Minnisota Road Show

Snibbles is a great example of what you can do with those pieces of fabric that you just can't throw away. With a little jazzy fabric, like the black and white check in the large quilt, you can have a stunning quilt from the left overs in your sewing room. Just like those "free dinners" we all love with left overs.

This large quilt is hanging in the shop, and is getting rave reviews. Debbie Beaves from Maple Island Quilts does a great job of looking at design with a artistic eye. I made a purse from her pattern "Wallet and Grommet", which has been a hit in the shop.

It is always fun for me to find a new designer. Maple Island Quilts is one of those great finds.

Minnisota Road Show

This darling quilt is hanging in the shop. It was made by Linda Hohag, from Brandywine Designs. It is one of the great projects in her book A Critter Christmas. It is full of sweet faced animals dancing and playing. There is a large quilt and several small projects.

Her art work is alway fun and full of whimsey, These little guys just make you smile.

Minnesota Road Show

The Minnesota Road Show will be displayed in the shop until Oct 20, I hope you will have a chance to stop in and see the wonderful projects these 4 women have created for this show.

Terri Atkinson has a stunning black and white version of the cover quilt in the show. Her way to applique the letters is fast and easy, and she includes a disk in the book, so you can resize the fonts. Very clever.

Remember we are having a Demo night on Wednesday October 7th, from 6 til 9. Then we will all run home to watch Top Chef!

Wicked

OMG! What a wonderful show Wicked is. I feel like I can dance and kick up my heals after an evening of watching the pro's. If this show comes to a city near you, scrimp and save so you can buy the best seats in the house. It was soooo much fun.

Just a reminder, tonight is Top Chef. Team Ashley will be gathering around the Tevo, skipping the commercial breaks. If you are in Seattle, she will be in town this weekend, cooking a special meal on Sunday at Branzino. (Of course her special Sous Chef will be at her side!). I had dinner there on Monday, and the Pear Sorbet was to die for. Who knew?

SEPTEMBER SEW-ALONG Part 7

Okay, now we are ready to sew the blocks together. It is pretty straight forward.

5 blocks across and 7 blocks down.

A little hint, Be careful to sew block 2 the same position each time. I did a little reverse sewing. But you want that graphic diagonal line. They look like bow-tie blocks, don't you think?

Have fun sewing. It's the last day of summer, a perfect time to be finishing up a cozy quilt for fall.

SEPTEMBER SEW-ALONG Part 6

I know this is Friday, but I was having computer issues yesterday. They are continuing on the shop's computer, argh!! But the nice people at Dell are sending me a new one at the end of the month. In fact when I was having an online chat with Bobbie at Dell, she asked me what the name of the business was. When I responded Keepsake Cottage, she came right back with "In the big red barn, I know your website" So, Bobbie, if you are reading this, thanks for the great service yesterday! As most of you know the computer is a little scarey for me. I have forced myself to use it more. It takes way to much time. Time that I could use sewing!

So, on with our Friday Sew-Along.

Today you are going to sew the 4 1/2" strips of fabrics C &D together.

Press towards fabric C.

Cut the strip sets into 36 3" segments.

Sew the segments to the C,D,E units that you made last Thursday. Matching the D and C sides of the block as in the photo above.

Press toward the C,D units.

Make 17-8 1/2" blocks.

Since we are a day behind, please post a comment before midnight tonight to be eligible for the 20% off coupon.

Have a great weekend.

SEPTEMBER SEW-ALONG Part 5

If it's Tuesday we must be cutting! Today we will be cutting for Block 2 and borders and binding. Then next week we can just sew, sew, sew.

Fabric C- cut 3- 4 1/2" wide strips

Cut 6- 2 1/2" wide strips

Fabric D-Cut 3-4 1/2" wide strips

Cut 5 2" wide strips

Fabric E-Cut 6-4 1/2" wide strips

I hope you are liking your fabric choices. I am planning to make at least 2 more of these quilt tops. One in Christmas fabric, and one that is sports theam. It would be a great guy's quilt. We are always looking for something to make for that young man in our lives. Girls just seem easier to sew for.

If you are sewing along, leave me a comment for a chance to win a 20% off coupon for the baking fabric for this quilt. I will pick a winner on Thursday evening.

91 Mile Yard Sale

Yes, It is true, we are having a big 'ol yard sale. It is 91 miles from Keepsake Cottage to Tangled Threads in Lynden, and the Tri-County Merchants are going thru there storage units, pulling older stock from their shelves, looking for models they are finished with and who knows what else will end up in this great sale.

The 15 shop owners had a meeting this morning, talking about how we want to make this a fun annual event for all of you, our loyal customer base. Each shop will have different items on special in their shop, as well as a beefed up clearance area. I even heard one shop owner say something about $2.00 a yard!

Here at Keepsake Cottage, we are going to have all of our precut fat quarters on sale for 20% off. We are pulling bolts to go outside on our $5.oo table, and we will also have a table of samples for sale.

The event is only 2 days, October 2 and 3. From 9:30 until 6:00. So, plan your route, make your coffee the night before and grab a buddie. This is going to be FUN!

MODA U Graduation

Today was the final class for Moda U 08-09. It was a beautiful morning and we had a brunch on the front patio. Both Noel (top photo) and Joyce (bottom photo), had their quilt tops finished to share with the graduates! They are stunning, and oh so different from one another. Noel used American Jane fabrics, pulling from many lines. And Joyce used Portobello Mushroom and Heritage for her quilt. The next session of Moda U will begin in October. Joyce has all of the pieced blocks finished and is just waiting for the shop sample kit to arrive so she can start on the wool applique. We are pretty excited for this quilt to get under way. There are still some spaces left....

TOP CHEF

So, are you watching? I hope so, it's been fun to see someone I know on TV. Ashley has cooked for me, and she has taught my son, Quinton, so much about cooking. Her food is amazing. It's on Bravo, Wednesday nights, but they repeat it often during the week. She was recognised in the airport last week! She is the executive chef at Bransino in the Bell Town area in Seattle.

SEPTEMBER SEW-ALONG Part 4

Today we are going to sew the center section of block 2.

Sew together lengthwise the 2" strips of fabrics C and D.

Press toward fabric C.

Cut the strip sets into 36 3"wide pieces.

Sew the fabric E squares as shown in the top photo to the C-D segments. Press toward E.

Make 17 units.

Have fun!

SEPTEMBER SEW-ALONG Part 3

Today we are cutting out block 2.

Fabric C (mine is red, this will also be your binding)-Cut 3 strips 2" wide.

Fabric D (mine is gold, this will be your inner border) Cut 3 strips 2" wide.

Fabric E (mine is blue, this will be the outer border) Cut 2 strips 3 1/2" wide, then cut 18 3 1/2"

squares.

There you have it. Hope block 1 is all finished. My quilt top is finished and it is cute, cute, cute!

George, WA

My oldest son lives 500 miles away. I love a chance to see him, and yesterday was one of those rare days. He and his girlfriend drove 400 miles to the Gorge in George, WA. This is an annual event, to see The Dave Matthews Band. I drove over yesterday morning to have a little visit with them. It is beautiful high desert country, with the Columbia River below. I have seen the most amazing sunsets at the Gorge. Seeing the kids in Tie-Dye was every bit as wonderful as a sunset!

Remember, we are cutting tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day holiday!

SEPTEMBER SEW-ALONG (part 2)

Ready to sew? I am just a couple of steps ahead of you, and I tell you this is going to be a pretty cute quilt!

To all of the 18 6 1/2" squares, add a 6 1/2" rectangle to 2 sides. Press to the rectangle, then add an 8 1/2" rectangle to the other 2 sides of the square, press to the rectangle. Your block should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Cute already, right? We will do more cutting on Tuesday. Get your homework done.

I just might post some other great stuff before then, So, check back. J

AN EVENING OF SEWING

Last night a couple of the Kuties and I did a little sewing. This quilt top is for a friend of ours, and is from the pattern "Just Can't Cut It". A great pattern to use when you have big beautiful florals and you want to be able to show off the fabric. We actually made 2 tops in about 2 hours. One for our quilt buddie, and one as a shop sample. This one is going to be quilted with a butterfly all over design, can't wait to see it finished.