Space!!! The Exciting Frontier

It's the end of the year! What a great year it has been! Here at Aunt Mary's we have had a very successful "End Of The Year Sale" I have a whole empty shelf where Christmas fabrics used to be, and other spaces throughout the shop. I get kind of excited! At the first of the year we have so many wonderful things to look forward to here. Our 10th Anniversary, New classes, Tri County Quilt tour and sooooooo much more! Not to mention LOTS of new fabric coming in! I like to start out the new year with new displays, and new quilts hanging. I guess I'm am kind of overwhelmed! So much to do! But, it all fun stuff. So HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Let's get at it!

Wishing Everyone A Magical Christmas

Ho, Ho, Ho! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The Shop is by tradition, VERY SLOW! You are all doing your last minute miracles. Husbands and kids have been in looking for special goodies for you, but other than that, the shop is quiet. I really kind enjoy the hush. I have spent this morning getting ready for the end of the year sale and printing newsletters. Almost everything I have to do is done. So now I will relax and enjoy!
I hope you can spend some time just enjoying the minutes also.

To you and all your loved ones....... Have a happy, peaceful holiday!!!

What I Have Been Working On This Holiday Season

Aren't theses blocks FUN? They are hanging above my desk. It's the project that I have been working on for a few weeks. Its a quilt kit that I have here in the shop. It's called "Noel" By Verna Mosquera. Shes the amazing designer from Vintage Spool. I have done a few of her patterns. She's one of my favorite designers. This one has fabric from Free Spirit. At first I wasn't too sure I liked the fabrics she chose. But working with it and seeing the blocks come together. I LOVE IT! It's going to be a real treasure. I have a few more blocks done, so I have to put them up on the wall so that you can watch it grow. If you are interested in a kit, stop in and see me.

Wow! Megga Cool EQ 7 Just In

Just got the new software from "Electric Quilt" into the shop. Boy Oh Boy Does it look interesting!

I have had electric quilt 5 in my computer for several years and have not updated it for the last few upgrades. I use it quite often for class lessons and working on quilt designs. Plus, I can find all the traditional quilt blocks for customers that they can't find a pattern for and help them design a quilt with them. But it has it's limitations.

THIS new version looks mega cool!!! It does all kinds of things that mine doesn't. This one lets you scan in your fabric and use it in your design. You can also scan in a photo and do fun things with it. It lets you drag and drop all different sizes of blocks onto your quilt to make nontraditional settings. Plus lots of other fun options. I may have to spring for it myself.

Maybe Santa can bring one for you?

Here Are Some Of My Favorite Things

There is a skinny little glass case that divides the classroom with the rest of the shop. Maybe you have noticed it. It's crammed full of lots of little fun things. Antiques, buttons little do dahs. It's lots of my favorite things. I love to have it behind glass because I can enjoy it and I don't have to dust it.

I have been reading a great book called Kick-ass Creativity. I recommend it to anyone. One of the things it talks about is when things are getting us down and or we are thinking about something that is bothering us and we can't seem to think about anything else. OK, obsessing about things! We need to have something that can take our minds off of it for a little while. Something that makes us happy. It doesn't have to be anything big. Maybe a fabric collection? It's good for us to give ourselves time to enjoy something. I hope you have some of your favorite things where you can enjoy them.

Pillow Cases! Every body LOVES Them

You know, I just don't give this tried and true project enough credit. I always think.... Well.... Everyone has already done this project. BUT, it's still one of the most loved projects to make. Every one truly loves to receive them and they really could not be easier to make. I have a demo set up in the shop if you don't know how to make one. It takes just four straight seams and about 15 minutes to make one. It's a great very first sewing project for a teen.

I have been making these for all my family since before I had a quilt shop. Andy must have been around eight. Well, several Christmases ago, I thought I would skip it and not make them. He's twenty two now and they must be bored with them by now. Well, you would have thought I didn't love them any more. I got all kinds of complaints. So, now it's just a tradition for Christmas and their birthdays. I pick out something that fits their personalities, and make them their special pillowcases. Because, yes! I still love them very much. Don't let on how easy they are.

"Cherry Tweet"

A new kit has been added to the family of quilts in the shop. This one is called "Cherry Tweet" I really enjoyed appliqueing it this summer and fall. It was my project that I worked on while watching my son play summer ball. I even worked on it at a few mariners games this summer. If you look real close you can probably find a little mustard on a piece or two. It's amazing how I always seam to associate a project with the time I spent working on it. So this one will be a very good memory. Looking at it I can just smell the grass and hear the sounds of the game. Weird huh?

So anyway this is now a kit in the shop. All ready for you to make your memories with.

It's Not To Late To Make A Special Tablerunner

Check this out! Possibly THE quickest table runner pattern on earth! Find yourself a pretty border stripe and using the 60 degree ruler make a few cuts, sew a few seams and..... Voila!!! A Christmas Table runner!!! Only 1 1/2 yards of fabric will make TWO tops. Then, if you don't want to bother with a binding, just do a pillowcase turn, and top stitch. You know, it doesn't have to be a Christmas table runner. Find a pretty floral or themed fabric for the rest of the year.
I hope you are all having a magical holiday season. This time of the year, the shop slows down. You are all doing all your holiday duties. So I have lots of time to dream up new projects and fun things for you all to take part in latter in the winter season. I have been working on a new applique quilt that I have been really enjoying. Stay tuned for pictures. It's also time to get serious about getting a winter newsletter done. Sew much to do! Better get at it!!!

The Famous Christmas Tree Napkins

This one is possibly the easiest project I'm going to show you! We have been doing these kits for several years and the novelty just has not worn off. Everyone would love a set of these fun little Christmas tree napkins. The kit makes four. then you have the patterns to use over and over. Make a set for everyone you know. It really won't take much time. Promise!!! For all of you that keep telling me you have a boat load of Christmas fabric....... here you go.

Zipity Do Dah!

Ok! as promised. Here is another fun easy project that can be done in no time. Aren't these great? Make a makeup purse, (or treasure bag) and embellish it with ric rac or buttons or just let the fabric do the talking. these are both new patterns from Atkinson designs. How about a fun bag to keep your glasses or sunglasses?

And, just look at these beautiful colored zippers that you can put into your project. I just love how they have just about any color you could possibly need. It really is the Icing on the cake! Great!!!!

Fast, Easy, Holiday Projects For Everyone

Ho,Ho.Ho! The biggest Holiday season is upon us! It's been a tradition in my life to make gifts for my friends and people I love. I think it's so much more personal than going to the mall. What could be better than spending a wintry day at home crafting something special? The thing is what you make does not have to be difficult. Why not play with fun things that can be made in an afternoon. So, this month on my blog I will try to show some really fast, fun and beautiful projects that you can make without getting stressed. The first one is made from the new "toweling by the yard" that I got in from Moda. It's only $5.99 a yard. You could make towels (of course) by just hemming up the edges, Or make these beautiful throw pillows. I made this one with just 3/4 of a yard. can't you just picture a pile of these in a comfy chair in the kitchen? Sweet!!! I can't imagine it would take ANYONE more than fifteen twenty minutes to make one. Check in soon for more ideas.

Sometimes Simple is the BEST

Isn't this just a gorgeous pillow? My friend Donna made it, and it is soooooo simple! Just find yourself a big beautiful print that you can't live without, Sandwich it with batting and do some stitching.

It's really a great place to practice your free motion quilting. Come on! You can do it! Just follow the curves of the flowers and have some fun. If you use some beautiful varigated thread you can't go wrong. Then make it into a pillow. What a great gift for someone you love! They will think you are amazing!

My Tummy is Full and I am Thankfull

Well, it's the day after Thanksgiving, "black Friday". I'm here early to take care of a few things before we open the doors. Not that there is a huge crowd out there just waiting to bust down the doors. I like to think Quilters are a little more laid back. I would still be in my jemmies if I didn't have to get the shop open.

The shop is quiet and I am feeling very Thankful. I feel very lucky to have this place and to have such great customers and friends. Hopefully in just a few hours we will have a shop full of laughing, happy people. It's our After Thanksgiving Sale today. Everything is 15% off in the shop. If you bring in a donation for the food bank, you get an extra 5% off. I hope we get lots and lots of food to take down to the food bank for those that don't have enough. There is so much in my life I am thankful for.

Let's get this show on the road!

Deck The Halls........

Well, Jack frost is nipping at our noses just a bit early this year. It sure makes for a quiet quilt shop. Well, I can't blame anyone for not wanting to go out. All we hear on the news is "STAY HOME" DON'T GO OUT" Well, my husband will get me here no matter what! He lives for snow! So the shop has been Very slow today. I took the opportunity to make it winter wonder land. I got out all the Christmas trimmings and got to work. I think it looks great in here. I have lots of great stocking stuffers and fun gifts for quilters this year. Friday is a big sale day. I hope to see someone.

Oh, and I also made up about a zillion pillowcase kits. Who doesn't love a new custom made pillowcase made just for them. I have lots and lots of kits, or you can pick out something special just for that special person. They are sooooo easy to make. Really! If you have a half hour, you could make this project and maybe have it wrapped up to. They will LOVE it.

Don't You Just Love It!

There are some quilts that I get soooo excited when I see them done! This one is one of them. We have had some wonderful "Saturday Sampler"sessions here at Aunt Mary's over the years. Maryanne brought this one in to show me. It's one of the last ones we did. Each month we would put a block together using a new technique. Paper piecing, applique, templates, even hand piecing. It was fun to teach something different each month, and perhaps turn someone on to a new technique. I am so excited to see this one. Thank you! for sharing!!! And congratulations!!! It's done! I hope you enjoyed it.
Maybe I should start a new one this year. Hmmm? I will have to put some thought to it.

New Jan Mullen Fabric!!!

At last!!! Jan Mullen is back! She is this cute little lady from Australia that several years ago designed wonderful fabric and really fun patterns. She also had several books out. I just loved her fabric. Fun, Bright and whimsical. I have used it, and used it, clear down to tiny pieces, for many applique and quilt projects. Customers are always picking out the fabric and wanting to know were to get it, but alas, it's been gone for several years. Well, now she's back!!!

I don't think she has been doing any patterns, at least not at this time. Hopefully she will be getting back on the boat. At least now we have her fun line of fabric. Get it while it lasts!

Another Fun Class!

Sunday was such a rainy day in the neighborhood! It was gloomy and wet! You should have been here at Aunt Mary's, enjoying a really fun class, a hot pumpkin spice latte and some great company!!! This is the "Spicy, Spiral Table runner" Everyone had such a great time. Here's Denise with her creation.

Our wonderful instructor was Ethel, She's is simply the most warm wonderful person I know, and she happens to know a few things about quilting too! I just LOVE her.
The colors were all so different with each project, so it was fun to see how they were coming out.



Here's Sandy! What a fun lady! and a great smile too!

Diane picked out such pretty colors. It was really fun to see how each one was different. We had Christmas fabrics,Fall Fabric and to dye for batiks! You can NEVER go wrong with batiks! All in all a really fun day!

Bears!!

Isn't he CUTE!!! This is what I did on my day off. I had fun!!! It seams like I work on quilts so much, I forget about all the other sewing projects out there. I really enjoyed making him. I bet there's lots of friends that would just love him for a gift. It's getting to be that time.

Remember "Handmade Gifts are From The Heart! Not The Mall"

We have lots of ideas for gifts to make. You better get started though.

Colors to Inspire Us!

I just go crazy this time of year! My family thinks I nuts when I make them stop and look at a pretty tree. They know where all my favorite trees are on our way home. I am very lucky to have some great trees just outside the Quilt Shop window. How can we not be inspired!? Even on rainy, windy days I love to drive around and watch the leaves fall.
Here are some of the pretty leaves just outside my door. I have been known to yell at the gardeners that come by with their blowers and blow them all up. They kind of look at me like I strange. Oh, Well let's just enjoy them for a little while longer!

A Bunch of Miss Muffets and Their Tuffits

Here's the Tuffit Class with their finished (or almost finished) tuffits. They really created some great pieces of art! I would just love to have one of these. One of the girls made three! She's getting ahead of the holidays. Wouldn't you just love to find one of these under the tree for you? Hand made gift are so wonderful. I would so rather get something that's hand made rather than from the mall. If you are looking for inspiration for a hand made gift, come to the shop. We have lots of ideas for you!

Saying Good by To a Good Friend

It's with a heavy heart that I have to say good by to a good friend. Sandy Carlson passed away earlier this week. She helped me here in the shop, and was a dear friend. I will miss her.

This is a huge lesson to me. Last week I thought about calling her about ten times. I didn't get around to it. Other things just got in the way. So now I am left to hope she knew how much she meant to me. She was a dear and wonderful friend. You just never know what will happen. I feel VERY blessed to have so many wonderful and much loved friends in this world. There is nothing better than seeing a smiling face that is always on you side no matter what, and we have all heard that we should never miss a chance to say "I love you". Well..... So after you read this, take a minute and call a friend just to say hi. Thank you all for being part of my life!

Cute New Fabric

Just arrived! Isn't this group soooo cute? It's from In The Beginning, designed By Jennifer Jangles. She also has some really fun patterns that will be coming in soon that use her fabrics. The buttons are also from her. They are hand made! Very whimsical. I can wait to use some of these in a project. OH I wish I had more time!!!

Sharp Knives Can Be Dangerous

Hasn't it been just the most beautiful fall? I can not say enough, how much I love this time of year. Some of the trees outside the shop are still almost all green. I hope that means we will enjoy the colors longer. I don't know why but the fall colors, and watching a leaf float down makes me feel happy. I guess we need to grab onto the small things in life that make us happy.

Another thing that makes me happy is sharp knives. This is John from Ewok Eversharp. He spent the weekend here in the shop taking care of everyones scissors, knives and misc. tools. He is such a good guy. I enjoy having him and his wife, Jan here. He really does a great job. I know because I took a little chunk out of my finger cutting tomatoes yesterday. It slipped! Oh well, It wasn't enough to even merit a band aid. But I got my husband to do the dishes. HEE HEE. John will be back nest spring to sharpen up more knives and things. Watch my newsletter and web site for more info.

Busy! Busy!

Wheww!!! The last two days here at Aunt Mary's has been a whirlwind! Wednesdays The classroom gets taken over by this wonderful group of "Ladies" we like to call them the "NASTY GIRLS. They ar such a great group of friends that make my day fun and exciting. They sew, eat laugh and generally having a good time. My good friend Cleo tends to be the ring leader and trouble maker. There is always one in every group, but we wouldn't know what to do without her. What a fun lady! Then at four the Applique Society girls come in. We have a great time sharing the projects we are working on, talking about our applique passion and having a wonderful "potluck" dinner. Let me tell you - these girls know how to cook! My husband is always jealous. Last night he went to Taco Time. :(

This morning I had to be here kind of early to set up for Roxanne's "Girls Day Out" and another group of girls, "The Sassys" that meet over by the kitchen. Both groups had a good time. There seemed to be lots of noise coming from the classroom area anyway. I just love to hear that hub bub. It always sound like a flock of birds. Here are a few pictures of some of the quilts that were shared this week. Norada made this pretty quilt with the pattern and kit that we had in the shop. It's called "Mod Quad" So now here I am. It's kind of quieted down. So I better get a few things cleaned up and ready for the week end.

Zippity Doo Dah!

Aunt Mary's just got in a new display of beautiful zippers! I know, your saying to yourself "What's so cool about zippers?" Well, let me tell you. THEY COME IN ALL KINDS OF PRETTY COLORS, that's what! I read somewhere that quilters are like crows. We like anything shiny and pretty!

Then, I got in some great patterns to go with them.

These are from one of my favorite designers "Atkinson Designs"
They also are the ones to come with the pretty colored zippers. Imagine that!

I think these are some really fun things to get us going with our Christmas list. Great little wallets and zippered pouches. Who wouldn't love one of these in just the right fabric for them? And, I love the idea of decorating this one with pretty buttons. (Crow theory again) But if you know me at all, you know I love buttons. Incidentally, I just got in some really fun, pretty new buttons too, but that's another blog.

This little organizer is sitting on our front counter. It's been a hot seller. It also has a great size to go into your bag to organize it, then you can lift it out and put into a different bag. Cool Hu? We made this one before the zippers arrived. I think it would look nicer with a lime green zipper on it. Oh Well. Maybe next time!

A New Project

Ok! I think I got my pictures up again. I tell you - Technology is hard to keep up with! Anyway, Here is a new kit that we have in the shop. It's called "Noel" The pattern in from Vintage Spool. One of my favorite designers. I just love it! I will be starting a sample this week. I have to finish up a different quilt first (One that I know will be very popular also) Isn't it great that there is just no end to the great projects?

Here are some of the pretty fabrics that go with "Noel" They are soooo yummy! Can't wait!

Can't get pictures to load in the blog!!!

So, I haven't updated my blog in a few days. SORRY!!! Every once in a while Blogger decides to update some function that I have to figure out all over again.  Just when I think I'm so cool.  SLAP!!!  Oh, well!  That's exactly how life goes. 
I wanted to load a picture of the flyer for the "91 Mile Yard Sale " that is Friday and Saturday this week.  The Tri County Quilt Merchant Association (All the cool shops in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom Counties)  There are 15 of us that get together to figure out how to make this THE QUILT SHOP DESTINATION.  This is one of the two cool events that we do together each year. 
Each of us will be gathering together all our clearance fabrics, books, patterns, kits, old samples, and who knows what else that needs to go home with someone, and we price them  accordingly.  We also will have some section of the shop on sale.  Aunt Mary's will have all  yardage on sale for 15% off.  
But that's not all we are doing this weekend.  For every $20 you spend spent at any of the shops, you will get an entry into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate from each shop.  That will be a $350 shopping spree for one lucky winner.   Whoo HOO!!!
For more information on this event and a mape to each of the shops go to www.quilttour.com
So get some friends togehter and get out there!  I hope to see you!

Fall Is In The Air

Ok, So maybe fall has been in the air for quite some time!  I just happen to be one of those that just loves fall.  The colors, the smells and yes even the fall weather.  It must be the Northwest girl in me.  It's time to make a great homemade soup to make the house smell wonderful, and settle down to a fun quilting project.  The shop has some really wonderful fall fabrics in.  I  love the colors!!! It makes me want to go shuffle through some leaves and pick out the pretty ones.  Enjoy the season.  Pretty soon it will be winter.

Meet The Teacher

Tomorrow (Saturday) is meet the teacher day.  From 10 to 1 you can stop in and meet some of the great, talented teachers that will be teaching this fall.  It's a great time to stop by and see the samples, ask any questions you may have and get signed up.  If you sign up for a class on Saturday you will get a coupon for 15% off your supplies for the class.
Here are some pictures of some of the class samples.

This is a buggy barn quilt.  For the class you  get to pick a quilt from one of their books and we will help you make it.

This is the Spiral Table Runner. It looks so much harder than it is. The color combinations are endless!

Here is the "Color Shuffle" Quilt that Donna is teaching.  Take lots of pretty colors and shuffle them up and sew together...... Fun!

So have you wanted to learn Needle Turn Applique?  Here you go!

Pretty  Posies!  This one teaches Machine Applique.  There are lots more classes. Stop in and check them out.  Hope to see you on Saturday!

Fun New Pattern!

Here's a new pattern from Maple Island Quilts, the makers of BQ.  It's really a great pattern to use a big beautiful  print that you would like to show case.  You can make a quilt as small as  32" x 41" using the smaller blocks, or as big a a Queen size using bigger blocks.  And it sooooooo easy!  Even a beginner would love it.

Here's one we did using an adorable big jungle print by Alexander Henry.  It's a large Lap size quilt.  Any kid would love it!  And guess  what?  we have kits all ready for you to put it together!  It would make a great week end project!

New Fabrics!

Boy oh boy are we getting lots of new fabric in.  There is something for everyone!  Here are some very cute animals for the little guys. These hippos are soooo cute!  I also got some of these prints in flannel.  Think cozy pillow cases for a fast project. 

Here's something for the big guys!  These pin up girls are VERY collectable.  Old Alexander Henry sure knows how to design some cute fabric!

Here's some great fabric for the cow boys and girls.  I think this fabric would make a really fun bag.  There is also a great new BQ pattern  that this fabric would work great in. Very fast and easy! 

And, look what my friend Cathy did.  She took an old chair out of the classroom and re-did it in some Jane Sassaman fabric.  I LOVE IT!!!  Now I have a nice place for the customers to sit while I cut their fabric.  Kathy is definitely on my good list!