A Novel Idea for a Book Club

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Penny Haren

Carol Dean Jones has written a series of books covering all of our favorite topics: quilts; friendships; and even a love interest. Sixty-eight year old Sarah Miller moves into a retirement community and finds herself in the midst of crimes to solve.

I have listed the books in order of publication:

These books are due to arrive the end of the summer and would be a great Christmas gift! Or why not start a book club at your shop and explore the quilt patterns and techniques in each book each month???

Sassafras Lane Knows no Boundries

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Penny Haren

I have loved these gals for years! And their new releases at this Market shows their versatility and quirky personalities!

This pattern includes a complete alphabet so you can say whatever you want to say! I can’t wait to do a wall of inspirational sayings for everyone on my Christmas list! Cute, personal, and doable!

If you need a baby quilt, these critters can be personalized and are absolutely charming! The quilts finish to 40 x 54 inches and include full sized reversed images and alphabet so these really can be completed in an afternoon. Then stretch the other critters in a smaller size over a canvas for wall decorations.

Why not throw in some Christmas as well? These Santas and trees are a perfect way to use up scraps. They have even packaged the rings for you!

Told you! Three different genres – and all are stars! These will be arriving soon so place your order now!

Backings that will Blow your Mind

Posted on May 27, 2018 by Penny Haren

This was my absolute favorite pick at Market! The folks at Hoffman are so creative but these new digitally printed backings are over the top!

If these allover 104″ wide prints weren’t enough, check these out! With digital printing they don’t have the constraints of a repeat so anything is possible!

And then there is this 108″ version which I love! I am going to be grandma of the year when I do the girls rooms in this. The curtains are a show stopper!

Most of these fabrics are available in 44″ wide as well so it is easy to coordinate the entire room. Remember – with backings, you can’t just order one bolt and satisfy your customers! Why not do an email blast and take pre-orders?

And when they arrive, display them on a curtain rod so customers can see the entire panel. They literally take your breath away!

3 Wishes – Affordable Fabric with Style

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Penny Haren

3 Wishes Fabric is releasing several small collections at reasonable prices. Check these out!

To see all of their lines, visit our website. The quality is good and the prices are amazing: 3 Wishes Fabric

Diamonds Are this Girl’s Best Friend

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Penny Haren

Remember the name Krista Moser because she is going to be a superstar! This gal has it all, talent, color sense, marketing sense – and the most important of all of the senses – common sense! When a relatively new designer has four patterns in the top 100, I take notice – and you should too!

Krista designed the Creative Grids® newest 60-degree Diamond ruler. This Cut Loose Press™ pattern is so simple, even I could make it. It is all done out of 2-1/2″ strips which makes it easy to market!

Or choose this simple Cut Loose Press™ baby quilt that features the hexie aspect of the tool:

Many of you are already kitting and teaching the Aztec Table Runner which can be made with the 60-degree aspect of the tool as well.

Once you know how to use the ruler, these patterns are a piece of cake. They look like you worked really hard but are actually week-end projects once you know her techniques!

And here is the star of the show – the Creative Grids® 60-degree Diamond Ruler:

Why not start a series of classes, showcasing a different element of the tool each month? Your customers will love you for it!

The Witches are Baking at Kimberbell

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Penny Haren

I ran into Kim from Kimberbell while we were setting up the booth and she told me that Broomhilda was visiting.

The description for this is so darn cute – you can’t improve on perfection so I am not even going to try:

Come sit for a spell in Broomhilda’s Bakery where every ghoul-friend is welcome! Hang your hat and rest your witchy toes, while sampling the spooky sweets like Boo-Berry Pie and Rice-Creepy Treats. Kimberbell’s vinyl and glitter sheets conjure the cutest applique with charming frogs under glass, plus diva witch hats and high heels. All the extraordinary embellishments like Mylar candy corns and flowers, fuzzy fringed spiders, and Broomhilda’s collection of eyeballs will have you screaming in a good way.

Kimberbell’s spook-tacular new quilt features: 26 embroidered blocks, Flying Geese (pieced in the hoop) and three more traditionally pieced blocks include Pinwheel, Four-patch, and Broomhilda’s twist on a Sawtooth block, which she calls the Sweet-tooth Star. Plus 4 pieced picture blocks, where the sections are embroidered separately, then applique images are aligned before piecing the blocks together to make a complete picture. The quilt can be made with the 4×4 and 5×7 hoop sizes.

Broomhilda’s Bonus projects include:
Smell my Feet Tea Towel
Face First Frosted Cupcake Hot Pad (4 sizes)
Suspiciously Sweet Table Runner (2 sizes)
Apothecary Jar Wall Hanging (2 sizes)
Under Your Spell Bench Buddy

And, in typical Kimberbell style, she has included an embellishment kit that includes everything to make this sing!

Don’t have an embroidery machine? It’s okay. there is a version for you as well!

And, of course there is a fabric line to make it all oh so easy!

Everything will be in stock by next month so plan your classes now!

Scallops aren’t just for the Beach

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Penny Haren

I am in Portland and the excitement started right when I landed. I ran into Christine Poor of Poorhouse Designs at the airport. If her luggage arrived safely, I will actually get to see the originals tomorrow.

She uses a no binding technique that sounds appealing. I can’t wait to stop by her booth and see how it is done. The purse and clutch are made with one package of Bosal pre-cuts. Buy two because you are going to want to make the placemats as well!

They come in In-R-Form or Craft-Tex. Choose your favorite product or make samples in both so customers can feel the difference!

We have a new baby at our house so I want to make a set as changing pads! Wouldn’t that be adorable??

Everything should be in stock by the end of the month so order them now!

Start a Table Runner Club

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Penny Haren

Kathy Skomp of Lavender Lime Quilting has quite an imagination! She has created 20 table runners – 10 pieced and 10 appliqued – all of them are charming!

The awe factor? Any design from a table runner can be turned into a darling placemat so there are TONS of options! What a great basis for a series of classes! Why not make one a month for a gift that keeps on giving?

Storage at its Best

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Penny Haren

These new storage containers by Art Bin are designed to fit in their ever-popular Super Satchel containers.

They come in four sizes – Large Short and Large Tall:

And Small Short and Small Tall:

These all have screw tops and are also designed to screw to each other! These will be arriving soon so start planning how many you need. Each size comes in sets of three. Now what to put in them????