Fresh Tomatoes

2011-09-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

2011-07-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick little update on my favorite project that I can't

seem to find the time to work on.

She is my baby right now and I'm in love with her.

I've just pieced the top together so I can work on my hand quilting on our way to Island Park. Hopefully I can get a lot of it done . . . with over 12 hours on the road, I'm sure I'll make serious progress. Yes, 12 hours - seriously. It better be good weather this year!

HAPPY 4TH ALL!

2011-06-10T18:11:00.001-07:00

Well. . . this old bird has continued to be one of my favorite newest projects. She's coming right along and I am so excited for the next step of piecing the quilt top together. There are still some eyes that I need to embroider on and a few little details here and there. Now that I have this much done, I'll need to head back to the fabric store to commit to the fabric for the border and quilt back. I'll be using the soft pink and light minty green to go with Sweet Olivia's bedroom. I can't wait to see how this comes together.

Anyway . . . I just thought I'd share the progress.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of some of my most FAVORITE PEEPS from Utah. They're coming up to join us for Eagle Fun Days. Eagle puts on the best & craziest Wet & Wild Parade. The beginning of the parade is traditional with floats and always too many advertisements, but the last 15-20 minutes is a HUGE WATER FIGHT. Everyone brings coolers full of water, often garbage cans, lots of water guns and water weapons. What a scream. My kids love it so much, especially my biggest. My little visitors have no idea what their in store for. I think the highlight for some of those not participating in the water fight is getting a good glimpse at the FIRE DEPARTMENT - SOAKED . . firemen, shirts off . . . oh, come on. You know I'm right! Ha ha ha!

HAPPY WEEKEND ALL!

2011-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

There are some people that I would do just about ANYTHING for, so when one of my BESTIES wanted to know if I was up to making a custom quilt for her sweet Olivia, I was thrilled! She loves birds and owls (as do I) and found a cute quilt on Pottery Barn Kids that was to her liking - especially the color scheme. I used that as my starting point.

Here is a few of the squares I have finished the applique on. I can't wait to see how this "old bird" comes together!

All the drawings are finished . . . more to come!

May 2011

2011-06-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

WOW! Where has the time gone? I have been so busy with projects that I have had no time to post anything. So much for the GRATITUDE posts . . . I'm just GRATEFUL to be able to have made it thru the last few crazy months. It has been an awesome couple of months for me. Here is a little of what I've been up to.

My FIRST chair redo. I have been dying to take a stab at recovering furniture. I have a piece that I love that I need to recover, but didn't want to do any damage by using it as my guinea pig. So, I spent a little time browsing thru the local thrift shops and found this perdy little thing. It didn't have too much damage and just needed a facelift. I only spent $30 on it, which I think is a steal because of it's condition. The tough part was trying to figure out what to cover it in. I went back and forth many times, but decided to go with something modern, yet timeless: HOUNDSTOOTH. I love it and can't get enough.

I have to say that it was tough on the fingertips and it's not something you can do without serious commitment. I took it apart layer by layer, numbering and making a few notes. My saving grace was taking pictures of each layer I stripped away so I could use the pics as a reference on how to put it back together. I'm happy with her. I still need to add the final tacks, but it's simply cosmetic and will have to wait for now.

THEN . . . I was hooked and found two matching chairs for $2.00 each. Yup, had to cover more.

I intended to use the as the master chairs at my kitchen table, but my sweet 4 year old is the master and the head of our table and she is INCREDIBLY MESSY when she eats, so they're in the office for now.

The fabric is Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane - LOVE IT!

My MASTER BEDROOM was the next project that I HAD TO MAKE A PRIORITY.
Our room was dark chocolate, fudgey brown. Pretty, but too dark after awhile ,so I decided to lighten it up.
Our room is small so my hubs added this gorgeous board & batton feature to help make the room feel bigger and it worked great. The room feels so calm and airy.
I love the marigold accents with the turqouise!
I just need to finish painting the dresser, then I can show you my frames I painted to go
above it.

For Mother's Day weekend, I found this in our tree. It is in a tree that sits right outside our bedroom window. We have a PERFECT view from our room. I could open the window and reach out and touch them, if I wanted.
I love them and it was so fun to watch the mother bird take care of her nest.

I'm going to print these and frame them in my room.

INTERNATIONAL QUILT MARKET, Salt Lake City, UT, --- SPRING 2011
Market has definitely been the highlight of my spring. Dirty-D and I went and purchased some fabric. We attended schoolhouse classes and scored on patterns and books.
It was HEAVEN on EARTH!
We met our newest PIC {partner in crime}, Shannon. She's from St. Louis and is opening her own store. You can find her blog here:

www.fabricnosherie.blogspot.com.

She's a gem and we speak the same language. We were instant friends without saying a word. We were in a class, needed to dodge out early to make it to Anna Maria Horner's schoolhouse.
I noticed her bag made out of Anna Maria's fabric and knew she was headed where I was, we glanced at each other and made a dash for the door.
We spent the rest of the weekend meeting up and hanging out, talking fabric and just being giddy about the whole experience.
I plan on heading out to visit! Her hubs is from Meridian . . .go figure, right?!

{Hi Shannon!}

I was lucky enough to work with Joel & Laurie Dewberry, helping them sew up some of their gorgeous patterns with his new DELISH fabric. It is my favorite to date. It just gets better, didn't know that was possible. They are two of the nicest people ever and
I ENJOYED EVERY SECOND WORKING ON PROJECTS WITH THEM!

Their booth was GORGEOUS and they worked so hard to get it ready.

These are the bags I sewed for them. Their pattern should be out Julyish, I believe.

It's a great pattern for all skill levels.

This is Laurie's EMPIRE MAXI DRESS PATTERN.

I am in love with this dress and so is everyone who crossed paths with it.

It was so fun to sew up. I can't wait to make one for myself!

Another EMPIRE MAXI DRESS, sewn by yours truly.

This jacket was made using Amy Butler's RAINY DAYS RAINCOAT Pattern.

It is a great fit, but I don't think it's a beginner pattern. There were a couple

pieces I had to tweak a bit, but I love it and can't wait to use laminate to make a

raincoat. This coat was made using 100% cotton purchased at Hobby Lobby.

. . . more to come . . .

2011-02-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

I needed to make time to tackle this bag I've been dying to make. It is from Amy Butler's Style Stitches book.

This book is STUFFED FULL of great patterns to make 26 wonderful bags.

The beauty of a bag is it is so easy to make it your own by adding a ruffle or flower and the bag COPS A NEW FEEL with every change in fabric.

{Yes . . . that's right - COPS A FEEL}

A few weeks ago I was SPOILED with a SWEET PACKAGE filled to the brim with fabric, sent from my Mom (I love her!). In it was some of Amy Butler's new line of fabric. We are carrying some of the new line, Soul Blossoms.

(local pick-up is also available for you Wasatch Front'ers)

This line is wild, bright and so alive. It is sure to bring life back instantly, especially during this cold, gray winter ~ being able to work with it is a joy!

You can purchase her fabric from us at our ETSY store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenMarket

I chose to go with Fuchsia Tree. You can get it here.

(http://www.etsy.com/listing/66927928/amy-butler-soul-blossoms-fuchsia-tree)

This bag is my new FAV. I can't wait to carry it around. It screams SPRING!

Isn't she perty?!

I love the interior. There are 2 divider pockets and plenty of room for all my stuff.

I'M SMITTEN

and pleased to announce that I have fully recovered from my unsuccessful quilt project.

#6 I'M GRATEFUL FOR PROJECTS THAT TURN OUT RIGHT!

2011-02-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

I have been dying to brighten up my bedroom with new fresh colors. It must be the drabby winter that we are having here in Boise. So I decided to give a try at Sandi Henderson's Picnic Quilt. I met Sandy at Market in Minneapolis last Spring. She is a sweet & very talented artist. She signed and gifted her book to me -- which I was THRILLED about. The book is full of projects ideas for the home along with a few fun accessories and my FAVORITE 'Colorful Brick Road Skirt' that I made for "H".

The picnic quilt is a pieced scallop quilt. I felt confident that I could really do something wonderful with it. Well . . . the end result is the quilt is full of GORGEOUS colors, which I pulled from Anna Maria Horner, Sandi Henderson, Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler's Lotus line - which has the BEST variety of polka dots around.I have to admit, the quilt didn't turn out the way I had hoped due to a few scallops that I must have misplaced. I couldn't get it to line up when adding my border. There was excess fabric where there shouldn't be and it wasn't laying right. I could see it immediately. I had a little help from my friend, Rocky, who suggested I was measuring my border incorrectly. I remeasured, made adjustments, and after unpicking it three times I realized it was my center piece that was off. At this point I wasn't committed enough to unpick scallops --- NO WAY!

Uggghhh . . . I decided just to fudge it a bit where needed and finish it.

It's incredibly soft and comfortable and although it's not going to end up on my bed, it's being used and broken in around the house.I wouldn't classify this quilt as a beginner quilt, and I'm sure if I took another stab at it I could get the final product desired. I love what I learn from trying something new, especially

new patterns. So . . . although it was a trying quilt for me,

#5 I'm grateful for the learning process!

{ I LEARN SO MUCH FROM EVERY PATTERN I USE }

I highly recommend you adding Sandi Henderson's book

Sewing Bits & Pieces to your shopping list.

It's full of fun treasures for every sewing level.

2011-02-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Today I continue to feel blessed for the love I receive daily
from my wonderful family & friends.

I have been truly blessed and continue to recognize the blessing that
they are in my life.
Here are a few of the things they bring to my life:

They love me for who

I am

They make me laugh when it is needed and often, when it's inappropriate

They listen to my "BIG IDEAS" {maybe more often than they like}

They encourage me to do better & make me want to be better

They see my talents and INSPIRE me to continue working on them

They call when it's needed - and - when it's not

They know when to listen, know when it matters & USUALLY (jk) give great advice

They bring AMAZING & BEAUTIFUL people into this world & share them with me!

They have nicknames for me that are somewhat STRANGE & maybe a little INAPPROPRIATE

I HOPE THEY FEEL MY LOVE for THEM!

My room -- RE-DO . . . almost there!

2011-01-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

I have been itchin' for some time to REDO my room, the office, what-have-you. I have had a swatch that I've been staring at for the past 6 months, not feeling brave enough to commit to the color I have fallen in love with.

Well, this week I committed and fell in love with it again. Why this color? I love looking for pictures that inspire me or "spark" my interest ... here are some of those pictures that helped me commit.

I really started to panic and have regret with my choice after the first coat of paint. However, I couldn't turn back so I regrouped and finished.

Here are a few of the pics.

The room isn't completely finished. I have a few more items I need to purchase. I really want to find an old chair to recover - something bold, something almost obnoxious - because I feel like it . . .because I can . . . because it's MY ROOM. :)

Then... there was THIS WALL.

It was screaming for me to do something with it. It is the first wall you see when you enter our home (that is, until we have the french doors installed on this room).

So... thank you to the arrival of my new book from Amy Butler, "Style Stitches", (This book you MUST purchase! It is chuck full of bag patterns - bags, bags and more amazing bags!) I found my inspiration.

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/books_detail.php

While I was looking through the book, which is done so beautifully, I thought, "Why couldn't I put one of her amazing sketches on my wall?" I have a scanner, I have a vinyl machine, I could make a stencil...and so began phase 2 of this project.

**DISCLAIMER: No make-up . . . it was a serious work day for me. I only do this on a serious project day, and THIS was a serious project.

Our walls are heavily textured so it made the stencil a bit more challenging. However, with a little handy-work and time it was cleaned up, and . . .

I'm so thrilled with the end result . . . ta da!

I am looking for a great storage piece to put on this wall. It is my sewing/craft room, so it needs to be functional as well as inspiring. I'm thinking this:

I'm sure I can talk the hubby into making it? (fingers crossed)

2011-01-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

I have been searching and searching for a great damask stencil that I could print use for a pillow applique. I have been unsuccessful and I am fed up with searching, so I decided to make my own. I'm pretty happy with how the stencil turned out. My fabric choice is from Amy Butler's Lotus line.

I love this print and color, but if I were to do this again...which I might because I love DAMASK and can't seem to get enough of it...then I would go with a simpler pattern or solid color piece of fabric. I think the damask design would stand out a little better. But I am so happy with the end result.

I'm using this piece to make a pillow for my new bedding that is a WIP. I purchase an coordinating orange pom-pom trim.

I think it'll be a perfect piece for my new bed set.

Pattern & tutorial will be coming soon.

Please feel free to share pictures of your finished project. ~ H A P P Y C R E A T I N G ~

2011-01-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

. . . and the access the internet gives me to their talents.

I love to "surf" the net and look for cool graphics I can use as inspiration with fabric. I don't have the ability to freehand a piece from the beginning, so I look for something to get me started. This is graphic I recently ran across and saved in a file for future projects, but I wasn't sure how I was going to use this until last night.

I have enjoyed working with applique the last couple of days and it's such a flexible way to quilt. You can wing it - fudge it - and have a lot of room to play with your work space when you applique, which is probably why I love it so much. I love the freedom to run wild with a project!

Here is my interpretation of this fun graphic

I'm not sure if this will be framed or if I'll make it into a pillow, but it will go into my room. I'm working on redoing my bedding now. I think this will be a perfect fit!

*I will gladly post the pattern, if anyone is interested.

2011-01-13T14:09:00.000-08:00

I am not a fan of resolutions... I truly believe that we can choose today to be the beginning of a new year, a new start. Who would want to wait until January 1st to make changes, improvements, or simply learn something new. Not I, said the little pig... so with the New Year I try challenge myself to learn something new.

So... one of the main challenges to myself is to blog at least once a week and express my gratitude.

I recently came across this quote & I love it:
Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone...

so this year I will be crankin' up the volume!

Nothing leaves a bad taste in my mouth like the sound of ingratitude. I have little tolerance for it and don't want to find this on my personal recipe. With that said:

My Mom is the responsible party who introduced me to my own personal drug --- fabric. I'll take it in any form, color, and print. I remember my Mom would come home after purchasing yards and yards of fabric...endless fabric. She would touch it, fold it and put it away. I never understand her attraction to it, until I started to sew. We recently went to Market in Minneapolis. It was like Disneyland for us, but better. If you don't know what Market is, you wouldn't understand, but trust me, it was WONDERFUL & life altering, really.

I have so many things I want to work on this year - so many new arts SCREAMING MY NAME!

Here are a few on my list:

PMC - Metal Clay Jewelry --- Here is what inspired me!

I CAN'T WAIT GET STARTED ON THIS!

Embroidery & Applique

Here is a great link to a free tutorial and pattern!

http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/2010/01/raw-edge-applique-tutorial.html

I had a blast working on this for Gracie's room and it reminds me so much of her.

...so I decided to make more --- here's my own little take, since it's been so dang rainy!

GIRLS.... this is why we keep our scraps! There is always something fun we can do with them.

2010-12-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

FRESH TOMATOES

H O L I D A Y C L E A R A N C E

CONTACT FRESH TOMATOES to place order:

gjessicathomas@gmail.com

Payment Options: Credit Card/Paypal/Cash/Local Check

2010-11-08T13:06:00.000-08:00

The C H R I S T M A S music is a blastin',

laundry's a goin',

I've been a cleanin' like MAD,

and decided to take a break and create a few new prints that

I am going to frame for my office for Christmas.
Can't wait to see how they turn out.

Here's a sneak peek!

I'm not sure which set I will use, but I am framing them in three separate frames.

Don't you just love this time of year?!

2010-11-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TODAY!

Below are pictures of the current bags that I have ready for shipment.

Shipping is $5.00 for the first bag, $2.00 for each additional bag.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PLEASE CONTACT ME via email: gjessicathomas@gmail.com for:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PRICING INFORMATION

ADDITIONAL PICTURE REQUESTS

---- ORDERS ARE ACCEPTED via email ----

You will receive an email if a bag is currently unavailable for immediate shipment.

Please feel free to contact me for current inventory (using ref. #'s listed on pics).

PAYMENT OPTIONS: Credit Card, Paypal, Cash

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

---CUSTOM ORDERS will be accepted until December 10th---

Please allow 2 weeks for delivery on all custom orders (including local pick-up).

Fabric-less, but still FABULOUS!

2010-09-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

I haven't been at my machine for a week now... it's strange, but I have been busy creating other things. I came across this fab site on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/collections/72157594587080023/. Here is what I've decided to create & add a little interest (somewhere in the house, not sure where yet). I thought it was a fun & cheap way to personalize our home without it feeling to "crafty".

I downloaded the letters I wanted to use and created a collage in Picasa (you can download Picasa for free). I am going to print my picture at Costco and have it custom matted and framed (I like the unusual, non-traditional sized frames). Here's my "unfinished" "un-framed" print-to-be (or at least, what I'm hoping it to be).

Happy creating!

2010-08-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things is to make sweet little somethings for sweet new peewee's. One of my best friends "E" had a new beautiful baby girl and I wanted to make something colorful and fun for her to wear. I'm going to be putting the flowers on a headband for baby Lizzie. She'll be twirling before she crawls in this cute top!

Love it & want to make it? I used McCall's Pattern M5028. I think I'll have to make more for my bigger girls. It was an easy pattern to follow and pretty quick to make up. One adjustment I would make on the pattern is cutting the flounce pieces (ruffles) a little longer. It didn't match up on the edges of the top as I would have like them to. There was a little adjusting that had to be done because of it. This top would be a darling dress as well. Just simply increase the length and add 3 more flounce pieces and you'll have a twirly dress to die for! We are selling the fabric on our Etsy Open Market site found here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenMarket.

The burp cloths are nothing fancy and I backed them with a towel. Easy-peasy! This makes them absorbant for those little messes. Why not spit up on something pretty, right?

Now get sewin'!

2010-08-03T13:02:00.001-07:00

New Fresh Tomatoes Bags, Clutches & More!

Some of these items are on our Etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenMarket

They will be added to our website soon!

2010-08-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

I made a ruffle apron this past Mother's Day for my Stepmom. It turned out pretty cute and received a few requests for more. I don't think I would make and sell these because of the time they take, but they are fun to make and even funner to wear! Maybe I should make a pattern for this one.

Here's a picture of one I made today. "H" is modeling it for me. It is an adult-sized apron (she's 10) so it isn't proportionate for her age, but you get the general idea of it's cute shape. I think I need to add the following disclaimer: Wearing this apron may cause you to feel a sudden urge to twirl around the kitchen while preparing dinner for the fam.

After a morning of sewing I'm off to enjoy my kiddos at the movies.

New Bags & Fabric Now Available!

2010-08-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy creating new bags, finding fresh new fabric and working on new patterns that I haven't posted anything on here for way too long. I am setting a new goal to post on here twice a week. I have found tons of free tutorials to share with you. I would love to get you excited about our new products and hope to spark a small interest in sewing & creating!

I now have a web site where you can order a Fresh Tomatoes bag that is in stock or order your own CUSTOM BAG by choosing the exterior fabric, handle style, pockets, etc. Our new site is located here: www.freshtomatoes.biz.

I have also added a few new bags that are ready to be shipped and fresh new fabric that we have ready to cut for you in my Etsy shop that is found here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenMarket.

I'll be working on updating what's new all week. I hope you'll check back often and share our blog with your friends and family.

WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

2009-04-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

THE HARVEST IS HERE

After many long hours of cutting fabric, winding bobbins, and adjusting patterns we are ready for business.

Please shop with patience as this is our first season and first crop. We hope that you can easily navigate your way through the site and find what your heart and wardrobe desires!

If you happen to purchase a fresh tomato bag that is out-of-stock, you should be redirected to our Special Order Page that will instruct you on how to place an order for the bag you would like (Found Here: http://fresh-tomatoesorder.blogspot.com/). If you have difficulties with this, please simply contact fresh tomatoes at: freshtomatobags@gmail.com. We will gladly work with you to get the order placed.

If you are local and would like to pick up your bag, please contact fresh tomatoes at the above referenced email with the item number and description of the bag you would like. You can pay for your fresh tomato bag at the time of pick up.

We would love to hear from you - any suggestions that might make the site better, easier to navigate through - your comments and feedback is greatly appreciated.

WE'RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE OUR fresh tomatoes WITH YOU!

Jessica & Dianna