Best Wishes for a Joyous New Year!

We hope the holiday season finds you celebrating with friends and family and enjoying lots of homemade goodies! We are closing early Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 31st (3:00pm)...otherwise we'll be here for any last minute sewing needs!

Thank-you everyone for your patronage over the last year, and we wish you all the best in 2012!

Stories in Cloth

Seems like all we talk about are new classes, doesn't it? We've got to get you through the winter weather somehow...

This class should be really exciting- it's a free-form applique handwork class. The instructor, Kellie Sammon, creates small works of art using interesting textiles and fibers, and draws from her own ideas for inspiration rather than following a pattern. She uses dimensional stitching and embellishments to add feeling and emotion to her pieces. Some of Kellie's stitchery was featured in a 2002 issue of Quilting Arts magazine.

The class will be focused on exploring your own creative ideas to produce meaningful imagery in fabric. This could be a great class for someone who likes handwork and is willing to stretch themselves artistically ... Below are some samples of Kellie's work.

We're offering this class on Saturday, February 4th from 11-5 pm. Included in the cost of the class is access to scraps of various vintage and new fabrics and fibers to work from, but you're encouraged to delve into your own stash. Space is limited to be sure to let us know if you'd like to sign up or have other questions!

Happy Stitching!

New and Exciting Adventures

As much fun as it can be planning for the holidays, it's also time to look ahead to new adventures. In January, we are beginning Prairie Women's Sewing Circle-Journey 3, created by Heartspun Quilts. This is a new club for us, and it will be offered in place of the Jo Morton's Little Women monthly club. We'll miss our monthly Jo's club, but we're looking forward to something new and different!

Each month for six months, club members will meet to discuss the historical perspectives of quilting in America; talk about new techniques and ideas for small quilt projects; and explore the historical concept of "make-do", which can be used to add a scrappy and unique feel to a project. Participants will receive a new small quilt project each month, as well as a bonus project using hexagons. The projects are pictured above. There will be lots of opportunities for student participation, and it should be a fun time for everyone involved!

Please visit our website for dates, times, and all the details. And don't hesitate to let us know if you have questions or would like to get on the list- there are limited spots available! This could be a great Christmas gift, just a thought...

Happy Stitching!

More Gifty Ideas

Hopefully your holiday preparations are going great...we're getting closer! Here are some more fantastic gift ideas if you've got some check marks to make on your list...

We talked about chalk cloth a few posts ago, and now we've got a sample! All you have to do is cut out the shape you want, prep it with a piece of chalk, and you're good to go! You can do placemats too, in fun shapes for the kids or classy shapes for the grownups (great for writing cocktail recipes!).

And of course, we couldn't say no to more ruffle fabric...this time in a peppermint stripe. Just in time for peppermint season!

The new Quilting Arts Calendar, a sewing book, or fabric in jars, shapes, and bundles...would all make great quick gifts.

See that doll bed in the photo? Those are handcrafted in Bellingham by a local artist. There are even a couple different designs to choose from- one has a heart carved into the headboard and the other has a diamond. These would make a lovely gift for someone who collects dolls, small quilts, or loves handcrafted wood items.

This is the newest line in the store from Bunny Hill Designs, called Puttin' on the Ritz. There are some lovely patterns, checks, and swirls to choose from...we've also got the jelly rolls in grey and pink. These would go great with lines from other Moda designers like French General and 3 Sisters.

Happy Stitching!

Winter Wonderland

December already! Doesn't our little pincushion forest look just like a little Winter Wonderland? These fun little trees can be made in lots of different fabrics and decorated with as many shiny beads and sequins as you like. The smallest ones can be package decorations or an ornament for the tree. And of course, we all need a new pincushion, especially a seasonal one! The pattern company is called La Todera, and they've definitely got some cute crafty ideas! We've got kits to make this little forest up in the bright greens and reds that we are featuring here with all the fixin's or we've got the pattern separately as well. These cuties do not require any machine sewing either, so if you've got some young crafters you want to keep busy this is a great option!

Our December Calendar quilt took some quick thinking to find the right combination of ornaments, but it was worth it, don't you think? Pinwheels, bling, and some Texture Magic to create the 3-D packages under the tree...too much fun. As always, we've got kits for this sweet little tree...and this completes the series!

Lots of new gift ideas coming everyday...new books, linen thread, tote bag patterns...the possibilities are endless! Looks like we'll be ready for the holidays...

Happy Stitching!