Special gifts for special people

What a rainy time of year.  If the forecast of 5" of rain this weekend holds true, we may go into the boat building business.  April showers most certainly will bring those beautiful May flowers and hopefully lots of yummy fruits and veggies.

A quick check of the calendar reveals the end of school is right around the corner.  Darlene recently finished a quick to stitch piece that would be perfect for that special teacher who has guided your child or grandchild this year.  Your $12.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric, wool for applique, binding and backing fabric. We're sure many of you can relate to the sentiment stitched on the piece "Teachers live forever in the hearts they touch"......how many of us remember special teachers.   Darlene also recently finished a really darling piece for a baby, "Heaven Above".  Your $12.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric and wool for applique.  We framed ours in an 8" x 10" frame.  When you order, specify whether you want a boy or girl kit (boy kits are blue and girl kits are pink).  When we hear of quilt shows and quilting events, we like to share them with you.  We love to be inspired and visiting a show or quilt event is a great way to get an inspirational boost.  The Alpha Delta Chapter is hosting the 8th annual Airing of the Quilts May 5-6 (9:00-5:00).  Proceeds benefit the South Sebastian County Historical Society. The event takes place at Bell Park, 1050 Bell Park Road, Greenwood AR.  It will include vendors, a silent auction, special exhibits, and a raffle quilt.  Vintage quilts will be displayed at the Old Jail Museum properties.  For more info, you can visit the Greenwood Museum   If you bought a Scraps of my Life pattern, please send us your e-mail so we can send an important part of the pattern we accidentally failed to include.  Kay is almost finished with our sample and we can't wait to get it hung. By the time you read this, Kay will be on her way to Stockton MO for the Colors of Stockton MO quilt show April 28 (10:00-6:00) and 29 (9:00-3:00).  The show will be held at the Zumwalt Expo Center, RB Road, Stockton MO.  Hope you'll make plans to visit the show.  The shop will be open regular hours Thurs and Sat (9:00-3:00).  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Free demo coming soon

Last week many of you e-mailed and asked if Kay would offer a class on how she uses the Hugs & Kisses applique paper.  She checked her calendar and will be offering a free demo on Tues, May 2 at 10:00 and Sat, May 6 at 10:00.  The demo is free; however, we ask you RSVP by e-mailing info@sewgracefulquilting.com so we can keep an eye on the numbers and add a second session if needed.  You don't need to bring any supplies - just yourself. In case you don't follow Kay on Instagram (kayharmon01) or us on Facebook, here's the top border of Scraps of my Life using the Hugs & Kisses paper.

During our warehouse spring tidying up, we found 3 Black Work Sheep kits.  You may recall this was our $10 block of the month for 2016.  We took an embroidery pattern by Robin Vizonne of Briar Roots Primitives and changed it into a wool applique project.  Your $119.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, wool for applique, borders, binding, and buttons.  Quilt finishes 35" x 35". If you'd like a kit, please e-mail (info@sewgracefulquilting.com) or call 479-372-7403 and we'll get it right out to you (or safely tucked in your folder for those who live in the area). Jon, our Moda man, stopped by the shop Tuesday to share the pre-quilt market fabrics.  We were excited to see Lydia Nelson has a new line coming this summer (Lydia's mother owns Mockingbird Moon yarn shop in downtown Rogers).  "Hushabye Hollow" is a very sweet line featuring Lydia's drawings in colors like cloud, breeze, and moonbeam.  We wish we had room to carry sweet children's prints but we decided to make the best of our space and buy charm packs with a few coordinating fabrics.  Darlene has plans to design a sweet baby quilt with the line.....we'll keep you updated. While we're on the subject of children and grandchildren, Debby designed a sweet little wall hanging.  Your $14.95 "Twinkle, Twinkle" kit includes the pattern, background fabrics, wool for applique, and binding.  This would be really sweet displayed using an Ackfeld hanger.  It would also look nice framed or simply used as a mat on a dresser.  Finishes 12" x 12" Jo Morton also has a new line coming in August.  We love the sentiment expressed with her Timeless line:  "Collect Moments, Not Things".  What a great sentiment.  We are taking pre-orders for fat quarter bundles.  40 fat quarters - $136.  Let us know if we can reserve a bundle for you. If you haven't marked your calendar for the Colors of Stockton MO quilt show April 28 (10:00-6:00) and 29 (9:00-3:00), we hope you'll do so.  Kay will be at the show and have lots to inspire you.  This is our first time to be invited to the Stockton show and we're very excited.  The show will be held at the Zumwalt Expo Center, RB Road, Stockton MO. ......and so you don't have to spend valuable sewing time researching mileage to Stockton we've selected some towns where we know many of you live......Pittsburg 66 miles, Springfield 54 miles, Joplin 78 miles, Tulsa 194 miles, Bartlesville 179 miles, Rogers 112 miles.....you get the idea......a spring day outing to Stockton sounds like a nice way to spend a Friday or Saturday. We'll be back next week to share the first block of Lynette Anderson's button club quilt (and a few more goodies).  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

Lots of information this week

We have lots to share this week so will jump in feet first and start inspiring you.....but......before we begin.....if you recently purchased a "The Fall Guy" kit from us you may be missing black and white wool.  Please check your kit and let us know.  We'll get it right out to you. Sometimes we feel like this silly frog juggling eggs - we love what we do but sometimes have one too many eggs in the air.

Debby recently finished the most darling pillow, Flowers in your Garden, that will be perfect for spring decorating.  Your $24.95 kit includes the pattern, fabric for the pillow, wool for applique, backing fabric, and buttons for embellishment.  We finished ours as a pillow but it would be equally charming framed (as the pattern designer suggested) or finished as a small wall hanging.  We think it would make a nice Easter surprise for your favorite stitching friend. If you'd prefer to use our own supplies, the pattern is available for $9.50. If you've been in the store recently you've probably noticed Kay's progress on Scraps of my Life.  For those who don't have the luxury of popping over, we'd like to share.....please excuse all the threads on our design wall......our design wall truly is used every day. Several people have asked how Kay gets her edges so crisp and how small pieces look so smooth.......hang on......we are going to share the "secret".  Here's a sample of the crisp edges. She uses water soluble applique paper by Hugs and Kisses.  The paper is semi-transparent which allows for easy tracing of the pattern; it's also inkjet printable.  A packages of 20 sheets is $19.95. In addition to the paper, she uses a non-slip black mat to help as she turns the edges.  This mat eliminates the need for a sand paper board; the smooth surface won't damage tools or fabrics.  It's easy to carry and store and can be washed.  If you work with beads, this mat will become your best friend - beads won't roll and scatter all over your work surface.  $17.95 If you'd like to jump in a try this technique with Scraps of my Life, kits are available for $74.95.  The pattern is sold separately for $27.95. We've received notice the new Blackbird Designs book is coming soon.  If you've already placed your order for it, we have you covered.  If you aren't on the list but would like to be, send us an e-mail at info@sewgracefulquilting.com and we'll get you on the list.  $28 We received our shipment of Primitive Quilts & Projects Summer issue.  As usual, the magazine is filled with projects to appeal to those of us who adore the primitive look.  Kay's "Picnic in the Park" quilt pattern is contained in this issue.  Magazine is $9.99 and the Picnic in the Park kit is $74.95. If you're on automatic shipment for the magazine, Debby is processing your order now.  If you're not on automatic but would like to be, let us know by e-mailing info@sewgracefulquilting.com. We have more to share but will wait until next Thursday since this is getting quite long.  See you soon. Darlene and Debby

The Fall Guy

As we write this, the north wind is blowing, skies are cloudy and rain is falling......where did those beautiful spring days go?  Last week we mentioned our get away to Kansas City.  One of our favorite activities was visiting the zoo (we arrived as the gates opened and stayed until they closed).  The grandkids are learning about where wool comes from -- it's so much fun to see the wonder in their eyes as they imagine sheep with no hair.

Kits for "The Fall Guy" are ready.  Your $36.95 kit includes the pattern, background fabric, wool for applique, rick rack and backing fabric.  If you'd prefer to use your own materials, the pattern is available for $10.

We're very excited to learn Jo Morton has another new book coming mid-May.  "Jo's Little Favorites II" contains instructions to make 15 small quilts. It also includes Jo's tips for precise patchwork sewing.  Jo has also included helpful hints including instructions on how to quilt each project.  80 pages $24.99 Let us know if we can reserve a copy for you.

As we were spring cleaning and organizing recently, we couldn't help but remember the words stitched on this cute little wall hanging:  "A house unkept cannot be so distressing as a life unlived".  Rather than spend all our time dusting, cleaning, and organizing, we plan to heed these words and make time each day for the things we truly enjoy. If you'd like to stitch your own reminder (or a reminder for a friend or two), let us know.  We have kits which include the pre-stamped sandcastle fabric, threads, needle, borders, and binding for $19.95.  If you'd prefer to use your own border fabrics, we have partial kits which include the pre-stamped sandcastle fabric, threads, and needle for $14.

If you're in the area for the Q.U.I.L.T. guild show http://quiltguildnwa.edublogs.org/ or the Muskogee Area Quilters Guild show http://www.maqg.net/ we hope you make plans for a stop at Sew Graceful on Thursday or Saturday (9-3). As you're making spring travel plans, be sure to pencil in a trip to Stockton MO April 28 or 29 for the Colors of Stockton quilt show.  The show will be held at the Zumwalt Expo Center, RB Road, Stockton MO April 28 10:00-6:00 and April 29 9:00-3:00.  Kay will be at the show with lots of new things to inspire and motivate you to create.  The guild doesn't have a website but have set up a Facebook page - search for The Colors of Stockton Quilt Show 2017.......and just so you don't have to compute distances......Stockton is only 112 miles from Rogers.....see you at the show! See you soon. Darlene and Debby

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