Pardon our mess please

After 6 consecutive rainy weekends, it looks like this weekend will be nice.  We are super excited as everyone in our home has a bad case of weekend cabin fever.

If you've been to the shop the past week you probably have noticed lots of cardboard boxes and everything generally in a state of disarray.  Please pardon our mess -- we have a new storage area and are reworking everything to maximize our use of space.  We know many of you can relate -- sometimes you have to make a mess to make a tidy area. 

If you're looking for a small spring applique project with fun little critters, "Forest Friends" designed by Lynette Anderson may be for you.  We modified the pattern and created a small wall hanging.  Ours finishes 8 1/2" x 25".  Your $26.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, rick rack, borders and binding. This is an all cotton kit.

The primitive quilting world lost a wonderful designer recently.  As many of you know, Cheri Payne fought a battle with cancer but lost the battle recently.  We have a few more of her "Kitty Corn" kits available.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top and wool for applique.  Patterns are not sold separately. Watch the newsletter as we are working on Cheri's "Church Cat" and will have kits available in the next few weeks. If you know you want a kit, please e-mail us at info@sewgracefulquilting.com and we will get you on the list.  Obviously, we have a limited number of kits as patterns are no longer available.  The pattern will not be sold separately.

As if we weren't busy enough with reorganizing, we have started dying wool again.  We plan (hope) to dye at least once a week.  Here's a sampling of what we've been up to in the dye kitchen.

By the time you read this, Kay will be on her way to present a trunk show to the Holiday Island Guild members.  She also is teaching Invisible Machine Applique class.  If you would like to learn a quick and easy method of applique, let us know.  We aren't offering scheduled classes any longer but will work with you to find a suitable day and time.

See you soon!

Debby & Darlene

Summer magazines have arrived

This week we have a variety of items to share with you.  "Lillian's Embroidered Garden" is such a sweet wall hanging.  Your $34.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top and binding.  It finishes 22" x 27".  We have ours displayed on an Ackfeld hanger which is sold separately for $29.95.

Our shipment of the summer issue of Wool Works magazine arrived.  It's full of inspiration.  If we had the elusive 25th hour in our day, we'd love to take several of the hooked rug or punch needle patterns and convert them to wool applique.......if you find the 25th hour in your day, please let us know where to look.  The magazine is $10.99.

We have made many of Staci West's (Buttermilk Basin) projects through the years and always wondered why she didn't have a book.  We were super excited to hear about her book "The Best of Buttermilk Basin".  The book doesn't come out until October 2018 but we are taking pre-orders for it.  According to the publisher's website, the book contains 17 projects including small quilts, pillows, penny mats and a mug rug.  It contains 80 pages.  $26.99 Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.

With Mother's Day right around the corner, we wanted to share a fun little tin for the person who has everything.  We have 2 styles "Be Grateful" and "30s Fun".  These would make the perfect container for chocolates or jelly beans or a couple of homemade cookies.....or how about tucking Valdani threads inside.......or perhaps a couple of mini charms.....the sky is the limit to your creativity.  Tins measure 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" and come with a removable lid.  $4.50 each

Our shipment of the summer issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine arrived.  As always, it's loaded with beautifully photographed pieces sure to inspire you.  $9.99 Kay's "High on the Hilltop" and Malgorzata Jenek's "Colonial Memories" are just two of many pretty projects in the magazine. To order any of the items featured in this weeks' newsletter, visit our website https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/, e-mail us (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.

We hope you have a great week and we will look forward to visiting you again next Thursday.  See you soon!

Debby & Darlene

New kit and new book

Kay had a fantastic time at the quilt show in Cassville last week with the exception of Saturday morning when she discovered half of the SUV was coated in ice.  We thought we'd thought of everything to pack in our vending supply box but apparently we need to add one more object......maybe we will splurge and buy a heated scraper.

Since many of you couldn't visit us at the Cassville show, we're including photos of our booth for you to enjoy.  The first photo shows the before and 2 hour later shot of the booth.  The remaining photos are close ups of some of the fun samples we packed. If you spot something that you'd like more info about, please let us know (info@sewgracefulquilting.com or 479-372-7403).

We're super excited about this week's featured item.  Our friend Malgorzata Jenek's project "Colonial Memories" is in the spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  She used Diamond Textiles to create a beautiful runner.  The magazine photographer staged it above a doorway but we think it would be the perfect size to put on a side table or chest.  The magazine also contains instructions explaining how to make two runners and sew them together to make a circular piece. We're so proud to be offering kits for this beautiful project.  Your $22.95 kit includes the fabrics for the top and binding.  The pattern is not included in the kit -- you'll need the spring issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine.  You can order by visiting https://www.sewgracefulquilting.com/, calling 479-372-7403 or e-mailing (info@sewgracefulquilting.com).

Gail Pan's newest book "Patchwork Loves Embroidery Too" should arrive in a couple of weeks.  The book is in full color and contains projects that use only 8 simple embroidery stitches.  We've included a collage of some of our favorite projects from the book.  If you'd like to pre-order your copy, please let us know by e-mailing (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or calling 479-372-7403.  80 pages $25.99

This weekend is a busy weekend for quilt shows.  Why not grab a couple of friends and plan a mini road trip?  Be sure to include a stop by Sew Graceful on your route. Three area shows are scheduled April 13 & 14.  The Calico Cut-Ups Guild of Bella Vista AR show will be held at the Bella Vista Assembly of God Church, 1771 Forest Hills Blvd, Friday 9:00-6:00 & Sat 9:00-4:00.  For more info visit http://calicocutups.com/ The Muskogee Area Quilters Guild show will be held at the St Paul Methodist Church, 2130 W Okmulgee, Muskogee OK, 9:00-4:00 on Friday and Saturday.  For more info e-mail Pegge at mdcond@aol.com or call her at 707-694-9468.  You can also visit the guild on Facebook  (Muskogee Area Quilters Guild). The NW Arkansas Modern Quilt Guild show will be held at the Southside Church of Christ, 919 S Dixieland Road, Rogers on Fri (9:00-6:00) and Sat (9:00-4:00).  For more info visit http://nwamqg.blogspot.com/

See you soon!

Debby & Darlene

Spring stitching

Just when we thought spring had arrived, Mother Nature is playing a nasty trick on us.  Our new Easter ensemble included a coat, our spring flower planting is still just a dream and we refuse to believe the weather reports saying we may get frozen precipitation later this week.  Of course, we'll be longing for these cool days in a few months. Even though the thermometer doesn't say spring, the first project we want to share screams spring.  "The Bluebird Sings" is a perfect reminder of just how beautiful spring can be.  Your $34.95 kit includes the pattern, background cotton fabrics, wool for applique and binding.  It finishes 20" x 20". If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern is available for $9. Our shipment of "Jo's Little Favorites III" arrived; it's a feast for the eyes.  It contains 16 little quilts previously available only to Jo's Little Women's Club members.  The book includes many photos showing how Jo decorates with quilts.  $27.99 If you've been on the fence about whether you want to join the Christmas Tree Skirt block of the month, it's time to make the decision to commit.  We have only 1 spot open and have no plans to offer another cutting.  The first person who e-mails (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) will be enrolled in the program.  The photo on the left shows the original tree skirt (we finished ours as a table topper). The photo on the right shows the fabrics we are using for this program. Each month for 9 months you'll receive a pattern, wool for applique, buttons, black wool for applique background and flannel or homespun fabric for the background. At the end of the program, you'll have all the fabric to make the quilt top and binding. Cost per month is $19.95 plus shipping. If you like the look of quilts made using Moda's French General fabrics, you'll love "Fiona".  The quilt features the Atelier de France line from French General.  It finishes 41" x 41".  Your $34.95 kit includes our changes to the pattern, fabric for the top and binding.  The pattern is not included; it is available in 3 Times the Charm book.  The book contains 6 additional projects using charm squares.  Book is $9.95.

Don't forget about the Ozark Country Quilters show this Friday, April 6 (9:00-6:00) and Saturday, April 7 (9:00-4:00) at Crowder College, 4020 N Main, Cassville MO.  Due to a scheduling conflict, we will not be vending at the Springfield MO show this fall so the Cassville show is the last time we'll be in Missouri for the year.......a good excuse to plan a Missouri road trip. Kay will have several new projects to share at the show.  She will also be doing Apliquick demos.  See you soon! Debby & Darlene