Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Carolina Shop Hop Countdown and More Goodies

 In counting down to the Carolina Shop Hop, July 8th through 16th, we're focused on this year's theme, Civil War. It's the 150th anniversary of the historic War Between the States.  Jody made this quilt, Shimmering Birches from Edita Sitar's book, Friendship Strips & Scraps using Civil War fabrics.  The border is Summer's End by Moda.
 Thanks to Robin Culbertson of Asheville Cotton Company, we now have our book, Carolina Comforts with 13 quilts and projects from  the participating shops in the Carolina Shop Hop.  The photography is beautiful and each shop chose historic spots to have their quilts displayed on. Our patriotic stars quilt, Textile Heritage, was photographed on the steps of the historic Shiloh Methodist Church just down the road from the shop.  This church which is on the National Historic Registry, was built between 1825 and 1830 and was the 'mother church' to many area churches still active today.  Our quilt was named Textile Heritage because of the city's rich textile roots.  Parts of the original Inman textile mills which employed countless families in the area are still in operation today, again, within a 'stone's throw' of Main Street where the shop is located.
 Our version of the Shop Hop Civil War quilt hanging above the mantle in the shop.  There was quite a diversity of blocks submitted using various Civil War reproduction fabrics just as there was a diversity of ideas and viewpoints during the historic nation's war.  Becky did a great job incorporating them into a cohesive unit and the Moda reproduction border, part of the Faith line of Howard Marcus Collection for a Cause fabrics meshed the various colors and tones together into a beautiful quilt.
 Along with the current love affair nationwide with cupcakes, Timeless Treasures has created a fabric 'good enough to eat' with bright multi-colored cupcakes on a black ground.  Becky used it for this Four Corners Apron by Vanilla House, one of the most popular patterns we've ever had here at Inman Quilt Cottage.  These make wonderful gifts for bridal showers, birthday's and holiday's.
 One of our good friends and customers, Mary Margaret LeJeune made the blocks for this Happy Dance quilt using Me and My Sister Designs pattern and Becky finished and quilted it.  It's so bright and cheerful and the blocks seem to spin on the white background.
 A closup of our block for this year's Shop Hop quilt, Kansas Troubles.
Our page in the Shop Hop book, Carolina Comforts with our quilt draped on the handrail at Shiloh Methodist Church. We hope you will plan to join in the fun this year and pick up several copies of the book for yourself and friends.  During the Hop, the books will be $16.95.  After the Hop, they will retail for $18.95 so get them during the Hop to spend a bit more on your fabric stash!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Cupcake Tote, Strawberry Fields and Another New Christmas Line

 In this week is Strawberry Fields by Moda, a sweet, light line of greens, pinks, strawberry red and light yellow.  Sweet and scrumptious as summer strawberries.
 Gen made this precious little Cupcake Tote using the pattern by Quilts Illustrated. This little 7" tall x 7" wide and 3" deep tote is perfect for a special little girl. Gen used the ric rac fabric by Lakehouse and Micheal Miller Fairy Frost green for the 'icing' top and a cute little cupcake acrylic buttons, "Sweet Treats" by Blumenthal Lansing.  To make this, you need one fat quarter for the outer bag; one fat quarter for the lining and one fat quarter for the frosting top.
Moda's rich reds, browns and tans are elegantly beautiful in this line, Grace by 3 Sisters.  A beautiful line for Christmas or any time of the year.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

New Fabrics Just In!!!

 Among the new fabrics we have in this week are some gorgeous, luscious purple's!  From dots to florals, there is a purple or lavender for a summer quilt project!
 We also have in new batiks including some batik fat quarter bundles from Island Batiks.  We've got some rich, beautiful brights and lovely earth toned patterns.
 And though the temps don't indicate it just now, Christmas will be here before we know it.  Here are some bolts from Moda to get your creative juices flowing!
 These are a few of the fall shades of new batiks!  Heavenly!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Two Cute Bags to Carry Just Enough

 Becky made this Wallet & Grommet bag with these over-sized grommets and a cute tied carry strap today.  Perfect for running out to do a little shopping.
Jody made this Praire Points bag from the free pattern on All People Quilt with a pocket panel that goes around the entire quilted bag, sturdy handles (we modified the handles to use our favorite method) and instead of fabric covered buttons, we used two coordinating acrylic buttons on the two white patches.  Note the aqua prairie points around the top of the bag.