Picnic in the Park

This week we'd like to share a very small quilt and a larger quilt.  Both have some piecing and embroidery.  As most of you know, our favorite technique is applique.....cotton or wool -- they're both so fun and relaxing.  We, however, realize not everyone is in love with the "Applique" word so try to mix things up by offering pieced options. Little Red Fifteen finishes 11" x 11".  It's absolutely darling.  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, binding, backing, and buttons.  If you look closely the things that appear to be small red dots are actually the most darling red flower buttons.

"Chelsea's Garden" by Blackbird Desigsn is back in stock.  This beautiful spring quilt finishes 51" x 68".  Fabrics are mostly from Blackbird Designs' Hyde Park fabric line.  You'll need the book "You're Invited" for the pattern.  We are offering a 30% discount on the book price if you buy both the book and kit. Regular kit price is $68.95, regular book price is $25.95 -- if you buy both total cost is $87.12 You can place your order on line at http://sewgracefulquilting.com/ or give us a call at 479-372-7403

We are taking pre-orders for Kay's newest project found in the summer issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  "Picnic in the Park" is the perfect size for taking on a picnic, snuggling up with a good book on a cool evening, or giving to that special child as they leave for college.  It finishes 57" x 57".  Your $74.95 kit includes all fabric for the top and binding.  All fabrics are from Diamond Textiles.  The pattern is sold separately in the summer issue of the magazine. Photo courtesy of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine

Before we close, we'd like to share some events coming up in the near futrue.  If you're like us, we always are up for a road trip.  If you have an event you'd like us to share, please e-mail info to info@sewgracefulquilting.com. The annual Spring Fling Shop Hop is right around the corner:  March 30-April 1.  We aren't participating in the hop but invite you to hop over to our shop on Thursday, Mar 30 or Saturday, Apr 1 from 9:00-3:00.  More info about the hop can be found by visiting https://www.quiltinghub.com/Events/EventID/1158392 The Muskogee Area Quilters Guild is hosting "Quilting under the Stars" April 7-8, 9:00-4:00 at the St Paul United Methodist Church, 2130 W Okmulgee Ave in Muskogee.  For more info, visit the guild website at http://www.maqg.net/ The Q.U.I.L.T. Guild will also be hosting their show April 7 & 8.  Hours on the 7th are 9-6 and on the 8th 9-4.  The show will be held at the Metroplex Center, 881 Metroplex Drive, Springdale.  Please note - this is a new location for the show, it has been held at the Benton County fairgrounds the past few years.  For more info, visit https://quiltguildnwa.edublogs.org/quilt-show/

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

New look, new books, new kits

What a bizarre weather week!  The beautiful flowers we shared last week were covered in snow this past week....but temps are projected to be in the 70s by next week.  Since the official start of spring is just around the corner, Kay and Erin spent a few hours getting the shop ready for spring.  They reworked the back wall and it's now a spring feast for the eyes.  Since many of you can't pop over, we wanted to share a photo collage of some of the springy goodness.

We had a great time at the Dallas show last week.....beautiful quilts, wonderful hospitality, and tons of inspiration.  We ventured out of our comfort zone to find new shopping and new restaurants while in Dallas.  Let's just say we sometimes missed our exit and took several scenic routes around town. The Quiltmania ladies were at the Dallas show so we picked up Bonnie Sullivan's new book.  It's a really great book filled with inspiration.  Since we aren't big piecers, we weren't particularly fond of the cover quilt but once we opened the book we knew it was a winner.  The second photo collage below shows some of the inspiration found between the book covers.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.  $49.95

We also picked up a couple copies of Judy Newman's new book "Quilt for Life made with Love".  It's another great book filled with sunny quilts.  18 projects, 232 pages $51.95

Debby finished a really sweet spring wall hanging, "Pick Me Up".  Your $32.95 kit includes the spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine, fabrics for the top, wool for applique, and binding.  This is a super quick and easy project so you'll have it finished well in time for spring decorating.  21 1/2" x 23"

We received notice the patterns for the Seaside Town block of the month by Lynette Anderson will be delayed by a few weeks.  We'd planned to kick the program off in April but will scoot the start date to May.  As a reminder, this is a mystery block of the month but if you're familiar with Lynette's designs you know it'll be very darling.  Each month for 12 months you'll receive a pattern, hand painted button, and fabric for a block.  During the 12th month you'll receive borders (if Lynette adds a border) and binding.  The quilt is approximately 34" x 44" and cost per month is $22.95 (plus shipping). We are the only shop in the US offering this block of the month so don't delay in signing up.  You can get more info by visiting our website http://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/

The summer issue of Wool Works magazine will start shipping in April.  As many of you know, we offer an automatic shipment option for the magazines we carry.  If you'd like to be on auto ship, please e-mail us (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) and we'll get you on the list.  $10.99 per issue plus shipping Many of you received the premier issue of Wool Works magazine from us but we did not sign anyone up for auto ship -- we wanted to give you a chance to look over the magazine and decide whether it's one you wish to receive each time. According to the editor, the summer issue will feature 6 new projects from The Old Tattered Flag, Spruce Ridge Studios, The Teacher's Pet, Cath's Pennies Designs, Briar Root Primitives, and Woolly Worms Rugs.  It will also include new dye recipes by Phyllis Jackson.

Whew!  One thing led to another and we had a lot to share this week.  We'll be back next Thursday with more new projects to inspire you.  If you're in the area, hope you get a chance to stop by and see our new spring area.   See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Spring projects

Even though the calendar says it's still winter, Mother Nature has other ideas.  We have already spotted these beautiful spring flowers on the drive out to the shop.  Since spring seems to be arriving early, we thought we'd share a couple of spring projects with you this week.

Who can't help but smile when they see Spring Fling?  We finished ours to fit the new distressed metal tray we recently received.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, sandcastle background fabric, wool for applique, rick rack, and backing fabric. The 18" x 28" tray is sold separately for $48.  It is a nice heavy distressed metal tray with handles on each end which make it perfect for use as a serving tray when it's not holding your cute bunny mat.  It also doubles as a tray to hold sewing supplies or lovely spring flowers or potted herbs or.....you get the idea.....it's a versatile tray.  It is quite heavy so we recommend you either stop by the shop to pick up your tray or visit our booth at one of our vending events. Watch future newsletters for more cute mats to fit in the tray.

"Forest Friends" by Lynette Anderson is another very cute spring piece.  It was supposed to be finished as a pillow but as many of you know we often change patterns.  We chose to finish ours as a long wall hanging which measures 8 1/2" x 25".  Your $26.95 kit includes the pattern with our changes, fabrics for the top, rick rack, stitchery stabilizer, binding, and backing fabric. If you're intimidated by the applique, perhaps you'd prefer the darling hand painted buttons.  The buttons are hand painted in Australia by a real person using real paint brushes and a very steady hand.  Mr Owl (YB369) is $9.80, Crescent Moon (YB370) is $4.50, and Toadstool (YB371) is $9.00 Let us know if we can reserve a kit and/or buttons by e-mailing info@sewgracefulquilting.com

If you bought the All Those Simple Things pattern, please check it.  More than likely you received two of one block and none of another block.  We have the replacement page and will mail it to you immediately.  On a very happy note, our sample is quilted and bound and is so pretty.....and perfect for the spring.  We'll share it at Dallas and bring it home for all who live in the area to ooooh and aaaaah over.  Here's another pre-quilting photo.

By the time you reach the bottom of this newsletter, Kay and Darlene will probably be headed south for the Dallas show.  Check out http://quiltersguildofdallas.org/ for info about the show. Debby and Erin will have the shop open regular hours Thurs and Sat (9-3).  After we return from Dallas we hope to get all our samples back on the walls (we just don't like all these bare walls!) and to rework some areas.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby