April 10, 2014

Shimmer Shimmer Shimmer


On my first-ever trip to Quilt Market last fall, I developed a complete crush on Jennifer Sampou. Not only was she warm and welcoming to a bewildered newcomer, she has a unique sense of style that looks effortless. Awesome boots, a cowhide bag lined in her own fabric. Mercy. She is that kind of artist-Jedi that makes you feel at ease but inspired at the same time.

So I loved it when she asked if I would make something with her upcoming fabric line, Shimmer.  Of course it's like Jennifer, natural, classy, and, with the iridescent printing, a little different without being weird. It's subtler than your standard metallic fabric. Touchable. I like it. 


I lucked out that Jennifer wanted me to use her snakeskin fabric. I loved the way it looked quilted and I thought, "Shimmer indeed!" I really want this print in every color now.


I made the messenger bag from my book. Jennifer and I each contributed leather scraps for the belt. That was her idea of course! Jedi-level, right? 



You'll be hearing lots of other bloggers tell you about Jennifer's fabric I think, so I won't say much more. If you're inclined to pre-order it you can do so at the Cotton Patch. Definitely stop by Jennifer's blog to get entered to win a fat quarter pack of this fabric before her drawing on the 21st. And visit the other participants in the blog hop too, each one of us has a charm pack to give away!

April 1Robert Kaufman/Jennifer Sampou
April 2Janice Ryan- Better off Thread
April 3Alissa Haight Carlton- Handmade by Alissa
April 4Julie Herman- JayBird Quilts
April 5Natalie Barnes- Beyond the Reef
April 6Stash Books- C&T Publishing
April 7Amanda Jean Nyberg- Crazy Mom Quilts
April 8Lee Heinrich- Freshly Pieced 
April 9Cheryl Arkinson- Naptime Quilter
April 10-Christina Cameli- A Few Scraps
April 11-Elizabeth Hartman- Oh Fransson
April 12-Faith Jones-Fresh Lemon Quilts
April 13-Gemma Jackson- Pretty Bobbins
April 14Katie Blakesley- Swim Bike Quilt
April 15-Amy Smart-Diary of a Quilter
April 16Laura Nownes, Jennifer Rounds, Pati Fried, Darra Williamson- See How We Sew
April 17-Holly DeGroot- Bijou Lovely
April 18-Jennifer Sampou-Wrap Up
April 21-Jennifer Sampou- Announce Winner of Giveaway FQ Pack of entire Shimmer Collection.



So to enter the giveaway for the charm pack, leave me a comment below telling me about something beautiful you've seen recently. Mine: as I type this I'm watching drops of rain sparkle in the cedar tree after a rainstorm. I'll draw a winner at random, after April 14th. Thank you to Jennifer Sampou and Robert Kaufman for the giveaway! 

129 comments:

Anita said...

I saw a beutiful sunrise this morning, the sky was all shades of pink. Together with lots of birds chirping, it was a perfect start of the day!
Thanks for the giveaway!

jrwork said...

My granddaughter Rose. Enough said ;)

Jude said...

we are beginning to have some lovely spring days in idaho! the nasty winter surely makes you appreciate the spring as it pops its head out here and there! thank you for the giveaway!

Gene Black said...

I saw the most excellent woodpecker. I think it was a Downy Woodpecker. The bars of black and white on his back accentuated with that intense pop of vivid red on his head really shimmered in the sunlight.

Neva said...

A "I love you" text to me

Renea said...

Right now I am looking out my window at the sunshine!! We have had such a long, very cold winter here in Iowa that the sunshine has to be the most beautiful thing to look at right now. Thanks for the giveaway.

Elsa said...

Something beautiful ~ it's all around right now ~ beautiful flowers, birds singing, trees leaving out and the air has a lovely quality to it, warm but still a bit cool.
Thanks for the giveaway ~ amazing quilting and lovely bag!

Unknown said...

Nice projects and love the fabric!

Unknown said...

Love the projects and the fabric is beautiful.

Unknown said...

Something beautiful I see now........Cherry Trees in bloom with bees busy about the blossoms..........

Pauline said...

I am seeing a beautiful sunrise as I speak. Fabric looks great as well.

liniecat said...

That bag is delightful and love the minimalist design on the front combined with stunning quilting!
I saw a double rainbow for the first time ever on monday evening up here in Hull, East Yorkshire.....it was stunning!
The sky was heavy with rain and a magnificent bold grey, but then seated in front of the low cloud was a doube rainbow with glistening colours seeming quite low and almost touchable.
I had my grandaughter in my arms and by the time I got back to the door to take a picture, the outer rainbow was already fading out, but it was a magical thing to see : )

Swedish Scrapper said...

I saw a beautiful young magpie yesterday, with shiny greenish black feathers!

Unknown said...

A beautiful sight I have the pleasure of witnessing every day is the little sprouts emerging in the greenhouse. I had a lot of seed catalogs getting dusty this long winter.

Sandy said...

Cute bag! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Unknown said...

Something beautiful right now is the sun. It is finally a nice sunny day after a long cold winter and spring. Thank you for the chance to win. Matsche.christine@yahoo.com.

M.W. said...

I saw the snow that has been on my deck like forever melt today and be gone!!!!
Shawn

Anonymous said...

I saw a Crocus blooming - a beautiful sight after the long winter we have had. Thanks!

Kathleen said...

My senior dog sleeping peacefully on the floor next to my desk. She has a nice cushion to sleep on but always manages to have her head hanging off the edge, silly girl!

Michele T said...

Love that messenger bag and the fabric is pretty, must be just amazing in real life all shimmery rich! A beautiful sight was seeing a big smile on my neigbour's face when I gave her the lap quilt I made for her 80th birthday!

terrieannie said...

One of the most beautiful things I've seen this week is my sister's new cat, Sage. He is just gorgeous!

Marianne said...

Wow, I really like your messenger bag!

Quilting Tangent said...

Signs of spring: pussy willows, crocus, robins, geese and a groundhog. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Joanne said...

When I finally made it in to my sewing room this morning, the sun was shining through the window right on to my sewing machine and the fabrics I had pinned together last night. It was as if the machine was beckoning to turn it on and work. Of course I took a few minutes to sew some seams before heading back to the kitchen to take care of the breakfast dishes and start load of laundry! It seems that winter has dragged on for so long and this morning, the sun was such a beautiful and welcoming sight!

I love the bag!

Marti Taylor said...

The grass! It may be brown and the lawn may be muddy, but I see little bits of green peeking through and no more snow piled higher than a car and it is beautiful and Spring is finally making an entrance!

Carrie P. said...

great bag. I saw a bunch of wild violets along side the road. a pretty blanket of purple. thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I just saw your beautiful quilting with the new shimmer snakeskin fabric and the bag you made also so that's what I saw that was beautiful!!!

Vicki H said...

Our local Botanical garden has a beautiful tulip display of over 56,000 tulips and daffodils.

Kaaren said...

Jennifer is so awesome. I love everything she does. i'm entering as Mrs. Hopeful!

bunbear said...

two nights ago i went outside and the stars were just shining so brightly - absolutely beautiful. please enter me in the drawing!

Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting said...

All the beautiful flowers around here are finally blooming! Spring is here!

Unknown said...

I love this fabric! We had an air show in my area last weekend. I love how beautiful the Blue Angels are when they are performing. Whan an awesome experience!

What Comes Next? said...

great messenger bag - love the addition of the leather strap. On my way to and from work I have a section of street on a hill that is lined with cherry trees. The trees are covered in blossom and were looking gorgeous against the bright blue spring sky we had yesterday.

Donna Baker said...

Wow that bag is FANTASTIC!!

it is Springtime in central TX and that means the highway medians are blanketed in wildflowers including the state flower bluebonnets. All courtesy of Ladybird Johnson's goal to beautify the area.

Samantha said...

All of our snow has melted and I saw the sweetest little purple flowers poking out in someone's yard on my walk to work. Your bag is wonderful.

carla said...

Hi!!! I love your bag!!!! Great idea to mix the snakeskin with leather!!!! I love seeing the grass get a little greener each day!!!!!

Audrey said...

A great messenger bag using Jennifer's line. I really like how your quilting mirrors the applique shapes. Something beautiful I have seen recently, other than your bag, is my amaryllis flowers this morning. Two stalks of four blooms each are fully opened this morning. Gorgeous! I know amaryllis are supposed to bloom mid winter but mine bloom in mid April and mid November. Twice a year more than makes up for the lack of blooms in January. Thanks for offering this giveaway.

RunningHen said...

Love the shimmer, nice bag! Some things beautiful I see currently: our twin flowering cherry trees, blossoms appearing on our apple tree, our newly leafed-out birch tree, and the columbine flower stalks growing taller each day throughout the yard. The blessings of Spring!

Carolyn A said...

I am so glad to have discovered your blog via this blog hop! The Shimmer fabric line is refreshing and I love the organic feel to the colours and patterns. My daughter sent me a photo of the Spring flowers in bloom in Victoria BC (Canada) yesterday - so beautiful !!!!!!

Helen said...

I saw multiple beautiful quilts posted on-line for the Mennonite Annual Relief Sale in Hutchinson, KS. They have a showing and auction that I am looking forward to attending. These ladies do the most beautiful handwork!

Donna W said...

The field across the street from us is starting to green up. It looks so beautiful after a long long winter of snow.

Unknown said...

I'm about to see the most beautiful thing, my new grandson who is being born at this very moment. I'm waiting on the text message to tell me he's here :)
Reading sewing blogs is my only way of staying calm until he arrives :) Thanks!

Brenda said...

My flowers are starting to come up and bloom! The sun is actually shining today. What a beautiful day!

Karen said...

I saw a beautiful pair of mallard ducks that have returned to our neighborhood after the winter. They show up every spring.

JANET said...

The sunset was beautiful last night. It was in the 90's today, so the sunset was red/orange/yellow and wispy.

MoeWest said...

Spring has arrived and my garden has started to grow! Finally the last of the snow melted from my property. I can sit outside and soak up some warm sun again. Goodbye to winter!

Sewgirl said...

There is a beautiful field of California poppies in town, and I love driving by and seeing that sea of orange, against the backdrop of spring green grass.

Katie said...

The Willow tree that is near my work blowing in the breeze welcoming spring after this hard winter.

Fiberquilt said...

The tulip trees( Magnolia) here in British Columbia are bursting into bloom today, matching the lovely cherry blossoms and daffodils.It is eye candy for us visual quilters, who love colour and nature.

Kathy Davis said...

My son came home for spring break. He teaches special needs kids in South Carolina. He is beautiful to me , inside and out.
kdavis1@centurytel.net

mjb said...

It's flowering tree season here in VA - there's beauty all around!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hello from the great state of Michigan. I've seen something extremely beautiful today, which is the temperature above 60 degrees! YAY, hello spring! :)

Karen said...

Here in Maine, Mud Season is definitely here--but today I noticed that some of the deeper puddles are drying up. Spring, DownEast!

Rhonda said...

Here in south central Kentucky the temperature is in the low 70s, the sun is shining, a mild wind, and I can see new life in the holly bush outside my window! Love Spring!!!

Anonymous said...

My sweet puppy asleep at my side as I post this comment. Thanks for the chance to win! VermontPines at aol dot com

Amve_2012 said...

I saw a pair of bluebirds playing in the parking lot as I was leaving work the other day! This made me smile and was a happy way to end a long day!

VickiT said...

While looking out my kitchen window this morning waiting for my breakfast to finish warming I looked toward the brush pile in our yard. I saw movement near the pile and then all of a sudden a bunny popped out. I am happy to see her back again because I love watching her hopping around our yard and it also means she's made a home in that brush pile again this year. Out of that home in about a month, usually around Mother's Day she will appear with all her little babies she has in our yard every year. I really like watching her and the babies because they are so graceful as they hop and are just beautiful.

Diane Beavers said...

After visiting an acquaintance in Palliative care got outside to see a pastel sunset over looking the channel. Sunsets are usually more vibrant on that speck of water. It was so calming.

Jean said...

I saw my first purple miniature iris as I was walking to get the mail this afternoon.

Karen said...

I have been in awe for the past week at all the dogwood trees in my neighborhood. For trees that are relatively boring most of the year, they are stunning while in bloom. I can't get enough of them. Maybe it's OK to be boring for 50 weeks of the year if you can be that stunning for the other two.

Adtski31 said...

I think the trees and flowers in bloom and that spring is finally here is a beautiful thing.

Hayley said...

My daughter pulling herself up to standing for the first time. Is there anything more beautiful than watching your children grow?

Jennie said...

This is my first time here, love your blog. Thanks for the chance to win. I LOVE what you did with your free motion stitching on the messenger bag.

Michele said...

I'd say the something beautiful is the sweet yellow crocus coming up on my front lawn. Not sure when the tulips or oter bulbs will come up, but I'm loving the brave crocus.

lindawwww said...

I saw a double rainbow the other day. It was huge!

Sylvia said...

I have four bluebird eggs in the nest in the backyard. I keep pulling up the picture just so I can smile!

Kathryn said...

I loved seeing a CLEAN basement that my husband worked so hard to do.

Sarah said...

Very nice bag! I love this fabric line. Thanks for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org

OhioLori said...

Besides the beautiful sparkly smile of our Grangirlie who stayed with us all last week...we have Crocus & Snowdrops blooming!! The Daffodils will be popping ope in next few days too!! Spring is Beautiful!!

Havplenty said...

Ahh something beautiful of late. Spring is starting to show its head where I live and there is a pair of cardinal birds that grace the evergreen tree in front of my home practically every day just to give me a glimpse of their beauty.

I love it.

Karrie Phelps said...

We have lots of beautiful humming birds at our feeder right now.

Anonymous said...

I went to the wake of a young person tonight. His friends, teammates and family celebrated his life. He was always smiling and was a kind soul. I was amazed at the joy each person expressed. Beautiful.

Joan H. said...

After a long, very cold winter, I was delighted to see some crocus peeking out of the ground. Maybe spring has finally come!

Diane M said...

Beautiful quilting on your messenger bag. I've been seeing some beautiful sunrises the last few days. Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

My granddaughter taking first place in state gymnastics competition in har age/division.

Unknown said...

Something beautiful...hummingbirds at the feeder on my balcony on b lovely SoCal day.

BKringel said...

My dogwood tree is in blossom as is my cherry tree..... Gorgeous.

Emily C said...

The moon peaking through the clouds, on my way to the store.

Afquilt said...

Colorful birds coming back after a long winter!

Anonymous said...

There is a most beautiful rainbow of roses in my front yard. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

Shar said...

Where we live we don't get ice storms, but this year we got a couple of them. It was very amazing to see how it formed around things. It would collect on my rocks in front of my house and build up in layers. You could see the different layers. As it rain on different days. That was so beautiful.

Gill said...

I love your messenger bag!
Looking out of my window the sun is shining, the trees are green and all my children are at home - what could be better??

Lisa England said...

This is the time of year where there are many trees in bloom. The blossoms don't seem to last long but they sure are gorgeous right now!

Lee said...

I am loving the quilting you did on the messenger bag! Fabulous bag! thank you and have a great weekend!

Wendy said...

when I got home last night two of my bunnies were cuddled up together, that was a beautiful sight

SIMPLESEW said...

Seeing my newborn Granddaughter grow , she is 4 mo and really cooing and talking to us, and smiling and she has the cutest round cheeks.

SusJor said...

I like being clever too!

Mokki said...

I love seeing the tulips bloom at this time of year. They're very beautiful.

DonnaM said...

Beautiful things...all the signs of spring in my yard.

Unknown said...

I went outside the other day to get the mail and saw some beautiful tulips pushing up through the ground and blooming. It seemed like it happened overnight and the yellow was dazzling! Thanks for the giveaway, these are some beautiful fabrics!

tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

giddy99 said...

My "something beautiful" is seeing my home every week after being away for 4 days for work travel. :)

Cecilia said...

I was just looking outside at all of the beautiful flowers and lush green grass in the evening sun. It's beautiful! I love your messenger bag.

Sarah Craig said...

The redbud trees are blooming in Middle Tennessee right now - such a beautiful harbinger of Spring! PS Love the quilting on that messenger bag!!

Margaret said...

We had some thunderstorms last week and I saw a double rainbow. It made me smile. :-)

QuiltinGram said...

Beautiful time of year...watched kids (baby goats) kicking up their heels in pens at local farm!

Unknown said...

I saw another morning and some sunshine sprinkled throughout the day.

GranChris said...

Humming Birds have returned so they are beautiful!

Sharon said...

I saw the most beautiful cactus blooming in full glory.

Bonnie58 said...

Gorgeous fabrics. Thanks so much for sharing. I saw green grass emerging from the snow. Spring is here...

SilverCat said...

The woods in the sunshine out my window this morning, I think spring is finally here!

Kari said...

The moon peeking through the clouds on a chilly spring evening!

babiesdoc said...

Driving home last week the clouds in the sky made a wispy line of Vs

Unknown said...

We've seen our first evening thunder storms with lightning that fills the sky. Sure sign of warm air mixing with cold and that spring is finally coming. After 13 snow days, that was a very welcome sight for this teacher!! :)

Lisa Lisa said...

Something beautiful I'm seeing right now is sunshine, and lots of it, coming through every window this morning! I've been waiting impatiently for spring to really, truly arrive in Oregon, and now it's here....I think! Love the messenger bag, and the Shimmer fabric is pretty awesome!

Anonymous said...

Something beautiful I saw yesterday was the last little pile of snow melt. Also another patch of crocuses popped up behind my garage.

Unknown said...

Wenatchee valley, apple blossoms, columbia river, yakima river, Mt adams, Mt rainier, beautiful falling hills of the palouse. What our family did for a portion of spring break

Deborah said...

Beautiful things everywhere! Loved the early morning light on the tree trunks in the woods the other day!

Jeanne Gwin said...

Shimmer is becoming one of my favorites Thanks

Vicki in MN said...

Something beautiful is the promise of spring-I think our snow is finally all gone! Great bag you made!

Jess Burns said...

My bleeding heart (plant). It's in that perfect just bloomed enough to be gorgeous, but nothing has died yet.

Flicsha said...

Nice bag and interesting fabric to work with.

Carol said...

Loving the shimmer fabrics. Perfect for a quilt I've been planning for my living room.

SIMPLESEW said...

This Quilting on this Purse is beautiful to me..

Ella and Nesta said...

I saw my Mum's tulips and they have the most beautiful shade of colour. Nature is so creative!

Jane said...

The prettiest thing I've seen lately is the combo of redbuds and dogwoods blooming outside my sewing room window. Thanks for the giveaway!

Diane N said...

I love seeing the beautiful spring flowers that are starting to bloom,

carol said...

Sunshine, daffodils, red bud trees, deer, baby girl smiling as she is strolling for her first spring.

carol said...

sunshine, daffodils, red bud trees, deer, robins, baby girl strolling for spring stroll.

Mom C said...

Walked around my yard this afternoon checking out the new daffodils and tulips that are just starting to bloom. So fresh and pretty.

Karrie said...

seeing the thermometer reach 80F today was beautiful. Unfortunately it's supposed to snow this week. ugh, Michigan. Thanks for the chance to win! ksmith8@emich.edu

nicolesender said...

I've seen pictures of my precious new grandson!

Unknown said...

Spring flowers popping up. Thanks for sharing your project, I love it!

Unknown said...

The hedge at the side of the drive is covered in vinca major, a little blue flower that looks gorgeous amongst the spring greenery :)

Jilly

Annmarie said...

We had a surprise when we got up this morning. - 5 inches of fresh snow!! April 14 - yikes. BUT - it is BEAUTIFUL! Sticking to the trees & everything else. A sight to behold.

Anonymous said...

Hi Christina, it is a beautiful sunlit day here in Montana and we are just beginning to see an ocassional wild purple crocus appear>so pretty!
Thanks for a neat giveaway!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Chris said...

Great bag! Recentlly, I saw a nest of baby starlings. So sweet!

Jacklynn Grimm said...

My cousin sent me a picture of the crocuses blooming in her yard - I love the deep purple and I have no yard at my apartment, so I have to live through her! Thanks for the give away!

Deb said...

I saw aerial photo of Niagara Falls on the net recently that was so beautiful and inspiring....