Some of our favorite things

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....

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!

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

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!

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?

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?

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!