The Fall Guy is back

We are kind of glad for a few weeks break before Kay goes out to another show.......when she returns from a show she is super inspired and bubbling with creativity.  Back to back shows meant double inspiration.  Every show is fun and unique but one thing that made the Grove show even more unique was the fact the vehicle could be driven right up to the booth and unloaded.  Below are photos of the booth and the vehicle parked inside ready to be unloaded. As we unpacked, we thought it would be nice to freshen up the shop.  Here's a photo of the front door area....

.....and a photo of the far right corner area. It's no secret that we love containers -- little boxes, big boxes, wood, metal, or cloth -- anything that allows us to put stuff neatly in compartments.  When we saw the new Moda tins we knew we had to order them.  These are hinged (no more misplacing the lid) and have a nice silky smooth finish.  They're 2 3/4" x 3 1/4".  Best of all the price is only $2.45.  Let us know how many we can hold for you (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or 479-372-7403. We're sure you can figure it out but the items shown in the container are not included. The Fall Guy is back in stock.  We found time to dye the fox wool and kits are ready.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, background cotton, wool for applique, rick rack, and backing fabric.  The sample is shown with the rustic metal tray ($48).  If you're interested in the tray, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll discuss shipping options.  If you'd prefer to use your own supplies to make this cute piece, patterns are available for $10. As an alternative to shipping, Kay can bring your tray to a future show in Pittsburg KS, Joplin MO, or Mountain Home AR this fall.  Spring Fling is also back in stock.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, sandcastle fabric for the background, wool for applique, rick rack and backing fabric.  If you'd prefer to use your own supplies, the pattern is available for $10. Several of you have inquired as to our 2018 $10 block of the month.  Yes......we plan to continue our tradition of offering a $10 block of the month next year.  Kay is working on the sample and should have blocks ready to share in the next couple of weeks.  We're really excited about the 2018 project and are finding it difficult to keep it under wraps. We hope you're finding some quiet stitching time these last few weeks before school starts and the holiday bustle begins.   See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Do you need a recent issue of Quiltmania?

Kay and her sister Donna had a great time at the Hot Springs show last week.  Although Donna isn't a quilter, she said after seeing all those beautiful quilts and listening to everyone's enthusiasm she just might give it a try.  In case you didn't get a chance to visit, here's a few shots of the booth. Unfortunately, we are sold out of the sweet quilt on the left side of the left photo below (the one with the darling moose and penguin). We have one opening left for the fall pumpkin quilt (laying on the table in the left photo) block of the month. We have recut kits for Buttermilk Basin's Merrie Christmas (the quilt on the table on the left side of the left photo).

Kay will be at the Grand Lake 'o the Cherokees show this week - July 21 (9:00-5:00) and July 22 (9:00-4:00) at the Grove (OK) Civic Center, 1702 Main.  She will be doing an Apliquick demo on Friday from 1-2.  For more info, visit the guild website at https://glocquiltshow.com/.  We're sharing a photo of the guild's fundraising quilt - what a fun quilt! While she was unpacking from Hot Springs and repacking for Grove, Kay noticed we had several recent issues of Quiltmania and realized she'd forgotten to put news of their arrival in the newsletter.  If you missed an issue and would like to reserve a copy, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403. Each magazine contains a variety of projects in typical Quiltmania style -- beautifully photographed with easy to follow instructions.  $13.99 each #116 Nov/Dec 2016 #117 Jan/Feb 2017 #118 Mar/Apr 2017 #119 May/June 2017 We're working on several fall themed projects and are excited to share them with you in the coming weeks.  Hope to see you at the shop or at the show in Grove (or both places). Darlene and Debby

Non slip mats are back in stock

By the time you read this, Kay will be on her way with an SUV full of goodies headed south to the Hot Springs Area Quilt Show.  If you're in the area or would like to plan a vacation around the show, make plans to stop by the Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Blvd, Hall A, July 14 or 15 10:00-4:00. We were super excited to learn Quiltmania is publishing another children's magazine.  If it's like their previous children's magazines, many of the designs can be made for people like us who are kids at heart.  It contains 13 projects and cost is $22.99 (that's $1.77 per design - what a good deal).  We expect delivery early August.  Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.

We are also very excited to let you know our nonslip black mats are back in stock.  These mats are very versatile.  We use them with the Apliquick tools but they're equally handy for anyone who is working on something that needs to stay in place......like teeny tiny beads or tracing an applique shape.  The mat is washable.  If you were on the waiting list to receive a mat, Debby has processed your order. Let us know if we can reserve a mat for you.  Cost is $19.95. The fall issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine should arrive in a couple of weeks.  The fall issue typically sells out quickly so if you're not on auto ship to receive the magazine and would like us to hold a copy, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403.  Cost is $9.99 Kay's "Crows in the Pumpkin Patch" quilt is included in the fall issue of the magazine.  We are one step ahead of the game and have kits ready.  Your kit includes the fabric to make the quilt top and binding.  The pattern is in the Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine and must be purchased separately.  The quilt finishes 45" x 51".  Kit cost is $74.95. We plan to be at the Grove OK show July 20 and 21.  Let us know by Tues, July 18 if you'd like us to be your personal shopper and bring something for you. We'll be back next week with more to inspire and entice you.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Do you need a vacation take along project?

What a great holiday week.  Saturday we enjoyed visiting with many of you who were in town for the holiday.  We enjoyed spending time with our family on July 4 - why is it food always tastes better on a holiday?  Have you noticed how yummy potato salad tastes on a holiday versus just a regular day......or hot dogs.......or watermelon. This week we want to share several quick to stitch, great vacation take along projects.  All kits come with background fabric, wool for the applique, and backing fabric.  All finish 3 1/2" x 7".  Some kits also include buttons. All can be displayed on stick stands (available in short, medium and tall sizes).  Stands are $4.95 each.  If you'd prefer another use, any of these could be finished as a pincushion.  Several people have commented they'd be darling finished as an eyeglass case.  Bowl fillers are popular right now - simply stitch and stuff several and arrange in your favorite bowl.  If you need a small wall hanging, stitch 4, add sashing and a border and you've got a sweet little wall hanging. Here's our display using the sticks.

Blue Bird - includes button - $15.95 Bee Skep - includes button - $15.95 Pumpkins - includes button - $15.95 Watermelon - includes a bee button (we were so eager to finish ours we forgot to sew the bee) - $15.95 Vintage Garden - includes button - $15.95 Hare & Seek - no buttons - $12.95 Blitzen - no buttons - $12.95 You can order any (or all) of these on our website by clicking http://sewgracefulquilting.com/ You can also e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 to place your order.  If you'd like to order a stand, please give us a call.  We will have to adjust postage to mail the stand. Speaking of summer travels and stitching projects, we want to share info about a couple of upcoming quilt shows. The Hot Springs Area Quilt show will be held Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15 from 10:00-4:00 at the Hot Springs Convention Center, 134 Convention Blvd, Hall A.  If you'd like Kay to be your personal shopper and bring goodies, please let us know by Weds, July 12.  For more info, visit http://hsaquiltguild.com. Kay will also be at the Grand Lake 'o the Cherokees quilt show on Friday, July 21 (9:00-5:00) and Sat, July 22 (9:00-4:00).  The show will be at the Grove Civic Center, 1702 Main, Grove OK.  She will be demonstrating the Apliquick tools on Friday from 1:00 to 2:00.  For more info, visit https://glocquiltshow.com/ We'll be back next week with more to inspire and entice you.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Necessity Minders - we love them

What a fun time Darlene and Kay had at the show in Kansas City.  Of course, when they're out together something "unusual" always happens.......once Darlene's insulin froze and they had to drive all over Dallas to find insulin and needles.......once they left Wichita with 1/4 tank of gas thinking Joplin was only a few miles away - they made it to the only gas station for miles around running on fumes.......once Darlene got pink eye and they googled home remedies - ran all over town looking for raw honey and goat's milk......this time they went out to start the car Saturday morning only to find the battery was dead.  As luck would have vehicles were parked on both sides with a fence in front of the car so the nice motel man and Kay had to push the car up an incline and into the driveway so he could jump the car.  Note to self:  if Darlene or Kay offer to join you on a trip, politely decline.........laugh, laugh, laugh. Welcome to all the new subscribers.  Thank you for wanting to join us every Thursday for our weekly newsletter. We were very excited to receive our shipment of Simply Vintage.  We're convinced this is one of the best quilting magazines on the market and it's only $17.99.  It's a magazine but we view it more as a coffee table type book of inspiration.  If you're on automatic to receive the magazine, Debby has your order processed. If you're not on auto ship and would like to be, please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com.

We have a few back issues available (beginning at the left Summer 2016, Autumn 2016, Spring 2017, Winter 2015).  Let us know if you'd like to reserve any (or all) of these.  $17.99 each. We also received our shipment of Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher.  It's filled with 13 inspiring projects - all for only $8.99.  If you're on automatic to receive the magazine, Debby has your order processed.  If you want to be sure you don't miss an issue, please let us know by e-mailing info@sewgracefulquilting.com. When we find a super handy gadget we can't wait to share it with you.  Our friend Michael D shared Necessity Minders with us before we left for Kansas City.  Of course, we have to test everything before we offer it for sale.  This gets a thumbs up. The Necessity Minder is worn around your neck and will hold a variety of objects.  We used ours to hold our cell phones in Kansas City (simply insert the flexible holder around the phone protector).  It also would be handy for holding a small purse which would leave your hands free for shopping, keys while you walk on the beach, scissors so you're not searching for them, and so many other items.  When you need to use the item, simply press the silver button to release the clips. At $6 each, they make a great gift for yourself and all your pals.  When you order, let us know what color you'd prefer:  orange, blue, black, light pink, purple, white, dark pink, green, brown, red, gray, or yellow. Before we close we must share a project with you.  We love Kim Diehl's primitive look and adore how Jane H put together Kim's "Sprigs & Twigs" quilt.  It finishes 60" x 60".  Your $76.95 kit includes fabric for the top, borders, and binding. The pattern is in Kim's book "Simple Appeal" and is sold separately.  $28.99 The Row by Row shop hop officially began yesterday.  We hope you'll make plans to include us when you're mapping out your journey.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

New kits and new books

Yesterday was special - we saw our first baby deer of the season.  He'd just been born and mama was cleaning him while he nursed.  We also recently saw our first ladybug of the season.  It's those little things in life that cause us to smile. This week we have a couple of new things to share with you.  Kay's newest design "Floral Elegance" finishes 67 1/2" x 81".  Your $104.95 kit includes the pattern, all fabric to make the top and binding.  The shapes are large which makes this a quilt that will be quick to finish.

We can certainly relate to the sentiment expressed on this next design.   If you or someone you know feels the same way, this would make a sweet piece to stitch.  We've finished ours as a small wall hanging; your $18.95 kit includes the background sandcastle fabric (which is prestamped), a needle, embroidery floss, fabrics for borders, and binding. Let us know if we can reserve an "I can't handle" kit (or two). We are putting together another Quiltmania order and wanted to share several of their new books.  If you'd like to reserve a copy of any of these, please e-mail info@sewgracefulquilting.com. Dawn Heese's book "From the Linen Closet" is filled with applique and pieced quilts.  Many of you are probably familiar with Dawn's work as she's visited several local guilds.  $51.95 Hat Creek Quilts by Dierdre Bond-Abel's book "Hat Creek Quilts" is filled with lots of beautiful applique projects.  We're showing a sampling of them below.  She tends to use bright fabrics.....and you know we would use our beautiful primitive fabrics.  We'll be happy to put together kits for any quilt in the book.  $49.95 If you like art type quilts, Segalaine Schweitzer's book "A Trip Around the Wool Continues" is for you.  Instructions are in both French and English.  $45.95 We're putting the finishing touches on several new projects we'll unveil at the show in Kansas City next week.  Darlene will have our newest block of the month "Simply Vintage" quilted and we'll share photos next week.  Until then, we hope you get to see something magical in nature. See you soon. Darlene and Debby