Happy Holidays!

Hey Everyone,

Happy Holidays!,
Sorry for the delay in getting the blog updated. My blogger babysitter Kyle is still out but will be back. Look forward to regular post very soon!

I hope everyone has a great Holiday. We had a very busy December at the shop and are looking forward to a busy 2010. Look forward to a great class lineup coming soon.

Happy New Year!

Mary

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for the delay in getting a post. KyleAnne, my loyal marketing helper and babysitter (Yes, she babysits me) had surgery and is greatly missed. When she is up to speed you can expect regular post on a regular basis again! We have been very busy at the shop. We are feverishly working on kits for our upcoming Holiday open house and the Holiday Round Robin. For the Holiday Round Robin Always In Stitches is focusing on table runners and toppers. We have some awesome patterns for quick quilt as you go runners and placemats. We also have the pattern and template for the four sided placemat. This has been very popular and is a great christmas gift.



Babyloc machines are awesome! I took Audry. the small travel machine with me to the Goodtime Quilters retreat and I loved using it. I even dropped the feed dogs and did some free motion quilting. We have sold a bunch so far and we are excited about the quality and the price of the Babyloc product.



We have a very busy weekend at the shop. Saturday is our Mystery night. Buy The Yard is the quilt we are putting together and I am looking forward to a really fun evening.



Stop in and say hey!



Have a great weekend! Here is a coupon for the next couple of weeks! Enjoy!



Mary

SAVE THE DATE!!

Hey Everyone,

Here is a few reminders of upcoming events: These are just a few of the activities we have going on in Novemeber and December. Stop in and visit with us!

Black Friday Sale

November 27th, 2009

8:00 – 9:59 *** 40% off
10:00 – 11:59 *** 30% off
12:00 – 1:59 *** 20% off
2:00 – 5:00 *** 10% off

All discounts good on all regularly priced merchandise.

Sale excludes all sale and clearance items.
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Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
12:00 – 4:00

Free Make-It Take-Its
Ruler Demos
Free Delicious Food
Baby Locks on SALE

Join us for free food, free learning and free demos!

"BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT": BABYLOCK HAS ARRIVED

GUESS WHAT ARRIVED TODAY??? Four (count 'em . . .4) different models of the new A-Line Series of Baby-Lock. All moderately price, covering the spectrum of versatility. . . .

Natalie - The basic machine, especially nice for beginning sewers/quilters. It has 15 built-in stitches, 4 different types of 4-step buttonholes for those who sew, front-loading, free-arm, twin needle sewing option, 5 accessory feet included. (Save $120 if you purchase before November 1).

Audrey - The "portable" machine - weighs only 12 lbs and comes with it's own little carrying case. It has 66 built-in stitches, lockstitch, automatic needle threader, programmable needle up/down, start/stop button for "foot-free" sewing, 8 different types of one-step buttonholes, drop in bobbin (NO bobbin case!!), free-arm, extension table with ruler, 9 accessory feet included. (Save $150 if you purchase before November 1).

Grace - 40 built-in stitches, 5 different types of one-step buttonboles, drop feed for free motion techniques, quick-set/drop in bobbin (again, NO bobbin case!!), free-arm, optional quilting extension table, soft case cover, 7 accessory feet included. (Save $150 if you purchase before November 1).

Crafter's Choice - 80 built-in stitches, 7 one-step buttonholes, automatic needle threader, programmable needle up-and-down, quick-set/drop-in bobbin with quick-set bobbin winder, optional quilting extension table, retractable feed dogs, variable speed control (up to 850 spm!), free arm. (Save $449 if you purchase before November 1).

NEW MATERIAL!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone,

The last couple of weeks have been very busy here at the shop. Last Monday Diane, Jan and I visited the Portsmouth Down by the River Quilt Guild for a presentation regarding the Guild in The Granary. We also stopped by Lil's quilt shop for a book signing. The day was fun and it is always fun to get out and visit other shops.

This weekend is a special weekend - we are having a 40% off sale. Check the bottom of this blog entry for your coupon.

AND . . . over 74 NEW bolts of fabric have arrived! There are a lot of Christmas prints; some lovely flannels; some beautiful new fabrics from Eleanor Burns; and lots more. They're going to go quickly, too, so you will want to be one of the first in the shop to check them out.

Know a beginner who wants to try out a new machine without having to put out HUGE dollars for it? We will start carrying Baby Lock machines SOON. For over 40 years, Baby Lock has been dedicated to the love of sewing by creating machines for sewing, embroidery, quilting and serging – all with ease-of-use, high quality and a touch of elegance. We will be carrying the Audrey, the Natalie, and the Grace models. Come in and look at them, or check them out at the Baby Lock website: http://www.babylock.com/a-line/grace/, http://www.babylock.com/a-line/audrey/, and http://www.babylock.com/a-line/natalie/. A more complete line will be available at Quilt Beginnings - just tell them Mary sent you! AND, Baby Lock even has free projects on their website: http://www.babylock.com/projects/quilting/.

For you primitive lovers, Our Sweet Land of Liberty block of the month starts on Thursday October 29. You do not have to do the class to participate in this monthly project. Kits are $21.25. Monthly pattern is $6.75.

KyleAnn is doing another knitting class. This Knit Dishcloth class will review what you've already learned (casting on, knitting, purling, binding off) and teach you how to increase, decrease and do basic lace using yarn overs (YO). You will also learn how to use this basic pattern to make a lapghan or baby blanket! Class is held Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 6-8 pm. Registration is required, $15 class fee, $5 needle fee, and you need to bring one ball of a kitchen cotton (Lily's Sugar'n Cream; Peaches & Creme; Lion Cotton, etc). If you want to start right in with the lapghan/baby blanket, then you need 2 skeins Red Heart Super Saver.

Have a great weekend! Stop in and say Hello!

Mary

WE'RE PLANNING A SPRING RETREAT!

Hey everyone,

Hope you were able to come to the Quilt Show at Arts in the Alley and then visit our tent sale! There were some BEAUTIFUL quilts to be seen. And hopefully you made it to the Arts & Crafts display in the Municipal Building. There were a lot of counted cross-stitch entries this year and all were excellent.

Did you know . . . . that you can be notified via email every time we update our blog? And it's FREE! Just go to FeedMyInbox.com, enter our blog address (AlwaysInStitchesOhio.blogspot.com) and your email address. You will receive a confirmation email for you to verify and then you are all done! OR, you can enter another blog address and they will notify you of updates for it.

And now we are planning our First Annual Spring Retreat. Mark your calendar for March 12 - 14, 2010. Cost is $290 per person for 2-, 3-, or 4-person rooms and $335 for single occupancy. Start saving your $$ because the $100 non-refundable deposit is due December 31, 2009 and the balance is due February 1, 2009. This is a first come first serve retreat for 50 of our customers and we can only save you a seat with your deposit. We are going to have a GREAT time at the luxurious Drury Inn here in Grove City.

Just In! The Farmer's Wife Sample Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird.


42 letters from the 1922 Farmer's Wife magizine contest, asking the readers Do You Want Your Daughter To Marry A Farmer? See the winning letters and quilt blocks chosen for their historical significance. Also enclosed CD containing templates for all patterns pieces, for easy printing for all 111 six-inch quilt blocks, with assembly diagrams for piecing the blocks and template cutting directions.






This weekend we are busy with our Dear Jane group and with our applique club. Stop in and say hello! Enjoy the cool weather that is finally arriving! Stop in and say Hi!

It's time for Arts in the Alley!

Hey everyone!

KyleAnn's playing with the blog again. This weekend is Arts in the Alley. You know, when they close downtown Grove City and artisans exhibit their wares. There will be all kinds of beautiful articles and objects for you to see and, of course, purchase!

We are having another "garage sale" behind the shop with approximately 16 vendors displaying treasures they can no longer use (or they just want room for more stash!) as well as some independent consultants whose products can pamper you and/or make your life easier.

Be sure to stop in (and behind the shop) to lollygag and dilly-dally! (see the quilt up front for that particular phrase).

You also don't want to miss the quilt show at St. John's Lutheran Church on Columbus Street! You just won't believe the variety of beautiful quilts, Artful Bras for the Cure, challenge quilts (wall-hangings) from the local guild, Fat Quarters, quilted clothing, and more! All ability levels are represented from Master Quilter to first-entry-in-a-quilt-show. You can even vote on your favorite quilt and the winner will receive a "Viewer's Choice" award.

And just for Arts in the Alley weekend, already-cut fat quarters will be $1.50. You will find them under our tent our back.

Be sure to come! It's going to be a great weekend, lots of fun activities, and delicious food at Arts in the alley.

(Note from KyleAnn: since Mary is doing the pre-cut fat quarters for $1.50, there won't be a coupon this time. However, the 15% off pre-cut kits coupon from the last post is still good through Tuesday the 22nd!)

Happy September! Happy Back to School

Hey Everyone!

Happy September, happy cool days to you!

Everyone here at the shop is doing well! We are bustling around getting ready for one event or another. We are adding employees to our staff this month so you will be seeing some new faces, but all your favorite employees are still here to love.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Goodtime Quilters show. The quilts were absolutely beautiful. We appreciate your support. We are now gearing up to vend at the annual Goodtime retreat at the end of October.

Now, LOOK AT WHAT'S COMING IN OCTOBER!

Blended Borders: Quilts with a Creative Edge, by Pamela Mostek

Pamela Mostek shares her innovative Blended Borders technique, which softens the line between the quilt top and the border. Rather than "coloring inside the lines," Pamela makes artful use of large-scale appliqué shapes to create quilts of unparalleled artistry.

Included is an extensive techniques section, which is so clearly presented that quilters of all skill levels can achieve expert results. Choose from five gorgeous projects that showcase today's large, dramatic prints. The color-splashed photo gallery provides plenty of additional inspiration.

Skinny Quilts and Table Runners II15 Designs from Celebrated Quilters, by Eleanor Levie

Make a statement with Skinny Quilts! This follow-up to the popular Skinny Quilts and Table Runners showcases the talents of a new group of amazing designers. You'll love the variety of styles and techniques they bring to the table!

• Revisit folk-art traditions with Jo Morton and Sue Spargo or create an art quilt with Lonni Rossi or Sue Benner; discover designs by Karla Alexander, Frieda Anderson, Melinda Bula, Jane Dávila, Linda Lum DeBono, Joanna Figueroa, Judy Hooworth, Julie Popa, Elizabeth Rosenberg, and Karen Costello Soltys, as well as editor Eleanor Levie
• Sample a new way of quiltmaking with Skinny Quilts—without the time commitment of a bed covering
• Find the perfect projects to add sparkle and zing to your home or to give as impressive gifts

Color Shuffle: New Quilts from Karla Alexander, by Karla Alexander

Karla Alexander is back with exciting new designs to delight her many fans! Now you can broaden your quilting repertoire by combining Karla's stacking and shuffling methods with even more techniques. Choose from 16 projects in a wide range of styles, from "Blue Moon" and "Window Box" to "Somersault." Make the most of today's fabrics with these contemporary quilts—the stunning designs look far more complicated than they actually are.

Sophisticated Stitches: Designs for Quilting, Appliqué, Sashiko & Embroidery, by Don Linn

Make Your Quilt Unforgettable with Elegant Designs

• Take a simple quilt and make it spectacular with 66 art deco motifs, flowers, and Japanese crests

• Use for hand or machine quilting, appliqué, and embroidery

• Show off your stitching or appliqué in individual blocks, medallions, and open spaces

• Enlarge or reduce the designs to fit any space

Turn an ordinary quilt into an heirloom with these graceful, versatile designs.

"Mr. Quilt" includes instructions for using the designs, a supply list, and help with mixing and matching to create your own original designs.

Cozy Modern Quilts: 23 Easy Pieced Projects to Bust Your Stash, by Kim Schaefer

Elegantly Cozy Contemporary Quilts

• Make 23 cozy, contemporary quilts to complement any decor

• Sizes include wall and lap quilts, table runners, and placemats

• 100% easy straight-line piecing-no tricky measurements or stretchy bias edges

• Use color choices to create quilts with different moods

Modern doesn't have to be hard-edged. Make a soft statement with these irresistibly cozy, contemporary quilts built from simple squares and rectangles.

Rhapsody Tote

You'll want to carry everything in this tote bag by award-winning quilter Ricky Tims. The zippered tote is made from durable, 100% recycled polypropylene, creating a beautiful new use for tires and plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in the landfill.

Appliqué Petal Party: A Bouquet of 16 Blocks & Flowering Border, by Susan Brubaker Knapp

Celebrate the Beauty of Flowers with Appliqué

• 16 wonderful 12 1/2" bouquet blocks and floral border make a 73" x 73" finished quilt

• Make the whole quilt or use one block as a pillow or wall hanging

• Package includes needle-turn appliqué basics and step-by-step instructions for the project quilt

• Full-size, easy-to-use appliqué patterns

Celebrate the beauty of flowers with this festive floral appliqué quilt. The package includes instructions and photos of a variety of other color and fabric options, including wool appliqué.

Quilter’s Favorites–Traditional Pieced & Appliquéd: A Collection of 21 Timeless Projects for All Skill Levels

Make Your Next Quilt a Classic

• 21 pieced and appliqué quilts for all skill levels, chosen by the editors of C&T Publishing

• Includes quilts from Alex Anderson, Piece O' Cake Designs, Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, and many more

• Wide variety of techniques and sizes

• Styles from traditional to contemporary

You're sure to find projects you'll love making in this collection that combines clever takes on favorite blocks and appliqué motifs with fresh, contemporary fabrics.

Creative Two-Block Quilts: • 12 Original Blocks • 20 Quilt Designs • Unlimited Combinations, by Trice Boerens

Mix-and-Match Quilt Magic

• 12 original pieced blocks can be combined to make 20 glorious two-block quilt designs

• Mix and match the blocks into your own designs, too!

• Each block comes with complete assembly instructions

• Quilts include 6 completed models and 14 alternate combinations

You've never seen pieced blocks quite like these original creations from award-winning designer Trice Boerens. Use them to make any of Trice's 20 two-block quilt designs, or combine them in your own favorite ways. The possibilities are endless!

Imagine Hope Notecards

Set of twelve 5”x7” greeting cards features four inspiring images from the collection of textile artworks in the Imagine Hope exhibit. Created by accomplished artist and photographer, Hollis Chatelain, this collection reflects important social and environmental issues which will inspire people to get more involved in their communities. 13 envelopes included.

Have a great weekend!

LOTS coming in September!!

Hey Everyone, Happy back to school. What the heck happened to summer? Since we had two weeks of hot weather, I am now ready for cooler weather.

The Garage Sale last week was a huge success - some great prices and some nice "stuff" finding new homes. The vendors/our customers have requested that we do this again! How about during Arts in the Alley? Watch for more information!!!

Books, books, and more books! Who can have enough? See what's coming in September . . . .

Quilter's Academy Vol. 1—Freshman Year
A Skill-Building Course in Quiltmaking
by Harriet Hargrave, Carrie Hargrave

Learn to Quilt with Confidence

• Everything you need to get started making beautiful quilts• Includes 9 skill-building classes

• Complete instructions for making 13 classic quilts

• Learn how to design your own quilts

This must-have course guides you step by step through the basics of quiltmaking, from setting up your sewing space to binding and finishing your first quilt. Classroom-tested lessons draw on best-selling author Harriet Hargrave's many years of teaching experience.

Super Simple Quilts #4 with Alex Anderson & Liz Aneloski
9 Appliqué Projects to Sew With or Without a Machine

Irresistibly Easy Appliqué - No Piecing Required

• 3 bold appliqué quilt designs in fresh new fabrics

• 3 sizes: crib/wallhanging, twin, and queen

• 3 easy appliqué techniques-appliqué and quilt in one quick step, even without a machine

• Great for quick gifts or donation quilts

• Just one supply list makes all 9 quilt options in the book!

Whether you're a new quilter about to make your first quilt, or an expert looking for a quick charity quilt design, you'll love these super-easy appliqué quilts.

Next Steps in Altered Photo Artistry
New Ways to Transform Images for Fabric & Quilt Art
by Beth Wheeler

More Quilt-Art Adventures with Photos and Fabric

• Explore the amazing visual effects you can create with your own photos and Photoshop Elements software

• Build on the techniques for printing on fabric covered in Altered Photo Artistry

• Bonus CD with 17 free photographs, 12 custom graphics add-ons, and free trial version of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6

You've learned to print photos on fabric - now you're ready to explore the full artistic potential of altering images to create quilt art. Learn to transform ordinary photos in a dozen exciting ways with photo editing software. Bonus CD with Beth's original photos and graphics add-ons helps you alter photographs as never before!

Paradise Stitched—Sashiko & Appliqué Quilts
by Sylvia Pippen

Tropical Splendor in Sashiko and Appliqué

• Hand-stitch 6 vivid quilts inspired by tropical flora and fauna

• Learn the secrets of successful Sashiko and appliqué

• Options for both turn-under and fusible appliqué

• Create designs from your own photos

• Embellish your quilts with hand embroidery

These glowing quilts bring together two of quilting's best-loved traditions: Japanese Sashiko and colorful appliqué. A large quilt gallery will inspire you to design your own Sashiko/appliqué creations.

Flower Pots by Cindy Lammon

Perfect for block-of-the-month clubs—or for making as an individual project—this cheery quilt will brighten any room. With sunshiny colors and stylized flower motifs, the project includes both patchwork and applique blocks. The design places seven blocks in a puzzle-type setting for a fresh appeal. Step-by-step instructions and beautiful photos—including close-ups of each block—make the creative process as breeze.

More Twice-Quilted Designs For Continuous-Line Quilting by Glorianne Cubbage

From the creator of the wildly popular Twice Quilted, here's a new collection of continuous-line designs. Simply stitch the first design in one color to quilt the layers together, and then add the secondary design in a different color for a spectacular finish.

Choose from 20 interlacing designs, including beautifully layered flowers with tendrils and leaves. The enclosed 16-page booklet includes complete instructions for tracing, transferring, and sewing. Soon you’ll be mixing and matching various components to create your own designs!

Crazy for Scraps 19 Favorite Quilts from Sally Schneider

• Bursting with beauty, this book is packed with the best designs from three of Sally Schneider’s top-selling books—plus two brand-new projects! These inspiring quilts make it easy to see why this teacher and quilt designer is so popular.
  * Offers a vast array of gorgeous projects—19 in all—providing exceptional value
  * Includes several quilts updated with current fabrics for a whole new look
  * Allows quilters to learn from a master and indulge their passion for scrap quilts

Have a great week!

Back from a little break!

Hey,

I am back! I feel somewhat rested. Why do vacations/breaks go so fast? Anyway, while I was away I worked on three small prejects. First, I made the This and That Little Cutie Bag out of scarlet and grey charm squares. I also made the Nifty Notes out of the same scarlet and grey charm pack.

We are going to kit these for the Circleville show coming up the first of September. I also appliqued a pillow with pretty flowers on it from the French Farmhouse book from Need'l Love. Stop in the store and see it!

We are planning on having our first ever Tent sale this upcoming weekend! Come and sell your old stash or buy some stuff from our sellers! Call right away to get a table - spots are going fast!

Stop in and say Hi!

How to figure binding . . . Shhh! Mary's not looking!!!. . . .

. . . so KyleAnn is going to play! I've been going nuts trying to find out how to figure the amount needed for binding. Of course, I can always call my favorite quilt shop (AIS, in case you didn't know), but I always have these questions when they are closed. (Remember, I'm a beginning quilter.) SO, I got out my trusty "learn to quilt" books, but no one gave a formula. Next, I got on the internet and "googled." I don't know what I did wrong, but I didn't get a lot of help. One sight started out great - figure the total of all 4 sides. Ok, I can do that! Add 10 inches (some sights said as much as 20") for joining. Ok, I can do that, too. Then it told me to find the square root of the total. WHAT???? First of all, I don't DO square roots. So I got out my calculator and found the square root of my total. All it told me was what size SQUARE I'd need for the binding and that a fat quarter was not big enough. Well, that's all well and good if I were cutting my binding on the bias - but I don't (yet).

Finally, I found a site that made sense, and turned out that Janet (at AIS) uses a similar formula, so I know it must be right!

Measure the sides of the finished quilt to determine how many inches of binding required (you can measure from top to bottom and multiply that by 2, then measure from side to side and multiply that by 2. Add the two totals together. Assuming your binding fabric width is approximately 40”, divide the total inches by 40 to determine the number of fabric strips required. You can then take the number of strips and multiply it by the width of the binding (i.e. 2 1/2”) to determine how much fabric you’ll need to complete your binding.

Sample: 40" x 50" quilt . . . 40X2 = 80; 50X2 - 100 for a total of 180” perimeter; divided by 40” equals 4.5 strips (round up to 5 strips).

Multiply 5 strips by the width of the strip (2 1/2”) equals 12.5” of required fabric, which is just over 1/3 yard. so you will need 3/8 yard for your binding!

And since she's still not looking, here's another coupon!!

JUST ARRIVED!! (and don't forget the Garage Sale!!)

Hey everyone,

We had a great time shop hopping, and we hope you did too! Thanks for the great supprt.

Got stuff? Need room for more / different stuff? On Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, you can rent half an 8-foot table for $5/day. We will provide the tent, the tables, and the chairs, you bring fabric and notions from your stash, or handcrafted items, or unfinished items, or yarn, or beads, or fruit, veggies, flowers, baked goods - anything you think someone else might want to buy. You price your items and put your name and space number on them. everyone checks out at one main check out station. For all your sales, you get an Always in Stitches gift card that can be redeemed immediately.

Remember, the cost to you is $5.00 non-refundable table rental fee for have of an 8' table, or $10 for whole table per day. Space can be shared with friends/family.

RESERATIONS ARE REQUIRED! We only have 40 spots available (Twenty half-table spaces available each day). call the shop (614-539-7845) or stop in to hold your space. Payment must be paid in full to reserve your space.

So clean out your sewing room, reduce stash, get some great deals on someone else's "trash" - remember their trash may be your treasure!!

Little Lone Star Quilts
Sew Perfect Points Every Time • Exciting New Paper-Piecing Technique • 7 Projects, by Lorraine Olsen

Lone Stars Made Easy - in Miniature!

• Make perfect miniature Lone Stars every time with this revolutionary new fold-and-sew paper piecing method

• No need for fussy measuring, cutting, or sewing on bias edges

• Learn on 7 vibrant quilts with full-size patterns

• Raid your scrap collection and choose just the right fabrics for miniatures

• Spangle your borders with diamonds and stars

If you've ever struggled to make a Lone Star quilt the old way, you're in for a pleasant surprise! These scrappy little Lone Stars come out with perfect points every time, and they're easier to make than traditional Lone Stars. Everything you need to succeed is covered here, from tools and supplies to binding and finishing your quilts.


Start Quilting with Alex Anderson, 3rd Edition

Alex is Back! - She is a quilt book machine!

Everything First-Time Quilters Need to Succeed • 8 Quick Projects—Most in 4 Sizes, by Alex Anderson

Make Your First Quilt a Success!

• Alex guides you every step of the way as you learn to plan, cut, piece, quilt, and bind your quilt

• Get started with 8 easy, beautiful projects

• Expanded edition includes new projects, more quilt sizes, and lots of helpful new tips and shortcuts

So you want to make a quilt, but can't tell a rotary cutter from a seam ripper? Alex Anderson has helped a quarter million quilters learn to quilt. She'll get you quilting in no time-and loving it!

Intuitive Color & Design
Adventures in Art Quilting, by Jean Wells

Think Outside the Block and Look What Happens!

• 11 creative exercises take your use of color, design, and piecing in dramatic new directions, including unique, 3-D "off the wall" quilts

• Use photographs and journals to find inspiration and develop your ideas

• Learn innovative finishing methods that show your quilts at their best

• Classroom-proven techniques make the adventure easy for any quilter

Jean Wells gives you the assignment of your life: put away your ruler and use your inner vision to design and piece spectacular, free-form quilts you'd never have guessed you could create. You will never see quilting in the same way again.


Artistic Photo Quilts
Create Stunning Quilts with Your Camera, Computer & Cloth,

by Charlotte Ziebarth

Transform Your Digital Photos into Luminous Fabric Art

• Alter photos and use them to create beautiful, original works of fabric art - 11 exercises show you how

• Learn to alter images with Photoshop Elements®

• Use photos that really enhance your work (Hint: it's not always the best-looking shots!)

• Find inspiration in your own albums, from other artists, and in nature

• Make large-scale quilts with a standard-size inkjet printer

This accessible guide to creating fine fabric art with digital photos covers everything from the tools and equipment you'll need, to designing, finishing, and assembling your quilt.

Appliqué Outside the Lines with Piece O' Cake Designs
No Rules—No Ruler, by Becky Goldsmith, Linda Jenkins

Put Down the Ruler and Free Your Inner Appliqué Artist

• Create 8 expressive appliqué quilts with this foolproof, no-rules approach

• Make your quilts as precise or freewheeling as you want them to be

• Use fabric color and value to make your appliqué come aliveWho says beautiful appliqué has to be fussy?

Learn to create fresh and free quilts with your rotary cutter and new improvisational techniques from Piece O' Cake Designs.

Thanks again! Stop in and say Hi! have a great week, I am going on vacation! See you in two weeks!

Oh My Gosh - Look What's Coming!!!

Coming in August! (Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this post - we have a LOT coming!!!!)

Fat-Quarter Quilting - 21 Terrific 16" x 20" Projects by Lori Smith

Here's a great way to spend your fat quarters! These charming quilts are perfect for giving as gifts, trading with friends, and decorating nooks in your home. Collect your favorite fat quarters and transform them into treasured quilts.
• 21 patterns include both piecing and applique techniques
• Fabrics range from reproduction prints to modern batiks
• Even the quilt backing takes just one fat quarter, with no piecing required

That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar 2010

This color-splashed calendar features a dozen gorgeous quilts from your favorite designers! Enjoy year-round artistry from such well-known experts as Sandy Klop, Lynn Roddy Brown, Barbara Brandeburg, and Teri Christopherson. The 28-page pullout booklet includes step-by-step instructions for each dazzling quilt. So give yourself the gift of year-round fun as you explore scrappy quilts, appliqué, 1930s reproduction fabrics, seasonal motifs, and more.

Award-Winning Quilts 2010 Calendar, featuring Quilts from the International Quilt Association

Bask in the beauty of extraordinary quilts throughout the year! Made by members of the International Quilt Association, these quilts were winners in the 2008 “Quilts: A World of Beauty” judged show. The international talent represented in these stunning photos is astonishing. Perfect for gift giving—with 13 distinctive quilt photographs—this is no ordinary calendar. It’s a celebration of creativity!

Candy Cane Lane - Quilts and More to Sweeten the Holidays by Melinda Bula

If all you want for Christmas is a whimsical, colorful, and perfectly charming quilt, just peek inside this book! You'll discover five projects sure to make the season merry and bright.
• Enjoy all the fun motifs of the season—holly leaves and berries, snowmen, candy canes, and more.
• Create a lap-sized quilt as well as a Christmas stocking, pillow, table runner, and small wall quilt
• Find detailed step-by-step instructions and full-sized pullout

Quilts from Paradise, by Cynthia Tomaszewski

Welcome to paradise! Best-selling author and international teacher Cynthia Tomaszewski invites quilters to imagine a haven of happiness and beauty. Her palette of bold, tropical colors conjures images of an island filled with sunlight, colorful birds, and the glorious scent of jasmine. Cynthia shows her versatility as a designer with 14 pieced and appliquéd projects that are strikingly pretty and a fresh departure from her earlier work. More than inspiring, these quilts are enchanting!

Patchwork Party
10 Festive New Quilts & the Recipes That Inspired Them by Sandy Bonsib

Mouth-Watering New Quilts and Desserts• 10 pieced quilts with rich colors inspired by delicious desserts• 10 finger-licking recipes to enjoy while you quilt• Learn to create rich color combinations using the color wheel • Create a complex look with easy, basic blocksThe secret of this tempting collection of pieced quilts is combining easy blocks - rectangles, half-square and quarter-square triangles, and four-patch blocks-in original ways. To achieve total perfection, just add dessert!

Alex Anderson’s 4-in-1 Essential Sewing Tool
Includes Seam Ripper, Stiletto, Presser, Turner

Four Must-Have Quilting and Crafting Tools in One• Flat-ended presser cap for finger pressing, folding, burnishing • Super-sharp BERNINA seam ripper for fast "unsewing"• Pointed wood end cap for turning bias tubes and doll parts• Extra-long stiletto protects fingers while pressing and machine piecing• Won't roll off your work surface! Hand-crafted in the U.S.A. of real maple wood.

Alex Anderson’s Hand & Machine Appliqué
• 6 Techniques • 7 Quilt Projects • Full-Size Patterns

Fall in Love with Appliqué! • Learn to add beautiful appliqué to any quilt by hand or machine • 7 charming quilts get you started• 3 hand appliqué techniques: needle-turn, raw-edged, and reverse appliqué • 3 machine appliqué techniques: invisible, raw-edged, and free-motion appliqué

From beloved teacher and TV/Internet host Alex AndersonBeloved quilting teacher and TV personality Alex Anderson shows you how easy it is to enhance any quilt with appliquéd flowers, leaves, hearts, and other shapes.

Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Appliqué
• 2000 Traditional and Modern Designs • Updated History of Appliqué • New! 5 Quilt Projects

Indispensable Reference Guide for Quilt Collectors and Appliqué Lovers Put 2000 Appliqué Designs at Your Fingertips

• Newly revised classic includes 2000 appliqué patterns from the 19th and 20th centuries

• New in this edition: 5 appliqué quilt project and updated history of appliqué

• Find the perfect block either by subject (wreaths, leaves, etc.), by type of design, or by time period

• Find the name and original publication for antique applique quilts

This classic compendium of appliqué blocks from quilt historian and best-selling author Barbara Brackman is back in print, and it's packed with essential information no appliqué lover should be without.

and don't miss our new shipment - just arrived - of Alex Anderson's Masterpiece thread!

What's New?

Hey Everyone, happy belated 4th of July! I had a great weekend and even did a small amount of sewing. (Even finished a barstool seat for a challange for the Susan G Komen foundation)

The August/September 2009 issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts just arrived. It includes 15 patterns for fast, easy projects. Special how-to photographs show machine button stitching and rotary-cutting of triangle shapes, and features include a match game play quilt for kids, fresh table ensemble, and cute picnic quilt. BONUS: Quilter’s Guide to Fabric and Supply Shopping, complete with fun QuickQuiz! I love magazines

brrrrrrrrrr! Is it getting cold in July? NO! But come check out our new shipment of ICE from Timeless Treasures! They look great on the blog - they look fabulous in person!!! Here are two of the four bolts we have from this line.

Look DELECTABLE during the hot summer weather in this COOL apron from Farmer John's. We have kits are available !

And here is our coupon for blog readers only!!!