SWEET FACE BELLRINGER

This has to be one of the sweetest faces i've seen done up on The Bellringer.

Jane's improvised version of The Bellringer

Original Bellringer Pattern

I love to see projects that have been improvised.

Jane Gent does not care for embroidering so used wool and appliqued the vine at the top.

She also lost the bottom portion of the pattern so simply did her own thing.

Likewise she chose her own beautiful colors.

And that face . . 

just adorable.

Never be afraid to veer off the path.

Just look at what can happen.

Thank you Jane.

MR. JINGLES DUO

Long time customer and friend Janeen Lafreniere is usually stitching up a storm.   You can sometimes search her name and come up with some items she may have on etsy.

I just love what she did with Mr. Jingles.

That plaid suit . . don't you love that?

A good reminder that we have to keep making dolls . . such an essential component of Folk Art.

So go mix up a steaming cup of hot chocolate,
grab your wool . .
and make up your favorite doll pattern right now.

Keep it stitchy everyone!

THANK YOU . .

Thank you Farmer . . for all these feasty foods" they said.

"We will share them with our friends and family

come Thanksgiving Day."

And so they did . . so many years ago.

One of the good stories . . that repeats itself.

So thank you Farmers once again

And thank you Earth

and thank you Friends

for all the Blessings we have known

and all the love that we've been shown

Thank you ♡

PICK A PATTERN - YOU WON!

I hope that everyone read all of the comments . . some, touching, heart warming, funny, and many stories about stitching together.

Many thanks to all of you for your comments and for signing up to Follow along.

The two Follower Winners are (decided to do 2 each):   Maria Neill and Sandi Henschel.

The two Comment Winners are:  Barbara M   and

Linda - member of the Woolberries . .gotta love that name right?

Please email me with your mailing address and let me know which of the patterns below, shown in the previous post,  you would like to receive as your free gift.

Next week we have some more goodies to pass along so stay tuned.  Thanks again!

Snowman Dance

Boo

It's St. Nicholas

Pincushion Trio

Mini Scissors Case

Sing A Little Song

I Love To Stitch

NOTHING BETTER . . THAN STITCHIN' TOGETHER

Betty, a long-time wool lover whose Quilting Bee, some years ago, overflowed with the most wonderful primitive goods, patterns and wools, now gathers together many hands who love to stitch.  What fun they have . . and often.  They have Spargonian, Maggie B, Prairie Women, and Girl Gang Days.  And I am so very flattered . . recently they have added a Reets Day.  Imagine that!  Below are photos of their first Reets meet and the beautiful stitching they have done.  Together!  Wish they lived in my neighborhood . . don't you?  If you want to get better acquainted with this expressive group and see what they are up to, visit Betty's Blog.

And why not give away a couple of these patterns?  You can choose.  Leave a comment about

"Stitchin' Together"

Two Random Drawn Winners announced here Monday After Noon, Nov.24, 2014.
 One winner from Comments - One winner from Followers.  (Double your chances and sign up.)

Sincere thanks to you Betty, and to each one of you for sharing your wonderful works. 
LOVE each and every one of them.

Mini Scissors & Needle Case

I Love To Stitch

Snowman Dance Bellringer

It's St. Nicholas and Mini Scissors Case 

Pincushion Trio

Boo!

Sing A Little Song Wall Hanging & Mat

DIANE AND DAIWABO

Some days, while sitting in my booth, there is a parade of unbelievably beautiful apparel and accessories.  On occasion i'm able to snap a photo or two.  Diane was in my booth last year picking out more woven cottons . . mostly Daiwabos.  Her hand made bag told us that she had great things in mind for her new purchases.  Isn't this an awesome tote?  (And isn't she adorable?)

This year . . back again.  Dressed to the T (what does that mean anyway?)  Never would I have thought to put PINK with Japanese wovens but look at this bag !! I wish the photo showed this but the flowers on this one are actually dimensional. . very tastefully stuffed that is.  It was wonderful.  Think she bought some of our special woven stripes this time . . can't wait til next year.
Thank you Diane!





















Then . . the garment show began.  Take a look at this gorgeous sweater.  It is WOOL!

Incredible knitting .  . Talented woman.  We'll be watching for her next year also.

 Did i say that 

it

is

WOOL

!!

You really need a better look so be sure to click on one of the pictures for a close up.

Wonder what this next show will bring.

Lots of artistic talent in Sacramento!

SPOOKSTERS !!

Barbara just keeps on stitching.  I'm becoming her Number 1 fan!

Spooksters Parade - amazing job.   About all i can say.

 And then her settings are over the top.  She has the entire Lori Mitchell

Trick or Treaters Collection.  I want every one of them.  

Oh and one more thing . . 

BOO !!

PAINT - THE FABRIC !!

Remember that wonderful line of Windham Fabric . . Collage?

Designed by Carrie Bloomston of SUCH Designs.  Her second line . . Paint . . is just as fantastic and is now available.

Here are a few of my favorites.

I'm especially in love with that Grey Pie Chart piece aren't you?

My friend Marilee and I made up a large multi-tasker bag using these and a few others from this edgy and creative line.
It's Wonderful.
Texty.
and Fresh.
Our pattern for Your Big Bag is available on our website if you are in the mood to make a large bag.  Great as a project bag, travel bag, diaper bag . . you name it!

To find out more about Carrie''s fabrics books, patterns and unique life, visit her website linked above or visit her on her blog Suchity Such.  Guaranteed . . you will be inspired to do some "Painting" of our own.

Your Big Bag - Reets' new pattern.

NW QUILT EXPO - JAN ARRIVES

NW QUILT EXPO PORTLAND was super this year.  Lots of intriguing quilts and garments and
just a bustle of activity.

I took just a small sampling of photos - see them in the slide show at the bottom of this post.

And what a pleasant surprise this was . .

Jan walked into our booth with her completed Block Of The Month

Wool Sampler Quilt.

It was more than awesome.  See for yourself.

This is why i love doing what i do.  These things.  Most importantly . . she was as happy with her quilt as we were.  Satisfied stitchers make me smile .  . inside and out.

 And then there is Lulu.  Who made up yet another version of our

Sassy Little Apron.  Even used old kimono pieces for her embellishments.

Lovin' her right?  Join the club.

Here is a short little Expo slideshow.  Enjoy!
And keep on stitchin'

Free digital slideshow created with Smilebox

SCREAM PUNK ABBY

And so here is Fall already.  A few years ago I got excited about some Steam Punk jewelry my friend Janet had made.  It inspired this Scream Punk Abby pattern.  A quirky little doll and wall hanging.  Recently Kathy Baker sent me the photo below of her very artistic version.  Love all of her innovations . . read about them below.  An added crow!  And that old zipper around the clock . . just puts her little Abby over the top.  So well done.

Kathy Baker's Scream Punk Abby

In Kathy's words . . . 

"I inserted an old zipper around the clock, with the zip pull....because time is just zipping along...Our Abby loves animals, so she is talking to her pet Raven, and her mechanical pooch (His eyes glow-ooohhh!) is chained up to her flag-the hex nuts are his doggy treats.  I found a heavy ceramic candle holder that holds them all up.  She will be a fun decoration in the Staff Lunchroom at the hospital where I work." 

Thanks so very much Kathy for taking the time to share your photo.  She is delightful AND inspiring.

Happy Fall Stitching Everyone !!

FUN AT THE NATURAL FIBER FAIR

Victor Jacoby Textile Collection - The Rose

See the slide show below for more of this Collection and many more Fiber Fair photos.

Carin and Gail

The Natural Fiber Fair in it's new location, Arcata CA. Community Center, hosted an array of vendors that filled the rooms with creativity and the most splendid gathering of goods for the fiber enthusiast.  A show that seems to step it up to another level each year.   You can read more about their workshops vendors and features on their website . . The Natural Fiber Fair Be sure to go if you are anywhere near the North Coast next September. Carin Engen, an outrageously talented fiber artist herself, was the vendor chairman.   Can't imagine a better job being done.  Workshops are another grand highlight of the show.

Laura and her artful basket weaving

Indigo Shibori - with April Sproule & Linda Hartshorn

Each year

the Hmong women of Vietnam

make new silk embroidery jacket collars

for each of their family members.

The collars fade.  Each year they are removed.   And replaced.

The faded collars are not discarded, but instead sewn to hats made of indigo dyed cottons.  

I was certain . . even tho too small for my head . . that the one shown here was made just for me.   So now,  it is mine.

It will sit in my studio . . inspiring all who see it.

Until one of my grandaughters catch sight of it . . 

oh how they love to wear hats !

From "Above The Fray" booth.

The glorious hand dyed woven silk ribbon is from

Julie Mueller-Brown.

See more in the slideshow below.

AND COME TO THE FIBER FAIR NEXT SEPTEMBER !!

Personalize a free slideshow

SEVEN SISTERS QUILT SHOW

Love the beach destination quilt shows.  San Luis Obispo has alot to offer.   Night before set up, vendor friends and I took the trolley downtown to their bustling Farmers' Market.  The streets alive with garden goodies, enticing foods and entertainment at every corner.  The next evening discovering Los Osos a nearby beach town and then the following night . . Avila Beach . . my favorite.  It was robust with that beachy energy that warms you and fills your spirit with all that is good.  I wish the show was again next week . . i'm ready to go back.

Oh and then there was the show itself.   So well done.   I ran around during a break or two trying to get pictures.  Not a totally successful venture.  Many times there are bodies in front of the quilts admiring the stitches.   But I snapped enough for a little slide show below.  

Barbara Guerena made up our Lollipop Hill Pattern in her own lively colors.  Lively enough for that blue ribbon.  First place in the machine applique category.  It was magnificent.  You will see it again in the slide show.  Congratulations Barbara!  Love what you did with this.

Lollipop Hill Pattern

Here is a little sampling of the wonderful quilts this show had to offer.

Free digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

QUILT MARKET BOOTH

Diamond Textiles, who manufactures the yarn-dyed woven cottons we carry and use in many designs, displayed our Baskets Runner model in their booth at Quilt Market this spring.

Diamond sent me this picture but didn't identify that beautiful quilt and wall hanging.  Love both of those don't you?   Woven cottons . . what is not to love.

Well Janet is the winner of our

Baskets Runner & Placemats pattern.

Congratulations Janet!  Can't wait to see your version.