Things to oooh and ahhhh over....

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!

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!

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!

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!

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....

.....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

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...