Better late than never

So... I am FINALLY posting pictures of this past summer's "Slow Sewing Retreat" on Sprucehead Island.

I'm kind of glad I procrastinated. It's nice to see photos like this on a dreary winter's day.

Outside everything is wet and muddy and covered in dirt. Yuck.

Nice to know it will soon look a little something like this again...
































































































































































































































































































































































































































It was a day full of laughter, eating, sewing and we were very blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather.

And yes, we will be doing this again this summer.

We'll be doing at least 2 "Slow Sewing Retreats" this year: possibly with a lobster bake.

I don't have dates yet, but as soon as I do I will let you know.

Yes, I am very glad I procrastinated indeed.

Thanks to the ladies who joined us and thanks to you for taking a look at the photos.

I don't know about you, bu now I am totally jonesin' for summertime!

XO,

Rhea

This week's ad

Inspired by the season finale of Downton Abbey?

























Perhaps...


XO,

Lady Butler

Christmas in February

Do you have some friends that you just don't see as often as you would like and you end up exchanging Christmas gifts with them later on in the year?

Like February... or worse?

Me, yes.

I just held "Christmas" with some of my best ladies the other night, which means I am free to share with you some knitting projects.
























I made the "Mug Snugs" from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Knits book.

Super-fun, super-easy, semi-mindless, in-front-of-the-TV, preferably with the woodstove going knitting.

























I used the Amy Butler DK weight organic belle yarn in Peony, Cinnamon and Slate.

You could easily make 2 or three mug snugs from one ball of yarn: I just used up leftover bits for mine.

























I also love a good chance to use up some of my buttons, and this project is a great way to show off some of your favorites.

These triangular buttons in the photo were porcelain and I acquired them from Oliver's Grandmother's stash.

(Grandmas have the best button stashes, don't you think?)

Merry Christmas, Julie, Meredith and Nadine!

Hope your mug snugs keep your beverages nice and toasty!

XO,

Rhea

The Beekeeper's Turning Twenty Bundle

We've got a giveaway coming up on Soulemama this weekend, and I pulled together this bundle of fat quarters, inspired by Amanda Soule herself, which will be sent to one lucky reader.































































































It was a no-brainer.

I had to name this collection "The Beekeeper's Turning Twenty."

When we had our visit with Amanda a couple of weeks ago, her outfit got my gears turning.

Her clothes consisted of mostly dark colors with many layers and textures, and the whole ensemble was topped off by a lovely silver bee necklace that was given to her by her husband as a nod to her new found love for beekeeping.

It immediately reminded me of a great bee print that we had at the shop, and I started to pull together fabrics based on that one print.

Before you knew it: voila! Beekeeper's bundle.

Fun stuff, I tell you.

The bundle is made up of 20 different fat quarters, each in a quilting weight cotton.

There are a couple of great "bee" prints, some ticking stripes, a couple of toiles, small scale geometrics and some botanical prints as well.

The colors are mostly dark: dark grey, taupe, navy, black and some bright white, cream and just a smattering of amber honey color.

Try your chances at the giveaway on Amanda's blog this weekend, or if you don't want to chance it you can purchase your very own "Beekeeper's Turning Twenty" bundle right here.

They'd be great for making quilts, bags, or any patchwork projects.

Of course it would be a great Turning Twenty quilt, but I am aching to use these prints in smaller pieces, like maybe a Yellow Brick Road or just simple 4.5" squares.

Good luck with the giveaway this weekend and I'll see you again soon!

XO,

Rhea

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love comes in many different forms, n'est-ce pas?

Ollie taught me how to play chess last night.

He beat me, but I did get to put his king in "check" a couple of times.

Tonight we're going to the Indian restaurant in Brunswick where we had our first date.

Then I bet I can get him to take me for some Gelato Fiasco.

Very romantic, don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers!

XO,

Rhea

PS If you're single today I know what that's like, too! Celebrate!

Denyse is coming back!

Hey all,

Just popping in very quickly to let you know that Denyse Schmidt is coming back to visit us this summer.

She'll be here the weekend of August 18th, and although we haven't completely finalized details as of yet, she will be teaching a new version of her Improvisational Piecing workshop and we will be holding a meet and greet reception for Denyse that will be open to the public!

"Flea Market Fancy," a reprint of Denyse's super-popular line from the early 2000's (feels weird to say "early 2000's") will be here in March (we've ordered the entire line) and Denyse's new book will be out by August, I do believe.

Very exciting stuff!

When I have the nitty gritty details, I will let you all know, but I just couldn't keep the news to myself any longer.

If you'd like to reserve a spot, let me know and I'll put you on the list!

XO,

Rhea

More Winslow Market Totes

We're still going strong over here with the Winslow Market Tote.

I thought I'd share with you some pictures from a class I taught a few weeks back.

This was a beginner's class and I thought the ladies did an amazing job.

I love seeing so many different versions of the same thing, you know?






























































































Nice totes, right?

Thanks, ladies. You were great students!

(I'm inspired to make a Winslow Market Tote all over again.)

And thank you, Kathy Mack, for such a wonderful pattern, available for free right here!

XO,

Rhea