My Bernina makes a bad day better

No matter what kind of day I have, coming home to my sewing room makes it all better. I can focus on what project I am doing and forget all about what happened that day. This is a picture of the project I am working on now, it's for Clothesline Club this Saturday, April 4th. This other picture shows my attempt at organization in my sewing room. I think one of the best things about Berninas is the wonderful assortment of feet and accessories that they make for them. Seems that no matter what kind of sewing you are doing, Bernina has a foot or accessory to make it easier. As you can see, I have a lot of them. I finally went through my room and sorted them. I bought myself a nice box to keep them in and so far I am putting them away after I use them. How can you know what to do with each of these feet? Bernina makes that easy too. Visit their website for great videos for each foot or come visit us at the Quilt Shop and we can show you.

We love Lakehouse fabrics

If you haven't been to the quilt shop lately, you missed these new hydrangea kits. We now have 2 new kits available for these quilts, both made with Lakehouse fabrics. If you have never sewed with these fabrics, you are missing a treat. They are wonderful to work with and the colors are just wonderful. If you are looking for a new spring quilt, these kits are for you. They work up quickly and are fun to make. What occasion do you have coming up? Weddings, graduations, birthdays, Mother's Day... this would make a great gift.

Hen Rietta

I made it up to the Quilt Shop yesterday. So many new things all over the store. The first thing I noticed was a new farm animal that has arrived. We started off with the cows last year, and now a new member of the barnyard has arrived... Hen Rietta. This is an adorable fabric collection from Clothworks. Hen Rietta is one classy chicken. She pampers herself with bubble baths, purses, etc. We haven't made anything yet from it, but I am starting to think I need some of this fabric. Stop in soon to meet Hen Rietta.
I'm working hard to finish my project for Clothesline Club this Saturday. It will be a fun day. More on that later
Have a great rainy day!

I'm up off the couch

This has been a long week, but I am up and around now! Today at the quilt shop it is our Patchwork Potluck class. I can't even show you the fabrics, as I haven't been to the store all week. Knowing Lois, I bet it is pretty!
We are going to start thinking about our summer schedule soon. If there is a class that you would like to see on our schedule, please let me know. If we get enough requests, we will add it to our schedule.
I'm going to the shop later today, camera in hand, so I can get you caught up on the new things in the store.
Stay tuned for an update!
I'm going to start an Spring table runner. As I laid on the couch this week, looking at my table runner on my coffee table, I decided I needed something new. :)
Have a great day

God bless Gracie

About 3 years ago I saw this quilt in Quiltmaker magazine. It was an applique pattern that had been turned into a wholecloth white quilt for a christening quilt. I put the magazine in a drawer for the "someday" pile.
When Gracie was born, I knew I had to do that quilt now. I did this quilt in about a week. I just love it! I hope Gracie does too!
I used a small white pindot fabric from Lakehouse.
I don't know when Gracie will be christened, but we are ready!
I quilted this on my Bernina 440 with the stitch regulator. It worked like a charm. Once the binding was done, I washed the quilt to give it an antique look. Now to make a label and wrap it up.
Wholecloth quilts are fun to do. If you love to machine quilt try one. Try a small one like this or even a table runner.

Have you been to the bake shop

I found this new site today. Moda Bake Shop.
It is a wonderful blog that has great quilt patterns using the Moda precut products, like jelly rolls, turnovers and charm packs.
If you find a pattern you like, come visit us at the quilt shop. We might have the fabrics or precut fabric that you need.

chipmunk cheeks

What is it they say? The best laid plans go astray... Mine sure did. I was hoping to be at the quilt shop yesterday, instead I was at the ER. Turn out I have the start of an absessed tooth. I've been given lots of medicines, one says not to operate machines.... so I am not going near my sewing machine. This morning I woke up looking like Alvin from the Chipmunks. I was going to demonstrate the ruffler foot today. I found the neatest new website called You Can Make This.
It is a great site with free patterns, lots of great how to videos, etc. In April they are launching a new version of this website, You Can Quilt This. I was able to find a ruffler video there. There is another great ruffler video on the Bernina web site... Check it out.. Ruffler
Have a great rest of the weekend....
Your friend..
Alvin! :)

Good bye Country Quilter.

Soon our dear friends at Country Quilter will lock the door. I just wanted to take a little time to let them know how much they all mean to me. Claire was my 2nd quilting teacher. My first one, Hazel, taught me how to hand piece, and hand quilt. Claire was the one who taught me how to use a rotary cutter. They had just come on the market, and I took a lone star class with her. I lugged my Singer sewing machine.... to class, and it was awful. The tension was terrible, it just wouldn't sew right. Claire introduced me to Berninas... and the rest is history. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here today that is for sure! I went out the next day and bought my first Bernina. I finished that lone star wall hanging and it hung in my parent's family room until they both passed away. It was the first quilt that I made that I think impressed my parents. For my dad to let me hang anything in his family room, it had to be special.
To Claire and all the special friends at Country Quilter, we will miss you. Thanks for all of the wonderful times that we all shared. We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for all of you. Remember that our door is always open for you all.

So what happens while they are away....

So this weekend, while Ginny and Lois are away... Gay and I will be at the store. Today when I stopped in, I found some new fabrics that I get to put out on Saturday.
This fabric is from Moda, it is part of a great vintage looking collection called "Snippets" There are adorable coordinating prints that go with this.
Stop in to visit.

Let's get on with the show...

I would bet that you have all been to a quilt show. Did you ever think about what it takes to get ready to be a vendor at a quilt show? Here is a little peek. Lois and Ginny will be at the Empire Quilters show in NYC this weekend. Today was "get ready day". That means that all of the fat quarter packs, the kits, the books, the quilts, the quilt racks, charm squares, bags, etc etc etc.... get stacked up near the door. Then later tonight, they will get put in the car and tomorrow they will go to the show for set up.
Is it worth it, you bet. We get to meet new quilters, plus we get to see lots of new quilts. If you have nothing to do this weekend, think about going into the city for this show. It is held at FIT.
Click here for more info.....Empire Quilters

new site to visit

Our blog is now part of the Quilting Gallery site. Check it out here... Quilting Gallery.
It is a great site to find other blogs, different shops in other parts of the country if you are traveling, etc.

My surprise for Gracie is almost done! I'll post a picture tomorrow. Happy last day of winter! Spring arrives tomorrow. Before you rush out to buy your pansies, grass seed, etc, take a look at the inside of your house. What can you sew to add spring to the inside of your house? New pillows? A table runner? A new valance?
Small projects are the best, they don't take a long time and they make your home look wonderful. Plus you have the fun of saying, I made it myself!

Bernina Spring Sale

So, if you don't get the machines that are in the Swiss Auction, don't feel bad. There is a wonderful Bernina Spring Sale going on now.
From now until March 24th, you can get a free gift with purchase of certain Bernina machines. Plus there is special financing available for this sale.
Don't you deserve a new Bernina?
Come see us soon before the sale ends.

Swiss Auction is starting!

Our Swiss Auction will start this week. We will have 2 machines in our Swiss Auction, the limited edition Bernina White Pearl, and the 630 E. Each day the price will be crossed off and the price will be reduced until someone buys the machine. If you wait too long, you will lose out. Come in to check the prices often. We will not give prices over the phone, but we will tell you if the machines are still in the auction. If you are thinking about getting a new machine, this is a great way to get a great deal on 2 wonderful machines.

Thank you so much

Thank you to all of our special friends who came to our "Road Trip" event this past weekend. We had a wonderful turnout and we loved seeing you all! I know it took time to visit all 6 shops, but we loved bringing you to Oz!
love,
Ginny, Roni, Amy, Gay, and Lois!

A busy day

It was wonderful to see so many old friends and to meet so many new friends at today's road trip event. We had a great day, thanks to all of you.
One more day.... come on over and see the fun!
Tomorrow the road trip will end, but something new will start next week, our Bernina Swiss Auction.... stay tuned for more details.

Next Saturday the Quilt Shop will be a vendor at the Empire Quilters Show in New York City.
Click here for more info--- Empire Quilters
If you are in the city next Saturday or Sunday, stop in. We'd love to see you.

Back to oz....

Our Road Trip visit to the yellow brick road continues today! Come to visit.. We'd love to have your share in the fun.. We even pose for pictures now with our friends. Here is our special friend Phyllis posing with the witch, the munchkin, Dorothy and Glenda..
Check the blog later for more pictures from today's fun and some info on what our next event will be.
Have a great day!
The munchkin!

Whats new at the quilt shop

We're off to see the wizard

Well, as many of you know, our theme for Road Trip was, The Wizard of Oz. Gay is the wicked witch, Lois was Dorothy, Amy was the Lion, Ginny was the tin man, the dressmaker dummies were Glinda and the Scarecrow, and I was the munchkin...
It was a great day!
Hope to see more of our special friends tomorrow.
More pictures coming soon!

here is your clue....

hmmmmmmmm, what could this be? This is an oil can.
Ok, put it all together, Road Trip, oil can?
Come see us this weekend to see what we turned our store into! :)
Road trip starts tomorrow! We are all ready. Costumes, ( yes costumes) are laid out, store is decorated, prizes and surprises are ready!
All we need is you!

on your mark, get set,...... ( watch out for the bear)

Road trip starts tomorrow! :) We are almost ready. So much to do, so little time, and as always, the friendly UPS man keeps bringing more goodies!
Brown Bear Brown Bear fabric arrived! We have the panels, and the coordinating prints!
If you have never done a "shop hop" before, here are some good tips.
Bring water and snacks in the car, ( who wants to stop to eat when you can keep shopping for fabrics). Wear comfy shoes and clothing.
Bring address labels so you can quickly fill out raffle slips at each store. Also, bring a small note pad and pencil so you can write down what you bought at each store, that way in case you get home and want more, you can call the store.
Get a good nights sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast, start your engines and have a great time!
Check back here tonight for a clue about what our store will look like tomorrow.

go......

Here is our new "Go cutter" display. We have one set up to try, as well as the DVD to watch so you can see what this is all about.
We have all of the extra dies, racks, and cutting mats.
When you come for Road Trip this weekend... take a little pit stop and check it out.

Don't be blue.... come buy some blue...

Just to wet your appetite for this weekend's road trip.... Look at the new fabrics that we put out yesterday. These blues are just wonderful, and look at the blue and yellow collection.
Aren't they great? I already have a project picked out...
On your mark, get set......

What a rainy day!

This would be a great day to stay home and sew.... if I didn't have to go to work.
Today is a busy one at the Quilt Shop.
This morning we have the "Snowball" class. Tonight I have "Doodling" We filled this class, so we are offering another one on Saturday April 4th after Clothesline Club.
If you didn't get to sign up for this one, you can come to our new one. Call and sign up today.
Start thinking spring! Think about small quilted projects you could make for your home out of "spring" fabrics, table runners, table toppers, or projects you could make for yourself. Quilted jackets, quilted vests, recycle a skirt or pair of jeans by adding some fabric strips to them.
Have a great rainy day!

It's a secret

We are getting ready for our Road Trip this coming weekend, March 13, 14 and 15. For us, Road Trip is kind of like a big party. We clean, we straighten, we decorate, we prepare.... In the past we have always started the week before, but this year it is different. We are getting ready behind the scenes so everything will be a surprise on Friday morning when we open the doors. Keeping this secret is hard! I hope you all can come to have fun with us! We have a great time at our Quilt Shop events.

Today at the quilt shop.... I will be demonstrating the Bernina ruffler, from 12-1. Amy has a class- tag along tote from 1-4. Our Hot Flash quilter group will come this afternoon too! A busy day for sure!
I am bound and determined to finish my tote bag today that goes with the wallet and the checkbook cover I made last week!
Then I am starting a special surprise for baby Grace!
Don't forget to change your clock
Have a great day

The Go Cutter is here!

It's here! The Accuquilt "Go" Cutter has arrived at the quilt shop. Lois took one home and fell in love. Of course, she had to start a new quilt to try it. She watched the DVD that comes with it, it shows you how to use it. She cut her shapes for an entire quilt very quickly. We are going to set one up at the store so you can see it in action.

Today is our "cutter case" class. Tomorrow is our Best Foot Forward lecture demo on the Ruffler foot for Berninas. Is everyone getting ready for "Road Trip" next weekend?
Click here to find out more
Road Trip
Gather your friends and join us for a fun filled weekend! Check the blog Thursday night.... I'll have a preview of what you will see on Friday!
Have a great weekend, and thanks for being our special friends.

These were the days

Look what I made tonight

I've had this bib pattern for a few weeks now, I carried it back and forth to school, thinking I could read it, then come home and make it! Tonight I was bound and determined to do it.
The scary part was.... the bias binder. I will admit, I've had the bias binder attachment for a long time, I tried it once or twice, but never really use it. This bib calls for the bias binder.
I'm here to admit, it worked like a charm. I finished this bib in less than an hour.
The bias binder is not for binding a quilt, but it is for a project like this.
It's a great attachment to have!

Who taught you to sew?

This was my grandmother, Dorina Gobielle. She was a dressmaker, and a fine one she was. She could make anything without a pattern. This is my favorite picture of her, her sewing machine, her tv and her ironing board. What more do you need?
I was her only granddaughter. She tried for a long time to teach me to sew when I was a child, but I wanted nothing to do with it. It wasn't until I was in 7th grade that I got the sewing bug. I remember her telling me about how she learned to sew. Her dad passed away when she was 14, her mother was also a dressmaker. In those days you needed to wear black for 3 months when someone passed away in your family. My grandmother didn't have a black dress, so my great grandmother used that opportunity to teach her daughter to sew. I remember her taking me to fabric outlets, searching through notions, threads, etc.
So who taught you to sew? Did it start in your family somewhere? Remember the old saying, each one teach one. Who can you inspire to sew?

Top of the mornin to you!

Look what arrived today! New St. Patrick's Day fabrics from Alexander Henry!
Lots of other new fabrics came today too! ( these were my favorites).
Good news.... Ginny and Dennis made it to Chicago last night. All is well!
We have lots of pretty green fabrics to go with these two, think about a table runner, pillowcases, a bag......
St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! Get yours today!

Closed today!

The Quilt Shop is closed today....
So, get to your sewing machines, start them up and see what you can do! :)
I'm just trying to find my missing USB stick.
Don't you hate when you lose things? I lose stuff all the time, I think it is because I have too much in this room. This morning I cleaned out again, I discovered I had 5 of the same size ruler. My friends will love me, they are getting some of them.
Now I know what I have, and where it all is. ( I hope). Except for my USB stick.
It will turn up, probably once I get a new one.
My sewing today.... I will put binding on a quilt. Then start a new bag, wallet and checkbook cover set. I shopped at the sale yesterday too!
Keep Ginny in your thoughts, she is trying to get to Chicago to meet Gracie!
Stay safe!

March comes in like a lion.....

Not here at the quilt shop. March is coming in like busy bees. This week is a busy one, lots of classes starting, lots of classes continuing. Next Saturday, March 7th is the "Cutter Case" class.
We will make a rotary cutter case, and learn to use lots of neat features on the Bernina machines.
We will use lots of new feet too.
Also, Friday night March 6th is our "Sit and Sew" night. That's a great chance to come and sew uninterrupted in our spacious classroom. You can start a new project, or finish up an old one.
Sunday March 8th is our "Focus on Feet" lecture/demo. This month we will be demonstrating the Bernina ruffler attachment. There is no cost for this, but we ask you to sign up ahead of time so we know how many people to expect.
Weathermen say "big" snow is coming.... guess March is coming in like a lion. When you are out today buying milk and bread, stop in at the quilt shop. We open at 9 today for our Winter Sale.
Have a great day
Thanks for being such special friends