09 April, 2014

Shimmer Blog Hop


One of the very first fabric designers I ever actually noticed was Jennifer Sampou. I'd only been quilting a year (almost 15 years ago). My stash shopping was very limited because I was in grad school with limited time and money for quilting. But after a few purchases I started to notice the names on selvages. And what I noticed was that most of the fabric I purchased was from Jennifer Sampou. I filed that fact as interesting and kept quilting.

Fast forward to two years ago and I am at Quilt Market. And guess who has a booth?! It was my first total fan girl moment. I briefly introduced myself and marvelled at the coincidence that Jennifer is married to my publisher. The next Quilt Market I stopped by Jennifer's Booth to say hello and we ended up chatting for well over an hour about everything - motherhood, fabric, creativity, colour, sewing, books, marriage. My first designer crush is truly a kindred spirit.

Since then I've truly enjoyed the opportunity to play with Jennifer's latest fabrics. When you listen to the designer discuss their inspiration for a fabric line the fabric itself takes on a new light, almost quite literally. Jennifer's neutral palate is inspired by her love of things that shimmer - feathers, shells, crystals, and even fools gold. The fabric itself is metallic or pearlescent (depending on your own description).

When my Shimmer fabric arrived in it was a very special shell from Jennifer. Have I mentioned how much I love shells? I have a casual collection of the shells I pick up from every beach I find. Just the interesting ones, the pretty ones, even the cracked and beat up ones. They sit in bowls and jars throughout my house. I had a completely different project in mind before the fabric and the shell arrived. At the same time, my girls took over the table setting duties. Every night they raid my shells and rather carefully place them around the table. They might forget forks, but the shells are always there.

The fabric I requested - shocker - were all the light prints in the line. You know me and low volume. But rather than play with a pattern I already had or even experiment with another inspiration, I had to incorporate my shells.








Each shell is appliquéd on the osnaburg background. I wanted it to feel like a scattering of shells on your feet at the beach. I used the technique I use to create and sew my appliqué circles. The shells come alive, or at least more realistic with the simple quilting. For the back of the table topper I improv pieced the scraps into a slab, with just a bit of aqua added for fun.

It's almost too pretty to use on the table, but my shell loving girls think it is perfect.






This is my stop on the Shimmer Blog Hop. Check out the other posts and all the fun things people have made with Shimmer. Robert Kaufman and Jennifer are sharing no shortage of inspiration with this pretty fabric.

Leave a comment here for a chance to win a Shimmer charm pack. It will be perfect for your own shell project, among others. Tell me about your favourite beach.

Giveaway open until midnight MST on Friday April 18.

144 comments:

SIMPLESEW said...

I so had to pin this one, I love love it.. I am a shell collector too.. Tons of them and this would be gorgeous in my home.. thank you

Carrie P. said...

Oh, that is gorgeous. My daughter would love your table runner too. She is a beach lover.
My favorite beach is in Panama City, Fl where I used to live.

Diane said...

I'm a huge fan of the aqua blue water in Mexico. And that white sand....thanks for the give away.

CaroleM said...

Any beach in Maui. I'm not picky.

Michele T said...

I very much enjoyed reading your post... interesting!! Love your shell runner a stunning centre piece!

Alice said...

So fresh. I love it. Loving the blog hop. finding so many new blogs to follow. I'll definitely be visiting your blog again.

Carolyn A said...

As I read your post I could hear the soothing sound of waves lapping the fine sand on my fave beach I discovered last Fall in Sete, France. Although it was not beach weather, it was a perfect stop on our drive to get to southern France. There were so many whole shells - I gathered several and they are a prized souvenir of that restful stop on the Mediterrean.....
Carolyn A.

M.W. said...

Love the shells made with this fabric. So pretty. Thanks for the chance to win some.
Shawn

Bower Bird Patch said...

ooooohhh, I love the back as much as the front. Gorgeous....almost too good to use BUT then again, once it has been loved, washed, faded, a couple of marks....it will indeed look like the weathered shells that you find on the beach... Just lovely Cheryl...

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I have had a lot of Jennifer's fabrics in my collection over the years too. I became aware of her name in the mid 1990s and searched for everything she designed.

The Gad-A-Bout Gal said...

I like your table runner. I'm not much of a beach person and haven't been to the beach in years. When I was young, I used to go to the beach below the bluff in St. Joseph.

mjb said...

I grew up going to South Padre Island with my grandparents in South Texas - lots of shells and warm water. Now I go to the outer banks in North Carolina, usually in the winter - not so many shells and usually in the winter so there's a wind, but it's starting to feel like our "home beach".

Samantha said...

I love this table runner. I live in the mountains but seek out beaches whenever I can and have shells all over my house. What a perfect way to use this fabric!

Donna Baker said...

The shell detail is exquisite what a treasure this runner is!

Quilter Kathy said...

What a great addition to the family table! Love how the textures are so shell-like!
My favorite beach is where I was born in Digby Nova Scotia. I have lots of shells from there!

Mary-Kay said...

I love your table runner. My favourite beach is Point Pelee, a national park here in Ontario. So much fun and tons of things to see, living or not. The boardwalk is a nature lovers dream.

Quilting Tangent said...

I like your shell table runner, the fabric really helps show the patterns of the shells.
24Tangent@gmail.com

Karrie Phelps said...

I have a small shell collection myself, so I love your table runner.

MoeWest said...

I love this idea for a table runner! I'm a shell collector too and Shimmer is perfect for this. I used to live near Lawrencetown Beach in Nova Scotia. We had great fun body surfing in the waves there.

Unknown said...

Love your table runner ! Shimmer looks so good in your shells!

quilter said...

I love your shells!, love the shimmer fabric also.

Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting said...

The shells look awesome! Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

What a great table runner! My favorite beach is Huntington Beach CA. My dad took me to the ocean for the first time. It was cold that day so we just flew a kite on the beach. It was a rainbow kite that had about six sails.

MalinisQuilts said...

Love your beach-themed table runner. Those shells look awesome, the quilting definitely makes them pop.

My favorite beach here is:
http://www.salisbury-beach.org/
Its not crowded and has a good shore for kids to play.

Unknown said...

Favorite beach is in Maui.
Thanks for the opportunity.
acbeier71@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Oh, just beautiful! I love the way you outlined. Gorgeous! I think my favorite beach was Nag's Head. We aren't really "beach" people, but my husband and I lived in Virginia for a year and went to Nag's Head and had such a wonderful, memorable time. So beautiful.

Sewgirl said...

I love your table runner. What a great use of the Shimmer fabrics! My favorite beach is any beach in Hawaii…I like the warm water and great waves, and snorkeling almost anywhere there!

Unknown said...

This is the first table runner I have seen that I would like to make....great idea!

Anita said...

My favorite beach is the one back home where I grew up. The water never gets very warm, but the sand is almost white and there are a lot of sea-shells looking just like the ones on your table.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Leslie said...

My favorite beach is any that I can have to myself - just waves and winds and birds. Your seashell project is lovely!

Rhonda said...

Love your table runner and the creativity of your shell loving girls! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Your table runner is beautiful. So creative and imaginative!

RunningHen said...

Lovely, lovely! Thanks for inspiring us. Julie @ RunningHen.blogspot.com

Nicole said...

Such a pretty runner! I may need to make one for a friend's beach house . . .
Thanks for the chance.

Mary Mac said...

I spent most of my life in Fla and will return to visit family for Easter. This piece is just gorgeous.

Tamie said...

Love your table runner and it is pretty enough to use on the table!!

Unknown said...

I am totally smitten - I love these fabrics. I must now find out whether I can buy them in England!

Sarah said...

Love your table runner!....my favorite beach is Assateague National Seashore in MD. My family has camped within a short walk of the beach. Mostly empty of people. The ghost crabs are fun to chase after the sun is down.

Kathryn said...

Your table looks prettier than y beach at Lake Erie. very creative.

Karen said...

My favorite beach is here in Maine. At our favorite (and now closed for condo development--sniff) campground, you could sit on the beach at night at the firepits made of giant boulders thrown up on the shore during storms. During the day you could lounge on these same boulders and watch the lobster boats come and go. Maine--the way life should be!

Gill said...

Fabulous - I love shells too and I have a large collection of tiny European cowrie shells, all collected on my favourite beach on an island off the west coast of Ireland!

Anonymous said...

I love how this fabric is sewing up on the blog hop, and the runner is wonderful. My favorite beach is Sand Beach at Acadia National Park in ME - very beautiful but way too cold for swimming.
Susan G

Josie McRazie said...

I heart this fabric. I have already put it on my wish list!

OhioLori said...

My daughter lives in North Carolina...we spent a day at Emerald Isle beach when we were down to visit....my first time seeing the Ocean. Is definitely my Favorite!! lol

Cindy said...

Sadly, I've never been to the beach. I would love to make your table topper though, love the shells.

JANET said...

Love the Hawaiian beaches. The water is so clear.

Kat said...

My favourite beach is the one I grew up at: https://www.google.com/search?q=fischland+beach&client=firefox-a&hs=LKh&rls=org.mozilla:de:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Sb9FU-jjM4XCtQaSiIFo&ved=0CDoQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=602

Patti said...

Your table runner is so lovely I am making my way through your fabulous Craftsy class, so this fabric would be amazing to do some circles with! I don't have a particular favourite beach, but if there is sun and sand, I am a happy girl. Thanks for the giveaway.

Emily C said...

I used to live in Washington and I loved the beach on the Puget sound. We lived about a mile away and would go see the tall ships when they came in and other fun events on the beach.

Unknown said...

My favorite beach is Lily Lake beach. Love the table runner. Also love the chance to win this fabric. Matsche.christine@yahoo.com.

Sylvia said...

I like Nanny Goat Beach on Sapelo Island. You can't get there unless you have a legitimate reason to be on the island, so it's deserted!

Sena said...

Love your shell story. I also have a collection in jars and on shelves in my home. How wonderful to capture the look with fabric.

Unknown said...

My favorite beach so far is the one in Sarasota, Florida that I went to when I was 17. It was so pretty and white sand was so beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway!

Diane Beavers said...

Cheryl, Pacific beach where Nautilus shells thrive, "the spiral of life"
"Sacred Geometry"
Their pearlesence shimmers like Shimmer.
The aqua stripe gives a beachie look to the runner.

Lee said...

Beautiful work! thank you for sharing!

Vicki H said...

No beaches in Kansas. I have been to Daytona Beach, it was wonderful.

Sarah said...

LOVELY table runner, and even lovelier daughters who set the table with shells. :) My favorite beach was in Maine, where the bits of minerals in the water made it look like you were swimming in glitter -- it immediately came to mind with the beach/shimmer connection. Thanks for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org

Lisa J. said...

This table runner is gorgeous. Perfect use of the low volume fabrics

VickiT said...

Wow! Your runner is just beautiful.

My favorite thing about the beach is just being near the water. I love listening to the waves.

Unknown said...

I love Jacksonville Beach, FL especially in the winter when a nor'eastern blows through!!

Diane M said...

Really pretty table runner. My favorite beaches are all around Maui but it's been way too long since I've been there.

Amve_2012 said...

I love Galveston Beach - it's where my now husband and i had our first kiss!

Kim said...

I love your quilting and design on this quilt. It's so pretty.

Anonymous said...

Easy question. My favorite is Clearwater Beach. It is where two of my children chose to be married and the place that I can witness my grandchildren play and grow.

lindawwww said...

My favourite beach is Long Beach on Vancouver Island. It's the most wonderful place for beach combing and shell collecting!

nicolesender said...

My favorite beach is in Oregon! Sandy beach that is so awesome.

Janet said...

The beach in my town - Bennett Beach. In the spring when the water is low one can walk for a long way. As the water comes up through the early summer the waves become great for keeping the water warm and some fun, if very tame, body surfing. By the time August rolls in there is usually no beach front left.

GranChris said...

I love this. I am crazy about seashells so I will need to make this for myself.

Tina Short said...

I love the wild, windswept Northumberland beaches... but I'm biased, its where I live!

ruthsplace said...

What a lovely project for the fabric!
To be honest I don't have a favourite beach. I do like to collect shells though.

Pauline said...

Love your table runner. Favourite beach--the one we visited in Belize--the sand was not hot! Started a low volume quilt due to your visit to our guild in Calgary:)

Sandy said...

I love all beaches. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

liniecat said...

Gosh the shell quilting looks superb on that runner. Such delightful fabric and perfect quilting designs too!
The very best beach Ive ever been on was on the then RAF Gan, in the Indian Ocean - which was reinvented to be an expensive but tranquil holiday destination - the Maldive Islands!
The islands are beautifully remote with the most beautiful beaches. As Aircrew back in my youth, we crews would stay there for either 3,5 or 7 days as our aircraft made its way to Hong Kong.
You have no idea how much I miss that job!!

GO STARS! said...

My husband and I spent time in Waikaloa on the Big Island in Hawaii. We're not much for sitting on the beach but truly enjoyed the walk along the shoreline and in the area around it. There are many interesting lava formations.

Miss Jean said...

I don't have a favorite beach yet, but I love shells. I can't wait to see this fabric in person.

Ann said...

Our favorite beach is Agate Beach in Haida Gwaii!

Marti Taylor said...

My favorite beach would have to be in Petosky, MI. I remember going camping with my family there growing up and walking along Lake Michigan looking for petosky stones. I can't wait until my daughters are older and I can share this tradition with them!

Lisas Mom said...

My favorite is Bean Hollow State beach it's a pebble beach located halfway between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay on Hwy 1 in California.

Jude said...

i love to visit my BFF at Three Arch Bay in Laguna, So. Cal. private beach, so relaxing...thanks for the give away!

Karen4Q said...

My favorite beach is in Clovely, NSW It's just a walk down the hill from where I lived while in Australia years and years ago.

Ann D said...

My family's favorite beach is Napili bay in Maui. We rent a condo where the sliding glass door has you walking out over the grass and to the beach where you can sit and watch Molokai across the water. We have some good memories from there. Thanks for hosting this giveaway. Those fabrics look wonderful.

Audrey said...

Beautiful table runner. I am collector of shells as well. My favourite summer beach is the one right off our front deck. But when it is frozen my favourite beach is one with sunshine,warm waters, soft sand,and a light breeze. That means a winter vacation! Thanks for the giveaway.

Dee said...

The shells are beautiful! Can't wait for this fabric. Love your work!!

Helen said...

I live by a lake so I am more a fan of the rugged shoreline that I see out my windows. This charm pack would be so much fun to work with!

Brenda said...

My favorite beach would be wherever I'm at on a beach! love them all! Beautiful fabric too!

Kathy Davis said...

I have been to many beaches in the Caribbean but my favorite beach is Pensacola Beach in the Gulf of Mexico.
Kathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net

Fiberquilt said...

Loving this fabric, enjoyed my circle class with you last summer with FVMQG. Beautiful shell design

Janarama said...

Such an elegant tablerunner. It's stunning. My favorite beach is ANY beach.

Anonymous said...

My favorite beach is the one at Cape Canaveral. It's almost always deserted and you can sit and watch the ocean for hours and never see another person. Perfect! Thanks for the chance to win. VermontPines at aol dot com

Kelly Wilson said...

The runner is lovely. I had a huge shell collection as a kid - mostly from Florida (both sides) and North and South Carolina. Hilton Head is really relaxing.

Thanks for the opportunity to try these fabrics.
notwendy gmail com

Jetza said...

I love La Esperanza in Puerto Rico! Is perfect for snorkeling. I used to collect shells for my grandma apartment that is near the beach :) it would be nice to create a table runner like this for her! I probably will try to do it, and shipped to her back to Puerto Rico:D

Karen said...

What a perfect project! My favorite beach is probably Moonstone Beach in Humboldt County near where I went to college. There are so many neat rocks, and Humboldt beaches are almost always great places to find secluded spots.

Hayley said...

Those shells are gorgeous! It is a perfect match of pattern and fabric

Havplenty said...

Another shell lover here. I brought some home with me when I visited the Bahamas. I love your table runner. I need to make one for myself.

Unknown said...

Love your seashells!

BKringel said...

The beaches in the island of St. John. We spent our honeymoon there almost 16 years ago.

Afquilt said...

I've always wanted to check out the Hawaii beaches!

Shar said...

Wow! I love the appliques! They are amazing! I have been working on applique techniques. This would make a great project.

Wendy said...

gorgeous fabric. My favourite beach is in Devon here in England, it's a little cove. OK so we don't often get beach weather but I wish I lived nearby so I could walk on it in the evenings.

Mokki said...

I love your table runner. It's a very clever design, the quilting really makes it pop. I dont have any beaches nearby, going to the beach is a very rare treat for me.

DonnaM said...

Your table runner is beautiful. Love the fabric.

SewCalGal said...

Ohh la, la I love your shimmer table runner with shells. Gorgeous.

My favorite beach is probably on the Big Island of Hawaii, at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel where my hubby proposed to me many years ago. Beautiful beach with many memories.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

We found some giant seashells on an island off the coast of North Carolina. It's my favorite.

giddy99 said...

Love the shells! My fave beach is the Florida Panhandle, actually from Orange Beach, Alabama to about Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. So many happy memories!

precipitate said...

My favorite beach is in Marblehead, MA. There's a giant rock formation with tidepools filled with critters, easily accessible and just beautiful.

Sheila said...

My favourite beach is Sugar Beach in Maui!

Cecilia said...

My favorite beach is St. Petersburg beach in Florida.

Margaret said...

My favorite beach is the one I have been going to all my life -- Stinson Beach just north of San Francisco. Although the water is coooold and dangerous, it is a great place to take a long walk next to the water.

Unknown said...

My favorite beach is wherever my imagination takes me. Thanks for the chance to win.

Calgaryquilter said...

Loved the grid you quilted on the shell! Thanks for the chance to win

Sharon said...

I love the low volume prints in this quilt. It reminds me of my time in Florida.

SilverCat said...

Love your table runner, the shells are so pretty, your appliqué skills are impressive!

Bonnie58 said...

Gorgeous fabrics. Thanks so much for sharing

Kari said...

What a great idea... Love the seashells!

EmileeHope said...

We enjoy the gulf-gulf shores or Panama City beach...thanks for a chance to win some fabric!

Anonymous said...

I love the shells and this makes your quilt unique.

senstrings (at) yahoo [dot] com

Unknown said...

Lovely tablerunner Cheryl! Thank you for sharing your work and your helpers creative table setting!

LittleHouseontheDairy said...

Lovely low volume shells

Deborah said...

Too nice for the table? Absolutely not! Your table looks spectacular! Love your runner; and the color of the placemats is just yummy with it!

Jeanne Gwin said...

I am getting very fond of the Shimmer fabric. thanks

Vicki in MN said...

What a great project to make with those lovely fabrics!

Carol said...

What an elegant table runner. And a marvelous collection of fabrics. Love it!

Carol said...

Don't know why the unknown. I'll try again. Love the fabrics!!!

Luch said...

My favourite beach is Skaha in Penticton BC...my husband and I went there each with our own families as children and now we take our kids almost every summer (we live in Edmonton).

Jane said...

What pretty and elegant fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway!

Chirpy said...

I agree, it's to pretty to use but as long as no one has mustard at the table, you might be ok. =)

Mom C said...

We aren't around beaches enough to have a favorite although I am partial to Lake Powell. Lovely shells. Thanks

Karrie said...

I've been to the Atlantic Ocean once and barely remember...but I love the beaches of Lake Mi! Thanks for the chance to win! ksmith8@emich.edu

Unknown said...

I love anything to do beaches, thanks for sharing!

Deb said...

I'm actually not a beach person, but a few years ago I won a trip to Satellite Beach in Florida. It was in October and just beautiful! The beach was almost empty--just perfect! I'd love to go again.

Anonymous said...

HELLO,we love beaches! These are such neat fabrics! Thanks for a winning chance!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

amy smart said...

Don't enter me. I just had to say how much I love Shimmer in the Shells! Genius and so pretty!

June D said...

Great idea, beautiful projects. These fabric are so nice too. Thanks for putting my name in the hat for the drawing.

My favorite beach is Newport Beach in Orange County. Clean sand, nice waves, good snack shops, fun little shops to walk by, surfing movies to watch! Good memories!

KathleenD said...

O-o-o-h! I love your shell table runner! The Shimmer fabric was absolutely perfect!!!
I would be thrilled to win some of this gorgeous fabric.
Thanks!

Southern Gal said...

We have beautiful beaches here in SC. I can't pick just one, but we love Garden City.

Kari V. said...

Normally I hear metallic fabric and something tacky or cutesy comes to mind, but these are really elegant.

Amanda said...

This is awesome! Love it.

Andrea Fuentes Boyer said...

My favorite beach would have to be the one closest to my house on my home island of Saipan. It is called Pau Pau beach and it was only 5 minutes away and holds many memories! The water is a beautiful turquoise and the sunsets are amazing because Saipan is smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. You should come visit! :)

Dita Bybee said...

I love that you use the fabric for seashells! So clever, because shells have that certain shimmer :)
My favorite beach is Bali. Bali's in Indonesia, which is the country where I'm from. I went with my family once, I love the beach but moreover the people there!

Jennifer said...

I absolutely love the sea shell idea. I can just see all the sparkly shells on the beach when I look at your piece.

Unknown said...

Shore Acres on the Oregon coast is my favorite. :)
craftyccain@gmail.com

Christy said...

Love the shells! The best beach I ever visited was in Sydney, Australia, but I can't remember its name!

Jess Burns said...

My favorite beach is Longbeach; me and my husband have spent some really good times there.

henri said...

I very much enjoyed reading your post... interesting!! Love your shell runner a stunning centre piece!