Blog

Well maybe not for fabric companies as both of the companies who were suppose to be getting fabric to the Shoppe in May haven't delivered yet and time is surely not standing still here in the Shoppe! It seems that my days speed by and yet by the end of the day, looking back on the day it is hard to believe that it was just one day. So strange...

I am in the midst of newsletter writing and that is always an adventure for me. I think I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel though.  I so wanted the letter done by end of this week.  Time will only tell if it actually gets done.

I did finish up a few things since the last time I was on here.

I know this isn't the greatest of pictures, I quickly snapped it this morning before leaving for the Shoppe. I finished putting on the borders this weekend. I had to only press the top and bottom border and it would be done. You might of thought that was a job the size of building the Great Wall of China the way I jumped on that! Last night I finally got in the sewing room to press them! It really wasn't as bad a building that wall. I don't know if this top will show up in the Shoppe until next January or February for Washington's birthday. Two of the fabrics are gone and I don't have the time to write up a pattern for this. At least it can give you an idea of what to do with panels.

Since I finished up a project I did manage to work on my part of the guild's  raffle quilt. That wasn't hard either. I think it is just getting the time and energy to do something at the end of the day, that is my hold up.

What I didn't get around to doing was this.

I really need to deal with the cutting area before I cut out anything new. It is amazing how cluttered something can get while you work. That pile on the upper right needs to be gone through and cut into managable strips and put in their proper boxes. It is so much fun to raid those boxes for scrapy quilts! However, I don't find it fun cutting and organzing all the mess. Really once I get started it isn't that bad as most of the mess is already cut in strips. I've been trying to put some of the scraps in boxes as I go, but as you can see that didn't last long! I guess this is my next Great Wall... We'll see what happens tonight. It doesn't look too good as we are still sorting out computer problems here at the Shoppe and the only time is after business hours and it looks like tonight is the night.

At least I can continue working on this project.

I doesn't look like I've gotten that much farther along than last week, but I'm almost done with the first color of floss! I can't wait to go on to the next color. That is always fun.

So this evening while tech support is busy with Joe I may work more on this or start to cut out the Tavern Blue quilt that is waiting for me(you see I can't work on my sewing table at home if I'm not there. Sounds good doesn't it?!). 

I've been wanting to make this for so long, it is about time to start on it. Of course there are tons of other quilts I've been waiting to start. It is so hard to decide which one to start next or which one I should start next. Do you have that problem?

For those of you who love counted cross stitch, remember we are having our club this Saturday. We also stumbled into some information that you may be interested in. Weeks Dye Works sent us an e-mail telling us about this

We think we are going to go into uncharted(LOL just saw the irony of this wording while proofing!) waters and try this mystery club. I have called the company that is coordinating all this and have talked with them. In order for me to do this I'm going to need at the very minimum three people to participate. Let me know if you would like to be part of this. The fabric color is a secret, but it is from Weeks (30 ct linen!) so we know it will be good! It uses 19 floss colors, one of which isn't being released to the general public until September, but if you are in this club you will get the new color before it is released! There are three secret bonus projects on secret colored linen, like they told me -"a giant Purple People Eater — eating an Orange and wearing a Green Hat — told us the mystery colors are bright and easy to stitch on. " Take that for whatever it is worth! They are 30 ct linen also.

I think that is all for now. I hope you have a wonderful long weekend while remembering the ultimate sacrifice service members have given to keep us free.

Mary Ellen

There are so many projects I want to be working on! I'm sure it is the same with you. And then there are things we must do. For me it is the newsletter and classes to get all together for another quarter. It really isn't my most favorite job so I'd rather be sewing.

I did get to work on an old project that was started long ago when we first got in the Washington Legacy fabric. I know there are some customers who get a kick out of seeing George on the fabric and I know that there are others that just don't know what to with panels. I decided to see what Windham had on their site for a free pattern. There wasn't any at that time which were designed for this line that worked so I searched all their free patterns until I found one that I thought I could use. I tweaked it bit for use with what I had and this is the result so far.

So this weekend I had the change to actually work on this quilt. I still need the two outer borders to be added. I had to get the fabric since I grew up where Washington crossed the Delaware. I had originally thought I'd kit up this quilt, but since it has taken me so long to get around to making it and I think the lightest fabric is all gone I'm rethinking especially as I will most likely have to rewrite directions and all the entails I just don't think I'll have the time.

I did get to start a new project. Well it is really an old project. I had planned on doing this for two years now. I guess late is better than never.

This is Vintage Postcard by Crabapple Hill Studio. I am using Cosmo "Seasons" floss which is overdyed or varigated so it is fun to use. As you can see I didn't get that much done over the weekend, but at least it is a start. I have finished all the first round of stitching on the Snow Days quilt by Crabapple Hill Studio. Now I need to piece the blocks and sew them to the stitchery I have done and trace out more stitching lines to complete the stitchery. Since I had an ongoing quilt in progress all over my  sewing room floor I decided against cutting out more fabric for another quilt.

I got this cute little Scottish sewing kit in the mail on Monday.

I love it. It has a thimble, pinchushion and scissors. I also love pewter. My oldest daughter got it for me. Thanks Rebekah!

We haven't seen any of our fabric that we have ordered for this month, but we did get in three of Martingale's newest books!

I'm liking all three. The first is paper piecing for different notions we use in quilt making. The second is a Kim Dielh book, need I say anymore? Loving it. The third is a book that features old quilt made from small pieces. Love the history. It also has projects in it. Just three more books full of ideas calling out to me!

Well I had better get back to the newsletter. Hopefully I'll have it all taken care of  before too long and you'll be seeing it on the website!

Here's looking at you! Have a wonderful sewing day!

I managed to have two real finishes from last weekend! Both of these quilts came out of Martingale books.

The flying geese quilt came out of the Schnibbles Times Two book by Carrie Nelson, using the small Open Season pattern. The top had been done for next to forever using charm squares from Arnold's Attic by Barbara Brackman. The blue quilt was made using the Martin's Pennies pattern from the Civil War Legacies book by Carol Hopkins. I used scraps from many different lines and companies for this little quilt. I love Carol's patterns and had wanted to make this quilt from one of her patterns over a year ago. Everytime I look in the book I want to make more of the quilts. I know just the lines that I want to use too.  I do have too many other quilts in the works right now so I have to hold off a bit on starting more. Isn't that the way most of us who quilt are. We just can't seem to stick to one quilt at a time. Do you have that problem?

Have a wonderful weekend! Happy Mother's Day!

Yes, you are at the right blog! Beverly and I had fun playing with Batiks. Notice I said playing and not actually making anything! However, while playing Beverly was remarking how beautiful they were and how she needs to make another quilt out of them! We'll see, she will most likely make another batik quilt!  I too think they are beautiful and wonderful to play with, but I don't think I'll be making a quilt out of them. Maybe if I didn't own the Shoppe and had time to do guild workshops I might be tempted to as this play was for a couple of guild members who are going to the workshop and wanted me to get together a kit for them. They are going to be making Judy Niemeyer's quilt Desert Sky pattern.

After a very busy day at the Shoppe we were able to get to the play. I thought that they needed two groups of nine fat quarters. We were having so much fun we put together fours sets, two each for us. Well the next day they came in and said that there needed to be twelve in a group. So I had fun adding the extra fat quarters. I was glad the two ladies didn't have any trouble deciding which group they liked. Here is what we came up with for them.

I do love the way batiks play together and can't wait to see the results of these bundles in the finished top. I think the quilt is great. I was wondering while I was picking out the batik fabric just what the pattern would look like if done in 19th century fabrics! I'd love to give that a try.

Here are the batiks that we currently have in the Shoppe. We don't have that very large of selection but it works. (Not enough room in the Shoppe!)

We also have these cute little Bake Shop boxes in the Shoppe. My daughter in law wanted to learn to make a quilt and took a box home to teach herself how to quilt. The box contains one little roll of 1 1/2" strips and I think three packs of 2 1/2" squares plus a pattern that has two layout choices. Sheila was able to put together the top in less than 6 hours (she does have a baby to tend to also!).

So you can know that these little kits are easy to do whether you are a beginner or a seasoned quilter and just need a quick little quilt to whip out.  Great job Sheila!

This week we also got in the newest Quilt Sampler! We just had a lady in who had found us through the last Quilt Sampler. She said she was looking for just two things fusible web and the newest Quilt Sampler (we were the first place she found the Sampler!) She found them here plus a lot more!

They are going quickly. I haven't even had time to call people that they are in. I haven't even gotten mine yet.

Don't forget to come in and use your loyality postcards, only two and half days left! Also we already have a number of people who have earned their Summer Saver card for June, July and August. I'm keeping busy. Hopefully the lull will continue for just a bit more so I can get this out to you.

I hope to have a little Schnibbles quilt done tonight. Just have one more side to sew the binding down. Then in the wash to pucker up. Hopefully it will be in here before too long. I have another little quilt waiting to be quilted. I had hoped to have them both done this weekend, but the Midnight Madness sort of lead me in another direction! My mother always told me I had unrealistic expectations! I do like to shoot high as you get farther that way.

While taking the pictures of the batiks Lint kept hollaring at me. She hates the camera or after this maybe she actually is asking for her picture to be taken. Well I decided that since she was yelling everytime I took a picture of the batiks I'd just go ahead a take a shot of her.  She would yell and them pose so maybe she does like to have her picture taken.

We have asked via e-mail and facebook but I forgot to ask here, the newest teachers would like to know if you have an embroidery sewing machine? If you do what brand and model is it? Would you be interested in taking classes on how to use your embroidery machine? Would anyone be interested in a Janome club or an embroidery block of the month or other monthly club/meeting for the machines?

Also even if you don't have an embroidery machine would you  like to have any classes on how to operate your machine, or use decortive stitches on your machine?

Please let us know so we can plan classes to better serve your needs. We have been getting great response so far. I'm getting excited. You all may be surprised to find out just what your machine can do!

Thanks.

Friday night we had another Midnight Madness. Things always start out tame enough. Maybe it is the delicious dinner that Jean brings and we're all so busy enjoying that or we're on our good behavior because we have some people with us that haven't been with us before and we don't want to shock them right off the bat. Just not sure.

After dinner we set up the room for sewing. There is sharing of ideas and projects.

Projects are started.

Each person works on their own project. Since we've been doing this for almost a year now, the regular attendees have made a science out of deciding on which project to bring because they know the size of the Shoppe and the room we have this in. We do try to get as many people in the room as possible to enjoy the night and still get things done.

Working on her Jelly roll quilt.

I- pad case.

Circles that are turning into a tablerunner.

Project of the month fusible applique prep.

Hand quilting.

Games are played through out the night.

Prizes are won.

And checked out.

Yummy cupcakes again this time. We get a variety. I had a mocha one and boy was that good.

Time ticks on by and all is going well... Then something happens. It seems 10pm is the magic hour...

What is this? What is going on? Well it looks like someone is busy trying to get work done. Can she continue working  while who knows what is going on here?

Okay, she has managed to distract some of us... the instigator can't be seen yet... I'm a little worried what may happen next.

Really a candy bar? Just don't ask, it is after 10 after all. We all managed to walk out of the Shoppe by the end of the night! Some with more done than others!

It is amazing what actually happens at these events. We are so glad that quilters always find ways to have fun. It always makes me smile when I think about the first time Joe and I went to Quilt Market and we got in the mini van at the airport and the driver asked the people what they were going to and the ladies in front said Quilt Market. His response was "What in the world can quilters do to have fun? I guess there won't be any trouble." I just chuckled. What little did he know. I guess he had never been to a Midnight Madness or around quilters for that matter.

I hope to be recuperated by Tuesday!