Saturday, July 31, 2010

Fall Class Schedule Now Available!

We are super excited about our fall class schedule available here! We have a ton of new knitting, crochet and sewing classes. Here are just a few of our favorites for a sneak peak...


Fall is the time to dust off your needles and hooks and get ready for cooler weather with knitting and crochet. We are excited about all the new woolly project classes on the schedule!



We have tons more new and fantastic projects lined up for fall, so go check them all out on our website and give us a call to sign up!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

New Tina Givens Opal Owl Fabrics!

Opal Owl is here! This fantastical little fellow and his friends are part of the new Opal Owl fabrics illustrated and designed by Tina Givens.


The collection includes a panel fabric for making your very own Opal Owl sewn book. We couldn't resist and Jaime already sewed one up in just a few hours. Fabric books were a staple back in the day and we love this modern version with its original story by Tina Givens.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Better Know A Crafter: Maggie Underhill

We were so excited to see Maggie bring in this amazing quilt. It is so cute, featuring woodland creatures, faux bois fabric, acorns and a fabulous color combination. I am inspired to try out this Denyse Schmidt pattern myself! Rumor has it she made it as a special surprise for a visit from her in-laws. So sweet!

Maggie Underhill


What inspires you to craft?
I am in real estate and need a creative outlet! I love craft and design blogs. I also cross stitch and spray paint anything that will stand still.

Tell us about the quilt you've made.
It is a full quilt from Denyse Schmidt called "Any Way You Slice It".


How did you learn to quilt?
My momma taught me to quilt 3 years ago. I also took the Sewing Skills Series here at Fancy Tiger Crafts!

What is your favorite animal?
Puppies...of course!

Thanks Maggie! Happy quilting!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

New Cotton Jersey Prints!

Totally adorable cotton jersey prints are here! We are so excited to finally have some cute 100% cotton jersey prints and stripes to offer. They are perfect for t-shirts, kids clothes and cuddly soft blankets. We also have new solid jerseys in fun colors that coordinate with these prints.


Emily has been re-creating some of her favorite tees with our solid jerseys--we can't wait to see what she makes with these!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Summertime Mendocino Madness

With the heat of summer upon us Jaime and I each decided to make ourselves a Mendocino dress. This free pattern by Heather Ross is such a perfectly cool garment for these blistering mid-summer days. The shirring used on the bodice is a sewing technique that's new to me. It is really easy and it's fun to see the elastic thread do it's magic!


We are offering this sweet dress as a class on our current schedule if you want to make one for yourself! It can be made any length--check out the picture on the class page to see a longer version of the Mendocino.

Jaime and I both used Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks cotton voile fabrics to make our dresses. I love how feathery light and soft the fabric is. Jaime chose a vibrant fuchsia stripe for hers.


I used Coloring Garden voile in Dusk. Walking in the park a gentleman squirrel couldn't resist befriending me. Perhaps he was enchanted by my pretty dress?

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Jaime and Amber's Far Far Away Dress and Skirt!

Amber and I each made new outfits to wear to our 4 year anniversary party last weekend! We were so taken with the new Heather Ross fabric line that we decided to make coordinating outfits using different colorways of the same adorable rose print.


Amber created her own pattern for this gathered skirt. The weight of the fabric is perfect for feminine poufy-ness and we love the sophisticated colors of grey, mustard, cream and sky blue.


I used the Socialite Dress pattern by Anna Maria Horner to make my dress. I'd never used this pattern before and it was a breeze to sew up in time for the party! The fabric belt gives the dress shape and it is oh-so-comfortable to wear.


We love our new outfits! Perfect for strolling through fields of roses and days in the park. Summertime here we come!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Four Year Anniversary Fun Times!

Yesterday was a blast for us at our four year anniversary. We were blown away by all the folks that came out to wish us well. Thanks so much to everyone for all the support! Denver has such an awesome community of crafty people and we feel privileged to be a part of it!

One of the highlights of the day was the drawing for the Janome sewing machine donated by Make It Sew. We had so many entries that they filled our biggest shopping bag! At 6:30 the drawing took place and we asked Chris, a gentleman who was shopping, to draw the winning ticket. And the winner is:

Chatti!


Chatti is one darling lady and has taken many of our sewing classes. She's also a knitter and an all around crafty gal. We can't wait to see what kind of amazing things she makes with her new sewing machine!

Thanks everyone for a great 4 year anniversary!

P.S. Chatti is also an amazing blogger--read her side of the sewing machine story here!

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Better Know A Crafter: Debbie and Annalese Davis

Mother and daughter crafting team Debbie and Annalese have been picking out fabrics for a while to make a blanket for Annalese to take with her to college. They stopped in with Annalese's new patchwork duvet cover. We love how soft it is filled with a down comforter and how they used a mix of colorful buttons as the closure!

Debbie and Annalese Davis


Tell us about what makes you crafty.
D: I work at a school. I love to put different fabrics together and see how they turn out. I'm always thinking about sewing and different materials.
A: I'm a student and I knit during my free time at school. When I'm at home I help my mom pick out materials for new projects.

Tell us about your project.
D: It's a duvet cover made out of cotton fabrics from Fancy Tiger.
A: The duvet cover was made for my college dorm bed. We used materials and buttons we found at Fancy Tiger.

How did you learn to be so crafty?

D: I am self taught. I love to read patterns
A: I have been taught mainly by my mother and partially in Home EC class.

What is your favorite animal?
D: Horses and Parrots
A:Elephants

Thanks Debbie and Annalese! Happy crafting!

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Fancy Tiger turns 4!

We are excited to celebrate 4 wonderful years of Fancy Tiger! To show our appreciation and thanks for all of your support we are planning a day of fun, treats and prizes this Saturday, July 10th from 11am - 7pm.

Come by both stores for a free Fancy Tiger t-shirt with your purchase. These limited edition t-shirts are printed on sweatshop-free American Apparel tees - they are super soft and fit great!


Enter to win a Janome 2160 sewing machine. You will love this amazing machine and it comes with introductory classes courtesy of Make it Sew, plus a $40 gift certificate for classes at Fancy Tiger Crafts. The winner will be drawn and announced on Saturday, July 11th at 6:30pm, but you do not need to be present to win.


Everyone is a winner with these adorable buttons and stickers that we will be giving away all day!


Tasty treats will be served all day and stop by to toast a celebratory drink with us from 5 - 7pm.

We are so fortunate to have all of your support and look forward to being a part of Denver's amazing crafting community for many more years to come!

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

New! Heather Ross Far Far Away II!

The newest Heather Ross collection, Far, Far Away II, has arrived! These fairy tale inspired prints are made in Japan on a crisp linen fabric in perfectly magical colors. We are already planning bags, skirts and and blouses out of these sweet fabrics.


How adorable would a fairy tale quilt be for a little one? You could tell the stories of the Owl and the Pussycat, Rapunzel and Thumbelina wrapped in a cozy quilt full of illustrations!

Friday, July 02, 2010

Meet Stampy the Stegosaurus!

Stampy the Stegosaurus is the newest member of our needlefelted friends needlefelting kits! He is a fun and monster-y take on his serious namesake and we think folks of all ages will love him. Like all of our needlefelting kits, Stampy includes everything you need to make two adorable dinos out of wool roving including instructions that are suitable for beginners. The kits are for ages 8+. Check them out on our Etsy page here!


Did you know the Stegosaurus was discovered right here in Colorado at Red Rocks? Stampy really let's us get in touch with our prehistoric heritage.


Stampy is a friendly fellow, but he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - here he is in the midst of a fight between the aucasaurs and titanosaurs! Oh no! Watch out, Stampy!!

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Better Know A Crafter: Nancy Ballinger

I am so excited to share this Better Know A Crafter with you! When Nancy came into Fancy Tiger Crafts to show us what she's been working she had a giant plastic tub with her. She opened it up and we couldn't believe how many tiny little felt cuties were in there. Nancy is an amazing needle felter who makes felted dogs. Her woolly canine sculptures are sweet little purebreds, perfect enough to please any AKC judge or dog lover.

Nancy Ballinger


What inspires you to be so crafty?
I am retired and needed a hobby.


Tell us about your pups.
I've made over 50 breeds of needle felted dogs. I use sheep wool and alpaca.




How did you learn to make these cuties?
I saw dogs like these on the internet, but they were too expensive to buy. I bought a book and started making dogs. I use AKC standards as a guideline.



What is your favorite animal?
Cairn Terriers.


If anyone out there wants a mini pup to call their own, where can we find you and your felted dogs, Nancy?
I sell the dogs every other weekend at the Parker Farmers Market at the Moonpie Candles booth. In the fall we will go to various craft fairs, Hyland Ranch, Heather Gardens, Bear Creek High School and several others.

Thanks Nancy! Happy felting!