Has it really been that long?

Oh, my goodness! I just don't know where the time goes. It's been 2 weeks since my last entry here in blogland. Well, in all fairness, I was gone for 6 days as my husband and I took our RV up to the river for some R&R. It rained each and every day we were there except for the day we left, and you know what? We didn't care.

There is something soothing about the pitter patter of raindrops on the roof of the RV that lulls you into another world. I actually took a nap one day from 3-6pm, got up and made dinner, and went back to sleep at 11 for the entire night. Hmmmm, I guess I have been burning the candle at both ends the last few months. Anyway, I think I caught up on my sleep and am truly rested now!

Yesterday, Saturday, was Sit and Sew at the shop and we all got projects completed that we had been working on. Is there anything more satisfying to a sewer than completing another work of art, hot off the sewing machine? That's a feeling that is hard to beat.

Well, I hope you enjoy my pic of the river and I'll be back in a few days with more updates. Oh, yeah, did I mention the flooding at the river? Ha! Even the docks were underwater. How do you like the alligator's new home? And, aren't you impressed with how brave I'm getting photographing the local wildlife?

I'm off to reward myself with a cappuccino, thank you,

Debbie

Sea Turtle quilt is done....finally!

Yes, I finally sat down long enough to put together my version of the Sea Turtle quilt (the pattern is from McKenna Ryan of Pine Needles Designs, Inc.) and it's actually hanging up on the wall! This was a lot of fun to do and now I'm looking forward to making many more quilts like this one.  To buy the pattern just log on to www.pineneedles.com.   Her patterns are gorgeous and you'll have a hard time choosing just one!

The technique is not difficult and the results are really wonderful. (Aren't they?) Ok, I'm excited about the fabrics and the beading and the colors. Each and every color in the quilt is a different piece of fabric, cut to size and adhered to the quilt using Lite Steam a Seam II. Then, the entire piece is machine quilted using free motion quilting. You will just have to come into the shop to see the detail work for yourself.

Next up is the Clampett's. Yup, underwater clam shells complete with sea anemones and brilliant orange/black & white clown fish. Betcha can't wait to see THAT one.

This almost makes me want to take up scuba diving so I could see these underwater treasures with my own eyes. Nah! On second thought, I think I'll leave that to the Jacques Cousteau types.

Landlubber,

Debbie

Father's Day is just around the corner

And, what are you going to give dad this year? Well, we've got a novel idea, how about taking all those ties out of dad's closet and bringing them to us? (Alright, not ALL of his ties, just the ones he no longer wears!) Yes, bring them to us and we'll turn those too-narrow or too-wide-out-of-date ties into a pillow. Now, when he rests his head on his pillow, he can take pleasure from seeing his unworn clothing turned into something useful.

The pillows are filled with a down insert for the ultimate in decadence. And, to further enhance the textural, masculine appeal, the back of the pillow is sewn with lush ultrasuede. Come to the shop to see for yourself what a great present these pillows make for dad.

Or if you're recently lost your dad, we would love to honor his memory for you by turning his ties into a pillow you can always cherish. Men's shirts also become Daddy quilts and/or Grandpa quilts, and make a snuggly "lovie" for kids and adults alike to cuddle under while lying on the couch.

Let us create a treasured memory work of art for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. Call us at 474-3893 and we'll get the process started.

Sew Crazy,

Debbie

Another beautiful day, another beautiful quilt

Check out Barbara's newest quilt. She did a wonderful job choosing her fabrics and she completed the quilt in one day's class today. All that is left is for her to machine quilt it and it's ready to be given as a gift for someone special in Barbara's life. What a lucky recipient! And, what a nice lady.

Aren't these colors striking together? We thought so......good job, Barbara! And, good job, Teresa, teaching new techniques to yet another quilter. Next, Barbara signed up to attend Sit and Sew at the end of May so she can finish machine quilting her quilt.

AND, Barbara's years living in Italy instilled a love of all things cappuccino, so, I've got a "drinking" partner. Woo-hoo! She's talking my "love language".

Lovin' my cuppa Joe,

Debbie

So, you've never sewn......?

Well, it's never too late to learn. Over the last 2 weeks one of our snowbirds came into the shop with fabric in hand and we worked together so she could create gifts for her family. Even though this sweet lady had never even turned a sewing machine on her entire life, she turned out some beautiful pillowcases.

Her first class was longer because I had to teach her how to use the sewing machine and the basics to cutting out fabric. But, by the end of the class she had sewn the pillowcase pictured above. To my surprise, when her husband came to pick her up, she announced that he was going to have to take her that very minute up to Rainbow's End Quilt shop to get some more fabric! So, she came back again and this time we made 2 pillowcases in an even shorter amount of time!

Well, I think she's caught the sewing bug because we ended up repeating that process 4 times over a few weeks before she had to leave for her home in New Jersey! And, she now has gifts for her family and a friend. I wish you could have seen the pride on her face each time she finished another pillowcase. Well done, Helenann, well done.

P.S.

Thanks for the yummy piece of Key Lime Pie,

Debbie

Something pretty for your chef

Ok, how adorable is this apron? A lovely couple came into the shop and we designed an apron especially for a lady friend of theirs who is a professional chef. They were so excited when they saw it. What a lucky girl!

We embroidered her name at the top and used soft, luscious chenille as a trim.

We even added red buttons in both a triangle and a round shape, one on the pocket and one at the tab closure around the neck.

Ahhhhh, just another fun day of sewing at P.F.T.

Debbie

Fruit Ladies?!?

You heard me right, I said Fruit Ladies. These luscious beauties now grace the front of eyeglass pouches sewn by Teresa. We can barely keep them in stock because they've become the most popular item in the shop. Aren't they just too funny? Kinda reminds us of ourselves, don't you think?

Deb