Thursday, May 31, 2012

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Oh, yes we are!!
What is this, you ask?  Why it is the Baby Lock Enterprise - a 10 needle embroidery machine.  10 needles - meaning you can set it up to embroider up to ten colors at a time without stopping to change the thread.  While at Baby Lock last fall, I had the opportunity to fall in love with the Enterprise (we came in to morning training with a giant box - by lunchtime it was set up, programmed, threaded and stitching out a beautiful pattern while we ate!)   


(on a side note, Shirley snapped this photo to prove that Boca girls DO build things!)


Not enough fun for a day?  After the Enterprise was set up, our friend and longtime HandiQuilter educator stopped by to help re-set up the Avante long arm.  We can start demos once again, and perhaps quilt some quilts.  


Come and have fun with us at StitchCraft!   Hope to see you soon!  

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Pet Parks and Parties

Sometimes you feel like a hamster on a wheel.
Sometimes you just want the fabric!

Is this not the cutest fabric?  I know we have had quite a few youngsters making blankets and beds for their pets - including hamsters.  I am glad the fabric designers got wise to this :) Robert Kaufman's Pet Park also has these dogs and paws for you four legged friend lovers.

Also new is the hottest batiks to come into the shop in a while (okay, all of our batiks are really fabulous, but these are super delicious!)  From the Gum Drop and Confetti lines - we have bright colors in single tones and rainbows.  (My descriptions aren't doing them justice, just come in and see for yourself or check out a few photos.)


Don't forget we are here all summer, so while our snowbird friends are up North for the summer (and we will miss them) plenty of us are here all season and planning some fun.  Join us for Friday sit and sews or one of the many classes and workshops we will hold.  (Click the calendar tab at the top of this site for updates and schedules.)

**please note we will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day.  Enjoy the day with friends and family and  honor our troops both present and past.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Vintage Modern has arrived

We have been waiting for this wonderful new collection by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.  The colors are luscious and we have each and every bolt in stock, as well as charm packs, jelly rolls and layer cakes.





Come on in and see for yourself - there are some great free patterns on the Moda Bake Shop website that would be terrific with these fabrics!  Happy Quilting!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Classes Past and Future (guilds, too!)

We have had some wonderful classes at StitchCraft, from those that you have to concentrate on - like Miki's Bodacious Bargello class to the wine-friendly classes like Johanna's scrappy String Quilt (no we didn't drink wine, but we could have!)  We have put some new classes up on our calendar page so check them out and register soon!
Check out those piles of strips at the String Quilt class (which we will be repeating on Wednesday, May 23 at 10 am).  Ask Marina - the class is liberating!
Don't think just smile and sew!  Sarah and Patty jumped in and got going.  That jelly roll that Patty had sitting around is now incorporated into her blocks!
Jerri's sewing machine is in there somewhere ... with all those scraps, everyone got several blocks completed and asembled!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Show and Tell Catch Up

Oy!  Where did the days go?  Time is just flying by - so do the hours in each day for that matter.  It amazes me that I look at my watch for the first time in a day and it is 2 and I wonder why I am hungry!  Time flies when you are having fun!  During all the busy and fun we have been treated to many show and tells from our super talented friends at StitchCraft.  While I don't always have a good camera, my phone is never too far away to snap a photo to share.
Susan and Mary finished their first quilts!  They took Raine's beginning quilting class  (we believe they are now hooked!)  Way to go ladies, they are wonderful!
A little drama in Shirley's junior sewing class?  Nah - just a lot of fun, and some good sewing!  The girls modeled their pajama pants that they sewed up ! Sweet!
We are having some wonderful block of the month programs going on this year.  Aside from the Ten Buck BOM (which is this Saturday, by the way), we chose a pieced quilt called Ripples and Reflections and an appliqué project called Fiesta de la Talavera.  The first two blocks are pictured above.  Under the wing and watch of the talented Dotty, this quilt is going to be magnificent.  Just had to share some progress with you!
And speaking of the Ten Buck BOM, Karolyn used her blocks for this fall mini quilt before she heads up North for the summer.  Isn't this a great idea for extra blocks?  Makes a great background!  
(Don't forget to bring your finished blocks in person on Saturday to get your next months kit FREE.   We have some fun planned - where do you think we will be?)

Finally, have you met our [occasional] shop dog, Nikki?  She has been coming in a couple of days a week to get attention.  She doesn't like her 7 month old Basset Hound brother and sister too much - too much crazy for her liking.  Nikki greets everyone at the door with a friendly bark and relishes any attention bestowed on her.  When at home, she enjoys curling up like a cat in a fabric scrap basket.

Do you have a show and tell?  Stop by the shop and let us see (we LOVE that!) or send a photo in an email for us to share.    
Happy Quilting and Sewing!