Boughs of Holly

You Can't Stop The Beat Of New Fabric! And of course...Boughs of Holly!

Seeew... this is the last week of our on-line special and if I were you, I'd make sure you order the things you love now! Our sale ends on Thursday, May 31 2012. The sale is both in-store and on-line. If you are shopping on-line you need to use the code 4cpf4 in the coupon box at check-out. I've been talking about this particular sale in emails, on our website, on Facebook and here on "Boughs of Holly"...so if you want to know more of the specifics, refer to our previous posts...because I'm moving on! 

That's what we do here at Hollyhill...we move on and we change. 

The Mothership and I spent the week looking at new collections which had their deput at Spring market in Kansas City. One of our favorite Moda design teams (as if there were only one) is the mother/daughter team of Bonnie & Camille. They each design fabric for Moda but then they each have their own pattern company. Bonnie's pattern company is Cotton Way and Camille's pattern company is Thimble Blossom. 

Anyway...their pre-cuts (above) for Vintage Modern recently arrived and are precious X100 but then they had to go and create Marmalade. You can follow along the Marmalade craze over on Camille's blog here. I'm telling you, like Vintage Modern, it's going to be hot when it arrives later this fall. They've added in a tangerine orange and lemon yellow. It's complete bliss! 

Which by the way...it all comes back to Bliss. I love this quilt. It's called Picnic Roll-Up and I was surprised to see that we had a few kits left here. Now if I were you I'd use that 4cpf4 coupon on-line and get yourself somethig special! 

Sorry. I just can't get enough pictures of "Vintage Modern." 

I just love it.

And the best part...for me anyway....is that we will be offering a holiday quilt from these colors. And you all know how much I love our "Holly-Days." But please don't make me go there...just yet. Let's just enjoy the Summer. I was a little shocked when someone wrote to ask when our holiday season starts because they wanted to plan their flight, etc. Don't get me wrong...I'm completely flattered, but we barely know what today is let alone when we will start decorating for the holidays. Honestly...I'm wiped out and I can't even imagine how wiped out the Mothership is raising a five year old and losing both parents this year. Seeew let's all take a moment to breathe and enjoy Summer!

Oh look...here's a Jelly Roll! 

Jelly Rolls are kind of like the "it" girl right now. . They are pre-cut rolls of 2-1/2" strips. Think of all the time you save by purchasing a Jelly Roll!  You not only save time cutting, but if you are looking for a quick project to make in which you don't want to have to search for fabric that play well with eachother...look to the Jelly Roll! Add a background fabric and border...and wha-lah. Bingo! 

You can also simplify your life with other pre-cuts such as Charm Packs and Layer Cakes. In fact, look here at what you can do with a Layer Cake! And look at how simple this is? It's seeew simple it's called Piece of Cake...2! LOL. Simple doesn't have to be boring. 

But what do I know? I'm just the stock boy.

I'm a MALE!

And I put Madonna on a quilting blog! OH NO! OMG it's Armageddon. Ba ha ha ha ha. 

I really need to let that go.

I just think it's hilarious that anyone would try to control what goes on a quilting blog, or anything else for that matter. Silly. 

"You can't stop my happiness 'cause I like the way I am......" 

I know...let's DANCE in a Vintage Modern style!

 

Yesterday is history and it's never comin' back! Movin' on.....with a step here and a step there. To the right...to the left...to the right...to the right...to the left and spin......

Do you love? Another quilt made with pre-cuts! Only this time it's with the pre-cut 5" squares known as Charm Packs. What's funny is the Chubby Chick's almost didn't happen. Every now and then the Mothership and I receive a collection where we ask ourselves "um...what should we do with this?" It's A Hoot was one of those collections. But sometimes you've just got to show a lil' love and the end result is...well, love. And we love this! It gets props for its luscious quilting and you of course should probably order it here this week using that code I talked about. 

We haven't said much about Me & My Sister Designs lately. Who doesn't love Barb & Mary? This is our Cake Walk Dilly Dally Kit. 

Now....hold up. This is actually a complicated order. LOL. It uses a Layer Cake and a Jelly Roll. Everybody got that? 

Don't you just love piano key borders?

"Mister Piano Man Yes Please!" LOL.

Hmmm...I think I just came up with a name of a pattern? I'll only let Barb & Mary use that. Thanks. It would suit them. Anyway, we did order their new collection which comes out later this fall called "Good Morning." Ohhhhh the fun I can have with that name! 

I did have one other important thing to share with you, but I think I'll wait and tell you in a future post. I will remind you all that the collections of fabric shown here are available on our website and in the Thoroughly Modern Holly section of our Shoppe which is open 12pm-5pm Tues.-Fri. and 10am-5pm on Saturday. 

With love....Brian

Seeew....do you love my vintage ocean surfing girl? I don't know how this happened. She seemed to just run out of the water holding a quilt. She's seeew happy. Everyone should have a quilt they can take to the beach. Or some people just take a towel. That works too. 

B.T.W. We are pleased to announce this sale happening now through May 31, 2012. 

On-Line Customers use the code 4cpf4 in the coupon box at check-out. It's that simple! This is the time to save on pre-cuts, kits, yardage and other quilting delights! 

Here are the specifics (just in case you can't read the image above):

*20% off $50 or more of regular priced items. (P.S. You must make sure the items you are ordering are regular price. The discount code will not work on already discounted items.) 

*1yd min. cuts on all bolt yardage. 

*Discount may not be combined with any other offer. 

In addition to this offer, we have our on-going patio sale through May 31. The patio sale fabrics are $4.99yd-$5.99yd with an extra $1 off when you clear the bolt. I've been adding lots of new items out there. In fact, I just added some Minick & Simpson, Me & My Sister, more Fig Tree, fall and Halloween and a lil' bit of Christmas. If time permits I'll get these items loaded on our on-line store here. But no promises. If you want these specials...visit us this week. 

The patio sale will end on May 31, 2012. After that, all sale items go back on-line seeew, if you are local and want a great buy on some quality fabrics, visit now through May 31, 2012. Since we are regularly closed on Sunday & Monday, we will remain closed on Memorial Day to celebrate the day with our families. 

Oh yes...and I almost forgot. What would my blog be without a lil' bit of music? Um...first of all... hot pants. And...pay particular attention to the gal at about 1:45. Is she swingin' it or what? I'm diggin' her groovy dance moves. As for the rest of them...don't get too excited now. Wouldn't want to shock anyone. 

 

I'm thinkin' I just might be gone for the Summer but alas, I'll be back with more. 

~Brian

The Minick & Simpson Weekend: Register By May 31, 2012.

Seeew...just call me the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B. Brian works too. With all of the music I play around here...why not? Guess "I have a boogie style that no one else could play." I once received a...hmmm, what's the word...curt? email stating that "Madonna has no place on a quilting blog." Says who? Um...people who think women are supposed to shrivel up at 53? I love that "Madge" doesn't settle into a box. Those gals over at Minick & Simpson posted about her Madgesty on their blog, seeew clearly quilting blogs are not just for palm-olive hand models demonstrating the newest notion. Eh? But because I am of a diverse mind, I have appreciation for all genre of music. Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to limit my blog to somebody's idea of how quilting, or rather a quilting blog should be. That would be like..sterilization! I don't limit creativity or things I enjoy. The world is far too vast for that! With that mindset, I might as well leave for home now because I'm going by horse drawn buggy...and it's going to take a good while. I know. I've done this. Hopefully I have enough kerosene in the lantern. The "Mothership" doesn't do well in the dark. 

But...on with the show. 

 

Speaking of Minick & Simpson...did you know Polly Minick & Laurie Simpson will be joining us June 22 & 23? Polly & Laurie are sisters who design fabric collections for Moda. Laurie designs their many quilt patterns in which some are influenced by Polly's rug hooked designs. You can sign up by clicking here or by calling 503-607-0600. Registrations must be received by May 31, 2012. The workshop fee includes instruction from both Polly and Laurie, a catered luncheon, and a generous discount! We throw in a few other lil' surprises along the way...seeew sign up soon! 

Laurie will be teaching her new "Lizzie's Big Flower" pattern using the needle turn applique method. If you've been intimidated by applique, don't be! All of the shapes for this project are easy and big, and with Laurie's guidance you'll find this to be an enjoyable project to make. 

Polly...will be teaching this adorable rug hooked Christmas stocking wall hanging. If you'd like to get a closer look...visit the Shoppe and check it out! Polly's sample is on loan to us. 

I'll be back with more of Minick & Simpson coming up! The "Mothership" ordered their all-new Independence Trail, which premieres at the International Spring Quilt Market this week in Kansas!  In the meantime, thank you to all of you who visit us here on "Boughs.." daily and to those of you who have come in and allowed us to get to know you better! I appreciate your support! ~Brian

Seeew Sad. RIP Donna Summer. Dead at 63.

Seeew sad. Another icon...gone. 

In 1999, I would eagerly join my other Disney friends every Thursday night at Pleasure Island. I know. I know. The name is scandalous. Noses growing and donkey ears. Anyway, there was a rotating dance floor at one of the dance clubs and I can specifically remember that Donna Summer's version of "I Will Go With You" would play as early as 9pm. The crowds wouldn't gather until well after 10pm, but I would get out there in the middle of that spinning dance floor (dressed in my all black attire finest)...and dance to this song. I'd be lying if I said I didn't try to duplicate the dance moves of her dancers. *Sigh*.  RIP Donna Summers! What a life!

 

What are your own Donna Summer memories? Feel free to share and I will be back soon with more inspiration ~ Brian

Happy Mother's Day & "Behind The Holly" ~ Kit Creation

Seeew...the Summer weather still continues! This is good news as we will continue our patio sale with lots of sale fabrics @ $4.99-$5.99yd and an extra $1 off per yard for clearing the bolt. Be sure to stop in this week and through the end of May to take advantage of this huge savings! In addition, a special promotional offer is being sent to customer email and for our fans on Facebook. Seeew...are you on our email? And more importantly...do you read your email? Mmmhmmm. My time is your savings. So read your email! LOL. Or in the words of Joan Crawford..."NOOOO MORE....BLOG POSTS....EVER!" 

Speaking of Joan...I hope that everyone had a Happy Mother's Day! I know the "Mothership" did. She spent the day away from me! LOL. I was invited but kind of  um...how do I put this? Over-slept? Oops. Honestly, my mom is one of the most generous mom's I've ever known. Not only as a mother, but as a friend and woman of business! The amount of things she does for others goes far and beyond normal expectations. She 100% deserves a break! Don't fret that I overslept...I'll take her out... um dancing? Sheesh. 

And um...speaking of dancing...

 

BA HA HA HA HA. That montage slays me. It's seeew dramatic. Heck...the entire movie is dramatic! I searched and searched for the right musical mother tribute to mom's everywhere. All I could find was "Dumbo" and Celine Dion which were too nursery rhyme and sappy. Seeew...I went with scandal. I can't think of a more iconic Hollywood mother than Joan Crawford. Errr...well, Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford. All I can say is...thank goodness I have the mom that I have! I will confess that we both have a thing for shiny floors in the bathroom. Talk amongst yourselves if you must...I always love reading the rumors. 

Anyway, I brought out the softer color palette of Bunny Hill's "Puttin' On The Ritz" to celebrate all things mom and to show you a little bit of the behind the scenes preparations that go into our Raining Cats & Dogs kit production here at the Shoppe. And yes, it is a production. 

I hear many questions and comments from both our in-store and on-line customers seeew I have created these "Behind The Holly" posts to give you all a better understanding of the planning and labor that goes into not only our kits, but the Shoppe as well. 

Because the "Mothership" is a planner, she spends hours and hours making sure our kits have everything included that we put in our Shoppe sample. To avoid mistakes, our kits are prepared away from the Shoppe floor in which several things can interrupt the process. Every fabric is meticulously folded the same as a way to ensure that there have been no mistakes. We rarely if ever use substitutions, but if we do, we always select the best possible option. On occasion it happens that during the process of kitting we run out of a particular item. It's rare but when it happens we then have to wait for more of that particular item to arrive...if it's even possible to get more. Moda tends to produce collections only once...and once it's gone...it's gone. This is why it is seeew important to get plenty of the fabric you love when you see it! Too often I hear tales of folks who purchased just the minimum and went home and buried it in their stash. Weeks later they finally get to work on their project and make a mistake. Consequently, when they return....we are sold out. Oops. 

Look at all of the pre-cutting that has been done for you! We recently had a woman tell us that she buys kits so that her kids will know what projects she intended to make if she were to die. Um. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Have you opened your stash bins lately? I'd say that is an advantage.  

All of our kits include fabrics to complete the quilt top and binding.  The pattern is also included. 

*Pause*

It seems we have confusion over what "fabrics for the quit top" means. I have had people ask me this question and I don't know how else I could describe it?

Enter...a tangent of my mind. 

During my days at Disney I would be asked, "What time is the 3 o'clock parade?" Ummm? I know. I know. It's o.k. We all get confused on vacation. Which explains the fascination with the fanny pack. I get that it's the Magic Kingdom and it's flooding you with feelings and emotions...but uh....???

Actually my favorite situation was when someone would ask me where the restroom was, and as I explained...they would literally walk away from me while nodding their head with "uh-huh" completely ignoring my two-finger point! Um...I perfected the two finger point. I got completely jazzed if someone asked me for directions because I could proudly gesture with my two finger point. It's kind of like when flight attendants point to the "white lights which lead to red lights...which indicate the exit."

Tangents. Gotta love em'. 

Where was I? Oh yes. Because I know that quilting is like vacation I will transcribe what I mean when I say "our kit includes all fabrics to complete the quilt top and binding." 

Translation: Umm...it means your background, your borders...and yes, fabric for the applique if the project requires it. With many of Bunny Hill's applique projects, we always include the embellishment kit. Backing is usually a personal preference but we give you a 15% discount on your backing when purchased with your kit if it's not included.

P.S. We are sorry, but we do not remove items from our kits to sell off individually. 

Packaging. Good. God. Girl. (the 3 G's)...do our gals know how to package? Deb and Kay work many grueling hours preparing all of these fabrics for their close-up. I'd have to say that Anne Sutton's projects for Bunny Hill Designs typically use the most. Good. God. Girl. 

While our kits are being prepared, our sample is off in the studio of one of our popular quilters where they work their magic. For many of our Bunny Hill samples the "Mothership" tends to prefer custom quilting, which is going to cost a bit more than your standard edge-to-edge. But that's what makes them seeew beautiful...I suppose. 

We've recently completed other new kits from this collection including Night At The Ritz and Happy Go Lucky, which we offer in two colorways, blue and pink! You can take a peak at both of these kits by clicking on the highlighted links.

Night At The Ritz....

And Happy Go Lucky (shown here in pink, but we also offer it in blue)....

You can find many of Bunny Hill's fabrics in the Thoroughly Modern Holly section of our Shoppe, which is open Tues.- Fri. 12pm-5pm and on Saturdays from 10am-5pm. It's a completely separate location in our building...meaning it has its own entrance. 

Inspire the difference everyone! ~ Brian

"Excuse me Sale Fabrics? ...You Don't Know You're Beautiful!"

Seeew...if you don't live in Oregon, you may have heard that all it does is rain here. Whatev. We get sun. It might not be like...San Diego...but we get sun. Ok? In fact...we have sun this week! Seeew why not have a patio sale? Throughout the month of May, or while fabrics last...you will find fabrics on our patio from $4.99yd-$5.99yd (1yd min. cut). We give an additional $1 off the marked sale price when you completely clear the bolt. That's up to 1/2 off and more! 

Seeew...pop quiz: If your sale bolt price is $4.99yd and you take the entire bolt, what happens? 

Yeah...just checking to see if you are reading or just skimming. 

What's out there? Well...currently I have a lil' bit of Fig Tree, French General, Lake House, a lil' bit of holiday Thimbleberries, some Jo Morton, and more. I cycle it out each morning, so check back often! I know...I know...the people on-line want some too. We've got a discounted sale section on our website which you can find by clicking here. 

Also in the Shoppe, selected Jim Shore collectibles are 30% off and we've got selected Fat Quarters @ $1.50. That's 1/2 off the regular Fat Quarter price. 

Oh...and p.s. I sometimes wonder if fabrics feel a bit insecure? When they are full price, do you ever wonder if they wonder if "everyone else in the room can see them...everyone else but you?" But then here you come...the delightful quilter "lighting up their world like nobody else"and you fall in love. It's like one big video for a boy band! Picture it...you...your fabric...rolling around on the beach! Flip your hair and twirl in the water as you hold onto your treasured artifact. Those fabrics will "understand why you want them seeew desperately...." Na NA Na NA Na....Here's the cast of Broadway's "Anything Goes" improvising the popular hit by "One Direction" to inspire you.... 

 

Hey now...we get a new boy band in every decade. I'm just keeping the parental units informed of what's current on the "Tween" scene. Seeew don't write to me and tell me that "pop songs have no place on a quilting blog." It's all in good fun. J I can just imagine the day when Jenna is going to ask my mom or myself, "Can I go to a One Direction concert?" Yay! 

Inspire the difference ~ Brian