Here are two new little cloth books. Either would make great Christmas gifts for the little ones on your list. They are so nice to take along for church - no noise.

Every once in a while I likie to remind people about making custom pillowcases as gifts. I have a customer who makes several sets for wedding gifts (holiday themed) and another one who always makes holiday pillowcases for grandchildren. Charlie and I like to take our pillows along when we travel. A bright colored case (rather than white) helps us remember not to leave them in the hotel. Come in, purchse fabric andn we will give you a free pillowcase pattern.

Mardel and Lori finished our new Winter Flight sample. We used some great flannels for the top and a new velour/Minkie-like fabric from Moda for the backing. It has the most wonderful feel.

We're making plans to attend Quilt Market in Houston at the end of next week. I always look forward to it for the inspiration, but we have to get a lot done in a very few days.

We had a fun, busy and interesting day at the shop this Friday.

We have a group of quilting friends from Des Moines and Omaha using the Retreat Center. I love seeeing what everyone brings along to work on.

Carolyn brought her almost completed Dear Jane top. She and nine friends from the Corning area have been working on these blocks as a group project for a year. I expect to be seeing lots more of them. What an undertaking.

This afternoon we were lucky to have a visit from Eleanor Burns and her husband. She will be speaking tomorrow at the Sac County Quilt-a-fair. She's writing a new book about Barn Quilts which will be out in the Spring. They spent last night in Walnut, visiting the Antique Shops there today before they stopped to see us. We felt honored to have her here.

I love this new sample made from Glace' layer cakes by Three Sisters for Moda.
We were busy today unpacking new fabric and deciding what kits and samples to make from it.

I just finished the Lincoln blocks for October. Hard to believe we'll only have one month left after that.

I'm doing some research about what we should offer next year for our block of the month. Does more Civil War era interest you?

Every year Nancy Halvorson designs a new Christmas panel. This year's is pretty inspiring. Carol just completed this sample. Each part of the sample could be made in to a special little gift. Carol and I did some scheming on new kits today. We really have to plan ahead. Our display space is at a premium but we always need to know there is a new sample to take the place of one that is sold out.

Our friend Katie models the new bag she just made in our retreat center. Among all the quilters sharing our center this weekend are three sets of mothers and daughters. I don't think you can give a daughter a more long lasting gift than to teach her to sew. It's something she can enjoy for a lifetime.

I finished piecing my niece's wedding quilt. I used that really verstile BQ2 pattern so it went pretty fast.

I spent most of the afternoon working on a wedding quilt for my niece. She'll be married in New Jersey in October. Unfortunately, its the same weekend as Houston Quilt Market. I will be going to Market to promote my fabric line and won't get to go to the wedding. Erin wanted a quilt in chocolate brown, slate blue and ivory. She also suggested a"pop" of orange. I think I found perfect fabric and if I add orange, it will be a piping in the binding. I'm about half done, so I hope to be able to show you a photo in a few days.

We have a fabric rep tomorrow. It's been a while since we've seen new fabric, so I'm excited.

Pam's been teaching a Merry-go-round class in Atlantic. Today Mary brought her top in. It has a real "shabby chic" Victorian look This pattern continues to amaze me. It can really take on lots of different looks.

Shar, Pam and I spent the day doing lots of rearranging of samples and kits.

We also got in the new Alliance, Collection for a Cause by Moda. Love the fabric and we will kit a quilt very similar to the one shown here.

Charlie and I drove over to the Loess Hills this afternoon to an apple orchard we like. Of course we bought apples, but also potatoes and squash. It was a beautiful day and lots of other people had the same idea.

One of the routes we take usually has some bittersweet. We did manage to a little, but it was not very mature.

This evening I did some work on the project sheet that Fabri-Quilt will provide with my fabric line. We decided to call the line Prairie Homefront. The idea behind the name is that these fabrics might have been used in quilts made by wives and mothers of Civil War soldiers at home to send with their men. I know now that the fabric will be sold at Quilt Market in Houston in October. We should have tha ctual fabric in the shop in January or February.

Carol has completed this quilt using Moda's Majestic Yule cardinals.

We had a great time at this year's Pumpkin Gathering and everyone got quite a bit done.

Nadine just completed this really fun kid's quilt Safari So Good. You'll love the artwork for the jungle animals.

Wow, what a busy day at the shop. This great September weather has lots of people out on the road. We had quilters from Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado.

Karen just completed this Fall runner. I love the rich deep colors. I guess Fall is my favorite time of year. this evening I cut some ditch flowers to use for Pumpkin Gathering. When I was a kid my Mom and I would go out into the country around Des Moines to gather weeds for dried arrangements. We found things like milk weed pods, dock and golden rod. Ever notice, we hardly see most of these anymore? Everything gets sprayed out of existence.

Karma brought in this really cute baby quilt she just finished piecing. As she said not eveyone wants pastel baby quilts right now. While we still sell lots of pink and blue, we are seeing a trend towards bright and gender specific quilts (rather than the former generic yellow or green) since more and more people know if they are having a boy or a girl. We also see young mothers choosing new unusual color combinations such as aqua and brown, etc.

Whatever you have in mind for the next baby quilt you want ot make, we'd love to help you make your selection. We also try to keep on hand a good selection of baby quilt kits.

My new sample of an old favorite Christmas Eve is finally done and kits will be ready in the next few days. I know many of you have been waiting for them, but we had to wait for some fabric to arrive.

We still have some room left in our workshop for Pumpkin Gathering next weekend.

The shop will be closed on Monday September 7 for Labor Day.

Paper Doll fabric is back

I know a lot of quilters have been hoping to find the paper doll fabric again. We finally received these and they really are cute. I know there was a pattern using this fabric (I think in Fons & Porter) but I cannot remember which issue. If you happen to know, I'd sure like to hear from you.

Here's one of the new samples we put in the Christmas area. These are reproductions of old Norman Rockwell magazine covers. This kit would make a nice door quilt or two small quilts.
Had a really busy day at the shop today - people are getting in the mood for some Fall sewing.

We have a new line of fabric called Pheasant Country. We put it into this throw with flannel for a backing. It would make a great gift for your favorite hunter.

Pam and I rearranged Christmas fabric today and put up a few more samples. With the arrival of the cool nights we have had lately people are getting in the mood for making Fall and Christmas projects.