last minute ideas

Since we are getting down to the wire, if you are still looking for quilterly gifts you might want to abandon the thought of making a queen size quilt and go with something like Gloves In A Bottle instead! We have a travel size and a regular 8 oz. size for the perfect stocking stuffer. We have sample bottles of this in a couple places around the store, and they get plenty of use by both staff and customers. It is a good non-greasy lotion without a lot of perfume. Highly recommended! Don't wait too long, though, because we are closed December 24-25-26. That only leaves 3 days to get your Bear Patch shopping done, so get a move on!

Sneak Peek!

Wondering what to do next August? We have a good suggestion! Mark "Pick up Quilt MN 2011 fabric at Bear Patch" on your calendar! The sample above is one piece of the group special fabric group designed for the occasion, and yesterday Debbie ordered a truckload of bolts to try to satisfy the fabric fever that strikes that month! Visit the official website for a view of the full range of fabric coming your way. I am tossing around ideas in my head for a new quilt designed with these fabrics, can't wait to see what develops!

Ideas Keep Coming

A couple more tested projects that we can easily recommend for Christmas gift-giving

(or maybe a treat for yourself!).

Pot Pinchers from Vanilla House Designs (pattern $8)

I had seen this pattern in the store, but until I saw a sample of the finished Pot Pincher I wasn't sure what the advantage was. But what I didn't realize is that they are made with a firm Timtex piece in the top part that covers the back of your fingers, and makes them really appealing! They seem kind of like little puppets. You really need to have a pair of these and use them on both hands when lifting a hot casserole or cake pan to get the best effect. They are perfect in some of those kitchen/food prints that we have.

Composition Covers by Indygo Junction (pattern $8)

This pattern includes 3 variations of fabric covers to cover a standard composition book (those notebooks with black and white covers and lined pages). It was pretty easy to make and turned out great, would be perfect paired up with a pretty messenger bag like this:

Manhattan Messenger Bag by Purse Strings (pattern $10)

Back to Some More Bright Ideas

Who doesn't love a great new bag?! These are 2 choices that you can still have time to complete and put under the tree in time for Christmas:

The Two Hour Tulip tote is a sweet little pattern, and really comes close to the 2 hour time limit! I made the small size, but there are actually 3 sizes included in this $12 pattern with pocket variations. I put an extra long strap on this one because I foresee wearing it across my body when I am on a trip or outing and just need a little bit of stuff with me instead of a big ol' bag.

The Snap Happy II is part of the ongoing series of clever patterns from Stitchin' Sisters. This variation has a nice squared off bottom. The top snaps shut with the use of that ultra high tech gadget, a metal carpenter's tape measure! I made this one using some heavier weight fabrics with a very nice firm result, but I have also used regular quilting cottons with equally good results. One tip I like to share with people learning how to construct bags is to use some interfacing on the wrong side of the fabrics to give a crisper finish. Mid or heavy weight can both be used, depending on the results you like. We carry many interfacing products that are useful in so many of the things we like to craft, use the link above to see the choices and applications available from Pellon.

A Pressing Idea

Who would know how important a good iron is other than your fellow quilters? These 2 products have risen to the top of the heap, in our opinion. The Rowenta Travel Iron ($50.00) is easy to use, comfortable to grip and a good size to transport. When you are sewing with a group, it is always nice to have your own little ironing spot but you don't want to jeopardize the power source with using a full size iron. This is the perfect solution!

But when it comes to a full size iron, this Velocity iron from Reliable is the cat's meow! It is actually on my own wish list this year! And if it's good enough for me, it's good enough for Oprah's list, too! This V50 model is $115, get 'em while they're hot!

A Half Idea

This little Half & Half Apron makes the PERFECT hostess gift for anywhere you go! It is a pattern by The Quilt Company and is only $2.50. It takes only 2 half yard cuts, and if you can't make up your mind we have fixed that problem with kits of coordinates. Choose a holiday theme, kitchen prints, favorite colors, or something that reflects the personality of the wearer.

Ornament Idea

Isn't this precious?! Sharon stitched up this darling little ornament from Chickadee Hollow Designs. This is one of a series of Vintage Ornaments, each packaged with the design printed on fabric, ready to stitch. Simple hand embroidery stitches are all you need to complete this project, along with any of the other designs (star, candy cane, heart, etc.). The printed fabric not only indicates the stitching lines, but is lightly shaded in the background which gives a unique appearance to the finished design. The patterns are $7 each and are selling like hotcakes! Also check out the seasonal samplers from Chickadee, printed on fabric with stitching lines and shading. We have everything you need for hand embroidery--little hoops, needles and thread. Get your ornaments now and hang them on the tree next week!