Attention yarn lovers – are you ready for World Wide Knit in Public Day? We will be holding a World Wide Knit in Public event at Village Fabrics & Crafts on June 20th starting at 10am, and we are extending our invitation to this event to all of those who love yarn – knitters, crocheters, those who use knitting looms and even those who would like to learn.  If the weather co-operates we hope to be able to be outside, if not our classroom will be available so you can come rain or shine!  You will need to bring a project, lawn chair, beverage, lunch (or go out for lunch), sun screen, friends and anything else to make your day fun and comfortable.  If love yarn and want to learn how to knit or crochet; bring your enthusiasm and we will teach you how!  This is a FREE EVENT and there will be lots of really good door prizes, too! Contact us if you have any questions and to let us know that you will be joining in on the fun.  Stay for the whole day or as long as your schedule permits.

We will hope to see you and your yarn on Sat. June 20!  Till next time – happy crafting!

Lisa

Spring has definitely sprung and summer is on its way!  You can almost see the leaves on the trees grow everyday.  With the rain we are having today the woods is full of the most beautiful green colors.  One would never realize that there where that many shades of green- how inspiring.

To inspire you I have some new things to show you.  My sons’ favorite new thing is this great play tent, we even let him make the final decision on which fabric he liked best.

There are so many wonderful fabrics that you could use to make this tent.  You could choose leaves, bark looking fabric, flowers anything!  In fact it is fun to let the kids choose and see what they pick out.  This pattern from Maw Bell also includes a pattern for a sleeping bag.

Journey’s Beginning is a new collection of fabrics from Wilmington Prints.  We have kits available for this new quilt that features bears, deer and wolves.

The cutest little ballerina backpack fabric panel is here.  The fabric panel features all the outer backpack pieces and you just need batting and lining.  It assembles quickly and would make a great gift.

Looking for a great gift for a special someone -  this note book holder from This & That.  It could be for the kids to make notes, leave one in the car, carry one in your purse, give one to a friend, sketch new quilt designs, or make notes on your knitting project.  Fun and easy to make!

Enjoy the day and until next time happy crafting!

Lisa

Wow, it is a pretty day here today.  The sun is shining with blue sky all around and the snow is practically melting as you watch.  Ironically, we could use some rain because where there isn’t any snow it is almost dusty.  There is currently 1,930 cubic feet of water going over Tahquamenon Falls  each second.  If my calculations are correct that is about 14,417 GALLONS PER SECOND.  Amazing!

The birds are migrating across Whitefish Point.  A gentleman was just in and said he saw a bald eagle, a golden eagle and sandhill cranes today.  Spring certainly has sprung!

In a way, I am kind of glad there is still a little snow on the ground.  That means I don’t have to rake yet and since I can’t quite get to the garden yet, I get to sew and knit and enjoy the next couple of weeks till the snow is gone.

New in knitting is this pair of socks that Vicki just finished.  It is hard to see, but there is a pattern in the leg of the sock called Chain of Hearts.  These socks are made from one of the yarns that has aloe in the yarn.  If you haven’t tried out this yarn yet put it on your list.  It is great on your hands as you work with it too.

Spring makes us think of bunnies and these bunnies featured in Bunny’s Day Out are having a great time playing in the fields.  This would be great for any child – boy or girl.

Speaking of children Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar fabrics are here and selling quickly.  We even have the books to go with them.  A great gift for a new baby could be a quilt and a book.  Or for a little older child, how about a pillow case and a book.

Vicki has been playing with the Strip Tube ruler and book again.  The possibilities with this ruler are endless.  She has about 16 blocks or so done and it is so fun just to move them around on the design wall to see what you can come up with.  Here are just a few of the designs that I put together just playing around.

As you look at these pictures, remember they are all the same block.

It is hard for me to pick my favorite design.

Now I just stuck these blocks together, but you can use them randomly or spend a little more time laying them out.  Either way this technique is really neat and I think that I will have to be experimenting with it soon.

Enjoy your spring and till next time – happy crafting!

Lisa

It’s coming up quickly.  National Quilting Day is this Saturday, March 21st!  This is such a fun and exciting time to celebrate and experience quilting and National Quilting Day gives us an excuse to do so.  Although, we don’t find that we need an excuse to do something so fun!   Quilting has come a long way and there are so many different facets to this gem.  To celebrate National Quilting Day we are doing a free quilting event.  We will be running a quilting open house all day 10am  -5pm, where students can choose a technique and make their own mini quilt to take home with them.  Some technique options are; chenille, fabric ink, applique and piecing.  Here are a few sample pictures of what we will be doing on Saturday. 

From Left to Right:  Chenille, piecing, fusible machine applique, quilt as you go.

Fun with fabric inks.

Remember, if you are in the area stop by on Saturday, March 21st.  National Quilting Day is for everyone from want-to-be quilters, beginning quilters and even those who has been quilting for years.  We hope to see you there!

I have a couple of new projects to show you today.  First is a new knitting technique called k1b or knit one below.  This technique uses two yarns and you get a really cool stripe effect.  Now I can’t give a lot of details on this technique because Vicki has been working on it but I can tell you that it is really cool, not hard and we currently have classes scheduled on it. 

Also a new felted bag or purse.  Brown Sheep company yarns are so pretty and they felt wonderfully!  It is hard to tell in the picture but there are really cool shell buttons on the pockets at each end of this bag.  There is also a zipper so all your things stay inside.

A new quilt that we have just completed is this beautiful batik quilt made with Bali Pops (pre packaged 2 1/2″ strips of assorted batik fabrics) from Hoffman fabrics.  This quilt uses a new technique called Strip Tubing to easily make all the triangles.  We are currently running classes on this quilt. 

We hope that everyone is having  a good spring.  We have had some beautiful weather the past couple of days and it makes me want to start a new project!

Till next time, happy crafting!

Lisa

It is a beautiful day here today.  As I sit here typing, the sun is shining on the snow and everything just sparkles.  I can hear the snowmobiles on the trail across the road from the shop and I bet the scenery is awesome.  We have had some great days to be outside lately.  Whether on the skis, snowshoes, out ice fishing or just taking a walk, enjoy winter.  It will be over soon and we will have to put our snow things away till next time.  This picture of the Upper Tahquamenon Falls was taken about two weeks ago.   Unfortunately, we didn’t  have sun that day but the ice on the Falls was amazing.

As for what is going on in the shop, we just ordered some dazzling new fabrics for Christmas and Halloween.  Of course they won’t be here for a little while yet but we are very excited about them.  Some great new patterns and notions that are coming in as well.  Stay tuned there will be lots of new stuff coming soon.

Our National Quilting Day event that will be held on Sat. March 21st this year.  This is a free event that will allow you to try quilting and sewing.  If you already quilt and sew this will give you an opportunity to try new techniques and you will take home a finished mini quilt   I have to finish my models of all the techniques that we will be offering  that day but as soon as they are  ready I will post them.

I admit it.  I am scared of mitered borders.  Not anymore!  There is a new ruler that helps you get your mitered borders perfect and it works wonderfully.  I think every quilt and wall hanging should now have a mitered border.  Check out this quilt that I did with mitered borders and this great new tool.  The border of this quilt is actually a printed stripe fabric and even the little stripes on the border went together perfectly.

Vicki finished this sweater in Ara yarn.  The pattern is from Knitting Pure & Simple and is worked from the neck down.  There are 11 different colors of Ara and most of them are multi color through out the skein.  The one in the picture is blue, lavender and green. 

For those quilters who like hand work too, we have a great line of patterns that feature snowwomen who would rather be stitching than shoveling snow and other snow activites that keep them from snowing.  This is a series of 12 different patterns, make one for a wall hanging for a friend or do all 12 and make into a quilt. 

Happy New Year!   Out with the old and in with the new.  We have each finished up some projects and are starting on new.

Vicki has made this great eye spy quilt.  She used wild life prints  but you could use anything- flowers, kids prints, fruits/vegetables – there are lots of options!  This pattern is called I Spy With a Twist and is the first pattern from designer Lisa Moore.  Three different size quilts are included in the pattern instructions. 

Recently Vicki finished  a quilt from a fabric group called Early Frost.  The fabric is from Wilmington and features a wonderful buck in the trees. 

Deb finished a quilt from The Pattern Basket called Country Ties.  They are hard to see, but the quilt features the cutest ties between the blocks.  Great quilt for fat quarters in any style.  Our quilt shows off different batiks and the picture on the pattern shows off assorted prints.

The Burpee Blankee from Strawberry Patches is just the thing for any new mother and baby.  These little blankees are perfect for the baby to play with as well as catching any messes.  I used flannel and chenille on the front and Minkee on the back.  Oh so soft and so cute! 

To go with the Burpee Blankees how about a chenille baby blanket.  It is so easy to make with Timesless Treasures printed chenille fabric.  Layer your flannel pices with the printed flannel on top, baste, sew on the printed lines, cut the top layers between the stitching lines, bind, wash and you are done.  I choose a great print fabric for the back and picked out a green and a pink to layer on the top. 

I am off to work on a great new tote bag.  Wishing you the very best New Year.  Till next time, happy crafting!

Lisa

Merry Christmas to all!  We were just having a little snow and it made the most beautiful picture.  Can’t you just imagine this on the front of a Christmas card.  I hope you all enjoy your holidays and we wish the very best to you and your families.

Winter Carnival of Classes is coming soon, so here is a little preview of what is coming up.  If you are not familiar with our Winter Carnival of Classes, it consits of a different make it- take it class offered each day during the time between Christmas and New Years.  This year our classes start on Dec. 28th and continue through Jan. 2nd.  Each class starts at 1pm, all supplies are included in the class fee, there is no need for pre -registration and the classes are set up for all skill levels.  If you would like more information just visit our website at www.villagefabricsandcrafts.com and click on the classes link.  If you are unable to make to visit us during our Carnival of Classes, all of the items featured are available in the shop.

Dec. 28th Amazing Aprons – this is one of my favorite apron patterns and great for fun prints.   This apron pattern is now available in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes.

Dec. 29th Poke a Little Fun – Creating 3-D shapes with needle felting.  These are the cutest little creatures ever!  Many animal designs to choose from and great directions.  I have done needle felting but not 3-D shaped, it was fun!  Here is Pete the penguin.

Dec. 30th Cute as a Cupcake Pincushion – What a great little gift for someone special and lots of ways to embellish them. 

Dec. 31st Let’s Play Dress Up – well not really but with these cute little wool felt dresses and glass beads you can design dresses until your hearts content. 

Jan. 1st Snap Happy Ditty Bags – These bags are so addictive you won’t be able to make just one.   The pattern gives three basic sizes and directions so you can make any size you want.  There is something very interesting that helps to “snap” them shut.  

Jan. 2nd Fabulous Fabric Flower Pins – Try your hand at fabric ink and coloring on fabric with these cute flowers that you can pin on to a hat, tote, coat anything.  Pick your own colors! 

Merry Christmas to all.  We wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!

Lisa

Oh, it is good to be back!  Sorry it has been so long.  I had to order a new battery and power cord for my computer and it took longer than expected.  The computer just doesn’t run well with out electricity.

We have some snow on the ground and there is a very pretty light snow falling right now.  The roads have been in good shape and it hasn’t been too cold- good start to winter.

With the Christmas holiday fast approaching I have some new items that can be done in a short amount of time and would make awesome gifts for that special some one on your list.

For the guy on your list or the lady that likes to fish, a fish oven mitt from Vanilla House Designs.  This easy to make oven mitt comes in two sizes for either men or women and could be made from any fabric.  A floral fish would be fun too!  Where the green trim crosses across the fish body is where your hand goes into the oven mitt.  Vanilla House also does a men’s apron so you could do a matching set.

Is there someone in your life that has a love of sewing gadgets? (This is so great that you may want to suggest this to your favorite elf.)  The new Bendable Bright Light from Dream World attaches to your sewing machine and allows you to direct the bright LED light right where you need it.

Everyone can have new Christmas stockings this year with these quick to make stockings from Quilt Smart.  The stocking pattern is printed right on fusible interfacing.  You iron the interfacing to your fabric, fold where it tells you to fold, cut where it tells you to cut and sew where it tells you to sew and you are done.  Pick out the perfect print for each person to make the stockings really special.

New, from the inventive people at Clover and Nancy Zieman, purse and bag templates.  There are two sets: one rounded bag set and one square bag set.  From each set you can make six different bags!  With both sets that is 12 different bags!  For someone like me who can never have enough bags this is a dream come true.   Some bags have darts and pleats others have tabs and some are plain.  There are tons of ways to embellishment these bags and add special details.  Here is a picture of each bag.  These are just the basic bag without any extra details or embellishments. 

A cuddly warm gift for those chilly winter nights would be a flannel raggy quilt.  This one starts with a panel and the squares are added around.  This line of fabric is called Tracks Along the Trail from Granola Girl.  If you haven’t made a raggy quilt before, you do the front and back together and there isn’t any binding so when you are done you are done! 

How about a little decorating around the house?  This next item would be great for a whole family project and you can decorate with them or make ornaments for the tree.  These wool felt snow people kits are from Artgirlz and all you need is glue, scraps of fabrics, yarns and any other embellishments you would like.   Aren’t they just the cutest!!

If you are out and about this weekend come to “Christmas in Paradise”.  On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28th and 29th area businesses will be having specials and treats.  On Saturday the Christmas Bazaar will be held at the Whitefish Township Community Center from 10am – 5pm and Santa will visit from 1-3pm.  Starting at 6pm on Saturday evening there will be the lighting of the town Christmas tree, caroling and refreshments.

During “Christmas in Paradise”, Village Fabrics & Crafts will be having refreshments and both days will be full of different make it take its.  You can go home with lots of ideas and items already made for trims and decorations.  While in the shop you can register for a $50 holiday shopping spree at Village Fabrics & Crafts!  (Need not be present to win.)

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  We wish you and your families the very best.

Lisa

Wow this week I have plaid moose, two knitted items, and a fun thing to do with orphan quilt blocks – so lets get started!

First the plaid moose. (This sounds like some kind of a poem, doesn’t it?  I have never seen a plaid moose, I never hope to see one…..)  Actually this moose doesn’t need to be just plaid.  He (or she) could be made from crazy and wild prints, florals, batiks whatever you would like.  “Here Come the Moose” from Boulder Creek Designs.

Next we have “Creative Fabric Weaving” from designer Julie Higgins.  This book gives you different ideas on how to use orphan blocks to turn them into other things such as table runners, wall hangings, placemats, vests or even jackets.  If you don’t have orphan blocks you can just use two or more colors of fabric to weave together.  Use the under, over, under, over technique of weaving and add assorted decorative threads if desired, and you have a unique work of art.  This book and model are a must see and must have so that you can start designing your own works of art.

We have a new hat kit from Dale of Norway using Ara yarn.  Ara is a wonderful thick and thin wool yarn.  The kit includes yarn and pattern to make one of two different hats.  Because of the way the hat is knitted it seems to fit all ages from my 3year old to me and the snowflake detail is so cute!  This is great practice for doing two colored knitting also.

We have the sweetest little baby blanket.  This blanket, about 24″ square and knitted from corner to corner, uses a yarn called “big Ball” and is knitted on size 17 needles.  It is the perfect snuggle size.  Great for that special last minute gift, this blanket can be completed in a couple of evenings or weekend.

Sock Update:  I am ready to pick up my stitches for the heel – yeah!

‘Till next time – happy crafting and remember “All Threads Lead to Paradise!”

Lisa