Sweet Romance!

Once upon a time ...

So! Mary is not in the shop today, and she left Karen and KyleAnn in charge (is that a big mistake, or what!?)  LOL While arranging books, we got to looking at some of the lonely books - single copies, I mean - and then were thinking about June being such a big wedding month.  Everyone thinks about brides, weddings, photos, romantic getaways, honeymoons, "something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new." Well what about all those singles who aren't getting married, may not even be interested in getting married. So why not pair up with one of these poor lonely, single books so they won't be so miserable. I mean, look at some of these titles who are suffering because all their "friends/mates" are GONE! Come in and get one, and then get a second one half off.  Of course, this story would then have a very happy ending and everyone will live happily ever after.  (Limited to titles that could convince Mary that they are related somehow to dating and/or the single life!)

Sweet Romance by Blackbird Designs

This Blackbird Designs booklet features two quilts: Sweet Romance and Sweetheart. Hearts and flowers abound in the quilts and use pretty pinks and floral prints. Both quilts use the Sweet Romance Moda fabric line by Blackbird Designs – or get creative and choose your own fabric!

Booklet includes easy illustrated instructions along with full-size templates. Sweet Romance measures 64 inches square and Sweetheart measures 72 inches square.

Sweet-16s (Brights; Darks) by Suzanne McNeill

Enjoy this beautiful array of breathtaking quilts designed to stimulate your imagination and entice the eye with pattern and color. With Sweet-16s Brights Suzanne McNeill shows you what can be done with these versatile fat 1/16 pieces.

Quilting Party! by Linda Chang Teufel

A quilting party is a fantastic activity for all kinds of groups – friends, families, neighbors, quilt guilds, charity groups, co-workers and even children. The beauty of the Quilting Party concept is that anyone can do it!

Teufel’s quilting parties involve cutting a photo into squares, then each person gets one square of the photo, enlarges it and copies it onto fabric. Depending on the skill level of the participants, blocks can be completed by sewing or simply by painting, or drawing with fabric markers. The finished blocks are assembled to get a fun and funky quilt!

A quilting party can be held with a large group of participants in one space and completed in one day or can be done across the miles overa period of months, Teufel’s book includes examples of projects completed both ways and illustrates just how versatile this type of project can be.

An experienced quilting teacher, Teufel clearly and concisely explains the best techniques for creating a group quilt and seeing the project through from start to finish. Teufel has thoughtfully organized Quilting Party! into two color-coded sections, one with instructions for the “Director” and one with instructions for “Participants.” There are step-by-step instructions for organizing a group, gathering supplies, directions on the techniques for quilters and non-sewers, easy finishing methods and lots of ideas!

Featuring The Swirl, The Half Clamshell, Free-Form Curves, and Strips ‘n Circles

A new Twist on Strips 'n Curves by Louisa L. Smith

■Start with basic strip piecing, add easy gentle curved edges, and prepare to be amazed!

■Louisa introduces four design concepts: two template-based and two template-free, all with step-by-step instructions.

■New techniques with old templates!

Whether you own Louisa's 2001 best-selling Strips ‘n Curves, or you're new to the world of combining curved-edge and strip piecing, you'll love the fresh ideas and fabulous inspiration in this book.

Learn her four new techniques: Half Clamshell, Free-Form Curves, Strips ‘n Circles, and The Swirl. Then try them in four complete project quilts! Lots of step-by-step photos and clear instructions ensure your success. And wait until you see the gallery! Ideas for home decor, garments, and quilts, quilts, quilts!

Strippin' Time - Project of the Month by J Jane Mitchell and Patsy Padgett

Do you long for small projects that are easy to accomplish and look fabulous when finished? Then sit down, relax, and turn the page.

Quilters love to make practical things that spruce up their sewing areas. This book is chock-ful of great projects... place mats, aprons, table runners, wall hangings and carry-alls. There is even a colorful cover for your ironing board. With a nifty project for every month of the year, your creativity will keep on flowing.

Quilter's Happy Hour by Lori Buhler

Here's a toast to a fast and fun technique for easy curved piecing that's sure to make quilting hours "happy hours."

Use machine-stitched applique to create complex-looking curved designs in a snap.  Choose from 11 colorful quilts, each inspired by a delicious happy hour drink .


Quilts for Men from Crib to Dorm to Den, a Landauer Book

This book makes it simple to create a quilt for all the important men in your life. A wide variety of projects includes everything from wallhangings to throws to full-size quilts in traditional and contemporary designs. Step-by-step instructions accompanied by full-color diagrams will guide you through each project. Applique and piecing techniques are combined for beautiful one-of-a-kind quilts that are sure to become your man's favorite. 12 projects, full-color photos, color options provided.
 

 

 

OhSewEasy life style by Valori Wells & Carolyn Spencer

 

Get Organized with Easy, Stylish Projects for Home and Family

• Organize your life and personalize your home with these 20 projects in today's hot fabrics and colors - it's Oh Sew Easy®!
• Projects include pillows, mail and toy organizers, totes, and more for kitchen, bath, parties, and around town
• Basic sewing techniques are all you need to give your surroundings that personal touch
• Great as gifts for baby or wedding showers, house warmings, or for hostess gifts

Bring some style to your corner of the world. These fun projects are easy enough for beginners to make in a day or a weekend. From sassy aprons to travel totes to picnic napkins, you'll love the way they dress up your life and make your stuff easier to organize. Make one of these useful accessories today and use or give it tomorrow.

Companions by Whimsicals
This book contains several patterns - quilts, table runners, wall hangings, ect.

and, of course, when you start talking about dating, life styles, and companionship, you may just ...

Open a Can of Worms by Debbie Caffrey 

 While scheming about how to control smaller pieces of fabrics in the stash, I began to get side tracked about multiple fabric quilts, friendship quilts, and the popularity of charm square trading. All of these ideas have come together in this book, Open a Can of Worms, which is based upon 2 1/2" wide strips.

This book shows how many different ways you can dice a worm (a strip of fabric) to create fast and fun quilts. There are a few strip-pieced projects, but there are many more that use triangles and trapezoids for some fantastic, traditional quilts. Some quilts require setting pieces, such as sashing and borders, or a control background fabric, but aside from that, all pieces are cut from a collection of 2 1/2" wide strips.

It is a wonderful base for classes, teaching a variety of skills and techniques, including use of the Omnigrid 96 & 98 triangles. The triangle tools replace the need for templates.

You will be amazed at how much fabric this "stash cleaner" book will generate. While using what is on hand, quilters will want to add new fabrics to the old to liven up the quilt. Think about the amount of fabric required for backgrounds, sashing, borders, and backings!

And then, of course, there will be the need for batting, thread, triangle tools, new rotary cutter blades, and machine quilting services.

On another note, Applique Club is  cancelled for the rest of May, due to the holiday, AND the shop will not be open on Memorial Day.


OK, remember now, DON'T TELL MARY WE WROTE THIS BLOG!!!
KyleAnn and Karen

It's raining - again!

So what do you do when it's raining? You sew, of course! Get your machine set up, if it isn't already, turn on some bright lights, and enjoy the rhythm of the rain as you work on that latest project. Or pull out a "ufo." Need inspiration? Check out these new arrivals . . .

Pinwheel Party

12 Fun and Unique Quilts by Ellen Pahl

Put a new spin on quilting! With variations on Pinwheels, Windmills, Whirligigs, and other favorite twirling blocks, these 12 dynamic quilts will set your fabric in motion! Use a planned color scheme or give your quilts a scrappy look—the variety of styles offers something for everyone.

•Projects range from doll-sized quilts to table toppers to wall hangings, perfect for gifts or home decor

•Techniques include bias-strip piecing, foundation piecing, cutting triangles from strip sets, and more

•Quilts are easy enough for confident beginners, appealing enough for experts.

Country Comforts

Quilts for Casual Living by Cheryl Wall

Warm and welcoming, each quilt in this book invites quilters to let go of the “rules” and find joy in the journey. The 12 projects feature traditional blocks such as Log Cabin, Bear’s Paw, and Churn Dash, with a twist that makes them fresh and new. Choose from quilts and wall hangings, many featuring folksy appliqué for added flair. Quilters of all levels will enjoy the relaxed nature of these scrappy projects—imperfections only add to their personality and charm!

Take 5

Quilts from Just 5 Fabrics by Kathy Brown
Quilters everywhere love Take 5 patterns from The Teacher's Pet, and this book is packed with them! Simply take five minutes to choose five fabrics (one focus fabric plus four coordinating fabrics), stack them, cut them simultaneously, and you’re ready to sew! It’s the relax-and-have-fun way to create visually stunning quilts.

•Choose from 15 designs that look intricate but are very simple to construct—excellent for beginners

•Take the stress out of selecting fabrics with Kathy’s straightforward approach

•Create a lap-sized quilt this weekend—experienced quilters can finish in a day

This Saturday is Race for the Cure. It is bittersweet that this will be the first year in a long time that we will not be running/walking as a team. My sisters, Terry and Bobbi (Bert) will be participating in the event this year in some capacity on our behalf. I will be attending my daughter Jordann's graduation from Xavier University instead. I am so proud of her acheivements. We will be back in action next year for the race.

People are continually asking us when the next "Granary" book will be out. I just wanted to let everyone know that we are working feverishly on getting that finished. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you are interested in a good book to read try Diana Forresters book "Glory"

She is in the process of getting her blog up and running and her facebook in action.

Everyone have a great weekend!

April Showers bring May Flowers!

Hello everyone!
The weather today, Wednesday, is so beautiful as we write this blog. The sunshine is just great - too bad we are supposed to have showers tonight.  BUT, if we do, you can always beat the "rainy blues" by creating some flowery quilts or wall-hangings.  If you don't have any patterns, or need creative ideas, check out these books we have in stock....

Kim Schaefer's Calendar Quilts

12 Months of Fun, Fusible Projects
Charming Wall Quilts All Year 'Round!


• 12 seasonal wall quilt projects
• Quick and easy-make one for yourself and more for gifts
• Transferring appliqué designs is a snap with this handy package of full-size patterns
• Signature colors and motifs from best-selling author, Kim Schaefer
• Darling images combine piecing and fusible appliqué

Start a family tradition that you'll enjoy all year 'round by making these adorable wall quilts. Hang a new one in your home each month! Smile with your cheery snowman in the winter, laugh at the mischievous ants crawling through your summer picnic, and get your apple ready for the teacher in the fall.

We also have these cool 22" hangers that fit these wall hangings perfectly. They retail for $18.25.

My Whimsical Quilt Garden

20 Bird & Flower Blocks to Appliqué from Piece O' Cake Designs
by Becky Goldsmith, Linda Jenkins

Brighten Your Day with Playful New Designs from Piece O' Cake

• Use just one block or all twenty to make pretty garden quilts
• Have fun with these light-hearted designs
• Includes ideas for using these blocks in other ways, such as a smaller twelve-block quilt, a purse, or a table topper
• Patterns are great for solids and small prints in any color way
• Blocks also look beautiful in bigger sizes and are easy to enlarge

Instruction booklet & full-size patterns. Bring cheery flowers and cute, chirping birds indoors with Piece O' Cake's newest appliqué blocks. Mix and match up to twenty blocks to create unlimited quilt variations.
 

 

Beautiful Blooms

Quilts and Cushions to Appliqué
by Susan Taylor Propst

Inspired by walks through the gorgeous gardens that dot the British landscape, this American quiltmaker has turned images of genteel scenery into stunning quilts and pillows.

•Feature appliquéd blooms in 10 wall quilts with 10 coordinating cushions ranging from 16" to 20" square, all in a variety of creative color combinations
•Create English roses, Irish shamrocks, Welsh daffodils, and more
•Find instructions for hand and fusible-web appliqué, plus helpful tips for choosing a color palette

While you are here, you will want to see our "just-in" books!

Schnibbles Times Two

Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares by Carrie Nelson

What's a schnibble? A little bit or leftover--as in those fabric bits you're ready to use up!

What could be more fun than a small quilt from 5" charm squares? A large one just like it from 10" Layer Cake squares! Enjoy 12 pairs of beautiful quilts, with a large and small quilt in each design, from the creative mind behind Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company. Each quilt includes a materials and cutting list, and the assembly directions are the same for both quilts in each set. Learn from Moda's go-to gal for quilt designs. This author knows her stuff!

Double Take

Quilts with That Hopscotch Twist
by Heather Willms, Elissa Willms  

The mother-daughter design team that brought you Christmas Quilts from Hopscotch now presents a fresh assortment of fun projects! Heather and Elissa created their own quilt challenge: starting with the same blocks, they’ve made entirely different designs that reflect each designer’s unique color sense.


•Choose from 16 projects, including quilts, tote bags, place mats, and more
•Find inspiration in Heather’s traditional country colors and Elissa’s bold, eye-popping brights
•Make quilts that are simple enough for beginners and appealing enough for seasoned quilters

Flowers All Around

Garden-Inspired Quilts

by Cindy Lammon

Pretty and fresh as a springtime garden, these quilts will delight and inspire you! All with a floral theme, the projects showcase traditional pieced blocks and exquisite appliqué.

•Choose from five projects ranging from an appliquéd table topper to large pieced quilts

•Create a quilted interpretation of botanical art with nine different well-known flowers, each with its Latin name added in ink

•Gain confidence with appliqué using beginner-friendly designs


Don't forget the the Learn to Knit and MORE class starts next Tuesday evening! Be sure to sign up at the front desk and check on needed materials before the day of the class.

Have a great Mothers Day!

Enjoy the great weather!

Mary and Kyle!