Robes...

I am a comfort girl.... I work hard through the day, and when I am home I like to stroll around in my Kimono, or robe, or glorious kaftan... I just dont have enough! When I travel I always find a wonderful addition to the collection.. and so it grows. Always robed from head to toe I adore being swathed in fabric. Have always done so. So it's natural that I would come up with a new sewing pattern for this purpose... Don't know what it's called yet... but I'll come up with a nifty name I am sure!
I created the above robe in 2008 I believe in the Zazu collection in raspberry... isn't it scrumptious... and for flavor I made the soft kaftan nightgown in chocolate brown underneath... It's a beaut with raw edges... out of batiste.. which is not actually easy to sew with....

This week was a busy one... I reviewed the color 'lasers' for the book. It's well under way now after 2 years and much work. 30 projects loaded with personality for kids. It's already listed on Amazon. I think once the ISBN publishing UPC # is assigned, Amazon jumps on the bandwagon and there it is! So apparently pre-ordering is an option! The name is SEW TINA! I had an emotional moment when I got to see it in full color loaded with type, pics and the projects!Not only that, the art director, Pamela Norman, did an amazing job! I was thrilled. Worried for a while because I am picky about how the art and pics are laid out! I mean with the stationery business, Cid Pear, I oversee every inch of paper that is laid out. Very hands on! But whew, I was proud of me because I handed over all the art, we had chats about it of course, and then I had to let go! Mumma mia.... she did good! Yeah Ms Pam!

Our flights for Paris have been booked and we are all set to fly April 19th. That's coming up, you say! Yip! Not vacation but of course we will relax, eat much food and take in the sights of the fab city, naturally! A little shopping for Ms Tina of course! But what I am psyched about... is I am teaching workshops in the city at a few local fabric shops! This is the city where I get to do the crazy creative stuff! We also are exhibiting at the fabric show in Nantes for a few days. Full booth (display) with Olivia and some of Treetop, and a little......

I have a little one getting into my bed right now with a stomach ache... so I must sign off soon.

... where was I? Oh and a little of Fairy Tip-Toes. So all the seamstresses and myself are busy bustling to get quilts, the kids collection, adult 'robes', and all the workshop stuff done... eeeek.

Well, more to follow.... must attend to little boy here.

Kisses to you all...

TG

Olivia's Holiday

Olivia's Holiday is now available online here.... at www.fatquartershop.com

Fat Quarter does a fabulous job of showing the fabrics... I thought I'd share some of my favorites too.....

Kids Clothing

Zoe Dress is full and wide with a gathered neck line and elastic in the under arms for playtime fun!
Gathered in on the sides for extra poofy-ness... Zoe can be worn as is or with leggings and a T!

Bria in a reversible coat showing off my new fabrics from Olivia's Holiday! Isn't she cute?

So working on a new collection of kids apparel for both the Gift and Apparel markets. A few of the items shown here. I am designing them to fit toddler aged kids for gift stores. Bria here is just 14 months old and a sweet little darling...
The collection includes hats, sweet scarves, pocket bags for tots, coats, pinafores, dresses and more...
necklaces you'll want for you too!
More to come on this project! STAY TUNED...

Goldbug Studio

Today, Amelia and I had the pleasure of visiting a local artist, Ashley Carter! Ashley's business, Goldbug Studio Collection is housed in a wonderful old building which used to mend old firetrucks. You drive up and the white washed brick building is highlighted with a perfect acqua blue garage door (which leads into her warehouse). Around the corner we went to discover a perfect courtyard leading into a double glass garage door entrance to her showroom. For those of you who don't know what Ashley does, well she creates these one of a kind embellished, mixed-media pieces that are absolutely fantasy like in their vintage millinery florals, papers, tinsel and art... You can't believe the amount of work that goes into these creations! Detailed crowns for birthdays, bridal, Christmas or just because. Incredible ornaments I couldn't resist... and fairy tale boxes that boggle ones mind! She's a genius and her lovely art is available worldwide. This is truly a woman who has maintained her own personal creative integrity within a commercial and demanding main stream world. Just look at the crown above. This is actually a holiday tree topper... available at Anthropologie....
So thank you Ashley for a delightful afternoon. My Amelia was granted a beautiful Goldbug wand with which she cast good wishes all the way home.

Olivia's Holiday - more colors

These blues remind me of that pool side evening... the kind when you have a few close friends or family lingering around, the day has been long and fun, you've all had a little too much sun. And now it's that final cocktail hour at sunset before you settle down to a meal of some sort! The sun is going down and all the pinks and blues of the sky are starting to gel into one darker tint of smokey gray! "Let's have a Mint Julep and some tapas for eats?" Bring the soft cushions and quilts out to lounge about!

Then there's my favorite... Pink is my thing! What can I tell you. This is not just any pink palette, and certainly not for the meek minded... A delicious array of pinks and lemon yellows with a rich gray slate and oh, a touch of fuchsia just to mess with ya.... This is that mix of afternoon nap and a great book to doze with... but just enough color to keep your mind free to wonder! What are you thinking?
Let me know what your favorite color group is in my latest fabric collection!

New OLIVIA'S HOLIDAY fabric collection

My new fabric collection recently launched at the fabric show, International Quilt Market in Houston earlier this month. I think it is an elegant and sweet fabric collection. I created this collection reminiscent of 1950s holiday on the coast. Olivia is a cat on holiday with her human family enjoying the sun baked beaches, shade under the mangroves and breezy flower beds along their walk to the ocean! Colors are bright and cheerful yet soft and subtle in palette for dusky evenings, warm sunrises and afternoon naps in the gardens!

This colorway I call Breezy Beachsand... in soft yellow ivory, greens and blues!!! It's minty fresh don't you think? It also is a true quilters collection! The colors and patterns create a textured palette but maintain the integrity of each design without getting lost! Stick these patterns into a quilt and it'll turn out soft and wavy like the breezy water surface of the sea!!! How romantic is that? I am designing a quilt around this collection so wait for the freebee pattern...

Other colors include a pinky-yellow group I call Afternoon Sleep, and maybe my favorite.. also Sunset Walk in blue and pink and a delicious stoney grey! Watch for more images....

This collection is available now, so check with your favorite shop or call your rep.....

Lil' Dresses & my daughter!

I am mad for creating fun eclectic little visions for little girls.... My Amelia is 7 going on 21! She's an old soul, and although she models for me beautifully, she is completely not a fashionista, funcky chic (she told me so) or anything to do with unusual clothing. When she was 2, 3 even 4 and 5 she'd wear almost anything I put on her, and she loved it! Now, she has, well, a mind of her own and will only wear bright neon leggings and crazy t-shirts, a baseball cap in watermelon raspberry and maybe a pair of boots! Usually it's Nike runners or something absolutely not ok with me! Where does she get this stuff? Well I buy it for her naturally, because that's what she wants to wear. I do grit my teeth, but I believe, she's got to wear her own thing! Express her own individuality not mine! Eek, where does that leave me in designing for little girls! Well, I know I can design fun couture and extraordinary shapes for toddlers and slightly older, but six and up maybe not! Unless they were like me and always wore something mad! Madness I created myself I might add!

In the end! I am so very proud and happy to have an independent daughter who's as stubborn and maddening as ever! A little girl who expresses herself clearly! And I am lucky enough to be her mom! A little gushy I know, but all true!

Right Bank Babies

Right Bank Babies is a special childrens clothing manufacturer out of Los Angeles
by Ellen Uzarowicz. As you can see she has great taste in textiles... tee hee. I say so because she's selected some of mine in her collections and I am thrilled.... It incorporates a vintage flavor and a unique mix of the fabrics --- just as I love it! Thanks Ellen and congrats on a fabulous collection of kids clothing... see more at rightbankbabies.com for more and to shop!
TG

Love this in Chloe's Imagination mixing the orange I called Marigold Palace and blue, Azur Tea....

Fabric from Annabella collection, featuring Beatrice in avo and navy! Perfectly delicious!

From Chloe's Imagination, this blue pattern is called Fortiny after my great aunt!

Love the fabric on the left, but mine is on the right, Chloe in Blue (Azur Tea).
Fabulous piece this little reversible coat! A must for any stylish child's wardrobe!

Sewing Patterns Article

Sew News Magazine featured a few designers and that although we design quilt weight fabric, there are many other uses... such as clothing, bags and more.... Nice article, thanks Linda Lee.
A lot of designers ask me why I create sewing patterns, and the answer is to basically share what you can do with the fabrics. Thanks to all of my pattern supporters... who have worked with me in developing and refining the patterns. Watch the tinagivens.com site for pattern upgrades, revisions and updates.... We're always looking for ways to improve on our patterns so let us know what you think? we'd love to hear!

Treetop Paver Quilt

These images of the are part of an upcoming German Craft Magazine... featuring the Treetop Fancy fabric collection... this quilt being a favorite right now. Pattern is available here on the blog if you're interested...