Just another Saturday Morning

Talk about concentration.......these ladies were seriously into their work!

This is the face of a woman who just learned how to use a drill. Doesn't she look ecstatic?

We had such a great time putting together their bulletin boards, even if I kept breaking the teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy drill bits. Thank goodness there were backups in the case. Now, I wonder where I can buy the replacements before my husband finds out....hmmmmmmm.

Yup! Just another Saturday morning at P.F.T. Nothing like the smell of sawdust and coffee early in the morning to start the weekend right. Hope you had a great weekend.

Sawdust Sally signing off,

A.K.A., Debbie, The Bra Purse Lady

I feel a need to explain....

Ok, I just checked my blog, and something disturbed me. Yes, I know, go figure. My last entry was dated Sunday and I ended it by saying I would go and make a cappuccino and then I would finish posting the Spring Class Schedule. And, that's exactly what I did!

But, if you look at the timeline, the schedule appears to have been published on Thursday.....3 days earlier! Hmmmmm, no, I'm not putting vodka in my cappuccino, silly. I had started the class blog Thursday and finished it up on Sunday, but, it posted with Thursday's date. See, wouldn't that disturb you, too?

Oh, well, I just wanted to keep you on your toes. The End.
Enough explaining,
Debbie

Another day, another Palm Tree quilt

Well done, ladies! Awesome job!

You guessed it. More Palm Tree quilts were produced today at P.F.T. Teresa and her sister, Cindy, took the class and they did a beautiful job. Don't you think so, too? I love to see how each sewer puts their own creative look together from the same group of fabrics. The possibilities are endless, you can just keep making them!

Guess that's why we'll be offering this class again for the Spring quarter. Speaking of the Spring quarter, I'll be posting those classes in the next 24 hours....I promise....I just need to go fix a couple of cappuccino's first. (giggle) Be right back,

Debbie

Spring Class Schedule 2009

Pink Florida Threads is going quilt crazy this Spring. It seems that we've caught a fever...a fever for cutting up and piecing fabrics back together in fun and artful ways. So, come join us and we'll teach you how to make your own quilt, an iconic American treasure. (These aren't your grandmother's quilts, trust me.) Some of the classes have a picture posted on the left side of the blog.

If you are excited to attend a class, but the date posted doesn't work with your schedule, call us to see if an alternate date is possible. Most of our classes can be taught on a day that is more convenient to your schedule. Also, if there is a technique you'd like to learn, ask if we have someone who knows how to do it! We'd love to teach you whatever you are curious to learn.

To attend a class, simply drop in at Pink Florida Threads and sign up or give us a call to put your name on the list. Prepayment is required to hold your spot in the class. We can be reached at 727-474-3893.

Sit and Sew-last Friday and now Saturday, too(for those of you who work during the week), of each month
Sit and Sew is our version of the old-time quilting bee, except you bring your machine and whatever sewing project you happen to be working on at the time. You get to spend the day with us, no charge, and you can finish those UFO's in your closet(unfinished objects). If you get stuck, one of us can help you through the rough spots. We drink coffee, order lunch or brown bag it, laugh and sew, sew, sew. So, get out of the house and make some new friends.

Is the economy bumming you out? I know how to make you feel better.
Come join us to make quilts for Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg-May 5,6 & 9th
Volunteers come and sew with us for a few hours or the whole day and we make as many quilts as possible for the babies at Ronald Mc Donald House. If you'd like to donate your unwanted cotton fabrics, batting, or threads, we'd love to put them to good use. We had a blast doing this last month, now you're invited, too.


Tag Along Tote-Using only 3 "fat quarters", create this cute and unusual purse with shoulder straps. April 7@ 10am, May 7@ 10am, June 11@ 1pm. This is a 2 hour class taught by Teresa. Class fee $20/Kit $15 or bring your own fabrics.

Shabby Chic Pillow- No one can resist touching this pillow. You won't be able to resist making it. April 2, 9-3pm, May 2, 9-3pm, June 12, 9-3pm. Instructor: Debbie Class fee $25.

Tabletop Trivet- Protect your table with these fabulous embroidered trivets that double as a wall hanging. Choose from bumble bee or seaside design. April 7@ 1pm, May 7@ 1pm, June 11@ 10am. This is a 2 hour class taught by Teresa. Class fee $20/Kit $10.

Palm Tree Quilt wall hanging-You've seen it, you've read about it, now come and make one for yourself. April 15, 12-5pm, May 28, 9-2pm, June 24, 12-5pm. Instructor: Debbie Class fee $25/Kit $5.

Oh, Baby, Baby Quilt-Not necessarily a baby quilt, but, oh baby, is it ever cool! Black background with colors that sparkle make this a striking quilt. Two classes to complete the quilt: April 17 & 20, 9am-4pm; June 10 & 17, 9am-4pm. Instructor: Debbie Class fee $40/Kit $40(includes all 48 fabrics cut and ready to sew!) Pineapple ruler $11.50

Sea Turtle Wall Quilt- McKenna Ryan is known worldwide as an exquisite quilt artist. Join us to make her gorgeous underwater sea turtle. Previous fusible quilt experience necessary(See Palm Tree quilt class). Two classes to complete the quilt: April 18 & May 16, 9am-2pm; June 4 & 18th, 9am-2pm. Instructor: Debbie Class fee $50/ Kit $20.

Early Summer Quilt Camp- Make a memory for your graduate by taking his/her t-shirt collection and sewing them into a quilt they will always treasure. Teresa makes the process easy for you. By having the classes in early May, you can finish your quilt in time for a graduation present! Three classes, May 1, 8, & 15 from 10am-4pm. Instructor: Teresa Class fee $75.

P.F.T. Simple Strip Quilt- So many of you loved our strip quilts for Ronald McDonald House that we decided to teach the technique. Turn those small leftover fabrics you loved into a fabulous quilt. May 12, 10am-4pm; June 13, 9am-3pm. Instructor: Teresa Class fee $25

Crazy Quilt Tie Pillow- Crazy quilts have been around for over a century, but now you can have a slice of one in a pillow. Learn the techniques on a small scale to produce spectacular results. May 21, 9:30-3pm; June 20, 9:30-3pm. Instructor: Debbie Class fee $25/Kit $10.

Magnetic Bulletin Board- This funky galvanized metal bulletin board has more uses than you can imagine; kitchen, office, craft room, kid's bedroom, laundry area, etc. April 9, 9-11am; May 20, 1-3pm; June 25, 9-11am. Instructor: Debbie Class fee $65 includes all materials.

I hope this is enough to whet your appetite, spark your creativity, and generally get you excited to stitch with us. Sharing our love of sewing makes our day, and we hope to spread that enthusiasm around. See you in the Alley.

Debbie

Close up

Ok, here is a close up of the palm tree wall hanging quilt you requested. It really is a fun, unfussy, creative technique to make a quilt. And, it's much easier than you would think!

You could sew 4 blocks of different colors of palm trees and create an even bigger wall hanging. Or, how about making 12 palm tree blocks and laying them out 3 blocks across and 4 blocks down to make a bed quilt? Each block could be a palm tree done with different background colors and different shades of green and brown on the palm tree itself. Or, shade the background colors to mimic the different times of day from early morning light to glorious sunset.

Why not take your child's original artwork and turn that into a wall hanging? The same techniques apply, and think how special your child would feel that you commemorated their artwork in a quilt. Come to the shop to see the original palm tree and let us teach you how to get started.

Love those swayin' palms,

Debbie

Palm tree...from a coloring book?

Yes, you heard me right. These lovely ladies made an art quilt wall hanging from a child's coloring book simple line drawing. And, aren't their quilts awesome? They created their art quilts from start to finish in one Saturday class. And now that they know the techniques, the sky is the limit for them to design their own quilts.

If you're interested in learning these skills, contact the shop to set up your own class. Bring your friends, that's what these ladies did! Come in and see the class sample for yourself, you won't believe how easy this is.

Color on,
Debbie

"Flocking" to P.F.T.

Can you believe this guy? Or maybe it's a mama egret who is interested in a baby quilt to line her nest for an upcoming arrival. Well, she's come to the right place!

While teaching a class a couple of days ago, this white egret just starting walking in the back door of the shop. Now that's one of the great delights of living in Florida! Needless to say, I was a little startled at first, but ran to get my camera and got off a few shots before he/she decided to check out some of the other shops in the Alley. This gives a whole new meaning to the term "snowbirds", don't you think?

Hmmmm, maybe he/she was looking for some companionship. You see, my two flamingo's, Floyd and Flora are out front. Floyd just hangs out in the garden all day lookin' good, and Flora works hard at greeting everyone at the front door. So, help me out with this one, if one bird is just "a" bird, and two are a pair, aren't three a flock? I'll let you ponder that conundrum while you sip your morning coffee.

Make it a wonder-filled day,

Debbie(gotta go make my cappuccino)

Here, fishy-fishy

No, I haven't gone completely off the deep end. I just thought you'd like to see what came off the embroidery machine today.

One of my neighbors here in Antique Alley is Slipcovers, Etc. Jeanne is the very enthusiastic owner, and she and I have collaborated on some projects since P.F.T. has opened. She does the most wonderful work with upholstery and slipcovers, and loves to be creative like I do. One of her clients is very artistic and had asked me to embroider fish on fabric for two pillows. So, what you're looking at will soon be 2 pillows on the artist's couch. Love 'em!

Oh, yeah, about the Antique Alley show....I took several pictures, I thought. When I went to download them onto the computer, I discovered I was shooting pics with no memory card in the camera. Yup, these blonde roots run deep, even with the touchups from my hairdresser. So, you'll just have to believe me when I say we had a great time, once again, and loved meeting all of you who came into the shop that day.

Look for a new class schedule to be out next week for the months of April, May, and June. One of them is a T-shirt quilt made with all of your kid's sports, school, & summer vacation T-shirt collection. The class is 3 Friday's in May, so you can have a quilt ready as a graduation present!! What a way to make a memory for your teen, or anyone else in your family.

Stay tuned,

Debbie(I'll try to remember the memory card next time!)

Yes, our seams are straight

Well, thanks to some terrific volunteers, we have sewn some adorable quilts for Ronald McDonald house over the last 2 days. As today drew to a close, we popped open a bottle of celebratory champagne, garnished our glasses with strawberries, and toasted to our combined creative efforts. Don't whine, I invited you, too! See what you've missed?

One thing is for certain, we know how to have fun at P.F.T. We sewed like crazy, laughed a lot, bounced creative ideas off of each other, and shared our passion for our craft. And now, the children at Ronald McDonald house get to benefit by having adorable, snuggly quilts to take home with them. We all hope that the love we sewed into them is felt by each and every child.

Oh, yeah, and we didn't drink the champagne until we were done sewing. So, yes, Martha Stewart, our seams are straight!

You can view the quilts this Sunday as we proudly display them outside the shop during the annual Spring Antique Show from 9am to 4pm. See you there!

Yawn,

Debbie

Calling all sewers

I'd like to extend an invitation to any and all of you who would like to sew with us this week. On Wednesday, March 4th from 1-5pm and Thursday, March 5th from 10am-4pm we will be sewing quilts for the children at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg. We will make crib/lap quilt sizes for babies through 3 year olds.

Bring all of your out-of-date-don't-know-why-I-bought-that-color cotton fabrics you would like to donate and we will cut them into strips and squares and sew them into colorful quilts for the kids. Don't feel pressured to bring fabric, as we will also have plenty of fabrics ready to sew. If you have batting you would like to donate, we'll be happy to put that to good use. Let's see how many quilts we can make for these deserving toddlers.

Snacks will be provided and I'll put the coffee pot on, too. Bring a bag lunch or we'll order out on Thursday. If you can sew a straight line, you can help!!!

What should you bring with you?
1. your favorite scissors
2. your sewing machine
3. any threads you want to use up
4. sewing supplies you can't live without
5. a cheerful heart

Please call the shop @ 474-3893 so we know how many to count on. I can't wait to see how many quilts we can put together in 2 days. See you Wednesday and Thursday!!

The Quilt Fairy,
Debbie