We're so excited to be featured in Simply Vintage!

If you follow us on Facebook you probably have figured out we are lacking when it comes to the whole Facebook thing.  We can't seem to remember to pop over and update our page but we are really, really going to try to keep it updated at least once a week.  You're probably wondering why we're opening with this discussion of FB........we follow Quiltmania and were blown away when we saw this photo come up on our feed (photo courtesy of Quiltmania).

That's the quilt we designed which will be featured in the Summer issue of Simply Vintage!  Needless to say, we are super excited to share this news with you.  We are taking pre-orders for "Pinwheels and Posies" kits.  $76.95  Let us know if you'd like to reserve a kit. One of our favorite designers of Christmas themed stitchery is Gail Pan.  Her newest book, Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery, is filled with all sorts of cute holiday stitching.  The book is in stock and ready for shipment or to be placed in your folder.  $24.95

While we're on the subject of books, we are taking pre-orders for Kim Diehl's new book "Simple Christmas Tidings".  It's her first Christmas book and looks like a great one.  Below is the book cover followed by photos of some of the projects contained in the book.  The release date is late May; cost is $28.98.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.

Our featured project this week is from Threads that Bind.  We framed ours but it's also very cute when framed.  Your $32.95 kit for "A Gentle Life" includes the pattern, background fabric which we have washed and distressed for you, wool for applique, and binding.  Finishes 7" x 31"

Last but not least -- The Salem Witches #3 block arrived.  Like the other two panels, it is absolutely adorable.  Meg does a wonderful job with explaining what colors of crayon to use to color your piece.  If you're on automatic to receive this pattern set Debby has pulled yours.  If you're not and would like a pattern (or #1 and #2), please let us know.  Pattern is $10

We're working on several new projects and can't wait to share them with you.  Spring quilt market is next week and we are relying on Kay to bring back lots of new goodies.   Shortly after market is the Tulsa quilt show followed by the Wichita show.  We are busily (is that a word?!) preparing lots of kits to pack for both shows......as well as several new projects we will debut at the shows. Hope you get some time to sit back and enjoy this beautiful spring weather.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Lots of new things

What an unseasonably cool start to the week.....made us glad we still had the winter quilts on the bed.  It was also good staying at home and stitching weather.  Since Mother's Day is just around the corner (like Sunday, May 8), we were reminded to share a fun piece that is all about family. "Precious Threads" combines our love of family and needlework into one piece.  The stitched wording "Family Ties are Precious Threads" says it all.  The applique is wool but we would be happy to swap out cotton if you'd prefer cotton.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique, and binding.  It finishes 33" x 33".

If you stitch quickly, you'll have this finished in time for Mother's Day this year.  Your $12.95 kit includes the pattern and fabrics for the top.  Of course, we think this would also be equally sweet with another relative stitched in place of mother:  An aunt's heart is a patchwork of love; A grandma's heart; A niece's heart; A friend's heart......you get the idea.

We are very excited Quiltmania has decided to publish another book by Yoko Saito.  If the cover quilt is any indication of what's inside, we are in for a treat.  "Scrap Valley" is on the way to us and should arrive mid-week next week. If you'd like us to reserve a copy for you, let us know.

We are also taking pre-orders on Quiltmania #113.  It also should arrive mid-week next week.  If you're on automatic to receive the magazine, Debby will process your order.  If not, let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.  As always, the magazine is only $13.99.

If you're familiar with Lynette Anderson you know she often carries her stitching supplies in cute totes.  We were able to get some of the totes she uses and are offering them for $26.95.  The outer cover is red or blue......

.....once the case is covered, the red (or blue) portion is no longer visible.  We have Winter Moon and The Sewing Case patterns both available.  Each pattern is $16.

Kay has created a wool covering.  Pattern for "My Stitching Tote" is $9.  We will be happy to put together a wool kit for you. Let us know what we can reserve for you.  Please note the totes are out of production so it is doubtful we will be able to reorder them.

Don't forget about the Eureka Quilters Guild show May 6 & 7 at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs (hours 9-4).  Also, the Airing of the Quilts May 6 & 7 at Bell Park, 1050 Bell Park Road in Greenwood (hours 9-5).  The weather looks lovely for both events.

This turned out to be longer than we anticipated but we had a lot to share.  Spring quilt market is just around the corner.  Kay will be heading to Salt Lake City and will be happy to keep an eye out for any special request you might have.   See you soon. Darlene and Debby

New seasonal door hanger

We are still enjoying this beautiful spring weather despite all the green "stuff" blowing around that causes us to sniffle and sneeze.  It's kind of scary to look at the amount of "stuff" that can accumulate on our car in just one day. Darlene missed being at the shop last week but thoroughly enjoyed her rug hooking workshop with Gene Sheppard.  She learned a lot about hooking, wool, and why hooking is so relaxing and addicting --  she's excited to share what she learned. Since we're on the subject of wool, we'd like to share this adorable tea towel. Pattern is by Buttermilk Basin.  The background is a tea towel and the applique is wool (if you'd prefer to use cotton let us know and we'll put a cotton kit together for you).  Your $16.95 kit includes the pattern, tea towel, and wool for applique.

Debby recently finished a very unique and cute project:  a wool doorknob hanger.  This is the first in a series of seasonal hangers.  Your $9.95 kit includes wool for the front of the hanger, buttons (assorted colors), and backing fabric.  The hanger finishes 5 1/4" x 10". The pattern is sold separately and includes patterns for all 4 seasons.  Pattern cost is $12.

We're very excited to offer Diamond Textiles homespun fabrics in precuts.  Rohni is sold out of most but we are on the list to receive more once they're cut.  For now, we have 5" bundles of the Picardy Collection.  Each bundle contains 17 - 5" squares (no repeats).  The Picardy line is one of our favorite......ok......every line Rohni creates is our favorite......but Picardy contains rich browns, golds, and medium blues that are just wonderful.  $7.25 each

We also received bundles of 10" precuts from the Dijon line......another beautiful line with endless possibilities.  These bundles contain 20 - 10" squares and are $19.95.  We were able to get only 7 bundles so don't delay if you'd like one.  We're happy to hold it for you.

Before we close we'd like to share information about a local event sponsored by our friend Loralee at Mockingbird Moon.  If you're not familiar with Mockingbird Moon, it's a darling yarn shop located at 315 N 2nd in Rogers. Loralee is hosting the first-ever Mockingbird Moon Yard Sale to benefit the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention.  Her customers are bringing all kinds of things to be sold -- just like a regular yard sale-- except half of all proceeds from this sale will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  You can read more about the AFSP by going to http://afsp.org/.     The sale is this Saturday, April 30, at 315 N 2nd in Rogers from 10:00-3:00 in the Mockingbird Moon parking lot.  The Supermercado store next door has graciously invited visitors to park in their parking lot.  In the event of rain, the sale will move to the following Saturday, May 7.

We'll be back next Thursday with more to inspire and entice you.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

If you love animals, you'll love our newest sample

Last week we shared some blocks of the month which were close to being closed.  Several of you were disappointed to miss out on Lynette Anderson's "Anderson Farm" (probably after you saw that adorable pig driving the tractor).  We contacted Lynette and learned she has a few openings through her shop.  Keep in mind the pricing on her website is the Australian dollar which equates to approximately 73 cents US currency.  If you'd like more info you can visit her website at http://www.littlequiltstore.com.au/ Our newest block of the month, The Animals, was designed by Satomi Funamoto.  We played around with different options and decided to offer this as a 12 month program.  During the first 11 months, you'll receive one block (one month you'll get two blocks).  The 12th month you'll get borders and binding.  The pattern is included in the program cost.  Unfortunately, the pattern is out of print so the only way you can get it is by signing up for the block of the month. Background fabrics are all from Diamond Textiles and applique is wool.  The quilt finishes 48" x 53" .  Monthly cost is $19.95 for 12 months.

We received our shipment of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  It's hard to believe this is their 5th year anniversary issue.  We can remember when we were one of only a handful of stores stocking the magazine.  We look forward to another 5 years with Gretchen, Jeni and Judy.  If you'd like to reserve a copy, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll hold a copy for you.  $9.99

We also received our second shipment of Yoko Saito's book, 138 Original Applique Designs.  We have to admit the cover of the book is pretty boring......c'mon......an umbrella for the cover when there's so many other darling motifs inside?!

The book is divided into 6 sections:  Animals in the Zoo, Designs for Children, My Favorite Things, Botanical Motifs, The Alphabet, and Borders/Repeatable Patterns.  We chose just a few of the 138motifs to share with you......aren't these much more appealing than an umbrella?! If you'd like to reserve a copy of the book, please let us know.  232 pages, $42.95

Since the theme this week seems to be animals, we'd like to share a sweet little piece Debby made.  "Little Bird" finishes 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" and is the perfect size to fit on a Ackfeld stand; however, we chose to hang ours on an Ackfeld hangar.  This would make a sweet gift for Mom on her special day -- it's a quick stitch and very easy finish so you'll have time to complete it before Mother's Day, May 8.  Kit includes the pattern, background fabric, and printed ribbon for $9.95.

Before we close we'd like to remind you about the Eureka! Quilters show May 6 & 7 at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs.  Admission is $5 and the show is open 9:00-4:00 both days.  For more info you can find the guild on Facebook (eurekaquiltersguild) or e-mail eurekaquilts2016@outlook.com or bonniefrederick45@gmail.com. The 7th annual Airing of the Quilts will also be held May 6 & 7 (9:00-5:00) at Bell Park, 1050 Bell Park Road in Greenwood AR.  Admission is $5.  For more info, call 479-806-1081 or check out Facebook (greenwoodquilts). Since Sew Graceful is kind of in the middle between Greenwood and Eureka Springs we suggest a stop here on Saturday as you're traveling from one fun show to the next one.

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Block of the Month update

As Debby processed blocks of the month, she noticed we have only a few openings in several of our offerings.  We know many of you are on the fence so wanted to give you an opportunity to sign up so you won't be disappointed. If you'd prefer to receive all the blocks in one shipment, let us know.  We are happy to combine shipments to save postage. Lynette Anderson's "Anderson's Farm" is a mystery quilt.  We don't know what the finished quilt looks like but can share the first 3 months.  We know the quilt will finish approximately 38" x 42" and the program lasts 10 months.  Each month you'll receive a pattern, a hand painted button, and fabric for $19.95.  If you'd prefer to receive only the pattern and button, the monthly cost is $16.95.  We have 2 openings left.

We have 2 openings left in "Wooly Sheep" which is our $10 block of the month.  Each month you'll receive a pattern, background fabric, and wool for applique.  During the 12th month, you'll receive the 12th block, sashing, borders, binding, and buttons for embellishment.  We have an optional thread kit available (cost varies per month but average $4 per month).

"Merrie Christmas" has been very popular; we are on our second cutting.  The pattern is designed by Staci of Buttermilk Basin - full size reversed templates make working on this project a breeze.  Each month you'll receive a pattern, background fabrics, and wool for applique. During the 9th month, you'll receive the final block, borders, and binding.  Finished size is 47" x 47".  Cost is $19.95 per month.  We have 7 openings left.

"Camp Runamuk" is exclusive to Sew Graceful.  It is been very popular; we're on our 4th (and last) cutting.  Each month for 12 months, you'll receive a pattern, background fabric, and wool for applique. During the 12th month, you'll receive a block, borders, and binding.  Quilt finishes 48" x 56".  Cost is $24.95 per month.  We have 4 openings left.

We have 1 opening left in "Love Letters" by Lynette Anderson.  This quilt is mostly cotton with a little wool added (if you would like us to substitute fabric for the wool, please let us know).  Each month you'll receive a pattern and fabric to make a block.  During the 10th month, you'll receive fabrics for the sashing, border, and binding.  We also used a few buttons and will include them each month.  Cost is $26.95 per month.

If you don't see anything that tickles your fancy, don't despair.  We are working on three new blocks of the month and bet you'll see something very soon that inspires you. We can't close without sharing a new project. We don't know what it is about owls but they always bring a smile to our face.  When we saw "Three Wise Owls" at quilt market, we knew we had to buy it.  Your $14.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, wool and buttons.  As you're planning your summer vacation, this would be a great one to stick in your stitching bag.

We have more to share but this is getting long.  We'll be back next Thursday with more to inspire you. See you soon. Darlene and Debby