The Shop Hop is still going on!!!!!!!

OK, Mary is not here - she is Shop Hopping! Yay for her! I know I had a great time with 5 other quilters on Friday as we visited all the out-of-town locations.  We then paired up on our own to finish the local shops another day. We made 2 whole days of it - Friday was a mini-van with the 6 of us. We had custom-made tote bags for each of us made by one of the girls, along with binders of patterns - and each binder had a beautiful custom binder cover. Another girl made each of us adorable pincushion turtles with  removable/reversable shells. One made cell phone holders, and another made "Abby's Treasure Box" by This 'n That. We even scheduled 2 meals into our day.  We had so much fun!

The Always in Stitches has been very busy, too, with the Shop Hop - thanks to all of you! We still have the Shop Hop special with 20% off charm square packs. Selection is getting low, so if you haven't been in yet, make a point to come in SOON!

Deb Rammelsburg made some AWESOME cookies for the Shop Hop preview party last week and there were many, many requests for the recipe.  She has generously posted it on her website.  Enjoy!!
 

She also wants to make sure that you know . . .

Thursday, August 5th, from 6 to 8 p.m

is the meeting for the

"Sit & Stitch Redwork" group!

Bring along your redwork

or other hand-embroidery.

The group is just finishing up "Ring In The New" by Kathy Schmitz,

so stop in to see these finished projects.

The group is choosing their next project;

choices for consideration are:

BOM snowmen,

BOM baskets with flowers,

BOM barns,

or work on your own stitchery.

Feel free to stop in, see the finishes, and/or join the group.

Hope to see you next Thursday night!

Deb

We have some adorable new Halloween kits from the book, Happy Haunters, "brewed just for you by Kelly Mueller of the Wooden Bear". "Boo" is a set of three 'quilts', each approximately 6" x 10" and spelling out the word Boo. The other is a cute witch wall-hanging, "what did you call me?"

As always, we have some new books for you to check out. We've had lots of new fabric come in, but (THANK YOU!) it is going out of the shop nearly as quickly as it comes in. All the more reason to hurry over!

Next Week is the Quilt Spree July Shop Hop!

Shop Hop!, Shop Hop!, Shop Hop!

We are so excited, We have about 100 unfiinshed piles of stuff (aka kits, new inventory, unfinished projects, make it take its...) that need to be finished. It reminds me of Christmas eve.

Come have fun with us during this busy time of year! 

Our PREVIEW PARTY on Wednesday, July 21. We will have two pretty-cool Make-It, Take-its; yummy food, and a ruler demo that you don't want to miss! Don't forget that we have special shop hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. all three days.

ALWAYS IN STITCHES BUS
We have a bus that will drop you off at every shop leaving our shop on Saturday, July 24. There are only a couple of seats left. Time is running, out so hurry in to make your seat reservation.

Of course, we will feed you before and after the bus trip; your trip includes a cute little travel pillow and a nice heavy duty tote and a box lunch will be served on the bus.

The number of buses has been reduced this year and our bus is filling up fast so don't wait until the last minute to sign up!
Bus Price: $ 70.00
Passport price: $15.00 (+ tax)


Are you putting together your own "bus trip"? We have the schedule for the "big bus" - contact us when you put together your itenerary so you can avoid the crowds.
 
 
Coming soon!!
 

Flying Colors

Design Quilts with Freeform Shapes & Flying Geese • 5 Paper-Pieced Projects, Full-Size Foundations
by Gail Garber

Let Your Imagination Take Flight!
Take A Captivating Trip Through Southern Spain

• 11 simple yet stunning quilt projects-perfect for any quilter, even beginners
• See Spanish life through Roberta's eyes, as she tells the stories behind each quilt with lush photography
• Projects are inspired by the flowers, foods, and colors of Spain's vibrant landscapes
• Includes 6 delicious Spanish-inspired recipes
• Bring unity to a quilt with a well-planned border
• Create quilts in endless variations of one or two colors.

In this virtual trip to Spain, you'll learn how to make exquisitely easy quilts with all the warmth of the Mediterranean culture. Master the art of using color with the color lessons in each project. These patterns are scrap-friendly too, so delve into your stash!

 

Star Struck Quilts

Dazzling Diamonds & Traditional Blocks • 13 Skill-Building Projects
by Barbara Cline


Mix and Match Blocks and Center Stars for up to 27 Different Quilts

• Create 9 shimmering star quilts to adorn the walls of your home
• Mix and match these 9 stars with classic quilt blocks to create up to 27 bed-sized quilts, too
• Build your star-making skills-start out with simple patterns and move to more complex patterns as you learn
• Create delightful stars out of diamonds
• Create different designs by simply changing the color and/or size of the diamonds
• Learn to create perfect 8-point centers that lie flat
• Learn to take advantage of a fabric's design or motif with fussy cutting

This book includes complete instructions for 9 wall hangings, which can then be transformed into 27 bed-sized quilts. Barbara shares many valuable life lessons and shows you how to achieve the fine workmanship found in the quilts made in her Mennonite community.
 
 

Kaleidoscope Quilts

The Workbook

Create One-Block Masterpieces • New Step-by-Step Instructions • 12 Projects
by Paula Nadelstern
 
The Magic is Revealed!

• From the award-winning and best-selling author, Paula Nadelstern
• Twelve projects-each one makes an artistic 20" square kaleidoscope block
• Intoducing 22.5° wedges (her narrowest wedges yet!) to increase the beauty and intricacy of each kaleidoscopic pattern
• Includes a gallery of the quilts from Paula's exhibit at the Museum of American Folk Art, plus candid shots of the opening reception
• Never before have there been this many of Paula's kaleidoscope projects in one book!

This collection of kaleidoscope blocks made a stunning display on museum walls; now you can make them for your own walls too! In this workbook, you'll go “behind the seams” to learn Paula's design approach and fabric selection process, as well as her drafting and construction methods. Includes patterns you can follow for all 12 one-block quilts!

 

Silicone Release

Paper

Non-Stick Appliqué • Release • Transfer Paper
 
Non-Stick Appliqué • Release • Transfer Paper


• The BEST sizes for both small & large patterns in one convenient package
• Trace and transfer any sized pattern with ease
• Protect delicate art surfaces, as well as your iron and ironing board
• Handy non-stick work surface for projects using mediums and adhesives
• Many creative uses for appliqué and other art and craft projects 
 

Blocks to Diamonds

Kaleidoscope Star Quilts from Traditional Blocks
by Cheryl Malkowski


Reach for the Stars!

• Learn Cheryl's technique for transforming traditional square quilt blocks into exciting, new diamond shapes.
• Beginner-friendly star designs make Y-seams easy to learn
• Create quilts that stand out from the rest!
• Inspirational quilt gallery
• Step-by-step how-to photos and illustrations detail the process
• Paperless paper piecing, no more hassle with tiny bits of paper stuck in seams

12 Projects, Easy Techniques. Dazzle your friends with your own unique kaleidoscope quilts. You'll be inspired to mix and match fabrics and colors in new ways.

Have a good weekend! Stop In and Say Hello!

Mary

My is it hot!

. . . and it's only the beginning of July.  Mid-July through August. Hmmm. Do we want to think about that? Well, it IS summer. So check out the new book we just got in . . . .

Summer Gatherings
by Lisa Bongean & Carole Charles

. . .  a collection of quilts, wall hangings and other traditionally hand crafted items that can be made to decorate for the summer season. 28 projects total. The designers, Lisa Bongean and Carole Charles of Primitive Gatherings fame, live in Wisconsin and have tried to capture the essence of their beautiful summers in the projects featured in this book and encourage you to enjoy your summer season by creating these wonderful projects to enhance your home.

Quilt Spree 2010

Mark your calendar for our Preview Party here at the shop on Wednesday, July 21. Watch for more details, but here's a brief preview of the preview . . .

we will enjoy tasty treats and work on make it-take it project(s), of course, great fellowship.  It's important to get "geared up" for this great annual event.

Are you planning of going on the shop hop? If you don't want to do all that driving and spend your important fabric $$ on gas and food, the make sure you contact the shop SOON to sign up for the bus trip.  What is that logo we heard so much on TV ads? "Sit back and leave the driving to us?" Sounds like a great idea to me!