Wonderfully Lazy Sunday.

Today, was just a kick back kind of day. We're still moving so we packed a few boxes, took alot of stuff to Goodwill and then just sat around and veg'd.

With the hectic pace we've been keeping, the fantastic weather combined with a peaceful deck gave us the much needed down time.

Hope everybody got a chance to enjoy the day.

Patti

My "Sew and Tell"

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Terry Atkinson Rocks!!! Here is my "Fire Escape" quilt that I made at Terry's Shop Owners Retreat in July. (excuse the strange way it's displayed, I just pinned it up on the bolts so I could get a quick shot before I went home)

This in one of the nicest quilt patterns I've made in a long while. As always, it was easy to understand and fun to make. I know this one's going to be a hit so I doubled my pattern order. Kits are all cut and just waiting for the patterns to arrive. If you would like a kit, give the shop a call and we'll put one aside with your name on it.

When you stop in the shop, look at the fun quilting that Patti H. (Quilts from the Trail) did on it. She always knows exactly what's going to enhance each quilt. Kudo's to her for the fantastic job. Also, if I hadn't gotten my Bernina from Bear Patch my seams wouldn't be as accurate. I had been using a featherweight and it sewed OK but I was not very consistant on my 1/4". I love my new machine and it's really made me want to sew . Thank you Laurel.

While I write this, Lily Jane is laying on my lap, purring and watching the words as I type. She is quite the character. We love her dearly... just wish that she'd set her alarm for a little later than 5:30 in the morning. That's the time she starts pouncing us.

Have a good day tomorrow Patti

Autumn, my favorite season...

Just finished my wool table runner. Great project, especially if you've never worked with wool - it's the most forgiving medium. Just stitch around the edges with a primitive stitch or a button hole stitch and it's done.. The part you're seeing in the photo is only half of it, the other side is the same with a nice space in the middle to put a harvest candle.



This adorable wall hanging was made by Becky's daughter Christy. Hard to believe it's her first attempt at working with wool. She is very good at it and has made several wonderful samples for you to enjoy.


I love to decorate around the house or the shop with Holiday dishes, vases etc. I was at a thrift shop and found these "Leaf" dishes and was thrilled. There are 4 to the set, 2 smaller green ones (not pictured) and these two.
They are alot larger than they appear in this photo. We have the large one on the table holding a few kits for a table runner Theresa made.
The smaller one is holding the kits for my wool project.
The added touches really add to the Fall feeling.

I don't know if it's the wonderful cool - crisp nights that I like so much. Maybe it's the colors. One thing for sure - I love pumpkins and Mums. Pretty soon my deck will have both on it and I'm sure the shop will too.

Stop in and check out our new fall and winter fabrics and projects. We've got something for everyone.


Later, Patti

Birthday Buddies 2nd Golf Tournament

What a fantastic day for our 2nd Annual Birthday Buddies Golf Tournament held at Majestic Oaks. You couldn't have asked for better weather or turn out. Last year it was pouring rain and cold. (for this year -just in case, Nancy bought rain slickers for each cart).

Just a few shots here, but to see the entire event go to http://www.birthdaybuddiesmn.com/.

Nancy and I wore the extremely attractive hats most of the day.... not much the Donahue sisters wouldn't do for the cause. Dave "Hooner" was there, he's one of our best friends and a great supporter of Birthday Buddies, he never misses an event.

There had to be about 40 golfers in all. They played "Shotgun" style, with something special at several of the holes. After they came in we had a catered dinner while we did our silent auction and raffle.

One luck winner won a spa package worth $810 that included six 40-minute facials, six 1-hour massages and several other fantastic treatments and products. There were also lots of golf, beer, wine and sports items, as well as gift certificates to many nice restaurants. We've found cmopanies in the Twin Cities are most generous in donating to Birthday Buddies and we thank each and every one of them. With out the support of others, we couldn't continue. OUr next even we have planned. . . .

"Boo Bash"

October 24th at CR Billards in Coon Rapids

This is our annual Halloween Costume Party. Mark your calendars - it's for a good cause and tons of fun. I have already started working on my costume - I went as a banana last year nad Nan went as a "Gothic Princess". The photo of us together is posted on the web site ... the Donahue Sister's for a good cause again.

Looks like today is going to turn out to be a wonderful day too. I'm still in the process of moving so after work I will keep plugging along with that.

Enjoy the day!

Patti

Rosebuds Cottage Joins Birthday Buddies!!!

Roseann from "Rosebud's Cottage" has joined the Birthday Buddies Team.

Rosebud's Cottage will be a drop-off site for toys and supplies needed to complete our birthday bags.



With the economy in its current state, the demand from families has grown. We are working very hard to insure that every child's special day is an eventful one. Many of these families never thought they would be in a situation where they required help. When jobs are lost or sickness drains a family financially - birthdays fall low on the priorities list. Our goal is to see that every child receives a custom built birthday party in a bag.

We now have 3 locations to drop off items or make donations. For more information on how you can help, check out our website at http://www.birthdaybuddiesmn.com/.

Thank you Roseann, for supporting Birthday Buddies.

Patti

Rain and Moving just don't jive.

Goodbye Old Friend....

The fair ended, hard to say Goodbye to all my new friends. This fine specimen won a few ribbons and as you can see is lookin' pretty darn proud.

Well, back to the shop and to the normal routine. Have several upcoming shows to get ready for.

Putting the class schedule together and getting the new samples done. We've got a busy fall and winter planned.

Schedule should be on our web site Sept. 1st, some fun classes coming up. Offering a few of the ones we had last time - per request. So if life got in the way of you taking one you wanted, check and see if it's offered again.

Anyway.... The fair is over, No more Cotton Candy, Corn Dogs, Gyros or Italian Ice. I guess if I get desperate I can go to the State Fair. To all the Weight Watchers leaders that might be reading this - I'm just kidding. I'm using my points on fruits and veggies!!!

Patti

Back at the Fair

This is what happens when you have
an entire bag of Cotton Candy for
breakfast... the sugar buzz lasts
all day !!!


Got here this morning and immediately put the fan on. We have a pretty nice breeze from the side doors but pray the breeze doesn't come from the ends... that's where the cows are. Where there's cows - there's "used" straw, and after 6 very hot and humid days it gets odiferous.

This was one of those times when you call it a learning experience and let it go at that.

Have contacted the State Fair and they are sending me information about doing the 2010 fair. That sounds like fun and would be a wonderful place to promote the shop.

Tomorrow ends this fair and the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. I hope everyone had fun at both events. We enjoyed seeing everyone and look forward to the hop next year. Nothing better than an event that brings quilter's together.

Patti

"Radiant" Christmas Lottery Block

Here it is.... our 2009 Christmas Lottery Block.

This is the 7th Lottery block we have done and we think we have a real winner this time. We decided to go with more traditional colors this year.

For those who don't know how it works:

You stop in the shop and purchase a kit for $3.50. In the kit you receive all the fabrics and pattern to make 1 block.

You make up the block and turn it in to Fabric Town. Your name and phone number will go into the "Lottery".

All blocks must be turned into the shop by October 31st. On November 1st, we will draw a name from the entrants and that will be the Lucky winner of the Radiant blocks.

In the event of 40+ blocks being turned in (like one year), we divide them so that we have a couple of winners.

This is your chance to win a quilt top for as little as $3.50

Keep in mind that the more blocks you turn in, the better your chance of winning. Also, please turn in your blocks as soon as you get them done.... everyone gets excited as they watch the wall fill up.

Don't miss the fun...stop in today and pickup your block kit(s).

Patti

Corn Dogs, Italian Ice and Pork Chop on a stick.... need I say more!!!

What a great way to spend a day. I sat in my booth, watching the fair goers and chatting with alot of our customers. Seems like everyone goes to the fair.

Here are a few shots of our booth, just took a few quilts and some cuts of fabric. Since the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop is still going on, I did not want to strip the shop. These quilts give a little taste of what's at Fabric Town.

I really want to thank everyone for stopping and expressing how they feel and the wonderful compliments on the changes to the shop. We are still a work in progress but have made some headway. Hopefully when this economy finally does an about face, we can continue with the renovation. Knowing that our efforts are appreciated makes us want to continue to improve.

I did manage to get out of my booth and enjoyed a few "Eats". Corn dogs are a weakness and I haven't had one in many years. The one I had yesterday was so tasty that I may just have to enjoy another today. Italian ice.... Raspberry and Lemon together - what a taste sensation. When the temperature hits 85 and is humid, Italian Ice to the rescue. For dinner I tried the pork chop on a stick. It was delicious, right off the grill. Tried not to think of the piglets as I was licking my fingers. They had chicken on a stick too, but because of these little guys ...

...I couldn't do it. That was one vision that I had a hard time getting past. Also, watching them hatch was amazing.

That about wrapped up my 2nd day at the fair. I don't go back til Friday. So, if you're stopping by I'll see you then.

Patti

Hot Summer Days at the Fair

Yesterday was the first day of the Dakota County Fair in Farmington.

This is the first time Fabric Town has had a booth and I wasn't sure what to expect. So far it has been alot of fun. I've seen a lot of our customers, chatted with some friendly ladies that are interested in taking classes and also a few gentlemen. Nice to share stories with the men about the quilts they had as children. Many still have the worn out, very loved quilts their grandmothers made them. Nothing like an heirloom to pass down, no matter what the condition.

I did get a chance to check out the animals. OK, so the piglets are not tiny. I expected about 5 lbs and pink... 40 pounds and all colors. I found out that they were as afraid of me as I was of them.

Goats were the next to be viewed. I petted a couple that were friendly and glad to have someone rub their heads. Turns out they have been bottle fed since birth so they are more like dogs.

From there I went to the Cow barn.... HUGE!!! Don't know much about farm animals but I was perceptive enough to know which were Dairy Cows. Didn't know the difference in a Bull and a Steer... OUCH!!! I know now -sorry Fella's.

I haven't tried any of the food yet. The corn dogs look pretty tasty and the "Fresh Squeezed Lemonade" sounds refreshing. I will have to give them a try when I get a break.

I'm bringing some hand work with me today. The hours for the fair are 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM, so I'll need something to do while sitting here. I thought about bringing my machine but there's not enough room.

Hope you can make it out to see us!

Patti

Hoppin' Right Along

What a fantastic Day for Hoppin'. Couldn't ask for better weather than we had today.

I wanted to share with everyone the cute tote bag that Becky made.

This was our project using not only the Quilt Minnesota Fabric but a clever way to display all the charms that were given out by the Metro section the past 2 years and now this year as well.

We made up kits for the tote and I have a feeling we'll be sold out this weekend.

I've been keeping track of all the different places the quilter's visiting for the hop are coming from. We saw one from Missouri and Idaho to add to the list. The lady from Idaho had never been to a shop hop before and can't wait to tell her friends how much fun she had. She's going to get me her friend's email address (she doesn't have a computer) so I can let her know the dates for next year. That's the kind of thing that makes this all worthwhile.

Hope tomorrow is as nice and that everyone is enjoying themselves.

Patti

Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop - Day 3

Quilt Minnesota is off to a good start. Today, we didn't have more than a few minutes without "Hoppers" in the shop.

It's great to see all the Quilter's that came to Minnesota to take part in this event. So far we have had visitors from Oregon, Atlanta, Kansas City, 3 from California, Alaska and Portugal. The comments have been wonderful, they love the shops and think we are very friendly.

One lady wanted my web site address as well as any other shop websites that I could give her to pass on to her friends. She said her guild likes to sit together and browse sites. I gave her the Quilt MN newspaper and she was grateful. Now they can brew a pot of coffee and surf.

We have a booth at the Dakota County Fair this year. The fair runs from Aug. 10 - 16. This is the first time we have done the fair so it'll be interesting. I'm just looking forward to seeing all the fair goers, the quilts and possibly holding a baby piglet. Being a city girl - farm animals are a novelty. I was told not to hold the piglet until I was about to go home - dirty and smelly. So if you come to our booth and one of us is dirty and smelly, I guess that person held a piglet.

I have been on my feet since early this morning, time to sit and relax. I think I'll work on the last block of my 30's Block of the Month. It's really turning out cute. I have several ideas for the finishing kit - hope to be able to work on it at the fair.

Have a nice day tomorrow.

Patti

Terry Atkinson Rocks!!!!!

Just got home from Terry Atkinson's Shop Owners Retreat.

This is my 3rd time attending and it never ceases to amaze me - when you don't think it can, it gets better each time. From the wonderful accommodations at "Bridge Creek Cottage" to the indescribable meals prepared for us by Jason. Terry even arranges for a masseuse to come and gently massage us into a peaceful, relaxed state.

In our group this year were shop owners from as far as Atlanta and Seattle. Julie from Seattle was a familiar face, she attended with us before as well as Shelly from the Quilted Forest in Forest City, IA. Karen was from Siren, WI, Melissa - Atlanta, Julie - Eau Claire, and Jeannie -Block Party Studios - IA. Several Owners from our Local shops were participants, Laurel from Bear Patch, Roseanne from Rosebuds Cottage, Sue from Gruber's and Elaine from Silver Lane. All the ladies were a joy to be with. Quilts are not the only things made at Terry's retreats, wonderful friendships are formed.

Our first night we had a Charity Quilt contest. We were divided into 3 groups and given a kit and pattern for Terry's "Piecrust Pileup". The object was to get the quilt top cut, sewn and pressed faster than the other teams. It was fast and fun.... 12 women laughing, sewing and having a great time. Within 38 minutes we had our top done. WE WON....






The finished tops will be quilted and donated to different charities.


I'm thinking of having an event like this at the shop. We can choose a charity and then have a
sew in. Who wouldn't want to be part of something that helps others and is fun at at the same time?



Yesterday started the Quilt Minnesota's State wide shop hop. I hope everyone is planning on "Hopping". A lot of shops have put forth an extra effort to have many new, creative samples, kits and ideas to make your quilting experience the best possible. Enjoy yourselves, drive carefully and have fun.



Patti