New fall projects

Autumn officially began last week.  We are starting to see the leaves change and feel a chill in the air.  If you're like us, we are getting in the mood for cooler temps and fall activities. Our first project should help you get ready for fall.  The Sunflower Pincushion is very easy to make.  As usual, we modified the instructions but your kit will include our changes.  Your $5.95 kit includes the changes we made, wool for the pincushion top and fabric for the back.  The pattern contains instructions for an additional two pincushions and is sold separately for $9.

Another project that is sure to make you think of fall is "Moon Dance".  Your $21.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, and wool for applique.  We finished ours as a framed piece but your kit contains enough background fabric that you could finish as a wall hanging or small quilt. If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $9.50.

As we were organizing our warehouse we ran across a few more Yazzi and craft bags.  We are down to less than a handful of each.  As a reminder, production has stopped on both these styles so once they're gone, they're gone forever.  If you want one, please let us know quickly by calling 479-372-7403 so you won't be disappointed. Yazzi bags are $34.95 each.  Craft case is $26.95 each.

Reiko Kato's new book, The New Adventures of Billy and Sue, arrived.  It contains absolutely darling motifs....all sorts of inspiration for quilts, wall hangings, and totes.  If you pre-ordered a copy, Debby is preparing your book for mailing or putting it in your folder.  If you didn't pre-order, we have several extra copies and will be glad to hold one for you. 184 pages $42.95

It was a good week if you're as wild about books as we are.  Kathy Sullivan's book, A Change of Seasons, also arrived.  It's full of great projects in typical Kathy Sullivan style.  Great photos and clear instructions.  If you pre-ordered a copy, Debby is taking care of you.  If you didn't and would like a copy, please let us know. 112 pages $27.99

Thanks to everyone who emailed us about our mystery critter.  April L pointed us to a very interesting website to help with identifying birds.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a wealth of information at the touch of a button.  Cornell Lab Mystery solved.......he's a black vulture......and as many of you commented......we must of had a tasty treat close by. We will leave you with that bit of info and be back next Thursday.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Rosie the snowman quilt

Thanks for all your nice comments about our version of Blackbird Designs' "The Raven" quilt.  We are on schedule to start the block of the month in October.  As with any of our blocks of the month, you can start any time.....we're very flexible. As many of you know, we often modify patterns but are also designers ourselves.  When we saw Bunny Hill's red and white winter line we knew we wanted to do something fun with it.  Debby designed this darling table runner.  Your "Snow Days" kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, and binding.  It finishes 49" x 16".  Kit is $24.95. If you don't need a table runner, it would be equally cute displayed on a wall.  What a quick and easy gift for the holiday season!

Another darling snowman kit is "Rosie".  She finishes 18" x 24".  Your $29.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, and binding.  The pattern also includes instructions for making a larger version (we'll be happy to help you choose fabrics for the larger version).

We were very excited to learn about a new magazine devoted to wool.  "Wool Works" will debut in January and will be published quarterly.  If you'd like to be sure to receive a copy, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll get you on the list. The magazine is geared to those who enjoy wool applique, rug hooking or quilting with wool.  Subjects covered will include secrets of dying your own wool, visits to quilting and hooking guilds, and how to master embroidery stitches (among many other topics). Each issue is $10.99.

We love living in the country but must confess we're never sure what sort of critter we will see.  The other day we were leaving the shop and spotted the oddest looking bird near our sign.  He/she had a brown head and neck and a black body.  At first we thought vulture, then crow, then raven......but we're not sure what he is.  Maybe you'll spot him next time you're at the shop.

We will leave you to think about our critter.  See you again next Thursday. Darlene and Debby

Our version of The Raven quilt

Kay and Erin had a great time at the Springfield show.  It was Erin's first time to help at a show so she was on sensory overload with wonderful booths and beautiful quilts in the show......we're quite sure she was close to the max on her phone photo memory. Welcome to all the new subscribers.  We're so happy you are letting us share our love of what we do with you each Thursday. We are super excited to be able to share a photo of our version of Blackbird Designs' "The Raven" quilt.  Kay's been working on the sample and it's ready for quilting.  Our backgrounds are all Diamond Textiles fabrics.  We added a border to ours and your kit will include all fabrics for the border as well as the border instructions and templates. The block of the month begins in October and lasts 11 months.  $24.95 per month which includes all fabric for the top, borders, binding, and border instructions.  The book is required and is available for an additional $28. If you'd like to reserve a spot, give Darlene a call at 479-372-7403.

While we're on the subject of Blackbird Designs, we have an update on the Secret Garden booklet.  Alma notified us the booklet is at the printer's office this week and should be shipped to Moda next week.  Moda processes orders quickly so we are hopeful the wait is finally almost over. We appreciate your patience in waiting.  If you're not on the list but would like us to reserve a copy for you, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  Cost is $16

We received another new Yoko Saito book, "Yoko Saito's Traditional Block Patterns".  It includes patterns for 66 blocks and is a beautifully photographed book.  It includes patterns for triangle blocks, nine-patch blocks, basket blocks, star blocks (just to name a few)......a great additional to your library.  $32.95

Several weeks ago we shared a photo of a cute crow quilt in progress.  Jane H finished our sample and we're pleased to be able to share it with you.  Your $22.95 kit includes fabric for the top and binding.  The pattern is sold separately for $9.  The pattern contains instructions to make an additional two quilts.

We hope you're enjoying these last few weeks of summer.  As you're putting together your fall calendar don't forget to add the Saline Quilters a Guild biennial show. "Quilting in the Heart of Arkansas" will be held Friday, Sep 16 9:00-7:00 and Sat, Sep 17 9:00-3:00 at the Benton County Event Center on I-30 in Benton, Arkansas. There will be over 100 quilts on display, vendors, and door prizes. Admission is $5. If you would like more info please visit http://quilttalk.org/ See you again next Thursday.

Door hangers

There's lots of reasons to love living in NW Arkansas but one of our favorites is the four seasons we experience here.  As we transition from summer to fall, flowers seem to pop up everywhere.  We realize most of them are probably nothing but weeds in the technical sense of flowers but we love them anyway.  We enjoyed these during an early morning walk this week.

Speaking of seasons.....isn't it fun to decorate with seasonal items?  These seasonal door hangers are the perfect way to dress up a door without investing a lot of time and money.  Each door hanger kit includes background wool, wool for applique, backing fabric and buttons.  Kits are only $9.95 each.  The pattern (pictured below) is sold separately and includes patterns for all four seasons.  The pattern is $12. We are putting together the winter door hanger and will be happy to reserve a kit for you.  Just send an e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) and we'll hold one.

Our shipment of the fall issue of Simply Vintage arrived this week.  Debby has processed your order if you're on automatic to receive it.  We have a few issues left so please let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.  It's full of great fall inspired projects.  $17.99

We were very excited to receive our shipment of Jo Morton fabric.....sigh.....it's so pretty.  We have cut fat quarters and have bundles ready for you. 38 fat quarters per bundle - $104.50 per bundle.  If you're considering a bundle, please don't wait long as they're selling pretty quickly. Please note - your bundle will not have the ruler ribbon.  We cut our fat quarters ourselves; the only way to get the Moda ruler ribbon is to buy precut fat quarters from Moda.  We do, however, have some cute ruler ribbon without the Moda logo -- let us know if you'd like info about it. We also have Jo yardage and will be happy to cut whatever you'd like - $9.95 per yard.

We can't leave without a peek at a new fall project.  It's the perfect size for a quick fall inspired project.  It'll be quilted and ready to share next week.  We should have kits ready next week.

If you're planning to be at the Springfield show in a couple of weeks and would like us to bring an item(s) for you, please let us know by Monday, Sep 5.  Kay will be packing the car Monday and can add it to all the other great goodies we're bringing. See you again next Thursday. Darlene and Debby

We are inspired

Our year has passed so quickly it's been a blur.  We took a vacation day yesterday and celebrated by visiting the American Made exhibit at Crystal Bridges.  If you haven't had an opportunity to visit, you have a few weeks as the exhibit closes Sep 19.  The exhibit contains items on loan from the American Folk Art Museum and is well worth the $10 admission.  For more info, you can visit Crystal Bridges Sometimes a visit to a place filled with inspiration is all we need to get us inspired.  We hope you feel inspired each week when you read our newsletter or when you stop by the shop.  We try to keep things updated and fresh. This week we are sharing what we think is one of the cutest Christmas designs we've seen in a long while.  Tiny Ornaments finishes 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" so is the perfect size to fit on an Ackfeld stand.  Your $14.95 kit includes the pattern, wool, background fabric, buttons, rick rack, and binding.......yeah......all for $14.95.

We also found a few more Mini Around the Pumpkin Patch patterns so have made more kits.  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, wool for applique, binding, and mini buttons for the border.  It finishes 16" x 19" so is small enough you can do some simple quilting and have it ready in time for the upcoming fall season. The first photo is of the overall quilt.  The second photo shows the buttons which are sewn on the border.

While we're on the subject of inspiration, we'd like to share a couple packs of Lynette Anderson's raw wood tags.  Each pack is only $13.50 and contains 6 tags.  Please note, the buttons are wood and should not be immersed in water. Let us know if we can reserve a pack (or two) for you of either Little Inspiration and/or Wise Words.

We are gearing up for our fall vending schedule which entails lots of cutting and packaging.  Recently several people who were at the shop stitching commented they see us walk out the back door empty handed and walk back through the door carrying all sorts of treasures.  They were very curious as to just what was behind that back door.....so we took them on a tour of our warehouse.  When we had the addition built to our shop we thought there was absolutely no way under the sun we'd ever fill it. Unfortunately, we are bursting at the seams and throwing around ideas as to how to add on again....... ......so when you see us dashing back and forth through the back door just remember we are gathering raw materials to make treasures to inspire you.

Mark your calendar for the 29th annual quilt show in conjunction with Little Balkans days in Pittsburgh, KS.  The show is Friday Sep 2 (9-6) and Saturday Sep 3 (9-4) at Memorial Auditorium, 503 N Pine.  Admission is $5.  For more info, visit Little Balkans Quilt Show The Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Show is in Springfield MO.  Hours Sep 8 and 9 are 9:00-5:00 and Sep 10 from 9:00-4:00.  The show location has changed to the Ozark Empire Fairground E*Plex, 3001 N Grant Ave.  Admission is $8. For more info, visit Ozark Piecemakers We will be back next Thursday with more to inspire you.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby