Happy Friday everyone, and welcome back to my blog! It’s been a really nice week off, with mostly perfect weather and lots of rest, relaxation, and family time. I feel like I did a pretty good job of keeping myself on the down-low and away from the hustle and bustle of work, though I did end up stopping in a few times for this or that. I really tried to keep my worries about work at a minimum because anytime I’m away from PG, I know my team will always do a great job holding down the fort and keeping the ball rolling. I am so thankful for each and every one of them because I’ll tell ya, it would all be too much to handle by myself!

Wow – I was just thinking about it and we really have come a long way in the last year after our big move from Menasha to the new facility in Larsen, WI. In fact, I am excited to say that we have an anniversary coming up here at Primitive Gatherings! We are getting ready to celebrate 19 years in business (holy cow – how has it been that long???) and one year in our new shop and retreat center coming up in August. I guess you could say it’s a double anniversary, which is why we decided to call it our 19.1 Anniversary Celebration! During the week of August 8th through the 14th, come celebrate with us and take advantage of some of the best sale prices you’ll find all year on fabric, kits, and more!

Of course we had to plan something fun in honor of our success, so we came up with some fabulous demos and make-n’-take projects to get involved in throughout the week! We’ll be kicking it off on Monday August 8th, 2022 at with an adorable wool pin project demonstration (participation fee = $25.00 per guest). This decorative piece can be used to snazz up well… pretty much anything! Attach it to your favorite jean jacket, purse, or hat. Getting married soon? Real flowers are expensive and they die. Why not use an alternative that will last forever? These darling flowers would make the perfect archival solution for your wedding day flower needs!

The fun continues on Tuesday August 9th, 2022 with mini basket making instructed by Gloria Parsons (participation fee = $20.00). If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of basket making, now is your chance! Gloria will be showing us how to make a small basket project – great for storing jewelry or nicknacks. If you’re new to the art, this mini project is a great way to test the waters of basket making. By the end you’ll know whether or not you want to tackle a bigger project or if this little guy was just enough!

On Wednesday August 10th, 2022 I will be giving demos on how to make a super cute thread spool project (participation fee = $40.00 – if you have extra old thread spools, please bring them!). I think this piece is especially cool because we are using recycled sewing items to make sewing-themed art. You can spruce up any sewing room, den or even kitchen with this charming piece as either hanging décor or a tabletop conversation piece. If you’re feeling extra ambitious and have a lot of spools to use up, I bet a set of three in different sizes would be extra adorable.I

Do you love barn quilts and want to learn to make your own? Thursday August 11th my sister Lisa and I (yes you read that right!) will be demonstrating how to go about making a 12″ mini barn quilt (participation fee = $50.00). These mini barn quilts are so much fun to do, and the design possibilities are endless! If you’re a fan of colorful geometric shapes in your décor but you don’t have time for large quilting projects, mini barn quilts could be for you! There’s only one way to find out, come give it a try!

I’ll be wrapping up the demo week on Friday August 12th, 2022 with our final project, an adorable small fabric tote (participation fee = $25.00). This bag is a perfect size for running quick errands or transporting a small project. It easily could take the place of a purse if you just need something light to throw your keys and wallet into, rather than having to lug around your entire bag. I have several of these and use them for all sorts of things. I even have one to hold my favorite bible!

Five fabulous make-n’-takes for five fabulous days of anniversary celebration. Not to mention we have anniversary sales galore through Sunday August 14th, 2022 (all make-n’-take projects are available from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM on their scheduled day only, and are located at The Gathering. SPACE IS LIMITED! Please sign up by calling 920-778-8031 if you plan to participate)!

If you’re local you should really stop by and check out all the excitement…and if you have a project you’re currently working on (or one you should have started long ago…), bring it with you along with your machine! We also have an open Sit & Stitch going all week from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM Monday through Friday! Set up shop in our spacious retreat house for the day, surrounded by friendly people who share your love for stitching! Enjoy excellent lighting with multiple steam stations and large spacious cutting tables that are equipped with electricity! Plus, I’ll be around to help you with any problem child projects you might have holding you back. It’s only $25.00 to participate AND lunch is included. You can’t go wrong! Space is limited, so if you plan to join us for Sit & Stitch , please call Judy at 920.778.8031 to reserve your seat!

Going into the weekend I have a few loose ends I’d like to tie up before next week gets here, so I can be ready for new projects. It’s hard to imagine that it’s just about time to start thinking about fall and even winter projects for the upcoming Christmas season. We all know how the holidays always seem to sneak up on us, so I like to have a good head start on things well in advance. If you caught me last week LIVE on “Stitch with Lisa Bongean,” you heard me talk about one of the projects I’m getting ready to start. It’s a Christmas project quilt-along from Moda inspired by my, “Mini Alphabet Quilt” pattern. “Mini Alphabet“ is a darling little quilt, ideal for a child’s bed or toy room. Measuring at 42″ x 42″ it’s the perfect size for cuddling, all while learning your ABC’s. Super cute, right!? You can purchase the pattern for this little gem by following the link below!

Once you have the pattern for the “Mini Alphabet Quilt“ you have the first part of participating in the Moda “Letters to Santa Quilt-Along“ covered! As you probably already figured out, the “Letters to Santa” project is a fun seasonal quilt along based on Christmas words and lingo. It will be what Moda refers to as a,”relaxed fit style quilt along” – meaning they will release five new word options every month (and some additional filler blocks), but you can join in with whatever words you want to use (don’t worry – they have an idea list posted). If you don’t have time for a full quilt, Moda also plans to release some other, smaller projects as well. As long as you have the pattern for the alphabet, the word possibilities are basically endless! Sounds fun right? To learn more about Moda’s “Letters to Santa Quilt-Along,” visit the Moda Fabrics United Notions Facebook page by following the link below!

Now that I have Christmas on all our minds I’m going to tell you to enjoy your weekend! Those of us in four season climates know just how short the warm weather months last, so if you’re one of us be sure to get outside and enjoy it while you can! One of my favorite things is sitting in my boathouse listening to the water with a hand stitching project in-hand… I think I might actually go do some of that right now. Ahh, what a life! All part of my master plan to stitch every day! I will see you all next week. Don’t forget to set your alarms or Tuesday at 9:00 AM for “Shop Talk with Shelley“ LIVE on YouTube. Join us! See what’s new, chime in and maybe win a prize. Hope to see you there! ~Lisa