I am going to start off this post with a quote from Neil Gaiman.   It’s a wonderful Happy New Year Wish  and it goes like this:

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.

I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art, write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.

And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself “! 

 

This is the most magical positive thought and I hope it resonates for you throughout this new year.

 

I hope your holidays were all you imagined I must say I am guilty of expecting too much, but I don’t want to give up the hope that there will be a time that it all comes together before I leave this world.  I will share a few photos of my Christmas past at Riverbanks later in the post.  The record cold temps were hard but the days with the gentle snowfall were beautiful and it made it bearable.  We enjoyed family and friends stopping over and even took in a good movie.  I  stitched a little, cooked a lot and got myself rebooted for the year.

  FYI:  We are “Proud Badgers” couldn’t have asked for a better way to end our big 10 season by winning the Orange Bowl.  It was a thrilling game to watch. So all in all we ended the  2017 season well and look forward to another winning season in football this year.

 
The store has transformed out of Christmas into its Winter mode and we are loving the idea we look and feel all fresh and ready for the new year, it was time. It is amazing how moving and rotating our little pretties changes everything.   This has been a busy week for us and the next few will be as we get everything lined up and rolling for 2018.  We have lots to be excited about and look forward to. 

 This morning it was -18 degrees in Spring Green.  We don’t have much snow here but we have the cold lingering temps to deal with.  It’s a good time to get into your handwork, freshen the nest for winter, and we hope we can be a beacon of inspiration to you all over the next few months.  Happy New Year from all of the Sampler Shop Girl Staff. 

Red is the color associated with the holidays but our red quilts never scream that.  Selma’s buffalo checks, the trees and snowflakes pave the way through January and are a perfect segway to celebrate February.  Just a reminder:  We will be celebrating the “Heart of Quilting” again this coming February with more amazing quilts from all of the area quilt shops that participate in this great event too.   Please watch the event calendar that keeps you aware of events that are coming. 

 

So here’s the thing, we tend to associate the Winter season with  homes displayed with Crisp blues, whites, and neutrals.  I love this clean look, it fits right into my Farmhouse wheelhouse.   Your white dishes look amazing and our Mary just finished a new runner you will all want when you see

it.  The kits are being made and the pattern should be ready for next week but I will give you a sneak peek. It will be known on line as “Frosty Flakes”, retails for $35.00 and includes the backing.  Pattern is needed and sold separately..

Here is  another inspiration you need to take a look at that absolutely fits this winter theme.   You are going to love this project for sure.  It is also Mary’s design measuring 52″ x 62″ and is called “Snow Stars”  the kits are available for $113.00.  You will love the effect you get from the beautiful Diamond Textiles she incorporated.  Tis the season for a hearty soup and our creamware terrine and bowls are sure to be a pleaser when you entertain. 

The Blue and White book from Minnick and Simpson is another rare find.  It’s the magic these two create as they live with the textiles they love and create.  A good choice for a long winter’s afternoon read. 

“Sawtooth Stars” quilt is one of my favorite quilts in the winter collection.  Coincidentally it was inspired by the True Blue Quilts book by Annette Plog.  This is one great book peeps with 15 reproduction quilts honoring 19th-Century designs and it sells for $24.95.  We chose to go

with a different pallette but its stunning.  This quilt measures 72 1/2″  x  86 3/4″, the kit is available for $127.00 and you will need that great book to put it together.

I need to mention one of our newest Oxford Schoolgirl Quilts, it came out late in December so I feel like you might have been too busy to have noticed it. 

It’s called “Ruth and her Sister” and like all of  the series  patterns they fit the custom doll beds we have made for the shop.  It’s pretty swell.

You are also probably noticing the integrated stitchery we like to smather through out our decor. 

The next quilt you will see is called “Hickory Hills” and folks I really hid this one throughout the season because I thought it was a great quilt to offer and fits the winter theme we have going in the shop.  Its a show stopper and I hope you will love it and see why we all think it makes a gorgeous quilt statement.  It measures 60″ x 74″ , the kit retails for $120.35 and a pattern is needed.  You will notice the vintage green pick-up, and a fitting Stitchery “Baby it’s Cold Outside” by Scarlet House in this vignette. 

 The “Jolly Tartan” quilt is sure to be a favorite classic for all times.  This is a forever quilt and the color theme is 

 duplicated year after year.  We are down to only 7 kits so I hope if you love it you will give this some serious attention.  The kit is 76 1/2 x 76 1/2 and is sold for $175.00.  Pattern needed is priced at $10.00.   FYI:  We have marked down the holiday fabric on the bolts so if you need backing it is now only $7.00 per yard.  Our backroom is filled with market fabric so we need to purge and make room for the new.

You can’t miss our Vintage Rocking Horse he is one of the best we have ever had and sells for $312.50.  Another memorable signature decor piece.

The newest Moda French General fabric has arrived, the line is called “Atelier De France”.  We have it on the floor and it sells for $12.50 per yard. 

 

FYI: Just a brief mention our Christmas merchandise has moved into the basement  saleroom and the holi

day deals and steals are abundant.  We have marked an extra 10% off the 50% off merchandise so if you are close by or far we hope you will take advantage of these savings.  It’s time to make room for the new.

 

 The  front windows are full of our “Northwoods Quilt” and “River Dancer” a Riverbanks quilt using the signature print .  They both have good energy and could be married into a myriad of spaces.

The ever popular buffalo check used in the Northwoods project is really a  great statement piece for that northwoods cabin or cottage.  Its showy and a great winter project.

 You probably noticed the wreath on the door in the window with Riverdancer.  It is made from the 2 1/2″ strips in the jellyrolls we sold.  I loved seeing the combination of the fabrics and how special they all are

when put together.  Sara made it for us because I had admired hers on her door. 

Happy New Year to all!

Please Remember my peeps we will be Closing on Sunday’s beginning January 7th, 2018 until further notice at least through April.  The internet is always open and summer will be here  before we know it.