What a Summer!

Five years ago, we bought The Rabbit's Lair.  It was a wonderful shop next to the building we owned that housed Poor Richard's Art.  That was the start of our adventure!

For two years, we enjoyed our home in what had been a bank -- it was cozy and charming, but we were quickly outgrowing it.  We needed more space for classrooms and fabric.  Committed to remaining in downtown historic Rogers, we moved around the corner on Walnut.  This shop had all the light we were missing, plus a wonderful mezzanine for class space. 

We enjoyed both locations and especially enjoyed meeting all the friends we made as we learned about the wonderful world of fabric and fibers.  Mary loved to embroider and create in wool, and Clarice soon found that her passion was knitting.  The front of the shop became the yarn area, but it kept encroaching on the fabric space.  So.... when Poor Richard's Art moved out of their space on First Street, we opened our yarn shop in February of this year and called it RL2

The setting was perfect for all the beautiful colors of yarn -- it sparkled in the original glass cases! 

As much as we loved the new home for yarn, the two shops were in separate locations.  So we had an inspired idea -- why not have them in the same beautiful building!  We moved the yarn to a bright and airy room upstairs and brought all our fabric, wool and stitchery supplies over to the first floor.
Here is a picture taken in the new yarn shop:

The downstairs is filled with the beautiful fabrics we carry -- and our quilt samples are hung high on custom made racks.

The wool has it's own room, filled with samples and shades of wool for your favorite project.

There's lots more to see -- we'll hope you'll visit soon and enjoy the shop as we do!  Stay tuned for more pictures soon!

Only Because of His Grace,
Mary Elizabeth

Spring Quilt Market Part 3

We stopped by Dawn Heese's booth -- Linen Closet Designs -- to see her new patterns.  One of them is a Folk Art Baltimore quilt -- we loved it and asked her to teach a block from it when she visits The Rabbit's Lair in July.  You can see more about her Market time on her Blog -- we'll have info about her new patterns next weekend at "Quilt Market Bash."   

Here is the block she will be teaching in her needleturn applique class -- "Pomegranates All Around"

The class will be on Saturday, July 7 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm -- Click Here for details!

We found a new quilt designer from Canada that uses a lot of Jo Morton fabrics in her designs -- we think some of these will make great classes, and of course, wonderful quilts! This company is Prairie Quilt Mercantile. 

Also using Jo Morton fabrics in many of her designs is Clothesline Quilts.  We will be receiving a trunk show of 6 quilts from the Civil War General Series next week -- Be sure and stop in to see them!  Shown in "General Longstreet." 

If you love English Paper Piecing and simple applique, you'll love this design by Sue Daley of Patchwork with Busyfingers from Australia!  "Antique Sampler" will be worth the effort, and we're working on scheduling a workshop at a later date to get you started!  Here's Sue in front of her masterpiece quilt -- she says it took her only 6 weeks to complete this! 

Sue has a number of items designed for fun with hand work -- we'll also be showing you her template for making this sweet basket quilt! 

Much prettier in person (aren't they always?) is the "Mill Girls" block-of-the-month design hanging in the Marcus booth!  You can sign up for this now for shipping in the fall! 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend -- Our shops will be closed on Sunday and Monday.

Only Because of His Grace,
Mary Elizabeth

Spring Quilt Market, Part 2

We love these!  Felted wool balls in all colors and sizes, ready to use in projects!  We'll be having fun and wonder what creative ideas you'll come up with!

Here are some decorating trees -- great idea for Christmas too!

Or you can make some great flowers --necklace -- bracelet --

And how about this -- some colorful balls at the end of a knitted scarf!

You'll be hearing more about projects using these fun felted balls! 

We were excited to meet the mother/daughter design team for Frond Designs!  We have this fabric group posted on the website for preorder and can't wait for it to come into the shop next month!

Look how they covered canvas pouches with fabric and grew some beautiful flowers -- a unique alternative to window boxes!

Wow -- here's another beautiful shot featuring this fabric collection --

We'll soon be adding needlepoint designs to the inventory of RL2 -- we loved these pillows made from kits!

We thought about Shana and those grandmothers out there who love to make one-of-a-kind clothing when we saw these patterns by Doohickey Designs:

Here's an up close look at the sweet embroidery in the wall quilt:

Keep watching for more in a couple of days! 

We'll post to the website as new items are received in the shop!

Only Because of His Grace,
Mary Elizabeth

Spring Quilt Market

We just got back from our adventures at International Quilt Market in Kansas City!  Yes, it is really international, with our favorite designers from Australia and other countries in attendance.  We were really excited to see what new fabrics and designs we would find, and will be able to only give a glimpse into all that is available!  Keep watching for more -- here, on our website, and on our Facebook page!

The day before Market begins, we attended "Schoolhouse" -- this is a time to get a preview of what is to come!

Renee Nanneman of Need'l Love -- showing projects from her soon-to-be-released book, Garden Gate Threads --

Beautiful pillow designed by Lesa Dailey --

"Rosebud Faire Stars"

And pieced with some of Renee's new Fall collections -- "Twister Pumpkin" by Becky Cogan.

A little later it was time for Jo Morton's presentation -- She, too, has a book coming soon with some wonderful red and white quilts using her "Variety" fabric collection --

Some new designs in laminate fabric --

And a quilt (no pattern available -- just for fun!) Jo created with her fabrics and the panel from the John Hewson "Winterthur" collection.

The next day, the exhibits opened, and our first stop was the Andover area and a visit to Jo's booth, where we found Jo and friends Mary Ann and Cindy, showing everyone the new projects that will be in the next book and some individual patterns. 

And next door was Need'l Love booth --

 

with Renee and Amy ready to welcome visitors through the Garden Gate! 

Across the aisle in Andover's booth was the latest free-to-use designed by Candy Hargrove using Jo's "Alexandria" collection -- 

We have lots more to show you -- just a few of our favorites at a time!  

Only Because of His Grace,

Mary Elizabeth 

It's Spring at The Rabbit's Lair and RL2!

Wow!  Spring came fast this year!  We are bursting at the seams with new fabric and yarn!  

 

 As you come in the door, you'll be greeted with new jelly rolls, charm packs and layer cakes from Moda, Westminster and Anthology -- beautiful colors to greet the season! 

Strawberry Season!  How cute are these "Sweet Treat" pincushions? 

Just in the door -- Amy Butler's "Gypsy Caravan" -- beautiful as always! 

 
 In the yarn shop, we have lots of beautiful yarns, and samples and classes to inspire you! 

 The "Wren" sweater" -- made with Yearling by Juniper Moon Farm.  

Find out more in the shop about our first ever Knitting Camp! July 20, 21 and 22 -- more details on the website!  


'Til next week --
Only Because of His Grace, 
Mary Elizabeth
 
 

"Curious Nature" by Parson Gray

"Curious Nature" is the first collection of fabric from Parson Gray - the brand guise of artist David Butler (husband of fabric designer Amy Butler).

The collection is a folk modern interpretation of natural elements. It weaves together a balance of sophisticated hand-drawn patterns inspired by Japanese indigo and mid-century fine art. The palette is grounded in richly muted nature tones evoking clear night skies, deep forest and dark ocean balanced by bone ivory and oyster grays.

Parson Gray's "Curious Nature" is being interpreted to fabric by Free Spirit in both quilting/fashion and larger prints on Home Decor weight cotton sateen.

Come in the shop and see this wonderful collection -- Download the quilt design on Free Spirit's website by clicking here.

"Bella Bliss" Is Here!

Here's what Renee has to say about her newest collection to arrive in the shop:
"Bella Bliss is a color dream come true...the large scale floral 'mother' of the group was reproduced from a beautiful antique piece of red French bark cloth."
The 22-piece collection is used in another version of her "Rose Maison" pattern:


There are 22 pieces in this collection, and they are all used in the above pattern, along with some "Itsy Bits."

I was so glad to get to see Renee at the retreat this weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks; little did I know that when I saw a stack of "Bella Bliss" it would arrive at the shop today! Now we'll get to see what wonderful things you will create from it!

Only Because of His Grace,
Mary Elizabeth