Happy Birthday, Granny!

Granny's 90th birthday party was a wonderful sunny event. Held in a park just above the Pacific Ocean in Coos Bay, Oregon. There were about 70 people there, including her 3 sisters and her brother. Ruthie, Judy and Janet, her daughters, planned, cooked, decorated and hosted us all. She had Grandchildren, Greatgrandchildren and Great-great grandchildren in attendance. What a joyous day! She is sharp as a tack with a great since of humor, enjoys a little adult beverage from time to time, is still looking for a man to drive her to the store once in a while, and loves to be the center of attention.

How am I related? She is my father's, mother-in-law. Daddy and Ruthie were married 5 years ago, so, I am actually one of her newest grandchildren! Fun for all of us! Julie

U.S. Troop Bags

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter with your families. Easter is one of the 4 days a year that the shop is closed, so I always cherish the day with my family. I had expected to have just 2 of my boys for dinner, and by 5pm, 5 of their friends had come to join us. It was delightful. And, since I don't know how to make a small meal there was plenty of food for everyone.

The shop is working on a little service project, and if you would like to join us it would be great. We are making cloth drawstring bags for U.S. Troops. The bags are donated to another group that fills them with goodies and ships them overseas. Often they are given to children in the area where our brave men and women are serving. The bags use 1/2 yard of fabric, cording and take about 1/2 hour to make. So, if you would like to join in the fun, you can go to http://creativethimble.com to download the free pattern, or stop by the shop for your copy. I plan to mail them out on May 1st. Thanks in advance for your patricipation in this project. Julie

Rag Time Quilt

It has been a long time since I have made a rag quilt, but I have seen more and more of them in the shop recently. So, I have been inspired to make one. There is a special little lady in my life who is having her 90th birthday next week, so this seemed perfect. I was a little taken aback when a customer wondered if a 90 year old would "get" the rag quilt concept. It didn't occur to me that it wouldn't be a "real" quilt with tiny stitches. They are just for fun, cozy, nap time. I am pushing ahead, hoping to wash it at least twice (at the local wash-a-teria) before I head to Coos Bay for the big party. Then, I want to make one for myself! It is a wonderful way to use all of those batting pieces that I just can't bring myself to throw away! Julie

Tri County Quilt Tour

It's day 4 of the Tri County Quilt Tour. Between last weeks quilt show and the tour I feel like I have seen nearly every quilter within a hundred mile range! It has been quite the "quilt extravaganda" 2 weeks. The problem is I miss my sewing room! I keep watching and helping people put together new projects, and I want to do the same thing! So, at 8:30 this morning I pulled fabric for a cowboy quilt, to go on the bed in the cowboy guest bedroom. Just cutting the fabric helped ease my withdrawl symptoms. Every new stack of fabric is a belief that I will sew again!

I have a new granddog, and maybe he needs a little blankey. My son Quinton picked him out at the shelter last Sunday. He had surgery Monday morning, including a microchip. Q picked him up early Monday afternoon, I stopped by about 45 minutes later. He was still pretty drugged, but friendly and adorable. A yellow lab, pit bull mix. Q took him for a walk about 15 minutes later, and J-Rock bolted. Took off running with his leash dragging behind. Q tried to find him, but he was gone. You can only imagine how he felt. On Wednesday afternoon he recieved a call from the animal shelter in Kent, which is at least 15 miles from where he lives. Someone found him, still with the leash on, tied him to a fence post and called animal control. As my son Cameron said "it was just like Homeward Bound". Yes, I think J-Rock deserves a quilt!

It's Show Time

It's here, the much anticipated Quilter's Anonymous Quilts Show. It's always a full filled weekend. We have 3 suv's packed full ( much like the Beverly Hillbillies) of furniture, quilts, fabric, books and notions to create our "mini"shop. It's fun for us when it's all set up, and Friday morning arrives. The hard work is over, and we start seeing old friends, and making new ones. The guild works hard to put on the best show ever, and we are never disapointed.

The show runs from Friday thru Sunday. Y'all come out now, Y'here!

March

March is a busy month for me. This year there are 2 big events. The QA quilt show in Monroe the second weekend of the month, and the 2nd annual Tri-County Quilt Tour the following week.

We are busy sewing, cutting and kitting new exciting projects for all of you! I have sewn on 2 bindings, Noel has finished 2 charm projects, Joyce brought in a charm project that I didn't know she was making, Liz finished a quilt top from the Glory line and Lisa's Lakehouse quilt is kitted.

I hope that my quilter will be calling me any minute so I can finish the binding on my Sky's the limit quilt. It is really cute. Red, white and rick-rack says it all!

Last night I heard that there are 350 quilts in the QA show this year. That does not include special exhibits. It is always a wonderful show. I hope you will try to attend, please stop by the booth and say "Hi". Julie

Skys the Limit------Quilt Tour 2009

The Tri County quilt tour, Sky's the Limit, is just a month away. All 16 shops are busy finishing up their quilts. We have all made blocks designed by each shop, and incorporated them into a quilt using our own setting and color combinations. When I saw last years quilts I was amazed to see just how different each one was.

My life has been busy, so I have a "stunt sewer" working on my quilt, and I went to see her progress yesterday. I think you will all be pleased with the outcome. I selected a group of

red & white fabrics, and who doesn't love a red and white quilt? The theme "The Sky's the Limit", lent itself to star blocks. All 16 shops designed a 9" star block, and they look wonderful in the red and white color combo. Cleo's sewing skills are beyond amazing, and the blocks look terrific. Now, a little sashing magic and the top will be finished, and then off to the quilter. Every shop's quilt is supposed to be quilted, bound and hanging in their shop by March 1st. I think I will be screeching to the finish line, but it should be done.

To find out more information about this event go to www.quilttour.com