Winter has arrived

Well, winter has finaly arrived on the Carrying Place Road. I have been bragging to everyone that I can still see grass this week and Mother Nature just put an end to that .
The snow is piling up outside and I suspect there will be a few toboggans going down the hill in Hannah Park this evening. Although there is lots of snow, it feels warmer and even I could spend some time outside.
I have been patiently waiting for a new yarn arrival this week but it has been detained and we won't see it until at least Tuesday of next week. We did however, receive a shipment of Manos wool this week and it is quite funky and great for arm knitting. It seems to be the rage and if it gets me another generation of knitters then I am all for it.
I have been spending a lot of time with the dye pots lately and trying to build up a stash of 8 value swatches but they are selling as quickly as I dye them. I'm trying to figure out how to squeak out a few more hours in my day for dyeing. I'm having a blast and appreciate the support from all the hookers.
Jayne has been working on a few new classes this winter and I can't wait for their debut. She's been working on a beautiful quilted jacket that would be lovely for all you ladies that like to get out and walk . It's light weight and warm for those cool spring days and yes , they are just around the corner.
Janice Daniels will be teaching an introduction to rug hooking to those of you that would like to try your hand at hooking.
My mixed media group is a great place to come and do most anything . Today saw a quilt as you go being finished , a beautiful cowl being crocheted and Deb was sashing blocks that she has embroidered.
Tuesday afternoons our knitters meet and they are knitting everything from socks to lace.
Wednesday's the rug hookers meet and I am always stunned by the beautiful pieces that are being turned out.
Drop in and spend a morning or afternoon. We are there to help with any problems that you might be having and the coffee is always on.
Mary Anne

Merry Christmas

It's early Christmsas Eve morning and I am writing on this blog for the first time in months. Personally my year has been a nightmare , professionally it has been a successful year. We have grown as a business and I have the best customers around.
I have taken on dyeing of our wool fabrics for rug hooking with a vengeance. I dye more than I cook lately and that's saying something if you know my love of cooking. Dyeing has been my therapy this year and it's cheaper and more fulfilling than going into therapy. Rug hooking has become a passion and I am lucky to hook with a number of wonderful hookers of all ages.
Mixed media group meets Thursday's at the shop and I have learned as much from them as they have from me. Knitting, embroidery, crocheting and quilting are the order of the day in that group and they are all supportive of each other.
Knitters meet on Tuesday afternoons at the shop and more friendships have been formed. It's impossible to know everything and with the variety in ages I get a sense of what's old and what's new again. These women are free with sharing their ideas and chat with customers and willingly share their knowledge.
A large group of hookers  meet regularly on Wednesday and they are some of the most caring and supportive people I've met.
This year I have experienced great personal loss in my own life as well as professional loss of customers. They became my friends and I will miss them.
I want to end on a positive note and wish everyone the merriest of Christmases. It's not about the gift giving, it's about the time you get to spend with your family. You don't get that time back and to Kate we realize how important it is. Hold your family and friends close this season and laugh and enjoy your time together . Memories are wonderful, so make some this Christmas
Mary Anne

Quilters Shop Hop

Our Quilters Shop Hop has come to an end for another year and the turnout was terrific. After having such a bad winter I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone out taking advantage of all the specials in the local shops. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are all delighted.
I am excited to announce that Bev Box of Trenton, has won our gift basket. Bev is a long time customer here at the shop and I know she will put all the items to use that are in our basket.
I am still waiting patiently for some beautiful spring fabrics and when they arrive I will share a picture with you here on the blog.
I've been busy dyeing up a storm for my rug hookers and have just purchased a new book for the shop from Gretchen Gibbons . It's for wool applique and you can use all that wool for both hooking and quilting. I'm having alot of fun dyeing colours for both.
We had a nice turnout today for knitting but still have some of our ladies in the south enjoying the warmer weather. We all look forward to seeing you back in the Canadian North soon and bring some of that lovely sunshine with you.
We have new yarns and fabrics for spring arriving daily so don't forget to drop by and check out the new offerings.
Mary Anne

Small flood

I started the new year with promises to keep the blog up to date. I really did try to keep the promise but Mother Nature had other plans for me. Last Wednesday just when our rug hooking group was about to start, a frozen pipe in our ceiling burst. Six gallons a minute poured out of our ceiling in the yarn room. I'm sure it was more than that. Thanks to the help of Jane Thomas and Ellen Harry , they managed to keep the damage to a minimum. We are dried out and although we will need new carpeting and a little drywall we are up and running and business as usual. As a result we are doing some serious spring cleaning . Blah!
I am going to spend the day dyeing as it is still snowing as I write this post.
New fabrics are arriving daily and some beautiful Michael Miller fabrics that are very retro.
The knitters have kept me busy this winter so keep an eye out for new yarns arriving daily.
Have a great day
Mary Anne

Happy New Year

It has been some time since I have posted to this blog and my New Years resolution is to try and keep up. The new year has come in on a high note and although it has been extremely cold ,I have to admire the tenacity of you women for getting out in this weather.
Knitters continue to meet on Tuesday afternoons from 1-3 all are welcome. I had my hands on some beautiful Alpaca yarn today for Amazing Graze Alpacas. They are located north of Stirling and I'm going to try and make a trip especially now that I've handled some of their product.
Hookers meet on Wednesday afternoons form 1-3 and this group is ever changing and they are all a fountain of information and opinions. lol Please call and book if you are new to this group.
Thursday morning is a mixture of knitters,quilters and stitchers and meets from 9:30-11:30.  I'm available for help if you are having a problem with a project .
All groups are very informal and there is always someone that can help with a problem .

For the hookers: I have been busy dyeing wool for you and if there are any special requests please inquire. I dye fabric and yarn on a weekly basis so if there is something special you would like Inwill be happy to accommodate you.

Knitters: we have yarns arriving weekly. Please try and bear with us as I am finding that shipping is a little slower and some companies don't carry a lot of stock these days. All of us are monitoring our inventories carefully. We strive to get you what you want.

Quilters: Fabrics and notions are ever changing so don't be afraid to drop in regularly and check out our new arrivals.

I'm off to the dye pots
Mary Anne

The leaves are turning and the 401 quilt run begins

Fall is my favorite time of year. The hot sweaty days of summer are gone and the air is fresh and clean. We are all sleeping better at night and that makes us more productive in the day.

I realize that it has been several months since I have posted on this blog . It has been a very trying year and we are finally on the upswing and hopefully I can get back to the tasks at hand and put the unpleasantness of the past year behind me.

Jane, Pat and I have been working very hard at getting ready for the start of our month long 401 Quilt Run.

To be honest with you I feel that it has been one step forward and two steps back but like death and taxes it's coming and there's nothing we can do about it. lol

It's been an extremely busy fall with our Quilters, Rug Hookers and Knitters already. 

Fabrics are arriving daily and moving out as quick as they come in. There are beautiful colors and patterns and people are sewing everything from quilts to home dec.

I've been dying up a storm and the hookers are eating it up. I check my shelves every day and just when I  think I have them filled up they seem half empty. There have been alot of travelling hookers that have made their way to my door this past summer and fall and for that I'm grateful. I've been dyeing some fleece for spinning and felting as well as my own handspun and I feel a real sense of accomplishment. I love fiber!

I managed to miss the Michigan Sheep Fest but when I visit Grand Rapids to see our son Travis, I will be hunting some fiber down. lol

For you knitters who are familiar with Vi from Kraft Village you will know that she has retired this year leaving a hole in the knitting supply for our area. I am doing my best to catch up and keep my shelves full.

This week we received a rather large shipment of sock yarns in a large variety of colors. I'm sure there's something for everyone there. Noro yarns are back in stock and make even the simplest pattern look amazing.

Dave Schwartz has joined our staff and will be looking after all our machine servicing and repairs. Dave has been repairing machines in the area for years and can be trusted to care for your machine. Bring in your machines and sergers and get them tuned up for your fall sewing  now. Dave will not be servicing machines that are under warranty from your dealer. Unfortunately you will need to see your dealers for warranty machines.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend and enjoying Applefest and the Leaf game. lol

Go Leafs Go

Mary Anne

Back at last

Wow! I looked at my last post and realized I've really been slacking on the blog.
Life has been very busy this summer as we spend time with our Grandchildren and make trips to the Muskoka's to vist Travis.
Travis is at Oxtongue Lake slugging canoes for the summer and after a couple of visits I have a great appreciation for Algonquin Outfitters. They outfit groups with everything they need for their adventure into the parks and our boy is part of the team that help them get ready. It's a great excuse for us to visit a beautiful part of Ontario. Why leave Canada for a holiday when we have all these wonderful sites to visit.
I have been buying for the fall and things have started to roll in lately. Beautiful new yarns from Noro Yarns and some great new sock yarns as well as some lace alpaca from Malabrigo. The fabrics are beautiful and there is something to entice everyone. Jane and Pat have been busy sewing and getting kits ready for our cottagers as well as getting ready for fall classes. We hope to entice you to drop in and see what's new and tell us what you have found on your travels this summer. We learn so much from our customers and I'm always delighted when someone has been on a quilt run and brings a new idea back to us.
I've been working on a quilt this summer that seems to have dragged on but I will post a picture this week when I finish the top. I have also been knitting a spiral shawl with the Noro sock yarn and it's finally turning out. It is an extremely easy pattern that yeilds beautiful results but I recommend not talking to your husband when starting this pattern and absolutely not even one glass of wine.
I look forward to seeing all of you out to knitting Tuesday afternoon to share your projects and I invite all of you who are interested in knitting or need help to drop in and visit.
Mary Anne