Thread Painting & A Little Bling Bling!

Jeannie Jenkins taught Thread Painting at the store on Saturday and it was a huge success. The new Quilting Arts Magazine came in and has a feature on...you guessed it... Thread Painting! It is a fabulous publication and well worth a look-see the next time you are in!

Also if you want something inexpensive to pick up your spirits a bit ... we just got in some adorable little tape measures and sewing kits and they are all done up with rhinestones. There are skulls, kitties, butterflies and guitars...too cute! Priced at only 1.99 why not grab a few for your sewing friends too?

Bling not your thing? We also got these cute little collector tins full of pins...there are four different ones to choose from and they are only $4.99.

Finally I found a great how-to video to help you with your puff quilts - enjoy! If you have trouble viewing it in the blog here is the direct link: http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=276EC4F8ACD511DD90B5000423CF385C

Taupes from Japan and The Work of Yoko Saito

Right now I am very interested in Japanese quilting. While there are several trends in Japan the most dominant is working in a limited palette...usually indigo or taupe. The new Quilt Mania magazine features several articles on Japanese exhibits and quilting.



My favourite quilter at the moment is Yoko Saito. Saito is a Japanese quilter who works almost exclusively in taupes...her attention to minutae is astonishing! When you drop by the store be sure to browse through one of her books...we always have some in stock! Pictured are the cover of one of Saito's books: Scandinavian Quilts as well as one of the quilts featured within it. The larger quilt is from "Small Quilts" and close examination reveals the exquisite detail and layers of handwork that went into its execution.

Our front section is stocked full of new Taupes from Japan. These prints are both subtle and ethereal. We will be exploring their use both in classes and samples in the coming months. We have a wide range available online both by the metre and by the Fat Quarter: Taupes.

Here are a few of the lovely prints:

A Resolution ... Broken Down Already

Well on Sunday I promised to finish a project everyday this week...it didn't last at all!

I Have just finished Monday's project which is the baseball pillowcases.

Lest you think I have been totally shirking ... I have advanced several things closer to completion so I believe I will still do seven things this week...if not one everyday!

Meanwhile we have some gorgeous Lantern Moon Needles...the Sock Stix on sale for 15.60 -- these luxury needles retail for 26.00 per set!

They are 5" double points made specifically for socks. They come in a bright plaid organza bag! They are a luxurious gift and they knit like a dream!

Now, I'm off to finish yesterday's project!

"The Quilting Bee" and Many Thanks!

I'm back from a fantastic (if steamy) weekend at the Hamilton Quilters Guild Show: Quilts in Bloom. Many thanks to Leigh Forrest and her legion of volunteers for organizing a fantastic show that was inspiring and a whole lot of fun. I met all sorts of warm, friendly folks and came home brimming with ideas and inspiration.

One of the highlights of the weekend was when Mayor Fred Eisenberger made a presentation to the Guild's founding members for years of community service!

We also came home with armloads of goodies made by Carole and Gary of Just Plane Knotty including some terrific ruler racks for your cutting tables!

One more thing...I was trolling around the internet today and found the funniest quilting bee on the EE Schenck website:

Woven Quilts and Jelly Roll Quilts + Cute New Cat Fabric

Lots of new goodies came in yesterday...we have a good run of Bamboo Takumi needles from Clover all at reasonable prices.


Also in are some great books including the best Jelly Roll book I have seen yet...it has 17 projects...including a cool bag to carry quilts in!

Jelly Roll Quilts

Also new is Simply Stunning Woven Quilts by Anna Faustino...if you love new, interesting techniques this is well-worth checking out!

Simply Stunning Woven Quilts

Eleanor Burns also has a new book that celebrates World War two Era Quilts...

Victory Quilts

Garden Cat Labels (12")

Finally we also received a really cute new grouping of cat fabrics from British manufacturer Makower! Makower makes the most exquisite realistic animal prints on the market!

Garden Cats -- Paws
Garden Cats -- Cat Collage

Charm Tote Bag and More Baby Kits

I'm happy to say that we have more Crazy Eights Baby Kits made up. These are so pretty for a new baby in pastel shades of purple, yellow, blue, green and pink. The kits include backing, binding, all fabric and the pattern and are only $34.99.

Monika Also finished up a Charm Party Tote using the Secret Garden Charm Squares ...it was quite easy to do and is just lovely!

Aliens Have Invaded ... and Eye Candy for Quilters

In the midst of the sale we have had boxes and boxes and boxes of new goodies come in! The book shelves are reloaded...with a whole slew of new titles and there are a few new lines of fabric as well!

Here is a gorgeous run of Hoffmann Bali Batiks...truly eye candy for quilters!

Also, we have the Alien Invasion Jelly Roll, Alien Invasion Charm Pack and a couple of co-ordinates to make something "out of this world" for your favourite kid!

More Pictures of the New Fabric

As promised...I am loading up the new fabrics as fast as I can...this is an adorable line from Avlyn called Fun in the Sun. Lots of great primary blenders to liven up kids quilts...some adorable novelties and a great run of dotted prints that would be terrific as backgrounds! They are all only 8.99! Click here to purchase them online... Fun in the Sun

If you are looking for a great kid's quilt project to use them in, Irene Dewar will be teaching a Puzzle Quilt in the shop on May 20, 2008 from10 - 4. The pattern is included in the cost which is only $35 for the day. Great for a confident Beginner to Intermediate quilter.

Irene promises that each puzzle piece is unique, and uniquely yours. The final reveal will show that no two quilts will be the same. Choose conversation prints and you will have the added bonus of an “I Spy” quilt for that special someone. Let the fun and games begin with this simply charming project.

Just a reminder that the deadline for submissions of the UGLY fabric challenge projects is getting closer and closer...submissions need to be in by May 9th - they will be hung and available for viewing and voting from May 9th - May 15th when prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. If you haven't done anything with your fabric yet...why not whip up a quick quilt for Project Linus ... the kids need the quilts and it would put the fabric to good use...they don't need to be fancy!

There will be prizes galore...

• Viewer’s Choice!
• Best Quilt!
• Best Project (Not a Quilt)!
• Prize to the person who used the most of their fabric
• Most Original Idea
• 5 prizes to be drawn randomly from the entries
  

Creativ Festival Tickets Giveaway! Huge Flannel Sale

We will be giving away a pair of tickets a week until the Creativ Festival which takes place April 25, 26, and 27th at the International Centre.. drop by the store to enter your name in the draw!

Also until April 9th all flannel fabric is 5.99/yard! You can shop online or in person. There are lots of great fabrics from Northcott, Red Rooster, Maywood and more!

2 Special Promotions -- Craft and Crib Batts & Cute Totes

We have an extraordinary price on Warm and Natural crib and craft size batts right now.

The Craft Batts which are 100% cotton measure 34in x 45in and are perfect for handbags and wallhangings. The craft batts are only $3.99
while supplies last!

The Crib batting measures 45" x 60" and is only... $4.99

while supplies last!

Warm and natural batts have 100% cotton fibers that are punched with hundreds of needles through a thin base material to prevent tearing, shifting or migrating. Warm & Natural's cottons flexibility makes it ideal for both inside and outside use. Quilt or tie up to 10in apart. While I'm on the subject of Warm and Natural batting...we sell it by the metre for only $13.99 ... Fabricland's price is 23.99/metre. If you buy the bolt you get 30% off so you cost works out to $9.79 metre (18.5 metres per bolt $181.11).


We also got in the most adorable little tote bags. They have lots of pockets for all your gear and are quite roomy. Great to store your projects in while you work on them! They come in teal, navy and purple and are only $3.99 !

Sewing Day...And A Creative Muse

Today was a statutory holiday and I had the chance to sew all day! I can't remember the last time that happened. I finished up my Fuschia Fishies Quilt that I started in a class with Irene Dewar using her Hunter's Star Pattern. This quilt is really a lesson in value. I chose two very dramatic prints but in the end they weren't contrasty enough to really work well together...as you can see the star pattern is all but lost. Oh well...live and learn!

The picture is a bit wonky but if you look on the left side you will see one of Cheryl Smith's wonderful dolls looking down over it. Cheryl will be teaching a doll workshop here coming up next week...



Cheryl is a renowned artisan who's work has been featured at the Moose Show as well as the One of a Kind Show. It is well worth a visit to her website to examine her Gallery of Work.

In the creative Dollmaking workshop you will be invited to come and explore the fantasy world of doll making. Learn simple yet effective ways to needle sculpt and paint the face, make the body and bring her to life. Stitch her and adorn her with baubles, beads and trinkets. Lots of handwork!

We still have a couple of spots left in class!

Dates: Saturday, March 29 and April 12
Time: 10:00 - 4:00 Fee: $85

Buck a Block - Time to Pick Up February and New Colorway!

It is time to come in and pick up the February Buck a Block - they are all ready for you when you come in!


In March we will be offering our second Buck a Block program this time is luscious earth toned batiks. Here is a sneak preview of the colorway ... drop by or call the store (416) 633-8800 if you want to put your name down in advance to make sure you don't miss out - the first set sold out very quickly!