wintersalewintersalewintersale!

It's a Wrap! Part II

"No sew" at it's chicest!

I promise, this is the last Furoshiki video.

(Hmmm...what's the emoticon for fingers

crossed behind one's back?)  

adiosu,

Mary

It's a wrap!

OK, I admit it. I am totally enamored with all things Japanese. Fabrics, books and now...
Furoshiki!
This ancient art of fabric folding is seeing a resurgence as part of the green movement in Japan. There's even a cute video on YouTube demonstrating stylish ways to use folded fabric. Check it out.

We've got lovely Japanese

books and fabrics in the store at the moment.

The quality of the cloth and the printing

is extraordinary. The books are filled with beautiful

images of whimsically creative, yet meticulously crafted items.

I've had a few people exclaim to me "but they're in Japanese!".

Not to worry, they are all precisely illustrated with easy to follow diagrams.


Last but not least I'd like to thank all who participated in our Handmade Holiday. It's always a scramble for me to put together these gigs, but with a little help from my friends, we were able to pull off a fantastically crafty event. Whew! Thanks all!!

Mary

Handmade Holiday

Last minute par d'habitude...

Would have been better if I finished our website in a day,

but my superhuman cape was eaten by my dog.

Looks like I'll have to announce our

Handmade Holiday/Open House (extravaganza) on my blog.

Yeah! for blogs.

Here it goes:
Sunday December 9th
Noon - 5:00 PM

Celebrate the holiday season with us. Local artisans will be offering unique and beautiful handmade gifts. Sewing, knitting and craft demonstrations will be given throughout the day. Refreshments served.

Hope to see you there!

Mary

Quilt Market

Just back from my first visit to Quilt Market

in Houston,TX. 

They actually tried to get us to wear

"First Time at Quilt Market"

 blue ribbons on our chests.

We carefully filed them 

in our souvenir compartment (trash barrel).

First day we did a quick scanning of the joint.

Lots of  oooing and ahhing on my part (1st timer).

My QM companion Joan McAnulty tried her best to keep us on task

and focused.  She was also very useful explaining all the intricacies of the quilting world to me.

I'm thinking:  "WoW! look at these groovy buttons!"

and Joan's saying: "Look at this lovely batting".  

So, we were an excellent team in that respect.  The best part of course was the fabric.

I finally got to meet my newly found vendor of the Japanese fabrics I love (Kokka etc.)

Also, lots of fabric world celebs (Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Heather Ross).

Alexander Henry has put out a new Home Dec line.  Oooooo I just love Alexander Henry!

 Looks like we'll be seeing more Home Dec collections from some of the other designers too.

Nothing new from Amy Butler fabric-wise, but she has new patterns which are,

of course, GREAT.  Last, but not least, was the enormous quilt gallery. Hundreds of quilts 

from all around the world.  One of my favorites was an art quilt by Linda Gass. 

She made a triptych of an aeriel view of San Francisco Bay, done in bold greens and reds.

The effect was stunning.

So, I may not be a quilter, but I am a fan.

Good trip,

Thanks Joan!


Mary