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

In the Pink

We're going to play a game. Come on, it's an easy game. You can do this, I promise. The game is simple, just answer one itty bitty question. What's my favorite color? See, this is a really easy game, even if you don't know me very well.

Just think about it for a second, what's the name of my shop? There you go, sip some more of that coffee. Pink, that's right! I've finally used some precious sewing time to continue with the creation of a happy space for you, my wonderful customers at P.F.T. So, I picked up my trusty angled paintbrush and a can of luscious, custom mixed Benjamin Moore and painted the doors pink. Wait till you see 'em!

Teresa was at the shop after I painted the back door, and she started pulling fabrics from my stash, and what color do you think they were? Now you're getting it! Yes, they were pink. After an hour, the shop was sporting a spark of pink valances at both windows, complete with dangling pink beaded trim. Hey, don't laugh! If the bra purses can have beaded trim, why can't my windows?

Go ahead, just sip some more of that coffee.

Pink girl signing off,

Debbie

Drumroll, please!

Pink Florida Threads would like to announce the grand unveiling of...........

The Belleair Bum Shirt. Ta-da! Yippee! Hooray! Ok, what's so hot about a Belleair Bum shirt? And, exactly what is a Belleair Bum shirt? It just so happens I can answer those questions for you.

Remember those old movies from the 40's with men in Hawaiian shirts? And then during the 60's Key West shirts were all the rage. Tommy Bahama's shirts became a big hit years later.

Well, now you can have your very own Belleair Bum shirt! It's a tropical and comfortable men's shirt to wear like a Key West shirt, yet expertly made like Tommy Bahama in a soft breathable cotton fabric. And, the fabric has images of the Tampa Bay area covering every inch. So, how cool is that?

Ta-da! (I just had to say that one more time......)

Debbie

"Belle" Aprons for Your Budding Chef

Oh, what fun we've been having at P.F.T. Classes are in full swing, with new ones being added every few weeks. Our northern friends, fondly known as snowbirds, have arrived on our beaches and visit in the Alley daily. And, we continue to add exciting new hand crafted wares to our ever growing list of individualized, custom made items.

This week, we're debuting the "Belle" Apron. These are aprons for your children and grandchildren to wear as they help you prepare meals in the kitchen. And, we'll be adding a matching apron for some of the designs for mom/grandma to wear, too.

I believe that building those precious family memories while you work together to prepare food is as important as teaching good nutrition to our kids. And, now they will look adorable while they're making a mess....ummmm.....while they're helping you bake those muffins for tomorrow's school outing.

And, speaking of fun, another huge antique show is coming. Sunday, March 8 from 9am to 4pm, Antique Alley's Spring antique show will be held! Rain date is March 15th. We're hosting 50 dealers up and down the Alley, so don't miss out on this huge event.

P.F.T. will be open that day and we look forward to seeing you there. We're the fun store....at least that's what our customers tell us, so, don't forget to come and visit with us. In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful weather and we hope to "see you in the Alley".

Next blog: Another introduction....the "Belleair Bum" men's shirt.

Time for another "Stroll"

Yes, it is Antique Alley's annual Chocolate Fantasy Stroll time. Tuesday, February 10th from 6-8 in the evening, you can stroll The Alley by candlelight, shop for your favorite Valentine and eat lots and lots of chocolate. Yum, sign me up!

In case you've missed me, I thought it was time to explain that my family and I bought and moved into a home 2 weeks ago. Pink Florida Threads was closed for a few days while we made the transition. It's been a crazy couple of weeks, but we are so happy to be settled in a house of our very own once again. So, if you dropped by the shop and found it to be closed, I hope you read my note explaining my absence and will come back to see us again soon.

See you at the Stroll...
Debbie