Wool Is Back at Aunt Mary's

Look what's back!  WOOL!  Several years ago, wool was all the rage.  Many of us were making penny rugs and other cute projects. Then it kind of slowed down, it go harder for me to find a good supplier, and we let it go as well.  Then....... as with so many great things........it came back into trend.  New designers like Sue Spargo and Kim Diehl have books out that mix wool and cotton on quilts. I have to say, it's very cool!  My friend Cheryl Barron completed an absolutely gorgeous quilt that had wool appliques on a flannel background.  I think I may have to give it a try.  Two of my main suppliers now have really yummy hand dyed wool, so ordering and getting the product in will be much easier.  I'm excited!  We have fat quarters of virgin wool in very pretty colors and yesterday we got 6" squares of hand dyed! Come check it out! 

Don't Miss Out On TheTri County Treasure Hunt

Last year during the big Northwest Washington Quilt Shop Hop, all the shops in the Tri County Quit Association (Snohomish,Skagit and Whatcome County) put on a "Treasure Hunt." It was really fun! Here's how it works.......At the first participating shop (South - it would be Keepsake Cottage in Bothell / North it would be one of the shops in Lynden) At each of the shops you will receive a clue to find something in the hop.  When you find it, you get your treasure map stamped. When you collect stamps from each of the shops you get into a drawing to win one of three big "Treasure" chests fill with quilting loot. I am in charge of putting the Treasure chests together this year.  I can tell you there are some really great things!  Lot's of fabric packs, books, patterns and misc. treasures.  I would like to win one myself!  So when you make your plans for shop hop this year, make time to come north!

The Shop Hop Fabric Has Arrived

The great Western Washington Shop Hop is just around the corner.  Boy oh boy the time goes by fast!  I think there is more to do to get ready for this event than getting ready for Christmas.  2500 block kits,  fat quarter pacs, samples and soooo much more.  I have such mixed feelings about this event.  I really enjoy the actual days of it, but not getting ready. This will be my 13th shop hop, so we have got it down to a pretty good routine. The blocks will get done in no time at all.  I think the fabric is fun this year.  I like my block that we created. It's fun and easy to make.  I will post a picture of my block soon.  Customers seam to like the fabric as well.  We have had allot of pre-orders.  Last year all the shops ran out of the fabric.  I have a feeling this fabric will go fast.  Have you got yours ordered?  Well, I better get myself in gear and start cutting this morning.  Here I go............

Marsha Derse Fabrics at Aunt Mary's Win a Fat Quarter Pac

I have had lots of requests for "Marsha Derse" fabrics. So now I can say, YES we have it.  This picture really doesn't do the line justice.  You have to see it in person.  The colors are rich and the textures are so interesting.  I can't wait to make something with it.  The line blends with lots of other fabric lines or it can stand by itself.  I find myself "petting" it allot.    Have you noticed all the blogs that have give aways?  Well,  I thought I should get on the band wagon.  All you have to do to win a beautiful fat quarter pack of  Marsha Derse fabrics is send a comment about your favorite summertime quilting  class that you would like to see here at Aunt Mary's.  It's time to finalize my summer class schedule, and sometimes I am at a loss as to what we should do next.  So let me know and maybe we can arrange it.   

Marta Shares Her Mystery Quilt

My good friend, Marta was here to share that she finished her "Mystery" quilt from the last mystery class here at Aunt Mary's.  Isn't it great?  It uses lots and lots of scraps.  One of my favorite things to do.  Almost all of us have all those pretty little bits hanging around in baskets and tubs.  Let's use them up.  It really is lots of fun as well.  The flying geese down the middle of this quilt are FUN  and easy to make.  If you use the scrapes from your stash, you can't help but smile when these kind of blocks are made.  After all, you bought the fabric because you loved it didn't you?  So now, every time you look at a quilt like this, there are great memories.  Look at Marta at the top.  She is soooo special!  Watch for some great classes this fall that will utilize all of your scraps. 

Another Fun Class With Stephanie Davis

Looking for a fun project that can be made in just a wee bit of time that will get your creative juices flowing?  Well,here you go!  Stephanie is at it again!  She always finds the funnest, most creative things to share.  This book is FULL of sweet pincushions to make for yourself or your quilty friends.  Even the decorative pins are fun to make.  The class is called "Pincushion Party" it's scheduled for Sunday, June 9th from 10 - 2.  this would be a great class to take for Mom's and Daughters or Grandmas.  Stephanie is such an up and coming teacher as well.  The classes that she has taught so far, here at Aunt Mary's, have been VERY well received.  The Students have loved her. She has soooo much to share!  I just love it when I see her coming through the door with a new project to teach.  You can bet it's going to be FUN!

Count Down To Becky Goldsmith Workshop

Only 8 days to go before Becky arrives for a two day workshop.  I am really looking forward to haveing her here  at Aunt Mary's.  I still have one opening if anyone wants to join us.  I think  we have everything ready.  I have all of her past and present books here or on order. I have lots of her new book.  (It's fantastic by the way) The classroom is ready.  Everytihing from her supply list is here.  Whew!  Now just wait...........  I wish I could take the workshop.   

Spring Posies

Look at the pretty posies I made.  Aren't they cute?  I have a group of ladies coming over from Eastern Washington and I thought I would make them a little souvenir to remind them of Aunt Mary's.  These little guys are made with the Keshashi Flower Maker Templates, and are quite easy to do.  These ones, I sewed a pin closer on the back so that you can wear them as a pin.  I have seen them on hair clips and on handmade bag.  The possibilities are endless.  I still have a few more to make, but they don't take too long.  I really enjoy using up small scraps, and seeing how pretty they turn out.  Each one gave me a smile as I was making it.  Isn't that why we create? Most of these are made from new"Kaffe" fabric that has just come in.  Cute!