16 New Colors of DMC Floss!

DMC's 16 New Colors Pack

The DMC Company has just added 16 new colors to their line of 100% cotton six strand embroidery floss. Developed by famous needlework designers, these are the first new colors that have been added since 2001. The new colors expand on several of DMC's existing color families, and are split into two different palettes. There are eight soft, natural shades and eight bright, vibrant hues. These 16 colors are important bridges for color families that are already in the line. Unlike painters who can mix paints together, needle workers rely on floss colors to create shading and depth.

Each skein of DMC Floss is assigned both a number and a color family name, although many of us simply refer to a skein of floss by its number. For instance, DMC #470 is Light Avocado Green but most people refer to it only as DMC #470. Each skein of floss includes 8.7 yards of floss.

Bohemian Tapestry Cross Stitch Pattern

The eight new colors in soft, natural shades are:  #3880 Medium Very Dark Shell Pink; #3881 Pale Avocado Green; #3882 Medium Light Cocoa; #3883 Medium Light Copper; #3884 Medium Light Pewter; #3886 Very Dark Plum, and #3887 Ultra Very Dark Lavender.

The eight new colors in bright, vibrant hues are #3888 Medium Dark Antique Violet; #3889 Medium Light Lemon; #3891 Very Dark Bright Turquoise; #3892 Medium Light Orange Spice; #3893 Very Light Mocha Beige; #3894 Very Light Parrot Green, and #3895 Medium Dark Beaver Grey.

All DMC Floss is made in France by the DMC Company which has been in business for 268 years. Their floss is made of top quality 100% Egyptian cotton that is color fast and fade resistant. Mercerized for strength and shine, DMC offers guaranteed color consistency from one skein to the next. With the addition of these sixteen new colors, there are now 470 solid colors and 18 variegated colors of DMC six strand embroidery floss.

For now, the new colors are available in a convenient pack which includes all 16 new colors, plus three free cross stitch patterns, Bohemian Tapestry, Tropical Punch and Woodland Walk. Quilters will want toadd these new colors to their embroidery floss selections too.To order, click here

Patsy's Potholder Club

Patsy's Potholder Club

Fun, fun, and even more fun! That's what is in store when you join Patsy's Potholder Club. Filled with delicious fruit embroideries, this club is guaranteed to keep you in stitches all year long. 

Each potholder represents a different fruit pie. All your favorite pies are represented, including apple, peach, pumpkin, key lime, cherry, blackberry and more! In addition to the embroidery, each potholder is surrounded with the fabric to complement the embroidery.

Patsy's Pie Shop Recipe Book

Club members receive one potholder kit per month for 12 months. Included in the kit are the supplies you need to create a scrumptious potholder, including fabric, floss, and insul-brite batting. You also receive a recipe pamphlet filled with sweet treats to coordinate with each potholder's theme. These are so much fun you'll want to keep them for your own kitchen, or give them as gifts to family and friends. Themes include applies, cherries, lemons, blackberries, chocolate cream, and key lime.

Patsy's Pie Shop Recipe Books include several recipes to make using the fruit of the month. Bright and colorful, you will want to collect them all. Click here to join the club.

Veterans Day

Flag Fabric by The Gallery

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday honoring those who have served in the armed service of America. First proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson, November 11 was set aside to honor those who had fought in "The Great War," also known as World War I. November 11 was chosen in honor of the formal end of hostilities during World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

The United States Congress passed a resolution on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. By Congressional Act in 1938, the day was made into a national holiday "to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day."

In 1945, Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a National Veterans Day parade to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1954, Congress passed a bill, signed by President Eisenhower, proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. In 1982, Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan. Today, Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are an annual event celebrated nationwide.

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Delicious Pumpkin Pie

"Over the River and Through the Wood, to Grandmother's House we go!" This verse has long been associated with going home for Thanksgiving. But did you know that when Lydia Maria Child wrote this poem in 1844, for her book Flowers for Children, Vol. 2, the original poem included six verses that began "Over the river and through the wood, to Grandfather's House we go."

Lydia Maria Child was a 19th Century novelist, journalist and teacher, who wrote extensively about the need to eliminate slavery. She named her poem, "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day" and wrote it to commemorate visits to her Grandfather's House as a child.

The original poem included six verses, the last two of which are:

    Over the river, and through the wood
    When Grandmother sees us come,
    She will say, "O, dear, the children are here,
    bring a pie for everyone."

    Over the river, and through the wood--
    now Grandmother's cap I spy!
    Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
    Hurray for the pumpkin pie!

Here's a pumpkin pie recipe that my own grandmother used at Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Pie

1-1/4 cups pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup evaporated milk, diluted
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inch)

Combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, spices, and flour in a medium mixing bowl. Add eggs; mix well. Add evaporated milk, water, and vanilla; mix well. Pour into pastry-lined pie pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and bake for about 35 minutes longer, or until the center is set.

Dishtowel of the Month Club

Dishtowel of the Month Club

You have to admit, the dishtowels in this monthly club are absolutely adorable! The designs are inspired by vintage dishtowels of the past, and include a variety of subjects and patterns. Whether you decide to keep them for yourself or use them as fun gifts, you'll love creating them!


These dishtowels are not only practical, they're decorative! The first six months are shown here, including Henrietta the Hen, Coffee Break, Carrots, Bluebirds, Playtime Puppy and a cute little guy playing baseball.


Each month during this 12 month club, you will receive the supplies you need to create a hand embroidered dishtowel, plus the fabric and rick rack to create a fabric border and hem. The flour sack dishtowel is just like the ones your Grandma used, pre-washed, bleached, 100% cotton.


This club is really fun. To join, click here.

Sew Oregon 2013

Sew Oregon 2013 Logo

Pacific Adventures is the theme for this year's Sew Oregon Shop Hop. Held October 5-19, 2013, you can visit 30 different quilt shops throughout the beautiful state of Oregon as you collect quilt block kits. For each of the four districts that you visit, you will be entered into a drawing to win a fantastic Bernette Chicago 7 Sewing/Embroidery machine! District prizes include Bernina DL Sergers and $50 gift certificates. Plus, visit all of the Oregon shops and be entered into a drawing for a $250 gas card! This is fun, fun, fun on a super-sized scale.

Our

Devil's Punchbowl Quilt Block Kit

Grandma's Attic Shop Hop Block was designed by Cheryl Libby, our class coordinator. Named after a coastal formation on the Oregon Coast, not far from Grandma's Attic, Devil's Punchbowl is  popular tourist attraction that is visited all year long.

Using five fabrics from the Pacific Adventures fabric bundle, this 6" quilt block is easy to make, yet elegant enough to use in any quilt setting. Shop Hoppers receive this quilt block kit free as they hop around the State and come to Grandma's Attic. It is also available for purchase online if you can't make it into the shop.

Pacific Adventures Fabric Bundle

Fabrics for the Sew Oregon 2013 Shop Hop are from P&B Textiles. All eleven of these fabrics are available at Grandma's Attic. As you work with these fabrics, we think they will remind you of the many treasures that are found right here in the Pacific Northwest. We think you will enjoy working with the neutral textures for sandy beaches, the greens for central and coastal forests, and the blues for the lakes, rivers and mighty Pacific Ocean. Oregon's natural majesty will totally inspire you.

Wave Runner Table Runner

Reminiscent of the Oregon Coast, this gorgeous table runner--with its blues, greens and beige--will have you dreaming of the beach. You can practically hear the powerful Pacific waves crash against sandy shores that are flecked with mighty boulders and bits of seaweed. Wave Runner uses three of our original Devil's Punchbowl quilt blocks inspired by the coastal formation of the same name.

Available both as a pattern and a Fabric Kit, you will love how beautifully the colors speak to you of the Oregon beach. This table runner will remind you of your Oregon adventures all year long.

Autumn-Inspired Projects

Autumn Splendor by Pat Lee

With autumn in the air and the children heading back to school, our sewing machines start calling to us! And what could be more fun than dreaming up an autumn-inspired project to put us in the mood for Fall. 


This beautiful quilt is a real show stopper! Designed by Pat Lee of The Art of the Quilt, if you look closely, you can see that Pat used a multi-color fabric to create the leaves, sashing, borders and binding, yet it looks like there are many different fabrics involved. Isn't that clever? Suitable for seasonal or batik fabrics, the pattern is designed so that you create the effect of using many different colors. The pattern itself includes instructions for a 58" x 72" wall quilt, and two Medallion wall hangings that are 40" x 40".  To order this pattern, click here.

Harvest Barn by Calico Hills Farm

Another fun project for Fall is Calico Hills Farm pattern, Harvest Barn.This pattern, created by Roxy Burgard,  is practically timeless. Whether you've constructed these wall quilts back in the 1980s, or made one today, it looks absolutely perfect displayed in your home or given as a gift. My favorite block on pattern is the little pumpkin with the heart in the middle. The pattern includes two small wall quilts and two tiny pillows.

Autumn Reflections Fabric bundle

 These Autumn-inspired fabrics are by Exclusively Quilters and Kona Bay. Featured as our September 2013 Fabric Bundle, they are designed to take the chill out of the night air and warm your heart. There are cornucopias, sunflowers, pumpkins, corn, and other vegetables, all in the Fall colors of green, gold, orange and brown. The sunflower piece is particularly like-like. We liked it so much we used it in a couple of projects here at the shop.

Snap Sack Sunflower Wall Quilt Kit

When Grandma Rachel and Aunt Cheryl were at the Spring Quilt Market in Portland, Oregon, they discovered Snap Sack patterns by Joan Ford of Hummingbird Highway. The Sunflower Wall Quilt Kit includes the pattern you see here, plus all the fabrics you need to create it. The sunflowers are three dimensional and the leaves are finished with a bit of quilting for embellishment. This project makes up quick and easy. You'll be ready to hang it up on your wall in no time. As with all of our Snap Sack kits, you can take the class for free if you purchase the kit. Aunt Cheryl will guide you through construction.

Sunflower Cottage by Calico Hills Farm

Sunflower Cottage is another one of Roxy Burgard's patterns from Calico Hills Farm. I love the way Roxy adds so much imagery and puts so much thought into even the tiniest of details. The pattern includes two small wall quilts and two tiny pillows, one with a house design and one with a sunflower design. As you can see from the image shown here, you can use them to decorate a little spot in your house that friends and family will really enjoy.

Memorial Day

Vintage Memorial Day Postcard

My grandmother always called Memorial Day by its former name, Decoration Day. This is probably because Decoration Day originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who had died and my grandmother was a big Civil War buff. Her own grandfather had actually served as a soldier during the Battle of Pea Ridge.

Every Memorial Day we gathered up the many roses, peonies, iris and other flowers that grew in her garden and headed out to the cemetery to decorate graves. My grandfather died when I was six years old so we always decorated his grave first, then progressed to other graves of people she had known who were buried there.

Now that my grandmother is resting next to my grandfather, I find myself at the cemetery each year armed with my own flowers, both from the garden  and purchased. Last year, I came to the realization that I am now decorating 11 different graves, a sure sign that I am getting older and beloved elders are slipping away. 

A Day for Quilting

Nine Patch Stars and Stripes by Kathy Lichtendahl,

Did you know that there is a day of the year devoted solely to quilting?  It all began in 1991 when the National Quilting Association (NQA) passed a Resolution designating the third Saturday in March as National Quilting Day.

The idea had begun in 1989 when the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society organized "Quilter's Day Out" to celebrate the rich traditional of quilt making in Kentucky. The first National Quilting Day was observed in 1992.

Suggestions for ways to celebrate this day include: 1) Making it a service day to work on a quilt for your favorite cause; 2) organizing an exhibit at the local library or historical society; 3) working on a quilt with a school, 4-H, Scout troop or by simply taking time to sew with a grandchild; 4) sponsoring a Sewing Day making lap quilts for Seniors, turning it into an oral history project by capturing stories of the community; and 5) giving a baby quilt to the first baby born on National Quilting Day each year.

Each year a free quilting pattern is offered to quilters. This year, the pattern is Nine Patch Stars and Stripes designed by Kathy Lichtendahl of Powell, Wyoming. The photo above was taken by Linda Miller. Suggestions for using this free pattern include creating it to donate to an organization supporting veterans, people serving in the military or their families. To download the free pattern, click here.

Sponsored by the Fabric Shop Network

In 2013, the Fabric Shop Network is hosting their first Worldwide Quilting Day, Saturday, March 16. Celebrating independent quilt shops, participating shops are creating a variety of activities to commemorate the day. Suggestions from the Fabric Shop Network include 1) shopping at independent quilt shops who need love and support on their special day; 2)spreading the word about the day; and 3) participating in any sales or activities a local shop might have for Local Quilting Day.

One fun event this year is the 7 Summits Strip Quilt Challenge where quilters will be putting together fabric strips to create quilts for their favorite causes. Using 2-1/2″ strip bundles, quilters will piece together quilt tops, counting each inch in an effort to reach the top of the seven tallest summits in the world (figuratively, of course!). Each 2-1/2″ strip bundle works out to a 1600-inch strip when pieced end to end, which translates to 218 quilts to reach the top of Mt. Everest! To learn more about the challenge and to enter to win the daily prize drawings, click here.

New Embroidery Patterns by Aunt Martha

Sunbonnet Days #407

Aunt Martha has just come released six new booklets filled with iron-on transfers for embroidery. Reminiscent of those old-fashioned embroidery transfers of a by-gone era, you'll love the versatility of these pattern books. Each book contains eight pages, each with approximately 20 different designs. They are laid out so that you can cut out the designs that you want to use, transfer with a hot iron, and begin stitching your project. You can see color suggestions on the front and back of the booklet or use your own imagination and creativity! I recommend using six strand cotton DMC floss for your embroidery work. It's been around for many years and is perfect for this type of work. Separate the strands so you are using two strands at a time.

Playful Puppies #409

I particularly like the choice of subjects Aunt Martha choose for this set of booklets. Sunbonnets have been a favorite of mine for years. And, of course, there's a book filled with puppies of every size and description. Since Stephen and I have a very elderly daschsund, I particularly enjoyed seeing a pattern for a 'weiner dog'. The Clever Kitties pattern includes 20 different patterns for cat lovers. (And believe me, with 10 of them on the farm, we are cat lovers too!)

Clever Kitties #408

The other three books in the series are The Great Outdoors #406, Fanciful Flowers #410, and The Four Seasons #411. You may want to use these designs on Flour Sack Dishtowels, for quilt blocks, or to embellish pillowcases and other projects.

There are now 12 different booklets in the Aunt Martha Embroidery Patterns series. One of them is sure to be perfect for your embroidery projects. The only difficulty will be deciding which one of them you want to stitch. Whatever you decide, these designs are sure to be fun, fun, and more fun to create.

Old-Fashioned Flower Sack Towels

Flour Sack Dishtowels

When I grew up, in an age without automatic dishwashers, Grandma had me dry the dishes with her old-fashioned flour sack towels. These were large, thirsty towels that could get the job done in a no-nonsense way. She would wash and I would dry. 

Sunbonnet Baby from our Redwork Club

As a professional cook, Grandma used flour sack towels for a variety of tasks around the kitchen. When the bread was rising in the bread bowl, she'd lay a cotton towel on top of it to keep it warm. When canning season arrived, the flour sack towels became strainers for fruit. These towels wiped down spills on kitchen counters, were folded up to make pads for hot dishes, and wrapped around bowls of ice to keep condensation at a minimum. If you accidentally burned yourself in the kitchen, Grandma would grab some ice, wrap it in a dishtowel, and place it on the burn.  

     

Dancing Dishes Days of the Week Design

Grandma had flour sack towels for every day use, and flour sack towels with embroidery work on them that she "saved for good." When she taught me to embroider at the age of 9, she traced a design on a flour sack towel and showed me how to make days-of-the-week sets to put in my hope chest. It was like finding an old friend when we discovered a source for these old-fashioned flour sack towels. I find myself using them almost as often as Grandma did. 

These 100% cotton flour sack towels are designed to be bleached and to withstand many trips through the washing machine. Each towel measures 28" X 28" and is made from Egyptian cotton, a long staple cotton that is super absorbent. 

Flour sack towels are available individually or in packages of seven. Seven may seem like a funny number for a bundle of towels, but not when you consider the popularity of those Days of the Week embroidery patterns for stitching onto these towels.

Grandma's Attic has everything you need to stitching these towels. The towels themselves, Aunt Martha transfer patterns, redwork patterns, transfer pencils and tracing pads. It's a fun, relaxing way to make gifts for family and friends--or to "save for good" in your own hope chest!

Quilt Challenge Winners!

1st Place Award for the Color of Wonder Quilt Challenge goes to Terrie Lynn Kygar, Cheryl Libby and Linda Perry of Dallas, Oregon for their entry, "Color Our World with Wonder." Using color crayon techniques, and fusible web applique, Terrie and Cheryl created the quilt top. They sent it to Quilt Artist Linda Perry for machine quilting. These quilters win a $100 gift certificate from Grandma's Attic. "Color Our World with Wonder" also won the category Best Use of Color. The prize for this category is a basket full of Color Tools.

Debbie Garvin of Corvallis, Oregon won 2nd Place in the Color of Wonder Quilt challenge for her quilt, "The Wonder of It All....Lifecycle of a Butterfly."  She wins a $50 gift certificate from Grandma's Attic. This quilt also won Best Interpretation of Theme so Debbie will also receive 5 yards of fabric.

Brenda Lopez of Auburn, California won 3rd Prize with her entry, "Beautiful Blooms." And while the picture does not depict it very well, this quilt is three dimensional. Brenda wins a $25 gift certificate from Grandma's Attic.

The Color of Wonder Quilt Challenge is a charitable event designed to raise funds and bring awareness to Sable House, a Polk County, Oregon agency assisting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Earlier this year, Grandma's Attic provided applicants with entry packets consisting of five fabrics, then challenged entrants to creatively incorporate these fabrics into a final quilt design. All proceeds benefited Sable House.

Voting took place July 26 through August 7, 2012. The general public was invited to view the quilts on display at Grandma's Attic, then vote for their favorites, plus the categories of Best Use of Color and Best Interpretation of Theme. Winners were selected on August 8. All of the quilts were then displayed at the Polk County Fair in Rickreall, Oregon, August 9-12.

Grandma's Attic is strongly committed to the health and safety of women and children in Polk County and supports various local resources who share these goals. In addition, Grandma's Attic is dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence and sexual asasult issues through the arts and crafts.

Melissa and Michael's Wedding

Our youngest daughter, Melissa, got married to her long time beau Michael on July 21st of this year. The ceremony and reception were held at Chatoe Rogue Hop Yard in Independence, Oregon--a beautiful setting for the occasion.

5th and 59th Photography did an outstanding job capturing the occasion and I absolutely love their photography. Unfortunately, this company has since gone out of business. If you would like to see more photos, let us know and we will direct you to a facebook page.

The day was perfect and  beautifully memorialized in pictures.

1930s Sears and Roebuck Catalog Ads

Here's a page from a 1933 Sears and Roebuck catalog showing different types of fabrics that were available for a few cents per yard. My favorite pieces are the fabric in the upper left hand corner of the page.

This second advertisement is for Silk Bubble Crepe fabrics from a 1934 catalog. It is a really nice representation of the colors of silk bubble crepe that were available. Crepe was all the rage for dress fabric during this time.

The Color of Wonder Quilt Challenge

Our new Quilt Challenge is here! Grandma's Attic is hosting a Quilt challenge to support Sable House, our local domestic violence shelter. Our theme for the past few years has revolved around "The Color of" concept. So far, we've hosted the Color of Peace, the Color of Love, the Color of Courage, the Color of Healing, the Color of Hope, and the Color of Compassion. This year we're hosting The Color of Wonder. Doesn't that sound inspiring?

Entry packets for this year's theme include five theme fabrics, challenge rules, and an entry form. All proceeds from the sale of the packets go directly to Sable House. The maximum quilt size for quilts entered into the challenge should not exceed 180 total inches when all sides are added together; however, there is no minimum size requirement. Each quilt must incorporate all theme fabrics, although the amount used is up to you. The remainder of the fabric used can be quilter's choice.

Quilts are due in to Grandma's Attic by July 21, 2012 where they will be displayed from July 27-30, 2012. The general public will be invited to vote for their favorites. Winners will be selected by customer ballot (one vote per viewer) based on Best Interpretation of Theme and Best Use of Color. (Remember, this is the general public, not professional quilt judges, so don't be afraid to enter!) First Place prize is a $100 gift certificate to Grandma's Attic; Second Place prize is a $50 gift certificate; Third Place is a $25 gift certificate. In addition, Best Interpretation of Theme will win a five yard fabric bundle and Best Use of Color will receive a Gift Baskets filled with color tools.

 Quilts will also be displayed at the Polk County Fair in Rickreall, Oregon held in August, and on display at other locations as well. All quilts will be returned to their owners by the end of August, 2012. If you'd like to participate in this quilt challenge, you can purchase a packet either at the shop or on the web. We can't wait to see what you've dreamed up!

Quilter's Safari Has Begun

Here's a photo of Charlie, Amber's little dog, and I sitting at the Customs Table for this year's Quilter's Safari shop hop. If you're interested in having fun, fun, fun, you'll want to grab your lucky charms and come visit! You'll travel the valleys of Oregon visiting some of the finest quilt shops you've ever seen!

This is the 13th year for Off the Beaten Path Quilter's Safari. This lovely shop hop is hosted by 11 shops that may not be right along the I-5 corridor, but are certainly shops you won't want to miss. The hop started on April 27th and runs through May 5th. You can pick up your passport at any of the participating shops; then work your way through the valley as you collect pieces to a beautiful quilt created by Lou Shafer of Jannilou Creations.

Grandma's Attic is one of the participating shops. Join us and let the fun begin!

McCall's Magazine - February 1903

Knowing that I study vintage women's magazines from days gone by, a customer brought me this little gem. It's McCalls Magazine from February of 1903. This magazine is in relatively good condition for its age and is chock full of illustrations, advertisements, short stories and advice.

While there are many pages of dress illustrations, this is the only color photo in the magazine. I cannot tell whether it has been hand painted like the ones in Godey's Ladies Magazine or not. In the upper left hand corner of this page, it has a little graphic that says "McCalls Magazine, 50 cents a year, including free pattern." Note the Gibson Girl style up-dos for hair and the room furnishings.

I have been reading through many different women's magazines from the very early part of the 20th Century. If you like seeing them, I will post more.

New Oilcloth Prints Have Arrived!

Look what's new at Grandma's Attic! Brightly colored bolts of oilcloth have just arrived, which inspired us to start thinking about the variety of projects we could make with them! I've been thinking about table coverings, lunch bags, dog food mats, high chair mats, book covers, shelf liners, aprons, wallets--just about anything you can dream up that would look good in pretty, waterproof fabric.

Oilcloth is a vinyl that is bonded and supported with a woven poly/cotton mesh. The surface can be wiped clean and the fabric passes the National Fire Protection Agency 701 classification for commercial and residential use. Popular since the 1940s, the fabrics are wild and wonderful. There are classic ginghams and checks, outlandish florals, and everything in between. These fabrics just seem to look best when they feature bright, bold, over-the-top florals, geometrics and prints.

Oilcloth first became popular as an inexpensive floor and roof covering in the 18th century. It was produced by stretching a linen cloth on a frame, coating it with sizing and rubbing it smooth with a pumice block. Afterwards, the cloth was coated with linseed oil and paint pigment. The end result was good, but the process to create it was slow and tedious.

Although oilcloth originated in England, it was adopted by American manufacturers and gained popularity in the 19th Century. The advent of non-cracking plastics and rotogravure printing made oilcloth commercially viable in the 20th century. By the 1930s and 40s, oilcloth was incredibly popular. Since it could be wiped down, it was perfect for covering the kitchen table.

One of the projects I like to make with oilcloth is a table runner or table cloth. Although the raw edges do not unravel or fray, I like to decorate it up by sewing large size rick rack around the edges. Fun! Another oilcloth project that we undertook here at Grandma's Attic concerns the folding and kit making tables in the back room. These office tables are dark brown with worn tops. They looked totally uninspiring until we used a staple gun to cover them with brightly colored oilcloth. What a difference! Now it's fun to sit at the bright colored tables while we create quilt kits for our customers.

If you like working with oilcloth, you will love using our selections in your next project. click here to see our newest oilcloth prints.

Primitive Quilts Magazine

Have you discovered this magazine yet? Although the magazine has only been in production a short while, the contents are amazing. If you like primitive quilts, rug hooking and stitchery, you will love perusing these magazines.

As a Quilt Historian, I am attracted to "old-timey" traditional quilts. Each issue is chock full of quilt and stitching projects inspired by traditional quilts. The Winter edition includes a pattern called Chocolate Mousse, a quilt featuring old autograph blocks in brown and beige. There's also an churn dash quilt made from plaids. Tons of other patterns for bags, pincushions and mug rugs can also be found. I thought the sewing bird pincushion was delightful.

The Fall 2011 edition of this magazine includes 15 different projects, including a quilt called Country Spools made from the old spools block. A penny rug, a stitchery pillow, and a quilt pattern called Goldenrod are featured. Goldenrod is a small version of an old applique quilt and I liked it very much.

We can't wait for the Spring Edition 2012 of this magazine to be published. But in the mean time, if you are interested in purchasing either of these two issues, we carry them at Grandma's Attic. To order Primitive Quilts, Winter 2011 click here. To order Primitive Quilts, Fall 2011 click here.

New Block of the Month Club!

Beginning January 1st, we're going To Grandma's House! You know, as in "over the river and through the wood." It's going to be a grand adventure packed with fun-filled facts, quilt blocks, and stories.

Set in the 1920s, this program is organized around the lives of 12 children—six boys and six girls. Each child has a favorite classic children’s book, one that has been popular since the late 19th and early 20th century. You learn about the child and the book, including why that child likes a particular story. With books like Little Women and Treasure Island, this program has already become a tremendous hit with our in-store quilt club members.

Each month during the program, you receive a themed block pattern and fabrics in your choice of four color schemes: 1930s, 19th Century, Batiks or Red/White/Black—you know, as in what is black and white and read all over?

You also receive a newly designed magazine booklet featuring a different children’s book and author each month. The booklet is filled with tips and hints, a recipe, an overview of the featured book, notes about each author, and two patterns from a popular 1920s era crib quilt.

A $10 start-up fee gets you registered. Club cost is $12.99 per month for 12 months, which includes all shipping and handling charges. If you're ready to join in on the fun, click here.