How I spent my last weekend...

 Last week, with my car packed full of sewing supplies and my 2 BFF's, Suzanne and Betsy, we headed off for 4 bliss full days of sewing.  We were joined by 10 of our best quilting buddies.  What a wonderful weekend it was!

I put the borders on a beautiful red and white scrap quilt that I started a year ago.

 Colleen finished her Christmas stocking that were made from a vintage bed spread.  They will look elegant for years to come.  Ellie was working on the cutest tiny 9 patches.

 Betsy's was working on her daughters wedding quilt.  Super Cute!  The center of each square was signed during the reception last October.  It is going to be a wonderful memory of that magical evening.

 Suzanne was working on a Moda Bake Shop project.  It will grace her bed on the 4th of July.

 Marla brought her hand appliqued blocks to sew together.  This was breath taking!

 This is a close up of one block.  This was a pattern in a magazine, by Pat Sloan.  I believe it was called August Breeze.

 This is Laurie's tidy work station.  She was working on a quilt for Quilts of Valor.  A wonderful cause.

 Kay made this cute little zippered pouch.  I was the lucky recipient. 

 Marla brought this for show and tell.  She had worked on it at a previous retreat.  I love house blocks, and those little floating stars.  The best!

 I made this Hobo Bag for the shop.  It's a Kwik Sew pattern. 

 I am in love with orange fabric!! An Orange Crush if you will!!  I jumped into my basket of orange and started to make pinwheels.  Before I knew it I had 35 of them!

Bob the Turtle Purse was along for the retreat. He had a difficult time selecting from the menu at JJ"s Fish House!!

There were many projects that I did not photograph.  Aprons, quilts, receiving blankets and more.  However the very best part of the weekend was the friendship in the air.  We have been doing this for 13 years. We have been through a lot with each other.  A sisterhood of women, brought together through the love of quilting.  I cherish our time together.  Long Live the Killer Bee's!!

BIRDS OF A FEATHER-SNEEK PEEK

 I have been working on a project for our upcoming Tri County Quilt Tour.  This is our Spring shop hop.  3 county's, 91 miles, 14 wonderful LQS's.

Each year we decide on a theme, and each shop designs a quilt block reflecting the theme.  In September we meet, bring our blocks for show and tell, and exchange patterns.  We each go back to our shops and design a quilt using all of the block patterns.  It is really fun to see what everyone comes up with.

This year we are calling the Quilt Tour 'Birds of a Feather'.  We each designed a bird house block. Super fun, don't you think?

 This is the block I designed, Noel did a beautiful job of appliqueing it!

 This darling little house was pieced by Patty.  It was designed by Calico Creations in Mount Vernon.

 This Chicken is from The Quiltmakers Shoppe in Arlington.  Kay Harris made this for me,  her little scarf is 3 dimensional!

Here is our quilt.  I am taking it to my quilter today.  We used fabrics from many different Blackbird Designs collections.   Then center block was embroidered by Pamela at Moondog Embroidery.  I am super happy with the way it turned out!

It will come to life when Pam is done quilting it-'It's not a quilt until it's quilted'.  J

Happy Valentines Day!

I have always loved Valentine's Day.

 This early Valentine with the treadle sewing machine reminds me that I wasn't the first generation to enjoy this holiday!

I remember decorating a shoe box, to place on my desk.  Such anticipation about the cards that would be stuffed into that box! 

 The selection process for me was very important.  Each card had to really remind me of the recipient.  Not too mushy for some, and kind of suggestive for others!

 This one is kind of racy for it's time!  Don't you think!

 Oh, I wish I had that dress to wear to dinner tonight!  Let's not talk about Tarzan's outfit...

This was a box of valentines from the 60's that was listed on eBay.  What a find!  There is one on the top with a cigarette, amazing.  I am sure there is one in that box for a teacher. I loved filling out the teacher card.  Using my best penmanship.

Here's a little secret about me, I was married on Valentines Day, 29 years ago.

It was a great day for a wedding, but it is not always a great day for an anniversary.  You need to make your dinner reservation at least a month in advance.  Restaurants are Super Crowded, so lingering is not an option.  We spent this past weekend in LA visiting our middle son.  We had wonderful meals, sunshine and great company.  A great way to celebrate.  Tonight, our favorite local spot.  Where they know our names, and how we like our food. 

I hope you spend the day with the love(s) of your life!! J

Our Saturday Girls!!

Keepsake Cottage is like many small businesses, the employees become family and the customers become friends.  It is one of the things I love most about the shop. 

Saturday was one of those days when it felt like we were all family.  There is a group of ladies who come for a little class, show and tell and friendship two Saturday's a month.  We just call them the Saturday Girls. We love it when they are there.  It's like our fun cousins coming over to play on Saturday morning.

One of the Saturday Girls has been dealing with cancer. So what does a family of quilters do, why the make a quilt of course!

Colleen was selected to say a few words, and present the quilt to Janet. 

 As you can imagine, she was speechless.

 We all went outside to take a few photos of the quilt and the group.

 Standing:  Joyce (the ringleader, teacher), Julie (me)  Colleen, Sue, Brenda, June and Carol.  Janet and Jane are in the front.  Many of these ladies met in a class 5 years ago.  For a couple of years they came once a month, but they have been coming twice a month for about 3 years now.

  Just as we were starting to take pictures these 3 great gals came through the gate.  Two of them stood on the bench and held the quilt and one of them was the official photographer!!  Thank you Sara, Annalee and Christine for helping us out!!

I have the best customers in the world!!

I HEART A SOCK MONKEY!

What's not to love about a sock monkey?  They bring back fond memories for many 'baby boomers'.

Besides, you just have to smile when you see one.  I found this big fellow in the Moda offices a few years ago.  My Buddie, Bobbi, from Sisters Quilt Shop in Chehalis took this picture of us. 

 This guy is nice and relaxed.  His tail seems short to me.  My Grandmother made monkeys for all of the Grandchildren, and my brother enjoyed swinging them over his head, by the tail. So, all of our tails were a little stretched out.  I think he wanted to be a cowboy, instead of a zoo keeper!

 Just look at this line up!  Each one with their own personality!  Just like people.  I have a hard time passing them up when I am in an antique store.  They look a little lonely when there is just one.  But, put them together on a bench, or coming out of a child's dresser drawers, and there is nothing but Monkey Business going on!

If you've been in the shop, you know that I use them as props in the Kid's Room.  A few have snuck into my office.  This year for Christmas, my son, Cameron gave me a sock monkey hat.  I have to admit when it was 16 degrees, I didn't mind dressing like a monkey.

I made them for my boys when they were young.  I was trendy, and made them with blue socks, instead of brown.  We have sold the socks in the shop for years, so I know someone is out there making them.

Did you know there are other sock animals?  I have an elephant, a unicorn and a bear. 

This book just came into the shop.  There are dozens of different ideas for making sock friends.  They are precious!  What a fun winter project.  Surprise someone for Valentines day with a little 'sock love'.  Be sure and show us before you give it away!

COTTON CROPS

You may have read about the rising cost of cotton, this fall.

It was big news when I was in Houston in October.  All of the vendors were talking about it.

We are all about to feel it.

I thought I would take a little time to try and explain what I understand, about the increases.

There is a real cotton shortage.  Both China and Pakistan had major flooding in 2010.  There were droughts in India.  Those things were unexpected.  The United States and Russia both under planted their cotton crops.

 So, that means that prices will be going up in 2011.  In some cases they have already started.  Some of the fabric vendors raised their prices each day at market.  It was a little like the stock market floor.  Heads of companies were on the phones, trying to lock in prices.  Others felt like they had enough greige goods purchased that they could go at least another season without increasing.

It won't just be fabric.  Anything made of cotton will be going up, we are already seeing increases in thread and in cotton batting. 

Clothing will be increasing also.  As well as bedding, cotton handbags and canvas shoes.

I have been talking with shop owners around the country, we hope this will be unlike other increases, and when the crops are better, the prices will come down. 

I love fabric as much as all of you do, so my plan is to continue buying.  I hope you will feel the same!

Maybe this will be a stash buster year, but we all know that scrap quilts always need a little something extra.  At least mine do!  No matter how hard I try to sew completely from my sewing room, I always need the 'right' green, or an inner border.  Sewing and fabric sooth my soul, so yes, there will be new fabric in 2011! J

THE GOLDEN TICKET

 I loved reading Roald Dahl books to my boys when they were young.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorites.  I remember the excitement Charlie Bucket felt when he found the Golden Ticket, don't you? 

Gene Wilder was an amazing Mr. Willy Wonka in the 1st movie.  My boys watched that movie over and over.

 I must admit I have not seen the Johnny Depp version.  I am not sure why, I know I would love it as well. 

Wouldn't it be great to win a Golden Ticket.  What if the Golden Ticket wasn't to win a trip to the Chocolate factory.  What if the ticket was to win a trip to a fabric company.  What if you had the winning ticket was for all expenses paid, for 2 people to go to MODA!! 

Here is your chance!

Our boxes of Moda Candy Bars just arrived.

Each box contains 4 fabric collections.  2 1/2" x 5" Candy Bars.  They are $26 each.

We were only allowed to order them at Quilt Market.

If your box contains a Golden Ticket, you will win a gift bag full of Moda 'sweets' ($150 value)

Each Golden Ticket holder will be entered in a chance to win the Grand Prize

A tour of Moda Fabrics

(3 days, 2 nights for 2, to Dallas, TX, November 2011. Transportation and accommodations for the winner and a guest)

I would love for the winner to come from Keepsake Cottage!!  Wouldn't you?  J