March Project of the Month

 

Hello Woolies!!

 

Spring has sprung today in Colorado.  I think we will see 60 degrees today.  I’m listening to the radio enjoying this gorgeous day when a Storm Watch message comes on.  Could be by tomorrow that we are in a Blizzard.  Such is Spring in the Country!!  I hope if you are in the area that you are ready to “nest in.”  I’m thinking it would be kinda’ nice to be snowed in!

 

March Project of the Month:

I have dropped hints about giving new life to a Project of the Month program that I featured to Shop Owners way back in 2007.  Here is the first offering of fun new and limited projects…….English Button Box Kit.   It features a paper mache’ box that is approximately 5” X 5” and 2 ½” tall.  Yes, indeedy, I found these in the basement, just calling for some creativity.  The box will need to be painted, but the kit includes the Box, Fabrics for the Hexagons, 7/8” Hexagon papers, Green Background fabric and Fusible Fleece backing, Yellow Bias Binding (I made it for you!) and a cute wooden knob for the top.  You will need a bit of paint, floss for embroidery and some fabric glue.

Quick and easy to make!! The pattern includes all the information needed to complete this fun Bunny Box.  The cost of the Kit is $15.00 plus shipping.  Here is the link to our Etsy Shop:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/125733346/english-bunny-box-kit

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy this fun project….there are more to come!!

 

Mini Moments from Bee....

The last two weekends I have been at dance competitions. Two weeks ago, I went to Legacy (a dance competition in Denver) and competed in two pieces. My small group dance piece took home a platinum award and first overall in its division.  The large group piece received an elite gold. It was an exciting weekend for my whole dance studio!!! Just this last weekend I went to Jump (a dance convention and competition in Denver).  I had the best time ever!  I had lots of dance classes with famous dancers, such as So You Think You Can Dance winners. I danced my heart out in every class.  At the end of the weekend I got a contemporary/lyrical/jazz scholarship. The scholarship can be used towards a week long summer dance intensive. The intensives are held in New York, L.A, and other places. Convention was so much fun!!!! I can’t wait till my next competition.

 

 

Connie and Bee

 

April Themed Snowbuddie

Hello Woolies!!

Well, this month just flew by.  I have been busy finishing the “Snowbuddies” designs.  They entire year is now designed.  Below you will find the next design that is April themed…April Showers and when you see the final in the series…you will see “Brings May Flowers.”  We began this Embroidery adventure last May with the June themed embroidery, so we have just about come full circle.   All the Free Downloadable designs will be available until the end of May and then they will be removed from the Blog site. 

The “Snowbuddies” Wool Version is now complete.  I even handquilted the project using #8 Black Perle Cotton.  It gives it a very primitive look, for sure not those tiny little quilting stitches, but really appropriate for wool and flannel.  Of course, it can be machine embroidered and quilted both, so it offers something for those that love hand work and those that love all the beautiful things that they can accomplish with their sewing machines.

Bee had her first Dance Competition last Saturday in Denver and did sensational!!! I am such a proud Grandma!  I will have her write all about it in our next post.  We will make it a post all about her!!

Connie and Bee

March Snowbuddies Pattern

Hello All!

Another month has flown by like a blink of an eye.  I just returned from a week’s vacation with girlfriends at a Get-A-Way Retreat hosted by my sistah friend, Jeanette Pie’.  This was her 47^th Retreat that she has shared with a huge group of ladies.  There were 60+ of us there.   Her groupies (they are a wonderful, lively, talented bunch) threw a Surprise 60^th Birthday party for Jeanette.  This has been in the making for a year and I just was so excited to be a part of the party and surprise.  I now believe something that I did not think was possible…….75 ladies can keep a secret for a year!  The tittering and giggling was contagious before the big “Surprise” and a few of us had the job of getting Jeanette out of the conference room and back for the party.  That was not easy!!  We lured her away with wine!! Worked!!  It was a fabulous party!!

Lancaster and Lancaster County are just amazing places to experience.  The Amish and Mennonite are visible everywhere in their horse and buggies and their very somber dark unadorned clothing.  They are very quiet and subdued and I love it when they begin to speak Pennsylvania Dutch…..I suppose they might be talking about us.  Fabric for quilts is in abundance everywhere….and holy smokes! the prices…just marked up $1.00 per yard over wholesale prices.  I am not a Batik fan but was a bit tempted by beautiful Batiks at $6.00 per yard.  Though I restrained myself because of checking heavy bags at the airport and did not bring home more than a few pieces of fabric, but imagine how much fabric was purchased by 60+ ladies at a Retreat.

The creativity in a room of 60 ladies, the imagination and techniques are so fun to experience.  I always feel like I come away with some new ideas and inspirations.  Kindred spirits for sure with the goal of making a birthday special for an extra-special lady and revisiting and making new friends. 

Although it was rainy and a bit snowy while I was in Lancaster, I imagined the children flying kites in another month or so.  Thus, my inspiration for my March themed Snowbuddie……“Kite Flying.”  I don’t think we would see an Amish child wearing red mittens as will be shown in my wool version, but the simplicity of a kite surely still brings joy and fun to anyone of any age.  

The night before I left for the airport, I decided to add the Snowbuddie Wool project to my bag for Show n Tell.  Well, I had not put the blocks together yet, plus factor in that March, April and May remained to be designed.  Geesh!  So I quickly put together the blocks and added a couple borders.  Below is a photo of how it looks put together.  Really is cute.  I love how the blocks float without any sashing.  The designs have been enlarged and the blocks are 10 ½” X 10 ½” square.  To Be Added yet are the appliques for March thru May and then the project will be finished. 

Available Now –

     Background Kit – Includes Black flannel for Blocks, Checked wool for scalloped Penny Rugs, Inner Black circle wool, Wool for Snowbuddie heads, Wool for Carrot Noses,

                              Black wool for months - $38.00

     Individual Monthly Kits – June through March are now available for an additional $10.00 each.  This includes the wool for the remainder of the appliques for each block.

                              These kits can be purchases separately but the Background kit is needed in order to complete the project.

Contact Carrie for ordering information – 970-686-6346 or carrie@starrypinespatterncompany.com

Winner This Month of the “Victorian Vintage Pillow” Pre-traced Project:

We are happy to announce that Robin C. is the winner of the pre-traced project.  We had a lot of fun making this project.  The ladies in the class colored with their favorite colors and we heat set the colors.  Then the project is embroidered in Black to outline the colors.  Robin we will be contacting you to get your mailing information.  Congratulations!

Bee and I will work on sending out some Valentine’s Day recipes next week.  Never know, even a surprise or two!!

Connie and Bee

 

1930's Feed Sack Embroidery Project

Hello All!

It is a beautiful sun-shiny day in Colorado.  It feels like Spring!!  That will change this weekend when we are going to get some real January Colorado weather.  You the know the saying here….”just wait 15 minutes and the weather will change.” 

I realized that I did not Post the 1930’s Feed sack Project on the Blog.  I have been sending a Newsletter out for years, first through the mail and of course, now through email.  I am struggling with combining both the Newsletter and the Blog.  Does one need to completely go away?  Maybe some of you have a great idea on how to handle it.  I know that some of you get the Newsletter and Blog both and each has offered different things….confusing….even I am getting confused!!  Send me your ideas.

We went back and checked and realized that we had not offered or announced the 1930’s Feed sack project via Blog.  So, below, Carrie is going to cut and paste the information from the Newsletter…..the stack of Authentic strips we cut and a photo of one finished block.  We had an amazing sign up for this project…first come basis and we were not sure how many kits my stash of sacks would provide.  Okay, so…….we were able to get 43 kits.  We have contacted everyone on the list and shipped out all but 6 of the kits.  We have six kits remaining and ready to ship…..if you are interested.  Check it out, it is quite the project and won’t be offered this way again.  My Feed sacks are gone!!!

 

"1930's ENGLISH PAPER PIECING PROJECT -

Notice the photo below of the stack of strips we were able to get from my Stash of Authentic fabrics. Yvonne and I spent yesterday putting together as many strip bundles as we could possibly get and we were very pleasantly surprised how many we were able to get. Each bundle has 25 different authentic 1930's Feedsack fabrics. We loved touching them and seeing just how pretty they are together. We will be calling beginning at the top of the list and working down. Probably will not begin calling until next week sometime, we will need credit card information to secure your kit. If you are on the list and are away during the Holidays and reading this, please take a moment to email Carrie and confirm that you want to still get a kit or have us remove your name. The Cost of the kit is $98.00 (free shipping) and the kit includes 3 1/2" yd. White Kona Cotton, 25 strips of 1930's Feed sack fabrics, 25 - 1930's Embroidery patterns and 250 Pentagon papers for the English Paper Piecing and a Pattern. Kits come as stated, we will not break kits apart or delete portions. A finishing kit will be offered later and I will schedule one daytime and one evening class for those of you that need some instruction. It's a beauty!! If you would like to call to hold your kit, call 970-686-6346 and clearly leave your name and also you can leave your credit card information.

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in a kit, send Carrie an email or give her a call.  The pattern only will be offered at a later date for use with 1930’s Reproduction prints.

Have a great week!

Connie

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year – January 3, 2013

Read to the bottom….there is a New Giveaway this Month!!

I think we all agree that November and December have to be the busiest months of the year if you are a woman!  I apologize for not blogging more, we seem to just get our next “Snowbuddies” embroidery pattern up and it is time to do it again and we haven’t posted a thing in between.  Good intentions, we promise to do better in 2013!!

We opened the Shoppe for a couple fun events.  On December 16, we had a “Sew Day” and set up as many tables and chairs as the space would hold.  We were able to seat

about 50.  The staff and I worked really hard on projects that we offered – “Make and Takes” where about 90% of the work was completed and the ladies were able to purchase the kit and finish it while sharing time with friends and making new friends at their tables. (I designed new projects, we traced, we cut, we fused and put the projects together ahead of time!!)  One donated can good item gave them a chance to win a prize and one dozen cookies to share gave a second chance at another prize.  We were over-run with food items that I loved taking to the local Food Bank and we had some wonderful treats to share as we sewed that day.  Thanks to all of you that participated.  It was fun coming up with projects that you could complete in an afternoon and provide a space where you could have some “me” time.  We will look forward to doing it again!

Savannah (Bee) did a fantastic job in her Christmas performances!  I am just so proud of her.  She is a pretty gutsy little girl.  I believe that little girl came out of her momma with natural dancing and singing talents that we have all enjoyed watching develop in her 11 years.  She seems to be fearless and what a wonderful gift to have so much confidence in herself and she loves sharing it with others.  I watched her at our family Holiday gatherings spending time with our little 3 year old grand-daughter who loves “Sa-Nannah” to pieces.  She is so patient with her and she taught her several dance steps that they performed for us.  Amazing!!

I am looking forward to going off to Lancaster, Pa. later this month to share some time with my friend Jeanette who is the Owner and Designer of Easy As Pie Designs.  She has been putting on Retreats and some road trips for many years and does a super job of it.  She has had me out several times to teach and she has a following of over 50 ladies that keep coming back to her Retreats.  Some of her ladies – referred to as “Queens” have been to every Retreat!  That tells you that they are great.  Anyway, I will be heading out to spend some time with this group, I will be a “groupie”, not teaching, but taking some R & R time with some of the dearest ladies in the world.  We will be staying over an extra day after the group leaves for some extra girl time!  I can hardly wait!  (Hugs coming soon, Jeanette, Janet, Susan…..)

NEXT “SNOWBUDDIES” PATTERN:

Below is the February themed “Snowbuddies” Embroidery Pattern.  It just had to be Valentine’s Day….so our Snowbuddie has some hair this time….needed to be a girl!  She is pretty cute and of course holds a heart that says “Bee Mine.”  I can’t believe that we just have three more months and the project blocks will all be designed.  

 

Offered now are the blocks that are slightly enlarged and feature Wool Applique.  Each month – June thru February is now available in wool applique.  We have cut a wool and flannel background kit that includes the Black flannel for the blocks (12), Tan checked wool for the scalloped Penny Rugs (12), Crème wool for the Snowbuddies (12), Black Wool for the mouths (12) and Orange wool for the “Snowbuddie” carrot noses (12).  This provides all of the basic background fabrics for the project.  The cost of this kit is $38.00.   There are individual wool applique kits for each month.  These kits include the remainder of wools needed for each of the Blocks.  Individual kits are $10.00 each.  Below is a photo of the wool February block in progress.  (I swear, I am turbo blanket stitching and having trouble keeping up!)  Also, I have pinned up the blocks all together to give you an idea of how the finished project will look.  I plan to sew the blocks together (no sashing) and Featherstitch along the seams and will add a Border to the outside.  It is going to be an adorable wall hanging!

WINNER OF THE SNOWBUDDIES BACKGROUND KIT……We offered one Background kit as a giveaway and the winner is Susan Nixon.  We will be emailing you to get your shipping address!  Congratulations!!

Interested in the Wool Applique Kits?????  Contact Carrie at 970-686-6346 or carrie@starrypinespatterncompany.com

Please continue to check back or sign up for the Blog.  It then will come automatically to you.  Also, if you are not on our Newsletter email list, you can send your information to Carrie.  The Blog and Newsletter do not always have the same information in them, projects, kits offered, etc.  Somehow we need to combine them…update our sites…..

Ya da, ya da………………..

Next week I am teaching a Vintage Victorian Pillow.  I am reproducing an old embroidery from the 30’s and we are going to color (with crayons) and embroider it.  Best part….we are pre-tracing the design onto the muslin background!  THE GIVEAWAY THIS MONTH……The kit for this project….pre-traced panel, floss and a box of crayons.

Leave us a comment and we will enter you into the drawing.  The question you can comment on……”What is your favorite way to spend “me” time?

I’m off for lunch and pedicures with my Granddaughter Rachel!  Have a great weekend!!

Happy New Year to you All!

Connie

Mini Moments with Bee.............

I am still on winter break!  Although I can’t wait to get back to dance class and school, Christmas was wonderful for me.  I enjoyed being with my family and opening presents.  New Year's was fun for me also.  My family and I went to The Melting Pot and had a wonderful 5 course dinner on New Year's Eve, it was delicious!  On New Year's night, my family and I went and had dinner with family friends and that was also fun!  2012 was quite a year.  I can’t believe it is 2013 already!  I can’t wait to see what this year brings for my family, friends, and me! Here are some quotes to remember as we go through each and every day of the new year:

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

          -Mother Teresa

“The future depends on what you do today.”

         - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

  

January Themed Snowbuddie and Wool Applique Snowbuddie Kits now Available

Hello Woolies!

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday at our home, I sure hope you did, too!  The grandkids always keep things so festive and fun.  Savannah and our littlest Angel (3) came up with some great dance routines and performed for us.  Cody who is now 14 was into food! Loves dressing and turkey and anything else related to the dinner table.  I am always amazed how he can eat!  I came upon our Little Angel in the kitchen licking a serving spoon that had obviously been dipped into a container of Cool Whip.  She was just in heaven….mostly because no one knew she was doing it. 

Speaking of performing….Bee has been so busy in rehearsals for the program freshly written called “Christmas Presence.”  She played the lead – “Roxy” who is 8 and with her Grandfather they tell the true story of Christmas.  There was lots of story telling, dancing and singing.  She did a great job and was just fabulous in her first lead.  I know she will be updating you in her “Mini Moments” and hopefully can include a photo.  So proud of you Bee!

So……….here we are just creeping up on Christmas!  For me, and probably for you, it feels like we are in fast forward.  Can we all make a pact to slow down as much as possible and enjoy those beautiful moments that just go flying by so quickly that we totally miss them?  Before I close my eyes for the night, I am consciously making an effort to remember a few of the great things that happened during the day I just finished.  Sometimes, it will include a giggle and sometimes sweet tears.  Let’s promise to allow ourselves those sweet moments. 

Since our home is on the second story of our building, we face Main Street and the street is lined with trees.  Once again! I look out my windows to beautiful twinkly lights.  I just love this time of the year, love seeing the lights go onto the trees and celebrate when the lights come on.  It is like floating in the sky with twinkling lights. 

January Themed – “Snowbuddie”

Here is the January themed “Snowbuddie”  all snuggled up in ear muffs, scarf and holding a snowflake.  I hope you are having fun with these stitcheries.  We only have four months remaining.  The downloadable patterns will be available until June 1^st and then will disappear from the Blog site.   

TA DA! TA DA! TA DA! HERE ARE THE WOOL VERSIONS OF “SNOWBUDDIES”………………………

Okay, well, I was so excited about  giving new life to these embroideries by making them into Wool Applique Penny Rugs!  I enlarged the patterns and then created the same designs in Wool Applique.  They are so stinkin’ cute!  They are so much fun to make and stitch….just come to life right before your eyes.  I wish I could say that I have all of them stitched, but I am working on it.   I do have all of them fused to Black flannel background blocks.  In the photos below you will see the options of what to do with these great Penny Rug blocks.

Background Basic Kit - $38.00 Includes:

     Tan Check Wool for 12 Scalloped Penny Rugs*

      Black Wool for 12 Inner Circles and Snowbuddie Mouths*

      Crème Wool for 12 Snowbuddie Heads*

      Orange Wool for 12 Carrot Noses*

      1 yd. Black Flannel for 12 – 10 ½” X 10 ½” Background blocks

      Pattern for * Items

Wool Applique Kits – These kits are $10.00 each ₊ Shipping and just include the Wool for the Appliques – Available now, June, July, August, September, October, November, December (2 variations) and January.  February, March, April and May will be available when each of the Downloadable Embroideries appear on the Website. 

Option 1 -   Fused onto Black Flannel Background Blocks that finish about 10” each.  Blocks are then put together 3 blocks X 4 blocks into a wall hanging.  I plan to sew mine together without sashing.  I will Featherstitch along the seam lines of the blocks.  You can sash yours if you like.  An outside Border can be added to finish off this cute piece.  You will need the Background Basic Kit and each of the Snowbuddie Wool Applique kits to complete Option 1.

Option 2 – Some of you may want to pick and choose which Penny Rug designs you would like to make.  Instead of sewing the blocks into a wall quilt, I finished the December design individually.  After all the stitching was complete, I added fusible fleece to the wrong side of the square.  I then cut into the circle shape, adding backing and finished as if it is a small quilt by adding Bias binding to the outside edge of the circle.  It finishes to a 9 ½” circle.  So cute!  It is a great variation or addition to my Flag Stand pattern.  This kit comes with the Wool Welcome Flag kit which includes the adjustable wrought iron stand.  This kit is available for $52.00.   You can check out our website for other Penny rugs that go onto the Flag Stand.  www.thelittlewoolshoppe.com .   Needed for Option 2 – Background Basic Kit and Snowbuddies Wool Applique Kits.  If making individual Penny Rugs you will need Fusible Fleece, Backing and Binding for each Penny Rug. 

“SNOWBUDDIES” GIVEAWAY…….  Okay, if you are interested in the “Snowbuddies”  Wool Applique program, we are giving away one Background Basic Kit valued at $38.00.  That will get you started.  If you will email Carrie at carrie@starrypinespatterncompany.com with your Name & mailing address, we will include them in a drawing for the Basic Kit.  The drawing will be January 1^st.   Good Luck!

Hopefully, in the next few days we will have our website updated with some new Block of the Month auto ship programs……The Red Chair, Snowflakes Galore and a brand new Embroidery/English Paper pieced project that features authentic 1930’s 40’s Feedsack fabrics for the Paper piecing.  It is fabulous!  We will cut up the fabric and when it is gone it is gone.  Kits are very limited. 

I wish you a great week!

Connie

Mini Moments from Bee………………………..  

This past weekend I did my show at the Lincoln Center. It was a great show full of lots of dancing, acting, and music. The cast was wonderful. I am sad that the show is over though.

I can't believe it is December it seems like November went so quickly.  I can't believe it is almost Christmas, but of course it ruins the effect of Christmas when there is no snow yet. I know that my family has already put up our Christmas decorations in our house.  It makes it feel a little more Christmasy!  I think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year!

December Snowbuddies

Hello Woolies!

I cannot believe that my last Blog post was on October 1^st.  Bee and I have been very busy and we have let you down.  I thought closing the Retail part of my business would open up all kinds of time….I must have been dreaming!

I did get my Storage units emptied, thanks to some great help from Linda!  She just kept nudging me along and we got it done.   I spent a solid week going through all of those Rubbermaid tubs that we moved over…it felt like an impossible job, but I sorted and the gals marked the items and we set up a cute little indoor sale spot and it was a whopping success!  What did not sell was donated and it felt sooooooo good!  I never thought that I would have empty Rubbermaid tubs that I would also donate to the Goodwill. 

I have spent a lot of time setting up our new workspace and my Studio!  I just cannot tell you how great it feels to know where everything is….and I am not wasting my time with the frustration of wondering which tub it is stored in and in which storage unit!!  My Studio is once again spacious and I am surrounded by the things that I love and it inspires me to create!

We are working away on getting items available on line.  Carrie has an Etsy site set up and here is the information………Our shop name is Wooly Moments and we can be found at the following link:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoolyMoments?ref=si_shop  We appreciate those orders that are coming in.

We are planning an Openhouse on November 17^th.  Want to share my Studio/Classroom/Work space with you and also announcements of upcoming classes and projects.  “The Red Chair” project will be available beginning on the 17^th and classes and projects will be posted on all of our sites for those of you that are not in the area.

The Backdoor…..

Bee and I see each other almost every day, but we have not had time to continue on with our Backdoor painting.  We will keep you updated with changes and we will have to finish it soon before the weather changes too much!

Winner of the Vintage Sewing Bag…..

I hope you have had an opportunity to check out my project featured in the latest American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.  We promised a great giveaway of a one of a kind vintage bag that I created into a Sewing Bag…..the lucky winner is Cindy Weed!!!                               Congratulations, we will be contacting you via email to getting your mailing information!  Enjoy this great Bag from my heart to your heart!!

December “Snowbuddies”…….

I know that I am a day late getting the December themed “Snowbuddie” to you, but for a good reason.   This month I designed two.  The Reason for the Season is different for everyone and so I wanted to design two different blocks….one very Whimsical with a string of Christmas Lights, Candy Cane and Holly.  And…I wanted to design a Snowbuddie shining with a Star behind him and abeautiful Nativity scene in his hands, called O! Holy Night.  You decide which works best for your Snowbuddie collection.   I love both of them!

NEW! NEW! NEW!......Now, that we are over halfway through the “Snowbuddie” collection, I have decided to offer these cuties in another medium.  I have been stitching mine in Redwork and you probably have been doing embroidery on yours.  I will now present the current “Snowbuddies” in Wool applique.  They are just gonna’ be so darn cute and as soon as I have the current seven ready, I will present them to you.  Kits will be available for these wool projects, I think you are going to love them.  At the end of twelve months you will have 12 blocks to embroider and/or applique.

Hurricane Sandy….

Oh my gosh!  To our East coast friends, my prayers have been with you all!  Words cannot come close to expressing the pain and sadness that we all feel as a Nation.  Blessings to you all!

Hey! Have a wonderful November.   I promise you will hear from me more this month, so stay tuned, stay safe and be Blessed!

Connie

Mini Moments from Bee………………………

It was another busy week for my family. Busy weeks are pretty fun though. Cody had three basketball games this week and I had lots of dance classes and Christmas Presence practice. The production is getting close it's kind of scary!!! We have just started practicing like crazy.  In my opinion the show is going to be the best Christmas show ever.  The whole cast of the show is great.  I can't wait until opening day, but I am glad that it isn't tomorrow. If you haven't bought tickets yet; I encourage you to get some cause it is going to be great. Plus the tickets are selling fast. Here is a link to where you can buy tickets. I hope to see you there!