A Visit from our Jon our Moda Man

Welcome to all the new subscribers.  We appreciate your inviting us into your home every Thursday. If we were betting people, we would have bet a lot of money that we'd have a very brutal winter.  Fortunately we didn't place any bets as we spotted these buds during a recent walk.  Spring can't be far away with mature buds like this! Our Moda man visited us Tuesday afternoon.  It's always so exciting to see everything he brings.....and so difficult to choose what we want to buy.  Our eyes are much bigger than our budget so we have hard choices. We chose several from Edyta's Sitar's (Laundry Basket) Blue Barn line.  We tried to get a nice variety of print sizes.  The fabric won't ship until July so we'll have plenty of time to cook up some fun projects.  Since several of you asked, we will be offering Blackbird Designs' "The Raven" as a block of the month.  We chose several prints from Blackbird's Wild Orchid line to use in the quilt.  The fabrics are much prettier than the swatches pictured below.....imagine rich blacks, golden oranges, and subtle purple.  It'll be so hard to wait for the pattern and fabric to arrive! We're taking sign ups now for the block of the month/kit.  Just give us an e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call (479-372-7403) and we'll get you on the list. As a reminder, any project we offer as a block of the month can be sent all at once if you'd prefer.   Here's our Moda man, Jon.....and Darlene trying on some spiffy new glasses to help determine fabric value.  We decided we wouldn't use the glasses but had fun playing with them.  Now you know the guy who brings us so many great fabrics. While we didn't buy any new Kansas Troubles fabrics during Jon's visit, we were reminded of a cute table runner kit.  Our Heart and Home kit uses Kansas Troubles' Clara's Garden line for the center piecing.  The outer applique is wool.  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, wool for applique, a mini-charm pack of Clara's Garden, and binding.  Finished size is 12" x 26". The embroidery says "May your heart and home be filled with peace". We'd hoped to show you our progress on Lynette Anderson's Mystery pattern but are waiting on Valdani thread to arrive from Canada.  It should be here soon and Kay will get it stitched.  We are using the 3-strand floss; if you'd like us to reserve a set for you please let us know. Our first class taught by an out of town teacher begins today.  We're sure the butterflies flittering in our tummies will subside as soon as class gets underway. We have several new things on the horizon and hope to share them soon.  Sometimes we feel like our horizon keeps moving....but it keeps life interesting.  Hope your horizon is clear and sunny. See you soon. Darlene and Debby and Kay (who is counting the hours until her applique workshops in Galveston)