Just Say No to White on White

Occasionally I have people ask if I have any "white on white" fabric. White on whites are exactly what it sounds like, they are white background fabrics with a white pattern overlaid. (see picture) Most of the time, the pattern is stamped over the fabric instead of dyed or woven into it. These fabrics are easy to identify because if you run your fingers over them, you can feel the texture of the stamp. Joanne's carries a large selection of such fabrics, which tells you something about their likely quality.

The stamped texture throws my quilting machine into fits. As the needle goes through the quilt, I can hear the sound of it piercing the stamped material, and it's not good! It spells thread breakage and missed stitches galore. In short, I HATE white-on-white fabric. When I see a quilt made with it, I get chills. And not good chills.

So, it's not surprising that the answer to the question of whether I have any or not is a resounding "NO!" Thus far, I haven't identified one I like. I believe that companies like Moda do make white-on-whites that are not stamped, but I haven't had the need to find out. I much prefer a traditionally manufactured print or a marble instead. Plus, my quilting machine is high maintenance and so am I. We need quality fabric!

New Market Stuff Just In

The shipments are starting to arrive on things I couldn't stuff into mine or my mom's suitcase from Market! Today I received my Patchabilities patterns, and I have finished uploading them to the website and created a new catagory just for them! The Patchabilities catagory holds the patterns I have so far, but there are sure to be more because I love their stuff! (There is an adorable Summer scene set that has a martini button that I must have before next Summer!) All of Patchability patterns have awesome buttons that make them unique, and buttons are included in each pattern! There is also a wire hanger from Ackfeld available for every pattern, which just finished them off beautifully. Their Advent Calendars are the best I've seen anywhere! As each season approaches, watch for new things to be added in this catagory.

Also arrived this week are Amma's Garden fabrics from G.E. Designs and Red Rooster Fabrics. The Poppy Garden quilt that coordinates with these fabrics is gorgeous, and waiting to be quilted at the shop right now!

New notions arrived this week as well, including the buttons for the Lackadaisical quilt. I know you're thinking that the kit price is high for this quilt, but trust me, the buttons are well worth it! They are fantastic, lending a unique effect to an otherwise super simple quilt.

I also have jelly thimbles from that I will be uploading as soon as I find or take a good picture.

Last, I now have mini irons and mini iron cooling bags. These are excellent for small project like the Patchabilities, or for applique. The cooling bag allows you to transport a hot iron to and from classes or other locations. The Patchabilities Christmas Bulbs kit includes a patch for the sole-plate of your mini-iron, making it non-stick. This allows you to iron on the fusible ribbon (for the bulb hooks) and any other fusible product, without it sticking to your iron and without using a pressing sheet!

For now, that's what's new. Watch for more, because that's not all I ordered!

Serged Satchel from Indygo Junction

I spotted this bag in the Indygo Junction booth at Market and loved it. (My mom hated it, so I guess this is subjective) The pattern will be in store soon, and since I just heard on the news show that "ruffles are everywhere" this season, it's just in time! Actually, I loved several of Indygo Junction's new patterns, and am expecting many of them in store by the end of this month! Summer clothes for girls, bags, tunics, and even pajamas! Since the patterns are coming in November, maybe I'll have time to make something for the girls before next Summer!
You can see them all soon in the Bags and Wearables pattern catagory.

Food Drive at The Crazy Quilter

I guess it's time for me to grow up and give back to the community! For my first attempt at becoming socially responsible, I am holding a food drive during the month of November. Here is how it will work:

Thru Nov. 30, when you bring a nonperishable food bank donation, I will give you 10% off your in-store purchase. The only exclusions are machine quilting and class fees.

In addition, for online purchases, I will donate 10% of the total purchase, (before shipping and sales tax) to the local food bank.

Now you can quilt in November and feel good knowing someone will be eating Thanksgiving dinner because of you!

Wool Pin Cushion Kit

For the past few evening while I watch TV I've kept my hands busy making up one of the new wool pin cushions I found at Market. Here is a picture of the final result:

Everything but the floss and stuffing to make this pin cushion is included in the reusable tin! For $1 more, I also have bags of crushed walnut shells, which is used for the filling. A great stocking stuffer or friend gift!

New-Ragspuns

Ragspuns are a product we purchased this Fall at Market. They are adorable little pre-cut shapes that are fast and easy to applique to all sorts of things. Wall hangings, pillows, tablerunners, towels, pins, and ornaments to name a few! They are not expensive, and add a lot of texture and personality to your projects!

Dec. 1 we will be starting a monthly towels club. Basically, for $13.95 + shipping each month, you'll get everything you need to make 1 tea towel. These make excellent gifts, or use for seasonal decor in your kitchen! You can literally have this done in an hour or two!

You can view and order the monthly kit Here! Don't forget to watch the New catagory, as other Ragspun products arrive that I have ordered! There are some adorable pin kits on the way, and more!

Back from Market

Well,

I'm back from Quilt Market! It was a whirl wind trip, but worth it as usual. I will be updating the website with everything new, so be sure to check the New Additions catagory over the next few days for everything I brought home.

I don't even know where to begin, we found so many things we loved. There are new fabrics featuring tractors, cowboys and indians, paper dolls, and shoes coming in the future. There are TONS of new patterns (2 suitcases worth), and some exciting new products. I have a couple of advent calendars, a tree skirt, an adorable wool pin cushion, and so much more to add! I will try to highlight one or two things per day over the next week or so. If you want a sneak peak, watch the New Additions!

My money saving strategy of staying farther from the convention center and renting a car proved to be iffy, at best. By the time we drove 30 mintues each way, paid for parking at the convention center ($10/day), and got lost looking for the nearest Starbucks, I'm not sure this proved to be a good strategy, so I'll probably be revamping for next year.
Although my GPS was invaluable, it did have it's faults. For example, did you know it doesn't tell you when you're about to run a red light? Nope, you need my mom for that, who's scream from the passenger seat is actually quite effective. It also doesn't speak up when you're driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Nope, once again, major GPS design flaw. Some days you're just lucky to be alive, huh?

Yep, I think I'm going to fire myself from making travel reservations and let my mom take it over. Especially after the long lay-over in Seattle and the puddle-jumper plane we had to ride to Spokane in. Try staying calm with my mom next to you, making comments like "This small of a plane should really come with parachutes." Yes, I think I'll let her make any future reservations!

Anyways, watch for lots of new stuff. Lots, and lots, and lots.......