Lotta Jansdotter fabrics & summer sewing

Recently the nice people from Windham fabrics sent me a sample charm collection of Lotta Jansdotter's upcoming collection called Bella.  I love Lotta's clean, modern-scandinavian-inspired designs in bright, current colors.

I really have a thing for chartreuse right now, so I love it in this collection. I'm on the hunt to find a cute chartreuse cardigan. I have to laugh though, because growing up in the 80's/early 90's we would make fun of chartreuse. Maybe because it's just a fun word to say. Now I hear 'chartreuse' said in an elegant 'Martha Stewart' voice, and it sounds so much cooler, right?  And instead I make fun of other colors from my past. I'm so fickle.

I going to Quilt Market a week from today. (eek.) That 'eek' is a mixture between total excitement and feeling scared to death.  I decided I need to make a new bag to take and Bella is the perfect base for a charming, modern looking bag.  I'm pulling in some other gray's and chartreuse's from my stash, plus some linen-y fabric for the body of the bag.  I'm going to use Anna's Go Anywhere Bag Pattern and piece the outside pockets using the charm squares. We'll see how it turns out! And if I actually finish it on top of everything else for Market.

If (when!) I finish, I'll share it next week for my inspiring summer-project post as part of Ellison Lane's Summer Sewing Contest!  You can read all of the details here and learn how you could enter to win prizes like a $100 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. And who wouldn't like that?

And finally, if you're looking for a great deal, Quilting in the Rain is offering a 15% discount on your entire order this week with the code FABRICFRENZY. Lots of good Moda and Riley Blake pre-cuts. I'm just saying.