Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Retail Therapy...Again!

I must share with you my most recent purchases from my friend Darlene at A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop.  They just make my heart sing!


Monday is our sewing day at her shop where a bunch of us get together to sew, stitch, laugh...and of course...EAT!

While I was there yesterday, unbeknownst to me, an order arrived.  I was probably laughing and joking with the other gals in the sewing room oblivious to everything while Darlene was feverishly unpacking the order to surprise us. 


I'm weak to begin with, especially when it comes to anything quilting-related and Darlene knows my likes and dislikes very well. After she had unpacked the order, she came into the sewing room and asked us all to come and have a look.

When I saw these fabrics, I literally swooned!
Blue and brown is one of my favorite color combinations and it's been a while since I've seen a collection with the warmth and richness that these colors exude. They're from the Piecemakers collection by Kathy Schmitz for Moda.

Of course I had to start off with a meter of each but you can bet that I'll be buying more in the next little while. I'll be cutting into them in the next day or so and I can't wait.



I love my little Rowenta travel iron to use beside me while I'm piecing.

A little while back my full size iron started to cough and sputter and it desperately needed to be replaced but I was holding out for my "dream" iron.

Next week is our anniversary so my gift is this Oliso iron that has been on my wish list for a couple of years now. 
I haven't even taken it out of the box yet but you can bet that I'll be testing it out on my new fabric later today!

Happy stitching!

25 comments:

kathyg said...

I'm ANXIOUS to hear how you like the new iron. I've had at least 7 Rowenta irons and they just do not last very long for me, 7 in 10 years. We do have a well and the water is VERY hard; the bottled water I use has a high calcium level so those two factors could be my problem but even diluting with distilled does not prolong my iron's life. I keep getting the Rowenta because I like a heavier iron.

Janet O. said...

Some lovely fabrics, Kaaren. Are those quilt block names in writing on the blue/cream piece? Love it!
Am looking forward to seeing what you create from these beauties. Blue/brown is a favorite combo here, too!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Food, fabric, friends = fun!

I do hope you have better luck with your Oliso than I did. I had one, well two. It was amazing for a short while then started jumping up and down all on it's own and piddling water everywhere. Oliso replaced it. The second one didn't heat. I gave up. Cheap irons for me from now on.

Deb said...

Please let me know what you think of that iron. I've been looking at one of those for a while, just haven't coughed up the money for it yet. Love your fabric!

Lesley said...

I am swooning here too! The fabrics are yummy. I love my Oliso so I hope you do too!

Sandi said...

Happy anniversary to you and Mr. P.Q. Kaaren, enjoy the day and the memories.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I just LOVE those fabrics!! No wonder you couldn't pass them up - I wouldn't have bee able to either!

I am intrigued by your iron ... But more than "feet", I'd like to have an iron that doesn't have the auto shutoff. I only use my iron when piecing, and every time I need to press a seam, the iron has shut off. Grr

Candace said...

Beautiful fabrics, Kaaren! I've been eyeing them as well! I have 3 - yes, 3 Oliso's! I love, love, love them! If anything goes wrong within warranty they replace them and if it's after warranty it's only $70 to either repair or replace it - and they always replace it! Have fun!
Cheers!

Kigwit said...

I love my Olisco iron. I've had it about two years now. It gets super hot and I love the steam.

Sheila said...

Love those fabrics and oh I would love to have that iron .

Unknown said...

I was in Florida in January visiting a friend. She had picked up the step down from your iron. I love it. It is very smart. LOL Just keep in mind that as soon as you take your hand off, it lifts off your ironing board. Most of the time this is a good thing. LOL. I love it. I will NOT put water in it.
I picked up your nautical pattern when I was at Darlene's before Christmas. Hope to do a road trip in the spring....if it ever gets here. Maybe a sew day.
I am anxious to see what you do with your new collection. It looks interesting.
Cheers.....Chris from Amherst Shore!!

Anonymous said...

Nice fabrics! My Oliso has been tossed. We had a wonderful time for a bit but ultimately it had to go. I've gone back to the cheaper irons as they last as long as the Oliso....I iron a lot.

Sydney said...

Called from NY and bought some of those fabrics...missed the blue on blue one! May have to remedy that! Can't wait to see what you do with it! Interested to hear how the iron is also! <3

Jeanna said...

Sounds like there is always a good time at A Needle Pulling Thread! Darlene unveiled some beautiful fabrics...can't wait to see what you do with them.

I have that same little Rowenta iron and LOVE it.

Margs Primitive Quilts said...

I LoVe those fabrics to. I wonder what pattern you are dreaming of. Can hardly wait to see. Have a great day Kaaren.

annie said...

lovely blue and brown!

Mary Jean said...

Love that new line of fabric...the colors are beautiful. I have a hint for you. I also have the June Tailor pressing board next to my machine and the cover is also stained. I cover it with a piece of freezer paper cut to fit. When it gets stained I just iron on a new piece. I works great.

Darlene D said...

We had a great day, as always! Loved surprising you!

Needled Mom said...

Can a person have iron envy???? Love the new fabrics!

Alba-mà said...

Segur que smb aquestes robes tant boriques fars uns treballs preciosos.
Ja tinc ganes de veur'els.
Petons !!!

Kindred Quilts said...

Swooning with you over those fabulous fabrics!!!
I recently purchased the blue Oliso iron and so far so good... I'm lovin' it! It takes some getting use to... at first I kept standing it up like a regular iron!

Louise said...

Wishing you a very Happy Anniversary Kaaren to you and yur husband. Please let us all know your thoughts on the iron after you have used it a while..

Jean - Oksewnsew said...

Hi Kaaren, you will LOVE your new Oliso iron..I do mine.. I still have my Rowenta, a Panasonic cordless, and the Rowenta travel iron, and I use the Oliso the most. Happy ironing.. ;o)

CATHY DANIEL said...

Gorgeous Fabrics Kaaren! I love blue and brown too - in fact I have a blue and brown design in my new range of quilty things for the home - and a Giveaway too. xCathy

Pam in IL said...

Gosh, I wish I lived close enough to visit Darlene's store! Those new fabrics are awesome and how nice that you got a new iron.

Happy Anniversary!