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

 

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

Hello Sun!

Well, it has become quite apparent lately that my grey cells

operate on solar power. So, now that things have brightened

up a bit and the synapses are synapsing...

time to share new things.

Japanese Fabrics

Heather Ross's latest collection

for Kokka is absolutely

gorgeous. This unique cotton

double gauze is incredibly soft

and breezy without being

transparent. Perfect for a

summer smock, dress or

very special baby's quilt.



Great new collection from Windham Fabrics:

Check out how fabulous this looks in a quilt and pillows:



New Tina Givens patterns:

Lydia is making the smock on the left using the Full Bloom fabrics.

It'll be up in the store soon, so come check it out!

We also have Tina's "Fairy Tip Toe" fabric collection

by " Free Spirit.


Helmet Liners

We've had a lot of requests lately for washable wool yarns.

Many of these requests were from people who are making helmut liners

for the troops. Ella Rae Superwash wool is perfect for this project

and it comes in the most fabulous colors.


Here are the links for more information and knitting

instructions for the liner:

Operation Helmut Liner

Helmet Knitting Instructions



No Sew Belts
(or headbands)


For those who want to make something, but insist they don't/can't sew,

the fabric gods invented Fabri-Tac.
I'm a huge fan. It's a permanent, quick drying adhesive

and works on most surfaces

(fabric, wood, leather, lace, suede, tile, felt, plaster, glass, trims, canvas, ribbons...)

Come in, we'll show you how to make a belt!


Noro


Lots of new "Silk Garden" colors in. We are loving this cute

summer sweater from the Noro Designer Mini Knits book.




Another fabulous creation by Lindell:


A very cute and practical casserole holder. Much better than putting

your potluck dish in a paper bag and letting it crash

around the back of your car (that would be me).

It's Kwik Sew pattern 1135.

Thanks for sharing Lindell!



Special Purchase Home Decorating Fabrics


As always, we have a great selection of home decorating remnants,

you'll never know what treasure you'll find.

At the moment we have some incredible silk pieces from Robert Allen.

Hurry, these won't last long!



Oh No! Here Comes the Rain AGAIN!!!

Mary

Hats, Chapeaux, 帽子!

It's a movement! Hats galore here at FMS. It all started with

our friend June buying up all sorts of groovy fabric and trims,

and I of course had to know "What're y'up too?"

Hats!

June sells her hats on Etsy. Check out her shop:

www.JunieShop.etsy.com



And then...

our friend Joan made a super cute kiddo hat with this

soldier print by the Japanese fabric company: Kokka.

Way to go Joan!



and then...

Joan's student Katie made this incredibly awesome hat

with an Echino fabric. Hard to believe it was made with

this Vogue pattern.




Just goes to show what a really groovy fabric

can do for your projects (that and Katie's talent).

While we're on this subject of hats, thought I'd throw in

a few more for contemplation. All images courtesy of:

Harlem's Heaven Boutique.


Power Hat!




Black Hat (my fave)



or Pink?




Church Hat

(amen to that!)


Mary