Stitchin' Post in Sisters

"Santiam Pass"

"Santiam Pass" by Jean Wells-Keenan and Patty Bently

 

Jean has been working on a collabrative project with Patty Bently, an oil painter from Portland, Oregon.

The art above, called "Santiam Pass," is a a set of five separate panels.  Pieces 1,3,and 5 are paintings by Patty, while pieces 2 and 4 are quilts made by Jean.  The art will be on display at the 2011 Sitka Art Invitational Show to be held November 4, 5 & 6 at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon.    

The two artists came up with the idea of commemorating the 2003 B&B Complex Fire along the Santiam Pass.  A simple sketch of the landscape and selecting a color palette were the starting points.  Jean first pieced the land in panels 2 and 4, then sent the work to Patty, who did the preliminary paintings on panels 1, 3 and 5. 

After the base work was complete, Jean and Patty met again to plan the placement of the tree snags and the details to be added to all five panels, that would unite the panels into one flowing work. 

Jean added the tree snags, quilted her pieces, finished them with art facings and returned the panels to Patty.  Patty finished the paintings and took the peices to a framer.  The quilts hang free from the top and the paintings are stretched over frames that are about 3/4" in width. A dimensional feeling is created when you look at the piece.

If you are in the Portland area, stop by the 2011 Sitka Art Invitational Show and enjoy all the marvelous artwork on display November 4-6th.

Meet Jenny!

This is Jenny, employee here at the Stitchin' Post
for the past seven years! 

This quilt was pieced by Jenny and quilted by Laura S. (also an employee of the Stitchin' Post.) This quilt has been generously donated to the Kiwanis of Redmond, Oregon!  The Kiwanis are having an Octoberfest fundraiser on November 5 (5:30pm) at the Convention Center, where this quilt will be part of the auction.  For more information about tickets to the Octoberfest event, please contact Kiwanis of Redmond.

Light a Candle...Sit...Relax...and Enjoy a Cup of Tea!

Before the bustling of the holiday season arrives,
take time this weekend to treat yourself to some relaxation~
we have just what you need!

Fall colors of Vance Kitira candles have arrived~
the pear-shaped candles are always favorite this time of year!

We also received a new line of
scented soy candles from Skeem (shown below.)
The pillar candles are hand silk screened
with unique designs inspired by vintage ephemera.
The subtle scents are refreshing.

 

A flavorful cup of tea from Steven Smith Teamaker
is a great way to kick off your shoes, and start the relaxation process.
We carry seven wonderful flavors to choose from.

Have a wonderful weekend doing something for YOU!

 

 

 

Handmade Gifts for Holiday Giving!

"When it's made with my hands,
it comes from my heart." 

This is one of my all-time favorite sentiments.  Every year I dream of having an "all-handmade" holiday, where my intent is to give only handmade gifts to the loved ones on my Christmas List. And every year at about this time, I have to re-evaluate my intentions and come up with Plan B!

However, here at the Stitchin' Post, we have several ideas (and classes!) to help you make gifts that let your love show through! Many of these projects can be finished during class, with plenty of time to make more at home! (Be sure to check the class section of our website for full descriptions of all these classes.) Happy Sewing! ~Tamra

Knit Contemporary Christmas Stockings- This heirloom quality gift becomes part of the family tradition for years to come!

Tiny Treat Totes- Look adorable hanging in the Christmas Tree, filled with a small gift, or better yet...cookies!

Biscuit Basket- A lovely way to package a gift ensemble, and then use it again for convenient storage of CDs, books, sewing patterns, etc.


Painted Canvas Tote Bag- The perfect way to personalize a stylish, reusable tote for the environmentally conscious.

Christmas Wall Hanging- Create a unique holiday decoration for a friend (or keep it to deck your own halls!)

Decorative Ribbon Pillow- Very fun for decorating the bedroom of a favorite "tween", could also be made to fit your holiday decor when made in your favorite holiday color scheme.

Knit a Hat- Everyone enjoys a new hat on cold winter days!

Creativity Mini Banner- Display your favorite quote and share inspiration with others.

Crochet a Hat- Functional and pretty for cold winter days.

Fabric Baskets- Perfect for packaging gifts from the kitchen and can then be re-used to hold candy, keys, or sewing notions!

Whimsical Wired Angels- Create one-of-a-kind package tie-ons that can later hang from the Christmas Tree.

O'Christmas Tree- Motif can be made into potholders/hot pad, a wall decoration, a pillow or sewn into a small tote bag for packaging gifts.

 

 

 

"Sew Oregon" Statewide Shop Hop begins today!

Today is the first day of "Sew Oregon" 5th Annual Statewide Shop Hop, which goes through October 22nd.  We already had ladies in the store at 9:10 this morning, ready to have their passports stamped and to pick up their free block pattern!   Click here for details about the Shop Hop.

Here is the block we are handing out:

We're looking forward to meeting visitors from all over the great state of Oregon! ~Tamra

P.S.~ Did everyone see Jean Wells & students on OPB's Oregon Art Beat last night?  If you missed it, the episode will air again this Sunday at 6pm! 

 

 

 

 

New "Must-Have" Magazine!

We just received this Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest magazine today, that is a "must-have!"

There is something for everyone in this issue~  traditional, modern, Bohemian, wool, Christmas, patriotic~  all using scraps!  Who doesn't have a big pile, tub or bag full of scraps, longing to be loved & used?  At just $12.99, this issue won't sit around here very long.  

To our surprise, this issue also features a Valori quilt, on pages 69-73. 

In case you don't have a pile, tub or bag full of solid fabric scraps,
we offer a Dots Are Hot kit!

Happy stitching~

Tamra