california here i come...

oh wait...wrong direction. looky what came to us today...

free coffee...

during the entire month of january...

free pouch of coffee with your purchase of anything java. we have the entire collection of deb strain's java in the house, including pre-cuts. all yardage is $8.00 per yard. charm packs are also $8.00. jelly rolls and layer cakes are $30.00. hurry though, the pre-cuts are going fast.

meet erika and livia...

it was a great afternoon in the house of fabric. we had two young helpers willing to give their saturday afternoon to make pillowcases in memory of kristen.


erika came directly from her basketball game. she has never been on a sewing machine before, so this was a new experience for her.

i loved seeing the girls interact as they worked. this is what sarah's sewcial lounge is all about.

livia learned that an iron can be as important as a sewing machine.

erika caught on quickly. notice her excellent hand placement as she is quiding the fabric along.

livia readies the facing by pinning it under for the final stitching. she likes how this will create a clean smooth finish to the pillowcase.

two beautiful cases completed with kate spain's verna. the machines are set up and ready for your use. if you can't make it on thursday feel free to drop in anytime this week. thank you marci and joellen for bringing your beautiful girls in today. see you again soon.

frivolous fandango...

there is a fabulous new quilt in the store...

so awesome we moved it to the front corner. it has been stitched by the talented hands of crystal over at frivolous necessity. we also have a few items displayed that will soon be offered as classes. the table runner will be taught by becky utilizing a whistlepig creek pattern. it cleverly features prairie points as the edging, so if you are wanting to learn that technique this will be the class for you. the cute bag by me and my sister will be taught by joyce, no not me, another joyce who just happens to also have a daughter named sarah. watch the website for the class schedule very soon.

beauty from the inside out...

oh how i love when the snow waits to fall...

until i'm inside the store. it's so pretty looking out. i think the snowflake swirls falling in the front window were a good selection for january. although i must confess that wasn't such a hard decision here in cleveland, ohio. i just heard there was snow in 49 states today. we're thinking of our fellow shop owners out there in warmer climates not used to struggling with the snow. just try to remember, this too shall melt...it's just a matter of time:)

cup-o-joe anyone?

another evening introduction...

there's nothing like a good fresh cup of coffee on a cold january night. our new window display features java by deb strain for moda. deep, rich colors in teals, reds, burnt oranges, tans and browns. the stripes, dots and circles make them perfect for blending with other fabric projects. or select the coffee beans, espresso words or panels to make an entire project suitable for the kitchen or dining room. also offered are a few bolts that appear to be dyed with coffee, so real looking you will need a double shot.

one million pillowcase challenge

sarah ely and kristen kirton

two young women who changed the world

please join us at JEllen's house of fabric for our:

one million pillowcase challenge

kickoff party

january 20, 2011

10:00am - 8:00pm

special dedication and prayer service

7:00 pm

.

our goal is to make 50 pillowcases in one day in loving memory of kristen ann kirton who lost her brave battle with leukemia on july 20, 2010. kristen taught the world so much in her short 24 years and we want to help her family continue to share her shining light. we will have pre-cut kits ready and sewing machines available. we need your time and extra hands. questions? please call the shop at 440-684-9830.

you brought me to my knees...

what a day it has been. it started like most others. unlock the door, turn on the lights, cash into the drawer, check thermostats. greet customers, cut fabric, return bolts to original position. and then about 3:00 or so...

the fabric gates opened. and time stood still. or rather it blurred in a state of frenzy. by about 4:50 i was about done. my arms, my legs, even my brain were yelling stop, stop, please stop. yet not to fear, my higher power was watching over me knowing just what i needed and a knight in shining armor, or in this case a brown hoodie, arrived for my rescue...

"joyce (i melt when he says my name) how are you going to get out? wait, i'm coming in..."

meet ammon one of my favorite customers. ammon and james, who i must get a photo of the next time he comes in. adorable, be still my heart little boys, who love to come to the quilt shop. such a great way to close out 2010.

.

then once i was down, i realized i truly could not get up. i was that tired. so, from my knees to you...

i thank you. words truly can't articulate how much we appreciate the support of our customers.

thank you so much. thank you for your friendship. thank you for giving us a chance and thank you for supporting our first year end clearance sale. according to the register tape at closing, we sold 1,331 yards of fabric this week. amazing. simply amazing. wishing you a fun and festive new year's. see you in 2011.

last chance...

..such a beautiful sight to a shop owner the night before New Year's eve...empty bolts...lots and lots of empty bolts. There is still time to participate in this once a year incredible event...all fabric is buy one yard get one yard free...ALL FABRIC in the store...this is for real...all fabric is $4.00 per yard just until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31. Please tell your friends.

it's the year end bogo sale...

help us clear out the old to make room for the new...

yesterday we sold over 200 yards of fabric so it is going quickly. come in today for best selection.

new stockings...

i had visions...of sugarplums...and new grown up stockings this year...

afterall, i am surrounded by fabric. bolts and bolts of perfect holiday collections. i have patterns. i have batting, and thread, even adorable trim. i just have no time. so like the tailors children who had no clothes...we have new...store bought stockings.

i'm thrilled though. i did not hold out much hope for a last minute rush to buy stockings on christmas eve, but what to my startling eyes did appear...why two j's, an s and even one m. wait there's more...four stocking hangers...two girls and two trees. why it's perfect i say...for julie and john, sarah and matt...surely it's meant to be.

wishing you a very merry holiday full of wonderment and joy.

holiday winners...

announcing the winners* of our holiday drawing...

Judy Devere

Bonnie Gutman

Anne Schmidt

Karole York

Jeannette Metcalf

Shandra Belknap

Henrietta Michalko

Eileen Puette

Cathi Thomas

Ann Chevali

*(winners were randomly selected from email club forms submitted)

please come into the store to make your selection

from our 2011 Quilting Calendars

or the just delivered

2011-2012 Fiber and Fabric Mania Travel Guide

(first come, first selected)

there's still time...

to drop a hint or two or three...

We will be keeping our normal business hours through Christmas eve...

Wednesday, December 22 from 10 -5

Thursday, December 23 from 10-8

Friday, December 24 from 10-5

oh the weather outside...

oh the weather outside is frightful

but the fabric inside is delightful

and since there's no reason to go,

let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!

.

queen street is just what we need to keep us warm. and speaking of warm...such kind words over on the sis boom blog about our new little store. i am truly humbled that jennifer and madeline like our display. i must give a shout out to dj over at checker distributors for bringing this sampling of fabric for me to see. it almost didn't happen in so many ways. that's how i know it was just meant to be.

featuring queen street...

...on mayfield road. our newest window collection is ohh laa laa...sis boom ba. actually jennifer paganelli, is sis boom and she creates designs that just make me happy, happy, happy. go surf her website and blog for just a few minutes and i promise you will be in a better mood.

her newest collection is queen street for free spirit. it's been popping up everywhere lately. tv shows, magazines, celebrity's homes. the larger than life paisleys are perfection. the colors so bold and bright. just what we need in the middle of winter in cleveland, ohio.

here is a closer view inside the store. the adorable dress was made by bonnie of bonbon originals. for a limited time we will be offering queen street at our grand opening price of $8.00 per yard. we also have lots of fun trims and buttons to coordinate including a bright pink eyelash trim with crystal beads. and if you look really close you might just spot the word ellen on top of a few bolts.

it's a dottie holiday

time for a window change...we have got dot, dots and more dots for you this holiday season. big dots, little dots, dotted buttons, dotted trim, even candy dots.

there are clearly a few leaders on the color wheel. can you guess which ones? i've already checked and they cannot be reordered, so hurry to get your most desired selections. as promised, prices will remain at $8.00 a yard for moda collections through the end of the year.

The No Sew Tree Tutorial

This little tree has been the talk of the store for weeks. I call it the "no sew tree." As promised, here is a tutorial for you to make your own.


Supplies needed:
fabric - enough to make 100 3x3 squares
one Styrofoam cone - 5 1/2" x 10 -12"
100 fern pins
one bag polyfil


Start by cutting 3" x 3" squares. The tree will use approximately 100 total. I have used four different fabrics from 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain. This would also be a great project to use your scraps.

Pinch off a ball of polyfil about the size of a large cotton ball. Place it in the middle of one square on the wrong side of fabric.

Have your Styrofoam cone nearby.

Select one fern pin from the bag. These can be found in the floral supply section of a local craft store.

Fold two corners of the square together. Push the fern pin threw both layers of fabric.

With the pin pushed about three quarters of the length threw, rotate the pin to pick up the next corner. Push the fabric all the way to the top of the fern pin.

Next, flip the pin to pick up the remaining corner. Push the fabric down to form a tight puff.

If done correctly, it will look like this. It may take a few attempts to perfect your technique. If you don't like the way it looks, take the fern pin out and try again.

Once satisfied with your puff, start at the bottom of the cone and push the fern pin into the cone.

You want to position them close enough so the fabric puffs are touching.

Once the bottom row is finished, start on the second row by staggering the first puff between two puffs.

Continue around the cone repeating this step. Each puff does not need to be the exact same size.

Continue up the tree in the same fashion.

The cone narrows as you get closer to the top. To avoid the pins coming through to the other side, start pushing the pins in at a downward angle.

Once a row is complete, use both hands to shape it tightly.

Don't worry if a loose edge is showing.

Simply take your finger and tuck the fabric in between the two puffs.

Once you get to the very top, I like to take a piece of fabric, matching the puff that will be used on top, to first cover the point. This way, the white styrofoam will not be showing. Simply lay it on top and use a few straight pins to hold it in place.

Then push your final puff straight down.

You may want to add garland or bows to the tree. Simply use a straight pin to hold them to the puffs. Total time to complete: approximately one hour. For an easy no sew wreath, click HERE.

counting down with 12 days...

i must share a holiday treasure i unpacked this morning...

unfortunately this picture does not adequately convey the adorableness (is that a word?) of this darling advent calendar nor does it highlight the impeccable stitching that crystal consistently delivers. the selfish part of me does not want to share my connection, yet in all fairness i must. hop over to frivolous neccesity to see more of crystal's amazing work. i've never met her in person but we seem to share a love for the same designers, and kate spain tops our lists.

we still have some 12 days of christmas in the store. hurry though. it's going quick now that the snow is falling. for some extra holiday cheer, mention the word "crystal" and your purchase of 12 days of christmas will cost you just $5.00* per yard.

*offer applies to future purchases only and expires 12-15-10.