April Showers.........

That rain out there sure seems to be unending! But you know the old saying.... April Showers, Bring May Flowers! Well, we better be getting a really BIG bunch of flowers!!! Out in the pots in front of the shop, my tulips are just about ready to open. So there are some signs of spring out there. Here in the shop we have been getting lots of new spring colors in. It's so fresh and clean looking. I have several new lines that just shout SPRING! This is one from Moda. They really know how to do flowers. On the end there are some new ones from Riley Blake. We also got in a great line from Clothworks with butterflies and poseys. So if you need some spring, come visit.

Zentangle! Cool!!!

And now for something fun and different! My friend, Karen brought these books in to our Appliques Society meeting for "Show and Tell." They are really cool Even for those that are always saying "I can' t draw" It's all about relaxing, making a shape and filling it in with simple designs. It's kind of a "Zen" thing. Actually I think it's what we did on our pee chees when we were board in class. There are lots of ideas and instructions on how to make your designs, and fantastic ideas on what you can do with them. I think the designs translate very easily into machine quilting. One of the books is all about quilting arts. I think kids would really love to play with these ideas, and remember there is an inner kid in all of us just waiting to get out of us to play.

Another Finished Quilt!

I have been so busy with all the events around here that I have not had time to show off the quilt that I just finished in time to put in my booth at the Q.A. Show. It's a B.O.M. By Verna Mosquera, called Noel." I have it here in the shop to sell as a complete kit, or I have the pattern for sale. At fist I wasn't too sure I liked all the pink, but as I got going and added the other soft colors, I fell in love! I know it's a Christmas quilt, but Christmas will be here in no time at all, and if you start now you can have it finished by November at the latest!

I really enjoyed every minute of this quilt. Now I have had a hard time finding something else I want to start. It's kind of like finishing a REALLY good book. It's kind of hard to pick up just any old book after that. Don't worry though. I just saw a new one that I think will be my next project. I better find something fast though. I have such a hard time in the evening without any hand work to do. I have probably gained a few pounds! I might just have to start smoking!

Tir County Quilt tour Starts Today! Yey!!!

OK! I'm Ready!!! The Tri County Quilt Tour starts today! The shop is all pretty again and we even have cookies made to greet the shoppers. Check out the cool window one of my good friends gave to me. Her husband made it! Isn't it great? I am soooo lucky to have such wonderful friends and customers. Now Aunt Mary can be watching out the window for customers all the time.

Our quilt tour theme this year is "Birds of a feather" So we went to town with the birdie theme. This quilt is called Bird Crossing. It's really easy. I think the colors are fun.



We even made birdies in a tree. Just a little touch of spring! The sun is out to greet us today and it really does feel like spring. I hope lots of you can get out and enjoy it! Happy Hopping!!!!

Q.A. Quilt Show. WOW!

Whew!!! I tell you, I will be happy when life slows down just a bit. Last week end was the Quilters Anonymous show out at the Monroe Fair Grounds. The show was just wonderful. I had a such great time seeing everyone. it's like a big party!

There was some really wonderful creations in the show this year. I was blessed to have my booth right across the isle from two show stoppers. It was great to watch people stop with their eyes all big. I'll bet it wins a big ribbon. Well, now I'm in the middle of getting the shop all up and looking pretty for the Tri County Quilt Tour that starts on Wednesday. I think we are almost ready. Just a little tweak here and there. I hope to see you all. I have heard there are some really great quilts to see.

What a Week!

Whew! What a great week! Last Friday and Saturday, we had a workshop with Linda Tellesbo teaching techniques for Judy Niemeyer patterns. For those of you that are not familiar, they are the really complicated looking quilts with all the spikies!

Linda did a fantastic job of making them much simpler than they look. She is such a nice person and made the class allot of fun and I think the girls really learned allot.

At the end of her class, Linda did a trunk show of all the "Judy Niemeyer" quilts that she has done. The class voted on her coming back in the fall to teach the "Bali Wedding Star" it's a VERY impressive looking double wedding ring quilt with stars coming out where the rings come together. Be watching for her class in the fall schedule.

Lots of great fabric has been coming in this last week. Here is a fun line from Lecien. I really like this one. Then there is a very sweet, summery line from Free Spirit. They really know there stuff! This line is going fast!!!
The picture was here a minute ago.....? Oh well, you will just have to stop in and see it. Today, I will be packing up and getting ready for the QA Quilt show. Can't wait! Hope to see you there!

Ok, I'm not to sure why we have this big gap. Just when I think I have this blogging thing down.....? Ain't that life?

Are you Ready for a Really Great Quilt Show?

It seams to be quilting month. There are just tons of fun activities for the quilter. Last week of course was Expo. I heard good things. Next week is the Quilters Anonymous Quilt Show in Monroe. I always look forward to this show.Maybe because I have a booth there and get to see lots of friends that I only see a few time a year. It's fun to catch up. I also get to see all the wonderful quilts. I hear there are even more than ever there this year. It should be a fun time. I hope to see you there.

BUT THEN....Just two days after ripping my shop apart for the show, The Tri County Quilt Tour starts. So I have to have the shop all put back together and looking top notch with all the fun things I have planned for you. No pressure there! Oh well, I have lots of help. Don't know what I would do without my posse. We will get it done. I hope you have plans to join us on the tour. I think it's more fun than the "Big One" in June. I am really excited! What a fun month!!!

But I would be in trouble if I didn't mention that It's not over when this month is done. April is big too. My good friend Marylou Wiedman will be having a showing at the LaConner Quilt Museum. I know the opening reception for her is on the first weekend in April. Check her blog for more information. She never stops inspiring me. But then...Camano Island Quilters Quilt Show is in April. They only have it every other year. It's a really fun one. Ok, I guess I should mention Fidalgo Island Quilters show. It's in April too. OK!!! I better stop. I will forget someone and be in trouble. But if this isn't enough to keep the quilt fanatic busy and out of the tavern, I don't know what is! Let's get out on the highway!! See you there!!!

Fat Tuesday at Aunt Mary's

Today is Fat Tuesday at Aunt Mary's! That means.... FAT QUARTER SALE! All precut fat quarters are just $1.89. There are really a ton to choose from. We usually cut some fat quarters from each new bolt, and the ends of the bolts usually are cut into fat quarters and half yard cuts . So we have drawers and drawers awaiting you.

Here are the drawers in the cutting table in the classroom. As you can see, they are full too. Not to mention all the fat quarters in the displays in the shop. So hopefully some of them will go home today to a good home.

And Now... Something Really Cool!!!

My really cool friend, Roxanne Carter, (Who by the way, teaches here six times a month) came in with this really cool little tote that holds your iron when you go to class or to your next retreat. Isn't it cute? But , don't order yet.........

it folds out to a neat pressing surface! Ta Dah!!!!! How cool (Or Hot) is that? Yesterday after noon was a little slow in the shop, so I thought I would make a sample. It took about an hour to make. Soooo easy! It takes insulbrite and a layer of batting inside. The pattern comes with the siver ironing board stuff. I think it's neat! Thanks Roxanne for yet another great idea!

Only 23 Days to Tri County Quilt Tour - "Birds of a Feather"

It's March 1st and here is Aunt Mary's version of our "Birds of a Feather" quilt. We had WAY too much fun making this quilt. Aunt Mary's Block is the cute little penguin up in the left hand corner. When my boys were little I found a book at the library. (Don't remember the name. Maybe you can help) It was about a little penguin that wants to see the world. So he sets out on an adventure. So here he is. having many adventures while visiting friends in each block.

He gets to have lots of fun on his journey. My friends and my husband came up with way more things than I could possibly put in. But I think our little friend gets to do a lot of adventuring!

When he travels to the bottom of the quilt, he finds that he is homesick and wants to go home. So around the border he flies home and parachutes into his block. Home sweet home!

I can't wait to see the other shops quilts. I may have to take a day off and go see them.