A Good Book to Cozy Up With?

One of my favorite things to do on a cold rainy day, is to get a cozy quilt out, make a nice cup of something warm to sip, and read a good book.  I think most quilters are readers too.  Just ask our book club that meets here.  We have sooo much fun! 

One section of the shop that lots of customers overlook is our  non fiction book section.  Then again, I have several faithful customers that are picking up the books regularly and love it when new ones come out. 
Earlene Fowler is always a good seller.  For the life of me I can't figure out how one person comes upon so many dead people wrapped in quilts though.  Then there are the Jennifer Chiveriani books.  Always a good read.  But then there are the fun little mystery books that one of my customers tells me are like eating potato chips.  Fast, addicting and you don't have to think too much.  Sew Deadly and Death Threads to name a few.  So next time your here maybe you want to pick up a book and cuddle up for a while.

Need a Fast, Easy Project?

That time of year is coming up VERY fast.  Yesterday, I thought I should start getting some fast, easy projects ready for you.  Here are two of the projects that I came up with. First - Panels are always popular.  With this one, all we did was put two borders around it, quilt it and Voila La! It's done!!!  this one is very cute with cute animals, and it also has a book that is easy to make.  The shop has a few panels that would work just as good.  One of them has vintage cars and trucks.  (Easy gift for a guy) 
Second - The table runner is THE FASTEST table runner project you will ever find! This one uses a 60 degree ruler and any pretty border fabric.  It took me about 30 minutes to make this one.  So you see, being Santa's little elf doesn't mean you have to spend all your time slaving away. As our time gets shorter to that big holiday.  I will be showing more quick projects that make great gifts.  Stay tuned!

I've Got The Blues For You!

Just got some beautiful fabric in from Northcott.  It's from their "Stonehenge" collection.  I think it's really pretty.  It's such an icy blue.  The panel that comes with it would be great to just frame with some of the coordinate fabrics, but it cuts up even better! 

Check out this beautiful quilt that you can make with the panel.  It looks like you did hours and hours of piecing. I wont tell anyone!  The kits are available for this one too.  looks like a great rainy week end project!

Bat Sale 2011

The big "Bat Sale" is this week end.  We have been getting lots in, so you have lots to choose from.  I think the biggest seller is Warm and Natural.  We sell LOTS of it.  The thing is, the cost of cotton products has gone WAY up this year.  Ok that's most of what I sell.  But maybe with 20% off, everyone can stock up a little bit.  The other big seller that I carry is Wool Batting.  If you havn't tried it, WOW  it's nice.  It's excellent for hand quilting.  The needle goes through sooooo smoothly.  It's got a little loft to it so it shows off your stitches nicely. I have also used it for quilts that are machine quilted.  As with hand quilting, it really shows off your stitches, and if you really heavily quilt it. It still stays very drapey. (not sure that's a word)  The wool batting also washes very nicely.  Ok, so don't use really HOT water. but I don't wash my quilts in hot anyway.  Warm and cool water works better.  
We also have Hobbs Heirloom batting and Hobbs Black Batting on the roll.  Then.... Just so you know that I carry them and they will be on sale also - I carry lots of Pellon fleece and fusible fleece. Ok, Come on in! 

Tuffits and Movies! Oh My!!

Whew!  Busy end of the week! Sometimes it feels like there is something to think about, get ready for, take care of, order and handle every minute of the week.  I guess that's what makes this job so much fun!  Friday was the second session of our "Tuffit" class, with Krista Moser.  (She is soooo cool!)  There were some really great tuffits!  Here is Karen, working on hers.  Such pretty greens!

Here's Krista working with Sue.  Funny, Krista wore almost the same outfit as me on Friday.  She looks so cute - I kind of looked like a potato. Anyway,  The Tuffits all came together and many of the students are planing on making more for Christmas gifts.  Wouldn't you just love to have Santa bring one to you? 

Here's Marta and Nancy with their finished Tuffits.  Everyone's colors are so different, and they always come out great!  Be watching for a class after the first of the year. 

Then on Saturday, we had "Movie Night"  I had lots of fun, and I think everyone else did too.  We watched lots of movies and ate way too much good stuff.  We all went home around ten with lots of work on our projects done.  I think we may be doing this more often.  It's really fun. 

So this morning I got here early and the shop is all put back together and clean.  There was lots of popcorn all over the place.  Hmmmm?  I think it's all ready for another fun week!

A Successful Hoochy Cow Class

 Yesterday was our "Hoochy Cow" class.  I think it was fun!  I think the students enjoyed it too.  Here is a picture of part of the herd created.  It's all based on Marylou Weidman's new book. "Out of the Box with Easy Blocks"  We learned to do her carefree piecing commonly called "Hoochy Style" and made the basic cow. Then we did a little designing, making flowers, little birdies and even a barn.

Here's Norma's cow.  Isn't the little birdie cute!?  These quilts are really fun to make.  Marylou makes it easy to make all kinds of special quilts that would make anyone smile.  In her book there are princesses, birthday cakes, big birds and sew much more.  Sew creative!!! This morning we have the second session of our "Tuffit" class. They will put their project all together.  Stay tuned for a report.

Saturday is Movie Night

This Saturday is "Movie Night" at Aunt Mary's.  Can't wait.  We have done this at least once a year for the last four or five years.  I don't know why I don't do it more often. It's just allot of fun.  We spend all day (10am - 10pm)  sewing, laughing, watching movies, eating popcorn, playing games, and just having a great time.  We bring in a big flat screen and watch some fun movies (mostly ones you don't have to pay real close attention to)  Let's see... we have Young Frankenstein, Bridesmaids, Momma Mia and lots of other fun movies.  I make dinner for everyone too, believe me nobody will be hungry.  I'm thinking Ice cream sundays?  Oh, and there are door  prizes to win too.  There are still a few places left if you would like to join us.

Happy Birthday to Joanne

 Here's my good friend Donna with her sweet daughter Joanne.  Last Saturday was her birthday.  She just LOVES her birthday.  I'm so lucky she brought in a wonderful birthday cake to share with me and everyone that came in.  What a sweetie!  You can't help but be happy around her.  She brought in a small selection of some of her favorite birthday presents to show everyone.  Donna had to make two trips to the car to bring it all in.  Whew!! 

 This month is the kick off for our fall food drive.  Everyone got an extra 5% off the sale things all weekend.  Be looking for more deals, or just stop by and drop off some food.  I'm hoping to have lots to drop off at the food bank this year.  I know it's very much needed in our community this year. 

Last but not least..... here is the latest collection to come in.  Moda's "Etchings"  It's really beautiful!  We have a really nice kit that is made with this collection.  Hopefully we will have a sample real soon. 

New Things and Halloween too

 Most days, here in the shop, I get a group of ladies relaxing and enjoying each others company.  I love that part of my shop.  I really enjoy getting to know my customers and finding out their likes and dislikes.  I got talking to one of my friends about my blog and what she enjoyed reading on it.  She like to see the new fabrics that come in. Sooo...  Here's what we got yesterday.  New Australian fabrics.  Its made by a very small company IN Australia, called M & S Textiles Australia.  Most  Australian looking fabrics are just made to LOOK like they are from Australia.  These are designed by the aborigines.  I love all the bugs and symbols.  They all mean something.  We just got in a new book written by the artists.  I has some really nice patterns for some fantastic projects. It also tells all about the people and the heritage of the fabric.  HOW INTERESTING!

Also!  Halloween is just around the corner and I still have lots of halloween fabric. Today and tomorrow it's on sale for 15% off.  Bring in a donation for the ffod bank and take an extra 5%.  Woo hoo!  Boo!!!

The Bats are Back!

 It's that time of year again.  The bats are starting to arrive for our annual "Bat Sale."  Oooooo Kind of scary!  But these bats are very friendly!  They are here to help us get ready.  Soon all our BATTING will be on sale.  Friday and Saturday October 28th and 29th, all batting will be 20% off.  It's a great time to stop in and order a whole roll of your favorite batting, and take an extra 5% off.  With the cost of cotton going up the way it is, now you can get a great price.  Maybe you can split one with a friend or two.