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.

Princess Lasertron Shout Out

We are super huge fans of Megan Hunt aka Princess Lasertron.  She is a rock-star in our book.  You can't believe the amazing bridal bouquts this gal is single-handedly creating from wool felt.  (Quite literally -  she a proud new mom).  Prepare to be stunned.  Head on over to http://www.princesslasertron.com/ and check out the inspiration.    Besides bridal bouquets, Megan has just launced a co-working space, CAMP, in downtown Omaha, Nebraska  -  PLUS she has a clothing line coming out soon. 

My little heart started to pitter-patter when I saw her September 6th blog post  - where Megan just happend to mention little ole Wool Felt Central as a source for her wool felt.  I was nearly giddy to see that lovely pile of felt stacked up behind her to-die-for shoes  -  knowing that those very bolts of felt had been in my shop before we packaged them up and shipped them down the Interstate to Megan.  What an joy to be included as even the tiniest little step in the process towards the creation of a bouquet for one of the most important days in a girls life.

Every time we pack up a felt supply order, I can't help myself but to imagine for just a minute what that felt will become once it reaches someone's creative hands.  Now before I wax too poetic on you . . .  just wanted to thank all the fabulously amazing people out there who trust us to be their supplier for their wool felt projects.   

Deal of the Week: September 9th-16th, 2010

Add the Fat Quarter Fashionista or the Get Strippy With It pattern to your collection. 

See our next blog post below for a virtual gallery of quilt possiblities.

Fat Quarter Fashionista Pattern

Regular Price:  $8.50

Deal of the Week Price:  $6.50

Get Strippy With It Pattern

Regular Price:  $8.50

Deal of the Week Price:  $6.50

Prices valid September 9th-September 16th, 2010

*Not valid with any other discounts.

Revisiting Old Favorites

Do you have those patterns in your collection that you turn to time and time again?  You know the ones . . . .  You've got them down to a science, don't even really need to read the directions anymore . . . Know that any fabrics you pick out will look great.  Well, The Fat Quarter Fashionista and Get Strippy With It are those two patterns for me.

Granted, I may be just a teensy bit biased, as they do happen to be two original designs from Prairie Point Junction, but once you give them a whirl, you'll be inclined to agree with me.

What makes them so special?

The Fat Quarter Fashionista is perfect for that fat quarter stack you've collected.  Use 18 fats for a throw, 21 fats for a twin size.  Then just add border fabric.  Once I've cut this one out, I can piece the top in about 4 hours.  (O.K., I'll admit that I've been accused of exceeding the speed limit when I sew, but still  -  give yourself an afternoon and you'll be fine)

Here are some examples of fabrics I've made the Fashioinista with. 

Our Get Strippy With It Pattern is just as easy and it showcases all those fabulous large printed stripes that are on the market right now.  I think I've made this pattern just as many times as the Fashionista, but for the life of me, don't know why I didn't take as many pictures.   Trust me on this one though, you can make it in so many different fabrics.  Stop by the shop, we've got lots of options to show you.

Contest Alert . . .  Contest Alert . . .

We'd love to see YOUR pictures if you have made either of these patterns.  We'll sweeten the pot just a little bit to get you going . . . .

E-mail us at woolfeltcentral@yahoo.com with a picture of your version of either quilt by September 24th.  We'll randomly select a winner from all photos submitted to win your choice of original designs from the staff at Prairie Point Junction. 

(Just a note, we use this e-mail address only for contests to help keep our regular inbox from getting full, so if you send any other message to this address, chances are we won't read it unless we happen to have a contest going on at that particular time.)

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Well, not exactly a chicken dinner,  but we do have a winner!

Thanks to everyone that posted such nice comments on the http://www.modabakeshop.com/ site for my Frolic'N Butterflies pattern.  If you didn't get a chance to download the pattern, head on over here and get your copy now.

We selected one lucky winner through a random number drawing to win a charm pack of this fun Frolic fabric.

Drum roll, please . . ..

Our lucky winner is Cindy in Ohio.  (I've sent you an e-mail to the address in your blogspot profile)

Cindy said...



This quilt is sooo cute!!! I love it in the Frolic line. Nice job!! And thanks for showing how easy it is to make butterflies - I love that! :)


Now, if you weren't as lucky as Cindy, we do have a little surprise for all of you . . .

Our Deal of the Week from May 27th-June 3rd is 20% off all Frolic fabrics on our site at http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/.

Hop on over here to pick up some if you like.

Quilt Market, Part 2

We certainly had an amazing time at market.

Sorry I didn't get to post everyday. 

By the time we got back to the hotel at night we were ready to collapse.

Talk about shopping till ya drop.

Great fun was had by all at the Moda booth. 

Their theme was a dollhouse.  How cute is that?

Tons of great Moda goodness will be coming this fall:

Got to chat with our friend Lynne (and Robert, too, of course) from Kansas Troubles Quilters.

Signed up Prairie Point Junction for the Stash Society Club.  We'll have more details soon.

See that darling ornament runner and the little packages mini-quilt???
They'll be part of the series. 

Another of our Moda favorites . . . .

Joanna from Fig Tree Quilts

And you can't forget Camille from Thimble Blossoms

We've got a big party planned in a few weeks to show off all our market loot plus many more pictures from our trip. 

 Keep checking back for details  -  or sign up for our newsletter on the home page of our site at

http://www.prairiepointjunction.com/   

Then you'll be the first to know.

Tons of new patterns will be posted on the site on Thursday.

Enjoy.

Market Madness - A Few of our Favorite Things

Here we are in Minneapolis at Quilt Market.  Wish you were here.  It is an amazing experience.

We'll do our best to share of glimpse of this twice-a-year extravaganza.  Check back often for more posts.

This picture was taken Thursday night after a full day of School House Sessions.  School house is a day jam-packed full of mini-classes from 15-30 long.  You can choose between a whole slate of topics each session that range from new product presentations, business topics, notions demos, you name it.

We were waiting in line for Sample Spree -  the craziest thing you've seen in the world.  This is just part of the line that waited for almost two hours to get in the doors.  Bigger crowd than you'll find sleeping over night for the hottest concert in town.  Sample Spree gives shop owners a chance to purchase single copies of the newest patterns, fat quarter bundles, and ready-made samples so that they can go back to their hotels and plan what to purchase the next day.

This best describes the madness -  A nice gentleman strolled by the line (he later admitted his wife was somewhere in the line) and was teasing us about what we were waiting for.  Someone tried to explain . . .

His response?    Now let me get this straight . . .

You are all quilters?   Yes

You all owner quilt shops?   Yes

You are waiting in line for two hours to buy something you already have mass quantities of?  Well, Yes.

You get the picture.  Its what we all do . . . .

That's how you know you are a real quilter, right?

After all the craziness of Thursday, we hit the floor running Friday morning on the market floor visiting with some of our favorite designers and meeting new friends too.

Here's Julie with Barri from Bareroots. 

Hint Hint . . . .

Super, awesome, amazing, new candle mats will be on their way soon.

You're gonna love them, we promise.

Ran into Meg from Crabapple Hill Studios.

Don't know how much you can tell from the photos, but those are the cutest little cardstock tags hanging from real tree branches in her booth.

But, it gets better . . .

See those little pillow in the wire bin?

There are embroidered vintage postcards.

But, wait . . .  it gets better yet . . .

Those little postcards are address to someone in a fictitious town in . . .

Nebraska!  How cool is that?

Then, Would you belive I was banned from buying more bag patterns?

Huh.  Me neither.  I didn't know there was such a thing as too many bags.

Jusk ask my friend Gwen.  She'll defend me.

Anyway, my travel companions declared that I had purchased more than my quota of bag patterns (and wool felt patterns.)

You'll have to wait just a little longer to see all the new bag patterns we added.

Some of my favorites?  These new goodies from Pink Beach Designs.

I guess this is proof of all the goodies we've tracked down just for you.

That's Terri there in the middle guarding our luggage filled to the brim with new product.

It will be worth the wait to see what we add to the website soon.

Now its time to say Goodnight . . . .