QUILTMANIA AT SEWING AND STITCHERY EXPO

Just back from a very good Sewing and Stitchery Expo in Puyallup Washington.  I was so happy to see my Quiltmania friends Carol and Claire.  They had a wonderful booth.  Look for their beautiful magazines at your next show.  

Carol and Claire - Quiltmania!

Many of you ask what our best selling patterns are and of course that changes a bit from show to show.   But this little pattern, even though it has been around awhile, ranks right at the top almost every show.   Love those "little mighties".   Thank you Mini Scissors Case.  Best selling kit right now seems to be Wickedy Jig.  Will try to get the kit back on the website as soon as we can get them restocked.

Wickedy Jig Pattern

Sewing and Stitchery Expo is always the first weekend in March.  Try and make it next year.  A show robust with demos, classes, lectures and lots of vendors.

Mini Scissors & Needle Case Pattern

JUST THE RIGHT SPARKLE

Things light up with these teeny copper wire led lights.   Like this strand because it is very long, it plugs in, is dimple, and has a remote.  OxyLED Dimmable LED String Lights.

Gotta get some more of these.

SANTA PILLOW KIT GIVEAWAY ON WOOLIE MAMMOTH

If you do not already follow Anna Bates on FB and on her blog, Woolie Mammoth, you are missing out on a wealth of wonderful stitching information.  In addition to her blog, she also posts on youtube.com with her  Quilt Roadies films and also writes posts for QuiltShow.com

If you go to Woolie Mammoth right now,  sign up to follow her blog, you can comment on the post that shows this "Santa Brings the Tree pillow pattern, and have a chance to WIN the PATTERN AND KIT.

Hurry, winner announced 10.4.16.

On another note . . our two new patterns, Santa Brings The Tree and Saltbox Angel are both now available on Reets website.

It's time to stitch!!

JUST A MINUTE

Oh lovely little minute timer

sitting on my shelf

when i get a case of Busy Brain

just flip . . . shut up . . .

and journey back to self.

MUCH WOOL TADOO

This Fall issue is really a gem.  If you haven't been introduced to Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine now would be the time.  Sue Spargo quilt on the cover . . pattern included.  More projects by  other great designers you are probably familiar with . . Kathy Schmitz, Maggie B,  Stacey West,  just to name a few.   You can go to Primitive Quilts website and get a subscription or order this issue on our website.  LOTS of woolie things to make you happy and content.  

Here is the link to order the Fall 2015 Issue at Reets Rags To Stitches.  

Keep it Stitchy!

PAINT - THE FABRIC !!

Remember that wonderful line of Windham Fabric . . Collage?

Designed by Carrie Bloomston of SUCH Designs.  Her second line . . Paint . . is just as fantastic and is now available.

Here are a few of my favorites.

I'm especially in love with that Grey Pie Chart piece aren't you?

My friend Marilee and I made up a large multi-tasker bag using these and a few others from this edgy and creative line.
It's Wonderful.
Texty.
and Fresh.
Our pattern for Your Big Bag is available on our website if you are in the mood to make a large bag.  Great as a project bag, travel bag, diaper bag . . you name it!

To find out more about Carrie''s fabrics books, patterns and unique life, visit her website linked above or visit her on her blog Suchity Such.  Guaranteed . . you will be inspired to do some "Painting" of our own.

Your Big Bag - Reets' new pattern.

FUN AT THE NATURAL FIBER FAIR

Victor Jacoby Textile Collection - The Rose

See the slide show below for more of this Collection and many more Fiber Fair photos.

Carin and Gail

The Natural Fiber Fair in it's new location, Arcata CA. Community Center, hosted an array of vendors that filled the rooms with creativity and the most splendid gathering of goods for the fiber enthusiast.  A show that seems to step it up to another level each year.   You can read more about their workshops vendors and features on their website . . The Natural Fiber Fair Be sure to go if you are anywhere near the North Coast next September. Carin Engen, an outrageously talented fiber artist herself, was the vendor chairman.   Can't imagine a better job being done.  Workshops are another grand highlight of the show.

Laura and her artful basket weaving

Indigo Shibori - with April Sproule & Linda Hartshorn

Each year

the Hmong women of Vietnam

make new silk embroidery jacket collars

for each of their family members.

The collars fade.  Each year they are removed.   And replaced.

The faded collars are not discarded, but instead sewn to hats made of indigo dyed cottons.  

I was certain . . even tho too small for my head . . that the one shown here was made just for me.   So now,  it is mine.

It will sit in my studio . . inspiring all who see it.

Until one of my grandaughters catch sight of it . . 

oh how they love to wear hats !

From "Above The Fray" booth.

The glorious hand dyed woven silk ribbon is from

Julie Mueller-Brown.

See more in the slideshow below.

AND COME TO THE FIBER FAIR NEXT SEPTEMBER !!

Personalize a free slideshow

INDIGO . . AND 2 LITTLE DRESSES

How I loved these indigo prints purchased at a quilt show.  As you can see . . they are reversible.  Take your pick . . light or dark!
Not at all intended for the twin gd's 2nd birthday dresses.

But on the way back to my booth i spotted an adorable dress pattern.
 The reversible fabric would offer up two very different dresses.  The twins are rarely dressed alike.  I bought two fabrics for the ruffles to distinguish them even more.   I laid out Dress 1.  I laid out Dress 2.  They were looking sufficiently unalike.   But then . . somehow . .  the fabrics kept getting flipped . .  and switched . . and flipped again.  Leaving me with two very similar frocks.   Add to that, I liked the ruffle on the first dress so much that it had to go on the second as well.
Oh anyway . . aren't they cute?!!   The design is from kati cupcake Pattern Co. and the dress pattern is called Peggy Sue.   Are you stitching today?   Lots of sizes if you want to whip up something cute for a dear little one.

LULUMOON'S ART BOOTH

Remember Lulu of Lulumoonmymuse.blogspot.com . . she won that apron pattern?

In case you thought that Lulu makes only an apron or two,  take a look at these booth pictures.

My friend Janet took the photos at a recent art show in Portland.

 

 If like me, you did not get to attend this show . . let's all

"Boo Hoo" together.

Or . . hop on over to her Etsy site.

I just got the most unique little santa ornament there, and some wonderful cards that are
Very Lulu.

You would have to agree wouldn't you . . Lulu IS her art.

I love Unique.

LIL COMFIES - GOOD FIND !!

Went to 3 Christmas Faires this past weekend.  Crafting is still alive and well.

Would you like to see my favorite purchase?  

Two soft and colorful jingle balls and a crinkley little blankie.

Love her modern and well put together fabrics as well as her very reasonable prices.

Her booth was packed full of wonderful children's quilts stuffed toys, balls, blocks and more.

Everything so delightful and fresh!

Each item hand made by Crystal Barrow of Lil Comfies.  

And guess what . . besides her booth items, she takes special orders.

You can see more pictures of her booth and items on her Facebook Page.

facebook.com/LilComfies

You can also click on her name above to email her if you would like to purchase any of her

Lil Comfies.

Oh .  and be sure to check out her heavenly Lil stuffed Hippos.

QUIZ . .

Have you figured this one out yet?

What comes first . .  The chicken or the egg??

I know . .

It's the CHICKEN COOP !!

Isn't it sweet? 

Daughter's birthday gift from her Hub.

Woolbert wants one . . he loves to watch over living creatures.  Leave a comment to this post.

Just create an answer to that big question above - Which comes first? . . 

Woolbert will draw a RANDOM WINNER from the egg basket.  And we will send you our new, 

THREE LITTLE WOOLIES pattern. 

You saw parts of this pattern in some recent posts.

Leaving for the NW Expo in Portland Tuesday so will have to end the drawing by

12 noon, MONDAY, 9.16.13.

Good Luck!

RUG HOOKED WHALE

Traveling up and down the west coast to quilt shows, it is always great to find a better than average coffee/tea shop.

Atascadero has one.

bru - Atascadero, Ca.

The owner has a fancy for sperm whales.  This hooked whale was
at least
almost
maybe
8 feet long.  Could have been 6.
BIG . . tho short of their actual average length of 52 feet.  

Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales.

The sperm whale's head can comprise up to one third their length.

Sperm whales plunge as far as 3 kilometers - 9,800 feet - to dine on giant squid.

And they can live to be 70 years old.

Those are some Great Big Facts right?

And here are some facts about rug hooking . . and me.

 * I learned to rug hook in a class during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

** I miss rug hooking.  

*** my favorite rug hooked project was this. . .

**** And one last fact . . I still have the purse and even use it occasionally.

Let me know if you have any idea when I might be able to do a little hooking again.

If you say . . .  

"Whenever you make time to do it !!"

. . I will pout.  

TEAR DROP ??

No . . Teardrop!  And in this case . . .

it is Raindrop.  The Little Teardrop That Could.

But back to the beginning.  Thinking quilt shows from the past, many might remember

Collett Fenske Hand Dyed Fabrics.  She knew how to splash up a booth in a few easy steps.          Color

Color

Color

Now you remember?

She has since gone on to take over a local Honey Business.  The honey with the yellow lid . . not abandoning her colorful ways of course.  Another long time dream of Collett's was to own and roam in,  a teardrop trailer.  I have known Collett for many years, and she has always been one to pursue her dreams.   So please meet

Raindrop . . and her owner, Wilderness Woman

Oh and then there is Camper Sue . . who had to admit to feelings of envy.

Raindrop Arrives!

First outing - Test run at Kamp Klamath

 A peak inside?

She may not sell hand dyeds anymore but has certainly not stopped dressing up her life with them.  Accessories. . All Vintage!

oh . . . well . . . those feelings of envy I mentioned?

i'm feeling them.  

Oh yes . . take me to a

Teardrop . . NOW!

What are you feelin'? 

EVAN FROM HEAVEN

What do you think of this?

I think of my youngest daughter's, and now son-in-law's, wedding.  

A warm and lovely summer afternoon and evening.
In a beautiful garden.  On an organic farm and vineyard. 

A very unique land.  Flower and vegetable gardens scattered and hidden all about.

Oh and you could hear them whispering . . asking themselves . . you could . .  

"What will I find down this twistting narrow path, or through that gracefully fetching arbor,

or over this little beckoning bridge?"  

Follow me.   And behold.  A marvelously mellowed yellowed roadster in all of its retiring glory. . 

EVAN FROM Heaven

Coincidently, the best man's name was Evan.  He - a bit too wonderfully hellish to have come aboard this little heaven train.

Was it a memorial? 

Was it hiding . . its tarnished body not quite up to the constant parade of stylish gardeny guests?

Were orchids about to burst up from its center and do their tranquil dance as only orchids can do?

Well, what do You think?

HAVE YOU BAKED YOUR CHOCOLATE DIPPED MACAROONS YET?

You HAVEN'T baked your macaroons?  Well then would you like a simple recipe?

I altered this recipe in a number of ways.  Less sugar for one.   Many recipes are a bit too sweet for my taste.  And I like to add things too.  In the Recipe Box below is my adaptation but you can also find a richer sweeter recipe here:

Chef Keem's Coconut Macaroons. 

Lots of good pictures, instruction and even a video on making his Espresso Sea Salt Caramel.  

Great for Christmas sharing. . .

You can bag em up.

or

You can box em up.

or

You can eat em up!

But first . . 

You gotta MIX em up.

Click on the box below to enlarge and play Recipe.
This recipe is thick  and a bit stiff so do by hand or use a strong paddle mixer.
This makes half the batter of the original recipe.

A free printable recipe card by Smilebox