Ah! A new week in the quilt shop, and new fabric just in. I sooo fell in love with this line when my sales rep showed it to me so long ago on paper. I would say I was smitten! The line is called "Silent Cinema" By Jenean Morrison for Free Spirit. What else can I say about it but COOL!
I have already cut some of each piece for my own privet stash. There have been several projects swirling around in my head that I am so sure it would look great in. But, I think it's going to age a bit in my stash where I can pet it and dream for awhile. See the funky wedding ring pattern that's hanging in the picture? I think it has definite possibilities!
Don't you just love the enthusiasm of a new quilter? Here's Virginia and her second quilt.Isn't she cute? I am especially proud of her. She made this quilt for a best friend. I hope her friend knows how special she is to get it. Virgina is my son's girlfriend. She has been dropping in on her day off to work on learning to quilt. I just love that she is interested in learning. After all, she may be the keeper of many of my quilts one day. We all need to know that someone will appreciate them when we are gone. I also hope we have many many hours of happy quilting together. What s a special girl!!!
Ok! so today I'm going to be a serious. I want to talk about one of the biggest lessons I have gotten from running a quilt shop. Lots of people might think that it's all about quilting. Yes, some of it is. Ordering fabric, setting up classes, finding the latest patterns cutting and ringing up the money, paying the bills, etc. Yes. It's all of that and much more. But, today if you asked me what the best thing I have gotten out of it. I would tell you FRIENDSHIPS. I have met and had the opportunity to be around and laugh with some of the kindest, most generous people in the world. And, every once in a while one of them becomes a really dear friend. One that really knows me and likes me no matter what.
I lost one of those dear friends this weekend.
My dear friend Kathy Smith passed away on Friday evening. I cannot express how much I will miss her wonderful, funny, graceful, gentle, goofy friendship.
I know she has made a big mark on my life and Aunt Mary's really would definitely not be the place it is now if she had not been here for me.
So, the next time your with your friends (sisters) I hope you will take just a minute to look at them and cherish the time you have had. I think they are some real angels. I'm pretty sure Kathy will have them giggling up there.
What a nice day we have had! The American Hero's Quilters were here in the classroom for the day. I just love having them here. They are doing such a great thing for our troops, and they are fun people too! They have a goal to make and give a handmade quilt to all returning wounded solders. I am always amazed at all the beautiful quilts that they produce. Just look at this stack!!! And this was early in the day. Latter the stack got even bigger.
Here are some of the group. I caught them doing show and tell. This is just part of the group though. The rest must have been keeping their heads down, getting their work done. Ok, I'm kidding! They always seam to be having a great time.
This group will be back next month. So if you want to come join them. There is something for everyone to do. They would love to have you.
Boy oh boy have I been working hard this week! Roxanne was here Monday and Tuesday. I got my newsletter written and e-mailed to everyone on my list (Are you on my list?) Sent it out to be written up for a hard copy and found about five mistakes. BLAW!!!! So I got those fixed. (Well, at least the ones I found., I always hear from someone that there are more) I think we have some great classes and other fun things on this schedule. I'm excited!
I taught a "Buggy Barn" class yesterday. (Fun) It was a great group. I can't wait to see their projects when they are done. Now, today I have an Embroidery class. They should be trooping through the door any minute. All smiley faces, and ready to learn. How exciting! So, off I go!
Ok! All the kits are almost gone. We only have just one more left. This is such a pretty quilt. I really had a great time making it. It's a pattern from Vintage Spool, called "Noel." Verna Mosquera is the designer. She really does a terrific job with her patterns. All the designs are full size, so that you don't have to blow them up. But, not only that. There are close up pictures of each of the blocks so that you can see exactly where each of the fabrics go. NICE JOB! It's done in such pretty colors. Soft pinks and greys. who would have thought to make a Christmas quilt with those colors? Well, I have had several people in my life try to put dibs on it. I think I will keep it for me for a while. Let them sweat! That way they have to be nice to me.
This Morning we had "Girls Day Out" With Roxanne Carter. I can not say enough about her. She is such a great teacher! Here she is showing us one of her new quilts. This one is "Storm at Sea" She gives each student in the class one of her patterns each session. Nobody can figure out how she keeps coming up with so many quilts each month. She is always about three months ahead of everyone. I think she NEVER sleeps. Her patterns are VERY WELL done. I carry lots of them in the shop. She has you do them the easiest way possible. There is always a new trick to learn.
This is another version of 'Storm at Sea." Just another way of laying it out. Isn't it beautiful? I feel very lucky to have her here six times each month. She has a very loyal student base. I can't remember ever having to cancel a class because we didn't have enough students. Maybe you would like to join us? Check out our website www.auntmarysquiltshop.com for her schedule. Give us a call and we will get you signed up. See you then!
Here's my new little friend that came to live in the shop. Isn't he cute? I found him at a produce stand in Stanwood, and fell in love with him. So, now he will be hanging out in, and amongst all the fabrics and quilts around the shop. What a life! I think he will be very happy here. Right now he is on our classroom cutting table, showing off two little halloween quilts. They are made with just one panel cut in half we added a small border to each of them. A voila!!!! How symple is that? You get to keep one and one can go to a friend! Fun! This could be a fun project for a new quilter or a teenager. We have to get them excited about quilting, because they are the ones that will be taking care of all the great quilts we make. but that's a whole other blog........
Ok, I know I have this book on the side of my blog , but I just have to say more about it. IT'S REALLY COOL!!! I'm so proud of Mary Lou! Even if she were not one of my hero's, I would want to tell you how great this book is. In this book you get to see how much fun it its to let loose and create fun whimsical blocks. Cats, Cakes, Chickens and Cows, Flowers and even Ice Cream Cones! Maybe even be inspired to make up your own "Hoochy" blocks.
Now, if you are the kind of quilter that gets uptight about precision, (Not that there is anything wrong with that. If it makes you happy) (I just think if your having fun there is no room for anxiety) You may not want to play with this book. But, if you are the type that likes to let loose! Take our shoes off! have some fun, and see what happens! Wooo Hoooo! This is the book for you!!! I Think I will take this book home for my days off and see what happens. You will have to check back to see.........
Oh, for more inspiration check Mary Lou's blog. There is a link farther down on this page.
Tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month. That means it's SATURDAY SAMPLER DAY! This will be the fourth instalment of this session. Each month we try to focus on a new technique. I think it's important to be learning something new! Tomorrow we will be making a beautiful eight pointed star, which will focus on Y seams. Here are the blocks that we have done so far. When we get all twelve blocks done there will be several settings to choose from to make your quilt one of a kind! It's really not too late to join us. Just come on by tomorrow either at 10:30 am or 2:00 in the afternoon. We will get you started!
Today is one of my favorite days of the month. BOOK CLUB!! We have the most amazing group of ladies that come each month to discuss our latest book. Last month we read "A Dogs Purpose" Such a wonderful story about the age long question. What is our purpose? I think it's going to be a fun dicussion. For the Month of August we are reading "The Widowers Tale." We will be discussing it on the first Thursday of September. We would love to have you join us!!!We also have an amazing pot luck lunch. It's worth it to come just for that!
