for an accurate retelling. The words well up in my chest but before they make it to my mouth my body defies me and renders me unable to speak.

From the first tentative glimpses at one another in the hotel lobby to the collective sigh of relief when we made it to We're Sew Creative and knew that we could totally hang with the 49 other fabric crazed ladies, Sew South created a community. Reading name tags hung from lanyards around necks and then putting a face to the name I've known so long online. Clinking glasses at dinner. Plugging in sewing machines and letting the fabric and thread fly. Hearing needles break besides just my own. Standing at the cutting tables. Or the irons. Or around a new friend's station as we talked about anything and everything. And feeling my soul fill up.

I made things. Learned new tricks. And am now finding a home for a truck load of new supplies, fabric, patterns, and finished goods from amazingly generous sponsors (Pellon, Dritz, Oliso, We're Sew Creative, Fabricworm, Ellison Lane Quilts, Westminster, Studio Cherie, While Baby Naps, Art Gallery, Fat Quarter Shop, GenQ, Windham Fabrics, Michael Miller Fabrics, Allison Glass, Brandy Lynn's, Spoonflower, Andover, The Warm Company, Coats & Clark, Aurifil, Downtown Tape, Kati Cupcake, Stash Books, Green Bee Design & Patterns, Oliver & S, Havel's Sewing, Pen and Paint, Moda, Martingale, Rachel Gresham Designs, The Intrepid Thread and Swatch Buddies) and friends.

But it's that feeling of community that I take with me everywhere I go now. It's intangible. Irreplaceable. Indescribable.

And unstoppable.

Sew South rocked it out of the park. Thank you to Jennifer for making it happen and the sponsors that provided supplies to make our workstations so efficient.

And thank you to each and every one of you beautiful souls that attended and shared so freely with me.

-dana

Today I'm...

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:53:00 +0000

-- Typing as a space heater blows on my feet.

-- Scheming because even though my trusty space heater underneath my desk is on right now, the sun is shining, birds are chirping and more green is pushing it's way out of the ground every second.

-- Rubbing a sore spot on my left thumb caused by all the quilt binding I've been doing lately.

-- Wondering what I'll make for dinner later.

-- Thinking about little Joey the stray kitten/cat that has hung out at our house for months and months but won't let us near him. We are making progress. Joey and I. Soon he'll trust me. Until then I will be patient and watch him play with our other cats from my window.

-- Planning a break from this space through next week.

-- Waiting oh so impatiently for Sew South.

-dana

Freight Train

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:08:00 +0000

Over the last few months I've spent less time clicking my fingers on the computer keyboard and more time trying to catch a ride on the freight train that is my oldest daughter's adolescence. Behind closed eyes I see the day she was born, the hours spent rocking and nursing and singing and cooing. The joy and wonder in each new accomplishment and discovery of her toddler ways. I can still feel her at my elbow trying to mirror my every daily task.

And here we are. Interviewing for special programs for her freshman year of high school next year. Hearing family members that haven't seen her in awhile say how grown up she is. Waiting to put the car into drive while she loads all her stuff for her busy days of activities into the back of the car. Wasn't I just buckling her into a car seat?

A special family had a baby two weeks ago and they are knee deep in sleepless nights and the topsy turvy world that a first born baby does to a family. The wonderful. The hazy. The exhausting and hard. The confidence busting . . . and building world of a first born.

I remember being there. With her.

I keep trying to find the conductor of this train and beg him to put the brakes on. She seems to have the direct line to him and keeps texting him to go faster.

Though I no longer hold her like a swaddled football tucked safely in my arms like the new mama we know does, I hold her nonetheless. She is forever tucked there.

-dana

Barn Bustin'

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:10:00 +0000

The barn is being busted.

Open to make a garage.

Stay tuned.

-dana

The way you're supposed to do it

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:40:00 +0000

We were driving the van to a place to sell it for us when the engine died in route. Razor and I could have been annoyed by now having to get the sucker towed but instead we high fived. We always want to drive cars we own until they are no longer drivable.

Mission accomplished.

-dana

Modern Basics II

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Amy Ellis is a personal friend of mine. We started blogging about the same time and chatted back and forth for a few years. I was lucky enough to meet her and share a few meals and laughs with her at Sewing Summit in 2011. She has the kind of personality that makes it easy to be her friend . . . when you talk she listens and has a way of making you feel like what you are saying is supremely important to her. She's awesome.

That being said, I wouldn't sit here and promote her newest book if it wasn't, in my opinion, worth being promoted. I just don't do that. I think I've got some credibility in that department over the course of the six plus years I've been running this gig.

So I hope that when I say I love Modern Basics II that you really know that I. Love. Modern. Basics. II. Amy's first book, Modern Basics I, was good. A best seller in fact. But Modern Basics II kicks it up a notch. I find that I am drawn to every quilt in the book and feel an itch to make each one in fabric that speaks to me. Cover quilt? I'm talking to you!

This quilt is called Star Crossed and it has quickly moved to the top of my "to make" list. As pictured it's got such a 1930s vibe to me. I can't get it out of my brain. One minute I think I want to make it with some coveted 1930s repro fabric. And the next minute I consider making it with neons and black. Then I scratch both those ideas and think that it might be sheer perfection with nothing but reds and whites. Or yellow and gray. I like how it looks like a vintage caned chair seat. Hmmm . . . maybe I should play up that . . .

Anyway.

Be sure to see what other quilters are saying about Modern Basics II by visiting these links below.

Emily Herrick http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/
Amy Newbold http://sukiedontyaknow.com/
Dana Bolyard http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/
Amy Webb http://www.amylouwhosews.com/
Martingale http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
Victoria Findlay Wolfe http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/
Katie Blakesley Www.swimbikequilt.com
Chelsey K www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com
Terri Harlan http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/
Mary Kolb http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/
Pat Sloan http://blog.patsloan.com
Natalia Bonner http://www.pieceandquilt.com/
Candy Glendening http://www.candiedfabrics.com/
Vicki Christensen http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

You can even visit Amy's shop and buy an autographed copy.

But be sure to click HERE and fill out this form for your chance to win your own e-book of Modern Basics II.

-dana

Changing plans and how I don't do so well with that

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:29:00 +0000

Undertaking a big project. That we knew would mean a shift in our day-to-day for awhile. That my mind works on whether my hands are or not. My kids, ages 13 and 11, can do so much for themselves. And do. But I still have that plus this.

Taking on more makes me doubt my ability to mother well. My patience level suffers. And when momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. So my big project affects them negatively.

The alarm clock beeped yesterday morning. I laid in bed thinking of all the to-dos. Planning out my day. As the four of us busied ourselves with getting ready, the telephone answering machine flashed. I pushed play and heard there was a two hour delay to the start of school. Normally we rejoice and fall back into bed. Instead I felt agitated. Mad that another day would pass without me being able to accomplish all that I needed to do. Deep ujjayi breath.

Then I remembered the family with the newest of newborns. Exhausted from the birth. Overcome with emotion for the new baby and the stress that moves in like a tidal wave too. They need the ujjayi breath . . . not me.

I got this.

-dana

P.S. A special thank you to my Aunt Sue for making these wash cloths. They make the constant cooking and cleaning up task of motherhood much more beautiful. Gah. Cook. Clean up. Cook. Clean up. Cook. Clean up . . .