Sue and Herb Hausmann "Wowed" the Crowd!

We've known Sue and Herb for around 25 years and it was great having them back. About that many years ago, they took us to their home near Chicago after a meeting, to help me learn more about the strange animal called a "serger." I've been inspired by her ever since, as have thousands of sew-ers all over the world.

Over 75 ladies were totally entertained and delighted with the programs Sue prepared. Herb was in charge of the camera (and added bits of wisdom and other comments) and oversaw operations.


Sue gave Viking owners all kinds of hints of new techniques with their machines, and had dozens (maybe hundreds!) of samples!


There were lots of prize winners and on Wednesday a delicious lunch with Cathy's famous Cheesy Potato Soup.


When it was over, it seemed we were all tired except Sue, who must have some hidden reservoir of energy somewhere, and she promised to visit again. So if you missed her this time, there's still hope.

Thanks so much, Sue. We love you!

Playing with Yo Yos

Have you ever made fabric yo yos? This fun pastime goes much quicker with the use of the fabulous Clover Yo Yo Makers -


There are even heart and flower shapes!



We just received some fun new yo you makers in stock too!
One makes butterfly shapes (available in small and large, small is pictured)-



This one makes Shamrock yo yos (available in small and large, large is pictured)-



You can easily make Yo Yo doilies, just stitch up a boatload of Yo Yos and then lay them out on your work surface with sides touching. Move and arrange them until you have an arrangement that you like, and stitch them together. You can take digital pictures of your doily once you have an arrangement you like, then print out a copy of your picture to help you remember how to stitch them together. You can also take digital pictures of the different arrangements, then view your pics on your monitor to see which arrangement you like best. It is amazing, but sometimes seeing the picture helps you decide which design you like best. This is the technique I like to do before I stitch things I make up together. Plus, it is also helpful for future projects, because you don't have to remember your arrangements this way. :)

We have some super fun patterns that you can use these darling little yo yos on too. There is a little bear (isn't he adorable?!?) -



Here is a sweet little elephant -



Several great books filled with fun projects -





A fun pincushion pattern -



and even more patterns. You can find them here.

I love making yo yos, it is a perfect way to use up fabric scraps. I use them in my scrapbooking projects too. Here is a one of my layouts where I stitched ribbon flowers, a fabric yo yo,and fabric scraps -



You can make lovely cards with yo yos too!

Charm packs are another great way to get a super variety of fabric, and they are the perfect size for making Yo Yos. We have a wonderful selection of Charm Packs.

Over the years I have made lots of ornaments too. Here is a little angel I made a long time ago when my kids were small -



She is super easy to make. I don't have a pattern, but here are some quick directions. After you stitch a little body (just stitch together a small rectangle, you can even add a bit of lace to the bottom, and take a small tuck on the top of the rectangle to make it more of a dress shape), stitch up two bitsy yo yos for the sleeves, then one a little larger for the halo, add a button for the head, embellish with beads and fabric paint for the face, and floss for the hair, and then add a piece of knotted ribbon for the arms. Snip some lace for the wings, (I used some Battenburg lace) and a piece of fishing line for hanging and you are set. You can even put a little pinback on your angel, and wear her on a sweater! Easy peasy, and fun to make.

By the way, if you like the beautiful blue Batik fabric shown behind the yo yo angel, you can view or order it here. It is item 983251.

Have fun playing with fabric scraps and yo yos! :)

Cathy, Dick, and I were at Quilt Market last week. It's where we go to see new designers, new products, and new fabrics. We go to Houston in the fall and wherever it is in the country in the spring. (It moves.) These are my favorite trips! I get so inspired by all the wonderful displays and quilts.

I was delighted to find more patterns using Texture Magic, what I wrote about a few weeks ago. I just loved the baby bibs with textured additions.

Little “Hoot and Annie” are definitely a hoot! They're adorable soft toys.

There are fun patterns for girls’ clothes, too. There are also new purses, quilts, and more coming in. You can see what we have so far here.

I found myself going back several times to see the Studio 180 booth. By the time we left Houston, I was armed with their patterns and rulers, and really excited about the wonderful way Deb Tucker makes piecing easy! (Here she is explaining her Wing Clipper ruler. 48109) The Hunter's Star has been a quilt on my "bucket list" for a long time, but never reached the top. With Deb's inspiration, I've already started my Rapid Fire Hunter's Star wallhanging. Look at how perfect my first block is! (48167)

We have news about Nancy Halvorsen’s new fabric lines & books! "Tried and True" is due to arrive at the beginning of November. This fabric line is filled with those distinctive Halvorsen prints that are so popular. You can sign up on our web site to be notified when the bolts actually arrive. You can also place a pre-order for the latest book, Sew Necessary which uses the "Tried and True" fabric line. We've been told the book includes wonderful small projects including pin cushions, scissors keepers, bags and other small items. We expect it at about the same time as the fabrics, and will again be doing fabric packs for many of the projects.

Next year will bring two more lines of fabric and two more books: In February we expect "Garden Song" (a pretty gardening themed group that reminds us of her "True Friends" line from years ago) and in April we'll be looking for "Tidings" (this Christmas line will be similar in feel to her "Star of Wonder" line celebrating the birth of Christ, and similar in coloring to the current "I Believe"). We expect the books, titled the same as the fabric lines, to be filled with the usual wonderful projects Art to Heart is known for. Again you can sign up to be notified when Garden Song andr Tidings arrive.

We saw Jenny and Simon Haskins and got a preview of some exciting new things to come. Stay tuned!!

This is just a tiny taste of what we’re looking forward to from having gone to Quilt Market. We’ll be adding new things regularly. Did you know you can always see what’s new by clicking on “New Items” on the left side of our web pages? It’s a great way to keep track of new additions between newsletters. And if you’re not signed up to receive our emails, you can choose those you want and be updated that way, too.

The Right Tool Makes All the Difference!

Here's how you can make an elastic fabric loop in one step with the wonderful Fasturn Tube Turner (45144) down just a bit on the page.


Cut a bias strip the length needed plus at least three inches. It should be twice the width of the elastic plus ½”. I used the measurements given in Textured Totes and Accessories (44615), to accommodate a large button. (Coconut button, 33740.) Fold it right sides together lengthwise and stitch a scant ¼” and close one short end.

Mark the piece of elastic the length you want, (which will be length you need the loop to be or a little shorter), but don’t cut the elastic off.

Attach it to the fabric strip as shown.

Insert the largest Fasturn that will fit in the tube. Put in the wire and twist the squiggle through the seam allowance.









Pull the end of the fabric tube and the elastic into the Fasturn and out the other end.







Slide the fabric back to see the marking you made for the length you want the elastic, then move it back just to meet that mark pin it to check length again, then stitch it in place.

Now cut the elastic!

The textured loop was the perfect technique for the loop on the textured tote!

The Fasturn Tube Turners can be used to turn spaghetti straps and even press open the seam allowance as you turn it! You can also fill a fabric tube with batting the same way as the elastic. I've had them for probably 30 years, or whenever it was that Emma Graham and her husband brought them to the sewing industry, and I can't begin to count the number of projects I've used them with!

Fun with Texture Magic

Here's a tote I made with Texture Magic (let's call it TM for short). I made it using the Textured Tote and Accessories (44615) pattern. As I write this, there are 3 patterns I know of that call for TM, but I'm sure there will be more. It's so much fun, and gives a wonderful look to any kind of project! A lady from Montanna who stopped by with her husband before the Notre Dame game here was so excited about it when I showed her, that she planned to incorporate it into an art quilt she was working on. It's just starting to get popular and I'm sure we'll see more and more ideas for it.

This is what the fabric looked like before and after grid quilting, which I'll talk about in a minute. You can also use freemotion stitching, as in the other sample. Except for the grid, I did mine all on my Handi Quilter, so you can use a long arm machine or a domestic sewing machine.

It can be used with batting and fabric, or just fabric. If using batting, sandwich the batting between the TM and the fabric. If you don’t use batting, the “bumps” will be hollow. If you do, they won’t. For quilting, don’t use the batting unless all your pieces are textured. It’s optional with other projects.

You can use it for the whole outer fabric, as in the Textured Tote above, and the Humbug Bag (89278), or as just a part of the project, as in the Little Wallet (44262), the Texture Magic Tote (40893) and the Bubbly Babies (40894).

Here's a hint for stitching a grid that occurred to me when I was doing the first tote. I had used painter's tape before, rather than marking the fabric. This time I layered up three pieces, to make it thicker. I used a grid for the Textured Tote. To stitch it, I used Painter’s Tape.

I made it long enough to go across the fabric at a 45 degree angle as in the photo. (Yes, my Painter’s Tape happens to be purple like many other things I own!)


I use Viking and Bernina machines, and they both have a foot with a ledge in the center. Viking's foot is called an "edge joining" foot and it's available either metal or clear. Bernina's is the #10 foot. I put on that foot, and nudged the needle just a scooch so I wouldn't catch the tape, and stitched next to it. The foot followed easily because of the thickness of the layers of the tape! I moved the tape next to that line of stitching, and continued across. Then I did the same thing in the other direction.

Then comes the magic part! From the back, start steaming, not quite touching the TM although you won't melt it if you do touch it. You’ll see it immediately shrink up!. It’ll curl, but you keep steaming, and it’ll smooth back out. My Velocity 100 Iron (45731) was fabulous for this! The fabric shrinks about 30% and it comes with a chart that tells you what size to start with for the desired end size.


You can try different freemotion stitches for different effects. I found that it wasn’t worth doing smaller feathers or intricate patterns because they don’t show up.

Larger blank spaces make larger “bumps” and smaller ones give more of a small, pebbly effect.

Warning- your cat will find your textured fabric no matter where you move it!

The inside of the tote called for a quilted lining, so I used this opportunity to practice a freemotion pattern I hadn't done for a while!

Next week I'll show you how easily I made the elasticized loop for the Textured Tote. The right tool makes everything easier!

The holiday gift giving and decorating season is quickly approaching, are you ready???

Well, tomorrow is the first day of October. We all know what that means! Besides preparing for cooler Autumn weather, we need to get busy with our holiday gift preparations. Remember, it does take some time to create gorgeous gifts for our families and loved ones. These gifts are always appreciated, and the time that goes into preparing them is time well spent. I find it very rewarding to create unique or one of a kind special items for gifts. It is always nice to have some new holiday decor too! Plus, beautiful fabrics, yarns, and other supplies do sell out, sadly enough, so ordering or preparing in October is a good plan. If you have a specific project in mind, please order early, don't wait until it is too late!

I have started creating gifts, and thought I would share a few here. I encourage you to raid your stash for fabric or embellishments, and will also list some fun and beautiful fabrics that would work well if you create any of the placemats in the free placemat pattern we have for you today.

First, I am a sewer and quilter, but I am also a scrapbooker and stamper. I love to incorporate fabric into my projects, regardless of what type of project it is. Yes, I am a fabric-addict, who isn't? ;). Using your fabric scraps for other projects such as cards, books, altered art, or other projects not only makes sense dollar wise, it also makes a beautiful project. For those of you that are scrapbookers, you may have heard of the company Basic Grey. I love this company, they have many beautiful designs and products. I was thrilled to pieces when I heard that Moda had picked up the designs for a fabric line based on the Figgy Pudding line by Basic Grey. We have sold out of many of the pieces (and can't restock them since Moda has sold out as well), but we do still have quite a few pieces in this collection left, as well as the wonderful Jelly Rolls, and other fabric cuts. You can view or order them here. (Remember, quantities are limited.) I used some of the Moda fabric and stitched up a tree for the cover, and used some of the Basic Grey papers from my stash to create this fun little mini book. I used lots of leftover bits of fabric in my book too, it added a nice bit of texture to the project -


I am working on a table runner too (no pattern available for this tablerunner) -

I am also using the fun tree theme with these placemats (pattern linked below)-


I am happy to share the pattern for the tree placemats until December 15, 2009. You can access it here. We will be removing the pattern access after December 15, so make sure you get it before then! The placemats do not use a lot of fabric, and not only are they great holiday decor, they make wonderful gifts too. Stitching them up can be addicting, I am in the process of making over a dozen right now. :)
Here are a few other fabric suggestions that would work beautifully for the placemat pattern -

Roses De Noel



Once Upon A Christmas



I Believe by Nancy Halvorsen -




Beautiful Balis



Of course there are lots of other gorgeous choices as well. Our Old fashioned prints would be a fun use with this pattern, as well as some of our solids, and other lines. How creative can you be? Don't forget to raid your stash! Sometimes you only need to order a little bit of fabric and you can "shop" your stash for the rest!

One thing I highly recommend for this project is the Pellon Fusible Fleece (item 95394). It is such a time saver, and gives gorgeous results, no matter what your project is. Plus, one yard will do 6 placemats! That is a steal of a deal any day of the week!

Speaking of Roses De Noel, have you seen this gorgeous fabric pack?

I can't wait to make this quilt, it is absolutely beautiful. It shouldn't take too long either, and it will definitely be worth it when it is finished. The faric pack comes with the pattern, so you can get started right away. You can view or order it here. Quantities are limited.

Looking for super cute and quick Christmas projects? Check out Nancy Halvorsen's I Believe Book and fabric packs here.
I can't wait to create boatloads of darling gifts using this fun book!


If you are interested in any of the fun and festive prints from this collection, please order soon, as they are selling quickly. Our fabric buyers are doing their best to keep plenty of this fabric in stock, but it is a challenge, as the fabric can be used for so many projects. Plus it is really colorful, cheerful, and fabulous!

Of course we have lots of other beautiful things to create lovely gifts, such as yarn (who doesn't love a cozy sweater or some warm socks?), crossstitch, hand embroidery, machine embroidery items, beautiful wools and felts, jewelry components, and oodles of different patterns. Just remember to allow your self time to complete your projects, as December will be here before we know it!

So don't forget, it is time to get out the warm blankets and socks, and also get busy working on some wonderful gifts.

Wool & Wool Felt 101

Since wool is such a popular item in our store and on our website, we asked Cathy Mark, one of the buyers for that department, to give us some basics! We carry two types of wool fabrics for applique projects; woven wool, and wool felt. Woven wool is what most people think of when they think of a wool skirt or coat. The fibers are woven into a fabric that can be used for sewn items as well as craft items. Then there is wool felt, which is a felt product (like acrylic felt the kids use) in that the fibers are just randomly layered and pressed together into fabric. The wool felt has a stiffer feel than the woven wool, but because it is a blend (ranges from 20% - 70% wool) it is less expensive. We do also carry 100% Wool felt, but it is priced more like the 100% woven wool fabric. All can be used for the wool applique patterns we sell. Choosing is a matter of look and feel more than anything else - which colors do you want to use, what texture do you like? The woven has a finer texture, so is great for details and smaller pieces, while the felt makes a great base for a project because of its sturdy characteristics.

You can "felt" either of these fabrics. This process is explained on our web site. It involves washing the wool to get the fibers to react and shift. This gives the wool more texture and prevents fraying. When you purchase over-dyed wool, you don't need to wash it because that was done when it was dyed the second time. You can use wool felt just as it is, or wash it, to give it a thickened, antiqued, bumpy look.
We have a great selection of wool felt which you can purchase in squares, or as yardage as well as a basic selection of woven wool yardage and woven fat quarters. We carry Week's Dye Works over-dyed wool fat quarters and squares, as well as our Erica's Exclusive Mini Color Rolls of over-dyed wool. We also have a beautiful selection of wool bundles - color coordinated to make choosing easy. These have already been felted, so they are ready to go!

You also have options when choosing what fiber to use for doing the stitching on your project. DMC Floss is a great all purpose choice as the multiple strands let you decide how much you want the floss to show (one strand for almost invisible to 6 strands for really "there"). If you prefer a single strand, there's Perle Cotton. Week's Dye Works Floss and Gentle Art Floss are over-dyed, so each strand gives a range of color and this is a nice effect, especially if you're using over-dyed wool and its colors vary. The Valdani products are also over-dyed in wonderful shades and are THE preferred floss and pearl these days. And they come in combo boxes or individually, so you can get a great assortment or just what you need.

We have 2 new holiday wool projects we'd like to mention. Both make use of the wool felt that we carry. The "Santa Pillow" ("use Ctrl F" like we showed you last week, to find 40086, and the pack 58169) and "The Stockings Were Hung" (40823, pack 58168) are sure to be popular pieces this holiday season, and they are quick, easy, and fun!


Non-seasonal favorites are several new pincushion patterns - great little projects - (44265, 44266, 44267). Also very popular on that page are the chicks candle mat (29603) and strawberries candle mat (36133).
Another line has wonderful, colorful, modern designs. Some of the new penny rug patterns have precut templates! (45269, 45270)

We hope you've found this interesting. You can shop our wool/wool felt department by starting here.