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Meet Michelle Dorsey, of SewMichelle (www.SewMichelle.com…you know, pattern designer extraordinaire.) (What, you already know her? Me, too! I just didn’t want to rub it in.)

I’ve never met anyone as driven as Michelle. To be in her presence is to find yourself immersed– in creativity, gumption, and an awe-inspiring fearlessness. 

Working her booth at the Applique Getaway in Frisco this last July (image taken there) was pure, blissful pandemonium. But at this point I’ve sewn so many of her bags/purses/patterns that I can speak pretty fluently about each. (My sister still happily carries the “Why Knot”  tote bag I made her last year for her birthday.) Our shop carries her patterns and numerous samples, always visible from the front window, no less, and I do love to introduce the newbie sewist to them. Patterns with that quantity of pictures and basic level of instruction? Gold. Not to mention the embroidery files that she includes that should cost a mint of their own. Did I mention I bought an embroidery machine because I wanted to be able to make her pieces on my own time in my own space? Ya. Some call it crazy dedication. Others call it friendship. You be the judge.

In case you see this, “Hello, Michelle!” (Told you I know her…)

With much fondness,

-Joanna

I can’t believe the time has come– the great reveal.

A reminder: six of us met at the International Quilt Market in Houston this past year, lollygagging about Vanessa Christenson’s booth. Vanessa, of V. & Co., a designer for Moda, gave us each a candy pack of her newest line, Color Me Happy. Here we are, happy:

[Becca , Tammy, Julie, Brooke, Vanessa, Joanna and Sally.]

We determined to develop our own challenge, using Vanessa’s fabrics and solid Kona cottons of our choosing. (I used a charm pack for variety.) Today is the chosen share-day. Valentine’s, you know– sappy love paramount. With that mushiness in mind, I chose to represent our group’s first meeting. Seven of us, including our token fabric designer, of course. This is, almost precisely, a fabric version of the pencil sketch I designed in my hotel room (around midnight) the night we all met.

It’s called “Selfie Love,” and is destined to wing its way to Sally. It was her laughter, after all, that invited me into the group. It was also her self-proclaimed ‘selfie photo tour’ that inspired the image above– the heart originally also a camera, one member’s arm extended to take the group pic. [The background is from a jelly roll of Vanessa’s previous line, Simply Color, I believe. ]

So, on this 14th of 2014, we share greetings from our new fabric sisterhood. Let’s do this again sometime, shall we ladies? And, random readers? GO BUY VANESSA’S FABRIC!!! “Color Me Happy”– it works magic.

Much love, ~jo

The six of us ( Becca, Tammy, Julie, Brooke, Vanessa, me and Sally) are still in the midst of our blog hop and fabric challenge. Vanessa (of V. & Company for Moda) has supplied us each with a 2 1/2″ pack of her soon-to-be-released line, Color Me Happy. Following is a brief reflection, in rhyme…which has somehow become my default of late.

ODE TO A CHALLENGE

Forty-two squares, oh me, oh my!
Where to begin? What to dare try?

So many options, no limit, no end.
Hoping to captivate, to please these new friends.

Two and a half months– the countdown proceeds!
Catch inspiration, search for new leads.

Collecting materials, my fabric, my stuff,
Measure, cut, sew– hope for enough.

February is coming– a Valentine’s due date.
Relishing the journey– it’s sure to be great!

______
Enjoying the creativity, and the unexpected cold weather. Happy weekend, friends!
Love, Jo

I met a group of kindreds at the International Quilt Market in Houston a few weeks back. There are six in our small tribe, and you will continue to hear bits and baubles about each as this blog moves forward. They, you see, are my goal setters. Tomorrow, in fact, Brooke hopes to write a bit about the group. Have you found me through her words? If so, “Welcome!” Feel free to ‘follow’ me now and watch this eclectic ship of a blog sail onward. You can be one of the first! An illustrious feat for an otherwise ordinary Wednesday.

(I could tell you of my plans, but then what fun would it be to adventure alongside me? Jump aboard– the wind is kicking up!)

The group:

Brooke @ http://sillymamaquilts-sillymama.blogspot.com/

Becca @ http://bryanhousequilts.blogspot.com/

Tammy @ http://www.karamatsews.com/

Julie @ http://intrepidthread.blogspot.com/

Sally @ http://sallysangelworks.typepad.com/sallys_ponderings/

We’ll be doing a challenge using Moda fabric by V. and Company [Vanessa @ http://www.vanessachristenson.com/]

A bit of snow-dyed fabric, a late night sketch, and a handshake with technology resulted in the blog-scheme you see before you. A genius graphic design feat? No. Representative of its creator? Yes. Which is, after all, the goal. Welcome to Passion Kiwi!