Happy Summer! From Amy Butler!

 I've had a full one, both in and outside my studio and I'm looking forward to a few more weeks of the season before we have to say "hello" to fall. I hope you've all had a great summer too!

Gina asked me to give her a "studio update" so, here's some scoop on what I've been up to and what's coming around the corner.

 All is swell here in Ohio, or should I say the tropics? We've had a hot summer which has made for an extra lush garden.  My big story this season is pink and orange, in terms of dahlias and canna (which inspired one of my new fabric palettes!) and gigantic hardy bananas!

 
I have a lot of variegated foliage too, mixing chartreuse and ivory and everything in between.

Some of my favorite projects have been creating a lotus bog with Dave (his back is still mending!) and babying my night blooming cerus above, or should I say, fooling it into blooming.  It's the most gorgeous blossom. The plant only blooms at night and one time only.  My plant has bloomed 8 times so far and I've got 6 more buds to go!  I've hit the jackpot! The fragrance is unbelievable and the blooms are anywhere from 4" to 8”.  My Mom has one that is 40 years old!  I'm going to try to keep pace with hers, it's now become a family tradition...I get my love of flowers honestly from my Mom for sure.

 My summer has been full of "movement"....loads of travel and literally moving Amy B. Design to an expanded local just down the street from our home studio. I've outgrown the storage room at my house and now the cats can re-claim what's theirs! 

The new studio is glorious!  It's an 1850, fully renovated Greek Revival.  Jake and Dianne and I all have our own studios and the entire basement is dedicated to trunk shows and supplies.

 
It's a total dream!  The commute's not bad either, just a 4 minute walk from home.  I've kept a home studio too so I can concentrate on my design work.  I didn't realize what a blessing this move would be, but it's made a world of difference for all of us.  Now I'm just down to decorating and making the space "pretty" which is the fun part!

 
Me strolling in front of the "new digs" I've cleaned out the beds in prep for my fall plantings.

 
I've already shot some of my new pattern covers inside and outside the house.  The light is amazing!

The architectural detail is gorgeous.  My new "Kimberly" bag shines nicely next to the winding staircase in the front hall.

 (Keep Reading on the next page...with tons more photos too!

With all the hustle bustle we've managed to create some exciting projects to share.  I've been busy working on prepping the release of my new book "Amy Butler's Midwest Modern" (Note from Gina: I will be reviewing the book on my way to Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara tomorrow…I will tell you all about it!) which will be in stores in a couple of weeks!  Here's a sneak peak at some of the spreads.

 
Dave and I created the entire book together last summer. Dave shot all the photos and hand built/designed every spread in the book so it feels hand made.  It's something we are very proud to share, and it was a total joy producing it!  It's an inspiration book with loads of ideas and I hope you all get a chance to check it out.

 
Here are a couple "early" advance reviews from my friends at Decor8 and Urban Prairie.
 

No approach to Fall would be complete without new patterns! I'm offering loads of new FREE patterns on my site these days. I've added an extensive selection in the Paper Craft section on my web site and more general FREE sewing patterns will be posted soon,

So, be sure to check back to see what's posted.

Here are a few of my new paper craft projects.

With the help of my friends at Quilt Magazine, I've just about completed my Free Nigella quilt pattern which will be available as a download soon.

Dianne, Kim and Jake and I completed another sewing book this spring and summer as well!  It's called "Sew Baby"  and it will feature 20 great sewing patterns for Mom and Baby 0-12 mos.  We finished the photo shoot last week and now we're down to the final edits. It's looking awesome and I can't wait to show you.  "Sew Baby" will release next July 2008.

I've got 4 New sewing patterns in the works for release at the end of October...... just in time for Quilt Market!  Dave and I shot our friend Brook last week in the new studio.  Brook is a natural beauty and she made the shoot super easy!  (thanks Miss Brook! )

Here's a shot of the "Anna Tunic " which you can make into a mini dress or Cami.  It looks great belted or not and you can embellish it with this beautiful fabric flower!

Here's a cute shot of the mini dress. No zippers...... the closure in the back is a

pretty row of buttons at the top.  The silhouette is very flattering.

Here is my " Sophia Carry - All " bag! I designed this shape a couple of years ago and

had so many requests for the pattern that I had to produce it....... a very nice problem to have! The Sophia is the perfect companion to my Weekend Travel Bag.  

Here's shape I originally created for another project that slipped through the cracks.

It's a honey and I'm so happy to bring it back into focus!  This is my " Kimberly Bag " aptly named after my good friend and master seamstress Kim Ventura. She's as elegant as the design.  We shot Brook in front of my new studio in the "dahlia patch " sporting a super cool vintage dress from my friend Barb at Foot Loose.

And here's my 4th release...... the " Lotus Dress and Tunic." I've built in loads of options with this project. You can make it sleeveless, or as a dress, tunic or cami.  This is another highly requested pattern from my web site.  Thanks everyone for letting me know

what you'd love to make!

My Sweet Life Bags will be available in December! I can't wait for them to arrive. Be sure to check out my site to see all 4 styles and color palettes. They are finished bags that are perfect for everything.  Knitting, sewing, quilting, travel and even as diaper bags!

 
I'm winding down now having finished the artwork for my next fabric line which will release in January!  So now it's time to prep for Quilt Market in Houston.  It's always a fun time, catching up with everyone and sharing all my new launches.

 
I hope you've had some fun with my sneak peak!Thanks for checking it out  You all take good care and Happy Sewing!

XO

Amy