Open House - January 29, 2011

Brrrr!!! I believe Ms. Winter has decided to bless us abundantly this year. Some of YOU are elated with the snow and cold; some of US are probably not the most cheerful people at the present time. While I do love watching it snow – I so do not love driving in it. So if it snows and the roads are bad – please call the shop to make sure we are there. I haven’t had to close the shop any yet but with weather like this – the possibility is there. I do however like to look on the positive side of things and be thankful that I am catching up on a lot of binding projects (big flannel quilts of course).

We have decided to have our Open House a little later this year - Saturday, January 29th from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Hopefully the weather will break a little and everyone will be ready to get out of the house and start some fresh projects!! Our fabric will be on sale again this year - $1.00per yard off – fat quarters - $1.75 each; books, patterns and notions 20% off. This will be a good time to restock your stash as the global cotton market has hit a new all time high – meaning – prices will be raising on cotton products quite dramatically in the coming months. We will be holding prices as low as possible, however, from the sounds of the reports we are receiving – our prices will be increasing as well.

Class Schedule
Circle of Friends – 1930’s Block of Month – Roberta Farmers’ class will be resuming on the fourth Wednesday and fourth Saturday of the month. If you haven’t picked your paper templates up – they are here at the shop. Class fee - $10.00 each class – Wednesday – January 26 – 10:00am-12:00noon and Saturday , January 29th – 10:00am – 12:00noon. February dates – Wednesday 23rd, Saturday the 26th.

Pineapple Block- Roberta Farmer – This will be a one day workshop for those wishing to learn the art of making a pineapple block. Roberta has taught this technique at Cedar Lakes and has graciously agreed to have a one day class to allow the student time to achieve completing one block. Of course, I’m sure not everyone will go home and make a queen size quilt – however, you will have mastered the technique to complete any size you choose. The cost will be $20.00 and will be on Saturday, February 12 from 10:00am-3:00pm.

Adelaide and Charles – Block of the Month – Jody Postalwait – will lead you through this 93” x 119” Civil War Reproduction quilt on the third Saturday of each month. Kansas City Star’s companion book, Faithful & Devoted: To my Adelaide, was developed from the original letters and diaries of Charles and Adelaide who struggle to build a relationship while the soldier was fighting in the Civil War (book not available until October 2011.) This collection of fabric by Marcus Brothers invites the quilters to create commemorative king-size quilts in rose or soft blue colorways. Adelaide features romantic pinks and rosy reds that showcase twelve 6” blocks framed with piecing and sashing. Charles, the soft blue and cream version features the 6” blocks in a more open arrangement that allows space for embroidered quotations. Class dates: Saturday, Feb. 19th, March 19th, April 16th, May 14th, June 18, July16, etc.; class will begin at 10:00am – 12:00pm. Instructor fee - $10.00/month – Kit fee $199.00 – includes 20 yards of fabric and patterns to make both set-ups .

Tennessee Waltz – Jody Postalwait – There was so much interest in this class that we asked Jody if she would teach it again this session. Most of her students in the fall class completed piecing and quilting their projects already!! This is a quilt that looks complicated but is easy enough for even a beginner. Optical illusion of straight lines that curve invite even the most advanced student to piece this quilt. This will be a two-day class – Saturday, March 5th and Saturday April 2nd from 10:00am until 3:00pm. The month in between sessions allows students to complete the “two-block homework” and be ready to sew rows and add borders. Instructor fee: $40.00, will need to purchase book and template from shop.

Quick, Easy Tablerunner – Jody Postalwait - Another technique class that is sure to help you make some fast, beautiful gifts to keep on hand. Jody will guide you through your first tablerunner from 1:00pm-3:00pm on Saturday, February 19th and then it’s up to you to go home and sew up a stack of these to keep on hand for every season and occasion!! Instructor fee: $10.00 – pattern included.

Basket Bounty – Sharon Martin and Cookie Ranson – We’re going to try something a little different for the new year. We have been blessed by having these two wonderful teachers on staff here – so we thought you would feel “bountifully blessed” by having both teachers on one project!! Sound interesting? Moda has introduced a new pattern featuring 6” baskets pieced into an 18” block – with each block having different baskets – sashing and borders complete the top. Sharon will be instructing you on all the piecing techniques and block set-ups. Oops – did I say the quilt top was complete?? Cookie said no – let’s put a different wool appliquéd flower on top of each of Sharon’s blocks – (we all know how well Cookie likes appliqué!!) – The result will amaze you – the dimension the wool gives the blocks really complete this quilt. We know that not all of you like to do appliqué – as well as not all of you like to piece – so this is what we have to offer. Sharon will be instructing the piecing of the blocks from 1:00pm – 3:00pm ; Cookie will be doing the appliqué blocks on either your “pieced block” or just a background block from 1:00pm – 3:00pm starting at the end of March (after you have a few blocks pieced). This gives you the option of piecing and appliquéing; just piecing; or just appliquéing. Kits will be available for the basket blocks, sashing and borders and also for the wool appliqué blocks. Instructor fee$10.00 per class.
Sharon’s piecing class: Tuesday, February 15th, February 22nd and March 1st – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Cookie’s appliqué class: Tues day, March 29th, April 5th, April 12th – 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Stitch and Split Appliqued Wallhanging – Pat Habenschauss – A one-day technique class that will allow you to make a small wallhanging or make a throw or bed-size quilt. This raw-edge appliqué is a great fat quarter project – good for beginners as well as the advanced quilter. February 9th, Wednesday – 10:00am-3:00pm – Instructor fee: $20.00

Door Hanger Project – Cookie Ranson – Take a few Yo-yo’s, a little ric-rack and an ample helping of Cookie’s techniques to turn this project into a lot of compliments as well as a wonderful decoration for our homes or as a gift for a friend. March 15th and 22nd – Tuesday – 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Instructor fee: $20.00.
It’s Spring Again – Cookie Ranson – Another “little quilt square” to fit on your 12 x 14 scroll hangers. This little red bird with worm in mouth – reminds us that spring is right around the corner – the trees will be budding and the chirping of the little birds will return. Applique, machine quilting on this two session hanger. Tuesday, April 19th and 26th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm – Instructor fee $20.

Neighbor’s Day – 2nd Thursday each month – 10:00am – 3:00pm – You are invited to come in and donate your time to make quilts for those in need – Hospice, veterans, Habitat for Humanity, etc. Bring your lunch or go out with the gang – Kits provided – just bring machine and basic sewing supplies – Sure to have an enjoyable time while sharing your talents with others!!

2011 Thimbleberries kits are available at the shop – 1st quarter available in both light or dark variations.

Still a few more seats on our Pigeon Forge Bus Trip - leaves March 8th - 11th. If interested in attending quilt show and going on the bus - call me at the shop or email. If you haven't made your final payment - please send in so we can finalize all the arrangments. I will be posting the itineary in the very near future.

Stay warm, stay safe and keep quilting!!
Phyllis