Come See Us This Weekend!

We're vending this weekend at West Union, Iowa. Barn Quilts of Fayette County is sponsoring their 1st Annual Quilt Show at the North Fayette High School. Hours are 9 - 7 on Saturday and 10 - 4 on Sunday. Debbie Bowles of Maple Island Quilts is holding a workshop on Saturday and giving a lecture Saturday evening. This is going to be a great event!

So if you love fabrics like these two samples from Sandy Henderson

OR, these two fabrics from Island Batiks, you'll want to come visit us!

We'll be bringing along some Show Specials that you won't want to miss such as our *NEW* Gotta Go Carryout. This is a themed collection of 5 one yard cuts packaged up in a large crystal clear carryout container that you'll find many uses for once the fabric is long gone. The Gotta Go Carryouts retail for the fabulous price of $25.55, and we'll be showing a limited number, so the Early Bird is going to get the best of the best!

AS A BLOG TEST, THE FIRST 10 FOLKS WHO COME TO THE QUILT FESTIVAL IN WEST UNION, and TELL US THEY READ OUR BLOG, WILL GET A FREE FAT QUARTER!

GET ON THE BUS!

It's not too late! There's still room! Maybe you missed the big news that we're participating in a shop hop. Not just any hop. The Bag Lady Express Bus Hop on May 1st and 2nd - that's next week! We have just a few seats left open on our bus, and you don't want to miss this great adventure. Really, we are not kidding. All the shops involved have been working for months to make this a shop hop you won't want to miss!

For ONLY $99.00 you'll have motorcoach transportation, one night's stay (double occupancy), all your meals and great fun. You'll visit 8 terrific quilt shops in 3 states, six of which have been Top 10 shops! Is this a Bargain to beat bargains, or what?

• Lansing, Iowa Yellow Bird Art http://www.yellowbirdart.com/



• Cresco, Iowa Pine Needle Quilt Shop http://www.pnqs.net/



• Rochester, Mn Quilting Cupboard http://www.thequiltingcupboard.com/



• Rogers, Mn Quilted Treasures http://www.quiltedtreasures.net/



• Eau Claire, Wi The Calico Shoppe http://www.calicoshoppe.com/



• Waunakee, Wi Mill House Quilts http://www.millhousequilts.com/



• Janesville, Wi Life's a Stitch http://www.lasquiltshoppe.com/



• Spring Green, Wi Country Sampler http://www.sgcountrysampler.com/

In addition, you'll receive a FREE pattern of a bag designed especially for this hop - the Gotta Fly Bag.So, call us today at 563-538-4350. Don't hesitate, and don't miss the bus!

What's With This Weather!?

Normally we think of ourselves as the "glass is half full" sort of gals. But we have to confess that this "spring??" weather has put us into a downright peevish sort of mind. We were excited a couple of day ago to see our little daffodils blooming, but today think we need to begin knitting little wooly hats for their glorious yellow heads. It's danged cold here with a wind out of the north that cuts to the bone! We need cheering up. And to top it all, Amy has been struggling with a sinus infection, and I'm dancing with a sinus infection and bronchitis. We need serious cheering up! I went back to bed this morning after breakfast and immediately had the company of the two rat terriers. Oliver was practically sitting on my head competing with Tillie, who was laying on my stomach, for attention.This is a photo of Oliver in one of his "I need more Petting than you can possibly give in This Lifetime" modes.And this is Miss Tillie, looking like the sweet, comforting, angel of a dog that she is. Actually, she was just getting ready to turn into a growling snapping little beastie, protecting her Petting Time from the encroachment of Any Other Animal in the house.

So, back to getting cheered up.... Here's a new collection of amazing fabrics from Prints Charming - two lovely Australian designers. While we still love traditional fabrics and the quilts made from them, it is a shot of energy to use these bright prints. And, they make up wonderful garments as well. I'm working on an Indygo Junction apron pattern in some of these new prints. I promise to show the final product when finished!

Another lovely little delight is these handcrafted soaps by one of our friends, Carol. Carol and her husband have "retired" and craft these amazing soaps which are wonderfully scented, a delight to use and seem to last forever. We don't know where they find the molds for the soaps, but we love them all! Carol restocks us regularily restocks us. We can put together a lovely gift basket for a favorite quilting friend, or maybe for you. To cheer you up on this blustery NE Iowa day!

Meet Marcia!

There's a new Bird fluttering around at Yellow Bird Art on Saturdays! Meet Marcia, who's been a customer at the Bird, I think, since we opened. How cute is this woman?? She is bright, enthusiastic and a bit of a "rebel" quilter. You'll find Marcia to be highly knowledgeable, friendly, and a great help to you at Yellow Bird!
Just look at this amazing new collection of oriental fabrics from Kona Bay fabrics. Kona Bay is well know for the lovely hand of their cottons and their amazing designs. The colors are luscious and perfect for spring and summer. All the prints retail for $9.50 a yard. We should have them scanned and on our web site by the end of this week, but you can always call if you see a print you just have to have now!

Fabric, oh Fabric!

We've been incredibly affected by Spring Fever at Yellow Bird! We get so bored with our store layout from time to time, and then we usually just begin moving things around with a vague idea of what we're shooting for. We most likely won't win any prizes for interior design with our "let's just see how this looks" methods, especially since that means we're moving hundreds and hundreds of bolts of fabrics around as well. So, if it doesn't look fabulous, we're committed to hauling the hundreds and hundreds of bolts around to some other location. Our new line of Kokka Fabrics from Japan have lightened our spirits with their marvelous soft pallet. Notice the Sew Baby top and pants for the best dressed little princess on the block!Bless her heart, Sue, has been busy making new displays for our hand-dyed wool fabrics and moved them to the front of the shop, where we're sure they're going to receive lots of attention. If you're a wool lover, you'll love our wool, and our prices. Fat Quarters are $12.00, Fat Eights are $6.00, and Fat Sixteenths are $3.50. Call the shop at 563-538-4350 if you are looking for a specific color you need.

Sue has also been tackling our huge collection of ribbons and giving them a new home at the store. We carry the largest selection of ribbons and trims in the area, including vintage ribbons, and many ribbons from France. Our goal is that you think of Yellow Bird Art first when you think about embellishments.

Firing of Cannons! Fireworks! A Parade!

Thank you for all of your great Name That Bag contest entries! You all are so creative- you blew us away. It was VERY hard to choose a winner, but we finally settled on Connie's suggestion- "Gotta Fly Bag". Here is what she said, "Since you are Yellow Bird and the bag looks like one that you just "gotta fly" with out the door and off to exciting places." Congratulations Connie! Your fabric bundle will be on the way shortly!