Monday, October 31, 2011

Sale Alert: 10/31 - 11/6 + Newness

Happy Halloween!  :-)

Another Monday brings another sale AND we got a visit from Brown today bringing more beautiful bolts!  And since I can't give you any candy for stopping by, how about a little fabric treat?  Details on a little giveway below!  :-)

This week save 25% off all patterns!  We have restocked some favorites from Thimble Blossoms, including Swoon, and we have several new patterns as well!  Check them all out here.

Flora by Lauren + Jessi Jung yardage has arrived!  I have several favorites, including .....




Which one is YOUR favorite?  Check out all of our prints from the Flora collection here and leave a comment on this post by Friday 11/4/11.  I'll post a random winner on Saturday for a yard of your choice.

Happy Sewing!  :-) 

October Stitch & Share Challenge Ends Today

BOO!  Happy Halloween, y'all!  :-)

Did you make anything spooky for today?  We'd love to see your fall holiday creations in our Stitch & Share Challenge for October.  The linky closes today and I'll announce a winner tomorrow.

Happy Sewing :-)

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Leaf Block Tutorial

Hi everyone!  Hope your weekend is off to a great start.  :-)  Today I am sharing a quick tutorial for a pieced leaf block.  Since the leaves are changing and the weather is cooling down, I thought this would be a fun block to show you.  Ready?

I used five 5" squares from a Late Bloomers charm pack for this one. Two "background" squares and three prints for the leaf. 

Start with one leaf square and one background square.  Place right sides together (RST) and stitch all the way around - a quarter inch on all sides. 

Now slice the squares on the diagonal and press your half square triangles (HST) open.

Trim your blocks to 2.5" square.  Place the seam on the diagonal line on your cutting mat and trim. 

You'll have four 2.5" HST blocks.

Next, cut your second background square into four 2.5" squares.  Then cut a 1" wide strip off of one leaf fabric square.  Slice one 2.5" background square along the diagonal and stitch the the triangles to the 1" strip.

Once you have stitched both triangles to the strip, trim to 2.5" square like you did before with the HST.

Cut your third leaf fabric square into four 2.5" squares.  Layout out your block as shown below.

Stitch each row together - pressing top and bottom rows to the left and middle row to the right.

Attach rows matching seams between the blocks.  Press.

Admire your new leaf block! :-)

Sorry for the not-so-hot lighting.  The sun was going down.  You could easily make the block smaller or larger by using different size squares.  I happened to have some charm squares laying around and wanted to play with the prints so I used 2.5" squares.  If you have any questions, just leave a comment.

Also, there's a few days left to enter a fall-themed project in the October Stitch & Share Challenge.  :-)  Hope you'll join us!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Ruby Market Tote Stitch and Quilt Along

Happy Friday!

Just stopping in to share that the Ruby Market Tote Stitch and Quilt Along with Clover & Violet is kicking off soon!  We're really excited to partner with Clover & Violet on another QAL and Jennie has shared the details on what you'll need today on her blog

Jennie also has a coupon code to share with you for the kits, thread sampler, and Ruby yardage that is good in our shop through 10/30/11. Check out her post here

I will be back tomorrow with a leaf block tutorial ... see ya then!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tell Us What You Think!

Happy Wednesday!

As we're quickly approaching the end of 2011 (crazy, right?!), we're already looking ahead around here to 2012.  We've ordered some fabric already for the first quarter of 2012 but we also want to know what YOU think!  Would you mind completing a quick survey?  We'd so appreciate your thoughts and opinions!

Thanks y'all!

Happy Sewing :-)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Inspired ...

Hey there!  It is only Tuesday evening, but it sure does seem like it should be later in the week already!  Can anyone relate?  Maybe its the fact that its the end of the quarter at school and there's a bunch of late work waiting to be graded.  :-)

Anywho, I really enjoy spending a little time on Flickr everyday (if I can) and checking out all the beautiful things the quilting and crafting community are making.  Every so often, I like to post a mosaic to share some things I am inspired by or wishing I had (more) time to make! 


1. A quilt waiting for a baby!, 2. Christmas truck - '12 days of Christmas' Sampler QAL., 3. SweetRolls, 4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/37060810@N04/6081437654/in/photostream
** Please click the links above to visit the original source of each photo. **

I think the Ruby Sugar Dish quilt that Clara of Clover & Violet is working on is just so pretty.  I love dresdens and the colors in Ruby are just perfection. 

Not too long ago, I told you about the 12 Days of Christmas Sampler QAL and it kicked off today.  I was so excited to see this cute truck block ... I love the fussy cut work that the block designer used.  You can see the block and get the pattern here.  Julianna also posted a great fussy cutting tutorial as well.

There is a Terrain group on Flickr and today I spotted this awesome quilt.  I so love all the dotty-ness in the background of these blocks.  Goodness.  The jewel tones in the Terrain line are simply gorgeous in person.

And Tammy, one of my 4x5 Modern Bee mates, made me an awesome Twister block in Summer House.  You know I love Summer House. ;-)

Well that is all for now folks ... been prepping thread kits for the Ruby QAL and working on a few other things.  What are you working on?

Hope you are all having a great week!

Happy Sewing :-)

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sale Alert: 10/24 -10/30 + New Fabric

Hi y'all! Hope you all had a great Monday! :-)

This week all of our printed precuts are 15% off - no coupon code is needed. We have  few charm packs that are down to the last pack and we still have some Christmas precuts if you are still looking to start on some holiday projects. :)

We also got some new fabrics and patterns in...

Pezzy Prints (or "Magic Beans") from American Jane arrived today.  These are so fun and perfect for stash building. We have 6 great colors. 

We also have some new patterns from Atkinson Design as well as Cluck Cluck Sew.  We have restocked a few Thimble Blossoms patterns as well, including Swoon. See all the patterns here.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

4 x 5 Bee Blocks

Hi there!

I joined the 4 x 5 Modern Bee on Flickr and we finished our first quarter of block swapping a few weeks ago. I thought I'd share the blocks that I made for this round.
Here's a closer view of a few of them...
One of my bee mates requested aqua/turquoise/purple and I used a bunch of prints from my stash.  I really love that I was able to fussy cut this Sugar Pop print for that pretty aqua flower in the top left block.

This yellow/gray/black/white block turned out fun too.  I love this modern color combination.  I used lots of stash prints here too, including some Bella Gray and some Sunkissed dots. I framed all the blocks in Bella White.

The blocks were paper pieced and based on a block that I got from Jeni B - you can see it here. :-)

Later this week, I will share the blocks I got back from my fellow bees.

Happy Sewing :-)

Saturday, October 22, 2011

It's a Wrap ...

It's a wrap ... well, almost!  We got our threads in today to start getting things ready for the Ruby Stitch & Quilt Along (QAL) with Clover & Violet.  Jennie teased everyone about the project here.  I took some photos today of bundles and threads.  Here's a peek at one of those photos ...

Are you excited?!  The announcement of details and when kits will be available for sale is coming soon.

Speaking of kits and Ruby, we still have a couple of Swoon kits available.  :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Winner & New Fabrics

Hi everyone!  Happy weekend :-)

Anita announced the winner of the Terrain Bundle giveaway yesterday - congratulations to Joyce R!   We'll be getting your prize out to you shortly. :-)

We also got in some new bolts this week .... Ruby Flannel in 3 prints AND some new houndstooth from Free Spirit.  I love the classic black & white print.

What are you sewing this weekend?  Have you made anything for the October Stitch & Share Challenge?

Talk to you soon!

Happy Sewing :-)

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Just Some Updates ...

Hiya!  Just wanted to remind you that if you haven't entered Anita's drawing for a Terrain bundle, you should!  She's picking a winner on Friday. :-)  Lucky someone ...

Also, I will be back tomorrow with shop updates - new prints and patterns are being added!  Ruby is selling well ... grab some and save 10% with coupon code "celebrate" at checkout.

Happy Sewing :-)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Teasers...

Hey everyone!   So, I took this photo as a teaser to this be.a.u.tiful collection ... of course, I've already told you it is all here and on our shelves!

But ... did you see this teaser from our friends at Clover & Violet?  Exciting!

Happy Sewing :-)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sale Alert: 10/17 - 10/23

Happy Monday!

This week we've got a coupon for you to save 10% off any regular priced fabrics and patterns!  Just enter "celebrate" in the coupon code section at checkout.  :-)

We're also offering a free cupcake mini kit and pattern with every purchase of $25 or more this week!  No coupon code needed for this offer - the kit will automatically be included with qualifying orders. (Order subtotal must be $25 or more after discounts and before tax and shipping.)


Happy Sewing! :-)

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Etchings by 3 Sisters is Here!

Hiya! 

Just stopping in to share that Etchings by 3 Sisters for Moda has arrived!  It is now available here.

This Wallpaper Slate print is one of my favorites.


I also think this Jardin Floral Tonal Rosewood would be so pretty in some classy holiday projects.


Fun text and map prints as well... Check them all out here.

Ruby is also still scheduled to arrive tomorrow - so be on the lookout for an announcement tomorrow night for when that is available to order. :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Swooning for RUBY!

Hiya!  I am soooo stinkin' excited to announce that our Ruby order has shipped!  According to the tracking number, it will be here on Friday!  Of course, I will update you as soon as it is available here on the blog.  :-)

We ordered the whole collection of this one ... yes, all 36 glorious bolts ... so whichever print you're looking for we will have it ... at least until it sells out!  ;-)

In other inventory news ... New Bellas are arriving this afternoon and our collection of Etchings will be here tomorrow.

Happy Sewing!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

12 Days of Christmas QAL

Hello there!  Last week, I was checking out some blogs and found a fun Christmas sampler project that is about to kick off. 

Sara at Sew Sweetness has organized a "12 Days of Christmas Sampler Quilt" that will feature 12 blocks by 12 bloggers over 6 weeks.  The fun begins October 25th.  And our friends, Clover & Violet, are designing one of the blocks! 

Ready to jump on the bandwagon but need some fabric?  This week is a perfect time to pick up some fabric for this fun project - both Flurry by Kate Spain and Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater are 20% off this week!  No coupon code required - prices are already marked. :-)  Sara says the quilt top will require either 12 fat quarters OR 1 layer cake + 1.5 yards of a solid for sashing. 


Happy Sewing :-)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Sale Alert: 10/10 - 10/16

Happy Monday!  I'm back today with another sale alert for you ...

This week, all Christmas fabric is on sale!  Save 20% on all Flurry by Kate Spain and Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater.  Sale includes yardage, precuts and choose-your-own fat quarters.  No coupon code is required as prices have been adjusted. 

Pick up some pretty prints and start on your holiday crafting today!

Need some inspiration?  The Moda Bakeshop has a ton of beautiful projects all with free patterns - click on over and check them out!

Oh yea ... the newsletter has an exclusive subscriber coupon this week!  Have you subscribed yet?  The next edition comes out tomorrow morning.  ;-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Pumpkin Block Tutorial

Hey there!  As promised, I am back today with a quick tutorial for a pumpkin block.  On Friday, I put together a mini quilt with three pumpkins.  Here's the finished product ...

I did some free motion quilting to make the pumpkin look a little more round.  I think it at least gives the illusion of roundness.  :-)  This mini is about 8" x 17".

Since I had camera "issues" with the photos from the construction, I took new pictures last night and made a smaller, one pumpkin version to show you the process.  Ready?

Start with one 4" square of an orange print.  I used Essential Dots in Orange. You'll also need four 1.5" squares in black solid.  I used Bella Black.

Next, place the black squares in each corner of the orange and stitch along the diagonal.  Since this was a short stretch of stitching, I eyeballed it.  Feel free to mark your lines if you are more comfortable doing so. Trim the corners after stitching.

Press the block.

Now, let's trim your block.  I took 1/2" off the bottom and a 1/4" off the top.  (For the taller pumpkins in the 3-pumpkin version, I took 1/4" off the bottom only.)

Add some borders.  I used 1.5" strips on the sides and approx. 2" strips on the top and bottom.  Add sides first, press and trim.  Then the top and bottom. 

Press and trim your block to 5.5" square.  I left more of a border on the top than along the bottom since I am getting ready to add the stem.  Fuse some interfacing to a brown scrap (I used the Houndstooth in Chocolate) and draw a stem shape.  Cut it out and Fraycheck the edges.  (Fraychecking is my personal preference when doing machine applique ... but I guess you could do without it. :-)

I managed to not get a photo of the applique, but place the stem down and stitch around the edges with a tight zigzag stitch.  (I will work on an applique tutorial for you later this week.)  I hope looking at the next few pictures gives you the idea... sorry about the missing photo!

Cut pieces of batting and backing fabric to 5.5" square.  Stack them with batting on the bottom, block in the middle FACING UP, and the backing fabric on the top FACING DOWN.  (Fabrics are right sides together.) Pin in place.

Stitch all the way around leaving a 1.5 - 2" opening on one side.  Trim corners. 

Turn it right sides out and ease the corners out.  I like to use a bone folder to push the fabric in the corners into place. Press.

Stitch around the whole piece again - close to the edge.  This will seal up the opening. 

Quilt some curved lines on the pumpkin and admire your cute little pumpkin coaster! :-) 

If you want to make a large piece like the 3 pumpkin original, the process is basically the same.  Make 3 pumpkins.  I used a 0.5" border between them (1" strip presew).  I used a 2" border of Essential Dots Black as an outer border and the Essential Dots Orange for the binding.  Certainly, you could make larger pumpkins by changing the size of the starting square and corner squares.  Add some jack-o-lantern faces for more fun. 

If you have any questions, please let me know!  :-)  If you make a pumpkin (or 3!), I hope you'll share them with us and enter the October Stitch and Share Challenge!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Saturday, October 8, 2011

3 Little Pumpkins

Hi everyone!  Last night I put together a little mini quilt with some cutie patootie pumpkin blocks.  I took photos and everything as I went along ... except all of the photos from the actual block construction somehow got lost between the camera and my computer.  Arghh!

Here's a little sneek at what I've been working on ....

So ... I will have to hold off a little on the tutorial for the block I used for this project.  I will be at a ball game most of today but I will get you some instructions and photos on Sunday.  :-)   So, hunt down some black and orange prints ... or pick up some Essential Dots in Jet Black and Orange or some Terrain Lichen Bloom. See ya tomorrow!

Happy Sewing! :-) 

Friday, October 7, 2011

Customer Spotlight & Giveaway Alert

Happy Friday, y'all!  :-) 

One of our customers, Anita at AMKreations, is a regular around here on the blog! ;-)  She is sweet to always comment and play along with our challenges.  Recently, she won a Stitch & Share Challenge and she picked up some Terrain.  And she used it to make this awesome bag ...


I love this, Anita!  These purple prints are so pretty together.  :-)

Anita also asked if she could feature us on her blog ... of course, we said "yes!"  Check out her "Fabulous Feature Friday" post here and enter to win a Terrain Stream bundle.


Thanks for stopping by today!  I will see you tomorrow with a quick pumpkin block tutorial. :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Terrain Bundles

Hello, hello!

I wanted to introduce you to two Terrain bundles .... I love the bright colors and beautiful prints in this line. 

A bundle in the Bloom color way ...

And one in Stream/Mist/Foliage ...

Find them here.  :-)

See ya tomorrow!

Happy Sewing :-)