Templates

For a while, I thought templates were for weenies. Turns out, TEMPLATES ARE TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!! My totally sweet mama got me hexagon templates for my "grandmothers flower garden." Templates, as I now know, are for smart people who want to save time.

The templates are clear, so hard to see in a photo, but so
 nice when you're cutting the fabric.

The other tool you see here is for marking 1/4 inch in from your corner, whatever the shape. I used the Hex to mark every corner of every bit of fabric. That sounds tedious, BUT I knew exactly where to start and stop my stitching. No tucks or folds. They all came together beautifully on my machine. I think the traditional way to do this design is by hand with paper cutouts. This method saved me loads of time!! Besides my hand-stitching isn't very straight or even.

Have you used templates before? Did you like them?

By Cassie Grace

Quilting Across Texas

Apparently, we aren't the only ones who like to quilt! The "Quilt Across Texas" Shop Hop is coming! It is going on the whole month of September because... well... TEXAS IS HUGE!!! It would take a whole month to go to every shop. Anyway, when you come to our shop, you enter to win a gift certificate for $50. **You can also enter to win the Grand Prize with $1400 worth of merchandize. The big prize includes:

All the prizes, but the Sewing Machine.

• 2 large thread
• 1 small binding clip
• Bias maker
• Purple thang
• Bobbin bikini
• Window decal
• Add a quarter
• Bloc-loc
• Quilt pins
• Needles
• Fusible bias
• Swatch buddies
• Rotary cutter
• Caddy
• Pins
• Appliqué pressing sheet
• LED light kitMarking pencil
• Pin magnet
• Sewers aid

• Bohin needles
• Turn it all
• Press bar
• Snap n store
• Gypsy gripper
• Gypsy cutting gizmo
• Ruby beholde
• Shop hop kit
• Basting spray
• Best press
• Scissors
• Ripper
• Iron
• Caddy pad
• Cutting edge ruler 6 1/2x12 1/2
• Mat
• Tutto
• Featherweight Machine

**Please check out the website to be sure you understand the rules for the prizes.

http://www.quiltacrosstexas.com/

I don't know about you ladies, but I want that Featherweight Sewing Machine!!! Will you be going to all the shops in our region, or are you shooting for all of Texas?

By Cassie Grace

I'm a fool for my tools!

The right tools can make all the difference. Of course there are "froo-froo" tools that look cool, but you never end up really using, but had fun trying out. Well, we have come across a gadget that can be a huge time saver if you mess up as often as I do. ~wink wink~ 

"The Quick Ripper" 

It's basically a mustache trimmer, but it works great on ripping seams. It biggest brownie-point for me is how fast it is! Raise you hand if you've spent close to an hour picking out something that took you THREE seconds to sew. Yeah, I know you've done it too! Something to be aware of though, it can nip your fabric a bit if your not careful, but I messed up my fabric on occasion just with my seam ripper. I've got a video of how it works here, but you can definitely ask Kim to let you give it a go and test it out on some of your scraps. 

Do you have any tools that you just can't live without now you have them?

By Cassie Grace

Sizzlin' Summer Shop Hop!

In case you haven't received any of our e-mails or looked at our Facebook page or been in our shop in a while, Valli & Kim is participating in this shop hop this weekend! I love shop hops. There is a sense of adventure and anticipation that I can't quite describe to people who don't understand my fabric obsession. 

I love the excuse to go explore other local shops that I haven't been to in a while and maybe splurge a little extra on goodies. Luckily for me (and you!) there are special deals on fabric. There are prizes too. If you want to learn more about the rules and prizes you can click on this link:

http://www.sizzlinsummershophop.com/

We're open a bit longer so you can make it to more locations, so we look forward to seeing you! Enjoy your fabric adventure!

by Cassie Grace

Ps. Why do you love shop hops?

Summertime Clases

We are doing another FREE-FRIDAY class on the laminated Tote Bag. It was so popular last time, we just couldn't help but do an ancore. We used to do Sew Therapy Fridays, but a free class seems to be a kind of sewing therapy too. I think the laminated tote is sooo useful. If ever you have a yogurt explode in there, you can very easily clean it up!

You can also learn to make these adorable, adorable GUMDROP PILLOW which would add a little flair to any room! We also have a new teacher, Julie Ann Moon, who will be teaching some new classes like the RAG FLANNEL QUILT, SUPER SIZE 9-PATCH QUILT, MACHINE APPLIQUE and BINDING and so much more!!! I guess what I'm trying to say is that we have loads of awesome classes coming up and you can check out the dates and times on our calendar here: 

www.valliandkim.com/Calendar

Please let us know if there is a skill you are dying to acquire, and we will do our best to get a class to fit that burning desire! Hey I rhymed! 

By Cassie Grace

Ps. You can sign up for classes by calling in or by coming on in. Caution, coming in may induce you to purchase completely adorable fabric. Wink wink!

Colors and Shapes

Robbie (Kim's Mom) made this awesome hot pad! I like the shape and the layer-like quality of it. Oh, and the texture of the yoyo's are cool too. Would ya'll be interested in a class on something like this? It would certainly add a little pizzaz to your kitchen~!

This is a pillow cover that I found over by the register and I LOVE it!!! Not only do I love green, but shapes! I like how the circles are set inside each other and then you've got the awesome free-motions quilting to transition the circle to the square shape. I want to recreate this so much.... or just snag it.

I hope these photos we post inspire ya'll to make amazing fabric creations of your own. Please keep bringing in your finished projects to the shop. WE LOVE IT! 

Cassie Grace 

More fun with Yoyo's

This is a nifty project Valli is working on. You can take a peek at the work-in-progress towards the back of the store, but isn't this clever!!?? What a fun way to dress up a boring 'ol lamp shade! Yoyo's are simple to make and add texture and spunk! I think this would make a great mood lighting in any room. 

Have you seen those lamp stands on pinterest.com that are made from kid's toys painted gold? I just think they're a hoot!

Do you have any plans to jazz up the lighting in your house?

By Cassie Grace