On the Oregon Trail!

Posted on by
Reply

It’s that time of year again! Quilt Market is this weekend in Portland, Oregon. Erica, Dick, and both Cathys are are there right now.   I remember driving that way to visit family a few years back, and it’s quite a trip. Looking at some information and goodies from last year, however, I can tell that the trek will be well worth it!

What a pleasant visit we had from none other than Joan Ford of Hummingbird Highway, designer of Scrap Therapy! Ring a bell? You can find this product line here. Image
She was driving to the Oregon Convention Center from New York. Talk about a long drive! That’s nearly double the trip that our staff made and our people flew! Making a long trip into an exciting journey, she has been stopping at shops and distributors along the way, and how lucky we were to be on her list of places to swing into!  She is promoting her new book, Scraps Plus One (which you can find on our Scrap Therapy page) at Market, as well as representing her company, Hummingbird Highway. We hope she has a great time at Quilt Market, and we really appreciate her coming to visit us! You can read her blog post about her long trip where her time with us is featured here.  We are so honored to know that she enjoyed her time spent here.

Thank you so much, Joan! Come back again soon. We would love to have you anytime!

(To find an item on our web page after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Look at them Glow!

Posted on by
2

A20396b[1]As careful as I might be when I’m cutting strips, especially the whole width of the fabric (about 21”), my ruler might slip! Well, I’ve been using the Quilter’s Slidelock rulers for a few months, and now I can hardly cut without them! (A20396-A20398)

What is different about these is that when you press down, little rubber feet come down and really hold your fabric securely! Sharon (the designer,) calls these the retractable cutting system. You can see Sharon demonstrate the magic of the Slidelocks here. Since I have been cutting with two rulers for a long time, I had no learning curve. (See my information sheet on cutting with two rulers here.)

DSC00936There are two kinds and sizes: clear and lighted, in 14” and 24” lengths. I started off thinking I could manage with just the longer one. It wasn’t very long, until I got the 14” one. I just don’t want to cut without them! As for clear or lighted? I use the lighted ones because I don’t have too much light over my cutting table. The fluorescent green shows up against any color fabric and the edge really shows up. Here they are, sitting on my cutting table. (And of course, here’s Bernie, where he shouldn’t be! That bowl is the one we use to feed our smallest kitty, and we usually guard her bowl until she’s finished.)

DSC00938These Slidelocks aren’t actually lighted by batteries, but it almost looks like it. I happened to notice after I turned my lights off in the studio, how they glow with just the reflected light from the bedroom. Look at them glow!

(To find an item or event on our web page after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

You can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Spring is in the Air!

Posted on by
1

Here in Michiana, we were given a little taste of spring about a week ago. Of course, since it is the Midwest, snow threatened only a few days later and spring went back to its imaginary place for the time being.
Let us hope that the saying ‘April Showers Bring May Flowers’ is true. To top off our recent crazy weather, we have been constantly rained on.
Want to take a seat by the river? Good Luck!Image

It’s hard to even think about springing into summer within the next month or two, while we are still wearing coats..
For some people, like me, summer is probably the best time for crafting of any kind. I am in college, and without exams and papers to occupy my free time, I know that I’ll be wanting to start a few personal projects! As humans, we tend to be more productive and happier when the sun is out more. Even when we’re inside.

So, how does one combat the winter that just won’t take a hint?
Where can we gather inspiration for summer projects if not from color?
I’ll give you a hint. One remedy is not too far away.
Have you ever just taken time to come into the store and walk around? I feel like every time I do, my eyes settle on something new and delightful.

ImageIt is an entire world of color! They say that color alone can catch the eye and send the imagination off in a hundred directions. And what better to help than the completed projects displayed here for you!  So if you see something you like, we have patterns, even fabric packs, if you want yours exactly like ours! Our staff is crafty as well, and we would love to get excited with you about a new project! Make sure you bring it in when you’re done, though. We love to share here. Doing so might help someone else in a creative slump find motivation.

ImageSo, don’t let the lackluster weather bring you down. Spring will come to stay soon.  However, you might find that it has come right on time here at the store!

If you’re one of our web customers, we don’t mean to ignore you.  We’re still “Your Inspiration Destination!”  We try to inspire you on our website, in our weekly newsletters, our quarterly newsletters, and here on our blog!  We love seeing your finished projects, too, because you inspire us!

Whitney Pace, for Erica’s Craft & Sewing Center

All work and no play …

Posted on by
7

Until I get past the panic stage with the newsletters, I work on them day and night except for classes, ordering, and trying to keep up with emails. And this time, for a number of reasons, I didn’t get past the panic stage, and I have over 150 emails to respond to after deleting spam and things I’m not interested in. So if yours is one that’s waiting, I apologize.

“Take time to smell the roses” translates for me to “take time to appreciate the kitties!”

And fortunately that pretty much gets imposed on me if I’m not doing it voluntarily. Puccini insists on sitting on my lap in the morning as I read and respond to some of my daily emails. Bernstein drops in front of me as I walk, for a quick back rub. Other times he brings his ball to my desk over and over ,and over, and over… (Bernie’s our fetcher!) Lacy, on the other hand, reminds me with a gentle paw to say “I’m here!”  Sometimes she’s lying on the ironing board, or the little mat I put on my sewing machine cabinet for her, looking longingly at me, hoping I’ll join her. Bernie sometimes sits behind the silent sewing machine and gives me the same look..

Well, the newsletters are done, and we’re back to the “normal busy” in this house the cats allow us to occupy with them.

Cats

Mama’s back at the sewing machine, and all’s right with the world!

Remember to “smell the roses,” however that translates to you. It’ll make life better for you, and for everyone around you.

So tell us, how do you take time to smell the roses?

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Book Review – The Gentle Art of Stitching

Posted on by
Reply

Gentle Art of Stitching Book CoverOnce again, I come to you offering a glimpse into a simply beautiful book. In The Gentle Art of Stitching (A20786) by Jane Brocket, the subtitle offers “40 projects inspired by everyday beauty.” However, the book is so much more than a project book. You’ll find instructions and contemporary twists on age old traditional techniques. Buttons, cross stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, and sashiko are all represented here. All this and more are just waiting for you to enjoy in this lovely book.

The chapter entitled “Haberdashery” offers ideas for recycling and upcycling items you already have at home. This is one of my favorite things to do, using old items in new ways. My only problem is knowing how to store all of these sometimes oddly shaped, often singular items. Brocket offers suggestions on this as well as directing the reader to other potentially helpful resources.

Sashiko stitching

I’ve heard or read “Sashiko” mentioned quite a bit but have never investigated what it really means until now. Sashiko is “an ancient form of stitching from Japan, a form of darning … used to reinforce and patch worn and damaged clothing. … The distinctive look of sashiko comes from the consistency, and the visibility of the stitching combined with the vast number of patterns – ancient and modern – to which it can be applied.” (p. 18) Personally, I think the geometric patterns are what draw me to this art style. I will definitely be ordering myself a kit to try this style of stitching very soon.

Needlepoint Pin CushionsAnyone who can take a craft such as needlepoint, and make it look interesting and dare I say, modern, is impressive in my book. It’s nice to be able to learn from other’s experiences and the author’s work with needlepoint is just such an opportunity. She’s broken down the process into only it’s most integral steps and created several stunning, yet simple, projects for you to try.

Kantha QuiltOne thing I’ve been challenged by since working at a quilt shop is how to use Kaffe Fassett’s fabrics in projects for my own home. I’ve not yet allowed myself to buy any because I really just haven’t known what in the world to do with it. I may have found my answer in the Seasonal Kantha Quilt projects. The simple stitching is just the foil for the bold, colorful fabric.

We all can use opportunities to slow down from the hectic pace of life that we live now. Overall, I think it’s the “gentleness” of this book which appeals to me the most by offering just such an opportunity.  The author manages to make all of the different, very disparate craft types easily accessible to all. From cross stitch to kantha, there truly is something for everyone.

By the way, if you’re still wondering which design I chose to use with my log cabin squares, here it is! Log Cabin - Final

The Straight Furrows design won out over the others this time. It was simply soothing to the eyes which, I thought, is what the fabric combinations were suggesting.

(To find an item on our web page after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

It’ll Do For Now!

Posted on by
Reply

A while back I made a Candace purse (50524), but put Margo’s (59135) pockets on the other side.Margo Candace Bag

I just love it!

I’ve used it every day, every where I went. The other day I noticed it had worn on the corners.

Some day, I’ll make another the same way. But not right now! I have the newsletters to finish! So I got a bright idea!

I remembered using Liquid Stitch (57949) on thread tails in something I made, so why not use it on the corners?Fleece Stuffing

So I put glue on each of the corners. It looked like this (above) when I first put it on.Liquid Stitch Application

This is what it looked like when it dried, with the fleece peeking out where it was worn. It has a slight rubbery feel.

After touch up

This is what it looked like when I touched it up a bit with a fabric marker.

So it’ll do for now. And I’m going to put Liquid Stitch (57949) on the corners right away when I make my next one!  Hooray for Liquid Stitch!

(To find an item on our web page after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

Log Cabin Conundrum

Posted on by
7

I’m taking the Easy Log Cabin Class with Nancy this month. If you’re local, I highly recommend this class. Again I’ll say, Nancy is a great teacher and the method she’s teaching really is easy. The next quarterly newsletter will be out in April, watch it for dates and times.  If you can’t come to class, you can stil use the terrific tool we’re using.  It’s the Log Cabin Trim Tool.  There are two sizes.  One makes 8″ blocks (A16764) and the other makes 6″ or 12″ blocks (A19020). 

I’ve finished my blocks, so now I’m ready to decide how to arrange them. This is where the conundrum comes in. There are literally hundreds of different ways to arrange log cabin blocks to make different designs.

Log Cabin Block

The block doesn’t look scary, does it? But the sheer number of choices has me a little stumped. I’m going to share the start of some designs with you and see what you think. In the interests of time, I’ve not set up the entire quilt, but just a few rows on a table in the office.

First, we have the traditional Barn Raising set.

Barn Raising

Second is one I really like, Streak of Lightning. Of course, if I use this pattern I’ll have to decide which direction my lightening is striking, since we’ve made enough blocks for a rectangle quilt and not a square. I guess I could make more …

Streak of Lightning And, as you can see, I’ve got one of my blocks turned the wrong way at the bottom of that picture. I highly recommend taking photos of your quilts after arranging your blocks. It is quite often so much easier to see the design that emerges. It also is essential in a situation like this when you have several choices as to block arrangement.

Third, we have Sunshine and Shadows.

Sunshine and Shadows

I’m liking that one, too. If I use that one I’m thinking I would like for red to end up all around the outside edge of the quilt. Or maybe let the lighter color end up around the edge and bind it in red?

Fourth is Straight Furrows. Again, a simple pattern, and honestly it took the least amount of time for me to arrange. Some of these patterns can get really confusing.

Straight Furrows

Fifth and finally, we have an unnamed pattern.

UnnamedIt’s very similar to the Barn Raising but starts off just a little differently in the center.

If you’ve made a log cabin quilt before, which block setting did you use? I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to make more log cabin quilts so I can use different settings. We have some great books with log cabin instruction and design ideas, such as Judy Martin’s Log Cabin Quilt Book (30692), Log Cabin Quilts (A19751), and one with a little more contemporary feel, Log Cabins Today (A14585).

I’m really hoping you’ll let me know which setting you like the best out of the five above. If you prefer another I’ve not mentioned, by all means, let me know, too.

Until next time (hopefully with a finished quilt top),

Jennifer

(To find an item on our web page after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

Remember, you can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.