Ten Buck BOM 2014 - Sign up!

It is hard to believe that the 2013 Ten Buck BOM has come to a close.  We displayed our finished quilts in the Chocolate and Jelly Bean color ways this past Saturday as inspiration to our participants to finish their quilts.  (Last year everyone got so creative finishing with their blocks - we can't wait to see what the quilters do with the candy-themed ones!)  We will be sure to post photos when we can.

Missed out on the fun last BOM or had so much fun you can't wait to do it again?  Now is your opportunity to sign up for the 2014 program - which will begin on Saturday, March 8th.  You have your choice of two different color ways and two times for our super fun and entertaining Saturday Programs.  The times are 10 am or 1:00 pm.  Your color choices are:

French General

or

Black, White and Red

Here is how the Ten Buck Bom (also sometimes referred to as Second Saturday Sampler - which is what some of the great shops that used to be in the area called it)  works:

• Sign up by paying a $10 registration fee and choose your color choice.
• Come to StitchCraft on the Second Saturday of March to pick up your first block - the pattern and the fabric.  Stay and be entertained by Johanna and Raine and receive any explanation of the block.  Sessions are at 10 and 1:00.
• Complete your block at home before the next second Saturday. 
• Visit StitchCraft on the Second Saturday with your finished blocks.  YOU must come with YOUR block FINISHED.  You will receive the next block pattern and fabric for FREE!  
• Repeat the above every month!

some FAQ:  

MUST you attend each session?  You do not have to stay for each session but you must come in on the second Saturday.

Can I send someone in with my finished block?  No, someone cannot pick up your free block for you.  

What if I miss a month?  If you miss a month, you can pay $10 for the block that was missed and continue from there :)  You may also send someone in with $10 to pick up your block so you have it in time to finish it?  

What if I need help on a block?  Just ask us for help!!

How many blocks will there be?  This year we will have 10 blocks so that we may get back to beginning in January the following years.

Did we mention a theme?  Oh, yes, we will have a fun one!  Costumes and props and snacks and lots of entertainment!  

Sign up asap so we can make sure we have a block for you in March!!

Simple Sewing

Easy Upcycled T-shirt Pillows

(a super project for young sewists)

Do you have a pile of oh-so-adorable t-shirts from when you/your kids/your grandkids were small? (Before they had opinions about what they would or would not wear - when we could pick them up cute mementos or dress them in 'future lawyer' or 'grandmas rock') Being in a house of boys and dogs I am not willing to buy nice pillows for decoration on beds and sofas.  Not willing to toss some of the cute tees in boxes, I did a bit of crafting and ended up with upcycled cute pillows for nothing!

• Carefully cut the ribbed neck, sleeve and bottom bands off
• turn the t-shirt inside out
• sew or serge the open edges of the one sleeve, the bottom and neck.  I left one sleeve open for turning and stuffing.( you could also leave a 3 inches opening for turning along the bottom if you prefer stitching both sleeves
• Turn right side out
• Top stitch the sewn sleeve and neck  
• Stuff the t-shirt to your liking with your favorite stuffing, such as Polyfil or even scraps
• Turn a seem inside the open sleeve and top stitch closed  
• Enjoy your pillow - Steve enjoys his

Above is the reason for no nice throw pillows.  Now if someone could only post a tutorial on easy and permanent fur repellant on upholstery everything would be perfect!!

Happy Holidays from StitchCraft!!

Create a free greeting

Opus Tweet

Opus Tweet

Our next Block of the Month

We have had a lot of success with our Block of the Month programs, especially our applique projects.  The last few quilts have turned out so magnificent that we searched far and wide for something new and exciting.  From Australia comes Opus Tweet, an adorable design from Helen Stubbings at Hugs and Kisses. 

Dotty will once again coordinate this block of the month,  and the colors shown will be different (however if there are some who like the color combination shown we may make it available as well.)  Opus Tweet is an applique project - but one that can be done in any method of applique that you choose.  While Dotty teaches needle turn, Sarah teaches classes in machine applique and I am going to try using the special applique paper from hugs and kisses.   A little bit of hand embroidery finishes the blocks.

We are taking names for those interested in this BOM and official sign ups (with prices that we need to convert to American dollars) will be available by next week, along with any other details to share.

Stop in, call or email to reserve a spot in this brand new Block of the Month that will start in February!   

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Quilt Market Recap

We had a wonderful, productive time in Houston at the annual International Quilt Market.  Just about everyone involved in the quilting industry is there - fabric designers and manufacturers, pattern makers, distributors, notions companies, authors, publishers, press and of course shop owners.  We have a day of all day demos and previews at the annual Schoolhouse.  The following three days find the market floor open for us to see everything, connect with people and order for the coming months (or year).

We were treated to wonderful show and tells from our favorite quilters, such as Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

Eleanor Burns had some exciting new things to share with us.  (What, you ask?)

Pam Vieira-McGinnis, aka Pam Kitty Morning, showed of the cutest bag she made out of her newest fabric collection Pam Kitty Picnic.  This new line is wonderful and due in to StitchCraft in November!

Do you recognize this talented quilter?  Find out who she is and why I am smiling and hanging around her booth this Saturday, at our Quilt Market Recap at 1:00 pm.    We will show you all of the exciting trends and tips that we saw at market, along with a preview of what fabrics, notions, tools, patterns and clubs are coming to StitchCraft.  We will have refreshments and some giveaways to some lucky guests. See you Saturday!

Hard to keep up with the online shop, there is so much that is new!

Our wonderful delivery guys have been bringing us boxes of wonderfulness every day these past few weeks! Each afternoon we gather around the big cartons with anticipation to see what will temp everyone next. We haven't been able to get everything on the online shop yet, but we thought we'd give you a visual so you can stop in and shop or call if you are not in South Florida.

The Giggles line from Me and My Sisters Designs for Moda.  We have the ENTIRE collection, along with precuts (although those are going quickly).  As always, these designs are all vibrant colors and prints in all scales, which make for use in so many of our favorite quilt and project patterns.

These are amazing new fabrics from Tim Holtz.  If you have ever done scrapbooking or mixed media then you certainly know Tim Holtz and his cool design style.  This is his first collection, and hopefully not his last!  Yardage and precuts available.

New fabric from Marisa at Creative Thursday.  She is one of our favorites for many reasons.  Her illustrations are adorable and she is one savvy and creative lady!

A large modified Hocus Focus with new Blooms fabric.

Another Hocus Focus with our favorite woodland creatures (those are hedgehogs in the border!!)

Batiks, batiks and a few more batiks have come in - one more vibrant and delicious than the next.  And they will keep coming!  Come visit again to see what's new, stop by the shop, click on the website, or call us.  Whatever you do, stay creative!!