Wednesday, August 31, 2011

"Sewcial" update

Stevie "Wonderhands" called this afternoon. He has changed his schedule and will be able do his fantastic massages at our Sewcial.

I'm ready for one... how 'bout you???

January 2012. Tussie Mussie


Today, we met with one of our fabric reps. He showed us alot of different fabrics and we placed quite a few orders.

Of all the lines he showed us, I'm really excited about this one. Tussie Mussie by Jennifer Heynen.

If you like Mary Engelbreit, you'll LOVE Jennifer's new line.

Cute buttons, great patterns. Oh, the possibilities.


These buttons are porcelain and absolutely adorable. I have a purse pattern coming that will be sooooo cute with these.












































Here's a quick photo of 2 of the fabric cards we were shown. We ordered the complete line.























What will you make? You have til January to come up with something fun.


Monday, August 29, 2011

The Great Minnesota Get Together

When I got up this morning I had no plans to go to the fair. It just happened.

I was told that I could get the bus at the MOA, go to the fair and come home anytime I wanted - the bus left every 15 minutes. That sounded good.

Before I knew it, I was parking at the MOA lot and getting on the bus. I haven't been on a bus since I was in school - lets just say it's been a while.

What a deal $5. to go and return, no hassle with parking. Perfect.

When I left the house, my intention was to go to the shop and hang class samples, work on a kit I'd started the day before and just get caught up. I did go to the shop, I started to hang the quilts but I hate heights. How the idea to go to the fair came into my head I will never know.

While on the bus my phone rang, it was Jeff asking where I was - he was asleep when I left for the shop.
When I told him I was going to the fair. He laughed and said I'd never find it (I'm not a homing pigeon) and the parking was impossible. My comment was - I'm going to the fair, I'll call you later. I waited a few minutes and then sent a picture of the inside of the bus to his phone. He called immediately, stunned that I really was going and especially that I was going alone. To be honest, so was I. (Jeff doesn't enjoy the fair or I would have gone with him.)

When I got to the fair I ran into one of our customers, Stacey Kahlert and her son Lucas. We walked together to the gate, she gave me her number in case I got lost or needed a ride home.

Once inside, I had two places I wanted to go. I love the baby animals and I had said I would see the Rosebud's Cottage booth in Heritage Square.

To start, I got myself a hand squeezed lemonade. Delicious. Then I was walking past the "All you can drink Milk" booth. I remember my first fair back in 1968, when we moved here. All you could drink was only 25 cents. Every thing's gone up these days. I didn't have any milk - not a good combo with the Lemonade. I did have a cotton candy and a big pretzel with mustard, two of my favorites. I saw the corn dogs - they have gone from the regular size I remember to 18" long. I thought about it, but knew I wouldn't eat even half of it.

I proceeded to Heritage Square, found Roseann's booth and chatted with her and her husband Bob for a few minutes and then it was off the see the baby animals.

The baby animals have always been a favorite of mine. Nothing cuter than a little tiny farm animal. (nothing smellier than the parents)





Laying in the middle of a pen all alone was this adorable baby goat. What a cute little fella and he kept making a little cry for his Mom. She was in another stall, so they went and got her. He was very glad to see her - feeding time.

Then to my favorite, the piglets. So soft and pink. This little one is only 2 days old. The girl holding it said that in 7 months it will weigh 400 lbs. The sad part was then she said that at that time it would be ready for the one way bus ride. I don't know how she could hold that cute little guy and think about bacon. That's one of the reasons I would never make it in 4H... the other reason being - I'm a city kid.

My last stop was the baby ducks. So fluffy and yellow. The girl was explaining to a group of children that when they grow up they'll be just like the one on the AFLAC commercial. I thought that was cute.

That was it, I was done. I'd seen what I wanted to, now to get Jeff a turkey leg and find the main gate.

My trip to the fair was fun, I may go back now that I know about the bus. I would like to see the quilts and a few more things, but will plan ahead and wear tennis shoes and a cooler top. I left the house in a sweatshirt and flip flops.... not the best for the fair.

I hope you got a chance to go. If you didn't - there's always next year.

Patti

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Quilt Sewcial - 29 days away.

I'm sitting on my deck having coffee and working on my "Sewcialite" gifts. Did you realize our annual Fall "Quilt Sewcial" is on September 24th... that's only 29 days away.

I look forward to our "Sewcial" each time. We have a great group of ladies that have attended almost every one we've had. We've also been lucky enough to add new faces to each one as well.
I think the part that's the best is watching everyone make new friends, laugh and share their love of quilting with others with the same "addiction"

I have contacted Old Chicago and let them know that you have requested the menu be kept the same. I also reminded them that you wanted more Thai pizza on the buffet. If you have any other requests, please let me know and I will do what I can to see that it's done.

I don't think we will have "Stevie Wonderhands" doing his massages this time. His schedule didn't seem to work with our date. I will contact him to see if he can come, if not I think I have an alternative.

I will send out a reminder to everyone on our email list to get their reservations in ASAP. I need to get our total count. If you have a friend that you would like to have attend, let them know. I do have a few openings left. I don't want to go over 35 guests, that makes us feel crowded like a can of sardines.

I look forward to seeing everyone and sharing a day.

Patti


Friday, August 26, 2011

Learning to embroider... and havin' fun!!!


For the past 6 months, I've had this adorable book.
I just keep taking it out and looking at the cute dresses and trying to figure out what I want to make.

Since I'm in the middle of an applique Christmas BOM, starting another is not possible. BUT... what if I emboidered the little dresses?

I've wanted to learn to embroider for a while now. I watch the ladies once a month in our embroidery club do it and admire their wonderful projects. Becky and Sandy are unbelievable, their stitches are so even... perfection.

So, I traced one of the dresses on a plain background fabric, put the fleece on the back - found my hoop and started.

OK, so all I know how to do is the stem stitch, but that'll work.

The little sailor dress was the first I did. Not bad, my stitches were not exactly perfect but I think with practice and a few tips from Becky or Sandy and I could get better.




Since the dresses aren't appliqued there isn't a lot of color. So I decided that I would add rick rack, beads and any other tiny embellishments I could find.

It feels like designing clothing for kids.


This is my favorite so far. I love the scotty dog on the front.

I have several more done and now am trying to figure out what I will do with them. I was thinking of bordering each individual with a 30's print that coordinates with it, then sewing them all together. It may look nice... or too busy, we'll see when I get them all done.

Special thanks to Linda from Brandywine Designs for the wonderful book.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Birthday Buddies 4th Golf Tournament


On Saturday, August 20th we held our 4th Annual Birthday Buddies Golf Tournament.

40+ golfers and friends came to Majestic Oaks in Ham Lake to golf for the cause.

It was a perfect day. We couldn't have asked for better weather, nice breeze and no humidity.

To start off the fun, we raffled two "Party Carts". The carts were stocked with Callaway Hats, Wilson golf towels, tees a sleeve of quality balls from Koepke Law Group and lots of snacks and beer.

How fun to ride around the course in glittery style!!

Tee off was at 12:30, off they went. That gave Nancy, Jess, Deanna, Joan and I time to relax before we had to set up the evening raffles and games. Majestic Oaks catered the wonderful banquet.

Here are a few photos of the golfers. I didn't post all of them - I had over 60 pictures.

I want to thank everyone who came and those who couldn't but sent a donation. A special thanks to Dave "Hooner" for his wonderful contribution. Not only for this event but for his monthly contributions throughout the year. We couldn't do, what we do with out the continued support.

Starting to think toward next year. Have to get the reservation in at the club by December.... will you be golfing? More details to come.

Thank you again friends, it was fun and as always great to see you all.

Patti


Saturday, August 13, 2011

2011 Quilt Minnesota comes to an end.

Tomorrow is the final day of the 2011 Quilt Minnesota Statewide Shop Hop. Before I go any further, I want to say Thank You to all the participants that made this event, fun and were so appreciative of all the effort that was put into it.

I hope everyone had a wonderful time and got to see all the fantastic quilts and quilting related items available to them at all the shops. Isn't it fun to see how each shop has their own different flavor? I find it amazing how shops can carry the same fabrics but what each does with them makes them all unique. We're known as the Civil War and 1930's shop. We don't carry Asians or Batiks. So our main concentration lies in those areas. Many thanks for the comments on our samples. Alot of time is put into making and displaying quality quilts for you to enjoy.

Did you get to all the shops you had hoped to? What was your favorite thing about the Hop?
Was there something we - the shop owners- could do to improve your next years experience? These are questions that we ask ourselves after each hop. I would like to be able to take your comments to our finishing meeting and share them with our group and then on to Sue/Grubers for their last meeting. Your opinions do count and are important to all of us.

Please take a minute and send me an email so I can take it to the meeting and address it with the other shop owners.

Send responses to Pattipeltz2@aol.com and put Quilt Minnesota Comments in the subject line.

I can assure you, the other shop owners really want to hear what you think - we can' t correct or improve things if we don't have feed back.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
And again... Thank you for making the Hop lots of fun.

Patti


Friday, August 12, 2011

Time to Register

Now that the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop is winding down, it's time to think ahead to Fall and getting those last minute details taken care of for the events we have scheduled.

"Talent Show" Bed Turning
Thursday, September 15th
7:00 PM

Everyone loves Show and Tell. This is your chance to share your work with others who share the same passion - Quilting and Quilts. We will have current quilts, quilts from the past and even some that are still in progress.

You don't have a quilt you'd like to show... then plan on coming and enjoying the wonderful works of your fellow quilters.

Jean Carlton a certified AQS quilt appraiser will be at the shop from 1:00 - 7:00 doing quilt appraisals. If you would like to schedule one with her, you can call her directly (763) 420-7229.

We will have refreshments, door prizes and more. This is a charity event for "Birthday Buddies" so we would appreciate a $5 donation at the door. We are also collecting Cake Mixes and Frostings as well.

RSVP's a must. I will be renting chairs so all can sit and relax. Please give us a call and reserve your spot today. (952) 432-1827

"Quilt Sewcial"
Saturday, September 24th
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Once again we are getting ready for our Fall "Sewcial". For those of you who have never attended one, it's a day to sit, sew, eat and enjoy a full day with those who share your craft. No children, husbands, pets, cleaning or laundry.....just laughing and relaxing. A full day of "Me" time away from the hectic pace of every day life.

We will hold it once again at Old Chicago Conference Center in Apple Valley.
We still have several spots left... grab a friend or two and come join the fun.

Reservations required.

For more information, give the shop a call. (952) 432-1827

Friday, August 5, 2011

Clothesline Quilts - Table Cozees

Evonne Cook is a dear friend of mine. I met her at least 15 years ago when Barb and I use to do the Des Moines quilt show.

Evonne is the designer of "Clothesline Quilts". We carry many of her patterns in our Civil War section.

These new samples are from her "Table Cozees" patterns. She was kind enough to let us borrow her trunk show so that we could share them with you.

I really love the scalloped borders. Her patterns and instructions make it alot easier to do than it looks. I was just thinking.... it's time to start thinking about the Holidays. What a great gift idea.

I hope you'll have a chance to stop in and see them.