Tri County Quilt Tour Will Be Here In NO Time!!

Oh Me, Oh My!  Sometimes I get just a little overwhelmed with all the dead lines there are in life.  It's that time of year again, that all the great shops in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom county get together to host a wonderful weekend of quilting pleasure for all of you.  There are 13 shops, and we all design a block pattern that gets made up by each shop into a one of a kind quilt.  None of us know what the other shop is doing.  What fabrics they are using and how they will lay out the quilt is a mystery. (Here's a sneak peek at one of my blocks.) Then...... Wednesday - through Saturday, March 21st through March 24th, all of you get to go on a wonderful adventure to stop in to our shops pick up a free block pattern, see our creations and enjoy the fun atmosphere. All the shops try to have drawings and fun games or door prizes. It's been a really fun "shop hop."   This year the Name of the event Is "Sew Northwest" I feel it's been more fun to do this one than the big one in June.  This year we are doing something new. Each of our shops are also giving out  cute little charm with a a purchase.   I'm really looking forward to it.  So mark your calendar now and get some friends together.  I know you will enjoy it!  For more information, and a list of the shops, go to www.quilttour.com   

Quilting Is The Icing On The Cake! YOU Can Do It!

When I first learned to quilt, I remember I thought I would ONLY hand quilt everything I made.  I was kind of a snob!  "Real quilts had to be Hand quilted".  Well, that only lasted for about three quilts.  They probably took me years to do. Now, over twenty years latter,  I have decided that there are WAY too many quilts in me to hand quilt them all.  I still love hand quilting and will always have one quilt on the side that will be hand quilted (When I get time)  

Machine quilting, over the past fifteen years has become "The Icing On The Cake!"   I love the way it looks!  And guess what. I can do it!  Yep! on my own "Regular" machine.  I know that YOU can do it too.  It takes some practice.  But if you are willing to put some time into it.  YOU CAN DO IT!  I found this really nifty blog by Leah Day, called "The Quilting Project".  Scroll down to my favorite blogs and click on hers.  Its really fantastic!  She has great videos and daily tips and tricks.  Then get some fabric out and make some layers and try it.  YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Oh, Just so you know..... I didn't quilt this pretty green quilt.  My friend Sharon Szekely did it.  This one is so nicely quilted that no one ever asks me who appliqued it. They just want to know who quilted it.  Hmmm......  Maybe next time she could not do such a good job? 

The Famous Valentine Napkin

I am feeling soooo much better this week!  All that nasty white stuff is gone, and people are venturing in.  It's great to have customers again! 

This is a version of the famous Christmas Tree Napkins, that every one loves.  But it's a Valentine!  Cute!!!  And just as easy as the Christmas Trees.  So if your looking for something fun and easy to make for your valentine, stop on by and I can get you hooked up. 

Looks like this post is going to be short and sweet - I have customers!  I'm so tickled!!!

Anniversary Party A Success!

 Boy oh Boy!!! After last week, it was sooooo nice to see people again.  We had our anniversary party yesterday.  It was a great success!  I just had time to set out the cake and do a little decorating and cab lam!!!  customers everywhere!  (So I only got a picture of the cake)  (I'll never be a National Geographic wildlife photographer!) But, anyway, Thank you all for putting up with all my whining last week.  I am looking forward to having all the different sales all this next week. I think it will be fun.  Check my web site for a list of the sales.  There is some great savings to be had! www.auntmarysquiltshop.com

After all the nasty winter weather, it was nice to get some beautiful spring fabric in.  This is a line from Moda, called "Felicity".  It is just gorgeous!!  I may have to take a few charm pacs and make something with them to chase the winter blahs away.  Spring is really just around the corner!

It's Melting!!! Let's Party!!!!!

I can't tell you how glad I am!  I have had lots of time to get lots,and lots of work done in the shop.  Bookwork, cutting fat quarters from ends of bolts, cleaning, organizing.  Did I do it? NOOOOOO!  I am so pathetic!  I stand around and send laser beams at the snow.  I was talking to one of my friends on the phone.  She said,  "I know what your doing right now,Carrol,  Your standing at the front door, looking pathetic aren't you?"  What could I say?  I walked away from the front door to the back window.  Who wants to be so predictable? 
Well,  I think it's over for now.  Tomorrow I am going to have our big Anniversary party/sale and, have it kick off the whole next week of sales.  I bet there are lots of quilters out there with cabin fever.  Let's make some lemonade!  So tomorrow is the big party. come one by.  20% off everything in the the shop.  Door prizes and the party buzzer!  Fun!  I better order a cake!  gotta go..... So much to do!

Governor Declares State Of Emergency For Quilt Shops

OK! Not really.  Although, I think we could use it.  Here is my wonderful husband scooping snow in the parking lot.  He does a great job of keeping it parkable.  It's just kind of hard to get To the parking lot!  Yesterday, I had a few faithful friends come hang out and sew for a while.  I love those guys!  I'm starting to feel like the Matage Repair Man!  This stuff HAS TO GO AWAY!  They say it's suppose to warm up tonight and rain.  Maybe there is still time to have our Anniversary party on Saturday.  I'm going to have all our sales that were suppose to happen this week - next week.   Today, I am cutting strip pacs for the Bali Wedding Star class that is next Saturday.  That will keep me busy for a while.  If your out and about.  Stop by!  I promise not to make you stay.  I so pathetic!  Sorry!!!!

Ok! Enough!!!

Well, I ended up going home yesterday.  It was really hard for me to just lock the door and go home. After all, it's our anniversary sale.  I will probably just have the sale next week instead.  I did have a nice day at home though.  I decided to make bread.  That always makes me feel better, and the house smells comforting too.  I also got time to work on my Mystery sample.  It's almost done. The Class is in February.  I think it's going to a fun class.  So I guess all in all it turned out ok.  Now if we could just make it all go away fast. I will be happy.  I think the neighbor birdies were very happy I came in today.  The feeder was empty and looked like an igloo.  It took a while to thaw it out and get their little bistro up and running again.  Well, if your getting cabin fever.  Aunt Mary's is open today, and the espresso bar is up and running!

A Winter Wonderland?

Winter Blast 2012!  Here is a view from my classroom window.  If I turn around and take a picture of the classroom,  It would be empty!  This wonderful fluffy stuff does that to my shop.  NOBODY wants to go out.  I can't blame you.  If I wasn't married to Nanook of the north, who can't stay home when it snows. I would be home today too.  This week is our 12th Anniversary sale all week long.  Yesterday there were TWO customers.  I sure hope it clears up by Saturday.  That's our big party.  I can't decide if I should just go home.  The Sad thing is -We're not suppose to get real snow till tomorrow! 

Princess Feathers From Glorious Patchwork

Ta Dah!!  here is my latest favorite project.  It's called Princess Feathers by Kim McLean. She is an amazing designer from Australia.  I have become quite addicted to playing with her patterns.  I know I'm not the only one.  If you scroll down on my blog, you will find a link to a blog that is all her designs.  She uses lots of Kaffe Fasset fabrics in her designs. This is the second quilt I have done with her patterns.  You may have seen the "Flower Pots" quilt hanging in the shop.   That was lots of fun to do too.

Part of the really fun part is playing with the fabric and finding just the right piece to use.  I thought that might be hard and I wouldn't enjoy it. However, NOW, it's my favorite part.   Beware though,  If you start doing these quilts, I can promise you will become totally addicted to "Kaffe" fabric!  I mean think about it.  I own a quilt shop.  I have carried "Kaffe" fabric for many years and so I have lots in my stash.  But, every once in a while some poor student will be unpacking her fabric for a class and I spot a piece that I don't have.  Well.......  "wanna make a trade?"

Meet The Teacher - Saturday!

So how are you doing on your new years resolutions?  I have been trying to be more organized.  I guess so far I have been doing ok.  What I really needed to work on is procrastination.  That organized thing can always wait till tomorrow.  I think we should pick something that is FUN.  How about this year, I will do something just for ME!  It's important to take care of yourself.  How about - learn something new!  It's never to late to learn.  Ok! so how about doing both. Take a class that you will learn something new and make new friends.  We have lots of opportunities for just that!  Our class schedule is out (It's on the web site www.auntmarysquiltshop.com )  and tomorrow Saturday, January 14th is "Meet The Teacher" here at the shop.  It's a great time to stop by and check out all the class samples, ask any questions you may have and get signed up.  If you register for a class at this session, you also get a coupon for 15% off anything on the class supply list.  Let's get you going!  I know you will have a great time!

Sniffle, Sniffle, Cough Cough!

Ok,  Here I have been thinking that I have been SOOOOOO lucky,   Everyone that has come in in the last month or so tells me they have had this nasty, nasty cold.  Not me!  I am sooooo lucky!!!!  Well, I guess that will show me not to think I am so special.  I got it!  I have hardly left the couch in two days.  I am a big huge germ!!! If my husband gets this he will never let me rest!  Of course, he ALWAYS get it worse than I do, and he's such a grumpy guts!  Cough, cough.  I'll be better in a few days.  We have meet the teacher this Saturday, and the Anniversary sale next week.  So I better go have more vitamin C. Sniffle.......

Something For Your Valentine!

 Yep!  already there is a new holiday to think about!  Valentines Day!  Here at the shop we have lots of new sweet things to get you going!  How about a Valentine Napkin?  You know about the Christmas tree napkins that have been so popular over the last holidays.  Well.....  Now we have Valentine napkins.  and they are just as quick to make at the Christmas Trees.  Yesterday, I made some kits.  So all yo have to do get sewing!

Here are some of the other great fabrics to get you going.  I have some patterns and buttons and other goodies  too.  I have lots of ideas too.  Isn't that the way it is.... Lot's of ideas - no time.  I have book club coming in so I have to go. 

Roxanne Carters Block Of The Month

The beginning of the year means so many things.  New years diets, getting organized, staying on budget etc.  How about doing something FUN!  Roxanne's new block of the month could be just the thing!  She is really an amazing teacher.  She is here at the shop six times each month.  She has morning, afternoon and evening sessions, and this block of the month is a FREE pattern that she hands out each month.  This quilt is a is the big size (Queen)  But, she also has it in a smaller quilt, if you don't want to take on a big project. See that applique?  Does it intimidate you?  Well it shouldn't!  Roxanne does EVERYTHING on her machine. I guarantee that you will love her methods.  Her schedule is on my web site.  Or, you can e-mail me and I will send you a newsletter with her schedule.  Don't you think this would be a much better resolution than a diet?

New Classes!




 
 


 

Would you like to learn how to make one of these beauties?  We will discuss it all from transferring the design,  getting all the basic stitches down and even how to color tint with crayons. 



"Buggy Barn Quilting!  There are lots of fun patterns to choose from.  Let me help you find one and we'll make it!

"Vintage Moments"  This quilt is a real SHOW STOPPER!  Sure to be a family Heirloom.  It will also make you a better piecer.  Each month you will work on perfecting a new skill.  There are lots more fun activities and classes.  Oh and don't forget!  Roxanne Carter is here six times each month to help you.  From learning from the very beginning to making you a master.  Stay tuned for more pictures of classes!