Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  We hope you are able to take a moment to enjoy all the blessings that are bountiful in your lives.

I'm blessed to have such a fabulous staff to work with!  Thanks Terri, Barb, Deb, Misty, Jolene, Pam and Connie.   A special thanks goes out to our sampler sewer, Peg and our machine quilter Janet who work behind-the-scences to help keep you inspired.

Thanks as well to my super-patient family who graciously puts up with all my crazy work hours and my border-line-unhealthy-attachment to my laptop computer.

Enjoy some turkey, but don't get too stuffed.  If you are looking for a fun craft for after the big meal (or to keep the kiddos busy and out of the kitchen . . .)  take some inspiration from the November issue of Family Fun magazine. 

Set out a scrap bag of wool felt and let the creativity begin.  Visit http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/ for more ideas too.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.



Gym Dandy Bag on the Moda Bake Shop

What a fantasic early Thanksgiving Day Blessing!  I'm thrilled to have my fourth Moda Bake Shop pattern post today.

Check out my tutorial for the Gym Dandy Bag. 

This handy little bag is lined with PUL That's fancy for polyurethane laminated fabric.  In just plain old terms, that means it is a water resistant fabric that keeps the rest of your bag (or your car seat, etc) from getting wet and disgusting. 

The bag is perfect for taking your clothes to and from the gym.  Got a swim class?  Just toss your wet suit in the bag and everything else will stay nice and dry. 

Got diapers?  You can also use the PUL to make a wet bag for transporting used diapies home to wash.

Like the fabrics I used?  That is the fantastic Fandango line by Kate Spain for Moda.  We've got charm packs, layer cakes and yardage of our favorite prints in stock now.   Check it out on our site here.

As a Thanksgiving-Thank-You to our blog readers . . . .

Use code GYMDANDY to take 20% off a regular priced order on our site at http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/ from November 24th-December 1st, 2010.

Kansas Troubles Favorites Pre-Order at 20% Off

Do you love Kansas Troubles fabrics as much as we do?

Did you know that the new Kansas Troubles Favorites collection marks 10 years of fabric designing by Lynne Hagmeier?

Did you know that Prairie Point Junction is offering a special opportunity to pre-order any and all the fabrics in this collection at   20% off   from now until December 2nd?

Hop on over to our site to check them out now.

Hands Around the World Wallhanging

We love it when our customers share pictures of projects they have created with our wool felt.  It's just a like a virtual show-and-tell session.  Remember how fun that was in Kindergarten?  I don't think we ever loose that sense of pride in sharing our accomplishments.  And what fun to be inspired by all the creative people out there.

Tina over at Squirrel Acorns shared this amazing banner that she made with a friend for their Montessori school’s annual auction fundraiser. 

Be sure to visit Tina's blog here to see more photos and details about their project.

Tina has several links to some great tutorials on her blog too.  Just in time to think about hand-crafting some gifts for the holidays. 

Thanks for sharing your project, Tina.

Would you like to see your creations posted here?  Just drop me a quick e-mail at http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/ and we'll post as many ideas as we can.

Wee Folk Art Garland Give-Away

Did you get a chance to check out the Wee Folk Art site this week? 

We're so proud to be one of their sponsors.  Kimara very generously posted an interview about me and my shop earlier this week. 

Now we're teaming up to host a give-away for the supplies to make this gorgeous garland.  Head on over to http://www.weefolkart.com/ to download the instructions for this project.

Simply follow the instructions in their blog post from November 11th-14th, 2010, to enter to win one of two kits to make this project.



Doesn't that just make you want to grab a cup of cocoa, put some Christmas carols on, and prop your feet up in front of the fire? 

O.K., so I'm a little dramatic  -  but it is the simple things in life that get me all excited.  My seven year old son's teacher should spend more time with me and she would see exactly where he gets all his personality, creativity, and energy from.  Really, its a good thing.

Don't worry, if you weren't the lucky winner, you can certainly order the necessary supplies from our website too.  Visit our site or give us a call at 308-784-2010 to order our Mini Kit or coordinating fabrics.

Garland Mini Kit:

Coordinating Fabric Selections:

Thanks for taking time to stop by.  If you can't find me for the rest of the afternoon, I'm digging around in my boxes of Christmas decorations . . .



Quiet Book Pattern

We just love this new pattern that is hot off the presses from Ribbon Candy Quilt Company.  I'm sure there are several little kiddos on your holiday gift giving list that would be delighted to receive this project.  Just a word of caution, though, the book has several tiny embellishements so you might want to skip the buttons, etc for very small children.

What a clever way to recycle an old pair of jeans and some of those little trinkets you just might have laying around in your craft stash. 

We've made it even easier for you with a little coordinated Bitty Bundle of felt, available for $5.00.   Visit our website at http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/ or give us a call at 308-784-2010 to order the felt or pattern.  Our store hours are Monday-Friday 10:00-5:00 and Saturday 10:00-4:00, Central Time.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It: Wee Folk Art Interview

Goodness, Gracious.

I feel like a movie star today. 

The talented gals over at Wee Folk Art have an interview posted about me and my shop.  It actually was a lot of fun to think back on where we've come over the past 12 years and spend a little time pondering my thoughts on wool felt trends.

Head on over to http://www.weefolkart.com/ to read all about it.  And while you're at it, be sure to add Wee Folk Art to your Favorites list.  If you're not already familiar with this site, I promise you'll love it.  Right now they have a fabulous Handmade Holidays directory that links to a wealth of sites that either sell supplies or handmade finished products.

Their blog posts are filled with more crafting, cooking, creating, and fun than you could ever imagine.  I'm always so impressed by the innovative ways they engage their children in learning.  I guarantee, you'll be inspired too.

Hint, Hint, Hint . . ..   Be sure to check back on our blog and also over at Wee Folk Art from November 11th-14th.  We have a few surprises up our sleeves.

Thanksgiving Project Ideas

Turkey Day is just around the corner here in the US.  We' ve had such unseasonably warm weather this fall that it is been fun to actually decorate for the season.  We've had snow already by this time the past few years, so seeing the leaves and grass is such a treat.

Here are some ideas to inspire you for a few more fall projects.  You can order any of the patterns below on our website at http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/ or give us a call at 308-784-2010.  Our store hours are Monday-Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4, Central Time. 

Autumn Wraps and Mats by Bareroots.

Pumpkin Harvest by The Woolen Needle

Autumn Leaves by Cotton Tales

Fall Harvest Pins by Meeting House Hill

Gobble Gobble by Bunny Hugs.

Pumpkin Candle Mat by Farmhouse Threads.

Pumpkin Stitchery by Welling

ton House Designs

Saltbox Harvest fabrics by Deb Strain for Moda

Enjoy a little bit more fall this week before the cold weather hits.