Showing posts with label Michael Miller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Miller. Show all posts

Friday, May 25, 2012

Happy sewing with "Happy Drawing"

Ed Emberly made drawing easy and fun for everyone.
 And now Cloud 9 fabrics has come out with a
100% organic cotton collection "Happy Drawing"
 based on his drawing books...
We're having a lot of fun with the "cut out" panel.
 We've been sewing and stuffing these cute ferocious
guys all week (well, not all week)
...soon they will be hanging from the rafters.

more to love.....

Lots of beautiful new fabrics Kaffe Fassett and Philip Jacobs
 printed on the most luxurious cotton sateen.
A few of my faves...
 "Cabbage and Rose" from Kaffe Fassett.

 Philip Jacobs "Gradi Flora"
 
Lovely, saturated blues from Kaffe and Philip.

Also in the store...
Kaffe Collection design rolls.
30 color coordinated prints 6" x 44"

Lindell made a quilt using the "Fire" roll. 
Yum! 


From David Butler (Amy's husband)
"Curious Nature"...Modern, elegant and masculine.

I took a peek into Joan McAnulty's Rug Hooking class
the other night. Check out this fabulous fish!

Mini me
 
A customer came in with her version of Lindell's
Eiffel Tower bag.
Comme c'est adorable!

From Riley Blake...
"Alpine Wonderland"
The collection has a sweet Advent calendar.
It's an easy summer project.


Just in time for the summer Olympics...
"The British are coming!"
from Michael Miller.


Vroom, vrooooom
See you soon!

Mary

Friday, February 17, 2012

Month O' Love

There's plenty to be in love with around here these days.
Beautiful new fabrics and yarns having been coming in. 

Here are a few of my faves:

 Philip Jacobs and Kaffe Fasset
 
Yum, yum, OMG yummy!!

and from Michael Miller...
 Very sweet "Bunting Scallop" and "That's All Dot"

 

From Berroco...
new colors in Ultra Alpaca and Vintage.
Lots of new patterns too!


Also new from Berroco...
"Circus"
Perfect for kids sweaters...
or fun hats and scarves for adults.


From Riley Blake...
"Fly A Kite!" 
cute kids and their pups...
great coordinates!


A new shipment of Home Decorating remnants
has arrived.  Gorgeous, silks, upholstery
and Home Dec weight fabrics...
 only $6.98-$8.98 per yard!  


Great leather remnants too...

We've had lots of fabulous classes and workshops this winter...
Sewing for adults, teens, kids...Knitting, Rug Hooking, Needle Felting,
Wool Applique and more...

In honor of the Month O' Love, Nancy Keyes taught a
Wool Heart Applique workshop.
There were hearts of all colors around here.
And everyone went home even happier than when they arrived,
of course.

Gayle Johnson has started the long journey
with her latest knitting project:
"The Great American Aran Afghan"
This class meets once a month for the next several months, 
while they learn the intricate needlework it takes to complete
these Aran Afghan blocks.
It's quite an effort...good luck to everyone!



Well, that's just a glimpse of what's happening here these days.

Hope to see you all in the store soon!

Mary



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










Monday, August 2, 2010

Taking stock...


Snapped some pics of "my pond" - the one I pass daily on my way to the mill, about a 20 minute drive.  My morning routine is scarily like something out of the movie Brazil: Get in car, drive purposefully to neighborhood drive-thru coffee joint - cliff bar and fruit sitting on passenger seat awaiting completion of "optimum" breakfast food grouping.  Gulp, gulp...nibble, munch....repeat.....drive, etc.
I confess:
I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON, so this ritual is done in a semi-trance state (no, I do not talk on the phone while
I'm doing this!).  By the time I reach the pond (about 15 minutes into the drive) my brain is starting to engage.  I usually pause here to take a quick, but to me important, glance at the "world".  It clears my mind and helps me start the day with a fresh slate......at least I try.
The lily pads and loose strife have taken over the pond and I know it's not long before the leaves on the surrounding trees start their color changes.  It's all good - but the prospect of winter does take my breath away (it's all good, it's all good, it's all good...) 
The last 5 minutes are usually spent singing at the top of my lungs to something on my cd player...gettin' my self "in gear" for a day at the mill....  


So...what's happening?  


Cute little dresses by Patti's students and Nancy K.  So easy to make - just pick a fabulous fabric, trim, buttons....voila!  No one else will have one like it.

Of course, lots of super fabrics have been coming into the store.  Here are a few of my faves:

Opal Owl by Tina Givens...adorable!



Peace group from Michael Miller:


Sweet new knits from Michael Miller too...


 Mad Men (and women)...

Our friend Flora was so enamored with this Michael Miller flower print, she's making a gorgeous Vintage Vogue dress for her birthday soiree.  The vintage inspiration came from this Timeless Treasures print which reminded her of the show "Mad Men".  Hey, the muse is everywhere.....  Happy Birthday Flora!!!


Another gorgeous wool applique by Nancy K:
We're trying to talk her into giving another workshop...what do you think???


Just a small taste of new Brandon Mably, Kaffe Fassett and Philip Jacobs designs:

super snazz!!!



And the knitters are knitting up a storm...



Maureen has socks, scarves, shawls going like crazy.  Here's her first pair of socks ever:

woohooooo! way to go Maureen.



Kirsten is working on this cute top by Norah Gaughan using Berroco Ultra Alpaca Lite.
 
 



So many more things I should share,
but I've run out of steam.

Create and enjoy!
Mary