Got Batiks?

Kathy and Pat have been busy creating with Batiks. We've gotten in several fabulous new batiks and are trying to stay ahead of the game with our Bali Pops. These precut strips of batik are luscious with names to match: Hawaiian Sunset, Cappuccino, Mango....can you just picture the colors in your head?
Pat used a Me and My Sister Designs pattern called Jelly Sandwich (can we all say Grape!) and Kathy has chosen two projects from the book Scrap Basket Sensations which we have on order and should be in stock soon. If you love Batiks (and I think I may become a convert) make sure to come in soon for best selection. Enjoy the little show:

Jelly Sandwich (pieced by Pat Cunningham)




Story Teller (pieced by Kathy Burke)




Snails Trail (from Scrap Basket Sensations, pieced by Kathy Burke)





Another Scrap Basket Sensation pieced by Kathy Burke:






Happy Stitching,
Karen

Sewing at Flying Geese Fabrics

With the winter storms behind us (did I hear correctly?? 75* predicted for Monday?) our monthly clubs are getting back on track. Pat Cunningham and her Blackbird Applique Club were happy to get back to business last month and continue on with their projects. Here are just a few photos from the February meeting, with permission of the gang!

Rachel working hard on her applique. It really IS fun, really!!



Ellen's work is progressing:



Anne?? Is that you behind this beauty??



If you are interested in joining the Blackbird Applique club, or any of the current clubs here at Flying Geese, call the shop for more information. We have limited space in our Little Quilts Club, and will be revamping the currently running Farmer's Wife Club- stay tuned for news as this club returns with a new focus.
Karen

Spring has Sprung at Flying Geese

What a joy it was to return to the shop yesterday after what seemed like a very long leave (thanks to all who stopped by to welcome me back- you truly made me feel special). Our displays were certainly warmer than the first of April weather outside. We are bathed in spring-like inspiration within our four walls. Cheryl has done it again with a lovely spring bouquet of one of my favorite porch flowers, the geranium!



It is easy to see why her raw edge applique classes fill so quickly.

This little display reminded me of the Mary Englebrite saying: Bloom Where You Are Planted. It would be a sweet gift or addition to your own home.



For those of you who love what Moda Fabrics does with their precuts, we have a display that just screams spring, and lots of new Schnibbles patterns to use in a must-do project. Come in soon for best selection, they are selling out quickly.



For the bag/purse lover, we have an impressive display of bags with patterns/kits by the newest member of the Flying Geese Teaching Staff, Jessica VanDenburgh:



There are new batiks for large or small projects (such as this table runner):



For the scrap quilt fanatic (you know who you are!) we have just the book for you...Scrapbasket Surprises is one page after another of fabulous quilts to make with fabric strips or scraps. I have owned this book for awhile now, and am making myself sit on the urge to start "just one more project". I know...I know....but really, just look at this graphic black and cream quilt. I'm going to keep my copy hidden in the bookcase for now, even if the projects are quick and simple (with great instructions!).



We are also featuring quilts and patterns by Kate Mitchell of Berkshire Quilts. Here are just two of the quilts we have hanging on the walls:






I hope I've peeked your curiosity a bit in this post. Come in, feel the spring inspiration and pick up a little something to boost your own quilting urge. Inquire about our class openings, or sign up for one of our Blocks of the Month (there are still some available spots). We are here to answer your questions, bring you inspiration or just chat awhile about what you might have in mind to do in the future.
Here's to seeing you soon--
Karen

Have Your Caught Red and White Fever?

Two color quilts have long been a favorite of many quilters, and the end of March saw a gift to the quilting world at large and on a smaller scale- to the city of New York.
The American Folk Art museum presented "Infinite Variety- Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts. For four days the red and white quilts amassed by Joanna S. Rose were hung in the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. A total of 650! Yes! 650 red and white quilts. It was an amazing display. It is also fitting that we here at Flying Geese are offering our Saturday Sampler customers their own two color quilt project. Whether they chose red and white, or another very classic combination of blue and white, our Cobblestone Cabins will be a piece to be proud of in their own collection. Just look at this antique house and church quilt! The power of two colors!



The center piece of the exhibit truly gave me a chill. I was proud to call myself a quilter and be a part of something that is deep rooted in our country. This display, representing the quilter made me think of the joy I find in the small quilt groups I belong to. Be it a guild, a "friendship group", or a class/club here at the shop, quilting with others brings us closer to our joy in the process we so love.




An amazing gift, an amazing site to see!



Did anyone else get to travel to New York to share in this experience? For those who were not able to do so- I hope this short video taken on the last day of the exhibit makes you feel like you were there - at least just a little!

The Folk Art Museum is celebrating The Year of the Quilt. Here is the link for the museum, just in case you feel the need for a quilt fix- in any color!
I seem to be in a video mood this morning so will share this one on the museum's year long Masterworks Exhibit as well.


In my next post, I'll take you on a spring time tour of the shop. You can stay close to home and get a quilting fix just by stopping by to see what is new!
Until then, happy stitching.
Karen
(Note: to see any of the above videos, simply click on the light gray word(s). You will be taken directly to the video. To return to this post, simply hit your browser's back button)

April

Well hello everyone, happy April.

Spring is here and it is a time of renewal for everything. A lesson was learned over these last few months by myself and many others. There are losses, our bodies wear out, our thoughts come more slowly. But our life cycles are our most creative effort. We can't never not be in them, right?
The struggle is to try and obtain a sense of participation in your life the whole way through. We must treasure old age, but not wallow in nostalgia. Appreciate the joy of attachment without possessiveness. Just thoughts I wanted to share with all of you.

Now down to business at the shop!!

Tomorrow is Saturday Sampler's 4th installment of 2011. Wow! We are a third of the way there. Good for you.

Also there are so many things to look at when you come in. I will try and post the pictures later today. New camera New adventure...yippee.

BOM's starting up. Get signed up for there are limited spaces.

See you soon,
Mardi