May News
Hi Janice ,

May is a celebration of mothers everywhere! As a needle artist, if you have a mom, grandmother, aunt, or friend, who encouraged you and shared their love of needlework with you, check out the RSN Stitch Bank below and maybe sponsor a stitch in their honor or memory.

Let's see what has been happening in the sewing room...
On the Design Wall

Just a little bit of stitching occurred last month, but I did manage to finish one more block for my 2023 BOM project.

Here is a sneak peek of this month's block. This one had lots of leaves with just a touch of flowers.

I will keep you posted on my progress. I think you will enjoy this upcoming Block of the Month!
This month's ornament was a goose a laying in my 12 Days of Christmas series by mmmcrafts.blogspot.com.

The embroidery for the seventh ornament, a beautiful swan a swimming, is finished and ready for construction next month!

The ornaments are fun stitching. The instructions are great. The patterns use basic stitches with elegant results.

Click here if you would like to join this stitching journey!
PDF Patterns Now Available!

Featured for April...
GCC046 French Florals

The pattern was inspired by a 1795 reverse appliquéd quilt. The gentle curves of the applique, including a variety of florals and leaves and vases make this an enjoyable quilt to stitch. The applique is highlighted by a pieced pinwheel border. Instructions for reverse applique, the piecing and construction of the quilt are included. The quilt measures 72" x 72".

This version of French Florals was stitched by Jo Cridge. I love my red quilt, but there is something special about this soft blue version.

Click here to purchase your choice of a pdf or hard copy of the pattern.
In the Classroom with Jan

Toned Down Circle Sampler (also available as a webinar class)
2nd Saturday of each month, February 2023 through July 2023
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

This is a fun, addicting, and creative project by Sue Spargo! Join Jan as you hand embroidery 1” wool circles on a 17.5” x 16” sampler.

Stitch the circles exactly as Sue designed them in the pattern, use some of the designs Jan included on her sampler, OR design some of your own circles. You will totally be amazed what fits on a 1” circle and how easy these designs are to stitch!

In class you will make the circle foundation, learn stitches used in Sue’s designs, how to mark designs on the circles, how to create your own designs, and be inspired to finish this project along side others sharing the joy with you!
 
This class will be available on site at Cinnamons Quilt Shop as well as via WebEx for our out-of-town customers. Contact the shop to sign up for the WebEx class.
Zip 'n Go Class, April 29, 2023

We had a wonderful time on Saturday, April 29 at Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe making Zip 'n Go bags for our sewing projects.

At the end of class, all the students finished their bags to the point of adding the binding.

I love seeing how the ladies interpreted the pattern with their own style and fabric selections. Well Done Ladies!!! Check out some more of the bags on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

If you would like to make one of these project bags, with SUPER EASY ZIPPERS, the pattern is available here.
More Classes Coming Soon!

The Art of Applique (also available as a webinar class)
2nd Saturday of each month, August 2023 through November 2023
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

If you have wanted to learn hand needle turn applique but did not know where to begin, this is a great class for you. Jan will walk you through several different techniques for preparing your fabric for hand applique. One of the techniques is sure to match your style and get you addicted to the "A" word!

You will learn tips and tricks for making easy circles, pointy points, and skinny stems. It will be the beginning of an awesome stitching journey!

More information and registration will be available next month.
Christmas Ornament (also available as a webinar class)
2nd Saturday of each month, August 2023 through November 2023
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cinnamon's Quilt Shoppe, Jacksonville, FL

If you would like to get a head start on Christmas, Jan will show you how to make this sweet Christmas ornament. The ornament is handmade using English paper piecing. This is fun project to learn this technique!

The ornament may be made highlighting beautiful fabrics for each piece of the ornament, or each individual piece of the ornament can be embellished with embroidery, or a combination of both of these elements may be used before putting it all together.

Jan will share instructions and tips for English paper piecing, as well as the hand embroidery used to highlight the ornament. Class will also include several embroidery designs to stitch on the ball as well as instructions for construction, both Christmas and floral.

If you are not into Christmas ornaments, this would also make a delightful pincushion, lovely sachet/pomander or even a pretty display of multiple balls for a basket.

More information and registration will be available next month.
Embroidery Stitch Library
A heartfelt thank you to one of my long time friends and students for sharing this incredible resource.

The Royal School of Needlework has a Stitch Bank available for everyone's use. It is a treasure chest of embroidery stitches and techniques, with illustrations and videos. What a wonderful way to insure the art of embroidery is carried on throughout generations to come.

"The project goes to the heart of the Royal School of Needlework's core purpose. We were established in 1872 to keep the techniques of hand embroidery alive and, implicitly, all their stitches...Adopt a stitch "

The project is supported by donors like you and I. Visit this valuable resource by clicking here.
Stitching Companions
On a very sad note, it is with the heaviest of heart to share Doogan went to heaven on April 20.

I still cannot find all the words to express the special place he held in our hearts and home these past 14 years and the emptiness we now feel.

He is and will be dearly missed.

Here is a tribute to our beloved fur baby.
In Closing
GCC046 French Florals
Pattern available. Click here.
Quilted by Val Krueger of VK Quilts
Wishing you a bouquet of blessings!
Happy Mother's Day, my Friends!
Until next month,
Stay well, stay safe, and
Stay Stitching,