Perfect Pumpkins

Autumn! What a gorgeous time of year! Change is in the air, and every warm, sunny day is honored for its beauty! Our attentions turn toward home and hearth- is it any wonder that more home decorating is done now than at any other time of the year? It seems to resonate with nature itself; our nesting instinct kicks in for the long winter ahead. Beautiful touches around your home are easy to do and will warm your heart as the days get chillier. This sweet candle mat can easily be done to enjoy for the rest of the season. The rich, pumpkin colored wools really "pop" against the black wool background, and would make a perfect centerpiece for your fall dinners. Happy Stitching! Katie and Lisa

Thimbleberries Harvest Party

Just a little reminder of our upcoming Harvest Party: Saturday, October 12 at 11:30 a.m. Don't forget to bring your Fall Treat Bag, (don't forget the treat inside!!) and your Challenge Tablerunner (if you chose to make one). I've included a sneak peek of my little treat bag. This is a fun and easy design by Crabapple Hill, and someone at the party is going to get to take one of these cuties home! Inspiration is right outside your front door, as our fall colors continue to get more and more brilliant. So, take a few moments away from your canning and wood stacking, and make something fun that will last for several seasons to come! See you soon! Katie and Lisa

Back to School Night!

September brings fond memories of new school clothes, books, crayons and pencils. There is a tangible excitement in the air of being with friends and learning something new. Well, who says you can't start over?! We are getting very excited about our own brand new "school" here at the shop. Mark your calendars for Monday, Sept. 22 at 4:45 pm for Applique 101. Come for a light supper and learn why you are missing out on some beautiful quilts because you "don't do that kind of thing!" We will be exploring LOTS of different ways to do applique- YOU pick the project and the technique you're comfortable with as we go along! This is open to "kindergartener" as well as "senior"- just bring a pair of small scissors. We hope to see you there, and remember- don't be late for school! Happy Stitching, Katie and Lisa

Summer Olympics- Go USA!!!

Katie and I have been looking forward to the Olympics for some time. However, being quilters, the most pressing questions were not about the athletes, but more along the lines of, "What handwork do I want to work on during the 24/7 coverage for 17 days?!!" We are both serious sports fans - from the couch, of course! - so the question was a big one. Timing is everything! Handwork, whether it be wool or embroidery, like our darling "Country Kitchen" sample, is perfect for picking up or putting down at a tense moment's notice - AND you are not in danger of sewing 80 half-square triangles together incorrectly while engrossed in a good beach volleyball rally!! With handwork, there is NO danger of missing one of Michael Phelps' heartstopping finishes! And, we have found handwork to be incredibly soothing. After watching American gymnasts Nastia and Shawn finish first and second at midnight, who could go right to sleep after that performance?!! So, with 8 days still to go, it's not too late to pick up some handwork and make something sweet you'll enjoy for many more Olympic seasons to come. Go USA!!!

Which came first... the flowers or the quilt???

Of course, all the talk in the shop this week is, "How does your garden grow?", which got us to wondering.... where do your best ideas for quilts come from? Are they from your garden? Many quilters are also avid gardeners, and up here in snow country that is no easy task! But, it is worth the extra effort, as we often draw inspiration from the amazing colors nature offers us in our gardens- as well as our gorgeous blue summer sky, bright yellow dandelions, and green aspens fluttering in the breeze. Who can help but be inspired?! Katie has started some wonderful garden blocks by designer Sue Spargo. Her inspiration came from a late winter trip to Arizona, so it is very safe to say the blocks came before her flowers- long before! We'd love to hear what makes you run to your sewing rooms with beautiful quilts in your head! Happy stitching AND gardening, Katie & Lisa

Our Talented Gals!

What a delightful time we had on Saturday! The weather cooperated perfectly, and the quilts shone like jewels in the sun! The quilt shown here is an original design made by Joyce Alexander. Darling! Thank you, thank you, thank you, ladies- you truly outdid yourselves! And, wasn't the food yummy?! We thought we'd take a minute and share all of our shop "groups" with you. We hope you'll join us for one this summer! "Wild 'n Wooly Women" is a fun-loving and creative group that meets the 3rd Wednesday each month at 1:00- they love the wool! "Sew & Sews" is a talented group that meets the 1st and 4th Thursday of every month at 1:00- handwork of all kinds is the focus here! Our fun and friendly Thimbleberries group meets the 2nd Saturday every month at 11:30 to pick up patterns, kits- and socialize, of course! And, coming soon, our newest gathering will focus on hand applique- made easy! Stop in the next time you're in town, and see what we're stitching!

Thimbleberries Club Picnic

Our Thimbleberries Club meeting is rapidly approaching, so it's time to give our members some specifics. We're meeting this Saturday at the shop, at 11:00 a.m. for a good, old-fashioned picnic! We're going casual and relaxed, so wear a comfy pair of jeans- you might spill some BBQ sauce on them! Yum! Also, please bring your completed challenge project, as we will be voting on them. I think we are all in for a huge treat! Katie and I have been given some sneak peeks- wow, you gals are SO talented! So, come celebrate Flag Day at Huckleberry Patches and be inspired! See you there!