Too much cuteness!

Fall craft fair week has finally arrived.  If you're local you probably have noticed the increased traffic; if you're not local......there's a lot (like thousands) of visitors in the area.  The number will increase this weekend in anticipation of the Razorback game in Fayetteville. We will have a booth at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers off I-49 on Friday and Saturday.  We hope we're in the same location (the first room on the left as you enter the convention center).  In addition to lots of great kits at the show, we plan to have a few shop samples for sale.  The shop will be open regular hours Thursday and Saturday (9:00-3:00) and will be closed Friday. Darlene designed a really adorable table topper using some very darling buttons.  "Snowflakes" finishes 13 1/2" x 29 1/2".  Your $21.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, wool for applique, and an assortment of buttons.  We're including a closeup photo of one of the snowmen -- notice the carrot button nose and the buttons down his belly -- they're all included as well as snowflake buttons. If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $8 and the button pack is $4.95.

We finished "Kitty Corn" as a pillow but it would be equally cute finished as a wall hanging or table mat.  Your $16.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the pillow front and back, and wool for applique.  If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern is available for $10.

We are waiting on our shipment of the winter issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects.  If you haven't reserved your copy and would like to, please call us at 479-372-7403 or e-mail us at info@sewgracefulquilting.com and we'll be sure you get a copy.

The magazine contains many great projects including Kay's "Wandering Beauty" table runner.  The fabric should arrive within a week so we are taking pre-orders on the kit.  The table runner finishes 16 1/2" x 40".  Your $24.95 kit includes fabric for the top and binding.  You must have the magazine in order to get the pattern.

If you're in the Fort Smith area (or would like to escape the crowds up here), why not plan a visit to the Belle Point Quilters Guild show this Friday (9-6) or Saturday (9-3).  The show is held at the Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 South 7th Street.  Admission is only $6 with lots of free parking.  For more info, visit http://www.bellepointquiltersguild.org/ Mark your calendar for the Country Fare Quilter's Guild show in Claremore OK next Fri (Oct 21 - 9-5) and Saturday (Oct 22 - 9-4).  Their show will be held at the Claremore Community Center, 2301 N Sioux Ave.  We will be a vendor at the show.  For more info, visit http://www.countryfarequiltersguild.org/ Hope to see you at the John Q Hammons Center or in the shop this weekend. Darlene and Debby

Block of the month update

Do you sometimes feel as though life is moving too quickly?  It seems like we hit the "send" button on Thursday and in the blink of an eye it's time to hit "send" again.  When we were kids it seemed like forever between holidays and now the holidays roll by much too quickly.  Oh well.....I guess the moral of the story is to enjoy every day and not fret about tomorrow. Fall decorating is right around the corner so we wanted to share a very cute piece Debby recently finished.  "When Witches Fly" is a Crabapple Hill design.  Meg finished hers with 9-patch units but we wanted a more simple finish to allow the embroidery to be the star of the show.  We used Bunny Hill Designs' "Spooky Delight" line to finish ours and think it looks great.  Your $22.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, and binding.

Debby also finished the winter angel.  She's the 4th in a series of seasonal angels.  Your $14.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, buttons, and all wool for the applique.  We also included the metallic thread for the halo since some of you probably don't keep metallic thread on hand. If you missed any of the other seasonal angels (or just decided you must have them all), give us a call at 479-372-7403.  Alternatively, you can order on line by visiting our website Sew Graceful Quilting

With cooler weather on the horizon we know many of you will enjoy staying home and stitching.  A block of the month is a great way to ensure you have a monthly stitching project.....think of it as a gift you give yourself each month. Several of our blocks of the month are almost closed so we wanted to give you a quick update in case you've been undecided about whether to join.  Please note that all our blocks of the month include fabrics and/or wool to complete the quilt top and binding.  We never require you to purchase a finishing kit.  We also never require a sign up fee to join any of our blocks of the month. If you'd like to join any (or all) of these programs, please call Darlene at 479-372-7403.  She will need your mailing address (if you're not local) and payment information. The Animals has only a couple of openings left.  Backgrounds are Diamond Textiles woven fabrics; applique is wool.  The pattern with full size templates is included.  Quilt finishes 48" x 53".  $19.95 per month for 12 months.

Here's a photo of a portion of the quilt hanging in our booth in Springfield after it was quilted.  I think you'll agree the quilting enhances the quilt.

Camp Runamuk has a couple of openings.  The quilt finishes 48" x 56".  Background fabrics are wovens from Diamond Textiles and Kamla.  The applique is wool.  You will receive full size templates each month.  $19.95 per month for 12 months.

The Community Sampler also has only 2 openings.  Each month you'll receive a color coded chart to make assembling your blocks easy.  The quilt finishes 84" x 84".  Cost is $19.95 per month for 12 months.

Winter Sampler has only 4 openings left.  This quilt is primarily cotton applique with a little wool thrown in here and there.  It finishes 60" x 70".  You will receive full size templates each month.  $24.95 per month for 12 months.

One last item before we close for the week.  A sewing case designed and stitched by Kay has turned up missing.  Next time you're in the shop we'd appreciate you keeping an eye open for it.  Sometimes people pick up a sample, get distracted while oooohing and aaaaahing, and lay the sample down in an place where it doesn't belong. Here's a photo of "Pocketful of Posies".  We have kits available for $16.95; if you'd prefer to use your own supplies the pattern is $9.

We'll be back next week with a fun kit that will surely bring back fun memories. Darlene and Debby

New fall projects

Autumn officially began last week.  We are starting to see the leaves change and feel a chill in the air.  If you're like us, we are getting in the mood for cooler temps and fall activities. Our first project should help you get ready for fall.  The Sunflower Pincushion is very easy to make.  As usual, we modified the instructions but your kit will include our changes.  Your $5.95 kit includes the changes we made, wool for the pincushion top and fabric for the back.  The pattern contains instructions for an additional two pincushions and is sold separately for $9.

Another project that is sure to make you think of fall is "Moon Dance".  Your $21.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, and wool for applique.  We finished ours as a framed piece but your kit contains enough background fabric that you could finish as a wall hanging or small quilt. If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $9.50.

As we were organizing our warehouse we ran across a few more Yazzi and craft bags.  We are down to less than a handful of each.  As a reminder, production has stopped on both these styles so once they're gone, they're gone forever.  If you want one, please let us know quickly by calling 479-372-7403 so you won't be disappointed. Yazzi bags are $34.95 each.  Craft case is $26.95 each.

Reiko Kato's new book, The New Adventures of Billy and Sue, arrived.  It contains absolutely darling motifs....all sorts of inspiration for quilts, wall hangings, and totes.  If you pre-ordered a copy, Debby is preparing your book for mailing or putting it in your folder.  If you didn't pre-order, we have several extra copies and will be glad to hold one for you. 184 pages $42.95

It was a good week if you're as wild about books as we are.  Kathy Sullivan's book, A Change of Seasons, also arrived.  It's full of great projects in typical Kathy Sullivan style.  Great photos and clear instructions.  If you pre-ordered a copy, Debby is taking care of you.  If you didn't and would like a copy, please let us know. 112 pages $27.99

Thanks to everyone who emailed us about our mystery critter.  April L pointed us to a very interesting website to help with identifying birds.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a wealth of information at the touch of a button.  Cornell Lab Mystery solved.......he's a black vulture......and as many of you commented......we must of had a tasty treat close by. We will leave you with that bit of info and be back next Thursday.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Rosie the snowman quilt

Thanks for all your nice comments about our version of Blackbird Designs' "The Raven" quilt.  We are on schedule to start the block of the month in October.  As with any of our blocks of the month, you can start any time.....we're very flexible. As many of you know, we often modify patterns but are also designers ourselves.  When we saw Bunny Hill's red and white winter line we knew we wanted to do something fun with it.  Debby designed this darling table runner.  Your "Snow Days" kit includes the pattern, fabric for the top, and binding.  It finishes 49" x 16".  Kit is $24.95. If you don't need a table runner, it would be equally cute displayed on a wall.  What a quick and easy gift for the holiday season!

Another darling snowman kit is "Rosie".  She finishes 18" x 24".  Your $29.95 kit includes the pattern, fabrics for the top, and binding.  The pattern also includes instructions for making a larger version (we'll be happy to help you choose fabrics for the larger version).

We were very excited to learn about a new magazine devoted to wool.  "Wool Works" will debut in January and will be published quarterly.  If you'd like to be sure to receive a copy, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll get you on the list. The magazine is geared to those who enjoy wool applique, rug hooking or quilting with wool.  Subjects covered will include secrets of dying your own wool, visits to quilting and hooking guilds, and how to master embroidery stitches (among many other topics). Each issue is $10.99.

We love living in the country but must confess we're never sure what sort of critter we will see.  The other day we were leaving the shop and spotted the oddest looking bird near our sign.  He/she had a brown head and neck and a black body.  At first we thought vulture, then crow, then raven......but we're not sure what he is.  Maybe you'll spot him next time you're at the shop.

We will leave you to think about our critter.  See you again next Thursday. Darlene and Debby

Our version of The Raven quilt

Kay and Erin had a great time at the Springfield show.  It was Erin's first time to help at a show so she was on sensory overload with wonderful booths and beautiful quilts in the show......we're quite sure she was close to the max on her phone photo memory. Welcome to all the new subscribers.  We're so happy you are letting us share our love of what we do with you each Thursday. We are super excited to be able to share a photo of our version of Blackbird Designs' "The Raven" quilt.  Kay's been working on the sample and it's ready for quilting.  Our backgrounds are all Diamond Textiles fabrics.  We added a border to ours and your kit will include all fabrics for the border as well as the border instructions and templates. The block of the month begins in October and lasts 11 months.  $24.95 per month which includes all fabric for the top, borders, binding, and border instructions.  The book is required and is available for an additional $28. If you'd like to reserve a spot, give Darlene a call at 479-372-7403.

While we're on the subject of Blackbird Designs, we have an update on the Secret Garden booklet.  Alma notified us the booklet is at the printer's office this week and should be shipped to Moda next week.  Moda processes orders quickly so we are hopeful the wait is finally almost over. We appreciate your patience in waiting.  If you're not on the list but would like us to reserve a copy for you, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  Cost is $16

We received another new Yoko Saito book, "Yoko Saito's Traditional Block Patterns".  It includes patterns for 66 blocks and is a beautifully photographed book.  It includes patterns for triangle blocks, nine-patch blocks, basket blocks, star blocks (just to name a few)......a great additional to your library.  $32.95

Several weeks ago we shared a photo of a cute crow quilt in progress.  Jane H finished our sample and we're pleased to be able to share it with you.  Your $22.95 kit includes fabric for the top and binding.  The pattern is sold separately for $9.  The pattern contains instructions to make an additional two quilts.

We hope you're enjoying these last few weeks of summer.  As you're putting together your fall calendar don't forget to add the Saline Quilters a Guild biennial show. "Quilting in the Heart of Arkansas" will be held Friday, Sep 16 9:00-7:00 and Sat, Sep 17 9:00-3:00 at the Benton County Event Center on I-30 in Benton, Arkansas. There will be over 100 quilts on display, vendors, and door prizes. Admission is $5. If you would like more info please visit http://quilttalk.org/ See you again next Thursday.