Hey, everyone – welcome to the first Friday of May, 2025! The rain finally seems to be backing off just in time for the weekend, but let’s not kid ourselves. Sunshine will be nice but most likely brief, since spring still has some serious “springing” left to do before it’s out of our system. As many of you know, this time of year in the Midwest can totally feel like someone left the dimmer switch on low. It’s muddy, it’s moody, and no matter how sunny it might look outside, you still should always grab a jacket before heading out the door – just in case Mother Nature decides to pull one of her classic mood swings while you’re out.

Gloomy skies could very well be a regular thing for another week or two before things warm up, but it’s worth the wait. Spring is all about new – new life, new blooms, new beginnings, and yes, new fabric! Lucky for us, this year’s wait time on something bright and cheerful just got a little bit shorter because as you might have seen in my last post, Jen Kingwell’s new fabric line, Mixed Bag of Lollies is nothing but just that!

Mixed Bag of Lollies is a collection of printed strips that bring the scrappy look without the actual scrap pile. Each piece is loaded with variety, texture, and color. It’s bold, it’s busy, and it works. True eye candy – exactly what we’ve come to expect from Jen Kingwell!

If fabric were literally candy, this whimsical line would definitely be the treat you can’t stop eating. Packed with bold, eye-catching prints and vibrant colors, this bright and cheerful collection is the perfect way to satisfy your brain’s fabric sweet tooth. Whether you’re making an heirloom quilt or simply adding a punch of personality to your next project, these fabrics are the sweet indulgence your stash has been waiting for. Choose from yardage or pre-cuts by clicking the button below!

Craving something sweet, but with a little less flare? That’s where Mixed Bag of Bonbons comes in. While Mixed Bag of Lollies is all about bold, eye-catching prints that grab your attention, its sister collection, Mixed Bag of Bonbons steps in as the subtle, quiet beauty that plays perfectly as a supporting teammate. Handling the background work like a pro, this stunning low volume collection brings a soft, understated elegance to the mix while perfectly adding depth and texture to your project without overwhelming the rest of your design.

With their delicate patterns and soft, neutral tones, the fabrics in Jen’s Mixed Bag of Bonbons collection create a balanced backdrop, letting the bolder, brighter elements in your design truly shine. Perfect for when you need just the right amount of subtlety, they’re a fantastic match for your next quilt or project that needs just a touch of refined charm.

Which side are you on – bold, bright, and in-your-face, or soft, subtle, and quietly stunning??? Do you think either of these new lines could be the one your next project has been waiting for? Let me know in the comments if these delicious fabrics make you feel inspired and how you’re planning to make them into something cool. Remember, you can shop both collections on our website by clicking the buttons under each collection!

Speaking of bright and cheerful overload, it’s time for me to hang it up for the day and get on the road. I’m spending my weekend in Holland, MI celebrating their annual Tulip Time Tulip Festival and I’m super excited about it! This Dutch based festival is basically a floral overload in the best way possible. Every year, in honor of their first tulip crop in 1929, the city of Holland features over a million tulips throughout the area in every color you can imagine (kinda like all the Jen Kingwell fabric that just landed at the shop)! The festival is complete with live music, food, and best of all – some of the most spectacular parades you’ll ever see! Thousands of spectators line the streets to watch amazing floats, marching bands, and Dutch dancers in over two miles of pure celebration. I’ve never been to this particular tulip festival and I can’t wait to see it! I will try and take lots of pictures but you know how that goes. Have a great weekend! ~Lisa