We updated our website and moved our blog too. You can now find us blogging over at http://www.lolapinkfabrics.com/blog/

If you haven't checked out the new shop, you really should. We've made it much easier to purchase fabrics and added a ton of new features.   

And to All A Good Night!

Now In Stock ~ Pear Tree by Thomas Knauer

Pear Tree by Thomas Knauer is one of the fabric collections we have not so patiently been waiting on for quite some time. Thomas was sweet enough to give us a sneak peek well before the collection came out and I almost wish he hadn't .. the agony of the wait!!

As soon as we saw it, we knew we had to have it in its entirety. He's got such a great sense of color and the patterns are superb. The guy took inspiration from the Partridge Family and actually made them cool and modern.

For those who don't know Thomas, you really should take the time and get to know him. Read up on him on his blog, Thomas Knauer Sews, or follow him on Twitter, WayCoolKid. He's as genuine, personable, and funny as they get. 

A Whole Lotta Hoopla ...

I've never been what one would call a "creative" person. Artsy and Jenny have never resided in the same sentence ... not even close. Quiet for sure, reserved yep, math-nerd at times, weather-freak most definitely .. but creative, artsy, craftsy nope, nada. But I've always wanted to be and I've always been envious of others who are. 

I'm sure a lot of you are rolling your eyes right now, shaking your heads, saying "everyone is creative, everyone can be artsy" but truth be told, I've never allowed myself to be. And this goes way back. I can remember absolutely hating elementary school art class. I mean seriously ... who would rather be taking math speed tests than drawing in art class? Yep that would be me, the math-nerd. The very last art class I took was in 6th grade and I have never looked back. 

So what's my problem you may ask? Fear, plain and simple. Fear of being judged and being found unacceptable. Fear of being wrong or doing the wrong thing. Stupid, creativity-squashing fear. Give me a blank canvas and tell me to do something, anything and I will panic. I just can't do it. I wouldn't even know where to begin. After 30 years of holding back, I just can't seem to break through and allow myself to just create. Which makes what I've done this week so out of my comfort zone it makes me ill to even think about it ... but in a good way. I agreed to participate in a Modern Hoop Swap ... please hold while I get sick.

What's a Modern Hoop Swap you may ask? It's where you create a modern embroidery hoop design using fabric, embroidery, buttons, you name it and giving it to whomever you are partnered with. Below is a sample of some of the hoops given in another swap and more can be found here.

Gorgeous and so freaking creative! What the hell have I gotten myself into?! My first thoughts when it started getting bounced around Twitter was "absolutely no way", "I can't do it", "mine would suck and my partner would hate it" but at the same time a part of me really, really wanted to do it. So after some reassurance from some amazing Twitter friends, I agreed to do it. Oh boy! Bring on the panic attack.

So if you follow me on Pinterest, you know I've been pinning hoops like crazy and getting mad inspired. If I can just push through the fear that keeps creeping up, I'll be good and who knows ... might even be creative, dare we say "artsy"! :)

Some encouragement would be welcomed LOL!

New In The Shop ~ Rachel Griffith Designs Quilt Patterns

We have been fans of Rachel's blog, p.s. i quilt, for quite some time so we were excited to finally order her quilt patterns for the shop. The quilts are so pretty and she makes it easy for you by suggesting mainly precuts.

I'm thinking the Pinwheel Sampler might just have to be the first one I do. I'm so in love with this pattern and think the Pick A Bunch collection from Nancy Mims would look amazing. The perfect mix of blues and greens plus some great shots of pinkish-reds and yellows. Yum!

Need more inspiration? Be sure to check out Rachel's Flickr group, p.s. i quilt: sew & tell.

So let us know ... are you as smitten with Rachel's quilt patterns as we are? Which pattern and fabrics would you chose first?