Sunny and beautiful here the last couple of days!  We sure have not had much of a winter! I’ve heard it is nice in Virginia Beach too.  I do hope we have a little snow this year though.

OK, not as much as we had the first year we were here.

Now that the holidays are truly over, and everyone is back to school…I think it is time for a new project!  How about you?  Well, I have an idea for you…

What if the shop has this eagle die cut…and they cut it out perfectly for you…

Just think of what you could do with it!

First, we made a table runner, simple and quick!  You could make one too.  The eagle is cut from wool felt, so it is very easy to applique, and has a lot of texture and dimension!  (Check out the sample in the shop next week).

But, what if you chose to have the eagles cut from cotton?  You could design your own quilt, perhaps based on an antique.  Like this…

Or this

Or this

Think of all the fun could have!  Oh, maybe we should have some kind of eagle challenge…I’ll get back to you on that.

Think about it, Sandra

Last week I got a call from a friend who was asked to make a quilt for a local charity auction…She asked me to help make a  fun, quick project.

Enter the ‘strip quilt’. You could not ask for an easier project!

We got together and in an afternoon made a quilt using a kit from the shop.  This one is dog themed and we put some bright green minkee on the back.  Fast and yummy!  (Thanks for the kit Jacque)!

While we were working on the project we commented how much we like to make quilts for others in need.

Enter “Community Quilts”

We’ve now decided to meet monthly, at our church, to make kids quilts to donate.  We’ve invited all the area quilters, and have had a lot of positive responses!  We are going to provide all of the supplies, for as long as we can.  (Once again thanks, Jacque)!  We’ll get together to sew for half a day and see what we can get done!  Our intention is then to have all of the quilts made by our “community of quilters’, go to children within our “community”.

Perhaps some of the piles of fabric will find a good home!  I am really excited about this new venture.  Maybe your community could use this kind of help too.

In other news I  finished a little wool Christmas item for the store.  Yes, I know it is January!  But think of it as being way ahead planning for this year…and not something that didn’t get done last year…

It is a 6″ Christmas stocking with a snowman appliqued on it.  Would be cute with a candy cane and a few little goodies.

The pattern has 12 different designs, how cute are these!

A sample and the patterns will be on there way to the shop soon.

Say hello to the new dog in the neighborhood, Marvin!

Now that is a face only a mother could love!

Peace, Sandra

Easy to make, using our new Moda Redwork Rennaissance Red & White charm squares. One pack of charms will make four placemats. Add 2″ trim of accent fabric to top and bottom, make your own heart applique, add ric rac, batting, and backing, and you’ve done it! You’ve made a charming heart placemat.

Happy New Year!

If you have visited What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff in the past week you have seen a few changes in the shop. We have taken an opportunity to move a few things around so that we can greet you from the front of the shop, make a little more room for you to look around and sew in the classroom, and prepare for new fabric to arrive in the first quarter of 2012.

You have also seen a few new faces that have joined our team. You know Bobbi Case, Carole Anne Buchanan, Carol Ascher, Kathy Rokitski, Joan Bryan, and Pat Stewart. Joining them in helping you are Janis Drum and Martha Schwegler.

We have added an additional manager. Sue Goehring is joined by Jennifer Griffin as the two individuals we have asked to lead the team at WYSNS. Sue is the WYSNS Business Manager and Jennifer is the WYSNS Creative Manager. As Business Manager, Sue assists with purchasing fabrics, notions, books and patterns; collaborates with teachers to bring you a schedule of fun classes quarterly; helps select and coordinate Blocks-of-the-Month, sewathons and retreats; and prepares the shop newsletter. As Creative Manager, Jennifer is responsible for the design of the entire store; assists with purchasing fabrics; collaborates with the customer service team to help you select fabric for projects and works with team members to prepare kits; and coordinates special sales and events. As co-managers Sue and Jennifer are there to answer any questions you may have of the store.

Speaking of the store, we want to address comments being made that What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff is going out of business. WYSNS employees have stated that they are hearing from numerous places and individuals that we are shutting down the store.

 

We are not closing the doors to What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff.

 

2012 is offering some exciting opportunities and a reignited passion in the shop that has made the pendulum swing in the opposite direction. By that we mean that the nation’s economic hardships and some internal decisions did have an impact on What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff, but in the past three months we have watched new customers visit us for the first time and eager fabric enthusiasts sign up to learn how to quilt. We have new teachers bringing some exciting new techniques to our classroom and current teachers opening up their vast vaults of knowledge to expand upon even the most seasoned quilter’s arsenal of fabric art tips and tricks. We are broadening our textile library and while we will continue to bring in fabrics from some of our old favorites, we are excited to expand upon our catalog of designs – whether reproduction, contemporary, florals, batiks, brights, seasonal and more. There are some roads we won’t be able to travel back to this year. The economy is tight and affects each of us. We know this brings disappointment to each of us in different ways because we all have varying tastes in what makes the perfect quilt. But just because we can’t go back, doesn’t mean we stop the journey all together. We will continue to move forward.

Our doors are open at What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff.

Thank you for walking in.

Holly and Irene

Owners

What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff

 

 

Happy New Year! 

 If you have visited What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff in the past week you have seen a few changes in the shop.  We have taken an opportunity to move a few things around so that we can greet you from the front of the shop, make a little more room for you to look around and sew in the classroom, and prepare for new fabric to arrive in the first quarter of 2012.

 You have also seen a few new faces that have joined our team.  You know Bobbi Case, Carole Anne Buchanan, Carol Ascher, Kathy Rokitski, Joan Bryan, and Pat Stewart.  Joining them in helping you are Janis Drum and Martha Schwegler.

 We have added an additional manager.  Sue Goehring is joined by Jennifer Griffin as the two individuals we have asked to lead the team at WYSNS.  Sue is the WYSNS Business Manager and Jennifer is the WYSNS Creative Manager.  As Business Manager, Sue assists with purchasing fabrics, notions, books and patterns; collaborates with teachers to bring you a schedule of fun classes quarterly; helps select and coordinate Blocks-of-the-Month, sewathons and retreats; and prepares the shop newsletter.  As Creative Manager, Jennifer is responsible for the design of the entire store;  assists with purchasing fabrics; collaborates with the customer service team to help you select fabric for projects and works with team members to prepare kits; and coordinates special sales and events.  As co-managers Sue and Jennifer are there to answer any questions you may have of the store.

 Speaking of the store, we want to address comments being made that What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff is going out of business.  WYSNS employees have stated that they are hearing from numerous places and individuals that we are shutting down the store. 

 We are not closing the doors to What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff.

2012 is offering some exciting opportunities and a reignited passion in the shop that has made the pendulum swing in the opposite direction.  By that we mean that the nation’s economic hardships and some internal decisions did have an impact on What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff, but in the past three months we have watched new customers visit us for the first time and eager fabric enthusiasts sign up to learn how to quilt. We have new teachers bringing some exciting new techniques to our classroom and current teachers opening up their vast vaults of knowledge to expand upon even the most seasoned quilter’s arsenal of fabric art tips and tricks. We are broadening our textile library and while we will continue to bring in fabrics from some of our old favorites, we are excited to expand upon our catalog of designs – whether reproduction, contemporary, florals, batiks, brights, seasonal and more. There are some roads we won’t be able to travel back to this year.  The economy is tight and affects each of us.  We know this brings disappointment to each of us in different ways because we all have varying tastes in what makes the perfect quilt.  But just because we can’t go back, doesn’t mean we stop the journey all together.  We will continue to move forward.

Our doors are open at What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff.  

Thank you for walking in.

Holly and Irene

Owners

What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff

Today, we are still working on solving the media issues on the blog.  Which means, I cannot add any new photos!  So, let’s look at some of my favorite projects we’ve talked about over the years.  Maybe you’ll see something that motivates you!

These gift tags/ornaments were one of my favorite new projects this year.  The samples should arrive in the store today, and I think that the patterns and button kits are already on the way!  I made about 20 of these this year, they are all packed away and ready for Christmas packages this year!  Ahead for once, yeah!

This little tumbler quilt was very fun to make!  Tiny but fun!  The pattern and sample for this are in the shop too.

I guess I must be in a “small phase”, because these little twisters are very small!  I really enjoyed making them though, it is fun to see how they come together.

This little penny rug was fun to do, lots of little pieces though.

I love my Grinch pillowcases, they are still on the bed!

Another little one, this is from Lori Smith’s Fat Quarter book.

Then there is this bird piece, from the book Pennies From Heaven.

As for this one, I’m just happy all of the applique is done!

This one was a lot of fun to make, used a totally different technique.  I am very happy with how it turned out!

Then, for my very favorite!

Brandy and Abby.

I hope you were able to work on a few things you liked last year, at that more fun quilting is set for this year!

Peace, Sandra

Last year at our local quilt guild meeting, we had a program that focused on finishing one or two “UFO”s you might have hanging about.  Last night the members revealed their finished quilts.  It was pretty impressive!  What was also enlightening hearing everyone talk about how relieved they felt to get a project finished!  Giving themselves permission to change the original ‘plan’ and do what they wanted.

Perhaps the quilt doesn’t have to be a full size bed quilt…fabulous!

Of course, Liz loves to make big quilts!

Pam’s quilt is all hand quilted, incredible!  Finished in ten months using her own pattern and designing her own quilting stencils.

Each of the members who participated won a little present for playing along. We also had a prize for the ‘biggest excuse’ about why the project was finished!  Karen had a note from her husband explaining how all the gourmet cooking and cleaning she does every day kept her from finishing…

It was a fun but short night, we all had to get home to watch the Sugar Bowl and the Hokies…perhaps it would have been better to stay at the meeting…

Well, I had a lot more pictures to share, but it appears I have now used all of our available media space on the blog…Guess I’ll have to figure out how to fix that…

Anyway, finish at least one project that you have hanging around, you’ll feel great about it!

Peace, Sandra

Our team at What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff is committed to making your quilting experience a pleasant one. We know you have shopping choices when it comes to purchasing fabrics and quilting supplies, so on behalf of the entire team, we want to personally thank you for being a WYSNS customer. We truly appreciate your support!

As we begin 2012, we look forward to sharing in your passion for quilting, be awed and inspired by your art, and bring you more fabric and quilting supply choices to expand your quilting experience. If you haven’t been by the shop in the last week we’ve made a few changes so come take a peek at the new look for 2012.

We would love to hear your ideas on what we can do better. Please let us know: whatsyourstitchnstuff@gmail.com.

Best Wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Holly & Irene

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  (Lots of pressure there huh?).  We had a nice day here, I think it was the first time it was just my husband, daughter and myself.  No more getting up at 5am either!  I really don’t miss that…

Of course, we spoiled our dogs rotten!  Here is Brandy with as many of the new toys as she can get!  Poor Abby dog got a training collar as part of her Christmas present!  How mean is that!  Although she doesn’t mind…

Then we went to some friends for dinner, which meant we didn’t have to cook!  After dinner we all played Apples to Apples.

If you like board games, this is a really fun one, especially with a large group of people!

My husband has this week off, and it has sure cut down on my sewing time!  Next week he will be in Pensacola, so maybe I can catch up some then.

One thing I did get finished was this quilt top!!!!!

I bought the pattern last year at the Mid Atlantic Quilt show, so having the top finished before the next year is exciting!

The pattern is  Civil War Legacies Carriage Wheels by Carol Hopkins. $8

I am not sure if the pattern is in stock, but you know the routine…if you want it special ordered just let Sue know.

Today we took a drive out to White Gate, Virginia.  An Amish community about an hour from here.  The area is beautiful, even in winter.

It was a cold day out there, even a smidge of snow.  At least the ponies were prepared.

Tomorrow I think I will sneak away and do a little after Christmas shopping…

Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Peace, Sandra

Yes, I know that Christmas is still several days away…but this will be my last post before then so I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I have my shopping done, some of the wrapping, and am moving on to Christmas cookies.

Sugar cut outs may be the only cookies that we make for ourselves.  These are our family favorite!  This year my daughter said I could not experiment with any more new sugar cookie recipes, she wants the ‘old family recipe’…

I have been doing a little bit of hand stitching lately, as I watch

and our family favorite.

The project is wool (surprise) and lots of fun.

These are the larger ones, they are not quite finished.  They will be ornaments once they are complete.

These are the smaller ones, again not quite finished.  I will use them as gift tags, and then they can be used as an ornament.

I bought the patterns in Hershey, Pennsylvania and I will send some samples to the shop next year.  Sue won’t be ordering the patterns until then.  However, if you want one sooner let her know and she can special order them for you.

The  patterns used cotton fabric, but being wool crazy I changed mine. I would certainly make them again using cotton.  Packets of buttons will also be also available to embellish the designs. (You know you will need those)!

Then, since Christmas is still several days away…I started on this new sample too.

A poinsettia table runner from Primitive Gatherings.  This is their picture, since mine is not anywhere near complete.  Actually, it is barely even begun…Look for this new kit next year too.

With that I wish to you all a good night!

Peace, Sandra

Are you feeling Christmas Crazy right about now???

I have many of my packages in the mail, so that makes me feel a lot better!

Thank goodness we have this machine at our post office!  I went in all by myself on a Sunday afternoon and got them all done!

I’ve also been doing a lot of online shopping this year!  Gotta love Amazon Prime!

Not only does this help with a little less ‘craziness’…but gives me a little more time to do what I really want to do.

SEW!!!!!!

I even got a thing or two accomplished…

I finished all my blocks for Antique Buttermold!

(Although I have decided to change a few little things).

I cut out the sashing and cornerstones for it too!

I’m not so sure…Of course, this color photo isn’t very good…I think I will leave it out awhile and think about it…

Jacque sent me some of the new ‘knitting’ sheep fabric from the shop, thank you!!!

So I made several snap happy bags using it!  Aren’t they cute!

The larger bags are from Snappy Happy 2, and they have a flat bottom.

I’ve also been doing a lot of wool work too, but nothing is finished yet to show you…

On another note, when we were visiting our son and daughter- in -love for Thanksgiving we realized that had a lot of nicer kitchen things then we did!  They had some great post and pans!  So, I did a little research and ordered some new cookware.  I guess the ones we’ve had for 27 years have done their duty.  (Plus I packed them away for my daughter when she moves out).

Some of them arrived today.  No using them soon though…Tonight we have dinner at church, tomorrow night is the staff Christmas party and Friday is the neighborhood Christmas party…Just think how long they will stay shiny at this rate…

Quilting ’till then,

Sandra