back to school sale

did you know we have over 100 moda marbles in stock now?

and this week they are all on sale for just $5.00 per yard.  no limits. no fine print. other than hurry. sale ends this saturday, september 3.

summer nights...

...are coming to an end i'm afraid. i feel the dampness and mild chill setting in when the sun goes down.  that means it's time to change the front window...

...i love autumn. i really, really do. yet it will be hard to take this one down. summer house by lily ashbury for moda, has been the most talked about window display we've done to date.  the bright colors sparkle from the busy street when the sky goes dark and the spotlights come on.

folks who rarely, if ever, have a needle in their hand have been stopping me at the bank, grocery store and sporting events to tell me how it has caught their attention. summer house is supported perfectly with just wing it by momo on the left and spirit by lila tueller on the right. 

much of the fabric has sold from the night i took this picture. i'm finding it is hard to sell the last yard or so from some of my favorite bolts.  though it's a temporary sadness i've learned.  replaced with an extreme happy satisfaction as customers return to show the fabric in their completed creations.

the beautiful hanging quilt was made by helen of pine tree lodge.  the table topper on the left by crystal of frivolous necessity.

nine dots...sarah's way...

yesterday i posted my favorite combination...today sarah is showing hers...

customers often ask how i select what comes into the store. usually it is just my love for the fabric. it was a bit different with nine dots, i ordered this collection sight unseen. i've never done this before. yet there was a reason.

a few months back there was a rather ugly debate going around the blogosphere. it started by a few bloggers questioning the current status of quilting and whether the introduction of pre-cuts and simple patterns had "dummied down" the industry. as i read the original posts and the comment threads, i could not help but feel the premise was basically stating that projects were now so easy any "mentally challenged person" could do them.  and as a mother of a daughter with down syndrome, that hit a raw nerve. 

so i left a comment on a blog. carrie nelson's to be exact. how she got pulled into this conversation i'm still not sure, as her patterns are definitely not simple in my book. here is what i wrote...I am so delayed in joining this conversation, missed the post you are referencing however, what exactly does "dumbing or dumming down" mean? As a shop owner who's mission is to employ young adults with developmental disabilities, I can't help but wonder if it is either directly or indirectly making light of this population of individuals. Whether we are novices or experts in the fiber arts world, why would we need to do this? Why the need to be so critical?  

within the hour, i received an email back from carrie. it was kind, thoughtful and apologetic to think her words or the words of others could be taken this way. i was most impressed and appreciative of her time. we continued to email back and forth for a few days. unfortunately carrie was not able to make it to quilt market and i was unable to see her newest fabric collection. when i returned home i ordered it anyway, feeling a human connection to a beautiful soul. quite honestly i was just a little nervous to open the box. huge sigh of relief combined with extreme excitement!! nine dots truly did not disappoint. it is eye candy for sure.  

hop over to carrie’s blog to read more about her interpretation of nine dots.

for all of you wondering if we have fat quarter bundles available...

...we're working on it. they should be ready by mid afternoon. that is if a certain someone doesn't decide to take another nap:)

simply dreamy...

a feeling of tranquility radiates from these bolts...

nine dots by carrie nelson of miss rosie's quilt co for henry glass fabrics. in soft yellow, grays and aqua. 

 

beach babes...

it's not often the perfect pair of models are in the store together...

sarah's music therapist, bonnie of the groovy garfoose just happened to stop by for a visit as we were opening our going coastal treasures.  quilt by lu of for the love designs. apron by suzy of the apron addict. and the cute dress by jessie of jamn'jelli. come in and experience the waves with us.

going coastal...

we are starting to receive fabric that we ordered at spring quilt market. and that is super exciting. the most recent delivery is our very first from michael miller fabrics. and the first fabric collection designed by emily herrick...

we had the pleasure of meeting emily and chatting for some time. her inspirational journey to market is one to read for sure. a very recent encounter with thyroid cancer, has left her with a scar in her neck. and that is something to which our sarah can very much relate. so they shared stories of healing, fabric sensitivities, and shirt necklines, while i drooled over going coastal.

the funny thing is...i don't often, as in extremely rarely, go to a coast. i don't boat. i don't own a beach house. i don't eat crab. but there is just something about going coastal that i absolutely love.  and i think you will too.  it's on the shelves today.

got crabs?

apparently there is a rumor floating around...

that we have crabs...in a box...

sweetness everywhere...

such a week. our appreciation to all of our friends and customers overfloweth.  we are so fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

just in case you missed it, we had not just one but two designing celebrities in the house on saturday...vickie eapen of spun sugar quilts and a surprise visit by rebecca silbaugh of ruby blue quilting studio.  how exciting for us and all gathered around.

vickie not only autographed the page with her pattern in the new and delightful book, fresh fabric treats, she also gave us a demonstration of paper piecing.  late breaking update...see that adorable little bag...the one with the bright green zipper...if you hop on over to the moda bake shop you will find a tutorial to make your own...compliments of vickie. 

it is always fascinating to watch a new technique or even if it's not new, picking up little pointers from those more experienced.  such as...tiny little needles make for tiny little stitches.  btw...that quilt draped on the table...the one made with me & my sister...that's the real thing.   

vickie was so gracious to pose for pics with our customers, velta and paula...

...and with the chief fabric organizer and the birthday girl. thank you everyone. we are off to a great beginning into year two. we are more excited than ever.

sweet treat extravaganza...

it only happens once in a lifetime. so we decided to make it sweet and grand...

please join us for

our first anniversary

sweet treat extravaganza

where all treats are on

SALE

jelly rolls ~ $20.00

layer cakes ~ $20.00

honey buns ~ $15.00

charm packs ~ $5.00

and just to make it even sweeter

all patterns are 50% off

marked prices

and if that is not sweet enough

we will even stamp your

frequent buyer cards during this sale

hurry though

it only lasts for three days

thursday, august 11

friday, august 12

saturday, august 13

plus...on saturday, august 13 from

10:30 ~ 12:30

Vickie Eapen

of Spun Sugar Quilts will be in the store...

to autograph your Fresh Fabric Treats book.  Vickie is an amazing woman, talented quilter, cover girl, pattern designer, wife, mother and lucky for us, a friend.  If you already own a copy of this great book, feel free to bring it with you.  If you don't yet have your own personal copy we will have them available for $20.00 with all proceeds going to Reece's Rainbow. 

more treats arriving...

have you heard the news?...

...we are having a sweet treat extravaganza...next week...stay tuned for details.

worth every calorie...

the secret is out...

stay tuned for a sweet treat of a deal coming up very soon.

sweet tease...

sunday sweetness...

from the creatively loving hands of our very own sarah...

...to eva noel hook...now with her graciously loving forever family. to read more...click here.

hope, joy, love & peace...

our christmas in july sale is about to come to a close.

photo does not guarantee availability

don't miss the countdown to christmas as the calendar rolls one month closer to december. today is the last day to purchase all your holiday fabrics at just $5.00 per yard. be early as bolts are disappearing rapidly.  quilt and pillow in countdown to christmas by sweetwater for moda by crystal  of frivolous necessity (pattern available in her etsy shop and our shop) and large selvage stocking from kathi's christmas on etsy.

open late tonight...

yes we know it's friday.  we don't want anyone to be left in the cold...

and miss our christmas in july sale. so tonight we stay open until 8:00 pm or such time the music stops playing because the party is over. in other words, we will stay as late as we need to so you...our cherished customers...are happy.  remember...all fabric in our christmas room is $5.00 per yard only thru saturday.

a holiday treat...

it's the little things in life...

...like chocolate, peppermint and gum drops, that help us get through the day.  a little christmas fabric at $5.00 per yard helps too. now through saturday only. hurry. it's going fast. both the chocolate and the fabric.  that cute little candy mat is by jennifer over at the bright spot on etsy. 

it's time...

for our first annual christmas in july sale!!!

for one week only beginning today 7/26 thru 7/30, all christmas fabric will be just $5.00 per yard. see website for further details. hurry in for best selections as this sale will go public in the newspapers on thursday. featured...flurry by kate spain. 

terrain in kate's korner...

rumors spread so quickly amongst the quilters in northeast ohio...

yes indeedy, there are were twelve charm packs and one fat eighth bundle of terrain in the attic of the house within the house.  i believe as of today we are down to six. not to worry though, there will be more coming along with the fabric sometime in september.  so glad kate got this amazing autumn collection completed before franny and lou came along. i don't think she is spending much time designing these days. her inbox is full of other things. i bet they would like to meet zipper one day.

girls just wanna have fun...

the mayfield village quilt guild came to visit. and golly did we have fun...

sharing, laughing, and learning. and then they took us to lunch at brio. thanks ladies. we truly enjoyed your company.

summer house...

it's for sure summer in the house...

with our newest addition, summer house by lily ashbury for moda.  actually lily ashbury is designed not by a lily but by stephanie carter and team. hop on over to the official lily ashbury blog quickly and you might just win a jelly roll of summer house. if by some chance you don't win, come into our house where it looks like summer every day of the year.  summer house bolts just arrived today and are front row and center for your viewing enjoyment.

pillowcases for kristen...

sarah ely and kristen kirton

two young women who change the world

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

one million pillowcase challenge

 sew in

july 20, 2011

10:00am - 5:00pm

.

our goal is to make another 50 pillowcases on that 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. can't make it that day. please feel free to stop in and pick up a kit or bring us your already completed pillowcases.

frivolous necessity...

you've asked. and asked. and asked and asked. and asked some more. and guess what...

crystal of frivolous necessity has been feverishly working behind the scenes to prepare patterns for you.  the best news...they are now in the shop for your purchase.  i would say hurry.  but something tells me i don't need to this time. y'all will be running. especially, for the woven basket.  don't see the one your looking for? be patient. crystal is hard at work creating even more patterns for your enjoyment.  

who's birthday is it...

...why it's mine and yours!!! 

everyday is like a birthday party when the big brown truck arrives.

hip happy lily

my favorite lily was in today. she has been saving her money for something special...

...this funky heart & paisley print from the hip happy collection by lizziebcre8ive. lily carefully counted out her money from the hot pink sparkly change purse she carried today. she had just enough to buy what she needed to make a skirt. i can't wait to see how cute it is the next time lily comes in. grandma edna is helping lily learn to sew. please make time to inspire one another. the next generation will appreciate your time and creativity will evolve.  happy stitching lily.

let freedom ring...

we just love our red, white & blue. so excited to have a very good reason to bring it to the front window...

it just sparkles with the night time lights shining upon it.  red & blue batiks, quilts of valor collection from red rooster, several different collections from minick & simpson for moda including their latest charlevoix.

how very blessed we are to live in this magnificent country. our independence does not come without sacrifice and we wish to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who work tirelessly and without fanfare to protect our freedom.

.

we will be closed on sunday 7/3  and monday 7/4. then we will be open our regular hours beginning on tuesday 7/5 when all red, white & blue fabrics will be...Buy One Yard...Get One Yard Free*. that's just $8.00 for two yards of quilt quality fabric!!!
.

*full yard cuts only. price does not apply to previous purchases and no rainchecks will be granted.