X-Block, Mask-A-Raid! and Dr. Seuss

I have a few new things to show ya'll!

Pearl has just made this fun sample of "All About Me" with our Dr. Seuss fabrics..... It's wild and colorful and playful. AND BIG. We have kits cut and ready.

Next Friday, Jan. 28, Celeste is holding this class, Mask-A-Raid, which teaches not only piecing but fusible applique, and just in time to have finished for our annual party, Mardi Gras.

Next month, on February 18, Celeste will teach this class, using the X-Block tool. Here she has used gradient batiks.

(hmmmm, a little fuzzy.... still, you understand the idea and see the glow....... I'll take another shot soon)

Classes do fill up fast, but you may place yourself on the waiting list.

If you have signed up and are unable to attend any class, please give us a call as soon as possible in order to open that spot up to someone on the Wait List.

We are working on the class schedule for March April as I write this. Man, the months speed by!

Let's TWIST!!!!!!

Linda Kay has a new class coming up using the Twister cutting ruler, one of our newest tools at Bright Hopes Quilting.

You start with layer cakes and create this:

Then, after slicing and dicing with the Twister Ruler, you rearrange the pieces and end up with this!

It's a large scrappy quilt from a pattern in "Let's Twist" book, a great way to use your stashed Layer Cake collections ("now what am I going to do with this.....?")

And there is remarkably little waste of fabric, which is important to us thrifty stitchers. A little, true but not as much as I thought there might be. The class is February 8 with Linda Kay.

Shhhhhh!

Don't tell anyone...... I'm working on a new sample for a Beginner's Quilt....... here's a hint!

I am using batiks

I think they are outrageously scrumptious.

It's going to be done over the course of four to five weeks.

The class will begin in March.

sssshhhhhhhh........

It's Great to be Back in the Shop

and I have some fun things to show you. First up are these great new samples of up-coming classes:

For those in our Tote Club classes, here is the next one being taught, the Metro Bag by a former resident of Mandeville and awesome quilter, Paula Hughes. Linda Kay is holding this class on Jan. 25.


This is an upcoming 2-part class, Introduction to Quilting with Linda Kay. She uses French General fabrics and the pattern "Cottage Row" from Teacher's Pet (Baton Rouge!) This class starts next Thursday, Jan. 20 and finishes Feb. 10. I think it's a very good quilt to get you new-comers into the wonderful world of quilting. It uses those things we call "jelly rolls" or 2 1/2" strips of fabric to get that organized yet scrappy look.

Next up is Mask-A-Raid..... this sample was made by Celeste and is a small version (tablerunner size) of what is actually a pattern for a throw quilt. "Throw me something, Mister!!" Celeste's class will be at the end of the month, Jan 28 and she's probably going to repeat it in February.....
We have kits already cut for both the runner and the quilt-top.... you should see this up-close. Celeste has it blinged out.

In late February, the 25th, Jayne is teaching this cool quilt!! Petal Pops uses jelly strips of candycolored batiks and makes an eye-popping "crazy quilt"-like design.

So, on to Products...

Moda has this new product, Candy Bars:

They are 2 1/2" x 5" pre-cut rectangles, in "light and dark" chocolate bundles. Each bundle comes with a free pattern of Dresden Plate. AND... each pack has chance at a "Golden Ticket" that gives the bearer a prize of $150.00 of Moda "sweets" and a tour of the Moda Fabrics in Dallas, Texas. Pretty cool!

Next up is the pattern for our Tote Club class in February, Tea Leaf Totes with Mona, which is the catherdral windows look. Very pretty.

Have you met our new baby? It's the "Go Baby" cutting system. Compact and totally totable, this little tool will have your many pieces cut out in minutes and is a nifty tool for applique pieces, (think Rose of Sharon...) Each pattern "die" is sold individually and although this Baby is narrow, you will be surprised how wide the dies can get. Come in and give ours a crank!

YEA!!! more layer cakes...... this are making me yearn for the Spring! (or maybe it's the fact that it was 25 degrees this morning...and forecast for the next few days....)

Here's something that brings to mind the art of Peter Max...... anyone remember this look?

It would make the least fattening valentine gift ever....what a cute bag.....or pillow.

Ah..... isn't this gorgeous..... new by Jane Sassaman. We've been big fans of her designs since we opened and here is a good reason why..... these are luscious!

It's been a whirlwind walkabout for me seeing all this new stuff. Stop on by and we'll give you a spin!

And It's Back on Top!

Back in the Saddle, (again?)

Happy New Year Everybody!!

It's been quite a while since I dropped the ball in November but we saw lots of you over the holiday season (thank you!) and I hope you all had a very merry Christmas, a safe New Years Eve and are rarin' to kick off this year in high gear.

I hope, as well, that you have been keeping abreast of our new inventory and quilt samples and up-coming classes from the weekly emails that Pearl sends out. I haven't been the diligent one to get the new calendar in the the blog but that is being remedied as I write. (I've been sick....sniff...)

Please do check out the new classes. You will find some interesting new designs to get you going and for those of you with the class coupon, you know how fast the classes fill up.

We still have spaces left in our 4 Blocks of the Month quilts. To remind you, we have the Amish Sampler,

the Stars Over Bali Skies (batik),
the applique Rose of Sharon,


and the Monthly Mini Calendar Quilts.

I should be back in the saddle and at the shop Thursday to see what all came in while I have been out and look forward to picking the ball up and running with it.

Til then, I leave you in the good hands of Gene Autry: take it away, Gene!

They're Back From Market!

Oh Boy, did Pearl and Mona bring back the goods!

But first, I am please to announce the winners of our Kaffee Fassett Challenge and the October $25.00 Gift Certificate:

$25.00 to Linda Lawrence!

Marge Sandy and Cathy O'Flynn, you two are the winners of the FKC and, I don't mean scrambled chicken! Now, I know, I know, I was so certain I was going to be the winner..... but I really mean it when I say, Congratulations! To all 3 of you. (And I can't wait to see what you do to with your squares.)

Okay, in store now are two fun fresh patterns for baby bibs by Little Quilt Company. They are so sweet and come 12 designs to a pattern. You will recogize the look; Kim Shaefer did the calendar quilts!

Speaking of which, they also have a Calendar Table Runners pattern booklet with 12 runner patterns.

Moonlight Design has 2 wearable "art" sweatshirt patterns that are terrifically stylish and once assembled, ready for embellishments.

Are you an avid appliquer and love the "Baltimore albums"? P3 Designs has the Baltimore Liberty DIY BOM and it is all about the patriot in you. The Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, Fireworks and Star, Bald Eagle..... it's gorgeous.

Staying with the Americana theme, we have a pattern by Mountain Patchwork called "Liberty Banner" for use with your red, white and blues.

Brenda Henning and the Bear Paw Productions has a new workbook, Strip Therapy 6 for those Bali Pops

We just received our shipment of the Strip Stick, an ironing impliment to help give you crisp, straight ironed seams. 2 lengths come in one package, 18" and 45". $24.99

If you are one of those quilters whose family asks, "What do you want for Christmas? You seem to have everything....", now you can answer "That rotating cutting board on the heavy acrylic base over at Bright Hopes!". It's 14" square, rotates smoothly and when you go to cut the fabric it won't shift and mess up your line.