Minnesota Shop Hop Fabric

Yesterday I took my friend Mary to White Bear Lake for the day to celebrate her birthday.  First I must say that it was a beautiful Minnesota summer day.  Moderate temperatures, sunshine, light breeze.  Just perfect. We arrived in White Bear to a bustle of activity.  One street was blocked off for a Farmer’s Market.  So we strolled and checked out all the local produce. Next to Washington Square for lunch.  They have a beautiful patio and we snagged a table in the corner under an umbrella.  We ate a leisurely 2 hour lunch in the company of some gorgeous flowers.  

Then we headed out on foot for a little shopping.  Good Things was having a sale and besides they always have cute things to look at even if you’re not interested in buying.  We each found a little treasure we needed to have.   Finally we crossed the street to the Bear Patch Quilt Shop.  It was filled with women – literally.  I wondered what was going on and soon found out a busload of shoppers had stopped for the Minnesota Shop Hop tour.  For some reason I thought the hop started on August 1, but I was wrong.  Yesterday was the official starting day.    

It worked out okay, since I shopped while most of the hoppers stood in line to check out.  I got caught up in the excitement and bought some of the Minnesota Shop Hop fabric.  Not too much, but enough to sew up a few runners.

  

The Spoon and the Cherry sculpture, the Capital, Splitrock Lighthouse, and Paul Bunyan with Babe the Blue Ox . . . . .  how fun.

New Fabric Lust

I walked into my local quilt shop to pick up a pattern where I was greeted by a gorgeous new line of fabric.  It’s called Aviary and was designed by 3 Sisters for Moda.  It is truly pastel, which doesn’t usually call to me, but this was absolutely beautiful.   

It required a great deal of will power to leave with buying any of this fabric. I had to keep my hands in my pockets, because I knew if I touched it it would be all over!

I couldn’t quit thinking about it so I headed to the Moda website to take another look at it.  I found what they call a Swatch Page, which they say is “great for a shopping list to print and take into your favorite quilt or specialty store.”  A fun part of it is you can see the whole line.

aviary-fabric

Here’s a free pattern also provided by Moda.  Don’t really love it, but take a look and see for yourself.

aviary-free-pattern

If you have a passion for pastel, you have to see this line.

Anyone want to take bets on how long I’ll hold out before buying some of this?

Jan

PS Don’t tell my husband.

 

 

Mini Shop Hop

Today I went galavanting with my friend Geri.  We headed to Bear Patch Quilt Shop in White Bear Lake.  Even though I wasn’t planning on spending much, I found some treasures I had to have.  

Birthday fabric!  The happy birthday and ballon fabrics are my favorites.  Add a few solids and it’ll be perfect for a table runner.  The line is called Hallmark Birthday by Free Spirit.  Isn’t it fun?

I also had to have Cupcakes. This line is Sweets and Treats by Timeless Treasures Fabric.  Pattern # FUN-C 1264. Don’t know yet what I’ll do with it.  I have to ponder it a while.  Any suggestions?

Then I picked up an Easter Mini Braid Runner Kit.  The pattern is from Quiltie Trio by GE Designs.  The designer is Gudron Erla , a Minnesota designer.  Included is the top, binding, batting and backing.  Since it’s a quilt as you go pattern, it’ll be done in a snap.  The fabric are little Easter prints by Fabri-Quilt Inc.

We walked down the block after our shopping spree to the Avalon Tea Room for tea and scones.  We had black currant tea and a lemon poppy seed and a cream scone.  I have to say the scones were the best I’ve ever tasted.  Light and airy and delicious. When we asked about them we were told they were made with cream.  Mmmm!

Fun day.

Jan

Swanky!

swanky  (swang-kee)

elegant or ostentatious

synonyms: stylish, chic,  smart, fashionable

What a fun name for a fabric line.  I love Moda and they usually don’t disappoint.  So when my friend Deb and I visited the Blue Bamboo a few weeks ago and found this we couldn’t resist.  Well, she couldn’t resist buying a fat quarter bundle and then she shared it with me.

We’re each making a Snapshot quilt by Terry Atkinson.  It has larger pieces that show off the fabric well.  I’ll post photos of the finished quilt soon (yeah right) maybe later.  

Here’s what Snapshots looks like.  

I found the fabric promotion on the Moda website along with a free pattern. Notice the fun names for the fabrics.  The designer of this line is Chez Moi.

swanky-fabric-pdf1

swanky-quilt-pattern-pdf

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I’ve always been a fan of Eric Carle and especially love his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. When I taught younger children I used to read it to them and do lots of fun activities with it. The caterpillar eats his way through a week’s worth of brightly painted food which leaves a hole behind in each one. The repetition is wonderful, but the illustrations are delightful. So when I saw Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric at the Lake City quilt shop, I couldn’t resist. I didn’t even try to resist. I bought a panel with large pictures of the leaf, caterpillar and butterfly. I also got some food borders. Then added two other fabrics to play around with. Maybe I’ll use them in the corners. The backing is covered with the familiar dots from the book. My friend Mary loaned me two magazines with patterns using this line. Now I just have to find the time to make the quilt. Let’s see, on Monday I can plan the quilt, on Tuesday I can cut the quilt . . . . . .

Summer Fabric

Take a look at this new fabric line called Pop Garden by Heather Bailey. I found it posted on the Quilters Buzz blog. I enjoyed the slideshow and music as much as the fabric. What a fun way to market it. I haven’t seen this line in quilt shops, have you?

Pop Garden Slideshow

Enjoy!