Hip Stitch

Goodies from Alexander Henry

2012-01-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

A great shipment arrived Friday, including these:

We had to say goodbye to the Amy Butler Trunk Show.....

...this little beauty spent some time at the store Saturday - only 11 days old!

....a sneak peak at upcoming classes:

And finally, I'm off to Nashville for a few days - leaving on an early flight Wednesday with my mom.....we're going to spend some time with my uncle/her brother, who has terminal cancer. Back on Saturday, it's a quick visit, but one that we wouldn't miss - time for saying goodbye.

2012-01-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Friday night in the lounge we celebrated an early Chinese New Year, with food from Rising Star (2 doors down from Hip Stitch), and sewing fabric fortune cookies:

I had found some fortunes to download from the computer, but they just didn't have the pizzazz I was looking for. A gift from my friend Carla came to the rescue - THIS book. Ah yes, the edgy-ness and sharp wit I was looking for in a fortune:

I wanted to share some quilts in progress....first, Julie's mom (Julie is the Thursday gal at Hip Stitch) came to visit from Ohio, and shared a quilt top she completed, from 2" scraps from her past quilts:

A close-up of this beauty:

Natalie came in to work on her quilt in the lounge last week - she's using one of Amy Butler free patterns on her website:

and here's the back:

She was short 2 light grey strips (the shade at the top), and I didn't have that color in my solids. We experimented with adding medium and then darker gray to substitute, and it ended up looking great! It's a graduated darkness/depth, and looks like she intended to do it - yay for serendipity!

2012-01-16T20:03:00.001-07:00

What a fabulous Saturday at Hip Stitch.....if you didn't make it by for Open House, you missed a fun time! (but maybe you had soccer games or birthday parties or grocery shopping or napping or other essentials to life)

We ate, we drank, we shared class ideas and looked at displays and bought fabric and patterns and discussed Gees Bend Quilters and the Modern Quilt Guild and debated modern vs. traditional quilting (I insist it doesn't have to be one or the other, for pete's sake), and talked patterns and what we liked and didn't, and it was just a great day of creativity and I was EXHAUSTED at 5:00 but it was all good.

We looked through the pages of the new Stitch magazine, and found this:

just as Marcia was teaching her Sashiko embroidery class. So cool! So, I snapped a few pics of the designs drawn onto fabric, but alas, didn't get any of the embroidery:

Lisa stopped in, wearing her Peasant Dress - she's made 4 of them, I think (she's beat me - I have only 3!)

then Cheryl stopped in wearing her Schoolhouse Tunic, made of Tina Given's Haven's Edge voile:

a close-up

a blurry and -ugh- doesn't want to rotate picture. I love love love this tunic! It was just fabulous on her, too.

And I didn't yet snap a picture of Bralia's 3 Patch Quilt, which she made with Heather Bailey's Pop Garden....it's beautiful! Her class starts Sunday, Jan. 29 - a 3 part....are you signed up yet?!

Conversation early this morning....

2012-01-11T08:30:00.002-07:00

at about 6:45, between my (almost) 12 yr. old and 14 yr. old girls:
"My flannel shirt is 2 points."
"My Converse high tops are 3 points"
"My striped shirt is 2 points, because it's newer"

Genius! They're now sharing clothes, as many teenage sisters do. And to keep track, they're assigning points to them, because, you know, everything has to be fair & square. Can't have an unbalanced borrowing system!

I posted this on facebook yesterday:

I made a simple, super-easy dress out of our new jersey knits. I didn't want to take it off at the end of the day, it was THAT comfy.
A word on understitching: DON'T skip this step! Understitching is where you stitch down the seam allowance to the facing - in the case of this dress, it was all along the neckline. Your stitching doesn't show on the outside, because the facing is on the inside. It really really helps to get the facing to lay down INSIDE the garment, and not flip up, as it wants to do. Alas, I took no pictures during the construction of the garment (I was sewing, the girls were homeworking, and we were listening to a downloaded audio Nancy Drew book). But HERE's a great explanation/visual of understitching.

Dolls and Daydreams

2012-01-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Last week, during the winter break, 7 little girls gathered in the lounge for the Miss Dolly class. The pattern comes from Sarah, of Dolls and Daydreams. I love her patterns, and she now has a variety of adorable animal doll patterns in her Etsy shop.

After 2 days, 4 hrs., and lots of chatting and giggling, here they are with their finished dolls:

It was a fun time for all! Thank you, Trish, who led the class!

Christmas

2011-12-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Wrapping up the year with many things handmade:

Pajamas pants made from voile

Hand-knit legwarmers (though the sock-less shoes kind of cancel out the warmth....I'm just sayin')

and a hand knit Hufflepuff House scarf.

That was how MY girls kept busy this past week.....and the lounge at Hip Stitch bustled with hand-made gifts being made - a clutch purse for a mom, sachets for family members, pajama pants for a husband, an apron for a Godmother, a camera strap for a mom. It was a fun week, and I was so proud of all the youth who came and sewed in the lounge - and of their determination to go the hand-made route, even if it meant extra patience, and some seam ripping.

Christmas Eve, with our bellies full of tamales, red chile, green chile stew and Frontier tortillas:

We headed off to look at the lights in Old Town before midnight mass:

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Today

2011-12-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Julie and I put together this lampshade cover with voile -let's start with the "before":

After:

And put together on the lamp, with Julie ironing out the fabric pen marks (I used the new Frixion pens that erase with heat)

.....from this book, a new addition to the store:

Blessings and Thanks

2011-11-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

The last 2 days (Black Friday and Small Business Saturday) were fun, and busy, and full of friends, new customers and regulars (who are also friends) and KIDS - which I think is my absolutely favorite part of a day at Hip Stitch. I didn't capture pictures of them, but just to recap:

*Brock, who's 1 1/2: he walks throughout the store, babbling in his adorable language of, well, babbling. And we can't understand a word he says, but he says it with such expression that I love to answer him and carry on a conversation with him. And his eyes....oh, those gorgeous eyes.....

*Lily, also 1 1/2: her beautiful strawberry blond hair, who also wandered through the store, looking at this and that. Her favorite part? The food, of course!

*Everett and McKenna (hope my spelling is correct) - brother and sister who come in and go right to the toy area and just play and play and are so sweet and well-mannered.

*Sydney, who comes with her mom, and they select fabric together for outfits, and she has great taste!

*and kids who come in for the very 1st time, who go straight to the toy section, even if they're all put away, because they just KNOW that's where the toys are.

I love love love kids in the store. I'm not yet the age to become a grandmother, for my own girls are only 11 and 13, but something about a wee little one makes me feel.....grandmother-ly. If that makes any sense.....

More photos of what's being made:

Last Saturday, the Stocking Stuffers class was pincushions. Cathy Kelly came with all her wonderful wool, and Tina and I (yes, I actually took a class!) and Cathy sat and hand-stitched beautiful pincushions. The top picture is the sample Cathy brought, the middle is the one she made in class, and the 3rd is Tina's. Mine? Well, I didn't get a photo of it, but I have it on the cutting counter in the store, if you'd like to take a peek. It was a wonderfully relaxing afternoon, even if I did have to pop up and down a few times for store business.

And just to share a few pictures from my day off from the store Wednesday, and a family trip to Bosque del Apache:

Sandhill cranes:

Coyote:

Bald eagle: (trust me, it IS one)

Jane knitting in car: (I was knitting in the front seat, too)

So, to sum up, I'm so very thankful for all of you who continue to support small businesses such as Hip Stitch - who come, and share what project you're doing, and what you're planning to do, who bring your kids and your grandkids, who bring your mothers and aunts and sisters and daughters and who love to sew and want to learn to sew, and for all you do to keep me going.....you're why I love this store so much, and why I love to come to work, and why sewing continues to grow and grow. Thank you.

Aprons made in the lounge

2011-11-22T13:28:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is Tie One On Day - each year, the day before Thanksgiving, this day encourages all to deliver a home-baked goodie to a special someone (in need or not), wrapped in an apron.

Here are some lovely aprons made in the lounge a few weeks back:

....with Portia, teaching her Perdoozy pattern.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Boots Day!

2011-11-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Portia came in yesterday morning w/her boots.....I was wearing mine, and then this little one came in with her mom, and , well, not documenting this would have been regretful!

and here's the outtake.....with little brother on the scene:

Skirts:

on Portia - Bee Skirt Pattern (class in December); on me - Anna Maria Horner's Study Hall Skirt.

The Hipster's Craft show was a roaring success...some shots from the day:

A sneak preview of classes coming soon:

Make your own felted hat!

Saturday, Jan. 7, 10-2

Make a quilt!

The Absolutely Sweet Baby Quilt

Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8

A break from our regular programming....

2011-11-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

To share this youtube video, which I may have shared a few years back.....but I just had to pass on again. We've watched it twice already tonight, and it's fantastic. Dagmar originally posted it on her blog - thanks, Dag! Watch:

2011-11-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sewing 101 is going on the the lounge today, and I love to not only hear the whir of machines, but an occasional happy "oooohhhh!" and "wow!" as they make a little mock pair of trousers as the ladies learn zippers, pockets, seam finishing, and much more:

2011-11-02T11:32:00.000-06:00

Halloween has come and gone.....and here are some Hip Stitch creations for the day:

Heather was invited to a 60s Mod party - so I sewed up this very 60s Mod dress from Alexander Henry's Mocca, in cotton lawn, with a super-easy peasant dress pattern (class in the works!). Put it together with gold boots, gold tights, and just the right wig, and you're groovy, baby!

Julie and Robyn each made this Rapunzel dress for their little girls for Halloween - with help from Sharon Hatcher, who took them thru "How NOT to Read a Pattern".....and they came out priceless!

Just arrived yesterday:

Moda's Etchings - pintucked cottons (you have to TOUCH it to appreciate it!)

A jaunt out of town

2011-10-19T21:05:00.002-06:00

A week or so ago, I had the ENTIRE Saturday off from the store, and my family and I drove to Vegas.....Las Vegas, New Mexico, that is. I lived there for 3-1/2 years, from 1989-1992, when I went to Highlands University. Something about that town grabbed my heart and hasn't let go since. It's funky, it's small, it's an eclectic mix of artists, and locals, and deep-seeded northern New Mexico culture and folks who migrate there from all over the U.S.

It was Homecoming weekend for Highlands, so we went to the local parade:

I had heard about Threadbear, the local fabric store on the Plaza, and was itchin' to get there and visit. I wasn't disappointed! I walked in and was in fabric heaven - Ann, the owner, did a beautiful job making the store feel warm & inviting. My husband and Claire promptly sat down and took naps on the comfy sofas, while I told Jane to take some pictures around the store. And me? Well, I started my pile of bolts:

Come check out what I purchased! I'm sharing some with YOU, my customers!

2011-09-27T17:27:00.000-06:00

Tara sent this over - she made a table runner and placemats with Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadows 2. If I had a table that looked like this, I'd for sure never put things on it like: bills, school permission slips, homework, clean laundry, my sewing machine.....oh, whoops, I was thinking of MY table!
Beautiful job, Tara!

Just delivered today - the new Stitch magazine - get it while you can - they go fast!

(I'm taking home a copy tonight to read cover to cover!)

She's so darn sweet!

2011-09-20T19:00:00.000-06:00

Holly Holm, that is....but that doesn't surprise me a bit. She stopped in to Hip Stitch this evening, with the FABULOUS bag that she made. I just love the contrasting talents in her: boxing and sewing! And, she's very sweet, to boot!

(and in my state of excitement to meet Holly Holm in person, I could only find my cell phone camera, so the picture isn't the greatest quality....but she was very kind, probably thinking "oh my gosh, this woman is a nut")

Ode to the State Fair

2011-09-13T17:48:00.000-06:00

Big Bubba's Bad BBQ......deep fried Capt'n Crunch.....Chinese acrobats.....humongous squash & pumpkins......kettle corn........square dancing.......the miracle mop........sheep shearing.......mini donuts that melt in your mouth........

That's just a sampling of what we love about the New Mexico State Fair - my family, that is. We went Sunday - stayed for 6 hrs., and still didn't see it all! (Ironically, it was 10 yrs ago Sunday that I went with my girls, then ages 3 and 1.....and after walking around listening to the radios broadcasting the horror of the day, the fair closed at noon and we went home.)

The State Fair is one of the many things I love about New Mexico. I love that everyone gathers there - young & old, rich and poor, all races, all walks of life. I love that we always get the same food - a Navajo Taco at the Indian Village, and then dessert varies from a piece of Asbury Cafe pie, or ice cream, or kettle corn, or a funnel cake. I love that my girls, who are now in middle school, still love to go to the McDonalds Farm and harvest the vegetables, even though they now tower over the toddlers. I love that we all love to go to the same places - the Arts & Crafts building and see quilts, and pies, and woodworking, and photography, and square dancing, and the New Mexico Resources building, and see the same fish and the same hummingbird and the same rattlesnake exhibits year after year, and never get bored, and the School Arts building, and look for artwork from anyone we know, and the New Mexico store, and the county exhibits, and the produce from all over New Mexico.

It's just the best - and if YOU go to the State Fair this year, (and you should), bring some sort of PROOF that you've been there, and we'll give you 20% off your purchase here at Hip Stitch. Is that incentive enough??

Just another day at the shop.....

2011-09-01T20:34:00.000-06:00

.....with Addison busy playing on mom's IPad:

and Adrienne stopped by to show us her newly-created Maxi Dress - we squealed with delight over how beautiful it came out, and how FABULOUS she looked:

You go, girl!

IKEA and food and fabric

2011-08-26T08:35:00.000-06:00

A few pictures from our IKEA trip a few weekends ago:

We were positively giddy just driving into the parking lot!

HAD to eat the Swedish Meatballs

This is one of the many pieces of furniture I've been lusting after....the Varde kitchen island

Swedish pancakes

Pretending we're standing in our new kitchen at home

The "Put a Bird on it" chair

(What?! You haven't seen THIS video???)

And peach pie I made this week.....peaches compliments of customer/friend Ann, who had just picked them from her backyard tree and brought them to me at the store.....my Grandma taught me how to make pies when I was little, and she always pricked into the top crust the 1st letter of the fruit:

I thought I had a picture of Grandma rolling out pie crust, but couldn't find it....I did find this one, though:

teaching me how to knit

(that was the time in my life where I was mistaken regularly for a boy, with my short hair)

THIS fabric arrived yesterday:

It's like Christmas morning.....

2011-08-19T13:31:00.000-06:00

.....except instead of Santa arriving, it was Matt, the UPS guy:

So, in order to fit it all in the store.....the SALE area is growing - $6/yd fabrics, and many bolts that have 3 yds or less are 40% off if you buy the rest of the bolt!

Bittersweet morning

2011-08-16T08:28:00.000-06:00

School starts today in Albuquerque. Alarm clocks were set last night, and at 6:30 our day began. I have 2 middle schoolers now - whoa, time, what's the rush??

(try as I may, I couldn't get the rotation to apply when putting this picture up!)

Lunch packed in recycled plastic bag!

Notice my 6th grader - on the right - is TALLER than my 8th grader?! Just a smidgen, but yep, she's surpassed her sister in height.
As bittersweet as this day is.....fall is coming! The mornings are just a wee bit cooler....the State Fair is just around the corner.....the garden is ready to harvest:


Yes, that's a PINTO BEAN! Grown in our garden!

And finally, FABRIC! The big shipment.....which I mistakenly thought was arriving last week - alas, no, it didn't. I do now have confirmation that it's arriving this Thursday....with a follow-up shipment coming in Friday. If I receive all the bolts I've ordered, we'll have 38 new bolts by Friday.....but I'm sure a few will be backordered. Can't wait!! Here's a sneak preview of a few:

And well, you'll have to come in to see the rest!

Mother Daughter table runner

2011-08-04T21:41:00.000-06:00

Made by Sarah and her mom......Sarah was visiting from St. Louis, and she and her mom had a week of sewing together.

Sarah sent me a picture of what they made:

Front:

and back:

Beautiful, no?

2011-07-22T23:12:00.000-06:00

The belle of the Hipster's Craft Fair:

My mom, Pat....wearing her wide-leg lounge pants, a cap made by her granddaughter (my girl, Jane), and a purse rounding out the matching fabric made by Diana Webb. She spent craft fair day modeling!

Made by customers:

Mother/Daughter Smarty Pants:

Fabric ball for a one-year-old's 1st birthday:

Craft Night tonight:

Ali & Mandie:

Claire, putting the finishing touches on a wallet she made:

Norah, who with her mom, Debra, were making a mock-up of a dress. Norah did the "Re-create it" class (pt. 1) with Sharon, and made a pattern from a favorite knit dress. Tonight, they cut up t-shirts to make the 1st draft of the dress.....how creative is that?!

Carrie, trying to finish up Roman shades for her almost-here baby boy! She's had lots of early labor, so she's thinking it'll be next week - a new baby in the Hip Stitch community! (which means that when she brings him into the store, she'll get a brief hello from me and then I'll make a beeline to the baby to oooh and aaah over him.....and his adorable big sister!)

Last Sunday, my family and I went to our favorite museum - the International Folk Art in Santa Fe. I was encouraged to take pictures (no flash, of course), so of course I had to capture:

some things from THIS exhibit:

These were quilts made by survivors/victims of the floods in Pakistan, which, to bring a tragedy across the world closer, caused the cost of cotton to go up.....now reflected in fabric stores here!

This is all HAND SEWN!

This is a photo from our very favorite permanent exhibit - the room of miniatures:

And finally, a few random shots of summer:

Fresh fruit and yogurt - what could be better in the morning??

A book to read while floating in the backyard pool:

Hanging laundry out to dry:

Recovering....

2011-07-10T22:03:00.000-06:00

.....from the 3rd annual Hipster's Craft Fair yesterday. I slept in 'til 9:30 a.m this morning......and I'm sure many of the crafters did, too!

It was a wonderful day - I was awed by the creations being sold, and disappointed that I didn't get to shop!! These craft shows always re-affirm my support and admiration for artists - for local talents - for shopping locally - for supporting locally. Thank you, ladies, for spending the day selling your talents at the craft fair!

Here are just a few of the pictures taken.....by some very enthusiastic13 yr. old volunteer photographers:

More photos to come.....

Loving all things vintage

2011-06-19T13:08:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, I received this gift:

....given to me from Sharon Hatcher, my wonderful Sewing 101, alterations, re-create it teacher....who's been on a de-cluttering binge. Published in 1946, it's indeed 'modern sewing' for its time. I love pictures like this:

and this:

I love the 1st paragraph in the book, which reads:

"If you've been feeling wistful about the pretty clothes in the shops.....if you've been down in the dumps because your home is turning seedy at the seams, wearing shabby around the edges....if you've been wondering how you're going to juggle the budget into keeping your small fry in clothes, your troubles are over. To live better on less, look lovely on next-to-nothing, take to your thimble!"

Amen to that!

(and speaking of vintage, back-to-the-basics.....next Sunday, Hip Stitch will be included in a special section of the Albuquerque Journal, about going green. (I'm told that's the date it's coming out) Go out and get yourself a copy!

Craft Night

2011-06-18T12:39:00.000-06:00

It was a busy one last night - projects such as this:

....by Joan, making 60 of these for the 4th of July......and this:

....outdoor chair cushions made by Carol.....and these:

....mastectomy pillow covers, to be donated to the American Cancer Society (I just received an email this morning from a friend who just picked one up for herself after having a double mastectomy)
Also in the making last night - a hobo/sling bag by Mandie, paper cards by Norah and Debra, an apron with a vintage flair by Audrey, and adorable shorts for a little boy by Liz.....and that was before Tara & Angie came in, and I had to scoot out the door 'cause it was my anniversary (16 years!).
Come join us in July!

Yet another project

2011-06-07T22:13:00.001-06:00

Pillowcases this time, it is! Like the ottoman, I've been wanting new pillowcases for some time now. Somehow over the years of marriage and children, matching pillowcases on our bed have fallen into a not-such-an-important-thing category. This is what we were down to:

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Our grown-up bed has pillowcases that are: Strawberry Shortcake, Christmas, pink flowers, plain white, red paisley, and a light green. Yes, that's what came out of the linen closet when I change the bedding.

It was time for a change.....I was feeling scattered and, well, not so grown up when I make the bed and lay me down to sleep! After shopping around, and finding pillowcases that were either outrageously expensive, not-so-expensive but ones I didn't really like, or just nothing I liked, it was time to hit the sewing machine.

Crystal helped me pick out fabric, and here's the final result:

Here's a close-up:

Lovely, lovely, lovely!

And speaking of lovely, scamper on over to Melisa's blog, where she's doing a "Me Made" month.....I'm so inspired.....you go, girl!

A tutorial....of sorts

2011-05-27T11:56:00.000-06:00

So, my story starts with my wanting an ottoman. We've had a big, well-worn coffee table in our living room for years and years. After we purchased a sectional sofa about 3 years ago, the coffee table slowly started feeling, well, too big for the room, that now had a BIG sofa.
So I started my search for an ottoman....I wasn't ready for a room without some sort of coffee table....to put down a drink, a book, to put our feet up. But me being me, I didn't want to spend a lot of money when I knew in the back of my head I could re-vamp something to make it work. I needed something just the right height, the right size.
And here's what I did......started with a Rubbermaid tote - just the right height:

I went out to the garage, found some scrap wood, cut it down to fit the top without the plastic lid, with a 1" overlap. Using laminated cotton, I wrapped a piece around the top of the wood and staple-gunned it down:

I then sewed a piece of home dec (same colorway/pattern as the laminated) together to make a wrapped-around skirt, and tacked it to the top piece with decorative thumb tacks:

Here's another view:

I love the finished ottoman! I have blankets stored inside the tote - easy to lift off the top and skirt to access the inside. The only addition I'll make it to put some sticky-back velcro inside/under the wood to keep the top in place....it slides a little when feet are put up. AND, I had enough home dec. fabric leftover to cover a throw pillow on the sofa! Approximate cost for new ottoman: $25. Happiness at having this new addition to the living room: FREE.
And speaking of tutorials, go on over to Melisa's blog.....she's been doing some really neat ones, as well as seam finishes! You can find Melisa herself these days at the Fiber Arts Fiesta - she's in charge of, well, a lot!

Things that make me happy.....

2011-05-14T22:09:00.000-06:00

*the customer that came in last Saturday, buying fabric to make napkins and placemats. Being the nosy shop owner I am, I asked her all about her project, and she said her husband bought her a sewing machine for Mother's Day, and that's what she was doing on her day....a day of sewing.

*Ali and Elizabeth, local crafters, customers, fabulous women, making the just-out issue of Quilter's Home magazine. Ali submitted a quilt she designed, and it's featured. Elizabeth's polymer buttons are featured in an article on, well, buttons!

*Sarah and Erin, sisters-in-law, who came and made the recycled tote bag. Sarah is a wonderful young mom to an almost one year old, and is sewing like crazy. Erin is a college student, destined for greatness. (That's just my opinion) While I was waiting for them to begin the class, in walks Norah, whom I met a few years back when she and her mom came in to choose fabric. Now, Norah is unforgettable - tall, beautiful, graceful....and then there's the inside of her - sweet, self-assured, talented and creative and energetic and just makes me happy to see her! Soooo, Norah is connected to Erin (following me here?) thru college in Indiana, but their moms, Meg & Debra HERE are good friends, and are both also creative, wonderful women, whom I've gotten to know thru Hip Stitch.

And why does this all make me happy? Because most of my customers walk in strangers and walk out as friends......and what a wonderful thing that is.

April in Paris

2011-05-02T15:29:00.000-06:00

Saturday night was quite fun - a small, intimate group of us gathered, ate and drank, visited with new friends and old, showed off our hand-made beautiful creations - some knitted, some embellished, some made 10 years ago, some made Saturday. We then settled in to watch the movie - add in one little girl who "Eeeewwed" every kissing scene, and the evening was complete. Many of us agreed we'd like to do it again - many movie suggestions were offered. Here is a sampling of pictures from the evening:

It's Spendid, really!

2011-04-28T21:29:00.002-06:00

Imagine me saying that title with a British accent....because that's how I feel right now....it's almost time for the ROYAL WEDDING! You bet your best fabric I'm getting up at 3 a.m. tomorrow to watch it! 30 years ago, when I was a wee age of 12, I got up with my best friend, Andrea, to watch Charles and Diana's gala. I'll just come out with it - I'm a groupie. I know, it's outdated and stuffy, this whole royalty thing. Silly, maybe. But I just ate it all up at the age of 12, and throughout my teen years, collected every book & magazine that featured the royal family (they're still in a box in my attic) I was actually more ga-ga over Prince Edward - much better looking than Charles, in my opinion.

And here I am, 30 years later, getting up in the middle of the night to watch William and Kate. And tomorrow, at the store, I'll be exhausted....but it's all worth it!

And if you still think it's just silly, watch this:

The Haute Tote

2011-04-17T18:22:00.000-06:00

So I've been making this bag for years - I've sold it, given it as a gift, and occasionally make one for myself. I finally decided to just teach it - Saturday afternoon, 5 gals gathered with me in the lounge and they were my guinea pigs....I had written up a tutorial, and along the way we edited, omitted, added and tweaked. Thank you to all of you as you were patient with me! Here are their bags:
Bonnie:

Mother and daughter Serefina & Elizabeth:

Melanie:

Ann is still finishing hers.....picture to come! I loved loved loved teaching this bag....and will be offering more classes in the near future! Working on getting new classes on the website (tonight if I'm ambitious enough)....including the Siren Sundress, little girls' t-shirt dress, ballet slippers, a beginner quilt-as-you-go class, t-shirt quilt, and more more more!

Sick Days

2011-04-04T12:45:00.000-06:00

While she sleeps (under the quilt made by my husband's Aunt Theresa) and the antibiotic starts working on the ear infection that kept her (and me) up most of last night.....

I sit and knit the last of my new summer sweater - adding the final binding to the neckline, then sewing up the side seams. So nice to have a day of unexpected quiet.

Meet Megan

2011-03-24T16:36:00.000-06:00

Megan is a lovely, just perfectly lovely customer. She's a co-worker of my niece, Jenn, so she's very computer and tech saavy, which, (like Jenn), just AMAZES me that she's ALSO got the creative side going. Because I just don't have both of those brains, and I'm envious (you do too, Ali) Megan just sews and sews and sews....and here are some of her creations:

the Multi-Tasker Tote from Anna Maria Horner:

a pencil skirt she made in Melisa's class:

Since I absolutely hate having people tell me to "say cheese" and then I have to stand there with a frozen smile until they click the camera, I just point and shoot at people......I love this mid-laugh picture of her!

I have some exciting Earth Day and April in Paris themes coming next month.....stay tuned!

Last month.....

2011-02-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hip Stitch hosted guest instructor Shirley Kay Wolfersberger, who held a day-long retreat called Creativity by Design. Shirley Kay is a national teacher in fiber art, color, design and creativity. That's just the tip of the iceberg in describing her. I myself didn't take the class (kicking myself), and I had no idea what to expect in the lounge that day. We had 5 women participate, and I was able to catch little snippets here and there as I refilled and re-heated my coffee throughout the day. The women gave rave reviews at the end of the day, saying they truly felt exhausted from switching from left brain to right brain throughout the day (or were they switching from right to left?!)

Anyhow, I hope we can offer this class again (so I can take it!), but in the meantime, Shirley Kay is offering another one of her day-long retreats in April - Creativity through Color. More description and details to come.....but I can't wait!!

Here are just a few shots of the class in January:

2011-02-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Eleven years and a week ago:

(Jane, feeling the baby's kicks.)

She entered into the world just after midnight on Feb. 24, 2000. My labor was short, she came out after only a few pushes....we opted to be surprised with gender, but when she came out, she looked exactly like her sister, so we cried, "It's a Jane!" before the dr. even told us she was a girl. I held her shortly, then she was put into the warming tray (yes, like a little turkey) for vitals and cleaning and other necessities. Turns out, she had some fluid in her lungs, so the minutes ticked by as she was monitored, and monitored some more, until it was decided she needed to go to NICU. I was able to hold her briefly again (20 seconds, maybe?), and the nurses had to take her off to take care of her. I remember being wheeled back to my room - it was probably 3 a.m. by then, and delivered to my bed. I remember feeling as though not just a baby, but my heart, had left my body. I was all emotion, and exhaustion, and more emotion. I cried quietly by myself, in my room, with no baby to hold. Not much sleep that night.

That was Claire Suzanne's entrance into the world. She and I made it through those 1st few rocky days - I was discharged without her, and I spent every waking moment going back and forth to and from the hospital for about a week, until she could come home.

She's our baby, she's been her sister's best friend and companion. She's bright, and inquisitive, and sweet, and tough yet sensitive. She gets embarrassed when I talk to her classmates when I drop her off at school, yet loves to snuggle with me at night before bed. She and I have frustrating, clashing disagreements, yet we love to go on long walks together through our neighborhood and talk and talk and talk. She makes our family complete.

Happy Birthday, Claire Bear!

And now to some Hip Stitching.....here's the finished Weekender Bag - at the store:

All done!

And finally, new fabric that arrived this week:

Robotics from Moda

and Oh My, also Moda:

Oh Amy, Amy, Amy......

2011-02-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm making the Weekender, Amy Butler's pattern. This is the 3rd one I've made. The 1st one was years ago - before Hip Stitch, to give you a frame of reference. I use it when we (rarely) travel....it doesn't have much in the way of interfacing - just craft fuse - and so it's floppy, but I love it.

The 2nd, I made for my best-est friend Lisa.....the blog post is HERE (I'm not that great about linking things sometimes, so if nothing comes up, I'm sorry!)

After each bag, I swear that I'm not going to make another one. And then that passes, and after some time, I get the itch again. Like this weekend. Here's where I am:

Layers of home dec., craft fuse, timtex & cording......2 spools of thread, 2 broken needles.....having to step away from my machine to take some deep breaths, having a glass of wine to calm my nerves.......are you just dying to try this project yet?! No really, it's truly the most beautiful bag I've made, and I love to pack clothes in to go on a trip (did I mention that was rare?), because I feel so.....cosmopolitan.....with it. But I think if I do another of these, I need to borrow someone's industrial machine to take this baby on.

In the meantime, I'm done with the hardest part - the exterior. Lining shouldn't take long....and then it'll be in the shop with a price tag of $3,000 on it! haha.....haha.....

This afternoon, my almost-11 yr. old and I went to the library. When we got home, I waltzed into the house with my stack of books and told her, "this is one of the happiest feelings ever!" referring to having a stack of new library books. Here they are:

Why Sewing for Dummies, you wonder? Oh, I just always grab a sewing book or 2 to see if there are any tips I can learn. And the funny part is, I ran into Trish, who's going to be teaching the kids' doll class, in the sewing book aisle - we were both browsing that section. Sigh, we sewing geeks think alike!

Goodnight - I'm going to bed to READ!

Just so you know....

2011-02-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

About a week ago, (or maybe 2?), Ali sent me this link that has a great article about why the prices of cotton are going up. I've been hearing that they are for the past few months.....some of our new bolts are a bit higher, but THIS is a really informative piece - worth reading!

And thank you, Ali!

Things to oooh and ahhhh over....

2011-01-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

First, this ABC book, made by new customer Karalenn. We met just before Christmas - she came into the store for an impromptu craft night - she brought this in the making. Those of us who were there gathered round and were totally blown away by how intricate and perfect and beautiful is was. She came in this week with her adorable daughter, "Pip", to show off the finished book:

Oh my gosh, is that not incredible?! I don't know what I love more.....Karalenn's talent, which I want to clone, this book, or the adorable nickname Pip.

And this awesome creation.....Heather Bailey's Happy Stacker Ring Toy, made by customer Kelly, for her little one, Owen:

Kelly came down to Hip Stitch all the way from Denver to buy this pattern and the fabrics. OK, I lied. She came down to visit her family. But she also came in to Hip Stitch to buy the pattern and fabrics. And isn't this just lovely?! (and Owen is just perfectly lovely, too, by the way)

Itchy Tweed, exciting news, and new fabric!

2011-01-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

First, the tweed. I found this in my garage...I remember my mom giving it to me some years back. I think the story is that my aunt brought it back from Scotland, maybe 30-40 years ago? (I need to check on this story for accuracy) I never knew what to do with it until the Classic Tailored Jacket class came about. I sooooo wanted to make the coat, but my time has been limited lately, so I haven't been able to shop around for fabric. Then, the light bulb went off, I went into the garage, and here it is, in the making:

.....and the little Featherweight that's tackling this coat! Right now, I feel like Sherlock Holmes when I see this fabric - like all I need is a pipe and matching tweed cap. It even has the scent of a musty castle in the Scottish Highlands.....but my imagination tends to run away sometimes!
Melisa Hart is teaching the class, and I can't wait to see the finished coats of the gals taking it - their fabric selection is beautiful! More on Melisa in a future blog post.....she is so incredibly talented.

Exciting news.....Hip Stitch is featured in the Feb./March issue of Vogue Pattern magazine! Should be either on the newsstands or will be any day now....I just got my copy in the mail. A story was done on sewing lounges around the country. I'm so tickled, and have to credit the very talented Ellen for the photos!

New fabric to be shared later today....having some camera difficulties....

CRAFT NIGHT TONIGHT - who's coming?

New Fabric arrived!

2011-01-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

We have almost 30 new bolts in the shop this week, including these goodies:

Obviously, this is just a small sampling.....too much to post all the pictures. New patterns, too:

We've been told by all of our fabric wholesalers that the price of cotton is going up. We try to keep our prices below other area stores, but prices will have to be raised a bit as we're hit with wholesale increases. In the meantime, all of our current fabric stays at the price it has been......period. For all of us fabric lovers, this shouldn't affect our hobby/passion, right?!

SALE SALE SALE!

2010-12-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Are you getting the message? There's a SALE this week at the store - our biggest ever! Everything in the store is marked down - EVERYTHING - for one week only. Yes, even Soul Blossom - 10% off. Come shop - from 10%-50% off regular prices!

It's all here!

2010-12-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

Amy Butler......Soul Blossom......all in!

Home Dec. just arrived.....laminated cotton arriving tomorrow (Monday).....just makes me want to wrap my entire house in it!

Indulge me....

2010-12-16T13:16:00.001-07:00

.....as I stray from blogging for Hip Stitch to blogging about the fact that I'm about to become the mother of a teenager - 13 today. We started here:

I blinked, and we were here.....with handmade Halloween costumes (saved in my trunk for all time):

....then here, with her 1st lost tooth:

and now we're here:

Blue retainer for her teeth, almost as tall as I am, we're heading into the teen years together! (The felt mushroom she's holding in the picture above is this handmade gift from her sister) Happy Birthday, sweet Jane!

Oh Baby

2010-12-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

This one just melted my heart.....so we just HAD to plop her on the cutting table and take a picture! Can you tell I love babies?! Can you tell when you walk in the door with one and I'm dying to hold him or her?! Whether it be Alistair, or Chloe, or Sophie, or Heidi, or Suki, or Will, or the many many adorable wee ones that come to Hip Stitch, they make my day......don't get me wrong, I love my own 2 "babies", who are now 10 and ALMOST 13 (this week!)......but there's something about a baby that just melts me...

Trying sooooo hard to keep up......

2010-12-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

....with all you incredible people, that is! So here's a little more of what's been sewn by these fabulous customers!

Veronica's FITTED PANTS...why is that in all caps, you wonder?! Because she drafted the pattern and made..... FITTED PANTS! And they look fabulous on her....and I think everyone should give this class a go, and make themselves a pair of pants! I'm so darn impressed with how they looked on her....and, ahem....I will be finishing mine very soon, right, Sharon?!

Projects by Tina:

This applique on a zippered pouch. I thought at 1st that this was the actual fabric, but had to do a double-take to see that she had perfectly-placed and perfectly stitched the pieces onto a solid fabric. And also by Tina:

A sewing caddy to hang off the edge of your table by your machine, or on the arm of your chair or sofa while you craft, sip your glass of wine and watch Modern Family (oh wait, that last line was just my personal input!) Tina used a gorgeous combination of Moda, Alexander Henry and Leisl Gibson fabrics.

Rughooking class in progress:

I really, really, really want to learn to be a hooker! (get your mind out of the gutter, you!) I usually stay at the store when this class takes place in the evening, and I eavesdrop on the goings-on as I putz around, cleaning.....with envy and longing to be a part of this age-old craft. New class beginning in January!

And speaking of new classes.....I'm happy to introduce a new teacher, Shirley Kay Wolfersberger, who will be teaching 2 new classes in the next few months. I met Shirley Kay and her friend Carol at Hip Stitch one day a while back. We talked, they shared a little about themselves. I asked to see some of their work, and you could have knocked me over with what they produced.....talent so incredible.....sewing, embroidery, needle art, design work, and more. They were like Mary Poppins pulling more and more out of her carpet bag! Shirley Kay is going to teach an all-day workshop on January 29, from 10-5, called "Creativity by Design". More details on the website calendar, WHICH, by the way, is having some google issues......all the classes are popping up 1 or 2 days off. I'm told by my computer guru that this is a temporary problem w/google, and should be fixed soon!

And one more show & tell......made by Maria, a new crafty chick to Hip Stitch, who's realizing how ADDICTING sewing is.....

.....from One Yard Wonders, meet Elodie the Elephant!

Fabric that just came in today, which had been back-ordered for some time:

Alexander Henry's Vie en Rose and Amelie.

2010-11-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

OK, so I'm a wee bit behind in a few things.....like knowing that last Saturday was Small Business Saturday - haha....so a belated thank you for the many that came to Hip Stitch and shopped!

And to catch up a bit, here are a few of my very favorite small businesses around Albuquerque: (I may be repeating what I listed a while back, but hey, they're still my favorite):

Rising Star Restaurant.....just 2 doors west of Hip Stitch. The girls and I ate there tonight....I think the 1st time I've ever eaten in - I always do carry out. Family-owned, family-run, (just found out the the owner's wife is expecting their 1st child!), friendly, warm, great food.

Los Poblanos Farms......signed up for their produce pick up this fall, and loved loved loved that I was getting fresh, organic, locally-grown produce. Learned to make new recipes with new foods!

Papa Nachos - on Louisiana, between Paseo del Norte & San Antonio.....good food, great service - enough said?

hmmmmm.....is there a theme to this? food....food....food......

Black Friday at Hip Stitch!!!

2010-11-23T12:08:00.002-07:00

Black Friday Sale at Hip Stitch

Measure Up Your Savings this Friday!

Dear Crystal,

We are so excited to be offering our VERY FIRST BLACK FRIDAY SALE!!! No waiting out in the cold at 2 am. Go do your morning bargain hunting, eat a good lunch, then stop by the Hip Stitch for treats and DEALS!

We will be open SPECIAL hours 1pm-5pm.

Win a 2 Night Stay at Villas De Santa Fe

Come in and be entered for a 2 night stay in a lovely resort in Santa Fe. ONE entry just for coming in the door!! The more you buy, the more entries you get! ONE additional entry for EVERY $20 you spend. Drawing will be held at 5pm. (need not be present to win)

This 2 Bedroom accommodation has one king in the master bedroom and two doubles in the guest bedroom. Gas fireplace, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen and more! Just a few minutes walk from center city!

Dates for the 2 Night Stay: 7Dec-9Dec

2BR sleeps 8

Our Price: FREE
Valued at over $300.00!!

Also On Sale....

You asked for them...WE GOT THEM!
25mm and 40mm Acrylic Snap Grommets!!!

In a RAINBOW of colors to choose from. You are going to go loopy for our NEW GROMMETS! Will be available starting BLACK FRIDAY!

Our Price: 25mm $3.00 40mm $4.00 pack of 2

Fray Stoppa

Our Price: $1.50
List Price: $3.45

101 Quilt Basting Spray

Our Price: $3.00
List Price: $10.60

Magnetic Snap Closures

18mm

Our Price: $1.00
List Price: $2.00

3/4" Metal Grommets

Pack of 10

Our Price: $2.00
List Price: $4.00

1/2 off Dritz Notions

Our Price: $.90-$5.00
List Price: $1.80-$10.00

Free Button Cards

One Free Button card with every $20 Spent! LOTS to choose from!

Our Price: $FREE
List Price: $2.00

So Bring your Mom, Sister, Friend or Official Purse Holder and come spend Black Friday Afternoon with Hip Stitch!

We are located at :

505-821-2739 E-mail us: hipstitchabq@yahoo.com

7001 San Antonio NE, Suite P Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109

Classes.....and a sad note

2010-11-23T08:02:00.001-07:00

What's being created:

An adorable Gum Drop Pillow by a sweet teen, Alex....such a joy to teach! (girl and pillow!)

Beaded Crochet class from a few Saturdays back......another class scheduled in January - don't miss it!

There was a message on the store phone about a week ago......Elizabeth, Tom's daughter, called to tell me he had passed away. Remember Tom? He was my regular - we'd sit together weekly, and sew, and drink coffee or tea, talk about many of life's great mysteries (things like understanding people, managing stress, how we were going to make a million on our various sewing ideas). I hadn't seen his obituary until now.....(that hat he's wearing in the picture? He made it!)

DAVIES -- Thomas "Tom" Davies, 59, a 10 year resident of Albuquerque, and native of Seattle, WA, passed away on Monday, November 8, 2010. Loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be remembered as an Army veteran, small business owner, office equipment repairman, teacher, abstract painter, avid gardener, mad scientist, leather-clad motorcyclist, coffee enthusiast, fashion icon, Hip Stitch member, life coach, cartoon aficionado, race-car driver, creative chef, animal lover, nontraditional problem solver, amateur pyrotechnician, irrepressible optimist, car collector, rockin' roller, king of Spring Beach, captain of 4th of July, Tompy and Daddy-o. A private memorial will be held for family and friends on Sunday, November 14 at 1:00 pm. Services will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Monday, November 15 at 1:30pm.

You're greatly missed, my friend!

A new store!

2010-11-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've finally recovered from our big store re-model......I'm in awe when I walk in each day that this is Hip Stitch. Thanks to wonderfully creative, hard-working gals (and a few guys): Crystal, Ali (and husband Josh), Julie, Bralia, Kathie, Diana, Kim, my husband Dan and our kids, the store has been transformed. I took a few 'during' pictures, but look here at Crystal Humble's blog to see before and after shots. (yes, all those bolts of fabric are now at Hip Stitch!)
Here are some shots of the transformation:

Five of these arrived at the store yesterday:

....the perfect holiday gift for the little sewer in your life!

And finally, here's Ellen and her friend Kat, wearing their aprons they made last night.......

......and Ali, in her wedding dress, who stopped by the store on her way to a photo shoot to "Trash the Gown"....

.....after all, when a girl needs some Jelly Rolls, she's gotta come by Hip Stitch!

2010-11-01T07:26:00.000-06:00

Customer Nan came into the store last week & showed me this bag she had made from the Far Far Away & Kokka fabric collections:

A simple drawstring sac, to wear over your shoulder....wonderful!

Halloween is past, and our living room floor looks like an airplane dropped a bomb of candy....but at least they've neatly organized everything......so I can weave my way around the piles to get to the sofa. Such sweet memories of my childhood....getting home Halloween night and counting, organizing, relishing the large piles of the good stuff, tossing aside the Bit O' Honeys and other such rejects.

Costumes were completed (thank you, Crystal, for helping finish Claire's!) I had Violet Baudelaire (Lemony Snicket) and Moaning Myrtle (Harry Potter) out trick-or-treating:

And finally, Saturday's Beaded Crochet class produced some beautiful work:

2010-10-19T19:22:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy, yet fun, time here at Hip Stitch.....

Customer Jennifer came in to share this adorable- reversible - jumper she sewed.....using our Moda fabric and brown corduroy. That is one special little girl who gets to wear it!

We have 2 new teachers! I'm so excited to welcome Melisa Hart and Shirley Kay Wolfersperger. Both of these women are enormously talented, and I feel very fortunate to have them at Hip Stitch. Look for a schedule very soon of classes they'll be teaching, as well as more about them......

Coming soon......flannel, in Funky Monkey. Some really adorable prints! Alexander Henry fabrics - a few we've had in the past, but went too quickly - back again.....I'll post some pictures soon.....

I occasionally get to join in on a class......I'm taking Pants with Sharon Hatcher. I'm going to make....JEANS! Last week, in class #1, I made pattern pieces from my favorite pair of jeans. This week, I'm going to make a mock-up w/muslin. And next week, the real deal - sewing with denim! Stay tuned......

Coming in early November, a remodel of the store - I'm so excited! Look for more info. in the near future!

And lastly, some photos of.....fall in New Mexico!

Whether they know it or not, Ellen and Alexandra (Ali) are inspirations to me every day as I try to branch out in photography......it's out of my comfort zone to look for shots that are, well, more artistic...thank you, gals, for your beautiful photography!

2010-10-10T22:22:00.000-06:00

Saturday at Hip Stitch was the Notepad Cover class, taught by Lois Warwick. I didn't have my camera, but whipped out my cell phone to get a picture of this one, made by Julie. She chose Anna Maria Horner's Innocent Crush for the outside:

It was stunning! Alas, I didn't get shots of the other ones made - but they were just as adorable.

It's that time of year......Halloween costumes! This may be my last year of making costumes for my girls. Actually, only one - my 7th grader, Jane, will probably just throw something together, because I don't think it's all that cool to wear a costume sewn by mom anymore!

(no, my feelings aren't hurt)

So for Claire, I'm making this:

Now, before you start thinking I'm making a trampy costume for my 10 yr. old, I'm going to alter things a bit to make her into this LITERARY character:

Violet Baudelaire, from Lemony Snicket. So I'm making the LONGER version on the pattern, and we're going to add some sleeves and maybe some fishnet hose on her arms? (I think that's be the easiest thing rather than trying to make long sleeves out of fishnet fabric) And then I'll cry because my Halloween-costume making days are coming to an end......or maybe I'll feel a sense of relief, too!

Kids & zippers & lots of fun

2010-10-03T11:38:00.000-06:00

Saturday wrapped up Part 2 of the zippered bag class for kids. The girls left with finished bags, all different fabrics, all with different experiences to remember. Hannah learned how to change a machine needle, as hers broke on a zipper. Natalie, who'd never sewn before this project, finished Saturday and went on to make an apron for herself - no pattern, just an idea in her head. Aline, a very experienced sewer, patiently waited at times as I helped the newbies, and took the time at the end to hand-stitch a spot where the zipper end showed through her bag (this greatly impressed me....her attention to detail) Cambree learned that sometimes, the backstitch function on a machine just DOESN'T work!! Emma finished her bag and was so excited to keep sewing that she whipped up a mini pillow, stuffed and all.

So here they all are, with finished bags:

All in all, a good afternoon.....and I hope to work with them again, because they were just so darn fun to spend time with!

In the meantime, fabric that's on it's way to the store:

I ordered 7 bolts of my very favorite colors and patterns from this collection.....I didn't love ALL of it, but it was hard to narrow down what to select. I hope it will be here by end of week!

Hope to see you at the shop soon!

What's here.....what's coming......

2010-09-22T21:54:00.000-06:00

What's here:

And on the way:

Yes, I said ON THE WAY! Shipped out - from California - to Hip Stitch - via UPS! Confirmed!!! (can you tell I'm just a wee bit excited?!)

Sewing Retreat

2010-09-19T15:58:00.000-06:00

Well, I think it's safe to say that Saturday's Sewing Retreat was a success! A variety of sewing projects were worked on, our demos were full of a wealth of information, lunch was yummy and filling, and we finished the day with luxurious mini-massages given by Onie, (who is my personal source of stress relief and relaxation every other week!)

From a purse to a tunic, a quilt to a Halloween costume, a skirt to home decorating, all the gals were so fun to visit with, bond with, and hopefully, will come together again for another future retreat.....along with YOU?

Michele giving a demonstration on gathering/ruffling/pleating techniques.

.....and Julie taking off with the gathering foot on her machine.....

Look at those PERFECT gathers! A Snow White costume, done that much more quickly!

Amy made a purse....with so so cute handles......

Missy's skirt - so beautiful.

Thank you, ladies, for all the fun you contributed!

Hip Kids' kick off Saturday

2010-09-11T21:42:00.002-06:00

Well, this afternoon kicked off the fall Hip Kids' classes.....and I had just as much fun participating as they did! Today was a fabric mosaic/collage on a spiral notebook. Simple: Mod Podge, fabric, scissors, spiral. Sometimes, there's nothing like a simple art project to get the creativity flowing:

And an afternoon giggling with little girls, as we cut and glued and talked and sang (Pandora radio is awesome).

In the store now:

......and these are just a few that arrived!

It was a day to remember....

2010-09-04T22:27:00.000-06:00

It started about 2 weeks ago.....with a phone call from a woman I've known for some years from church. We used to run the kitchen during Vacation Bible School - did it every year for about 5 consecutive years. I hadn't seen her in a while, as our lives didn't cross paths. She called me to tell me that she and her husband were moving into a retirement home....it was time. His health wasn't so good - she couldn't keep up with taking care of the house and yard, and she was tired of cooking. Did I want to come take any of her sewing supplies? I didn't hesitate - YES!

I went over and started looking at everything......fabric, irons, thread, batting, interfacing, scissors, pins, buttons, trims, needles, patterns (oh, the fun of looking through patterns from the 70s!). Then I saw it:

My breath caught in my throat.....

I could hardly ask......"are you parting with THIS?" I asked. Yes, she was. A local sewing machine repair shop gave her an offer some time ago. "Are you interested?" she asked. I nearly yelped out "YES!" The offer was good - I asked if I could give her that amount. Sure, she said. I told her I'd check w/my husband, and come back in the next week or so to pay for it. In the meantime, she took me outside to her peach tree, where I loaded bags of peaches, and then we sat on her back porch, chatting.....I always love to hear stories from her of her life - her husband was a pilot in the military, they lived all over the world, and she's had some adventures. The most touching moment was when she told me that when she looks in her husband's face, she still sees the young fighter pilot that she knew way back when.....she doesn't see the elderly man he is today. I'll never forget those words.

Fast forward to yesterday.....I went back, she gave me more sewing notions, I wrote her a check for this:

A Singer Featherweight, in pristine condition - oiled, tuned up, shiny - in it's case, with the manual. When I opened the manual, here's the line I loved:

I took it home, gently set it up, read through the manual to make sure I had threaded everything exactly the right way, and gingerly started sewing. Well, what can I compare that moment to? Putting on my wedding dress the day of my wedding? Seeing the ocean for the 1st time after being away from it for 10 years? Giving birth and seeing my daughter for the 1st time? Well, it was pretty darn close. For those of you who love sewing, who sew and sew and sew, who burst with pride when you finish a garment, or a quilt, or a purse....you understand. Right?!

Oh, and my friend had me rummage through the last of what was to be given away to charity, and I eagerly claimed this:

And my girls and I have been having loads of fun typing away:

Someday I'll be an elderly woman (if it's the plan for my life), and I'll have all my sewing supplies. I don't know if my daughters will be interested in them. I certainly don't ever want them to feel like they have to take my belongings.....I hope that my things will make someone else happy. I hope someone else will take them, and know that sewing made me very happy. I hope my friend knows that what she parted with has made me very happy, and I'm very grateful.

Come with me to Norway!

2010-08-29T20:12:00.000-06:00

Remember way back - a few months back, that is - when I boldly announced that I was going to do studio tours? One a week, I believe I proclaimed? Well, that was quite an aspiration, and life kind of got in the way. HOWEVER, I'm trickling along, and I'm very excited to go (virtually) to Norway, to visit Heike and her sewing space....

I met Heike around Christmas time 2008 - Hip Stitch had only been open a few months - she had found our store via the internet, I believe. She came in to use the lounge, and we instantly struck a lovely acquaintance with each other. She shared with me that she was only here in Albuquerque temporarily - she's German, her home is Norway, and she was here with her husband and her 2 sweet daughters. Her sewing machine wasn't with her, and she, being quite the sewer, was hoping to find a place to create. She brought her girls in with her, and they'd work on their own little crafting, or just quietly watch their mama.

Well, her husband's temporary position (I think at UNM?) ended, and it was time for them to move back to Norway. Since then, she's added another lovely girl to her family! We've kept in touch via emails, and she's sent me the link to her photos of things she's sewn/knitted. She was one of the 1st people I thought of when I wanted to do the studio tours - we've been in touch over the summer, and between her time on holiday (doesn't that sound so lovely.....holiday?), and my time on vacation, it took 'till now to get this done. So without further ado:

How long have you been sewing? What was the 1st project you made?

I started sewing about 3 years ago after finding the magazine Ottobre (finnish sewing magazine for kids clothes). first piece ever was curtains I shortened, but first thing I made 3 years ago was a sweater for my oldest daughter. It went pretty well even if I made some smaller mistakes, but short time after I took a sewing class and I learned all the basic stuff, the rest I learned by doing.

What time of day do you sew? anytime? when the kids go to bed?

I usually sew in the evenings after the kids went to bed. In the weekends, I sew during the day, too. Now, since I am home with the baby, I use every minute during the day to make some new clothes.

Do you listen to anything while sewing? music? talk radio? children in the background? or just quiet?

Kind of embarrassing, but I watch tv while sewing, or better said, I hear the tv in the background, but I am not watching, only listening. Or the kids in the background, sometimes coming to my sewing table, asking me, if they can help or if I make something for them and if yes, if they can choose the embellishment.

What's your favorite sewing tool/notion to use? that you'd be lost without?

My favorite tool is definitely the rotary cutter and the seam ripper. I am perfectionist and if things are not the way I want them to be, I use the seam ripper starting all over again. I even open serger seams if I think they don't look pretty enough. So, you see, I have a sewing machine, a serger and a combined sewing and embroidery machine, that I just got from my husband as a Christmas gift. I wonder what is next, maybe the coverlock machine? We will see.

What project are you most proud of? why?

There are a lot of projects I am proud of, but recently, I made three dresses for my girls, two look the same, and one only for my oldest; I am very proud of my interpretation of the patterns (I will send you the pictures of those projects after my holidays)

And the hardest part for me.....choosing which pictures to post. So so many beautiful things she's created!!

Here is her sewing space, complete with sewing maching, serger, and sewing/embroidery machine. And here is the space where her girls "sew":

Here are the angel wings she worked on at Hip Stitch:

Heike herself, in a sweater she created:

A fish purse for her little girl.

Elf outfit.......

......being worn!

Ingenious holder for all the girls' hair accessories!

Comfy bean bag chairs.

One of my favorite things she's made....the La Rue bag. I love love the little mushroom through the 'window'.

I'd never want to leave this room if I was a little girl......play curtains around the bed!

Sweet owl bag.

Backpack for baby doll.

These are just a sampling of Heike's work. What I think I love most is the versatility. Sewing isn't limiting by any means, and Heike proves that, which I find so inspirational. For your home, for yourself, for your children, for organizing, accessorizing, and so much more, thank you Heike, for sharing with us! Maybe someday you'll make your way back to New Mexico, or I'll make my way to Norway, or we'll meet somewhere in between - and in the meantime, I'm thankful for the internet!

(And Heike, I, too often sew with the tv in the background.....Law & Order comes on at 10:00 pm, and I'm riveted to the story while sewing!)

Just arrived!

2010-08-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

It's just so beautiful I can't stand it!!

The UPS truck just delivered them....

from Moda: Kate Spain's Fandango

Home again, home again

2010-08-12T21:25:00.004-06:00

So good to be back (so good to have been away, too!) I walked into the store Monday morning and just felt, well, home. I had such a wonderful group of gals who ran the store while I was away, and everything was sparkling clean, and arranged, and organized. Not to mention all the new fabric that came in while I was gone....I just had to touch everything!
Here's what's arrived this week:

more of Patty Young's Flora & Fauna

and Alexander Henry's Home Sewing is Easy! Finally, I was able to get ahold of a bolt of this, thanks to help from customer Kim!

Oh, and I must pass on the names of 2 great books I read on my trip.....I checked them out from the library, on the "New Releases" shelf: Sheer Abandon, by Penny Vincenzi, and This Charming Man, by Marian Keyes. Both had me riveted - reading in the car, reading late into the night in our hotel room, reading while sitting in Urgent Care in St. Louis waiting to be seen (thought I had an ear infection....was only some fluid in my ears - all is well). Penny Vicenzi is from London, which is where the book takes place; Marian Keyes is from Ireland, and the setting is Dublin mainly. I now find myself saying such things as: "Lovely!", "Spendid!", "Bugger", and "let's have a hen party!". So much fun!

2010-08-07T06:56:00.001-06:00

Everything must end.....including our vacation. This morning we leave to head back to Albuquerque. We plan to stay the night in Oklahoma City tonight, if all goes well. A few more pictures from our family vacation in St. Louis:

Here we are on a Mississippi riverboad tour.....(didn't mean to cut out my husband!) After Monday and Tuesday being over 100 degrees, the rest of the week was in the 90s and much, much more bearable!

Enjoying a seat on the boat, watching the river. Oh, the joy of being around water when you live in the Southwest!

The St. Louis Zoo.....one of the best I've been to! (Second to Albuquerque, of course)

And back in time, to the beginnings of our trip.....my brother's home in Omaha - he lives on a farm, and he & his wife are caretakers of the horses. Their house is just a few yards from the barn. I wanted to cry it was so beautiful and peaceful.....white picket fence, porch swing, wraparound porch, and all.

Now we hit the road.....I hope to find a quilt shop or two along the way....sadly, there were none to be found in St. Louis. I searched online and talked to a quilter from Louisville who knows St. Louis. Hmmmmmm.......maybe someone needs to open a sewing lounge here!

2010-08-04T06:49:00.000-06:00

Hi from St. Louis! Where the temperature, with the heat index, was 102 yesterday. We very nearly melted just walking outside. Still, that didn't stop us from:

Going up in the arch.....touring the courthouse where the famous Dred Scott case was argued.....

.....taking in a Cardinals game (view of the stadium from the arch).......

......visiting our niece, Sarah, and her husband Erik - this is their beautiful little house in St. Louis....complete with wood floors, vaulted ceilings, and many other vintage-like details that made me ache with envy!

That's Jane and I waiting on the front porch......

......here's a quilt store in Hannibal, MO - we stopped there Sunday afternoon on our drive....saw Mark Twain house and museum, but nothing was really open, so here's just the window:

Tom Sawyer & Becky Thatcher....I just thought this was so quaint.

But now onto Hip Stitch! Here's what's in the store:

Come check these out!

Lovely flowers

2010-07-25T09:59:00.000-06:00

Just a picture of what was made in Theresa's class.....making fabric flowers:

Those ladies had too much fun!

2010-07-22T22:24:00.001-06:00

Just a few pictures from the Hipster's Craft Fair on Saturday, July 11:

Here is Melissa's table.....I bought a miniature pin cushion from her, which I keep by my sewing machine....

And here is Brenda's gorgeous earring and other jewelery....so very unique!

Here is Kim's table.....see her wearing a gorgeous strapless dress made from Anna Maria Horner's Drawing Room collection?! This gal's got style!!

More photos to come.....

New in the store.....Sublime Stitching! Patterns, embroidery kits, thread & needles - come check it out!

2010-07-10T21:09:00.000-06:00

As I sit here, exhausted but euphoric, I just wanted to reflect on today's Hipster's Craft Fair:

I'm thankful that I finally got to shop myself at the end of the day, and it's the first time I've ever, ever done Christmas shopping in July, and I feel so good about it!

Melissa Maher won the Amy Butler picnic blanket, and $65 went to Basket of Hope, in memory of sweet Nolan Johnson, pictured here:

Robyn (one of my favorite bloggers) due to give birth any day now to a baby boy, came by, and looks gorgeous and svelte despite being 9 mos. pregnant.

Crafter Kim now has an adopted younger sister.....the daughter of crafter Melanie, who modeled one of Kim's aprons all day and stuck like glue to Kim!

I'm inspired and proud of all the young ones who helped today at the craft fair:

*Aline and Ian, who helped their mom Diana sell her gorgeous wares.
*Wren and her brother (egad I forgot his name), who sold their creations to donate the funds to support the cause of saving sea turtles.
*Melanie's daughter Keri Lynn (so sorry if I misspelled), who patiently hung out with mom all day and modeled Kim's apron, and who always looked happy when I saw her!
*Taylor, going into high school this year and a helper to me this summer at the store, who showed up and did every little job I put her to as I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off!
*and my girls, Jane & Claire, who have tirelessly helped me this summer, and then decided they wanted to participate in the craft fair, so worked the past 2 weeks sewing - headbands, and weaving - potholders - to sell.

I feel very blessed and thankful to be able to have to done this craft fair - I feel so strongly about supporting local artists. I was talking to a friend about how hard it was for me to do craft shows in the past - my heart and soul is out there on the table, with what I've created. So I have such huge respect and admiration for all the women who were there today, and the local talent that we have here in Albuquerque. Thank you for participating.....for sharing your craft, your art, with the community!

Pictures of the fair to come....

2010-07-07T21:56:00.000-06:00

So here's what some Hip Stitchers have been up to lately:

Tracey covered this chair, found, literally, on the side of the road, with Amy Butler's laminated cotton. Now, I'm not an expert, but can't you see this at some foo-foo boutique in L.A. selling for $100?! (yes, I realize foo-foo is not a real expression)

And, my niece Jenn and I finally finished making her Amy Butler Lotus Cami. We started this together last fall, and daily life as being moms and wives and worker bees got in the way until we picked it up again, and voila:

If you look close, you can see the teeny tiny skulls on the fabric - I think it's Alexander Henry? - we carried it last fall. Jenn is such a great combination of feminine & funky - and I say that as a compliment. Pink? No. Ruffles? No. But this cami, with just a touch of gathering on the cap sleeves despite black skulls fabric? Perfect! She's also a knitter, and the buttons on the back she found at our own Village Wools.

And finally, Bralia brought in her latest quilt top:

She used a mix of Alexander Henry's 2-D Zoo, Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane, and tossed in some Michael Miller - fabulous!

Finally, for no reason - cowboy boots I've been wanting for 20 years....since moving to New Mexico. I found this great pair in Madrid, at Red Bone - where there's a great selection of used boots. NOW I feel like a real western gal!

The photo was taken at our B&B in Madrid, Java Junction. It was funky, and rustic, and quaint, and a wonderful retreat!

Hollywood, here we come!

2010-06-28T12:51:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago I interviewed with Good Day New Mexico.....here it is!

KOB.com - Learn to sew at Hip Stitch

Egad, was I ever nervous!!

Creating around here

2010-06-12T09:43:00.001-06:00

My girls and I have been on a sewing binge lately. Which makes me particularly happy, because they don't always love to sew.....things like school and sports and music also take a major part in their lives, and I have to accept that (can't we just sew all day together?!)
The other day, they were in the store, and were whispering and plotting and looking at fabrics, and they finally came to me and said they decided on a pattern - the Favorite Things Little Nighty Night. They chose fabric and got to sewing. Five o clock came around, the closed sign went up, and we retreated to the lounge and sewed and sewed. We finally went home at 8:00, with finished camisoles, and stayed up at home making the shorts. Now, I know I'm the mom here, so I'm a little biased, but I think they just did a smashing job, and I love, love, love this pattern! Here's Jane in her creation:

Claire took hers to a sleepover last night, so I wasn't able to take a photo....I'll post one later.
THEN, yesterday I had a slew of customers who had my head swimming with ideas and inspiration. Karen from Florida, visiting grandchildren here, and a serious quilter, and Stephanie, from Arkansas, who was wearing an adorable top she had made....and we got to talking about sewing and such. Well, Stephanie, you inspired me to get to work and make the Summer Blouse from Weekend Sewing....here it is:

A few tweaks here and there, but I love it! Made from Anna Maria Horner's voile, it feels like I'm wrapped in silk!
A few updates on the store front:

Anna Maria Horner's trunk show will be arriving June 16 - that's a Wednesday. We got the official confirmation from UPS. A bit later than we originally thought, but we're just as excited!

I neglected to get the word out about a change in the Modern Quilt Guild meeting being postponed this month, and I'm so so sorry to Kathy and Janet, in particular, who showed up the other night for the meeting. It will be Wednesday, June 23, from 6-8. Please come!

We're having a Hip Stitch-sponsored Hipster's Craft Fair July 10, from 10-5. Crafters are welcome - $20 per table. Please email or call to sign up - tables are filling fast!

Studio Tour - Dagmar

2010-05-23T13:44:00.001-06:00

Yes, yes, I know, I actually wrote in this blog that I'd be doing weekly studio tours....wow, was I ambitious! Life indeed got in the way of that!

However, Dagmar and I finally managed to connect - slowly, via email - and I have another tour for you! Dagmar left last week for Germany - she goes every summer with her beautiful children, for about 3 weeks, to visiting her home. Thank goodness she graciously sent back answers to my 'interview' questions before she left!

Dagmar and I met a few years back at Trader Joe's....which we laugh about, because we both have made some great friends there. She spotted a tote bag I had made and was carrying - it was bright orange and pink, which coincidentally are colors that she's drawn to and look fabulous on her. We struck up a conversation and have been friends since!

She's primarily a knitter - as well as dyeing, spinning, felting wool. As far as other crafts? Well, it's more like what DOESN'T she do?! Here's our interview:

ME: Do you listen to anything while you work?

when i knit/crochet i do audiobooks, mysteries, favorite: the prey series by john sandford.

ME: What's your favorite tool, whether it be for knitting, spinning, sewing, cardmaking - anything - what do you love to use?

knitting needles, for the lonely island - i'd spin coconutfibers and be a happy knitter...

ME: At what age did you start your artistic creating? What's the 1st thing you made?

i made a super ugly floppy doll, long and skinny - and loved the thing to no end, always had to have him for sleeping. i was probably 8?! today he means nothing to me... strange...

ME: Do you go through "seasons" of creating? Ever need time off? if so, what brings you back?

i am like a butterfly, i nibble here and nibble there, switch crafts, but knit the most. when i don't have at least 2 active projects (not counting older unfinished objects in the closet) i get nervous.

it is usually an up and down with other crafts, like scrapbooking, crochet, bookbinding, marbling, papermaking, rughooking, felting....

And now pictures from her beautiful studio....how can one NOT be inspired to create in a space like this?

Here are dyed woolens drying on the line.....to become strips for rughooking......a spinning wheel in the foreground, and a rughooking piece on the sofa in the background:

Wool being spun......and one wall of the studio - such vibrant color!

Various tools stored in sheep-themed holders. Dagmar's business is called "Sheep on a Spring." What I think I love most about her space is how her children's creativity is scattered about, also - displayed on the walls, a project in the making here and there. She encourages them to create, also, and when I'm with them, I love to chat and just hang out with them - the little artists they are!

Sale!

2010-05-13T22:48:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow and Saturday, (May 14/15), all Anna Maria Horner fabrics and patterns are 20% off at Hip Stitch! A great time to stock up on her groovy patterns and that luscious voile! We also have a selection of her home decorator cottons.

9 hours left......

2010-05-03T21:50:00.000-06:00

At the risk of totally embarrassing Portia (some of you know her.....customer, friend and teacher at Hip Stitch), she's entered a gorgeous top in a Spring Top contest on this blog: http://www.made-by-rae.com/.

Now, I'm sorry if you're embarrassed, Portia, but as you all know, I love our local artists, and feel VERY STRONGLY about supporting/promoting them. So if you're reading this, and it's before 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, VOTE for Portia's top!

And to take Portia out of the limelight for a moment, I'm throwing Ann into it. Ann makes the Re-use it bags that we sell at the store. You know the ones - velcro closure, lined w/a safe non-PVC waterproof, washable vinyl.....well, they've been flying out the door of Hip Stitch - I think the word is finally catching that we can stop buying ziplock baggies and throwing them away! She's making them as fast as she can.....uses? sandwiches, snacks, pacifiers, to name just a few!

Check out her blog.....wallets and lunch bags are also her specialty!

Need some opinions

2010-04-28T18:44:00.000-06:00

Alright, those of you that have known me for a while and/or read this blog for a while know that I occasionally digress from sewing posts. Here's one - either read on or go to your next blog!

In the last post, you heard my saga about my van - in the shop, taken in while on my way to a studio tour, yada yada yada....

I had a call from the mechanic today. I began writing down his dictation of the list of repairs that need done, then finally gave up - the list was just too long. We have a 1999 Dodge Caravan with 151,000 miles. It's ready to be put down. We knew this was coming someday.....just not TWO WEEKS after my husband's 1991 Toyota truck died and we purchased an economical used car for him. Karma? Fate? Unlucky coincidence? And irony on top of irony - as I rode my bicycle into the parking lot of Hip Stitch today, my BIKE started making a clackity-clack noise.....my BIKE. (easy repair, I'm sure)

So here's my marital debate: I came home today and proposed to my husband that we see if we can get by with one car. His response: NO. I came back with: reducing our carbon footprint, saving on insurance and gas and car bills and getting into better physical shape with walking and bike riding, and planning our shopping trips more carefully, and.....and.....and..... His response: We need 2 cars! Let me explain us a bit. I know, I've always been the one with rose-colored glasses. I come to him with grandiose ideas - let's move across the world for a year! Let's take the kids out of school and travel the country for a year!. Let's add on to our house and have my mom move in with us and we'll all save money! Dan is, well, realistic. And that's a good balance, I think. I love him dearly and he's the best guy around. I'm NOT complaining about him - let me make that clear! Those daisies that have been on the counter at Hip Stitch since Easter? from Dan. An occasional bowl of chocolate on the store counter? usually from Dan. He's the guy who will bring over things to the store that I've forgotten from home - an iron, an extra sewing machine, a spool of thread.

So what are your opinions? Do I need to take the rose-colored glasses off? Yes, there are times where we need to be in 2 separate places that both aren't within walking distance. But aren't there ways of working around it? Give it to me - the cold, hard truth.

And the next studio tour? Well, I'm working on doing a virtual one....stay tuned.

Argh!

2010-04-26T23:21:00.001-06:00

So I was on my way to my Studio Tour #2 this morning - had arranged it with the very talented gal, had my camera and questions and anticipation, and as I'm driving, I feel clunks and shudders and noises coming from my van that, in my gut, didn't sound right......so instead of my outing, I drove to the mechanic, called my mom to pick me up and take me to the store, and said goodbye to my van for a few days. We knew this was coming - car repair, that is. Crossing my fingers it's not a transmission issue.

In the meantime, I'll be bicycling and walking around my little part of town - though I just heard on the news that more wind is on it's way - ugh.

And the studio tour? Will wait for a few more days - a patient lady - a beautiful space awaits my camera!

2010 Hip Kids' Summer Classes

2010-04-22T20:15:00.004-06:00

Studio Tour debut

2010-04-19T21:55:00.008-06:00

Week 1 - I visited Kathy Albright in her home. What a wonderful afternoon I spent with her.....and getting such inspiration from her!

My 1st memory of meeting Kathy, at Hip Stitch, was when she brought in some things she had made from the Softies Kit. I remember being awed at the detail of her hand stitching - it was just simply perfect.

As she shopped at our store more often, she'd share quilts she'd made with our fabrics, and our friendship just evolved into her teaching quilting classes - every quilt you see hanging at the store is made by Kathy!

As I toured her sewing space, I found myself seeing her 20+ years ago - an owner of a store here in town called "The Dancing Needle", which sold fabrics, notions, patterns, wool felt and more, and offered classes, too (sounds familiar, huh?) She was featured regularly in magazines such as Crafts 'n Things, and Country Handcrafts. Her handwork was exquisite (still is) and I got to pour through things she made then, and still has - small purses, sewing kits, shadow applique.

Her sewing room - separate from where her machine is - was filled with treasures. Here are just a few:

an antique thread holder, which I found just fascinating

a treasured little dollhouse, with all the teddy bears, and furniture, handcrafted from kits that were sold at her store:

Her fabric, all stored neatly in pull out drawers in the closet....

or bundled together as scraps leftover from quilts, organized by color/coordinates:

The ribbon and the thread - oh just look at them!

And her machine - a Singer featherweight. So dainty, so quiet, so lovely:

I asked her what she likes to listen to while she sews. She says either movies on the Turner Classic Movie station, or music from the 50s and 60s. Favorite sewing tool? The Chalkoner. (we're trying to see if we can carry it at the store)

Here's a sneak preview of what she's working on for fat quarter classes she'll be teaching this summer at Hip Stitch:

I realize tonight that I didn't take one picture of Kathy herself! Well, if you don't already know her, you will if you shop at the store - especially on Saturdays, when she's likely to be found teaching a class.
I must admit, I feel a special connection to Kathy - she has 2 daughters, I have 2 daughters. She was a teacher, I was a teacher. Her passion is sewing, my passion is sewing. (We also share a political party affiliation, but I won't go into that here....!) She's made sewing a timeless craft, and I appreciate that. Styles come and go, so will colors and themes, but the art of handstitching, of making something that will last a lifetime, never will.

A new idea....

2010-04-08T23:09:00.000-06:00

I'll start with what's new in the store, which is always exciting! These are just a few of the bolts that arrived.....all well-loved, but sadly, have been discontinued, until - a RE-PRINT came along - woo hoo!

And, the Oliver+S new patterns have arrived!

Aren't they so sweet?!

Now, to my idea.....I feel that I'm in a bit of a blog rut. Not as consistent as I want to be.....I feel a bit un-creative in relaying Hip Stitch happenings. I feel a wee bit like Julie Powell in Julie & Julia - remember her? She wanted to write, but it took forcing herself to take such extreme measures as cooking a Julia Child recipe every single day for one year. Well, I'm not going to those extremes, though I did just take out of the oven 3 loaves of bread from by beloved bread book, "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day." (you haven't run out and bought this book yet?! shame!) But I digress.

I'm going to get a bit drastic in my quest to liven up the blog. I'm going to venture out weekly and visit a crafter's studio space. And take pictures. And interview her a bit (there may be a 'him' along the way - who knows?!) And maybe some weeks will be more full than others with life, and it'll be more challenging to do my job - but I'm going to give it my all. Won't you join me in this journey?! I may be calling or emailing YOU to request a visit to your space - I hope you'll accommodate me.

(Now, keep in mind, when I say studio space, I don't mean necessarily an entire room devoted to sewing. It could be like mine right now - a $5 yard sale desk in the corner of my dining room.)

Late Night party-ing

2010-04-01T22:29:00.000-06:00

Last week, I had a private party/lounge pants class in the store (literally, the store - in the lounge was the ruffled scarf class being taught by Portia) Lori, Nara, Carnie & Liz gathered with me at 5 p.m. and, well, at 11:30, 2 of them, along with yours truly, stumbled out the door to go home. Not drunkenly stumbled; rather, exhausted, fried from sewing, light-headed from no dinner, but gosh darn-it, they each had a completed pair of lounge pants that looked awesome on them! (see the added pockets that was their idea!) I thought for sure they'd discuss me grumpily the next day and how I never told them they'd be finishing their pants 6 1/2 hrs. after they started, but Lori, who's just about like a sister to me, called me that weekend to tell me that no, they weren't turned off from sewing forever - WHEW! I, for one, enjoyed our evening together - they were so much fun, and by the end of the night, we were laughing at things I can't even remember now. So thanks, ladies, for the great evening!

See in the pictures - they were too tired to even TRY on their pants (except Nara, who amazingly put hers on right over the pants she was wearing)

New lovlies all about

2010-03-18T22:44:00.000-06:00

Where to begin?

How about with more vintage pincushions, scattered about the store....a beautiful selection sent by Barbara in Pennsylvania - sheep, a cardinal, flowers, and more:

...and this reverse applique shirt, made by artist Marcia Petty - she just delivered this sample today, to give a sneak preview of what can be created in her class Saturday, March 27, from 11-3. Have you signed up yet? Well, what are you waiting for?!

...a completed sweater for my daughter Jane (and thankfully she's happy to wear it). In the background of the photo? My mom's dog, Lily, and my mom's walker - she was released from rehab yesterday and is living with us until she's ready to live independently. I tease her that she sits in her Archie Bunker chair (brought over from her home to ours), covered up in an afghan, watching t.v. That is SO not my mom - she's ready to take on those physical therapists and get back to life!

....and finally, Claire in HER sweater. Same pattern - each girl picked out their yarn color. I started knitting around November. Two sweaters - in one winter. Not bad, eh?

Finally, a huge gushing thank you to all who helped fill in at Hip Stitch so I could be with my mom throughout her hip fracture, surgery and rehab: Portia, Ann, Bralia, Julie, Jen & Lisa. You're just simply the best.

Barbara

2010-03-14T10:55:00.000-06:00

Here's Barbara, wearing the ruffled scarf she made with Portia:

She's one of those women at Hip Stitch who's become more than a customer - she's a friend. She has this incredible kindness, and is cheerful and enthusiastic - she loves to sew, and that rubs off on those around her (even me!) She has an adorable little boy, for whom she made this quilt:

And dang it all, she's moving to Florida. On Friday. And I'm really sad about that. Some friends gathered in the lounge last week for a private party, and they sewed aprons and cute hang-on-the-seat car trash bags, and button-enclosed pillow covers.

These are just a few:

So, we'll just have to keep in touch long-distance, and she'll have to send pictures of things she's sewn, and that will have to do until either she visits Albuquerque or I go to Florida (hmmmm, Disneyworld with the family sounds really good!)

Recycling at it's finest

2010-03-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

So, here's how we recycle at Hip Stitch:

Empty fabric bolts? Scraps of fabric? No problem - instant birthday party decorations! My 10 yr. old, Claire, has her party tomorrow. The theme is Fetch (PBS kids' show). Her sister, Jane, took it upon herself to make some decorations. She got to work in the lounge with scraps and empty bolts. I'm ever so grateful to have a child old enough to decorate the house for a party!

A break in our regularly-scheduled program

2010-03-05T18:10:00.002-07:00

This is just 'cause I love this, recommended by Dagmar. I watched it when she did a post some weeks back, was so thrilled by the....the.....disco-ness of it all, and now it's time to pass it on: Shame Shame Shame (I don't know whether I like the pink scarf or the silver platform shoes more - decide for yourself)

Don't know about you, but it's been quite a week and I'm looking for lots of laughter to end it.....my 76 yr. old mother fractured her hip Tuesday at the dog park - took her beloved dog, was greeted by a swarm of excited dogs, and was subsequently knocked to the ground. Surgery, 3 days in the hospital, and now onto 2 weeks at rehab. So, when life throws you a curve ball, find some laughter - enjoy the video!

Quilting class

2010-02-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Ellen, for these beautiful pictures of quilts in the making! Ellen and I were both "enrolled" in the quilt class - the last session being this past Saturday. Kathy Albright, the class instructor, took us through all the steps to making the Take 5 Quilt.

Next quilt class......coming in April!

Meet Tom

2010-02-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Tom's become a regular lounger at Hip Stitch. He's not the typical customer who walks through our doors. (Well, he's not female, which consists of the majority of our customers)

He walked in one day last fall and asked if he could have a sewing lesson, as he wanted to learn how to take in his jeans - he'd lost some weight and didn't want to have to go shopping for new pants. He had patience, interest, and quite a knack for using a sewing machine - and was soon tackling the task of taking apart pants and re-fitting them. He's moved on to creating a hat pattern (he's donning a version of it in the picture above)

He's also become the unofficial handyman of the store - to which I'm eternally grateful.

So glad you're a regular, Tom!

New fabrics in!

2010-02-09T07:34:00.004-07:00

Here are just 3 of the 14 new bolts that have arrived at the store in the past few days.....this is the Valori Wells Del Hi collection. I've been wanting these 3 in particular since Hip Stitch opened. They're simply beautiful!

Remember that new camera I bought at Christmastime? Didn't I blog about it? I just love it, and have some great shots taken of Hip Stitchers and fabrics and projects. And lo and behold, I've lost the cord that goes from the camera to the computer so I can download all those great pictures onto THIS blog! After driving to 4 different stores in town with no luck finding a replacement cable, I had to order one from Nikon online, and it should arrive any day in my mailbox. Aaargh!

2010-01-27T21:30:00.005-07:00

Here are some pictures from Teen Night last Saturday....
Morgan (and I) made pillow covers, with a cut-out piece of chalk cloth sewn to the front:
Hannah embroidered a bird on her jeans:

....and Sophia practiced her embroidery, on a flour sack cloth:

We listened to music of their choice (ugh, I feel so old, I didn't know any names of bands or songs!), and I eavesdropped on their conversations (school, music, and lots of random giggling)

The Liverpool Tunic I made is complete - I love love love wearing it! Picture to post shortly....

2010-01-22T12:46:00.003-07:00

Monday night we had a private party in the lounge - a group of wonderful ladies who have been friends for about 30 years (almost the whole group). They meet regularly, and got together to sew aprons. I was a fly on the wall - they had grown children, and though their lives are very different than mine right now, I could see myself in 15-20 years, gathering with friends I have now. These gals had a contentment about them - they weren't in the throes of shuttling children around, worrying about their friends, hoping they'll grow up alright in this world of ours.....rather, they'd done their jobs of mothering and raising their children. I'm sure there are still worries and challenges, but just.....different ones.

Thank you, ladies, for hanging out in our lounge, for your fun evening in which I shared a small part!

Here are their aprons:

Women, food, & crafting - the perfect bond

2010-01-16T11:32:00.005-07:00

Last night was craft night. Seven women came, to knit and sew. Two worked on a quilt to donate to Project Linus, 2 made lunch bags:

an idea from this calendar that I bought for craft nights, 1 knit, 1 made a tablecloth from our laminated cotton, and 1 worked on a drawstring bag.

See those gals in the photo above? The one on the right won a trophy from the State Fair when she was a young girl in 4H for SEWING! How cool is that?!

Today was part 2 of the Take 5 Quilt class. The ladies put together their blocks and then began to choose how they would be arranged. Oh my gosh, they looked soooo good! I'm loving seeing how they progress.

What's being made

2010-01-10T22:35:00.002-07:00

Here's a picture from the 1st session of the Take 5 Quilt class we hosted this past Saturday. Even though Jen & I didn't officially take the class, as we manned the store, we eavesdropped and snuck in & out of the lounge, and learned so much from Kathy, the instructor! She went over choosing colors, and patterns, and what your eye is drawn to when looking at a quilt with many blocks. I can't wait to make my 1st quilt one of these days!

And speaking of the class, this one filled - 4 Saturdays in January. We've opened up another in February, which still has slots.

Here's the fabric I picked out for the Liverpool Tunic. I cut it out tonight while watching BBC Earth - a Christmas gift for our family from a friend. Trouble is, my 9 yr. runs out of the room whenever it goes on. She's terrified of the natural food chain - can't watch preditor and prey.
What I learned tonight while cutting fabric: the male ibex, a long-horned goat which habitats in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, will battle other males to determine dominance. They clash horns for up to an hour to determine who wins. The winner gets a harem (pronounced "hareem" by the British narrator) of female ibexes following him around. But I digress.

And here's lovely Portia, modeling the ruffled scarf she made with our new voile by Anna Maria Horner. So, so pretty!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T20:29:00.003-07:00

My sewing machine - MY machine, that I keep at home and once in a while take into the store, has not been in my home since the week before Christmas. It's been at Hip Stitch, having been used as our lounge was transformed into Santa's workshop. So many gifts to finish. One of the best I received was a sewing machine cover made by my 12 yr. old, out of Capri Sun-type juice boxes. (A photo will arrive when my new camera arrives....see below)

Sooo, I have not sewn at home since before Christmas. This is huge for me. On average, I sew in the evening at least 2-3 nights a week. It's my down time, my quiet time, my evening therapy. And though I haven't had a great urge to sew at home over the holidays....rather, I've been eating, and knitting, and eating some more, and gathering with friends, and reading the Twilight series (thanks to my friend Melinda, who handed me the books and told me it was time I read them) I now really miss it. So one of the projects I want to begin this year is this pattern of Amy Butler's.

A new camera!! I've been wanting a new one for sooo long, and this one is on it's way from Amazon. I'm so inspired by Ellen and her lovely photos, and though I don't think I'll commit to a photo a day (oooh, how I'd love to), I can at least get some great shots of what's being made at Hip Stitch!

So excuse me now, while I find out what's going on with Edward and Bella, and escape to my fantasy world for a bit...!

Some of our favorite things

2009-12-16T22:04:00.013-07:00

OK, we've all seen many gift guides this season - in blogs, in the newspaper, in magazines. Here are just a few of our favorites this year:

Kim Scott, a fabulous designer of skirts, has an etsy shop, and is also one of our December artists of the month: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimscott. See that photo above? That's MY skirt, made by her. I have to restrain myself from wearing it every single day. I think I need to put in a request for another. She adds a flirty ruffle at the bottom, lines them with a lightweight cotton solid, and has an elastic waistline to give it comfort and casual-ness.

Ann Brotman, creator of Burst of Color, makes re-usable snack bags. Let me tell you, they're becoming all the rage about town! I send my kids - and husband - off to school each day with their sandwiches packed in them. At the end of the day, I shake out the crumbs (or wash out the jelly), and they're ready for the next day.
My 12 year old, Jane, requested them to "gift wrap" her gifts for friends - you know, lip gloss and socks and candy - things we gave when we were 12! Here they are, ready to take to school:

Portia Perdue, who makes Perdoozy aprons: http://www.etsy.com/shop/perdoozy Portia has sold over 1,000 of them on etsy, and each is put together with an eye for color and hip-ness and a hint of retro and loads of style! Now, I know she's ready to close the shop to be able to have a relaxing Christmas with her family, but she's one to keep in mind for gifts throughout the year!

That was just a tiny tiny sampling of the many local artists whose wares we love.....we hope to post a few more in the next few days!

Here's one to show his future girlfriend....

2009-12-10T16:27:00.004-07:00

Here's Henry, (who's 6 months old already!), wearing one of Dagmar's hats. I just couldn't resist posting this! Dag was one of the artists at our craft show last weekend, which was fabulous.

Fabric on it's way to Hip Stitch - selected bolts from:

Anna Maria Horner's new Little Folks Voile

Amy Butler's Love Home Dec.

Jane Sassaman's new Sunshine & Shadows

Next on our list - more laminated cottons - not only does Amy Butler have some out, but Anna Maria Horner and Heather Bailey....what to choose, what to choose....

It's a.....baby!

2009-12-04T07:31:00.003-07:00

Congratulations, Ellen! Our sweet, lovely customer, friend, and store photographer, had baby #3 Tues., Dec. 1. We've been waiting excitedly to hear the news, and her husband called yesterday to give us the details. I'm not giving ANY detail, 'cause I want her to do that on her blog.

My firstborn, Jane, was born Dec. 16 (she'll be 12 this year!!). There's nothing like a newborn babe in your arms as you snuggle in to celebrate the holidays!

A bit of gift making

2009-11-26T10:15:00.004-07:00

Today's agenda: sleep in (8:00), go out to living room, where family is watching the Macy's parade on t.v., fix coffee, sit down with embroidery to finish the project above.....a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law. It's a flour sack cloth - I ordered them in bulk a few months back - can be used for any number of cleaning, kitchen, pantry uses. I just love love love Sublime Stitching! Hip Stitch gets their email newsletters - they're having a special now thru Dec. 1 - order any products from the website, and pay only $1.00 shipping! To add to that, I ordered 4 patterns, and they had buy 3, get the 4th 1/2 price! Woo hoo - can't beat that deal! This ain't your grandma's embroidery....check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Check this out!

2009-11-22T20:48:00.003-07:00

Look what customer/amazing sewer Robyn (I read her blog to get inspired to sew like her) is doing now! She's writing the blog for this website. How did you even find out about a job like this?! I know she's a writer/editor by trade, so I guess she's in the know about writing jobs....kind of like being in a band and knowing how to get gigs. (does that analogy work?)

Anyhow, your latest project - the coat - is beautiful - great job!! (I've added the blog to my blog list at right)

Saturday night, I got to book a private party in the lounge, for my book club. We just finished reading The Wednesday Sisters, which takes place in the 1960s/70s, so I thought it'd be fun to get together to discuss it and make aprons - a very retro project. So, so fun. And by the way, I have no pictures because our family camera has finally died. So I'm camera shopping. And that's that.

Shall we tie one on?

2009-11-20T21:02:00.005-07:00

I discovered this while surfing online.....read what's on this website:

National Tie One On Day™ – November 25, 2009
“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” EllynAnne Geisel
Four years ago, I noticed that Thanksgiving was talked about in terms more commonly associated with stress, than joy. I remembered my mother’s absolute love of Thanksgiving, as a day more than anything else of sharing and gratefulness. So I created National Tie One On Day™ as an annual opportunity to return the “give” to Thanksgiving by sharing our good fortune with someone in need of a kind gesture.

National Tie One On Day™ has nothing to do with purchasing anything special or even driving!
Participation is simple. On the day before Thanksgiving, November 25th this year, pause in the preparation of your own meal, wrap a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron, tuck a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket, and tie one on…an apron, of course! and deliver the wrapped bundle to someone without your bounty… a neighbor, friend or family member in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word.
I know it to be true that whether you live in a high rise apartment building or on a quiet block, no matter which direction you walk out of your own front door, someone deserving of a gesture of kindness is close by.
National Tie One On Day™ is a win-win, for the participant and the receiver. By embracing National Tie One On Day™, you will make someone else’s day brighter. (written by ElllynAnne Geisel)

Isn't that just a great idea? If you do this, email us at Hip Stitch and tell us about it!

Can we rid the world of plastic bags?

2009-11-19T22:16:00.005-07:00

A friend sent this link to me, about plastic bags in our world. I found it quite good. I hope you all are taking cloth/canvas/recycled bags to the grocery store with you. I remember about 90% of the time to grab one before I go in....when I forget, I come home with a plastic bag and put it in my stash to make recycled totes out of them. Have you made yours yet?

We offer a class, you know. Because we have a guest instructor come in to teach it, we want to have a minimum of 3 people commit to take the class. We're going to keep the date open-ended.....when at least 3 call or email who want to take the class, we'll schedule it. Then we'll do this all over again....and again.....until we have zillions of recycled plastic tote bags in the world!

Damn cancer

2009-11-14T22:01:00.002-07:00

That's just how I feel about it. Damn cancer. As I go through life, I know more & more people who are afflicted with it. This week, it was Betty, a customer from day 1 of our opening. She's sweet and gentle and just a lovely lady. I had last seen her about 2 months ago - and when she walked in our door this week with her daughter, I didn't know it was her at first - I was with another customer, and greeted them, and let them browse. Then, Betty came up to the counter, and I saw it was her - with a pink knit cap covering her head. And I looked into her eyes and saw that it was her - without her beautiful white hair. And my heart sank, and I thought, "Damn cancer." She's fighting through it, and I want so badly for her to win the fight.

Today, it reared its ugly head in the body of a 5 yr. old boy, whose grandmother, a dear friend of ours here at Hip Stitch, told us that the family has just been informed he has about 3 months to live. He's fought this disease for a few years now. It seems that the fight is over. Damn, damn cancer.

We're going to do our part to do SOMETHING. Starting in January 2010, Hip Stitch will be forming a group in the lounge, to meet regularly, and make hats, for those who are going through chemotherapy. Hats with style, with flair, with warmth and most importantly, with love. We'll provide the lounge - the patterns - the fabric (though we'll be having our annual fabric exchange in the new year, and asking for donations of fabric to go to making the hats)

More details to follow about our group. In the meantime, pray for those fighting this disease. Pray for a cure. Just pray.

Winners!

2009-11-03T07:35:00.003-07:00

Our Love Collection fat quarters drawing was Friday, and the winners were Theresa and Gail, 2 awesome customers! Congratulations, ladies!

November's calendar is up (yes, I know it's ALREADY November). I sent out the email newsletter, but forgot to include that we're having the make-your-own-dressform class again - remember the photos from that fun day?! Sharon Hatcher is back to teach it once again. Get yourselves signed up!

Kathy Rowe set up her goods as artist of the month - oh my, I'm having to restrain myself from grabbing a few things to purchase for myself....I'll be gracious and let customers shop through the month. Fabulous work, she does.

My husband asked last night if he can put up a few Christmas lights in the house (we do them inside and out) I said that was fine if I can start playing some Christmas music. He hasn't agreed to that end of the deal yet. Either way, as a retailer, we're breaking out the decorations in the store - I think it's officially the season in stores, right?!

Show & Share

2009-10-28T21:30:00.010-06:00

Two sweet girls in dresses made with Hip Stitch fabrics -

Fabric is Heather Ross - Mermaids - an easy Simplicity pattern. The cuteness is innate, I think!

And here's a cute Southern Belle (she really is from the south!) wearing the Oliver+S birthday party dress in Amy Butler's Lotus collection:

Tonight I made my 9 yr. old the pajama bottoms from our Favorite Things Sleep Well pattern - she picked Moda sock monkey flannel. She's sound asleep wearing them, so a picture will have to wait....and the top is next to make.

I hope everyone is busy getting ready for Halloween, or is ready for Halloween! I've had just a bit of sewing to do - a poodle skirt for a friend's teenage daughter, this top for Claire's 50s costume, and a trip last night out to a few stores to finalize an M&M costume for my 11 yr. old, Jane, who wore it today to school (all APS middle schools are out tomorrow & Friday for parent conferences - Halloween came early) Her's was easy - big blue sweatshirt, long underwear, and a cut-out "M" to glue on her front. Oh yes, and blue hairspray for a final touch.

We picked up some Keds at Goodwill for Claire, and last night I colored in black to make them saddle shoes - presto change-o!

That gross brown at the back/bottom of the shoe? My attempt to add the authentic brown stripe....until the marker ran out of ink.