Thanks to everyone who stopped by Saturday for our Holiday Open House.  We had a great time and were excited to see so many of you inspired by our creations.  We enjoy putting together projects to make you smile......speaking of smile......this project is sure to bring a smile to your face. It finishes 6" x 6" so is the perfect size for the Ackfeld table stand.  Your $18.95 Happy Snowman kit includes the pattern with our changes, all wool for the front, cotton backing, the gold star and the darling rusty bell above the door.  The stand is sold separately for $19.95.  If you live out of the area and would like a stand, please call or email us.  The stands do not fold so we have to figure postage manually so we keep them off our website. We are calling the piece above Happy Snowman.  The pattern is actually called Stitched Ornament Set but since we didn't make the ornaments we thought it would be confusing to call the piece an ornament.  Here's the pattern you'll receive.  As you can see, you'll get patterns for 6 darling ornaments.  We'll be happy to put together kits for those.  Just let us know. If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the patterns are available for $10. Another new piece is our Angels Gather Here pillow.  Debby stitched it and changed the pattern (bet you're surprised by that).  Your $21.95 kit includes the pattern and all fabrics needed to make the pillow.  The pillow finishes 18" x 18". Both the Happy Snowman and Angels Gather Here pillow could be made in time for Christmas gift giving.  If you're already finished with gifts for this year, why not start thinking about next year?  Ordering is easy -- just click on this link http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/ We are very excited to share news about Jo Morton.  If you're not familiar with her, she is not only a wonderfully nice person but also a very talented quilter.  She worked with Martingale publishing to put together 13 patterns from past Jo's Little Women Clubs into a beautifully photographed book.  It contains instructions for making all the projects as well as tips on using small quilts in your home.  80 pages $24.99 "Jo's Little Favorites" will be available mid-January.  We are taking pre-orders now.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.  If you love snowmen as much as us, you won't want to miss Snowmen in the Coop.  It contains 14 projects featuring snowmen.  At only $22 for the book, that's only $1.57 per project.  You can't beat that especially if you love snowmen.  52 pages If you'd like to reserve a copy, give us a call or e-mail.  If you'd like to place an order, follow the link and click on the New tab.  http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/

We will be open regular hours next Tuesday and Saturday.  Closed Thanksgiving day.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Hopefully you have marked your calendar and plan to join us this Saturday, Nov 14, 9:00-3:00 for our Holiday Open House.  We are so excited to share new projects and gift ideas with you.  It's been very difficult to tuck things away.  It's a good thing the party is soon because we're about to burst with anticipation! Debby recently finished the "Rolling Star" pincushion from Traditional Primitives.  Missie thoroughly explains her paper piecing method in the pattern.  Your $14.95 kit includes the pattern, paper pieces, and fabrics for the front and back of the pincushion.  We used Kansas Troubles fabric for the star and a nice Buggy Barn neutral for the setting diamonds.  Each kit is different but contains Kansas Troubles and Buggy Barn fabric.  Update on our Acres of Acorns block of the month -- we have 2 openings left so if you've been thinking about joining but are on the fence, it's time to commit.  This is an 11 month program and includes the pattern with full size templates, all cotton and wool to make the quilt top, and binding.  The quilt finishes 64" x 72".  $29.95 per month Some of you have inquired about purchasing only the pattern.  We are taking a list of names for just the pattern; however, the quilt is still in Houston with an expected return date of Dec 14.  Once we get it back, we will have it professionally photographed for the pattern......yes......we were wondering the same thing......why does it take 6 weeks to come home...... We can now sell our Row by Row kits.  Kit is $14.95 and includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, and buttons.  This photo was taken before we added our buttons but you'll get a cute yellow duck and kitty in your kit.  Let us know if we can reserve a kit or you can go to our website and order right now. http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/index.html   Quiltmania 110 is on the way and might arrive by party time.  It looks like another great issue.  If you're on automatic to receive it, Debby will be processing your order as soon as it arrives.  If you're not and would like to be on automatic, send us an e-mail or give a call and we'll get you set up.  $13.99

One other thing before we close.  We know several of you are program directors for your quilt guild.  If you're looking for a program or workshop, please feel free to contact us.  We'd also like to recommend Missie Carpenter of Traditional Primitives as a speaker for your guild.  She is a wonderful speaker and has several fun workshops available.  You can get more info by visiting her website.  http://traditionalprimitives.com/index.html   Hope to see you Saturday! Darlene and Debby

Fall quilt market is over

What a week Darlene and Kay experienced in Houston!  They didn't let the wind, rain, and construction at the convention center dampen their spirits.  Despite the fact the modern look is strong, they were able to find fabrics and patterns to appeal to us lovers of all things primitive. Last week we shared fabrics from Jeanne Horton -- this week we'd like to share fabrics we loved from Moda's Betsy Chutchian.  Her upcoming line, Lizzie's Legacy, had some great prints.  We ordered precuts for a project that's in the works.

We picked up the 2016 Quiltmania agenda at market.  We realize many (probably most) people use their electronic gadgets to keep track of plans but we love the old fashioned method.  The agenda is small enough to fit inside a stitching bag or purse.  Every day of the year has its own space so it's a great way to not only keep track of appointments but also a way to note daily happenings.....when Little Jimmy says something so unexpected you can't help but chuckle or when you put the last stitch in a project that stretched over several years or when Aunt Myrtle decided to dye her hair herself.....you get the idea. If you'd like to reserve an agenda, let us know.  You can also order on line by going to our website http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com.  At only $10 it would make a great Secret Pal gift.

While we were at Quiltmania, we picked up the last 10 copies of Di Ford's book, Primarily Quilts.  It is now out of print.  If you haven't got your copy, you won't want to wait since it's doubtful a second printing will happen.   http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com The book is beautifully photographed, 239 pages.  $54.95

One of our favorite primitive designers is Robin of Briar Roots Primitives.  We ordered several new patterns from her, including an adorable stump doll pattern (what a name!).  We'll let you know when we have patterns and kits available.

While we're waiting for the fabric to arrive so we can make her, we will share our version of Merry Christmas Wool Wall Quilt.  It finishes 25" x 25".  Your $38.95 kit includes the pattern with full size templates, background fabrics, borders, binding, wool, buttons, and roving for Santa's beard. http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com It's a quick project and can easily be finished in time for the holidays.

Speaking of holidays......they're just around the corner.  We decided to change things up a bit this year and rather than have an after market party, we've decided to throw a Holiday Open House to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and 2016.  Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov 14 (wouldn't marking the calendar be easy with a Quiltmania Agenda?!).  We'll have refreshments and lots of new projects to share.

If you haven't seen the winning quilts from Quilt Festival, it's worth your time to check them out.  We're betting you can guess which was our favorite.......it's applique (of course) with lots of tone on tone homespun fabrics (of course).  http://www.quilts.org/winners.html See you soon! Darlene and Debby