Store Samples

Aren't they cute? I thought they were the perfect patterns to teach people embroidery. They're for the trend class at my local JoAnn's. Flour sack towels have been very popular this year.



This is the paper pieced quilt block for September/October. It's a pumpkin and I think it's adorable.

I was going to put the borders on the edges but I wanted people to be able to see the back...so I stitched the top only to a fat quarter so shoppers can lift it up to see how it's made. Hopefully it will encourage people to want to take the class.

I only have one store sample left to do for the September/October classes, and then I can concentrate on things like the socks I need to have half-done for the 2nd half of my classes and other things I need to get done. I only have to make a few things for the November/December classes. Namely, hardanger ornaments (will be drafting the patterns this week or next), Thanksgiving and Christmas towels for the embroidery class (these are both trend classes that I'm teaching), and the new quilting class that will be replacing curved seams and paper piecing. If you want to learn curved seams or paper piecing, now's the time to sign up at JoAnn's (not necessarily mine), as the classes only run through October. If you're intimidated by curved seams or just not sure what you'd do with them, paper piecing is surprisingly easy and fool-proof. I'm surprised it's a 201 class.

I suppose these will count as recent finishes for CADS as well. I'll be disappointed when CADS is over. I like the extra push to get something worked on or done every day.

New crafty articles :)

If you're so inclined, check out my recent articles.

This one's about a new trend, using fabric selvage in your craft projects, which is actually really neat and I can't wait to try it. If any of my readers try it, please link me your pictures!

Also, with several events right around the corner, I've gathered some ideas for party invitations for Celebrating this season's return of baseball as well as Earth Day party invitations, and if you weren't sure if you wanted to throw an Earth Day party this April, or you weren't sure how to do it...I can help there, too, with tips and tricks for throwing an Earth Day party as well as craft ideas for kids within the Earth Day theme.

Don't forget to visit my profile on Examiner.com to see if there are any articles you missed. I'll be updating there again in a day or two. You might also want to help me dust off some old articles I wrote about gift ideas for stitchers, and introductions to blackwork embroidery as well as hardanger, and if you're looking for drop spindle recommendations, look no further, I tried some Kundert drop spindles and I'm in love.

Did you hear?

Lark books just notified me of a new contest to generate interest in their new book:

Head on over here, download the rules, and get started! You have until April 30th to be entered to win that and 9 other selections from Lark Books

Also, in case you were not aware, I'm now the Detroit Arts and Crafts Examiner for Examiner.com. If you'd be so kind, please check out my new article about National craft month at Jo-Ann's, which is running all this month. The article has a link to their new patterns for lots of different types of crafts.

Also, have you heard about people using fabric selvage now for crafts? *sigh* I want to try it. If anyone else has...link me a pic!