Keeping it Bright and Crazy

Almond Country Quilt Top

This bright new york beauty variation has been in the works for a bit, and the top is finally complete!  I have it in the queue for some quilting time, but that won't happen any time soon...but I wonder if one of these crazy digital prints (see photo below) will end up on the back of this quilt?  We do have a couple of kits left for the project if you have been thinking about it - it is a great foundation paper pieced project, perfect spikey points everytime!  

Skyline prints from Hoffman

Who knew that there were Alice fans out there....we have heard about collectors and fans and people that named their kids Alice!  We sold alot of our fabrics to a collector in Indiana that had a personal shopping fairy drop by the shop one day - but we have secured a couple of replacements bolts which should be showing up soon.  We don't want ANY excuses why you can't finish your challenge project!  

It's not too late to join, or to finish up a little something - so get those ideas transferred to execution, projects are due December 1st!

We are just starting to get crafty around here, looking for fun projects to make for yourself friends and family and we have these two fun items completed - the big white tag on the project bag, is so you can write your label with a frixion pen, then change it up when you want to change out the contents.  Pretty brilliant eh?  We've linked to the tutorial and pdf pattern here so you can't go wrong.  We've even got some fun colored zippers in stock so you can mix and match your project bags and favorite colors!

Project bag

May Chappell Project Bag Tutorial

Dilly Bag 

Judy Newman's Dilly Bag Pattern sourced through gnome angel

And of course - if you're thinking of fun projects or need to play with some new fabric - we have some great new pieces.  We've added to our Derse collection and now that several of you have had a chance to meet her and see her studio you will enjoy these fabrics even more.  

Bookends by Marcia Derse

Neco by Moda

 Elizas Indigo by Betsy Chutchian

This last collection coordinates with the Moda Frivols project #3 so if you want to acquire a little goody in a special tin this is the one for you!

PS we were here on Sunday, switching things up so stop by and let us know what you think!  

Fabric and Strips and Strings!

We went all in with this latest collection of Lotta Jansdotter, it is called "Lucky" and perhaps the name is what convinced me we needed it all.  The colors are so much fun and the scale of those large random dots is perfect!  What kind of fun can happen with these prints do you think?  

And since we think clean and crisp colors are good - you can't go wrong with an aqua and peachy pink combination - of course a touch of chartreuse hits the spot.  Color combinations that are sure to spark any project you  have in the works - and the scraps will be sooo great for a bunch of future string quilts?!

For You from Zen Chic for Moda

As you know - it's always good to be ahead of the curve, and we love it when we recognize a good thing when we see it!  Remember the trunk show we had at the shop in July?   We featured several quilts from Sewn into the Fabric, created by Rana Heredia.  And, whoo-hooo, a big shout out to Rana since her quilt "Stag Nation" is going to be on the cover of the second issue of Quiltmania's latest publication Quilting Moderne (that's with a french accent!).  How cool is that?  We still have a few copies of her book Simply Strings in stock, and the pattern...AND, we have the strips and strings class series coming up with Leslie.  We can't promise you'll use up all your scraps, but you just might make a dent.  The first class is this coming Friday - so check our website for more details.  

Stag Nation by Rana Heredia

Trunk Show here!

Eighth Anniversary Doll Quilt ~ Criss-Cross Pathways...

We think this year's small quilt is the perfect combination of scrappy repetition...just enough blocks to keep it fun and plenty of fabric combinations to enjoy.  The pattern and kits are available for purchase on our website or in the shop so stop by soon and visit the quilt in person!  

Criss-Cross Pathways

Thanks so much Suz!  So glad you took the time to create our pattern this year - and for those of you who caught a sneak peek at what else Suz created using the same block pattern...she's back in the sweat shop working out a pattern for that project too - so watch for details!  It is a great combination of applique, stitchery and pieced blocks!  

The Trunk show of string projects from Rana Heredia of Sewn into the Fabric is on display in the class room!  The projects all feature a combination of string piecing and scraps that will give you some new ideas - stop in before the 22nd to see these colorful quilts in person and you'll surely want to pick a new project and dive into your scraps!

Stag Nation

Trunk Show coming soon!

We will be hosting a trunk show for some great scrappy string quilts next month - a perfect follow-up to our string class this spring with Gwen Marston!  These projects are featured in Rana Heredia's recent book Simply Strings - you may be familiar with some of her pin cushions and our work-in-progress block of the month "Almond Country".  You can see more of Rana's work on her website Sewn Into The Fabric.

We will have a few quilts on display after the 4th of July so stop in before we have to send them away again!  

We will be closed on Saturday July 4th, 2015.  We hope you'll find time to enjoy some stitching time with family and friends!