I {heart} Mixed Media, Skeleton Keys, Ephemera and Blog Hopping

Last night I bought this book

because of this friend and now I'm in LOVE with this paper-cloth making idea. Oh I also bought this:

because I want to expand my quilting abilities and just reading it was completely inspiring. Also right now I'm TOTALLY into doing mixed media stuff. Or at least, I'm into DREAMING about doing mixed media stuff. I also bought a really cool blank book so I can do some art journaling, even though I hardly consider myself an artist. Oh and to help me do all that? I bought this:

From a cute shop on Etsy called Altered Paradise

And that's mostly because first I saw this in my e-mail this morning:

I immediately hopped over to Etsy and found Altered Paradise, just from searching some word like "antique keys" or something like that. And I found these:

Bought them right up! Too bad there's an ice storm in Indianapolis and they might not be able to ship this stuff until Friday Feb 11. Guess it will be a little late for V-Day BUT I'll have something fun to wear any time of the year! (An ice storm sort of reflects how my heart feels at this moment anyway)

So what are you all up to today?

Happy Stitches,

Anna

Shop Update: Magazines!

We've just listed some great new magazines and some lovely Short Stack bundles. This is THE perfect gift for a Sewing Secret Santa gift. Just grab a short stack and a magazine to suit your buddy's tastes and you've got it all taken care of! For example:

PLUS

EQUALS: A great gift for a beginning sewista!

Do you have a young sewing enthusiast in your life? Someone who is interested in getting started but a little nervous about taking that first step? Why not pick out a fun and funky short stack from the Bloom and Grow collection or the Just Dreamy group and add to that the Fall issue of Quilts and More? I just can't say enough about Better Homes and Gardens' publication for the beginning sewista (or sewist), Quilts and More! The patterns are awesome and easy and always include more than just quilts. They have tote bags, pin cushions, pillows, table linens, and they always include a color photograph guide at the back of the magazine that explains terms that are used in sewing and quilting. That is a great go-to guide when you need a little reminder about cutting on the bias or how to put on binding. The Fall issue has lots of inspiration and a perfect pattern for using a fat quarter bundle.

Or perhaps you have some friends who are a little more experienced and would like to venture out a little more? Check out Quilting Arts for the artistic side or the Quilting Arts Holiday issue if you'd like to MAKE your gifts this year, you know there IS still time!

We've also got the Fall issue of stitch which has been all abuzz around blogland lately. Some of my favorite bloggers have patterns featured in this issue! This is a super duper issue and is jam packed with patterns, suggestions, ideas, and inspiration! The photography is amazing and it's a great way to stretch your quilting wings beyond quilting and explore the world of sewing. Our price on these special big issues is $4 less than regular retail because we know that we're an online store and you'll probably have to pay shipping, so we want to help out by offering a discount to our wonderful customers.

Last, but not least, we're happy to offer this commemorative issue of Quilt Scene that is all about the 35th annual International Quilt Festival that took place this year in Houston. 35 years and still going strong! This issue features all sort of wonderful photography of the quilts as well as projects that you can do and to inspire you in your quilting endeavors! We have 5 issues available and we hope you'll go grab one before they're all gone!

I hope you'll stop by and check out our new "magazine aisle" and perhaps consider adding a short stack to your order so that you can give someone you love not only beautiful fabric but the perfect inspiration to go with it! Until next time.

Happy Stitches to You,

Anna