Mother’s everywhere this is your week!    What ever that may mean, I know it is different for us all.   This is the beautiful pink bush that blooms just for Mother’s Day every year in the front yard at my house.  I almost need my sunglasses on.  So enjoy.  I will not be able to blog next week as I am anticipating leaving for market but that totally depends on what happens with my dad in the next few days.   My intent is to try and give you an update on what the shop girls and I have been doing so you know there aren’t any slackers when it comes to the shop girls on staff.  The girls have been busy working on some new pattens and models for Orchard House my newest fabric line.  We have to have something to show at market and so guess what your getting the first peek.    I have to tell  you I love this line and I am pretty sure you will too. 

 I finally got the ”House of Blue and Browns”kitted, and the model stuffed, I have it laying on one of our new quilts.  The House of Blue and Browns is another really great quick and easy project done on 19 count Ariosa like Peter & Peep.  We have kits made up again and they are $44.90 that includes the finidhing fabric and pattern.  You can see it pictured with the “Orchard House” Quilt on the right.  This is the quilt pattern we used for our free quilt, it will be on WIndhams website. We did not have enough fabric to do it just exactly the way we had intended but guess what?   It doesn’t matter, this line is very easy to work with, everything goes and it goes with lots of other lines out there too.  We are right on with the grey colors that all the magazines are showing us.  Yeah!  I wish it was shipping in June but I’m told we have to wait until September.  I will have some flown in for us in August so we can show you something wonderful at Quilt Expo in September but there will be a limited amount.   We will offer you the option of pre-ordering the line, quilts patterns etc and Expo offerings.  You should start checking My Fabric on line because that is where I will give you ordering options.  It’s going to be a hot item, I’m not sure where we will warehouse everything we have ordered but never under estimate a quilter.  The shop girls have huge plans already, its going to be fun. 

This is “Beth’s Doll Quilt”.  Very special!  We could not dress a large bed so we did it all in miniature.  Reed loved the doll quilt but he thought it was a new place-mat pattern and thought we should have several made for us.  Actually I put it on the my harvest table and he was right.  It makes a great place-mat.  I love all of my stripes in the line they are really fun to work with and very in style.  I hope you will embrace them too, they add and really make a quilt sing. 

Suzanne worked on “Marme’s Scrap Bag Pinkeeps”.    You will enjoy the many patterns Suzanne made up and just think this could be a new quilt block for your next quilt project and the combinations really show how easy it is to work with the line.  I never get tired of seeing  a bowl of these out.  They make such great gift ideas too. 

 We have also made up a long table runner using Suzanne Friends and Neighbors pattern, I’m calling it “Hannah’s Christmas Morning Table Runner”.  The runner measures 15 1/2″ x 66″ but it could be made much longer to fit your table or serving station.  It’s festive and I can almost see that glorious bread, bacon,  and oranges the March family were going to enjoy on Christmas morning.   It will be our goal to bring all of the Little Women characters and Orcahrd House back to life. 

Selma has also made up a NEW nickel square pattern for her club with the fabrics.  I’ll show you the small version that we are taking out to the Kansas City quilt market next week.  I am really excited about this pattern.  The new line is exceptionally perfect for your holiday decorating and that would include fall into winter.  Greenery looks amazing with it and you will see you can have a quilt with more warmth or keep it vintage and subtle depending on how you chose your fabrics.  For today we will call this new country Sampler Nickel Club offering  “Hannah’s Orchard House Harvest Table Top”.   

 This auto ship will be coming out this fall.

Meanwhile Vickie has been really busy with new summer quilts.  “Flag Day”is one of her new quilts.  She tells me it is easy to put together and I really like the colors she used, it’s so Vintage and the timing is right for the  season.  It measures 60 x 60 and the kit is $62.00.  The pattern will be ready soon and can be orderd for $8.50.  The solid areas look like a plain fabric but they aren’t.  It is a soft vintage teal check from Renee Nanaman’s new Garden Gate Plaids. The other two fabric are from my American Spirit fabrics.   When Vickie gets her cover picture finished you will be able to see all of this so much better. 

I just have to show you a new mirror we have in.  This can of course be mounted on the wall but look how neat it just looks standing up against the wall.  This is a great reproduction piece, it is not something we can ship, but if you are in the area you could load it into your vehicle and take it home. This is a close up of the top and the next picture will give you a full view.  The cost of the mirror is $375.00.   We still have kits available of the reproduction quilt pictured on the bed.  It’s another fav , its done in shadowed flannel that I overdyed with Rit tan dye.. 

Before I end the blog this week I have taken more pictures of the “Orchard House Quilt” and I wanted you to see just a little more.  I love it on the table with our great reprodution candleabras.  We carry them in the metal grey color or antique white, They are $70.00.  Can you tell I just a little excited about my new line thatis about to be shown to everyone?

Have a wonderful weekend, remember we are all mothers and we will take our day off this Sunday May 13th and enjoy it!WooWho!!!!

How can it be May?  Today it is beautiful out, not too humid, yet a little warm, but the gentle breeze and sun remind me it is indeed pretty little May.   We girls finally remembered it was May Day when we were checking out yesterday, too late for May baskets that is why none of you got one.  We are all too busy!  The Dogwood is blooming in our courtyard next door, my yard is fragrant because my Azalea bush is thinking about blooming.   No matter what the weather is this hearty bush always manages to bloom for Mother’s Day.  A few of the birds we love are visiting our feeders.  No Orioles yet but there has been at least one Grosbeak.  The Scarlet Tanagers, Cedar Wax-wings and Indigo Buntings should be coming anytime .   What a treat to view thats what I love about this time of the year.

This week has been a little more crazy than usual.   We got in more of the great home gear items that satisfy our desire for the past.   Check out our new rod iron “Quilt Display Ladders”.  You can put at least 4 quilts on them and the cost is what is really beautiful they sell for $70.00.  These really can’t be shipped but if you are coming this way and have been trying to find a good display idea and have limited space I hope you will check them out, they are really neat!  Speaking of display, you will have to take notice of the rack I have our ribbons on.  This “Rod Iron Rack”  can easily muti-task for you.  In the sewing room I can see ribbon and thread neatly displayed or in the kitchen glasses and cups have a great home.  I think we can ship these but we will have to place a special order  if you are interested.  The cost for this great display tool is $112.50.  It measures 19 1/2″ wide, 2″ deep and 40″ long.  Just an FYI for you:  We just got in mustard and old red velvet ribbon we ordred incase you are interested. The large spools are $30.80 and the small are $19.80.

  “Fresh Eggs For Sale” is the most incredible aged tin sign.  If you have a large kitchen dining area the unique egg shape and the presence it has will be a total hit in your nest.  The cost is $70.00.

We also got in the most incredible framed bird prints, it is a set of three for $60.00 or they can be purchased individually for $20.00.  They look very old like they came out of an estate sale.    The old weathered black frames make them easy for you to display.

Guess What?  One of our most popular quilts “Little Irene” is back.  I wonder how many of these quilt kits we have sold?  It is one of  my favorite quilts!  The soft vintage colors  make it so compatible with everything, the setting square is a small brown check if you can’t remember.  This is one of  Vickie’s patterns they are $8.50.  The size is 47″x 60″ and the kit price is $76.00.  If you missed out on this kit last time we are happy to give you another chance at it.  What happens to us is that we can’t get a good small brown check.  I have one coming in my New “Orchard House” fabrics but it is not scheduled to drop  in shops until September.  If you have been curious about the new line we have the SKU”S up on line under My Fabrics.

The new “JeanneD’Arc pubs” are in from Denmark.  We have two new titles Spring and May.  We also got lucky and got the last case of Easter if you missed it last time.  You can expect a new pub around the first of each month I’m trying to get it set up as an auto.  They are fast becoming my bibles.  Finally a magazine with inspiration.

I have been encourageing the designers from “Grand Olde Flag” to begin to give us peeks at the projects we will be working on.  Linda just emailed a couple of views of her sampler that will mount onto a antiqued paddle.   Our students will be learning several stitches and finishing techniques as well as the antiquing process Linda uses for the paddle.  We have 12 openings and would love to have a full class for this new event.  You can read more about it by going to the Events Tab.

 We are just a bit giddy in the shop.  Its new fabric and who can not love new fabric?  There is a new designer in the Marcus Brothers house.   It’s “Molly B” and we are all jello!  The fabrics are so us  the colors are right in our comfort zone and they play really good with my new “Orchard House” fabric line!    Paula Barnes also has new basics that have us screaming.  It’s a good day all around when we can be this excited.  I thought you might like to see a preview of what I’m talking about.  We have not gotten to any quartering yet because truth be known you are going to want yardage.  We are talking some serious good looking sku’s of new fabric you will see in new quilts. 

Last week I promised I would picture a few more new quilts we have in the works You are going to be seeing two of Vickies new patterns.  I don’t think I have names for sure so will just tease you a little bit.    This is going to be a fav for sure and coming into the summer season I can’t think of a better representation.  Wait and see how we begin to put our summer decor together.  It’s going to be really inspiring.  The next quilt is another version of Vickie;s Beth quilt series.  I personally love the vintage soft appeal this quilt has.  If you loved Beth this version will be on your to do list for sure.

The next little quilt is made from charm squares and has become the perfect choice for dressing a daybed on your summer porch or at the lake cottage.  We used the “Athill” fabrics from Moda and I think you will be very excited to make and use this little quilt for your own summer living nests. 

 We have some wonderful Vintage stripes and large scale florals that would make a great skirt and the florals would make perfect pillow accents.  These fabrics  remind me of the inspiration you can gleen from the JeanneDArc Living pubs.   We have a new pub on route so watch our site for details. The kits are cut awaiting instruction so when that happens you will see how we plan to dress our daybed in the shop.  

I just got back the Stacy Nash “Grace Bridges Sampler”.  It is stunning and when its framed it will be a subject you can’t stop talking about.  I love the details, the peacocks, the house, the horses  this to me is what Stacy Nash is and is really good at.  Our kits are $64.75 and we used 35 count linen.   I haven’t decided if I will antique it yet, I probably will but I may wait until I have it framed and make that judgement at that time.   This sampler is going to go with our summer bed ensemble so well and I’m framing up some neat Civil War papers we sell too.  I’m beginning to see my vision come together and My hope is that it will take your breath away.  Suzanne is working on our bed cover right now. 

 I can’t wait for everyone to see our new Summer Living Quilt Collection.   Enjoy the new eye candy and have a wonderful week.

It is exciting when we get new quilts built for the shop.  I can’t wait to show you Suzanne”s “Sycamore Road“, it is so beautiful.  It’s on the bed and I’m leaving it on even though the kits are still being  assembled.    Suzanne’s pattern is not quite ready but will be early next week.  I think we will have some kits ready tomorrow if you would like to reserve one.  The quilt measures 70 x 85 , the pattern is $9.00 and the kit is $130.00.  Suzanne used one of Barbara Brackmans 1862 striped fabrics for the main print.  The quilt has a soothing vintage feel that will bring order to your nest.   

You can also see that we just got in beautiful bags of Lavender for your sachets and pincushions.  They are $13.75 a bag. 

 I also have Stacy’s “1902 Paris Sampler Bag” pictured.  We have kits available for $41.45.   You can slip your projects in and be stylin when you get out with your friends.  It has been aged and that is something that you can be in control of.  I would age the Silk Matka before putting it together. 

 Selma and Vickie have been working on new quilts.  I will give you a peek at one of our new “Summer Living Quilts” you will be seeing in the near future.  Selma and I picked the colors for her quilt a few weeks ago I wanted to use some of our American Spirit fabrics that fit this time of year.  We had both fallen in love with an old antique Vintage Pinwheel quilt we had seen in a magazine.  All of us are always saving pictures of great quilts that will eventually make it into one of our seasonal quilt offerings.  This is just a tease so you can begin dreaming.   It looks so much like the old quilt I know it has to be an 1800′s quilt and thats what makes the fabrics in American Spirit work perfectly. 

Just a very quick post of a new favorite item we got in the shop.  Selma and I fell in love with this box at our January market, we thought it would be a perfect item for one of our events. I ordered several dozen then we thought it through and thought we could always reorder. Long story short I did cut the number back , they arrived and were even better than we remembered so immediately I called to order more.   They have discontinued this incredible antique reproduction ”King Cotton” Storage Box.   I the loved the aged paint, it is perfect.   Well the good new is we have 24 and there will be 24 lucky people.  I have to take one home, it has a drawer that is just perfect for threads, scissors etc. and it can set out in the decor and be a great display piece.  The cost is right at $33.75.and it measures 8 x 12 by 3 inches deep.  You will be treated through out this year with more great storage ideas.

It’s a busy time for sure for everyone preparing for family time this week.  Spring break and Easter are on everyones mind. The shop has been quiet for a couple of days so it has given me time to play and get the decor lightened up.   We are ready to welcome spring and start to dream of summer.  I have taken lots of new photos and over the course of the next few days you will be able to begin seeing alot of our new home decorating ideas.   The picture on the right is show casing “Lizzies Shoe Fly” quilt.  The colors are perfect for spring.    Lizzie is 65 x 65 and the kit is priced at $101.00 and the pattern is one of Vickie’s and sold seperately for $8.50. 

Gwen’s “DoubleHourglass” quilt topper is on the buffett.  It is 49 x 49 and the pattern is in the Civil War Sewing Book which is one of our favorite book choices.  The kit is  $65.00   We are down to only a few kits, ladies this is so soft and vintage looking it can be used with anything and look great and it is a quilt you can easily finish and enjoy using year round.  Of course you have to see nests, baskets and eggs.  They are everywhere in the shop!!! 

 You must look at “The Land of the Free” stitchery, so beautiful and kitted on 30 ct. linen with all of the threads for $54.90.   This is a Willow Hill Samplings pattern, we changed one thread color which we indicate in the kit.   None of us can stop looking at this sampler, I think it my new favorite.  The old vintage looking rooster is definetly one of those pieces of folkart that really catches your attention too. 

We just got more of everyones favorite wreaths in.  I especially love how they look on our candle holders and I had to throw in a nest.  The wreaths come in two sizes and sell for $12.25 and $17.10.  You see the small wreaths in this picture.  The next size is what you see me using around our turkeys necks and hanging on the our hangers and the bed. 

I have “A Quilt For Alice”in the window.  This is one of my new quilt favorites.  It’s our color chocies, they are pleasing and easy to live with. The design is great too, it is 52 x 70 and the kit sells for $108.00.  The pattern is a Bonnie Blue and it is priced at $10.00.  Our new accent pillow in the old blue works great with this quilt.  These pillows are so perfect for a family room sofa.  Again its all about the color it is easy to live with, we even have  the pillows with a vintage red stripe they are only $27.95. 

Selma has the new “Nickel Quilt Club” project finished.  We hope to have the kits ready to ship yet this week.  It’s our goal.  I thought you might enjoy a peek, I have it on our table with several other spring goodies.   This is done up in warm andsoft colors that can go anywhere.  It  has the vintage look we embrace.  Looking on the table you can see the old reproduction pigeon racing trophy, it opens and you know what Selma and I think?  This could be a great resting place.  Just saying!  Our vintage angel is watching over this spring vignette.  We are quite excited over the Bluebird storage box and of course it needed hay and eggs for spring.    It’s almost Easter!   Just in case you need a little more spring in your decor we will show you more bunnies, great priced wire baskets and a cool curley sheep. Don’t you just love the vintage flour storage tin?  It’s all I can do to not take it home but I can’t have everything.  If you love stamping please consider the spring bird tins.  You get at least 12 stamps and ink for $31 and everyone will enjoy your new artistic tags and letters.

 Here is a closer look at the Bluebird storage box.  It sells for $33.75.  The eggs price out at $16.95 a bag or the brown eggs in the straw can be purchased seperately.

We also have new jewelry pendants that everyone has found very hard to resist.  The pendants have initials on them and we have great ball chains in two sizes you can clip them on.  The pendants are $28.00, the chains are $13.00 for the small ball and $14.00 for the larger. 

We have two colors of the chains silver and bronze.  They could be a great addition to your Easter finery.

Happy Easter!   Enjoy your spring break and I will add more eye candy over the next few days.

We just got in a lot of great storage items for your vintage and primitves homes.  I love old tins and have a few but there isn’t one of these that couldn’t live with me.  The Flour, Sugar, Macaroni, Crows and there are a few that still aren’t even  in.  You can see the glass canisters, we have  Salt, Coffee, and Biscuits available.  Look at the flake hay it gives backets, bowls, everything a great vintage look.  I never knew this but it is the finer hay that does’nt go into the bales.  It makes really swell Easter Grass.  Notice the Blue Bird Box, the Pigeon Racing Trophy and the Shaving Mirror.  We see this as a wonderful holder for jewelry.  We will need to special order this item if you are interested, it is $147.50. 

 I can hardly stand it.  I think I need everything.  Time to get to spring cleaning a  few old things need to go and few new things need to take there place.  Isn’t that the way it works?

  I will get more info on the prices which I’m sure you will want to know later this week as we get everything unpacked and marked.  The old trophy is $95.00 and the Blue Bird Box is $33.75.

We finally can show you the New “Lazy Morning” quilt.  The pattern is from “Blackbird Designs Weekend” book.  The fabric choices are calming, it looks very vintage, and will be easy to use in most bedrooms.  The fabrics colors don’t fight with anything.  This is a quilt that will fit a king bed, it is 94″ x 94″ and our kit can be purchased on line for $164.00.  Remember we can always add a back to your order if you decide you want us too.  Just call us and we will work our magic. The tulips seem to be appropriate, they definitely make you think spring.  If you like the tulips you can call the shop they sell in the glass vase for $88.00. 

Carol Hopkins is one of our favorite Civil War pattern Designers and a great friend to us in the shop.  Her first book just arrived yesterday it is called “Civil War Legacies”.  There are 15 projects in this book for $24.99.  It is  a joy for me to spread this good news!   

I have been trying to get the

 “Jeanne’ d Arc Living” seasonal magzines for our shop since last fall.  The come from Denmark and that was  my challenge.  Well we have them and are not set up to sell them in the US.  Yeah!!  If you are not familiar these are coffee table books filled with inspiration.  They are meant to inspire you and they do.  I have the two latest magazines “Easter Time” & “Winter Time”, they are sold for $17.00 a copy.  You will enjoy 144 pages in each issue.  I will give you a preview of the spring Easter Time issue so you can imagine what I’m talking about.  You will note that tangles of nature make wonderful decorative impressions.  I always have loved tangles of branches.  I especially love the egg trees with the natural eggs and you can even make a smaller version to hang on your door to greet your Easter  guests.   I think we are all going to be ready for some serious spring cleaning. 

  You can expect Summer and Autumn to come out going forward in 2012.  I know you will love all of them because yesterday everyone was buying them when they stopped in. 

The focus in the Wintertime magazine is lovely living room spaces.  You are given insturctions on things you can make yourself, recipes, and great ideas for your nest..  It is a must own pub for sure.

“Christmas” is the next pub we have to offer.  This was a hard cover book but has just been released in soft cover.  The pub sells for $19.80 and features the Christmas Home, things to make and enjoy and how to incorporate natures bounty in your decor.  What you will notice in all the pubs is a cleaner fresher look and that is exactly where I see the new style I preached about in Januaury going.  It becomes a great mix of vintage, primitive and classic looks just cleaned up but still embracing simpler times the past. 

The last thing I tickeled you with on the newsletter was the arrival of the Cabbages & Roses “Athill Range” vintage fabric.  It is so yummy we can hardly stand it, we need elves to sew, I know Vickie was cutting last night.   I will give you a peek and then you will have to wait and see the rabbits we will pull out of our hats for your summer homes.   It is a cottage line and follows the and fits the style in the new books I was just describing to you.  Nothing is stark white, it is creamy, what a great duvet cover and ruffle this would make for your summer bed cover.

Sombody said it was Rabbit time soon well almost but we still got two weeks so I think you need to see the little critters we have running around while the shop sleeps.   There is a big lop eared brown rabbit that sells for $56.25.  He would love to gaurd your egg tree.  I think he belongs in a bramble or tangle of spring branches. 

If you have a spot on the wall or on a shelf this is a great bunny.  He is cast in a material that looks like it is cement but is light as a feather.  It is priced at $60.00. 

 The last one I will picture today is a white cast iron rabbit with a basket and the basket has leather straps.  He is $37.00 and you ccan really fill his basket with treats except you will probably be tempted to have a few.   You have probably noticed the other two white cast iron rabbits in our past pictures.    We also have a glittered candy container and a small brown cast iron rabbit with a basket on his back.  they are everywhere.  Don’t forget the nests and colored eggs we also have in stock.  We have a dozen eggs packaged in a bag with old grass for $16.95, you can get natural, old soft pink or teal.  If you like nests, we have several styles for only $13.95.  They are fun to set around, put in old lanterns just add to a swell spring vignette.  On the left you will see the Brown Bunny from KD Vintage he is $38.95 abd tge well dressed rabit is a Bethany Lowe for $36.95.   You might remember the Hills that used to carve for us.  They sold the rights to this bunny and now he is cast.  He is still a favorite and only $18.95.  I think he is a steel and we have some looking for homes.  They have enjoyed the new Lazy Days quilt and Chessie’s Scarlet’s Summer Sampler.  We will have these kitted as soon as we get back ordered silks that are called for.

 Happy Spring!