The Dog Days of Spring

Ok, I know the saying is actually "The Dog Days of Summer"....but I couldn't wait to post this picture of one of my favorite canine quilters....please allow me to introduce "Lucy". She's a 2 year old Tibetan Terrier and she frequently visits the shop with her "mom" Cynthia. Lucy even has her own quilt which apparently she's permanently borrowed from Cynthia's daughter.

Way to go Lucy!!

Speaking of Spring....where is it?? The weather forecast show's more rain is on the way so I've decided that the only way to deal with these soggy days is to stay inside and sew. The shop is receiving new fabric every day and one of my favorite new lines is Bohemian Elegance by In The Beginning. These lovely fabrics are inspired by antique french textiles and the muted and warm colors remind me of Spring....whenever that may be.

Ongoing Class Updates!!

If you want to get some serious sewing done consider attending one of the many drop in classes we offer at the shop!! Here's a rundown of the schedule:

Mondays 10am-2pm Creative Threads with Margaret and Janis

Mondays 6pm-9pm Open Studio with Laura Nownes

Tuesdays 10am-2pm By Appointment with Janis

Tuesdays 6pm-9pm Open Sewing with Marby

Thursdays 10am-2pm Finish It with Margaret

3rd Sunday of the Month 11am-4pm Sewing with Margaret

Call the shop for more information on how to sign up and prices. There's no better way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening than sewing with one of these wonderful teachers!

UPCOMING CLASS UPDATE!!

In last week's newsletter I told you about a new class starting in May that will be taught by Laura Nownes and Terri Piper called "A Graceful Baltimore." As of today the class is already over 1/2 full so if you want to make sure you get a spot call the shop ASAP.

The class will meet one Friday a month for 6 months (5/14, 6/11, 7/9, 8/13, 9/10, and 10/8) from 10am to 2 pm. The cost is only $60 for the entire series! This class is a combination of hand applique and piecing and you can purchase a kit in either Verna Mosquera's Heavenly Peace fabric or Civil War Prints. Take a look at this picture of the sample block, or better yet come on in and get a close up view. You'll be amazed at how the flowers are done!

Have a great week and keep a look out for some sunshine!!

Great Balls of Fabric!!!

Do you have a hard time throwing scraps away?? When you look at left over pieces of fabric do you think "I can't get rid of these....what if I need them someday?" Or do you tell yourself, "I love this fabric so much, I'm sure I can find a use for it somewhere." Fast forward a few months/years/decades later and I bet you're like me, still clinging to those precious pieces! It's not a bad thing to hoard the scraps...in fact, it could be a whole new way to get creative....

Obviously no good scraps go to waste here in the shop and we have saved so many that we've turned them into "Great Balls of Fabric!!" I bet you're wondering what I've got planned for all these balls of fun.....I'm gonna tell you.....just not yet! Stay tuned.

Keeping it all in the family....this week we had 4 (FOUR) generations of quilters from one family come into the shop and each of them is working on their own individual quilt!! These amazing women, Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother and Daughter have obviously adopted the motto "the family that quilts together stays together." How wonderful that their love of quilting is "binding" them together. Don't you just love stories like this??

NEWSFLASH

Verna Mosquera's new fabric line "Heavenly Peace" is on our shelves!!

We have the complete line of her latest holiday inspired fabric along with Fat Quarter Bundles in these beautiful prints, plaids, florals and stripes that will make it easy for you to get inspired. It's never too early to start thinking about the...(gulp) holidays, right??? We've planned some really fun and exciting projects using Verna's new fabric line...I'll share more about that with you next time. If you want a sneak peek stop in the shop for a preview!