Groundhog Day!

Groundhog day is my favorite day of the year. When I retire from teaching I am heading to Punxtawaney PA to meet Phil the groundhog. Now I feel like I am in the movie. We have not had a full week of school all during the month of January.
And here we go again! You all know the drill now.... call before you come.
What are you all working on during this winter? How many projects have you finished?
I'm really on a roll. Now I am getting ready for Virtual BERNINA club. I can't wait for our first meeting. Have you signed up yet? It is free, we just need to know how many people are coming, so we need you to sign up. Our first meeting we will learn about machine applique, sashiko using the machine, free motion couching, and edge stitching. Hope you can all come!

It's carnival time

Mark your calendars now.... come one come all,
to the Carnival of Charms Shop hop.....
Friday March 11th
Saturday March 12th
Sunday March 13th
Prizes, games, and as always lots of fun!
Stop in to the Quilt Shop to find out more about it!

Now, where did I put my red nose?

Aloha

No, I'm not going to Hawaii, but I do love pineapple. Especially when it is an easy pineapple quilt. This quilt is based on a new technique for making pineapple blocks. It's lots of fun and so easy to do. The first class we offered is filled, but we do have another daytime class....Wed Feb 16 from 10-1. Call us and sign up soon!

Blockswappers party

Today was our Nana's Bowtie's Blockswapper party. Lots of beautiful finished and almost finished quilts and projects.

and still another snow day

The phone rang this morning at 4:45 a.m..... no school. Thought about going back to bed, but then I was awake so I went down to the sewing room. I got a lot done, but as I was sewing I realized how lucky I am to have this hobby. If I didn't, I would be going crazy with all of these snow storms. Instead I'm enjoying each one, as I complete another project! Today I finished the center of my Eric Carle quilt, and started quilting my "charming" wall hanging.
Saturday is a busy day at the Quilt Shop, we have our Bow Tie Blockswapper party. Everyone who participated in the Bow Tie blockswappers will come and share what they made with their 72 bow tie blocks. Then Lois will introduce the new Blockswapper quilt, a beautiful batik. Everytime I see it, I think about the beach! Stop in to join us on Saturday!

Everyone had to start somewhere

Everyone started quilting somewhere, some people taught themselves, some read a book, some watched it on tv, some took a class. I think the best way is to take a class, once you learn the basics, then you can venture out into different techniques. Our beginners class is starting up next Tuesday Feb 1 from 10-12, or Sunday Feb 27 from 10-12. Do you know someone who would like to
start quilting? Or do you need a brush up class. Has it been a long time since you quilted? Our beginners class is 3 weeks, you learn basic rotary cutting skills, how to get a good 1/4 inch seam, and how to make a 9 patch that has seams that all line up! Remember, if you sign up before Feb 11th, you get 25% off the price of the class, or better yet, if you and a friend sign up for the same class, you both get 50% off the price of the class.
Come on over and sign up!

This is getting silly

Another snow day.... actually first a 90 min delay, that turned into a snow day. I sewed all day, except for the time I was outside trying to find a place to put this snow. On Saturday Lois is having her Bow Tie blockswappers party, to celebrate the end of the Bow Tie blocks swap. I had 72 bow tie blocks. I used them all.... in 3 different projects! Can't say anything else, it needs to be a surprise on Saturday!
I started my "Very Series" quilt with the great new Eric Carle fabrics that came last week. Andover fabrics has a great free pattern on their website that I am using. I may change it a little, but at least I have a starting point.
Visit their website... Andover Fabrics and look for free quilt patterns. Search for the "Very Series" and you can download this pattern for free. Then come visit us at the Quilt Shop to purchase the fabrics.
We open tomorrow at 9, stop in to see us!

my next challenge

Now that I finished the paper pieced sampler quilt, I'm thinking about this. One of my first quilts way long ago, was a Lone Star wall hanging. It hung for a long time in my parent's family room. I'd like to try it again. This book is going to be released this week. I'm thinking about doing another wall hanging. Maybe batiks? Maybe the new Amy Butler? So many choices... maybe greens? Stay tuned for my choices, I'll let you know when the book arrives.

Time for a check up!

My BERNINA 830 is having it's spa treatment this week. I'm lucky because I have a back up machine, my BERNINA 440. I've gotten so used to the features of the 830, it took a little while to get used to my 440 again.
I use my machines every day, so I send them to the technician every 6 months for a cleaning and tuning. These machines are important to me, so I take very good care of them. My husband says I take better care of my sewing machine than my car.... ( he's right).
When was the last time you had your machine serviced? No matter what kind of machine you have, it's important to keep it in top running condition. We service all brands of machines. Call us to learn more! 203-743-0543

Let's Go Dottie

Today was our last Let's Go Dottie class. Look at these great quilts and tops. This one is Sandy's, she put alternate dotted squares in between her pieced squares.

This is Joan's.. I love the yellow that she used in her sashing


And this is Lynn's. She quilted it herself!
Great job everyone!

a new machine

This is the Limited Edition BERNINA 830. It's just so pretty!
All the great features of the BERNINA 830, plus some special extras.
Stop in to learn more!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and friends

Lots of new fabrics arrived this week, but my favorite ones were part of a series called The Very Series, by Andover Fabrics. These fabrics are based on children's books written by Eric Carle. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Lonely Firefly, The Very Quiet Cricket, are all represented in these beautiful fabrics. There is a beautiful panel along with several stripe prints and background fabrics.


Our classes are filling up fast, remember, sign up before Feb 12th and get 25% off if you sign up for yourself, but get 50% off if you sign up with a friend. The Quilt Shop will be open tomorrow from 9-5, and on Sunday from 12-4. Come on over and see all of the yummy new things we have in the store!

I love this machine

I discovered another reason I live my BERNINA 830. I am using my #10 D edge stitch foot to quilt in the ditch. The BERNINA dual feed makes it so easy to


do.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

a very productive day

Sometimes being stuck in the house is a good thing....
First I finished my paper pieced sampler......

Then I started a "charming" project....
Now, why you ask am I doing this? Well, our annual shop hop is coming up in early March. This year we have a great theme, called a carnival of charms. At each store you visit, you will have the opportunity to earn charm squares. There will be games, demos, and as always, lots of fun! We will have lots of quilts made with charm squares on display to inspire you! I've had these patriotic charm squares for a while now, I pulled them down off the shelf and started this cute little wall hanging. I am really thrilled with my applique, I used the triple blanket stitch on my BERNINA 830, and wow, what a great job it did. Mark your calendars now.... March 11, 12 and 13th....

Now this is a deal....

SIGN UP FOR ANY CLASS NOW THROUGH FEB 12 AND GET 25% OFF CLASS FEE!

BRING A FRIEND AND GET 50% OFF CLASS FEE WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR THE SAME CLASS TOGETHER!

(NO REFUNDS GIVEN FOR CLASS FEES)

So, which friend are you going to take a class with? We have lots of great ones offered this time! The schedule went out in an e mail today, and it is on the website. Start calling your friends and sign up soon!

Here we go again

We are having an ice storm today! "Ugh"
The store is closed this morning, Ginny might make it up here this afternoon, but as always call before you come.
I am almost finished with my paper pieced sampler, then I am going to start something new....
It might be something charming!
Stay tuned! :)

my challenge

I finished all of the blocks on my paper pieced sampler from the Alex Anderson Paper Pieced Quilt book. Now I am working on the flying geese border. I'm really happy with this so far, the paper piecing has made everything fit together exactly right, this border is taking awhile, but I think the results are worth it.
Now.... how do I quilt this?
hmmmmmmmm

Woof Woof, or Meow!

This is our Dog Daze quilt and our Feline Frenzy quilt. Both of them are paper pieced. Even if you have never paper pieced before, these would be great quilts for you to learn on.
You can do all dog blocks, or all cat blocks, or a few of each, it is up to you!
Class is being held... Wed March 2nd and 9th -10-12 or Thursday March 24 and 31 from 6:30-8:30
Better sign up quick! This class seems to be a popular one!

Line Art Bali Pop Quilt

It's no secret that we love Bali Pops at the Quilt Shop. The colors are just beautiful. One of our classes in the new schedule is called Line Art. You use a Bali Pop pack and some background fabric to create this great quilt. We have
some great new batik fabrics that work as backgrounds with these Bali Pops. Now here is the best part... buy your bali pop, and you will get this class for free! You just need to buy the bali pop and 3 yards of background fabric. Class is Sat Feb 19th 1-4 or Sat March 5 10-2. Snacks provided. Gather some friends and take this class!

the schedule is up and ready

Hi
The new winter schedule is ready. It is on the website, along with a slide show of our class samples.
Get there now! You can get a head start on everyone else! :)
You can sign up over the phone. 203-743-0543, or come visit us!

The Quilt Shop

a boo boo

Somehow I got a picture in the slide show that doesn't belong. There is a nice picture of Mary holding the new baby quilt she is making. That quilt isn't going to be a class, the picture somehow jumped into the slide show!
I'll try to fix it tomorrow!

New Schedule is almost ready

Hi everyone
Our new schedule is almost ready, but my loyal blog readers get a sneak peak. Look at the slide show here on the blog.
I'll let you know when it is ready.

stashes!

Some people always have plenty of food in their kitchens for storms like the one we had today.
I was just glad I had a big stash of fabric so I could find what I needed for my project!
Bread and milk go bad... fabric doesn't! Just saying...
Not sure when the Quilt Shop will open tomorrow, best bet... please call before you come.
As you can see.....










there is a lot of snow! 24 inches and it just started snowing again!
Stay safe everyone.

words just can't describe this....

This is what I woke up to this morning........









so I ran as fast I could to my sewing room and starting my Alex Anderson's Paper Piecing sampler quilt....


Have a great day everyone! What are you working on? Send me your pictures, I will put them on the blog.

Cover your heads... here comes the snow

The snow is coming.... so we will close tomorrow.
So what project are you working on? I started my New York Beauty, but then I discovered this great paper pieced sampler quilt in the back of the book, so I think I will try that.
I can't wait for the new version of this book to come out. I'm using the older version, but I think the new version has updated quilts. The sampler quilt I am working on is the same, just in different fabrics.
So far, so good! Tomorrow- I try the pineapple!

Reilly came to the quilt shop

Reilly's first visit to the Quilt Shop. Love that BERNINA red hat you are wearing Reilly!

Welcome back Ginny

Ginny comes back today. Hooray! We open at 12 so come on over and say hi. We are all glad she is back.

woof woof

Not a cat person? Don't worry, we have a dog version of the same quilt. You can either make the dog version or the cat version.
Mary made this one....

snow day but big news!

9 inches, that is what the weatherman said. That is what I say too! I just tried to move it.
Most of my snow day was spent finishing this project. Big news at the Quilt Shop, we are going to be starting a Virtual Bernina Club. At each Bernina Club meeting you will learn new techniques and tips about using your sewing machine. It is lots of fun, plus you will learn some great new ideas.
Our first project is this bag.
The meetings will be a lecture demo format. For
this bag you will learn lots of different ways to embellish your projects with machine techniques.
If you are interested in coming to our Virtual Bernina Club, call us and let us know. We will start in Feb. Once we have the date and time, we will call and let you know!

closed for the day

It is snowing here, roads are slippery, so we are closing for the day! I am staying home, ( it's a snow day), and am starting a new project for a great new class we are going to start soon. Stay tuned, I'll post pictures later.

when it rains it pours

It's been a little crazy at the Quilt Shop, Ginny wound up having shoulder surgery on Monday. She is feeling so much better and was able to visit the store for a little while today. She is hoping to be back on Monday!
Hopefully we will all be back to normal next week.
Here is a preview of one of our new classes.... Lois made this one, these are paper pieced cats, with the cutest mice all around the borders....

Fabric Fling

The phones at The Quilt Shop have been ringing off the hook. We are getting orders from around the country for Ginny's Fabric Fling pattern. Seems that one person in Arkansas made it, she posted pictures online, people in Texas saw it, they told people in Arizona, it's like a frenzy! If you haven't tried it, it is a great pattern. We will send it to you too! Just call us. 203-743-0543

I did it, but will I ever walk again

Happy New Year. I completed my 2 hour spin class, came home, and promptly ate a large Hershey chocolate bar....
I felt fine, until I sat down.... good thing we have to sit down to sew.
I am starting my New York Beauty project today, once I get the energy to get up from the computer and walk into my sewing room!
The Quilt Shop is closed today, but will be open tomorrow from 12-4.