Pieces

Making things easier...

We finally got a few Sewline Needle Threaders in to test drive and all of us at the shop agree - we need one.  Of course, it really threads a needle, and it is a needle case with a magnet and thread cutter.  And if that wasn't enough it is really sleek looking (love the color)and very portable. If you are threading challenged, this might just be the cool new toy that makes your life a little easier. 

 

Just in - Good Fortune by Kate Spain!  Beautiful colors and mix of small and large prints.

A spectacular quilt made by Ann...

 

 

 

Thanks to the Volunteers

Thanks to the ladies who ventured out on this wet wet day to help make quilts for the first "donation day" of 2012.  They got an impressive amount of work done.

We are making quilts for teens in the Looking Glass Independent Living program that they will receive when they graduate from the program in the spring.  These young adults will then be transitioning from living in foster care to living on their own.  The quilts donated last year were much appreciated as these kids went off to school or set up in their first apartment.  Next month we'll be sewing on Feb 16, maybe we will see you then?

Do you need some animals to fill that ark you are building because you think it just might rain like this forever? 

These pictures of David Walker's critters do not do them justice. They are even more fun in person.

There is no denying it now.  We are IN it.  We have hit the gray, dark and rainy days the Willamette Valleys is known for.  BUT - there is relief. 

This collection from Moda and Malka Dubrawsky is so vibrant that we put it right in the window so that it will brighten the view (from both sides).  If you are not familiar with her work, check out her blog.

Another bright addition to the shop this week is Stockholm from Kaufman.

Looks like the cover of the latest issue of Stitch magazine was designed for this collection.

Finally, once again I am impressed with what you all do with your treasures from thhe shop.  Dawn - this is an awesome bag...

 

New Year News

Here's hoping your 2012 is off to a good start. We went to the coast last weekend where I started getting to know my new "grown-up" camera.  It was fun to play with the settings for action shots.  This is the first picture I've taken of my dog running amok on the beach that wasn't completely blurry. 

At the shop the new year is also off to a good start.  We received the first line from a brand new fabric company, Dear Stella. 

I don't know if it is a phase but I am more attracted to neutrals than I have ever been.  Maybe it is because the prints are so interesting but as soon as this collection arrived we decided to see what would happen with the fabrics above and this new pattern from the Modern Quilt Workshop

It's cut and the piecing has begun.  Stay tuned...

And if you are looking for creamy soft cuteness, then this one from Alexander Henry is one you may want to take a look at.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who is feeling inspired by neutrals lately. Susan brought in her latest project to show, and it is just lovely.

 Cheers!

Goodbye 2011

As we near the end of 2011 may I just say... Thank You for such a great year! 

You are the best customers in the world.  We have had great fun tracking down fabrics for you to sew with and then seeing what you do with them.  This week Ann shared a special "friendship" quilt she made with her quilting group.  

It is stunning.  I think it is fun to see such a traditional style pattern combined with the colorful Kaffe Fassett prints.  It makes for a very unique quilt.  

I think Jeanne must have sewn night and day over the holiday weekend.  She came in on Friday before the weekend to get fabric for these two quilts and was back in on Monday with them pieced.  Now - that is my kind of holiday...

And take a look at the present that little Nora's mommy made for her.  Oh so cute...

To get ready for all the beauties that will be arriving next month, we've moved quite a bit of fabric to the clearance area, all at 40% off.   You should check it out.....  

We will close early on New Year's Eve (3:00) and be closed on New Year's Day so all of us at PBP can ring in the new year with our families and friends.  I am headed to the coast for the weekend where I want to spend time learning how to use my new "grown-up" camera.  Maybe I'll master action shots and get a picture of crazy Howie the dog running at top speed on the beach. 

Thank you for all of your support during 2011 and cheers to 2012!

 

 

Holiday Joy to You

All of us at Piece by Piece hope you have a happy holiday weekend filled  with joy and appreciation for all the good things in your life.

We will be closed on the 24th and 25th.  We will be open until 3:00 on the 31st and closed on the 1st of January.  Other than that we will be open as usual. We've been doing some housecleaning which means new fabrics, books and patterns have been added to the clearance area.  We're not finished yet so more will be added as 2011 draws to an end. 

 

I don't think we are the favorite stop of our UPS and FEDEX delivery people right now.  In addition to their heavier than usual load with the holidays, we have received some weighty boxes of fabric in the last week, including some new canvas weights...

...the very interesting Primativa collection...

... domestic bliss...

... joyful garden...

and fantasia.

The little elves have also been busy sewing this last week or two.  We tried out two new patterns.  The first is a clutch/cosmetic bag from Pink Sand Beach and the 2nd is the Cash on Hand pattern by Susie Shore Designs.  This is another "little wallet" with a detachable handle and a zippered pocket for coins and such.

OK - I think it is close enough now that we can let the traditional holiday eating begin!  At my house it includes cookies, cookies and more cookies, crab cakes and soup, gingerbread waffles with whip cream and applesauce, an herb crusted roast with garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes - yum!

 

Stress Break

I don't know about you but I hear a lot of people talking about being stressed by too much to do right now, what with the holidays just around the corner.  I confess being a bit overwhelmed myself but then this (Half Moon Modern by Moda)arrived today...

...and it made be stop, take a break and ponder the possibilites and the distraction made me forget about the "to do" list for a minute.  Yesterday, we took a break from the regular duties around here and started a new shop project that involves this...

...and one of these new patterns.

It's going to be good....  These patterns are by Caroly Friedlander and I want to make them all.  She was one of the new pattern makers at the market and I hope she keeps up the good work.  Other new pattern makers are the Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr duo.  You may already be familiar with their books.  In addition to another new book due out any day they are venturing into patterns...

...and a "magazine", although it works a little differently than a magazine.  The back issues will be available indefinitely instead of off the shelves when the new issue comes out.   In addition to 3 new patterns each issue will feature The Cutting Table, where the authors will present their thoughts on basic design and mixing fabric lines, and Palette Chasing, where you will be guided to find color inspiration.  The first issue is here...

There are a couple of other new lines to the shop - Echo by Lotta Jansdotter...

and "Spring Rain" from Clothworks.

Last weekend, instead of baking holiday cookies I entertained myself by making a bag from a pattern I've been wanting to try out for a long time.  The pattern, Sausilito, uses 6 fat quarters and goes together easily.  I used some Amy Butler and Alexander Henry to make this...

Did I ever show you the completed quilt from Tina Givens line?  This ought to speak to the "boho chic" amongst us.

On a side note, I learned a lesson the other day.  I've been very bah humbug about the holidays (I think because neither of the boys can come home this year) and almost didn't go to the annual holiday get together of all the ladies I see at the gym everyday.  I went and boy am I glad I did.  These ladies who I exercise with at 6:00 am all have the kinds of jobs you have to wear skirts or slacks and grown up shoes to, you know - managers, nurses, administrators, doctors, caseworkers, teachers, etc. What do you think such a bunch of early rising hard working ladies do when they get together in the evening - discuss politics? social problems and solutions?  Oh #%*@ no!  They eat and drink and steal each other's gifts and.... cuss.  We sounded like...  well, I don't know what we sounded like but it wasn't pretty -  and I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  I am so glad I didn't stay home and wallow.

 

Stockings 2011

Last year we started what is turning out to be a PBP holiday tradition - the stocking exchange.  I draw names amongst those of us who work at PBP and we go off and have our way making a stocking for a co-worker.  It is supposed to be a secret who made each stocking but individual style is hard to disguise.  I have to say that this year we outdid ourselves!  I am so fortunate to have such creative people to work with.  Here's the line up and close ups....

Splendid! Feel free to "vote" for your favorite employee or stocking with a little treat.  That's right, these are not just on display to show off their good looks, these are real working stockings and ready to be filled with treats...

Are we all feeling the holiday frenzy upon us now that December is officially here?  I am, for sure.  By the way, we have a few holiday placemats and tablerunners that we made as samples for the shop that are for sale now.  Hmmmm...perhaps a gift for somone on your list?

 

 

The Mighty Tote

There is plenty of time to make a few simple gifts for your friends and family.  I'll be taking one of these "Mighty Totes" to a holiday gift exchange.  They hold a ton of whatever you want them to hold - groceries, knitting projects, books.  The pattern is free, they are really easy to make and the home dec weight fabric is still 25% off. 

The pattern gives instructions for a fabric covered cardboard bottom that you can insert but I just tend to lose those so didn't bother. 

Have you seen Tatiana lately?  She is ready for the holidays with a reversible apron that is a little bit Christmasy on one side and New Years's Eve on the other.  And with her garland boa, she is looking a little flirty, don't you think?  This is the "Flirty Skirty" apron pattern with JUMBO ric-rac.

We have made the Sidelights quilt pattern several times at the shop now, it's one of our favorites.  Our previous versions have been very sophisticated.  But this time, we decided to make it playful. 

Yes, those are cars and trucks and rockets and critters.  The main fabric is a fun one from Alexander Henry and Celeste did a great job quilting "beep beep", "honk", etc. into the background.

It's funny how we can see a pattern that we like but have a hard time imagining how fabrics that are very different than the pattern picture will look.  Sometimes you just have to consider the pattern as a suggestion and have your way with it.  For example, we've made the Arcadia pattern in the shop a few times and always as the pattern suggests with a number of different fabrics as the focus fabrics.  But Tracy liked a particular fabric so much she used it as the only focus fabric and border too and it is just stunning.

Two customer projects that must be shared....

little Nora's birthday backpack...

...and Sheryl's Flag quilt

I think the story is that she meant for this to be for their boat but now that it is done has decided it needs to live with them in the house. 

Coming soon - the winter class schedule and the debut of the PBP employee stocking exchange.    I've seen some of themand oh my - some of my employees outdid themselves this year!

Just the facts...

No fanfare, no hoopla, just the facts...

After Thanksgiving Specials

Nope, not opening at midnight or 3 AM or even 5 AM (sorry Sue, I know you wanted to come at 5) but when we open as usual at 10

Christmas fabrics will be 30% off until gone

Friday, Saturday, Sunday (11/25-27) only

Home Decorator Weight, Linen/Cotton blends, Knits and Corduroy - 25% off.

Why not take a break and check out the new fabrics that have arrived in the last couple of weeks...

Puttin on the Ritz, from Moda

Brazillia fom Alexander Henry

Bold & Beautiful from Benartex

Benedictus by Albert & Victoria Museum from Westminster Fabrics

Pear Tree from Andover

Happiness from Free Spirit

Karavan from Free Spirit

Neutral Elegance from Clothworks

Woodland from Anthology

Flannels from Timeless

Help!  We are bursting at the seams in the shop.  See what happens when I go on vacation...  Oh, I had a great time.  It is just a bunch of fun to hang out with the boys.  There were sights to see,

and time to just hang out together.  It turns out that even though they are now big city dwellers we can relive favorite moments from their rural upbringing with "urban bonfires"...

I did not know marshmallows came this big.  Good times!

 

Mulling things over...

I was talking with a friend the other day about where and when we mull things over and get our best ideas.  She does all of her "deep thinking" when she walks the dog.  For me...

... this is where I sort things out.  I do some of my best thinking here and many a project has been planned on one of these bikes during the spin class that I am in the habit of attending in the very early hours of the AM.  It is here that recently made the decision to change the Piece by Piece rewards program.  It is not something I want to do, but as a way of helping to keep the increases in fabric costs as minimal as possible I've decided that the bonus gift cards will be worth $10 effective January 1, 2012.  I hate to do, but it needs to happen.   Starting with the new year, for every $250 you spend on regularly priced items you will receive a $10 gift card to use as you wish.  Accumulations will carry over into the new year and any bonus reached before the end of this year still gets the $20 card.  Sorry folks.

On a much more cheery note, I have to reveal that I am newly smitten with....  hexagons and paper piecing.  As I mentioned before, the samples at Quilt Market got my attention.  During the last football game (my husband thinks I am watching the game with him just because I am in the same room), I made my first "hexie". 

It isn't much and I am such a beginner, but it was fun.  I've ordered more papers and references for the store and we'll have a class on the schedule this winter - so c'mon - let's hex this winter.

We have a new book at the store that you may want to spend some time with...

 All of the blocks in this book are scaled to be 12.5 inch blocks so if a person wanted to, they could make a sampler of their favorites.  Some blocks use traditional piecing, others feature applique and others are embellished with embroidery.  And the beautiful thing is that there are 99 different block patterns to chose from - a big bang for your buck.  The list of contributors is impressive and the instructions look clear.  Some examples are...

It may take me a while to get back here to blogville.  Thursday I am headed to the other side of the nation to visit my sons.  We're going to DC to stay with #2 son and his partner and then #1 son and his partner are coming down from New York for a long weekend with us.  This is a big big deal as we are hardly ever all in the same place at the same time.  I am sooooooo excited. 

And when I get back, I promise - I'll finish the class schedule for the winter.