Gwen Marston ~ Minimal Quiltmaking

We have enjoyed hosting Gwen on a few occasions, and she is one of our favorite quilter's to spend time with as her style is both varied and unique.  We look forward to another workshop next Spring (yep, that is 2015!).  We don't have details on what or how or where just yet, but the dates are set March 7th & 8th, 2015.  So please block your calendar if you're interested in spending time with Gwen, and watch for an update with workshop specifics later this year.  

Until then, enjoy Gwen's latest book from AQS, Minimal Quiltmaking.  We have a few copies available and I as read through it, I felt like it was almost a visit in person with Gwen as she shares some perspective on the projects included in the book.  Beautiful quilts and some thoughtful insight about just what makes a quilt work...

And here is a fun way to get an update and visit in with Gwen as well - you can watch her lecture at the Dennos Museum Center this past January.  Enjoy the show!

As promised...

Here are some photos from the Gwen Marston workshops this weekend. Unfortunately, everyone was so busy getting inspired on Saturday that we didn't get a chance to snap any pictures...but there was some incredible progress in both workshops!

The first two photos are of Gwen's show and tell that she brought with her, and the rest are class projects and fun...enjoy!

After two days of hard work...

Students presenting their projects

Chatting with Gwen

Stitching away...

Social time!

If you were able to attend one of the workshops- we're glad you did and hope you had a great time! Gwen is a very inspiring and effective teacher, not to mention a lot of fun to be around. 

Now, on to the task of completing all the fabulous projects that were started this weekend..good luck!

Happy Stitching!

And the Winner is...

We're excited to announce the lucky winner of our Two Thimbles blog giveaway!

In fact...we decided to draw TWO winners! We chose an impartial judge (our guest instructor for the last few days...) to draw two names, and here are the results:

Janet will receive this Seashell Pincushion, our Pincushion of the Month from April 2010. Here is Janet's response:

I love coming to Two Thimbles. The latest sale was so great with the Gees Bend fabric on sale! I usually buy batiks when I am at the store. Your book selection is pretty great too!

E.N. will receive a Watermelon Pincushion, our featured pincushion from September 2009. Here is E.N's response:

Fun! Well, I really enjoy working with reproduction fabrics and I really like Lee's choices. There is always an interesting mix of prints to choose  from. Sometimes it's hard to make a decision! I also find coming to the shop sparks my creativity, as there are great displays and fun conversations. Fabric to touch, things to see, kindred spirits, I love this shop!!!!!

If you are one of the chosen winners, please contact the shop to claim your prize (you can call 360-715-1629, or email leeg@twothimbles.com). There may even be an extra fat quarter included...

Thanks to all who participated! We really appreciate all the great feedback and support that we receive from our customers. Looking forward to many more fun projects and inspirational ideas shared!

We're wrapping up the last day of the Gwen Marston workshops- everyone's having a lot of fun! Look for photos soon...


Happy Stitching!

So Excited for Gwen Marston!

Drumroll please...we've got our class offerings chosen for the Gwen Marston workshops in May! For those who don't know, Gwen is a well known artist who has taught both nationally and internationally, and we hosted her last May for two very popular workshops.

This will be a great opportunity for those of you who missed Gwen the last time she was at Two Thimbles, and for those who have taken classes from her before...there's always more to enjoy! The Saturday workshop will focus on small studies based in traditional pieced block designs, and Gwen will have a number of her small quilts with her as inspiration and example. The two day class will be based on Gwen's take on a Medallion quilt. She'll have some samples for this workshop too, and there will be a lot of room for personal viewpoints and inspirations!

Pictured below is a take on the Liberated Medallion. She will be drawing concepts from her not-yet-published book, so we're incredibly excited that she's agreed to teach it for us!

Here is a quilt from a customer who took Gwen's Liberated Log Cabin class here last May - she's combined concepts and blocks from that class with other ideas and inspirations... it's turning out pretty great, isn't it?

If you'd like more information on Gwen, please visit her website. For more info on class details at Two Thimbles, don't hesitate to give us a call or email. Class will run from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Monday. Each day includes catered lunch. Space is limited so don't wait too long!

Happy Stitching!

More From Gwen Marston

Gwen Marston's new book came in a few days ago - and it's definitely worth checking out! Gwen taught at Two Thimbles back in May, and her artistic insight was such an inspiration. In her new book, she delivers beautiful photographs of small projects, created in her desire to experiment with different techniques and color combinations. The book is narrated and printed in an artsy and whimsical fashion, making it a joy to explore. Below, the cover of the book is pictured, as well as some beautifully structured pages from inside.

We've got some new fabric choices coming in - linen blends from French General in grey and cream , a collection of brightly colored hand-dyed velvet pieces, and some fall-into-winter tone wools by the yard. Lots of inspiration for working with different and unique fabrics!

Happy Stitching!

Gwen Marston Workshop Pictures

As promised, here are some pictures of the Gwen Marston workshop last weekend. The workshop encompassed two days - participants spent the first day working in the style of Gwen's Liberated Log Cabin, and the second day centered around her 19th Century Folk Applique technique.

a student's work in progress

more creations during the Liberated Log Cabin class

student progress in the Folk Applique class

An example of Gwen's work

A student hard at work

A teaching opportunity

From all reports it was a great workshop - with more play than work! Everyone had a lot of fun and learned some tips and tricks from a true master of the art. Gwen was a great inspiration! If you missed this opportunity, hopefully you'll have a chance to take a class with her in the future.

Happy Stitching!

More Calendar Quilts

We're playing catch-up this week- on blog-posting, that is. Pictured below are the March, April, and May Calendar Quilts. We've still got a few kits available!

For March we chose a muted grey background- appropriate for the Pacific Northwest in early spring, right? The flowers and bluebirds brightened up the scene.

With this rainy scene, there was no choice but to use bright neon colors- isn't that polka dot umbrella adorable? A real-life umbrella made of polka dots would be too cute- we've got some waterproof lining material available to make that happen. Ask us about it next time you're in!

Now THIS is what May is supposed to look like. We're just waiting for the pretty flowers and blue skies to come, aren't we?? Hopefully soon...

Pictured here is one of doll quilts that we featured during our anniversary sale. The pattern is called Mo's Suspenders (with a cute little back story) from Civil War Legacies. We call our version 'Four-Square Bouquet'. We've still got some kits available!

We're looking forward to the Gwen Marston workshops this weekend. Lots of inspiration, fresh ideas and a lot of fun.

Happy Stitching!

Pictures are here!

Ok, I know that we are supposed to move forward to new and exciting fabric ventures, but we couldn't resist sharing these pictures from the Karin Franzen workshop from the end of last month. Three days of designing and creating ended with some pretty amazing results! Check out some happy artists and a few works in progress:

We hope to have Karin return in the future-we'll keep you posted! On another note, we are very excited to have Gwen Marston visit in May- and we are still taking sign-ups! Feel free to call or email for more information.

Happy Stitching!

Gwen Marston is coming!

I really can't say much other than how excited I am that Gwen is going to be here in May. Yippee! I've had a couple of opportunities to witness Gwen in action in the past and I've got to say she's a great individual with a fun attitude. I'm not sure if it gets better than that! I hope you can juggle your calendar and commitments to make one of these dates work.