MIDWINTER REDS

 

 

MIDWINTER REDS

THE TRUNK SHOW

 

One of the best things about going to Quilt Market is

meeting with pattern and fabric designers.

And seeing what they have in store for all of the quilting community!

 

In May, I chatted with Laurie and Polly from,

Minik And Simpson

 

(They were the designers of Indigo Crossing, the fabric in my Quilt Sampler Quilt.)

 

They are delightful women, who have a wonderful eye for traditional quilts.

I arraigned to have them send me a trunk show from their newest collection of

fabric.  Midwinter Reds.  The fabric arrived about 10 days ago.

And the quilts arrived this week.

 

Breathtaking is the only way to describe them.

 Beautiful fabric, simplicity, wonderfully executed.

 

 

HOLIDAY

 

 

 

NIGHTINGALE

 

 

NANTUCKET

 

We will have the quilts in the shop until the end of October.

Please come by to see them. 

 

They are all fat quarter friendly,  and very doable!

 

xo j

WHAT'S NEW!

For those of you who follow the shop on Facebook,

you know that I just spent a week in Vegas.

Fabric Fest was hosted by Riley Blake.

They make wonderful, fun fabric!  And decided to 

host this truly amazing event.

4 fun filled days of classes, inspirational speakers,

shopping, and yummy meals!!

If they offer this event again, GO!!

More on my classes and all of the inspiration, later.

When I returned to the shop, we had some amazing new fabric on the shelves.

One day, we received over 100 bolts!

(there was some serious fabric magic going on that day, thanks girls!)

Tula Pink's newest group, Acacia.

I am in love with these little raccoons!


Another fun collection that arrived was Bungalow,
by Joel Dewberry.

I always like a fabric with a bird on it.  There are some nice
florals and geometrics in this group.



And then, there were the Romantic florals.
I have a hard time saying 'no' to Verna Mosqurea's designs.
So, we have all of Billet-Doux (Love Letters)

I feel like I had to come home to Hit The Jackpot!

I love my job.  Buying fabric for you, my favorite customers!

xo, j

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Oh, my dear blogger friends, I have missed you.

I was busy cutting kits for my beautiful Quilt Sampler quilt.

Then, Quilt Market.

Then more kit cutting,

A wonderful weekend at Cannon Beach,

With family.  Somehow, the weekend before Shop Hop was

The weekend that worked best for them.

Shop Hop.

2300 delightful quilters in 5 days.

A few extra hours on the floor.

A very nice dinner for the 3rd employee 

Who 'retired' in the last 2 months.

A few extra hours on the floor.

And today, inventory.

A few extra hours on the floor.

Tomorrow is our American Holiday. 

The shop will be closed.

I am taking 4 days off.  

My 'cracker jack' staff will be spending

A few extra hours on the floor.

For you, my 'favorite customers',

I wish you a wonderful Independence Day!

I will be on the floor next week.  

It is the favorite part of my job!!

Xo, j

SPRING QUILT MARKET IS A FOND MEMORY

It is hard to believe that I have been home from

Quilt Market for a week.

Maybe it was the head cold that came home with me.

Market was wonderful.

lots of great ideas, energy, fun, friends and 

taco salads.  Yes, we ate a taco salad for lunch, 4 days in a row.

One of the things I love most about market, is seeing so many creative people.
All in one big giant room.

Here is a little look at a few of them.

Amy Butler is in the center.  She was on a panel of Quilt Shop Owners
who have 'fashion sewing' in their shops.  Very informative.

 
This is Allison, from Cluck Cluck Sew
It was nice to chat with her.  I love her designs, and her patterns are
very well written!  A must in my opinion.  Did you know she lives in Poulsbo?

Always delightful, Anne from Bunny Hill.

We have yardage ordered for her new Block Of The Month!

And she gave me a sweet red and white striped horse.  Patterns are on the way!

It goes with out saying that these very talented sisters are on my Favorites list.
Laurie and Polly of Minick and Simpson designed the Indigo Junction fabric that I used
in my Quilt Shop Sampler Quilt.   Their next collection, Mid Winter Reds, has been ordered!
You still have a couple of weeks to see their trunk show in the shop!

This is Sandy Klop from American Jane.  This picture looks like she has a giant hat on!  So much for
my skills as a photographer!  He new collection reminds me of a group from years ago.
Peas and Carrots.  Classic American Jane!

 Tula Pink was constantly showing off her beautiful quilts.
Her newest collection is Acacia.  Raccoons make their way onto her fabric.
Very fun, as always!

One of my favorite moments at market, is when I track down, PamKittyMorning
Her new fabric from Lake House, was every bit as wonderful as I imagined!
PamKittyPicnic has been ordered, and I couldn't be happier!

Heather Bailey took a little embroidery design, and blew it up.  She spent
at least 2 days stitching this darling burlap wall!  Everyone was stopping by to chat.
What a fun idea!

Well, that is a little taste of the great talent.
As I look at other peoples photo's on line, I start to wonder,
did they go to the same Market I went to?
There were over 500 vendors, and it took us all three days to
get to each of the isles.  We found wonderful new things for the
shop.  I will share them as they arrive.  xo j

VISITORS FROM DOWN UNDER

Yesterday was a great day.

We had 3 wonderful Australian visitors.

Gail Pan and Helen Stubbings along with Helen's daughter, Tess.

Both Gail and Helen are pattern designers.  

Patchwork, applique and embroidery.

I have known Gail and carried her patterns in the shop,

for several years.

You might recognise her Berries and Bluebirds pattern.

Joyce selected clear bright colors for her quilt, Gail's quilt was done in 

a more Country pallet.

Helen has a wonderful new method of making Hexi's!  I am super excited about 

picking these up, at Quilt Market next week. Her pattern Company is 

Hugs 'n Kisses.  She has 2 exciting new clubs, a Hexie of the Month, and 

a monthly Embroidery Club,  Get Knotted.

Oh, boy, are we going to be having a good time in our Clubhouse!

Helen's daughter, Tess, has been studying in the US for several weeks, 

and as you can see, she was very happy to be back with her Mama.

Gail's new book, Simply Christmas  2013,

is in the shop.  It is full of delightful projects to

decorate your home or to give as gifts.

She has a way of combining patchwork and embroidery that

makes me smile.  I love her work!

This little treasure was given to me, by Gail.

I wanted to squeal,  it makes me so stinkin' happy!

Thank you, ladies for a day filled with fun and inspiration!  xo j

THE MOST WONDERFUL WEEK!

Well, I knew it was going to happen.

Just not exactly when.

I went to a meeting on Monday morning,

and when I arrived at the shop.

There were boxes, lots and lots of boxes.

  

When the first box was opened, I took a deep breath.

It was here.  My turn in Quilt Sampler Magazine.

I can't tell you how wonderful it felt.

And then I opened it to page 122. 

There is was.  My story, my shop, my home away from home.

And then it dawned on me.  YIKES!  The kits need to be finished!

So, I planned a 'party'.

50 bolts of fabric had been cut.  All stacked in neat piles.

I made 20 little place holders.  

We could make 20 kits at a time.  Like dealing cards.

The Shipping Department had been making boxes.

Kay and Faith were straightening stacks.

Noel was counting, to 12.  Over and over again.

 Joyce and Kay Hobby were on Quality Control

And Kits were being produced!

The 'Shipping Department' was pleased with the results, 

and is now open for business!

We had a great time, and a nice dinner.

I have the best staff ever!

Now, I can go back to soaking up the fun.

xo j

A LOT OF CUTTING GOING ON

I still not sewing.

I am thinking about it, and enjoying everyone's

projects.  People parade their wonderful works through the 

shop doors every day.  Customers and employee's alike.

Cutting.

Yes, lots and lots of cutting.

So that you, my favorite customers 

can sew.  The Quilt Shop Sampler will

be out in less than a month.

My kits need to be finished!

There are several tables filled with strips.

Each pile is an entire bolt of fabric.

Lots and lots of fabric.

 
Each pile gets cut into squares.
And then it is taken to the Accuquilt Cutter.
8 - 10 squares at a time.

And then they look like this.

It is a little time consuming.  But, you are all going to love
having all of the pieces cut for you!

Can you see the little notches?
Well, the Melon shapes have notches, too.
You will match them up, sew slow and steady, and before you
know it you will have a beautiful Robbing Peter to Pay Paul quilt! xo j

Sewless in Seattle (Bothell)

Today I walked into my sewing room

and realized that my sweet Bernina is still

in her case.

All that vacation sewing, is but a distant memory.

I came home to sick employees.

One right after the other.

Yesterday, was the first day I didn't work for 

over 2 weeks.

Today, I am in the clubhouse.  Working on the Website,

kits, orders, bills, paper, paper, paper.

I need a fabric fix!

A lot of fabric has been delivered to the shop.

Including 103 bolts of Northcott's Colorworks Solids.

They are beautiful

And a wonderful weight.  I really can't wait to peal off the plastic,

and use them!  xo j

TRI COUNTY QUILT TOUR 2013

This years Quilt Tour is

Quilts Through the Year.

Each shop designed a block for their assigned month. 

And, also for April. (there are only 11 shops this year)

My assigned month was July.  I was very happy, 

because I love a little flag block!

For April, I did a sweet tulip .

I decided I wanted my December block to have a Barbie Tree.

Complete with the charms from all of the shops.

As you can see, I did a very scrappy setting, sashing and borders.

All, with 30's fabrics.  I really think it turned out Super Cute!

And the back.  I love the back!  

Thanks, Pam, for the wonderful quilting. xo j

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WRAP-UP

On Monday, my trusty little group of quilters,

all brought their Underground Railroad quilt tops for show and tell.

They have been working on their quilts for

about a year.  We shouldn't talk about how long ago I first started mine.

(remember the selvage from 1999?

that fabric is in this quilt.)

Each quilt has it's own personality.

Just like it's maker.

Jackie

Louise

Marge

My 3 pride and joys!

I have taken them on a 3 year journey.

Sometimes, holding their hands.

Sometimes, reminding them not to run with scissors.

They have come so far, I am so proud of them!

They now have matching sewing machines, and take themselves on retreats.

They have had some great adventures along the way.

Thanks girls for all the fun and laughter!!  xo j

Last Evening of Our Little Vacation

It is hard to believe we have been here a week.

We have had long quiet days.

We went on a couple of drives,

Out to dinner a few times.

Had a snow day,

And today I sat on the deck and did a little stitching.

It is a wonderful life.

I now have 42 pinwheel blocks.

I need a plan, so I know how many more to make.

8 more Scrappy Trip Around The World blocks.

I have 12 at home. 

Finished the binding on my Tri County Quilt Tour Quilt.

I

Finished my Underground Railroad Quilt top.

Good Bye, Chelan.

You have been wonderful.

We will see you in the fall.  Xo j

Vacation Sewing, Day 3

Today we woke up to a dusting of snow.

A perfect day to continue working on my Orange Crush.

It was started a couple of years ago, at a Bee Retreat.

I will make more of these.

Mr. Quilts4julie might continue his new napping routine.

I always travel with some well loved quilts.

Just in case a nap is in order!  Xo j