5th Saturday challenge reveal.

We had a great reveal for our 5th Saturday challenge. .  . we only had seven completed entries this time (our smallest number ever), but they were, as always, amazing.

The challenge this time was very different than it has been in the past.  We gave the contestants a concept, "celebration" . . . and nothing more.  They were free to develop the theme in any way, taking it wherever their minds wandered.  Several people connected the theme to celebrating family in a variety of ways:  remembering a recently deceased mother, recreating a loved childhood doll, recording events and dates (weddings, births, etc.), while others thought of celebrations of birth, life and nature.   

Voting by our customers will continue from now through Saturday, July 13th.  Hope you are able to stop by to see them close up, but for those who aren't local, here are some great pictures.  (There are no names attached to these because voting is anonymous, of course!  And, they are in no particular order, just posted in the order they came off the file in my computer.)



Birthday celebration banner



A celebration cake!



Celebrating nature & the outdoors



 a replica of a 1950's doll

the pattern is 4th of July by Judy Neimeyer

a wedding ring hanging celebrating 3 generations of marriages, including fabrics from each wedding



one of eleven (yes!) quilts made using mom's blouses and buttons, so that each family member could have a remembrance



We had a great turn out at our Post Market Demonstration Day events yesterday -- it was wonderful to see so many interested (and interesting) people in the shop!  For those of you who couldn't be there, here are a few highlights:


We showed these two cute wall hangings/table runners (you choose the way you use them) from the Snap Sack series that we're starting to carry.  The great thing about these kits (besides the price!) is that they include everything:  pattern, fabrics for the quilt AND backing and binding fabrics.  Grab some thread and you are ready to go.   They were quite a hit -- we were sold out of Liberty Bell by the end of the second session, more on order! (Snap Sacks are a product of Hummingbird Highway and are available only through independent quilt shops, so give us a call if you want one!)

Liberty Bell on the left; Picnic Pickin's  on the right

Martha demonstrated a great binding tool  that is a "must-have" tool for every quilter.  It makes it easy to create a perfect seam where the two ends of the binding come together on a quilt.  Two measurements, two cuts and you're on your way to a great finish.  Easy to follow instructions are printed on the tool. Yes, we sold out of them by the end of the day, but we already have more on order, and we expect this will be a standard item in the shop from now on.  Here's a picture, it doesn't look like much, but it works like magic!

We talked about the two new classes Martha's going to be teaching this summer, and already have a long list of interested students.  You'll want to sign up for one or both:

Radiant Landscapes
Saturday July 20th

Round and Round
Monday June 24th

Seeing and touching the bead boxes generated a lot of enthusiasm for Linda's upcoming classes . . . the Monday sessions are full but there is still room in the Saturday classes to be held in August.

Choose from a BUNCH of colorways; Linda has complete kits put together,
 you just pick one up and start beading (in class, that is!)

We had great fun sharing a slide show of some of the market highlights . . . and it's "sew" nice to be back home with our customers and friends.  We gave away four bags of goodies as door prizes, and we've got at least one customer who can no longer say "I never win anything" because she did!

 

As we usually do on Demonstration Day, we showed everyone a few new and fun items.  For instance, how about a flash drive (2GB storage) in the form of a tape measure or sewing machine!  They come complete with a small chain for handy carrying or attaching to a strap in your purse or laptop carrier.

How cute are these . . . for easy storing and transfer of all your sewing related information,
digitized files for an embroidery machine, photos or whatever strikes your fancy!