Old friends, new stuff

My new best friend.

He doesn't sew, or knit, or make us

sandwiches at lunchtime (that would be nice)

BUT he has the cutest little band around his ankle and his

wings flap around and wave at people...

yep.

OK.

What I really wanted to show you are a couple of

new fabrics I'm loving from two of my fave "friends"

Amy Butler has a great new collection called "Alchemy"

I'm in love with the colors and painterly feeling of these fabrics.

 Can't wait to make something with them.

Amy also has a new online magazine called "Blossom"

Just go to her website to sign up for it.

(click below)

It's free!

I think Anna Maria Horner's latest collection "Field Study" is my all time favorite.  

She has this art of combining classic, eclectic and fun.  Love it.

 We've had the cotton collection in the store for a bit,

but now she's put some of the prints on rayon.

This is my favorite in both collections

"Raindrops Poppies"

 These new rayons are a huge leap from the rayons of the past.

Soft, flowing...washable!

Makes great dresses, skirts and blouses.

and...rayon is a natural fiber, so it's breathable.

Very comfortable on hot days.

 Lastly,

friends and co-workers Joan, Nancy, Lindell and Jennifer

have fabulous hand-crafted items for sale in the store.

Come see us!

12 Days of Christmas

Ok, that title is completely misleading...except for the fact that it is twelve days before Christmas.

I don't really want to focus on the fact that there are only TWELVE MORE SHOPPING DAYS LEFT!  Yuk! (triple yuk!)  I'd rather focus on the super cool things happening in this season.  Like, for example...people I admire for their creativity. (amen to that, right?)

For example:

KATIE is a supersonic person who started as a student with Patti Barnett (FMS sewing teacher extraordinaire) and then became a co-worker/FMS staff/colleague...  

I've always admired Katie's work.  She has a really cool way of combining things in her life with her need to create.  She leans towards things that are earth friendly and karma filled.  Plus, she's a talented sewist and has an amazing sense of design.

Katie's latest passion is inspired by the work of Kat O'Sullivan, otherwise known as Katwise.  Check out her website, it pretty much explains it all:

Katwise

 Ok, now check out Katie's dress inspired by Kat:

This sweater dress is made from many recycled sweaters from her family, augmented by Salvation Army finds (a great resource for wool remnants).  She then felted the sweaters (felting info), cut and serged.   Her first felting project was with sweaters from her grandfather.  She wanted to make momentums for family members so she felted and sewed scarves.

Here's one she made for her mom:

 

In case you don't know (most don't) when you felt the wool sweaters, you can cut them and the edges won't fray.  Wow!  That's one of the cool things about felting.  IF you also have a serger, like Katie, you can sew without having to hide the edges.  This makes things quicker, but also gives a more sculptural look.  Super artsy!


Thank you Katie for sharing your creations!


 Until the next time I'm inspired to blog....

Happy creating!

Mary

(a "Katwise creation) 

 

Last Minute Gifts

Alright, it's not the ultimate last minute,

we're still within a comfortable completion zone,

if you stick to non-Sistine Chapel-like creations.

Here are a few things you can do which will satisfy your urge

to create...and impress your friends and family with

your creative (and organizational) skills...  

"Pompe"

from Ella Rae.

These adorable pom-pommed skiens easily turn into

the cutest hats, sweaters and scarves.

 

Irresistible! 

From Tecido Trico:

Fun, easy, elegant scarves.

Very quick to knit and fun to wear!

No time or energy to make anything?

We have a great selection of gifts...

toys, books, notions....

and don't forget...

FMS gift certificates are always greatly appreciated!

 

Good Luck!!

Mary