Hey everyone!
Can you believe we are half way through January. Spring is right around the corner.
Everything at the shop is going well. We have been very busy and we are loving that!
Thank you!
Our blocks of the month have been really popular this year. In March we are starting a new one from Waltzing With Bears called Wild Flower. Deb is hosting a group to inspire you. Call the shop for details.
This weekend the Fat Quarter Guild (this is the guild that meets in our shop) is having their one day/all day retreat. I am so excited. I can't wait! I am taking UFO's for home and the shop. I sure hope I get something finished.
Last night I visited with the Marion Ohio Guild with Diana Forrester. We had a presentation on The Guild In The Granery. It is really fun to see the quilters and their projects. We are all alike, kind, generous, way too much enthusiasm and never enough time to sew everything we want to sew. Same story, different guild... lol
KyleAnn's Learn-How-to-Knit class will begin in February - Tuesdays, Feb. 2 and 9, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. In this two-session class, you will make a scarf and learn how to cast-on (get the stitches on the needle), knit, purl, and bind off (get the scarf off the needles). You need two (2) balls of a bulky yarn, like Lion Brand's Jiffy Thick and Quick (available from places like JoAnn's and sometimes Michaels). Needles are available from the instructor for $8. Registration required. Class fee is $15`.
This week we received the C & T autoship books and I am in the middle of logging in 10 new bolts of color wall fabric.
Just in!
Jane Dávila's Surface Design Essentials
Explore Paints, Mediums, Inks & Pencils • 15 Techniques for Fabrics & More
by Jane Davila
The Must-Have Reference Tool For Surface Design Success
• Create your own hand-painted designs on fabrics, paper, and more
• Expert advice from popular art quilter and surface design teacher Jane Dávila
• Learn the basics of mixing paints and see how easy it is to create your own effects
• Includes 7 projects and an inspirational fiber art gallery
• Discover the secrets of using mediums
• Create fun designs with found objects
• Lay-flat format makes referencing instructions easy
• Add new dimension to your quilts and fiber art
This is your license to play! Whether you're a quilter, a textile artist, or you dabble in mixed media, you're going to love this tool. When you can't find the exact fabric you need, make it yourself!
Quilter's Favorites—Pieced Points & Stars
A Collection of 19 Radiant Projects for All Skill Levels
Enjoy a Spectacular Variety of Pieced Patterns from Your Favorite C&T Authors.
• 19 projects that feature points, peaks or spikes
• Second volume in our Editors' Pick series of popular quilt designs
• Contains both traditional and paper-piecing patterns-something for all skill levels
• Includes some out of print projects that you can't get anywhere else
So many projects to choose from! Enjoy a spectacular variety of pieced patterns from your favorite C&T authors, including Alex Anderson, Piece O' Cake Designs, Jean Wells, and Carol Doak. Whether you like One-Block Quilts, Mariner's Compass Stars, or New York Beauties, this book is sure to peak your curiosity!
Tile Quilt Revival
Reinventing a Forgotten Form
by Bobbi Finley, Carol Gilham Jones
Versatile Appliqué Quilts Inspired by 19th Century Tile Quilts
• A contemporary take on a charming quilting tradition
• Use your favorite appliqué technique-needle turn, machine appliqué, or fused
• 6 projects teach you about designing and constructing various styles of tile quilts, from traditional to contemporary.
• Includes a fascinating history of tile quilts, plus photo galleries of both historic and contemporary quilts
• Big blocks of 10" x 10" or even 15" x 15" are great for bold contemporary fabrics
• Easy "grouted" designs let you show off curves and irregular shapes
• Great way to use many different fabrics, scraps too!
• Choose solid or pieced backgrounds to enhance your "tiles"
Inspired by nineteenth-century tile quilts, these projects work beautifully with today's colorful, contemporary fabrics, but they retain that folk-art style that makes them so much fun to sew and show off.
Fabric to Dye For
Create 72 Hand-Dyed Colors for Your Stash • 5 Fused Quilt Projects
by Frieda Anderson
Create A Rainbow Of Color From Just 4 Basic Dyes
• Step-by-step instructions for everything from preparing your work area, to mixing the dyes, to washing and drying your hand-dyed fabrics
• Create a rainbow of colors using 4 basic dyes: red, blue, yellow, and black
• 5 easy-to-follow charts for dyes, colors, and gradations
• Easy-to-implement dye formulas use standard measurements like cups and spoonfuls instead of grams and ounces
• 5 bonus fused quilt projects
• Learn to create resist patterns on newly dyed fabric
• Discover how to thicken dye to create interesting and creative effects and painted designs
• Get thrifty and save even more money by producing mystery fabric with left-over dye
• Create small batches or large batches-the choice is yours
• Hand-dyed fabric is friendly on the budget since it costs less than pre-dyed fabric
Tired of going to the fabric store only to discover the colors you need aren't in stock? Always wanted to try hand dyeing your own fabric but found it too intimidating? Now you can put those worries aside and create beautiful colors to fit your every whim. And the best part is there are no confusing, complicated formulas to follow.
Here are some of the new books coming over the next few months:
It's a Wrap II
Sewing New Shapes, Exploring New Techniques
by Susan Breier
Start with simple clothesline, wrap it with fabric strips, and coil it into a work of art! Susan Breier’s previous book, It’s a Wrap, inspired crafters around the world to wrap, coil, and sew. This exciting collection offers over 20 fresh projects and introduces new shapes, including the triangle, heart, and figure eight.
Create unique items and learn to embellish them with beads, buttons, yarns, coils, and dimensional flowers. It’s easy! Appropriate for all skill levels, these projects can be sewn on a regular machine. Step-bystep photos and instructions clearly show the structure and details.
Better Together 
Two-Block Designs for Dynamic Quilts
by Karen Sievert
Create a few quilt blocks, put them together, and stand back for exciting results! The individual blocks are striking, but it’s the quilt settings that create sheer magic. Easier than they look, each of these 10 projects features either one repeating block or two alternating blocks. Where the blocks intersect, the lines blur from one block to the next, creating gorgeous and unexpected designs.
- Projects are primarily lap-sized, requiring a smaller investment of time and fabric
- Quilters of all skill levels can create eye-catching projects
- Styles are traditional and elegant, great for gift giving and home decor
Quilted Devotions 24 Biblical Blocks
by Lisa Cogar
Inspired by well-loved Bible stories, this is a sampler quilt of many colors—and many possibilities! Choose from a bounty of 24 gorgeous blocks, including rotary-cut, template, and paper-pieced designs, that you can mix and match as desired. Find traditional blocks, such as Jacob’s Ladder and Bethlehem Star, as well as original blocks specially designed by the author.
For even more options, there's also a wall quilt and a lovely gallery featuring alternate settings and more. Includes full-sized templates and clear instructions to help you every step of the way
I think we might do this as a block of the month.
Creative Mixed Media Paint Print Stitch Stamp Embellish
by Sherrill Kahn
The popular author of Creative Embellishments is back with even more exciting ideas to explore! Packed with inspiration, this book offers 16 creative techniques to try with paper and fabric. Discover out-of-the-ordinary uses for everyday items such as baby wraps, hair gel, and shower mats! Play with new techniques and materials; then follow Sherrill’s guidelines on design and composition to create a stunning work of art.
Master techniques that range from stamping and paper embossing to working with stencils, digital images, glue batik, and much more
- Browse the stunning galleries—there’s one for each technique
- Learn to ask “What if?” and produce your own symphony of line, color, texture, and value
Stop in and say hello!
Have a great weekend!
Mary
Simple Strategies for Block-Swap Quilts 
NEW Block of the Month coming soon!
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