We've come a long way

Snow is falling as we write this newsletter.  We're trying to be optimistic and remind ourselves at least it's not falling ice.  Don't get us wrong -- we love having four seasons but as we age seem to enjoy the brutal cold less and less.  We're sure many of you can relate. We can't believe it but we are turning 5 years old!  It seems like just a few short months have passed since we opened our doors and hoped someone would stop by.  The photo on the left is the display right inside our door shortly after we opened; the center photo is a recent display.  I'd say we've expanded just a little bit!  The photo on the right is one of our 3 fabric shelves shortly after opening.  The quilt hanging on the wall was our first block of the month.....we wondered if there was any way we'd sell all we made.  It's really fun to look back and see our growth. A birthday means a party and we've decided to have a birthday party next Saturday, Jan 30.  Hope you will mark your calendar and plan to join us.

Although we don't necessarily enjoy the coldness, slipperiness, and ick that comes with snow, we do love snowmen......we also love taking a good pattern and making it great.  We used "These Three Throws" pattern......

......to make this cutie.  The top photo shows the entire quilt and the bottom photo shows closeups of the embroidered blocks.  We used Primitive Gathering's Primitive Snowman line.  Our quilt finishes 46" x 55".  Kits are $42.95 and include the pattern with our changes, precut 5" squares, borders, and binding.  We'll be happy to help you choose a backing fabric if you'd like.

The spring issue of Primitive Quilts and projects arrived Monday.  Although we don't have a project in this issue, it's still a great issue.  If you're on automatic to receive the magazine, Debby will get your order processed.  If you're not on automatic but would like us to reserve a copy, let us know via e-mail or phone.  $9.99

Our favorite man in brown also delivered Quiltmania #111.  We were excited to see it features photos of some of the quilts hanging in the Primitive Quilts and Projects display at Houston.  If you're on automatic for this magazine, Debby will get your order processed.  If not and you'd like to reserve a copy, just let us know.  $13.99 Isn't that cover quit stunning?

When we saw Bonnie Sullivan's "Pumpkin Party" fabric we just couldn't say no to it.  As many of you know we aren't big Halloween fans but we are trying to break out of our little box and embrace the holiday.  We'll never like the creepy scary ghoulish side of Halloween but loved this whimsical look.  We ordered the panel and several coordinates for borders and binding. The fabric is a nice heavy Maywood flannel and is super soft.  The images are very high quality.  Once it's quilted, it'll be hard to tell that the images are stamped rather than stitched. We expect delivery in April but are taking preorders now.  Let us know how many panels you'd like to reserve.

One other note before we close.  Since we are moving into the time of year when we may receive inclement weather.....if Rogers public schools are closed, we are closed.  If you have any doubt about whether we're open, please give a quick call.

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Back issues of Quiltmania & new books

Last week we were surprised at the response to the new desk lamps we featured.  We received our shipment yesterday and have plenty to fill all orders plus some left over in case you missed out on one.  Let us know how many we can reserve for you or you can jump over to our website and place your order now.  http://sewgracefulquilting.com/ Rather than retype all the lamp specifics, we invite you to our blog to read all about them.  http://sewgraceful.blogspot.com/

With a new year comes inventory and taxes.  As we did our inventory, we noticed we have several back issues of Quiltmania magazines.  If you're not familiar with Quiltmania magazines, you are missing one of the best magazines on the market.  We hesitate to call them magazines -- they're more like beautiful soft cover coffee books.  We have them on our website http://sewgracefulquilting.com/ or you can give us a call or e-mail to place your order. Quiltmania #104, #106, #107  (we have only one copy of #104 so aren't putting it on the website)  $13.99 each

Quiltmania #108, #109 (we have only 1 copy of #109 so aren't putting it on the website)  $13.99 each

Simply Vintage Winter 2014, Summer 2015, Autumn 2015 (we have only one Winter 2014 so aren't putting it on the website)  $17.99 each

Simply Moderne #1, #2, #3  $17.99 each

Simply Vintage Winter 2015 and Quiltmania #105 are both out of print.  We have only one copy of #105. Simply Vintage $17.99 and #105 $13.99

We received a couple of new books we'd like to share.  The first book is by one of our friends, Jennifer Gaston.  She's one of the three sisters who publish Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  Her book, Primitive Style, contains 15 projects including a folk art sampler, hooked rug, penny rug, table topper, pincushion, journal cover, and quilts.  The book includes pullout pattern sheets with full size templates. We are particularly proud of the project on page 40 of the book.......because Darlene quilted the quilt.  The editor even made a special note of the beautiful quilting.  How neat is that?!

If you're like us, you have lots of precuts.  After all, they're soooo much fun to collect.  The "Quilter's Precut Companion" will help you decide what to do with them.  It contains 25 pre-cut friendly blocks using squares, half-square triangles, and strips.  The book also contains information about cutting borders, backings, and bindings.  It's full of easy-to-use charts, tables, and illustrations in a handy spiral binding.  Best of all, it's only $9.95.

One other note before we close this very long newsletter.  Since we are moving into the time of year when we may receive inclement weather.....if Rogers public schools are closed, we are closed.  If you have any doubt about whether we're open, please give a quick call.

See you soon. Darlene and Debby

New Button Club, New Blackbird Designs, New Desklamps

Holidays are over and we are looking forward to a fun 2016.  We've got some projects up our sleeves that we hope will bring a smile to your face and inspire you.  We'll share them as we finish them -- it's that only 24 hours in a day thing that's stopping us. This week's newsletter is all about things that are coming....some are coming rather soon and some will be coming later this year. As many of you know, we carry Lynette Anderson books, patterns, and buttons.  We love her whimsical look and are always excited to see new things from her.  We are very excited to offer her newest button club, Anderson Farm.  It is a ten part mystery BOM combining piecing and applique.  The quilt finishes approximately 32" x 46".  The program will start in March. Each month you will receive a pattern and a hand painted wooden button.  Since the buttons are individually hand painted, there is a very limited number available.  We are also offering an option to purchase the pattern, button, and fabric.  Cost per month for the pattern and button option is $16.95 plus shipping.  Cost for the pattern, button, and fabric is $19.95 plus shipping.

While we're on the subject of Lynette, we want to let you know we have a few openings left in her Love Letters block of the month.  Call or e-mail if you'd like to sign up for this block of the month (or we can mail the entire kit all at once if you'd prefer).

Several weeks ago we told you about Blackbird Designs' upcoming book.  That was based on a conversation with Alma at quilt market. It appears a book is being replaced by patterns.  We'd prefer a book...hint....hint...Alma....but are happy to see Alma and Barb designing once again. Patterns won't be out until May but we are taking preorders now.  "Secret Garden" is so typically Blackbird with the large, easy to applique shapes.  The quilt finishes 72" x 72".  Pattern is $16.

We like Secret Garden but we love, love, love The Raven pattern.  We can see it made with Diamond Textiles and some Primitive Gatherings, Kim Diehl, and Jeanne Horton thrown in the mix.  Sigh.....that 24 hour a day thing is getting in the way.  The quilt finishes 68" x 68".  Pattern is $28. Just give a call or e-mail and we'll hold either or both patterns for you.  They'll both be released in May.

Hopefully Santa didn't leave a lump of coal in your stocking.  If he did and you want a really nice, inexpensive way to soothe your hurt feelings, this next product is for you.  If you were lucky and got everything you wanted from Santa, you can still get in on this deal 'cause it's too good to pass up. Yesterday our sweet fabric rep from EE Schenck stopped by and showed us this great light.  It features LED lighting so is incredibly bright with a low and high setting.  It includes 4 AAA batteries but also has a cord that allows it to be plugged directly into a USB port -- how cool is that?!  It's 1 1/2" high x 5" wide when folded; 12 3/4" high fully extended.  Currently it's offered in red, white, or black (purple won't arrive until March).  We have a shipment of red, white, and black lamps on the way with an expected delivery next week. If you're like us, you're thinking yeah that's a neat gadget but bet it's way too expensive.  Hold on to your hat -- it's only $14.99.  For that price you can afford to put one in each of your stitching bags, one next to each of your sewing machines, one in your kitchen, one in each bathroom......you get the idea.....they're very versatile. Give us a call or e-mail with the number of lamps you'd like and your choice of colors.

Sandy, our EE Schenck lady, also showed us the most adorable Halloween fabric.  We couldn't resist and ordered some.  Since this is getting long, we'll wait until next week to share what we ordered. Before we go we'd like to mention the the NWA Quilt Club sponsored by the Rogers Sewing Center.  The first meeting will be Tues, Jan 12 at 5:45 with Darlene as the featured speaker.  Bring your current quilting project to share.  The Sewing Center is located at 1802 S 8th St (Hiway 71B South).  For more info, you can visit their website at http://www.rogerssewingcenter.com/

OK....now we're really closing.  See you soon.