April 22, 2011

The Rain In Spain Falls Mainly on the...

It's sneak peek season and fabric is popping up all over. I don't know why, but i always love to make a giant pile of the whole collection once it arrives. It gives me a chance to see the range of colors — and i guess it doesn't hurt that i get to handle each of the prints (with maybe a teensy-weensy bit of oogling) and smooth my hand over them while stacking it up. More peeks to come soon, but in the meantime, you can see a little more here and here. Terrain will be at Quilt Market (without me, sniff, sniff), and is due to ship this September. Two prints will come in double-sided pre-quilted fabric and three prints will come in coated fabric. Lots of possibilities!

Annnd,
We try to reuse and recycle as much as possible and sometimes that includes using a bit of ingenuity and a lot of creativity. For instance: do you buy lettuce in the grocery store that comes with one of these green velcro bands?
We do! And some other veggies (like broccoli and asparagus) come with thick rubber bands that we can't get ourselves to throw away! We keep them in the drawer with our aluminum foil and saran wrap:
Ok, we eat a lot of lettuce...and yes, it's a little out of control. But those velcro strips are so useful for storing open bags of things like this:
or this:
or for training a rose bush like this:
or trellising a vine like this:
Pete uses them to cinch around his pant leg so it doesn't get caught in the chain while riding his bike. And in the summer, we use them to fasten our tomato plants to the cages. Got any other ideas for these thingies?? How about any recycling tips you use around your home? Would love to hear them!

73 comments:

  1. GORGEOUS fabric line!! My credit card is not going to like me very much by the end of the Summer with all the beautiful fabrics coming out! My wishlist is super long and I just added some Terrain to it! Thanks for the sneak peek!

    ReplyDelete
  2. still swooning over terrain....so lovely! And what a great idea for the velcro straps. Ours are always rubberbands, but it's still got me thinking. great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Terrain! I can't wait for it to become available. Thank you for designing it.

    We grow our own lettuce (and most other veggies too) so don't get those very useful looking velcro bands. Definitely worth re-using and I would find it hard to believe that anyone would throw them away at all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We don't get velcro fastners with our veggies, just elastics. I keep them and use them whenever I need an elastic. Haven't bought elastics for years! The velcro would be very handy though. Love your new fabric, it is gorgeous (as per usual....)

    ReplyDelete
  5. oh my yumminess! that is some beautiful fabric. That will be a budget buster! wohoo! :) And thanks a lot, I'll now be singing My Fair Lady all afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love, Love, Love Terrain and can't wait to get my hands on some!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I could weep it's so beautiful, Kate! Ok, I'm 10 times more excited about Terrain than I am about my own fabric. No… make that 20 times. So now I know, that if I'm going to a deserted island and I can only have one fabric line and what it would be… no question, no hesitation, no doubts… hands down it would be Terrain. Once Terrain hits the stores… I can literally stop shopping for fabric now.

    The only thing that I don't like about Terrain... is that'll it be at Quilt Market without you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glorious fabric, Kate! I just finished a Central Park quilt, so I'm patiently waiting for Terrain!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kate, it's gorgeous! I especially love the top print and can't wait to see more details of the others.

    Great tips for those big rubber bands! Happy Earth Day!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Terrain is so pretty--I love the vibrant colors! I'm glad to know when it is coming out so I can save up my quilting money!

    I've never seen those velcro bands, ever! Our lettuce is always tied up with those giant twist ties that cut into the lettuce.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I didn't think it was possible to design something prettier than Central Park - but I think Terrain may top it! Can hardly wait for it to be in the stores!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow! What a gorgeous line of fabrics! I'll definitely be picking up a bunch of those as soon as they are released. Love the great colors of these prints!

    ReplyDelete
  13. lovely lovely lovely your new collection!!!! I am so exited to see it in some months....

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh my, Terrain is going to be my new bestseller for aprons, I can see it already. As is Central Park gave Fandango a good run for it's money as my most popular offerings... but Terrain... it will take the cake. I am IN LOVE.

    One unusual way we recycle is by giving all our small plastic bottles a second life in custom made doggie toys that I made with velcro closure pockets for the bottles. Our pups LOVE to crunch up the bottles inside the toys, they are still totally recycle worthy once "munched" and it keeps us from purchasing toys that might end up in the landfill- once shredded. I have been doing this for a few years now and I have saved a bundle on dog toys and re-used then recycled hundreds of bottles. Maybe other dog owners could benefit from this too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's gorgeous, Kate, and I can't wait till it comes out! So excited!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The sneak peak looks gorgeous -- just as we would expect it to!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your new line of fabric looks fantastic! Can't wait 'til it gets here!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yep, you've nailed it again Kate!!
    So cracking in colour, so elegantly named, so so so sad you won't be at market :(

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I think I love that fabric! Going to click now to see more!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love this new line Kate and I think it will blend very well with some Central Park too. Can't wait to get some.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am in love............ again. I hate being in love because it is so painful on my pocketbook.

    You smacked this one out of the park!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. That peek looks incredible Kate! I can't wait to see more.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Kate, I can't wait for that line to come out!! It's gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. So pretty! I'm so behind. I still need to get my hands on some Central Park.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I can hardly wait for terrain...I think I might finally make that single girl quilt.
    I wish we had those velcro vege straps here in California. I garden and they would go to great use for the tomatoes and other things we tie up. But, we do reuese the rubber bands.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I saw Terrain the other day and regretted my vow to not buy more fabric ranges until I'd used up some of the ones I have.... but then I realised I've got until September!!

    I wish our lettuce came with green velco straps, they look really handy!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That Terrain is gorgeous, GORGEOUS fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I was so in love with Central Park (and still am!!) that I didn't think I would ever find a line I loved better. Then along cam Terrain...W.O.W.!!! Kate...you outdid yourself with this one! L.O.V.E it!!!! And I'm wishing we had those handy straps on our lettuce, but we don't. I cannot WAIT until September!!! YOU GO GIRL! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Terrain looks just beautiful!

    We don't have those velcro straps Down Under, but I know that I couldn't throw them out - they look very useful.

    We keep the very fine, thin plastic bags from the Fruit and Veg section of the supermarket, and take them on walks with our dog - enough said.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your Terrain. The colors are gorgeous. I will definitely have to have some of it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the new line and can't wait to get my hands on it !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I get so excited every time I see a glimpse of your new fabrics!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yay! I LOVE the fabric! Happy Earth Day!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Happy Earth Day to you, too! Terrain is so, so beautiful. I'm really looking forward to seeing in person!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh my. I loved Central Park, but Terrain is even more breathtaking. Can't wait to buy it up!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy Easter, may God bless you.and your new line.Barb

    ReplyDelete
  37. Happy Easter Kate! Gorgeous fabric! I've just posted my recycling idea on my blog if you'd like to visit:

    http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/04/recycling-makes-beautiful-boxes.html

    Great post - get's you thinking!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh that fabric is fantastic!!!! I better rest my card so it will be ready to get everything.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I wish our veggies came with velcro straps....what a good idea. OH, I have a friend who once asked me...."when you get your new fabric lines in the mail, dont you just want to roll around in it"? I did (want to) but never did (roll around in it). So close the curtains....and go ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your new fabric is to die for!! We have placed the order in my store and are planning our sample... not too big, because we want lots of fabric for our customers!! You are such a talented gal, please keep us drooling for more!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am still loving on Central Park and now I wait with antici....pation for Terrain! Such hardships. It looks fabulous. Good Job Kate!

    ReplyDelete
  42. love the colors - I am still having fun with your central park - wonder what I can do with this new line?????

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for the sneak peak!! Bright colors with lots of variety.

    I use the velcro "thingies" to wrap around several loops of cord from, oh, the phone chargers, or lamp cords, or power cords to the laptops.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Love the sneak peak, can't wait to see more of the patterns and colors!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh your fabric is so beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Well we definitely recycle!! I actually go to a recycling place for my glass, plastic and aluminum...the great thing about this place is they also take detergent and bleach bottles and the little money I get, of course I use to buy fabric!! I love the new line...It really looks great!! One question, is there a reason why some of the fabric will be double sided? Is there a cool technique that makes it easier to have double sided fabric? Just wondering!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. OhMyGosh Kate -- those colors are just fantastic! I'm sorry to hear that you won't be at quilt market this time -- Jan is going to be heartbroken! ;-) You will be very missed! Hope you're having a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Oh gosh, another gorgeous fabric line that I won't be able to resist! My "green" efforts involve saving the fabric dryer sheets and using them for string quilts. Happy Easter to you!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Oh, Kate!! Once again, you have come up with a line I won't be able to live without (ok, maybe that's a little over the top, but so far I've loved everything you've designed!!) Terrain is awesome - I love the vibrant colors! Do you ever need people to make sample quilts for you? I'd love to play with your fabrics!!

    We use the little velcro strips to tie up electrical lines (like behind the tv and computer) so they don't get all tangled up. They are also perfect to keep your chargers bundled up when you travel!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Kate I think you need to hook up with Jeep and they can come out with the Kate Spain All Terrain Vehicle!!! Happy Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love the sneak peek. The patterns are so beautiful. Can't wait for September.

    ReplyDelete
  52. each time I see the color range I fall even more in love .... the colors are a stroke of genius, just absolutely stunning. Can't wait for this!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Love Terrain!! Very beautiful!

    I wish we had those velcro straps on our lettuce! Ours come in the big thick rubberbands.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I absolutely love your fabric line, Terrain. I can't wait to get my hands on a FQ bundle of that....LOL. I just ordered Central Park and have a awesome project planned with it. Then all these ideas kept creeping into my mind about the Terrain line.......oh, I'm not sure if I can wait that long....LOL! Your wonderful and thank you for the preview!

    ReplyDelete
  55. That is one gorgeous looking pile of fabric.....swoon.....

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love every color that is in Terrain, can't wait for it to come out, love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Terrain is super wonderful!!! But now I will be humming and singing that song all day!! I loved that movie!
    Never got lettuce or veggies with those bands, pretty cool, I'd say!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Fabulous fabric! I'm going to need a little bit of that! Ok ... you got me ... I'll need a LOT of that!

    Hugs & stitches,
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  59. I absolutely love all I can see of Terrain; I think it could be a contender for my new all-time favourite and can't wait until we can see more, and start quilting with it!

    ReplyDelete
  60. What a gorgeous fabric line! Yummy!!! Hope it will hit the stores here in Norway too :o)
    Have a great day,
    Laila

    ReplyDelete
  61. Kate, you've done it again. This new fabric line looks great. Can't wait for it to come out and add to Central Park, Fandango and Verna fabric stash.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm disappointed that you won't be at Quilt Market but really happy that Terrain will be making an appearance.....it's gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I need to see more....
    Thanks Kate for the websites, great inspiration.
    Congrat Pete again.
    See you SOOONNNN

    ReplyDelete
  64. Oh, Kate, that fabric is really wonderful! It's going to fly off the shelves!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Such a lovely new line of fabric--it kills that we have to wait until September!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love, love, love the fabric! I am marking my calendar!

    ReplyDelete
  67. I love love love your new fabric line, I can't wait until September!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. I adore the colors in your new line!!!! Can't wait to see them "in person".
    (I wish my lettuce came with a velcro strip instead of in a plastic wrapper!)

    ReplyDelete
  69. Fell in love right away when the sales lady from our Dutch wholesale company showed me the swatches and bought the whole line for my shop here in Germany. But it's gonna take sooooooo long until I can get my hands on them! Thank you!Sunny greetings from Havixbeck, Grete

    ReplyDelete
  70. Terrain is so pretty! I love the colors and the name is perfect. We save all those rubber bands too, and we have a little jar full of the twistie things off our bread that comes in super handy for all sorts of things.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I absolutely love it! I can't wait for it to come out! :) I keep the asparagus rubber bands too.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Oh my goodness. I love that fabric!! I am going to have to buy some of that!!!

    ReplyDelete
  73. oh. my. gawd. between you and sweetwater, my husband is gonna not be happy!!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.