"Countdown to Christmas"

The weather outside is frightful -- but our "Countdown to Christmas" is so delightful! 

No matter what the weather is doing outside, you can always order online!  

Here are the details of this year's "Countdown" -- continuing through Sunday, December 15 -- all packages will be shipped by December 16.

Twice a week, we will offer new specials to help you with your Christmas shopping!  We will ship each week's purchases for just $5.99 flat rate!  (Shipping rates will be adjusted at time of shipping.) 

If you like, add a note to your order and all items will come to you wrapped with a note of what they are -- ready to put under the tree or in the stockings!

Each order (entire order) will be charged $5.99 shipping - yes, that is right! Order all you want and only pay $5.99 shipping!

Want to call us and place your order? We are ready! Or you are welcome to email me at mary@therabbitslair.com!!!  "Countdown to Christmas" is also available in the shop -- ask for a listing when you come in!

In the shop, we've created a new "kitchen" area -- Here are a couple of shots to share with you -- 

You'll find supplies for embroidery projects and more -- gift ideas too -- in this area.

Our "Caring Quilters" have been busy!  Here is a show of a few of the quilts they've completed -- 

 We'll soon be receiving information from Jo Morton about the Jo's Little Women Club 13 -- starting in January 2014!  Here's a photo of all 8 projects that will be included: 

Two "larger" (for Jo) quilts and six smaller ones, including two with applique!  As soon as we have all the details, they will be posted on our website.  It's sure to be a great Club series!  To be added to the list to be notified when info is available, contact julie@therabbitslair.com. 

We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and enjoying the preparations! 

"Blue Variety" Challenge

Our co-leader of the Jo's Little Women Online Club, Karan Flanscha, issued a challenge to the members -- What will you make with the beautiful "Blue Variety" collection designed by Jo Morton?

We had 8 beautiful entries -- Each quilter wins a $25 gift certificate and a charm pack of Jo fabric, with the Grand Prize "Viewer's Choice" award to Pam Moore.

"Feathered Star Medallion" combines piecing and applique -- popular with everyone!  The center is a pattern by Marsha McCluskey and the border is by Border Creek Station.  Congratulations Pamela on this winning creation!

"Arkansas Bluebird" is a small quilt design by Geannine Ott.  She was inspired by the little glass bluebirds that are made in Northwest Arkansas, and will use this as a class project for teaching.  A perfect accent to any home!

"Little Blue Ohio Stars" by Liz Ewing combines intricately pieced stars, chain patches and a flying geese border.  This small quilt is just 14 1/2" square!

"Blue Baskets" doll quilt by Tina Marks was designed by Jo and called "Betsy's Baskets" in Jo's book Vintage Journey.  

"Freedom Stars" was made by Patti Liles from the free-to-use design on Andover's website for the "Blue Variety" collection.  A beautiful addition to any room!

"Crown of Thorns" by Kim Heger looks like a true antique!  Size is 25" x 29".

Sue Bennett created this reproduction of a quilt she saw in an antique shop, the bird toile is a beautiful setting!  Size is 19" x 24".

"Twist and Spin" by Sue Huettl is a pattern by Betsy Chutchian from her book Lizzie's Legacy.  The size is 34" x 42 1/2" and looks great on her wall!

We are so impressed with these quilts and our members who participated in the challenge!  We plan to have another challenge in Jo's Little Women Club 13, starting in January!

Only Because of His Grace,
Mary Elizabeth 

Visit by Kaffe and Brandon!

This past week, we were honored to have Kaffe Fassett and his design partner Brandon Mably visit The Rabbit's Lair! 

Prior to an inspirational trunk show by Kaffe on Monday night, Brandon conducted a knitting workshop called "Concentrate on Color". 

Class members enjoyed Brandon's input on their color selections and knitting expertise.

The same pattern can look so different, depending on color placement!

The next day, it was time for Kaffe's class on the Bordered Diamond Quilt. 

The focus of the class was on color placement, not on sewing technique. 

Individual attention was key -- class size was kept to a size that would allow that.

Everyone agreed that it was a productive day -- and enjoyable!  Wonder when he'll be back this way? 

You know what they say about all work and no play -- that won't happen with Brandon and Ellen around!

If you don't already own one of Kaffe's quilt books, do yourself a favor and choose one!  You'll learn a lot and discover some new creativity!

Coming in October!

We feel very honored to be hosting Kaffe Fassett next month!  We're getting ready by featuring a fabulous selection of his fabrics - his books - and other items that help you create! 

Although his class on Tuesday, October 22 is full with a waiting list, we still have openings in his lecture and trunk show on Monday evening.  Come be inspired by his use of color and shapes! 

We're also working out the details on a new block-of-the-month program using Kaffe's fabrics and Kim McLean's design, "Flower Garden".  Details will be posted on the website this week, and featured in next week's newsletter!

For all our knitting friends, we're also hosting Brandon Mably with his "Concentrate on Color" class on Monday, October 21 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Following the visit of Kaffe and Brandon, we'll be featuring a trunk show in the shop by Dawn Heese of Linen Closet Designs.   Dawn will be returning from Fall Quilt Market will all her new designs!  This will be a real treat, as she will be available to talk to you all day on Wednesday, October 30 from 9:00 to 5:00 pm! 

On Thursday, October 31, Dawn will be teaching two half-day classes -- in the morning will be a wool and velvet applique class.   She'll share her techniques and tips for working on both these fabrics.  This design is one of her new series of dresser scarf patterns.  

In the afternoon, Dawn's class will be on her method of Big Stitch Quilting.  She is finishing a brand new applique quilt design with this. 

Keep watching the newsletter for updates on everything happening at the shop! 

Exciting Week!

With the "official" end of summer -- Labor Day -- we look forward to an exciting week!  First, we are participating in the "Jingle Bell Hop" on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   This will be great fun, and shops will be ready to inspire you for the upcoming seasons and holidays!  Purchase a $5 passport and receive a portion of the fabric from each store to complete the "Smashing" Jingle Bell Hop wall hanging!  Complete passports will qualify for the drawing to win the Grand Prize of a Brother SB3129SM - or a $50 gift certificate from each shop!  All participants will receive goodie bags!  Join the fun!

During the shop hop, we'll have a special trunk show of quilts, wool applique and punchneedle designs by Missie Carpenter of Hallbrook Designs.  Missie will be in the shop to meet you on Saturday, September 7, in the morning, and then teaching her class on "English Paper Piecing 5 Ways!"  Her class is full, but we are taking a waiting list.

You can see a variety of Missie's patterns on our website Here.

Missie's popular quilt "Life in the Midwest"  features LOTS of hexagons -- surrounded by applique -- it's a stunner!

Among her designs for wool applique is "Indian Summer Little Woolie" -- make in time for Fall! 

Combine techniques in "Primitive Pineapple Welcome" -- punchneedle takes the place of applique in this small quilt!

Come see us if you can -- or shop online to enjoy Missie's patterns!

More next week!

Keep stitching!

What a Great Year!

Okay -- we're embarrassed!  For a variety of reasons, posting new blogs fell off our radar!  But, we're re-committing to using this wonderful method of bringing you pictures and information about the shop.  We know Facebook is also a great way to do this, but our blog can give a more in-depth look at the shop.  So, don't give up on us yet!

We recently moved the yarn from upstairs to downstairs, and then mixed it into the fabric area.  The colors and textures look great all together -- and we're all happy!

We love to have special trunk shows in the shop!  We currently have several -- The Cottage at Cardiff Farms features wool applique --

Pink Sand Beach Designs features Jo Morton's fabrics "Blue Variety" and "Madison Manor" in some of their new bags  --  

 And Kimberbell Designs is helping us get ready for Christmas with fun and easy patterns -- "Merry & Bright Tablerunner and Tea Towel" is just one of them! 

In the fabric department, we just received hand-dyed ombres from Marcus -- These will be very popular with our applique lovers --

And some great taupe and neutral colors from Yoko Saito and Lecein Fabric -- 

You'll be able to find these on our website soon!

In just a couple of weeks, we'll be hosting Missie Carpenter of Hallbrook Designs!  She'll be here on Saturday, September 7, with quilts, wool applique and punchneedle for you to admire, and then teaching a class in the afternoon on "English Paper Piecing 5Ways!"  Don't miss seeing her and her beautiful work!

Mark your calendar for the "Jingle Bell Hop"  -- more information on our website Here. 

More next week!

Keep Stitching! 

Where does the time go?

The New Year was off to a great start!  We've been so busy settling in to the new space, enjoying it and sharing it with others -- our Blog got neglected.  We've recommitted to updating it every week and hope to give you new ideas and inspiration! 

Our big news for the start of the year is that we will be one of 11 featured shops in Quilt Sampler Spring/Summer 2013 issue!  It will be available on the newsstands around May 9, or you may preorder a copy of it on our website Here. 

Each shop has an original quilt design in the magazine, and our quilt was designed by Candy Hargrove and uses all Jo Morton fabrics by Andover.  The simply pieced blocks are border with an applique vine and berries, and, of course, a rabbit! 

We are taking preorders for this beauty with a deposit; kits will be shipped as soon as we can after the magazine is received.  The 70" x 70" quilt is the perfect size for a wall or throw.  Preorder the kit now Here. 

Spring is FINALLY arriving in NW Arkansas.  That means everyone will be venturing out and starting to travel!  What better way than to join in a shop hop.  This weekend is time for our annual "Spring Fling Shop Hop" -- We hope to see you soon!