After I plant my little garden of several tomatoes, a few cucumbers, zucchini and eggplant I plan to prepare a sewing area on my patio.  It is sheltered from breezes so my pieces won’t blow away but not shower-proof so I will have to take my sewing into the house at the end of the evening.  I did this a couple of years ago during the summer and loved every minute sewing outdoors when it was so warm inside the house.  And, it is amazing how much I got done!!

Every two years Jinny Beyer updates her 150 palette colors.  Last time, in 2003, she revamped the whole palette but this time it is just an update of 50 plus colors and/or designs.  They are scheduled for delivery in mid/end August.  If you would like a quarter yard, half yard or fat quarter of the new palette pieces let me know and I will cut them for you.

Jinny has also designed a new quilt in two versions that rivals Moon Glow and we know how beautiful Moon Glow is.  This quilt is called "Around the World with Jinny Beyer".  Though it is made in blocks it does not appear to be.  You can see the quilt on the RJRfabrics.com site.  Click on this link, Around the World with Jinny Beyer, to go directly there.  On that page you can click to download the image (link is just above the quilt) and there is another link (below the quilt) to view the alternate version.

The kit is packaged in a “suitcase”, includes a passport and travel stickers and, of course, all the necessary patterns.  There are even patterns for travel accessories as well as recipes from the regions Jinny has visited.  Jinny thought of everything with this kit. 

And, there is more I am told.  Jinny will be traveling this fall and you can guess, from clues, where in the world is Jinny Beyer.  No wonder earlier this year Jinny and I could not work out dates for her to come!!   Of course we will be stocking these kits just as soon as they are available in mid/end August.  In the meantime I will be taking orders for the kits.  Be the first to get yours.

Summer ScrapSwap

Perhaps you did not have enough prep time.  The Super Bowl activity had few participants but Snow-Cap did receive a check for $34.25.  I would like to try it again - so ..... go through your 100% cotton fabrics (your stash) and pull out any and all that no longer grab your attention (the uglies).  Pieces can be from 1/4 yard to as large as you have in the piece.  Please make sure your pieces are good quality 100% cotton and do not have chunks cut out of them. 

Gather them together and take them to Scarborough Flair to be weighed in anytime between August 1st and 5th.  You will get a coupon that allows you to go thru on Saturday, August 6th between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. all that has been brought in and take home for free the same number of pounds that you brought in.  I am hoping for a greater turnout and a big recycling of fabrics.  Remember what you are tired of looking at may be just what someone else is wanting very badly. 

If there is any fabric left over it will go on sale to all quilters and shoppers August 8th thru 13th at $1.00 per yard with the proceeds once again going to Snow-Cap.  Any fabrics not sold will be donated to charity.  Margaret got the last left-overs for Linus quilts. 

While going through your fabrics pull out the scraps, odd ball shaped left-overs pieces that you no longer want and put them in zip lock bags.  Bring these bags with you.  We will sell these bags full of pieces at a very cheap price with proceeds also going to Snow-Cap.  Get busy, find your “uglies”, mark your calendar for delivery to Scarborough Flair August 1 - 5, then come get a whole new bunch of fabric August 6th. 

Questions?  Just phone the Shop or send an e-mail.  This time I am hoping for and expecting a larger participation.  You have more prep time.   Snow-Cap needs $$$.

Gail Pope will be joining us this summer to teach a class.  You will remember her as the owner of Patchwork Peddler.  Welcome her by signing up for her class.  Also I must tell you that since I have learned Marje’s method for paper piecing it is the only method I use.  Try it.

            
Dates to Remember

Remember to bring your fabrics to the Shop Aug. 1 - 5.  Coupon shop on Aug. 6 Shop the leftovers Aug. 8 - 13 at $1.00 per yard.

Be sure to attend the Columbia River Gorge Quilt Show September 15 - 17 at the fairgrounds Stevenson, WA.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

BLOCK of the MONTH .............................................................. Tina
Last class of the series
Saturday, June 25    11:00 a.m. - 12 noon approx............$5 or Free

QUILTING BEE ......................................................................... Tina
Come once, twice or come each week with your project and your sewing machine, supplies and join me in a day of sewing.  If you have questions or problems with your project I will try to help you.  You must call to reserve your seat. Limited  to 6 people.
Wednesdays   July 6, 13, 20, and 27   11 a.m. - 3 p.m.............. Free

INTERLOCKING CHAIN TABLE RUNNER .............................. Gail
Make this easy table runner with a theme such as Christmas, leaves, flowers, 30s or rainbow colors.  Make several of them to have ready for Christmas presents. Basic quilting skills required.  Sample on display.
Saturday   July 16    10:30 - 3:30............................................ $35

BEGINNING PAPER PIECING .................................................  Marje
Machine Paper Piecing, also called foundation piecing, is a technique that is relatively new to the quilt world.  And, in some ways it has really changed
quilting by allowing us to piece more complex blocks of many sizes more
accurately!  In this class you will learn basic machine paper-piecing techniques while making a spring flower or fall leaf that can be set into a lovely placemat.  Pattern required.  Sample on display.
Friday July 29   11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ........................................ $25

DRAGONFLIES: Continuous Line Machine Applique ................Marje
There are a lot of fun continuous line quilting designs available to quilters
today.  But, did you know that some of these designs make really interesting quilts?  In this class you will learn how to use continuous line quilting designs as a source for machine applique wall quilts while working on Marje’s original Dragon Fly quilt.  Pattern required.  Confident beginner class.  Sample on display.
Friday   August 19   10:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. ....................................... $38

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Since starting this newsletter I did get my garden planted.  I hope the plants don’t drown with our continued rain.  Instead of preparing my outdoor sewing area I am  going to finish the ark.  I may need it yet!!  When it is finished I will start on my outdoor sewing area if it has stopped raining!!!

Summer Recipe

 As the warm weather approaches you will want to make this Shrimp cocktail sauce for your shrimp and other seafood salads.  It keeps well in the refrigerator. 

TinaTips: If your thread twists and knots when you are hand sewing it may be because you are twisting your needle as you pull it through the fabric.  Figure out which way you are twisting the needle as you sew and then, as you are about to pull the needle through the fabric, twist the needle a bit in the opposite direction, then pull.  If you remember to do this each time your thread will not twist and knot.  It has solved my problem.