Showing posts with label Amy Butler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amy Butler. Show all posts

Thursday, December 13, 2012

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!




Wednesday, December 14, 2011

a few of my favorite things.........

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time to rejoice in all the good that has been bestowed upon us and to celebrate these blessings with family and friends.  That said, it is, unfortunately, one of the most hectic times of the year.  We are all trying our best to find ways to show our friends and family just how much we love and appreciate them.  Often this means running about like "madmen" trying to find that perfect thing whatever that may be....electronic gadgets, jewelry, bikes, dolls, spa treatment (yes please)....so, I am always in awe of those who take the extra time to make something themselves.  Even if it is just a card...or a simple gift that is specially wrapped.  I think when you have to stop and sit quietly to make something, you bring that person closer to you in the process.  You think about them, you feel joy that you are making something for them and this joy is absorbed into the gift.  I know, sounds a bit corny, but that is what the magic of the holiday season is about.

Fortunately for us here at the store, we get to see these special creative people every day.  So much is going on it's difficult to talk about any of it in detail, so I thought I'd share pics of a few of my favorites things (you know, the picture/thousand word thing..)  So, here it goes:
 New staff member Vicky just made the sweetest knitting needle case using a fabric from Melody Miller's "Ruby Star Rising", Amy Butler's "Sun Spots" for the lining and wrapping it all up with a sweet lacy cotton trim.  Love it!

The kids are very busy creating in our classes and workshops.  I'm always surprised how often their projects are gifts for someone special to them (brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, friends...)  And not just during the holidays.  Pretty amazing don't you think?  

The above photo is of two of Jennifer's workshop students who made fab pillowcases as gifts for family members.  Great job Paige and Erin!!!!

So many beautiful fabrics have rolled into the store. Here are a few of my faves:
   Amy Butler's latest collection: "Lark"
I think this is my favorite of all her collections thus far.
Great designs, beautiful colors!

Heather Ross's "far, far, away lll" very sweet.
The one above with the little owl stealing the underpants
is stealing everyone's hearts around here.
"Modernology" by Art Gallery Fabrics.  Fresh and fabulous!

For all of you who already LOVE Lotta Jansdotter,
she has a debut collection with Windham Fabrics.  Yippie!!! 


Can not resist posting this one again.
I absolutely adore this funny elephant-in-his-cups
print by Michael Miller

Nancy Keyes and Joan McAnulty have made all kinds of
uniquely beautiful handcrafted items which are for sale in the store.

Shibori scarves by Nancy Keyes.

Hand dyed and knit hat by Joan McAnulty
and many, many other fabulous hand crafted items.

I wish I could put everything on this one post...
all the great things that need to be shared....
There's more to come soon.

Don't forget...
if you are looking for a gift for someone creative
a gift certificate can be used towards anything in the store,
including classes.
Most of all...enjoy this holiday season.
And best wishes for the New Year!

Mary and Margaret





 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Happy Campers!

July has come and gone...and summer's end is near.
Jennifer Ziehl Vacca's first season of summer classes was
a great success.  The students were mostly beginner sewers.
It was amazing to see how fast they learned
and the incredible array of things they created...bags, belts,
skirts, pillowcases and even a quilt!

 Now we're gearing up for Fall...very busy time of year.
Lot's of new classes are being offered
and more will be added throughout the season.
Check out the current listings on our website:
http://franklinmillstore.com/craft_classes.html

We also have plenty of new things to inspire your creativity...
...a new shipment of fabulous Home Decorating remnants
has just arrived.  Fabrics that normally sell for $30-$80 per yd
are just $6.98-$8.98.  No excuse not to get those
projects started with these prices.

New books are in too...full of
 great ideas, helpful hints and instructions.

As always, lots of fabulous new fabrics
keep rolling in. New collections from
Michael Miller, Alexander Henry,
Robert Kaufman, Kaffe Fassett,
Anna Maria Horner, Tina Givens,
Valori Wells, Amy Butler, and many more...
Lastly, I want to thank everyone
who participated in our Summer Giveaway.
Loved hearing what all of you crafty people are creating...
or dreaming of creating.  Congratulations to all the winners:
Jodi Meenan, Beverly Chipko, Jennifer Flint MacLean,
Maureen O'Reilly, Meredith Clarkin Olbrys,
Mary Ellen Cusack, Joy Bettencourt, Julie Madden
and Shellie Moniz!

Yeah!!!!

Enjoy these last summer days.  Hope to see you all soon!

M & M










Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Spring Quilt Market

Just back from Quilt Market in Minneapolis... fabulous trip (except for the missing one of our flights part), great weather, lovely people and of course...LOTS of great new fabrics!


 One of our first exciting encounters was at the Oliver + S booth.  We introduced ourselves,  gushed over their new patterns and then learned that Liesl has a fabric line!   It's put out by Moda AND... drum roll please - the line includes some gorgeous knits!!!  It won't be out until fall though...but don't worry,  I'll shout out loud as soon as it arrives in the store.



Next....... Tina Givens had an adorable display of her new fabric collection: "Opal Owl".  She talked to me about her latest patterns and explained the improvements made to them, which I was happy to hear.  The previous patterns were a bit lacking in direction.  Looking forward to trying out the new ones.


Anna Maria Horner........

 ... as lovely as she appears to be on her blog (drats!).  Here she is signing a copy of her new book "Seams to Me".  Again, I gushed about her fabric - especially the voile.  Everyone is at odds about the pronunciation of this...English: voyl; French: vwahl.  I say "vwahl"- not to be super snobby french, but because I also say "twahl" for toile and this makes sense to me.
 

More name dropping...


I was chatting with Sandi Henderson about her new line of fabric "Meadow Sweet 2" and her book "Sewing Bits and Pieces" (both fabulous), when a woman came up next to us, offered her hand to Sandi and said: "Hi, I'm Kate Spade" (harumphhhh!)


Before I forget...

There were some lovely quilts at Quilt Market (imagine) - here are a few of my faves:


AMY!
She was the most popular girl, of course.  Her booth was swarming with fans.  She graciously offered to be photographed with one and all, myself included (I'm allergic).   Not surprisingly, she has lots going on: new fabric, new book AND...yarn!  Her new fabric collection "Soul Blossoms" is truly beautiful, my favorite so far.  It won't be out until late summer/fall - something to look forward to.




Last but not least...

My fave, the peeps at Kokka and Echino (dance, dance, dance!)
LOVE Heather Ross' newest collection "Far Far Away 2":


and all the other fabulous, fabulous fabrics....



All in all, Quilt Market was:

SUPERSONIC!!!!

Hope to see you all in the store!

Mary




Monday, April 12, 2010

Bounce!




S
pring fever's in full bloom

- so many ideas and things

to do, the brain can't keep

up with it all...







Kirsten is working on the gorgeous Ysolda Teague's

Ishbel shawl using Ella Rae Lace Merino.

It will be scrumptious!




Nancy Keyes brought this fab, fab bag into the store Saturday

which I am coveting. She made it with a fabric from one

of our Home Decorating remnant tables.

I LOVE all the little details:

the ribbon, the chartreuse lining, the black & white

wrapped O-rings, the appliqued flowers, the bee...wow!




She's got an Amy Butler "Sweet Harmony" bag in the works.

I'll share when it's completed.



Cub scout craft day...


Franklin Cub Scouts earned their sewing badges by making

tiger (cub) puppets. Pretty crafty group...and VERY willing

to be photographed. Great job guys!




Love this new double sided quilted fabric from

Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler! Make a quick but fabulous

tote bag, or a cute spring jacket!



Also...

luscious laminated fabrics in prints by Amy Butler,

Kaffe Fassett, and Heather Bailey.




Proms, weddings and celebrations are in the air and everyone's

looking for something to wear...


...we have beautiful silks




...and satins


and patterns by Vogue, Butterick and McCalls.



Lastly...

don't forget to pull on your "sneaks" and cheer on those

brave runners in the Boston Marathon monday.



See you in the store and...

Safe bouncing!



Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Giving Thanks


We have the greatest people who come into our store looking for things to create. Fortunately for us some are willing to share their creations. It's always very inspiring.
Our friend Katie, who is one of Patti Barnatt's sewing students, is a relatively new sewer who has done amazing things. One of the nicest aspects of Katie's sewing story is that she inherited her sewing machines from her grandmother and is now carrying on with the sewing tradition.

She made this dress to wear to a wedding and it is just amazing! ( My photos don't do it justice.) The main patterned fabric is "Feeling Groovy" by Michael Miller. Perfect.

Her bag is a testament to the merging of the two generations. The retro floral on the bottom is from Katie's Grandmother's stash. She then added a modern flair with the Alexander Henry dots on the top band which is what makes this bag work. Funky, modern and hip.

The pattern for the bag is Amy Butler's "Frenchy Bag".


Next to share:

Our friend Lynn made gorgeous wool applique Christmas stockings for her children and grandchildren...





















Sweet Aprons...

Another customer, inspired by the patterns in the book "A is For Apron" made the cutest aprons as gifts for her sisters:

Sexy Aprons...


And if you're not the "girl next door" type, how about this bewitching number...

made by our friend Joan.













Last but not least:

One of Joan's sewing students, Devin, made this quilt which she has titled: "The Magical, Mythical World Around Us". Fantastic quilt Devin!



Thank you everyone for sharing your creations!


Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Mary