I am lucky because. . . I am inside & warm

Well it is not officially winter yet, but it sure seems like we have been introduced to the season. I have hunkered down and slowed down a little bit lately. I feel like I am preparing to hibernate for the winter. Now that the Christmas Season is here, I need to start taking advantage of all of this inside time, and start making some gifts. As are a lot of people, I am trying to spend a little less this year and have a little more meaning in what I give. I will make sure to share with you some of my handmade ideas, as I go. Stay warm!

On the Docket: Forest Friends

I am so insanely in love with these little Forest Friends! I will be pulling out my Holiday Knit Simple (which contains the pattern) and a bunch of my single balls of yarn this weekend. I plan on hiding out inside until I can at least have a little fox of my own! I must be having a mini obsession with foxes lately.

Just In! Dr. Seuss

Wow! These were definitely worth the wait!

Just In! Jack & Jill Lunch Bags Pattern

I am all about the re-usable lunch bags and now I will have the most stylish one in town! This is the latest pattern from Heather Bailey. The Jack & Jill lunch bags are sure to be a show stopper around the lunch table. We have several of the Heather Bailey Nicey Jane laminated fabrics in stock that are just perfect for this project!

Just In! New Class Schedule

Follow the link below to check out our latest class schedule! I can’t believe we have classes in 2011 already!

Due to popular demand we have brought back the mystery quilt. The new session starts in January, if you sign up in November & pay for all of the classes at once there is a special price of $65 ( Regularly $72). There is a sneak peak of one of the blocks below. It is truly amazing how much you learn by participating in the mystery quilt, every block uses a different technique and you will master them all!

Above is another block from Aunt Millie’s Garden, isn’t it stunning? There is a class on the new schedule, but you can also sign up for the Block Kits only, if you are already an expert.

We hope to see you soon!

The Piper’s Girls

2010 & 2011 Class Schedule

Etsy Favorites: Little Goodall

This little furry fox coat is just perfect for fall! I am dying over this! It is from Etsy seller Little Goodall. There are only a couple of items in her shop, but it does look like she does custom garments. I have never seen anything more adorable, except maybe the little lion coat below that is also from her shop.

Quick Tip: Animal Alphabet Onesies

I have been a little obsessed with Jenn Ski’s Animal Alphabet fabric. It is a panel of the most fantastic and unusual animals making up an Alphabet. I am usually not a fan of panels, but love this one. I have made several quilts with this fabric, some with it in one piece and others where I have chopped it up. I purchased some new onesies for my nephew that were long sleeved for fall( as well as a lot larger because he is growing daily). I wanted to spruce them up a bit, so I decided to add Alphabet Animals to them. They took minutes to make and he get compliments every where he sports them. You can also do the same thing very easily with any other adorable fabric. Just cut out a rectangle that is 4″ X6″ of the fabric and some Heat & Bond Lite the exact same size. Iron the Heat & Bond to the back of the fabric and then iron it on to the onesie, .The Heat & Bond ensures that there are no bumps or wrinkles as well as stops any fraying. Then all you need to do it stitch around the edge of the fabric patch with a decorative stitch on your sewing machine. I used the one that looks like a blanket stitch, but there are a lot to choose from. So easy, and so chic! These would make a great baby shower gift and you need very little experience to be knocking these out in no time. Little fabric initials would be darling too, hmmm.