New Project help

So I was discussing with a customer the other day about putting together a kid's embroidery learning kit (that will be another post at a later date) and she brought me down her old teaching book from the 40s.

It is just such a neat book in general, but I wanted to share a part with you, that I thought was begging to be stitched up.  Look at these calendars! Are they not just the coolest? There is of course one for every month, but I didn't want to overload the post with them all.  

I am thinking of enlarging them and stitching them 11" x17", using a dowel at the top and bottom to hang them taught. I  want to use these in our home with some sort of embroidered pins so the dates can change from year to year. But the tough question is all in redwork? or colorful? Ahhhhh I can't decide. Anyone? thoughts?

This will be the largest embroidery project I have ever done. I am excited to work on it though--it is something I want to get done before we have kids. I know life gets busy and I probably won't be able to make time for it later. Has anyone else out there done a calendar project like this?

Happy Stitching All!

Brooke

A Quilt From the Past

While I was at Quilt Market, I was fortunate enough to have a beautiful story shared with me. This quilt began with the hand embroidered blocks from our Dutch Motifs (#3021) pattern, many many years ago. When Betty B. (shown standing next to her quilt) was a girl she embroidered these blocks. She recently found them again and decided to embark on her first quilt project. Her daughter Marlene designed the quilt (in a very cute dutch windmill inspired way I might add), and Betty hand pieced all the blocks together and then quilted it by hand. I cannot imagine the hours she put into this quilt--but it certainly was worth it. What a treasure! I am so thankful they shared it with us. I hear that Betty is onto her next quilt (using a machine this time) and we can't wait to see what she does next. Good luck Betty and thanks for sharing! We are touched by your beautiful quilt!

Dutch Quilt pieced and quilted by hand - Betty B. Meza, Arizona

Quilt Pattern by Marlene Oddie of KISSed quilts (check out her website here)

Happy Stitching All!
-Brooke

Wool Embroidery Thread

I saw this beautiful Genziana Wool (12wt) embroidery thread at the Quilt Market.

I just had to share with you all. Traditionally this was used in Crewel Embroidery, but I think you could use it just on about any type of stitching. It is so beautiful and has such a great texture. If you have never worked with it before, give it a try, I think you will like it!

And of course if you want to break into the Crewel stitchery world...there is no better place to start :)

You can purchase any one of the yummy colors on Sue Spargo's website here. They retail for $7.50 each or you can get a whole variety of them at a little discount.
Don't forget you can upload your embroidery projects on our flickr page--hope to see some Crewel work there soon!

Happy Stitching & Happy Friday!!
Brooke

Quilt Show details

Montana Tigers by Karlyn bue Lohrenz
Quilt is 49.5" x 61" finished

There were so many beautiful quilts at the market last week. Here are a few of the details from the quilts I saw. They are just breathtaking!

Can you see all this detail...it was just so intricate and detailed. Very very well done!

The details on this quilt were AMAZING! Such beautiful hand embroidery on each panel. 

Brown Bird's Lullaby 
by SALLY MAGEE
of HEATH, TEXAS

Mission: Impeccable 
by KUMIKO FRYDL
of HOUSTON, TEXAS

detail of Mission: Impeccable

Monk in the Doorway
by JULIE DUSCHACK
of DENMARK, WISCONSIN

This was my favorite quilt of the whole show. She used metallic threads throughout the quilt and it was just breathtaking. The two detail shots I took are below.

     

 Congratulations to all these winners. These quilts are true works of art and I cannot wait to see what will be at the show next year. These artists labor for years on these quilts--something that requires true discipline. Well done everyone! Thanks for all the inspiration and beauty!

Cheers!
Brooke

Retro Clean!

While at the Quilt Market in Salt Lake City I stumbled upon this AWESOME product!

You soak your old quilts, tea towels, dresser scarves or hankies in this stuff and it brings them back to life!

The quilt below was soaked on the right side and the left side was left alone--you can see the difference.

And then there is this gem. Isn't it a BEAUTIFUL quilt?
So glad they could restore it! Go to their website to see the before and after!

I have a few older quilts I purchased at flea markets and I can't wait to use this stuff. I will let you all know how it comes out when I do! Until then you can check out their website and get some for yourself!

Happy Stitching (and restoring) All!
-Brooke

Quilts of Valor

The Quilt Market in Salt Lake had an special exhibit this year...Quilts of Valor. These were all made for a service man or woman. They are just so beautiful. Such a wonderful way to honor someone.

Close up from the Quilt above

This one might be my favorite. I just love the subtle zig zag in the red and the stars. Very beautiful. 

Since 2003, the Quilts of  Valor Foundation has distributed over 40,000 quilts to service men and women made by QOV volunteers. Check out their website and find out how you can help honor these men and women who keep our country safe. Tell us about who you have in your life that serves our country-We would like to say thank you to all those who sacrifice so we can be free Americans.

-Brooke

Back from Quilt Market!!

Well the trip to Florida ended with 10 of the 15 of us getting the stomach flu...so the first few days were wonderful, but the last two were not so much fun :(
By the time I got well it was time to leave again for Salt lake City and the Quilt Market.

Majestic Bugs 
by IRENA BLUHM
of ANTLERS, OKLAHOMA

We had a 10ft booth and displayed all the new items we brought with us. It was a great weekend, and I have SO much stuff to share with you. Here are a few sneak peaks from the weekend...more to come this week!

Now, thats a lot of creative genius in one place! The inspiration was OVERWHELMING!!

Such beautiful colors and quilting!

 More this week..back to answering calls and emails!

Happy Stitching all!

Brooke