Feb

29

Laurel Burch coloring book

Filed Under Books | 3 Comments

Just got this press release from C&T Publishing, and thought I’d pass it along for those of you who live in northern California. Sounds like a very cool event for fans of the fabulous Laurel Burch.

ct-logoSave the Date – The Art of Laurel Burch Coloring Book Release Party: FREE Event Sponsored by C&T Publishing

laurel-coloring

Join the coloring book craze and experience firsthand the relaxation and creativity it can bring! The long-awaited coloring book by C&T Publishing with original drawings pulled straight from Laurel Burch’s sketchbook is here, and FLAX is hosting a coloring event with a hands-on demo and everything you need to color your own Laurel Burch illustration.

Learn more about Laurel Burch, a local San Francisco artist and get a glimpse into how the artist worked with featured items from her studio. Experience the vivid palette of her paintings by adding your own panache in the posthumously published The Art of Laurel Burch™ Coloring Book. Plus, meet Aarin Burch, Laurel’s daughter, and hear stories about Laurel making jewelry and selling her art on the streets of San Francisco. Giveaways of coloring books, Laurel Burch Studios items, and more!

Event Date: March 26, 2016

Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location: FLAX Fort Mason Center
2 Marina Blvd, Bldg D
San Francisco

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Kays Etsy Shop

Feb

19

Retro Clean has a new look!

Filed Under Product demo | Leave a Comment

At Road to California I saw my vendor buddies Mindy and Larry with the product that they invented, Retro Clean.

Mindy! Larry was out and about.

Mindy! Larry was out and about.

Here are links to a couple of posts I wrote about using Retro Clean and the wonders it did for my auld family linens. I always keep a package on hand.

rooster2

Retro Clean
Green Means Go

At the show, Mindy had her butterfly quilt hung up, it had been a WIP for quite awhile.

butterfly-quilt

Here’s what the top looked like before Retro Clean.

Yeah, just sayin'.

Yeah, just sayin’.

You might be familiar with Retro Clean in the silver package. Mindy told me that the product now comes in a pretty white package, just so you know.

white-package

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Kay’s Etsy Shop

Feb

7

Christmas Sweater finds a home!

Filed Under Holiday, Show & Tell | Leave a Comment

A year ago, I put up a post entitled, “Anybody want this block?”

ugly-xmas

It was my 100 Blocks reject, Ugly Christmas Sweater.

I am so grateful to those of you who stepped up and said you would be willing to give this poor orphan a home. The randomly drawn winner was Beverly Schueneman.

Recently I received the following message from Beverly:

Dear Kay,

I have not forgotten you and your cute sweater block.

I had planned to be finished for Xmas, but I had to have surgery on my right hand on Nov. 9. That was the end of sewing for me. I wore a cast until the day before Xmas eve.

As of today the Christmas quilt has been completely quilted. Each block is one of your creations from your book. I have added buttons and bears, so it is unique. Sort of scrappy. And of course, the sweater block takes up most of the space. You had signed my book, so I copied that and placed it under the quilt.

Well, I just wanted you to know I had not forgotten my promise to turn it into a quilt.

Sincerely,
Beverly Schueneman

bev-mainHere’s Beverly’s creation!

How fun! I see designs from my book A Merry Little Christmas to Appliqué, and I even see a little doggy from another book of mine, Home.

In the Ugly Christmas Sweater tradition, Beverly has added embellishments to enhance each design.

joy

And how very cool that she copied my signature and incorporated it into the quilt! That is just so sweet!

stockings

Thank you, Beverly, for giving this block a lasting life. Glad your hand is better, and may your family enjoy the quilt next Christmas and many more to come.

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Kay’s Etsy Shop

Feb

1

Darcy Ashton for real!

Filed Under Designers, Patterns | 1 Comment

While I was on the road to Road to California, I got an email from my longtime friend, fellow designer and publisher Darcy Ashton. If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know how much I admire Darcy’s designs. In addition, for years and years she has been to me a boon companion, consultant, source of support and freely given information, in short a wonderful mentor.

Now I find out that Darcy will be at the show as well! I’m so surprised and delighted! Darcy hails from Oklahoma and this is her first trip west of the Rockies. She’s with the Anna’s Awesome Appliqué Designs booth. Anna digitizes designs so that you can stitch them in the hoop if you have one of those nifty embroidery machines.

I couldn’t wait to see Darcy in person!

me-n-darcyMe ‘n Darcy.

It was thoroughly wonderful to get a chance to meet, greet, sit down, and chat in person. At a show like this, you have to steal the minutes, but we visited as much as we could, and I had a chance to look around Anna’s booth.

owl-quiltThe quilt behind the two of us is “Owls With Attitude,” featuring designs from Darcy’s newest book, Outstanding Owls for Appliqué. I wrote about the book in September.

bunniesI also spied some of Darcy’s other animals, including her famous bunnies and the Darling Little Dogs.

Anna works with other designers to digitize their designs.

talaveraFiesta de Talavera, designed by J. Michelle Watts based on Mexican hand-painted tiles.

pillowThe incredible Jacobean appliqué of the late great Pat Campbell.

I hope Darcy had a great time in California and comes back soon!!

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
Kay’s Etsy Shop