2013 Holiday Gift Picks: Fancy Staff Picks (Part 2)

Welcome to part two of our Staff Picks Holiday Gift Guide! Today we have the best curated selection of craft supplies for the handspinners, knitters and seamsters in your life!

It's Miranda here! After spinning hundreds and hundreds of yards of yarn for Spinzilla, I'm finally ready to look at fiber to replenish my stash. There's no dreamier fiber than Sleep Season Goods roving! Meg's fiber inspires me to try new spinning techniques to let the colors really shine. She dyes the most beautiful colors onto several sheep varieties like Falkland and Wensleydale, and I can't wait to try them all. Happy stitching!

Hey guys, it's me Tina! I was just thinking that I would really love to make an apron for cooking epic feasts. I really love the design of the Emmeline Apron, and the best part is that it's reversible. I would love to make my apron out of this new Super Lucha Libre by Alexander Henry. The flip side will be made of Dollar Signs from the Amy Sedaris Collection because cooking for friends and family is totally money! Not only is this combo AWESOME, it also matches my battle babes oven mitt Miranda made me this summer. So, if anyone would like to just make me my dream apron the Emmeline Apron, it's taught as a class right here at FTC! Happy Holidays, friends.

Hi, it's Nathalie! When winter weather hits, all I want to do is knit sweaters. I've been eyeing the Reine Cardigan from Brooklyn Tweed for months - I love the simple but elegant construction and the pocket detail. I'd pair it with Loft yarn in the color Plume, also from Brooklyn Tweed, for a lovely project kit. This is a gift that would keep me busy knitting and would result in a cardi I'd cherish for years!

Hi, it's Amber here! I am really excited about the new line of Walden patterns from Colette. These unisex patterns are classic and utilitarian, and might ask that you get out your mallet and awl. Hott! I'd pair this Portland-made sewing pattern for the Cooper Bag with some graphic screenprinted heavy cotton fabric from Premier Prints out of Mississippi. Throw in some Heavy Duty Fabric Wax by Portland's own Otter Wax and you have the makings of an awesome all-weather bag. Even better, all these amazing craft  supplies are made in the USA!

Hey y'all! This is Sara. My holiday pick would absolutely be the fabulous Knit Collage yarn. Since our last shipment arrived, I have been dreaming up a beautiful, lush cowl of this unique and sparkly yarn. As an added bonus, it's so fun and full of treasures, it will knit quickly and not add to my never-ending list of crafty to-do's. I could make a new cowl for New Year's!

As you can probably guess, we pretty much dream about amazing craft projects and supplies each and every day, so if you need more ideas for the perfect gift, swing by the shop and give us a chat!

xoxo,
the Fancy Tigers

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Under $20

Beautiful, inspiring craft supplies don't have to break the bank. We have tons of amazing gifts for your crafty friends and family in the under $20 range. Here is a list of our current faves:

Fiber lovers would love to receive a 1) 4 oz braid of hand dyed fiber from By Melody ($19). This over-dyed grey Blue Faced Leicester will spin up like a dream! Give the gift of felting with our new 2) Gnome ornament felting kit ($15) Gnome-lovers ages 8 and up can learn this fun and easy craft with our amazing kits! Our new 3) Cross Stitch Ornament kits ($18) have everything you need to whip up a modern cross stitch ornament complete with wood hoop for hanging. We have four different colorways to choose from to please everyone - you can also buy them on our etsy shop! Sewists fell in love with April Rhodes Staple Dress pattern this year and now we are also stocking her newest pattern, the 4) Date Night Dress ($18). Any new or experienced seamstress would love to have this classic yet simple design. 5) Nail Polish. ($16) That's right, nail polish. We have four special 4-packs, each designed by a different fabric designer like Lizzy House and Denyse Schimdt - the perfect gift for any fabric lover! Kids and adults alike will fall in love with the adorable designs of 6) Kiriki press embroidered animal kits ($18.50) Choose from Bear, Sloth, Fox, Cat, Bunny, and Owl.

Stay tuned next week for our staff picks!

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Under $50

For the crafter in your life who has been extra nice this year, we have the under $50 gift guide. These gifts range in price from $21 - $50 and we think you'll find something for everyone on your list.

The 1) Ryan Berkley tool case ($30) from Sublime Stitching comes stocked with needles, scissors, and woven labels--and almost every stitcher will love the Ryan Berkley cats in tees cover!  2) Quilt Essential ($25.95) by Erin Harris is our new favorite go-to book for anything and everything quilting. New quilters will love to have this in their library. These beautiful 3) woven baskets ($24 - $44) are the perfect solution to storing your current project out of sight and out of the wrong hands or paws. Made from grass and recycled wire and available in a variety of shapes and sizes, these baskets add charm and style to a room while keeping projects tidy.  4) Two skeins of our Heirloom Romney yarn and our Imposter's shawl pattern ($46.50) would be the perfect gift if you want to spread your Fancy Tiger love to all your knitter friends. Knitters and crocheters alike will go gaga over the 5) Freia lace weight ombré yarn ($33). One skein of this color-changing magic is enough for a shawl or other small project.  6) Modular Modular project bags ($27 - $30) are the most unique gift for your yarn friends - they are handmade here by our very own, Katy, all in different and awesome fabric combinations. We love these letterpress posters from Fringe Association. All fiber lovers will hang this 7)Yarn Pyramid poster ($22) with pride. A one yard cut of 8) Pendleton shirting weight wool ($33/yd) is enough fabric to make a beautiful wool skirt or poncho - the perfect gift for your favorite sewist.

2013 Holiday Gift Guide: Extra Special Gifts!

It's that time of year again where we round up the latest and greatest in amazing craft supplies for our Holiday Gift Guides! This year we're starting with the extra special gifts you might consider for the most special crafty person in your life.

For the knitter who loves wool we have the amazing 1) Heirloom Romney Throw kits ($234). These amazing kits come with 12 skeins of US produced and milled Heirloom Romney yarn to make a large and luscious 72" x 54" knit throw and a high quality print pattern designed by Jocelyn Tunney. Each kit has 2 skeins each of 6 colors handpicked by us in four colorways inspired by the seasons. The Heirloom Romney yarn will wear great and look amazing for years to come. Winter is shown here--check our etsy store to see all four colorways. Any quilter would rejoice to receive a 2) fat quarter bundle of Anna Maria Horner's newest collection, Dowry ($100). This set features all 30 prints and is enough to make a queen sized quilt top. For the sewist who loves wool the obvious choice is the coveted and luxurious 3) Pendleton Wool Jacquard fabrics ($80/yd). Enough of this to make a skirt, jacket, throw, or poncho would make any lucky seamstress or seamster's dreams come true. For the fiber lover in your life we have the 4) Big Loop Merino bumps ($198). One of these yarn babies is enough for a throw or a couple of extremely large and lush scarves that won't burden the recipient with hours of work. This yarn works up in no time.

Stayed tuned this week for our Under $50 Gift Guide and Under $20 Gift Guides!

Staff Holiday Gift Picks: Part 1

Welcome to the 2011 gift picks from our fanciest of Fancy Tiger staff!

Being surrounded every day by the most amazing craft supplies of all time is pretty great, and it gives us a lot of time to think about our favorite items. Here is what we are dreaming of, and what might just be the perfect thing for someone crafty on your gift list...

 Hey ya'll Jess here! After being out of the country for 8 months, it was such a delight coming back to my crafty land here at Fancy Tiger. I missed so many incredible new items! Throughout my travels I fell in love with the Korean craft scene. When the Neo Stitch cross stitch case for the Iphone 4 arrived from Korea, I got weak in the knees. My head was full of magical ideas--all of course inspired by adorable Asia--ranging from Hello Kitty to a heart filled love portrait of me and my boyfriend. This kit comes with a chart book, a needle, and thread! What more could you ask for?! I'll tell you what else you could ask for.... more thread! My Neo Stitch companion would be Anna Maria Horner's inspired palette of embroidery floss, which adds 12 more colors to work with. Way happy fun times ahead for me and making my phone a case full of love and joy. Annyeong hi gaseyo! (goodbye!)

 

Hi, it's Amber here! This winter I'm all about staying cozy. Sarah, one of the amazing Fancy Tiger instructors, keeps making the most cozy and fashionable tops from our eco-friendly jerseys. Two of the classes I'm itchin' to take are Sarah's Serger 101 and 201 classes! Covered are skills on the serger, plus, in the 201 class you get to make the most flattering and comfy sweatshirt of all time. A gift certificate for these sewing classes paired with a couple yards of our hemp/organic cotton jersey would be a pretty awesome treat for a sewer who wants to expand their sewing repertoire!

This Yule my heart belongs to me...and Tracie! Tracie is the name of a two ply, sport weight yarn by Imperial Stock Ranch. It is rustic enough to hold strong through years of tough winters, and soft enough to wear casually. Tracie is extremely beautiful, and has a lofty attitude. After much frustration trying to find the perfect sweater pattern for myself, I have been inspired by the great Ysolda Teague to design my own sweater. Tracie and I have learned that designing a sweater incorporates a lot of math, and planning. While we were squishing each other at Fancy Tiger, a good friend recommended the book Sweater Design In Plain English by Maggie Righetti. At a glance, Tracie and I were excited to see that somebody had spent time developing a step-by-step book about how to design an array of sweaters based on individual gauge and yarn choice. When I looked deeper into the book, I learned that it had much more information about techniques, taking proper measurements, yarn choice, color theory. Perfect! When I wake up on the day of this winter festival, I hope to find Tracie, in the colorways Canyon Shadow and Pearl Grey, resting next to the book Sweater Design In Plain English. We'll keep each other warm and cozy for years to come!

 

Hi everybody! I'm Amy and you know I love me some modern quilting! So when I saw this hot new quilt book, Modern Blocks, arrive this month, it was love at first sight. 99 killer blocks by some of my favorite modern quilt designers- it's seriously a slice of heaven. I'm drooling over the newspaper boat block on page 166, with Heather Ross mermaids swimming in the sea below- how rad is that?! I love how there's a fantastic range of skill level and style in this book- from a simple appliqued circle, to intricate paper pieced designs, there's something for everyone. I would love for Santa to leave this book under my tree, along with a delicious Tula Pink Prince Charming fat quarter bundle. 30 yummy fat quarters to quilt to my little heart's desire. The stack is so cute though, it might take me awhile to get the nerve to take off the ribbon! 

Hello! I'm Tymla, I'm new to Fancy Tiger Crafts and I am super excited to be working in such a creative and fun environment! My first love is crochet, I can crochet with my eyes closed, but working here has given me a chance to expand my knowledge and skills in many other crafts. I am very focused on improving my knitting skills, there are so many beautiful knit patterns out there that I can't wait to make. This is why I really want Stephen West's third book, Westknits Book Three. My first knit project was the Daybreak pattern in his first book, which turned out great! Now I'm ready to make the Thendara pattern out of Book Three, it's a light weight, angular, striped scarf that I will wear with everything! I'm a big fan of clothing that I can throw in the washing machine with everything else, so I think Madeline Tosh DK in Olivia and Antler will be perfect. It will be super soft and warm. And don't forget your needles!!! Happy knitting!

 

  

We hope you are having a great holiday! Check back tomorrow for the rest of our gift picks--even shop dog Branwyn has something she thinks you will like!

Staff Holiday Gift Picks: Betsy & Amber

Welcome to part four of our staff picks for holiday gift giving. Today Betsy and I are sharing our favorite gift ideas.

Hi, I'm Betsy, one of the new employees at Fancy Tiger. I'm a knitter, sewer and just finished my first Tunisian Crochet Cowl! I love working here and can't wait to pick up some more mad crafting skills.

Olfa Rotary Cutter $20
Olfa Self-Healing Cutting Mat 24" x 18" $28.95
Olfa Clear Ruler 6" x 24" $22

Good sharp scissors are nice but if you are sewing a lot, especially quilting, the Olfa Rotary Cutter with Mat and Ruler are the best upgrade that you could get. With these on your sewing table cutting is fast, accurate and no longer the dreary part of starting a project.

JoJoland 100% Cashmere Yarn $28

Cashmere! 100%! Soft and glamorous and Cashmere! This beautiful yarn is one that any knitter would love to have in their stash. Because who wouldn't just love being able to say "Oh, Thank you, I knitted it myself... It's cashmere!"

Mary Frances Knitting and Crocheting Book $28

Originally published in 1918, The Mary Frances Knitting and Crochet Book is the last of a whimsical series of books chronicling the adventures of Mary Frances with little fairies who teach various skills that would make any little girl "feel of very much account". In this book the knitting people teach Mary Frances how to knit and crochet clothes for her dolls and favorite people. It is simply a precious book, with functional instructions, adorable illustrations and an heirloom type feel. Great for any girl big or small.

Hi, I'm Amber and I'm one of the owners of Fancy Tiger Crafts. I spend a lot of time dreaming up things that I want to make. My holiday wish list includes the fixin's for two projects I've been dreaming about lately...

1/4 yard each of 14 different prints $33.50-ish & up
Stacking The Odds Denyse Schmidt Quilt Pattern $15.95

Denyse Schmidt is a huge inspiration to me when it comes to quilting. I love her Stacking the Odds quilt pattern. This quilt is great because it's simple enough for a novice quilter and it can showcase almost any fabrics without being too fussy. Add 14 quarter yards of fun print fabrics and your favorite quilter is ready to get started on honing their patchwork skills.

West Knits Book One $20
Two Skeins of Malabrigo Sock Yarn $37.90

Stephen West's new pattern book is full of amazing patterns for hats, scarves and shawls, but there is one in particular that I am obsessed with. The Chadwick is a modern, asymmetrical shawl that is long and linear--a sort of scarf/shawl. A skein each of Malabrigo Sock yarn in two contrasting colors and your favorite knitter could make a beautiful version of the Chadwick!

Juxtapose Handmade $29.95

Juxtapose Handmade is an amazing photo book full of craft-meets-art madness. I like weird things and this book is full of weird things--like crocheted TV dinners, insanely intricate paper-cut fantasy worlds and illustrations on patchwork quilt "canvases". Topping off the weirdness, there is a water buffalo plushie giving birth to a baby water buffalo plushie. Cool.

Hope that helps with your holiday shopping! We have tons more ideas where that came from, so stop by and see us at the shop if you need help finding the perfect gift for someone crafty. Happy holidays and happy crafting!

Staff Holiday Gift Picks: Dan & Jess

Welcome to part two of our staff holiday gift picks. Today Dan and Jess are sharing their favorite things!

I'm Dan, and I am fortunate enough to have the best job on Earth! I am an avid knitter, beginner spinner, a scene-ster seam-ster, and a creative collaborator. I am always looking for ways to perfect my skills, share my knowledge, and empower others to make and do things on their own!

Colette Negroni Pattern $16
Mustard Plaid Cotton Flannel $10

Finally! A men's shirt pattern by Colette! I have been waiting for the right shirt pattern to come along that has a modern fit and appearance, I will be making more than a few of these! What could be more perfect for cold weather than a fashionable new shirt made out of our new Windham cotton flannel? This flannel is the right color, and is extremely soft.

Addi Click Knitting Needle Set $168

Being the avid knitter that I am, the Addi Turbo Click set would completely cease my need to buy new needles when I start new projects that require sizes that I don't already have. There is so much versatility with the Addi Turbo Click set any passionate knitter would be most thankful to receive this for a holiday gift. This is the ULTIMATE gift to give the knitters in your life!

Knitter's Almanac Commemorative Edition $24.95

The Knitter's Almanac is my current favorite book in our store. It's a classic, and is written whimsically by Elizabeth Zimmermann. There is endearing narrative amongst simple and fun-to-make patterns. This is an almanac, with appropriate patterns for each month of the year. The book covers such a wide variety of patterns from socks, to mittens, hats, shawls, sweaters, baby accessories, holiday ornaments, and even a few sweater patterns. This book is an essential in a knitter's library.



Hi! Its me, Jess! Yay!! There are so many AMAZING things that come through Fancy Tiger, it was so hard to choose just a few! But at least you know they are way great, 'cause here they are!

Tula Pink Parisville Jelly Roll $24

I just recently made my first quilt, and I made it out of a jelly roll, I love them! The new Tula Pink collection, Parisville, is perfect for a new throw. I want to snuggle up under this by the fire. If you haven't seen this collection yet- a woman has hair shaped like A SHIP... whoa, awesome.

Little Birds $15.95

HOW CUTE?!?! I want Little Birds so I can make a frenzy of forest friends! Especially the peacock...

Heritage Sock Yarn $14

Whimsical Little Knits $20

We just picked up the Cascade Heritage Sock Yarn, and it is so dreamy! I have been eyeing the Ishbel pattern by Ysolda Teague, but I decided the whole book is necessary! Just look at how talented she is in making those patterns perfect. Can't wait to get started! (hint hint)

Thanks Dan and Jess! Join us tomorrow for Cat and Emily's picks of the season!

Staff Holiday Gift Picks: Jaime & Angelique

This week all of us at Fancy Tiger Crafts will be sharing our most favorite, most coveted items in the shop. These are the things we might (winkwink) be hoping to find under our own tree, but would certainly make a great gift for your dearest crafty friend. Enjoy!

I'm Jaime, and I'm one of the owners of Fancy Tiger Crafts. Since I do the a lot of the ordering I pretty much love everything in the store, but here is what I think would make the most amazing gifts of all time!

2-1/2 yards cotton velveteen $52.50

Colette Patterns Beignet Skirt $12

For sewing, I really want to make the Beignet skirt out of the Anna Maria Horner cotton velveteens. These rich, soft fabrics are so beautiful and I've been wanting to make a skirt out of them. I think the high-waisted pencil skirt would be perfect.

Fanciful Felties $19.95

Fanciful Felties is a new book that has really been inspiring me lately to hand sew! I love the embroidery detail on the faces and you can see me stitching up these cuties at craft night.

Ladybug Spinning Wheel with Bulky Flyer $600

The Ladybug spinning wheel by local company, Schacht is also at the top of my list. This adorable, well made, light-weight spinning wheel works like a dream. I'd love to get it with the bulky head option for spinning up lots of crazy art yarns.

Hi, I'm Angelique... I'm one of the new faces at Fancy Tiger. I only look scared in this photo, but I'm actually quite friendly. Come in and say, "hi."

Liberty Art Fabrics $38.95/yard

Over the years, I've spent a fair amount of time in the U.K. and one of my favorite places to visit is Liberty of London. I was so excited when the Liberty fabrics arrived at Fancy Tiger... I dream of sewing a dressing gown, but picking the perfect fabric is so hard because they're all so gorgeous!

Last Minute Knitted Gifts $24.95

One of my all-time favorite knitting books is Last Minute Knitted Gifts. This is my go-to book for making quick (and not-so-quick) knitted presents for friends. I've made countless knitted gift bags as featured on the front cover of the book, but another favorite pattern is the Angora Baby Booties. I'm knitting the Men's Cashmere Scarf in Malabrigo Rios as a gift for a friend this holiday season.

Thanks, Jaime and Angelique! Check back tomorrow for Dan and Jess's favorite picks!

Holiday Gift Guide - Under $50

Today we are featuring some of our favorite gifts for under $50 - special treats for a special crafty someone.



(1) Be Sweet Banana Silk Nub Yarn, $34
(2) Amy Butler Project Bag, $38
(3) Gingher Dressmaker's Shears, $38
(4) Knit Collage Handspun Art Yarn, $34
(5) It's A Hoot Layer Cake, $35
(6) Hand-Dyeing Starter Kit, $42
(7) Bamboo Crochet Hook Set (in bamboo box), $49.95

Check back next week for our staff picks and find out what we are really coveting this holiday season!

Holiday Gift Guide - Under $25

We have so much amazing stuff in the shop right now--we thought we'd help you out with several holiday gift guides. Stay tuned for gift guides with ideas for everyone on your list arranged by price as well as picks from all of our staff. Today we are featuring our favorite items for under $25 - what a bargain!

(1) Fancy Tiger t-shirt, $20
(2) Fancy Blend and Tiger Blend natural wool wash, $10
(3) Zing String, $22
(4) Fancy Tiger Stitchin' Kits, $12
(5) Gold 9" Shears, $20
(6) Craft-In craft night project booklet set, $14.95
(7) Dino Stitch Markers, $12
(8) Gingher Embroidery Scissors, $20.95
(9) Assorted Buttons, $1.50 - $6/each

Tomorrow we will share our favorite gifts under $50!

Crafty Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers!

Welcome to the crafty gift guide, part 3--here are some stocking stuffer ideas for the crafty folks in your life!

Brand new in the store and exclusive to Fancy Tiger (because we make it right here!) is our Penguin Ornament Needlefelting Kit. Our needlefelting kits have everything you need to learn the craft of needlefelting and are a great way to keep kids and adults busy on Christmas morning.

Sashiko kits are a great way to learn the traditional Japanese sashiko embroidery known for it's simple and pretty geometric stitching. Make a pillow or an elegant table linen.


We are in love with handcrafted wooden buttons! We have them in all shapes and sizes. What a cute addition to a sewing or knitting project!

Sewers and embroiderers will love a colorful and functional Jelly thimble for protecting their nimble fingers. Pair them with super sharp Gingher thread snips, the epitome of German craftsmanship.


French General Layer Cakes and Charm Packs are pre-cut and ready for a patchwork project. They include 42 different prints--an entire collection--so each fabric piece is different. A great gift for sewers or quilters.

We love Handmade Nation. This documentary takes a look at the amazing craft movement and features some amazing and inspiring handcrafters. This DVD is the perfect gift for any modern crafter!

For the fiber enthusiast, Wild Fibers magazine will take you around the world on a journey of fiber fun. Spinners, weavers, felters, knitters and crocheters can learn all about different fiber animals, cottage industry production, and more!

Your stockings will be stuffed to the cuffs with inspiring and functional crafty-ness.