Thimbles & Threads

All-day Mystery

2011-09-27T09:24:00.001-06:00

Holy cow! My last post was the Wasatch Front Shop Hop quilt - 4 months ago! So much for my resolution to post regularly. Where did the summer go?

Anna & I taught the September "Mystery" class last Saturday. I can't name the mystery because the amazing technology of google search could accidentally ruin the mystery for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people across the country - I would hate to be responsible for that!

We started at 10:00 a.m.ish and sewed through the day with breaks for lunch and dinner. By 9:30 p.m.ish everyone had a complete block to refer to as they finished at home and most were well on their way to finishing.

Andria

Dianne

Jenny

Glenda
For some reason known only to Microsoft,
this picture keeps uploading sideways
so you'll have to tilt your head to the right to view it - sorry!

Marge

Tami

Linda

Cathie

And Anna with her finished quilt top!

Our next mystery is scheduled for October 28th - hope to see you there!

And the finished quilt.....

2011-06-22T23:28:00.000-06:00

Hercule Poirot's Library - Wasatch Front Shop Hop 2011 - Thimbles & Threads

The journey of our shop hop quilt.

2011-06-02T19:02:00.000-06:00

Once the theme "The Best Quilt I Ever Read" was chosen, the challenge began - what direction to take our shop's quilt. As a newbee to the Wasatch Front Shop Hop the pressure is on to come up with something amazing. I have always wanted to make a "bookshelf" quilt and have been saving pictures and patterns for several years. It seems like a good fit for our theme this year. I tentatively check with my tallented staffers and get mixed feedback. I was starting to think it was a terrible idea when I discovere that Sandi has actually made a bookshelf quilt (her husband deals in rare books and she had made one for his partner) Sandi has pictures of her quilt, her original freezer paper pattern, and a fabulous book full of ideas and techniques. The book is no longer in print, but I found it on Amazon.com (I love the internet - you can find anything imaginable) as well as a second pattern book by the same author, Wendy Etzel

Sandi and I spent a morning working up a rough draft. It was really rough! I spent the weekend surfing the net for pictures and ideas and drawing up the actual layout. The bowl and assorted lids are my low budget version of the circle template.

On Saturday, Janet and Rosann helped me select fabrics for the book spines. I shipped the selection off to my friend Marilyn who embroidered the 15 Wasatch Front Shop Hop shop's novel/book titles. Marilyn got them done right away and delivered them just 3 days after I sent the fabric! Marilyn is amazing - I know she worked into the wee hours of the morning to get them all done. They are fabulous!

On Tuesday Teresa, Marcy and Nancy spent the afternoon selecting fabrics for the other items I've selected to fill the shelves. By the end of the day they have neatly wrapped and labled packages of fabrics for each item. I take everything we've put together to my annual quilt retreat at Teton Patchworks Quilter's Retreat and spend three days working on the quilt. Silly me, I really thought I would finish the entire quilt during the retreat! I have really good friends - they all take time out of their retreat projects to help get the tiny 3-inch blocks finished. The Treasure Island block was a particular challenge - be sure to look at it when you visit us during the shop hop. It took me almost 8 hours to get this little guy pieced! In 3 days I completed the spines of all 15 books and nothing else. Then I discover that I have the wrong book for Whimsey Cottage. They changed after our initial selection and I was using the original list. Doh! I made an emergency phone call to Ann and she embroidered the most adorable Green Eggs & Ham book spine for me. Again - I have terrific friends!

When I arrived home from retreat, I began putting the shelves together.

My furry friends were ready and willing to help, always right in the middle of the project.

Scattered among the shelves are clues and red herrings from the book.

This was the progress I made last week. Doesn't look like a week's work does it? You really have to see the little blocks to appreciate the time they took.

As of 4:00 a.m. this morning, I have one more shelf to complete and the borders to add and will be ready for the longarm quilting to begin! Hopefully I will be able to post a photo of the pieced top tomorrow.

Countdown to Shop Hop.....

2011-06-01T00:51:00.002-06:00

Countdown to Shop Hop....

The year has flown by and it is already time for the Wasatch Front Shop Hop! This year will be so much fun - each shop has selected a novel/book for their theme and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with...the books chosen span the gammet from children's stories to urban fantasy.

Join us at Thimbles as we journey with Hercule Perroit on the Orient Express and solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Ratchett. Twelve suspects, all with motives, all with alibis. Who could the murderer be?

I first read this book in high school. When I selected our Shop Hop novel, I had visions of fabulous oriental fabrics and motifs. Then I read the book again....THEY NEVER GO TO THE ORIENT!!!! The novel begins in Contantinople (modern day Istanbul) Turkey and heads WEST to England. Quick revision of fabric selection/theme. Now I have visions of beautiful Turkish tiles, an English library, a smokey dining car...

- OK, I'm at home (it is after midnight) and I have just realized my photos of "the journey of a shop hop quilt" are on my lap top.....at the shop! Doh! I'll add them to the post tomorrow.

I spent last weekend at Teton Patchworks Quilter's Retreat in beautiful Tetonia, Idaho, working on our shop hop quilt. Spectacular scenery, fabulous friends, quantimous (OK, maybe that's not a word) quilting! You can follow the progress of our quilt on my blog http://tandtquiltshop.blogspot.com/ With a little help from my wonderful friends I pieced tiny blocks (3 inches square - not too daunting until you get to Treasure Island which took an amazing 8 hours to paper piece in miniature!) for each shop and began the assembly of our shop's take on this year's theme. I'm loving it so far...I promise a sneak peak before shop hop (I have never been one to wait til Christmas to open the pesents!)

Photos to be added tomorrow - I promise!

My First Market

2011-05-16T01:34:00.003-06:00

As some of you may know, the spring International Quilt Market was at the Salt Palace this week. Very fun, very exciting. Vendors from all over the country and the world were in town to display their latest and greatest. Of course, I forgot my camera! For an idea of what goes on, I am linking photos from various blogs, facebook posts & twitter. This is one of those events you have to see to believe. For the complete scoop, check out http://www.facebook.com/QuiltMarket

This was my very first quilt market and, as someone who avoids the shopping mall because of the crowds, I have to admit it was a little overwhelming. Lots and lots and lots of booths jam- packed with patterns, notions, fabrics, wools (I am falling in love with wools and am hoping to start carrying a nice variety this summer...)

My whole crew went and checked out the venue on Friday. That meant I got to man (or woman) the shop that day. And I'm so glad I was in the shop to meet fellow shop owners and pattern designers who were checking out the local shops. We had visitors from Maine to California and everywhere in between as well as Belgium, Australia, Canada! I enjoyed meeting everyone and sharing ideas and thoughts. I hope we gave them a favorable impression of the quilting community in Utah.

I finally made it over to the market today. I picked up a lot of terrific new patterns and ideas. I came home with several new block of the month patterns, some terrific gifts for quilting pals, and a slew of ideas for the coming year and beyond....in fact, I think I could start a new block of the month every month for the next several years with the fabulous patterns I brought home or grabbed fliers for. Is there such a thing as too many block of the month clubs?

I know that the market being in Salt Lake City made it much easier for local designers to display their wares, but I can not get over the tremendous talent for pattern and fabric design that springs from our beautiful valley! To name a few....

Jililly Studios - Jill highlighted her up-coming fabric line from Henry Glass with an ice cream parlor complete with cute little sherbet cones she gave out to visitors. Yes, real little sherbet cones - it was a lovely treat to find her booth! I think she recruited her entire family to help scoop and serve sherbet for the week!
http://www.facebook.com/QuiltMarket#!/photo.php?fbid=198679443508492&set=pu.137770392932731&type=1&theater

Chitter Chatter Designs - Cori Blunt set up a boardwalk to display her wonderful new Sunset Beach pattern. Hopefully she will post a shot of the booth on her site so you can see how wonderful it was (mind like a steel sieve - how did the camera slip through?)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzWVn9FaW40/Tbg51spUJbI/AAAAAAAABKs/aaHZDKg4g9o/s1600/SUNSET%2BBEACH%252CSEA%2BBREEZE%2B002.JPG

My favorite new designers, Meags and Me, whipped up a fabulous display for their new patterns. Wish them luck with their first quilt market experience!

http://meagsandme.blogspot.com/p/quilt-patterns.html
Kristi & Meagan had lots of fun ways to display thier work including the most adorable framed blocks from Duck, Duck,Goose!

Oh My Bloomin' Threads! http://ohmybloominthreads.com/products/product/60.html Ronene has designed a wonderful Halloween pattern - you have to see it in person to appreciate the the tiny details she has incorporated in the stitchery. if you loved her Ooh La La! pattern you won't be able to resist this one. I'm getting it for all of my ghoul friends this year!

There are so many more that it will take several posts to cover them all. I'll keep adding more this week.

Before I close, the designers/distributors from Riley Blake Designs/Christiansen Wholesalers outdid themselves this show. Their booth (I need to say booths because they took up a good-size chunk of several rows) was fabulous. From the fabric tree at the entrance

to to the sections highlighting each of their fabric designers and pattern makers - all of them fun, fresh, and exciting!

Dear John

2011-05-07T02:48:00.001-06:00

I should be stitching this weekend. Our Shop Hop is just six weeks away and I should be quilting every free minute I find... As I began diligently stitching my "mystery quilt" I put in the movie "Dear John" with the intent of stitching while listening abstractedly....then the movie sucks me in and touches my heart. http://www.dearjohn-movie.com/

The love story is a tear-jerker but that isn't what gets me. It was the relationship between the son and father. My youngest son has "Asperger's Syndrome," an autistic spectrum disorder with symptoms similar to those portrayed by the father in this film. As I watched the movie, the wonderful performance of Richard Jenkins tugged on my memories of my son as he learned the basic skills of eye contact, empathy, and peer interaction. These skills are an integral part of our daily social interactions, but for persons with autism spectrum disorders, they are mountains - often insurmountable. To imagine a human being was able to overcome these disabilities and raise a son into adulthood amazed me and made me think of the many possible roads this story could have taken. I thank the Lord daily for the angels he has sent me. My son was fixated on chinchilla's instead of coins - did you know chinchillas need daily dust baths? Jolene Leavitt, my son's first grade teacher who helped us through his diagnosis and his early interaction with his peers, was an angel sent to watch over our son and help him be an accepted member of his class. Robyn Eskridge who continued to help our son adjust and to help his classmates understand and accept his challenges. Each year has brought both challenges and blessings in the guise of teachers, principals, counselors, psychiatrists and loving sons.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms
Did I get any quilting done? Not a bit, but my eyes are swollen with tears of sorrow and joy, my heart is lifted, and I am once again reminded of the kindness and generosity of those around me.

What is black and white and red all over?

2011-04-15T01:38:00.000-06:00

12215 S 900 E, Draper UT 84020

(801) 576-0390

Mon/Tues/Thurs 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wed 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fri/Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

What's black, and white, and red all over?

A zebra with sunburn?

A skunk with diaper rash?

An embarrassed orca?

A newspaper?

No - it's the inventory at Thimbles and Threads!

Mystery Fiesta Teaser

2011-04-07T02:21:00.000-06:00

I am going to pretend that I am not a complete and total failure at this Blog thing and it hasn't been more than two months since my last post. The last post you saw was in early January, so (blink with me) now it's February, (blink again) and March, (blink once more)... and viola, it's April!

This Saturday is our Mystery Fiesta and I can hardly wait! If you've been following my Monday Mystery you already know how much I love Debbie Caffrey mysteries. I got hooked on them at Threads of Time (sadly, they went out of business a few years ago) where they hosted a Mystery Overnight each quarter. I love seeing how every one's fabric choices turn out - no two quilts are the same and I want to make them all! A night of quilting, fun, friends, food, games and prizes- nothing could make a more perfect evening! Unfortunately, I am getting too old for that. I need my sleep! I want to recreate this event without the sleep deprivation, hence our noon 'til nine Mystery session. If everyone loves this event as much as I do, we'll host one every quarter. It is a terrific STASHBUSTER for the serious fabriholic.

I got my Mystery Fiesta quilt back from the longarm quilter on Monday and it is fabulous if I may say so myself. I can't show it on the blog or it would ruin the mystery but here is a teaser

I have been looking for a project for this fabric since it arrived at the shop. Something about quail makes me smile - they're just so darn cute with their wobbly-bobbly head feather!

Dixie (a.k.a. Longarm Lucy's) did a fabulous job with the machine quilting. I love it and I am having such a hard time not sharing it with everyone who comes into the shop. My new mantra is "don't spoil the mystery, don't spoil the mystery, don't spoil the mystery" Dixie choose a royal blue thread for the quilting that enhances the background blocks and makes them pop! Stop by the shop after our event on the 9th to see the finished quilt. If it doesn't tempt you to sign up for our next Mystery Event nothing will.

And, since I am back in the saddle again, posting may (note I say may, not will) occur on a more regular basis.

Happy Quilting!

The Great Binding Challenge is On!

2011-01-23T18:46:00.001-07:00

At the Quilt Divas guild meeting last Thursday we were bemoaning our bad habits as quiltaholics when it came to light that both Janine and I not only have the usual collection of quilt tops in various stages of completion, but a plethora of finished, quilted tops (quilted!) just waiting for the binding to be sewn on. What is wrong with us? So Janine threw down the gauntlet, who will get the most quilts bound this year?

I have to admit that this month I have a bit of an incentive with Open House next weekend and several displays I need to get finished. But I am determined to keep it going and bind 2-3 quilts every month in 2011. So I stayed at the shop after closing on Saturday (my Bernina currently resides in my office in the hopes that I can steal away for a few minutes of sewing every day -hasn't happened yet!) and stitched the binding on my ugly quilt and on my best friend's ugly quilt (I don't think I can count her ugly quilt in the challenge since it's not mine. Darn!) I plopped down in front of a video and went to work.

Surrounded by my furry helpers I worked through Van Helsing (my 15 year old put this one in the DVD player) and got half of the binding done. So I put in Brothers and kept on stitching. Did I mention that I am a very slow binder? About 3/4 of the way through Brothers I finished my first quilt of 2011!

One down....35 more to go!

Service Opportunity

2011-01-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Looking for a service opportunity? ConKerr Cancer is a wonderful organization providing support to children battling cancer. http://www.conkerrcancer.org/
Three ways you can help:

1. Thimbles & Threads is thrilled to provide pillow case kits at cost for you to stitch up for this organization. Buy the first kit at retail value, return your completed pillowcase donation and receive 75% off your next pillow case kit. That is two pillow case kits at cost - donate both or keep one for yourself.

2. Have an overabundance of fabric in your stash? Why not pull some of your fun bright prints and stitch a pillowcase or two. Stop by the shop and pick up the free pattern.

3. If your child or grandchild is interested in learning how to sew, this is your lucky month! During January iSewHappy is offering a free lesson! Your child will learn sewing machine basics and make two pillowcases, one to keep and one for ConKerr Cancer. You provide the fabric, Kirstin provides the sewing machine and instruction. For more information contact http://childrencansew.blogspot.com/ or call Kirstin at (801) 884-2481

2010-12-24T02:15:00.000-07:00

Holiday Hours

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday

Closed Friday, December 24th and Saturday, December 25th

Closed Friday, December 31st and Saturday, January 1st

We're closing out the old year and ringing in the new with all Christmas fabrics & Christmas kits marked 50% off.All other kits (excluding Blocks of the Month clubs) are 25% off through January 1st
As you're making your yearly resolution to finish all those UFOs and PhDs (I think I'm pushing 50+ projects in various stages of completion. It really is a sickness!) keep in mind that if you bring in your finished quilt top for show-and-tell, you'll received 25% off regularly priced fabric purchased for your quilt back.

Wishing everyone the most joyous of holidays

and a new year filled with love and, of course, lots of quilts.

My Mini Shop-Hop Adventure

2010-12-06T01:37:00.002-07:00

It's Sunday and I've already blown my first deadline of posting every Saturday evening. What a way to start practicing for my New Year's resolution. I've got a few more weeks to practice before my resolution kicks in!

To make a few excuses....

The weekend before Thanksgiving my husband and I decided to take a Saturday off and do our own mini shop-hop. A Saturday off??? This is a rare occasion for us since becoming quilt-shop owners. It is such a treat and I can hardly wait!

Saturday morning arrives and its a lazy one. We hang out in the kitchen drinking our coffee, reading the paper, doing the crossword puzzle and attempting the Sudoku. At 10:00 a.m. (this is a lazy day!) we hit the shower and get ready to go. Our first stop...Quilt, Quilt, Quilt, Etc.

This has always been my go-to shop. If they don't have it, no one does. Greg and I peruse the main store and say Hi! to Sandra and a few of the employees as we check out the terrific selection of fabrics and samples. They really do have everything! My shop always seems so tiny after visiting Quilts.

Then it is across the street to the Hand Maiden where I purchase small black buttons for eyes for our "FriendSheep" block of the month and a really cute tin to make Cori Blunt's "Sweet as Pie" pin cushion http://chitterchatterdesigns.com/files/IPIE.jpg.

We stop by the "novelties" section and say hello to Pauline. I adore her! She is always so helpful and friendly and her dolls are incredible.

We check out the long arms, (they have a Statler Stitcher on one, I am so jealous!) then head back to the van. Greg hops in the passenger side and I run around to the driver's side (did I mention that I am a bit of a control freak? I am almost always in the driver's seat) when I notice the quilt block sign is on the ground beside my van's door. I pick it up and start to take it back inside to let the staff know it has blown off the building (it was that blustery wind stormy day) when I notice that my entire windshield is shattered (but still in tact thanks to the the miracle of safety glass!) and there is a pretty good sized dent in my roof, right about the center line. Is this some kind of quilt shop karma?

looking out of my windshield

So now I have to go into Quilts Etc. and let them know what has happened. This is really embarrassing! The staff is so friendly an apologetic. They come out and take pictures and call Pat who is away at a retreat. Of course, there isn't much she can do long distance and her husband, who has come over to handle the situation, asks if they have my contact information. The height of embarrassment....I mumble that Pat knows me and has my info, yes, I am the owner of Thimbles and Threads. No one has recognized me up to this point - should I be concerned that I am not that memorable? I really am not trying to be sneaky or clandestine (if I was I have failed miserably!) just visiting the local shops to get a feel for every one's specialty and flavor.

So we take the van home and park it in the garage for now. We hop in our little red Focus and head back out on our trip. The day is almost over but we have time to visit a few more shops. We're feeling pretty good, what else could possibly happen?

Our next stop is Whimsy Cottage. I love Nancy's shop. It is fun and her fabric selections reflect her vibrant personality.

Nancy at Whimsy Cottage

Then it is off to Piper's Quilts and Comforts. I have never visited this shop and it is fabulous. I have dabbled in knitting and the yarn projects and the samples on display are amazing! They have a nice selection of fabrics. Their quilt block of the Month for 2011 is absolutely stunning. Gorgeous applique on a luscious red background.

Piper's shopfront is so inviting!

Our last stop of the day is Material Girls. Nadine and Shelby are so upbeat and enthusiastic and the shop reflects their energy. This is my favorite shop (besides mine, of course!) because it is always hopping with customers and energy. I get excited about quilting just walking through the door! There are so many fun patterns and samples and I want to make them all.

Nadine is always so friendly and outgoing and I love visiting with her. What a perfect end to our day!

We head back home stopping by our shop to close out the day and regale the staff with our days adventure. They get quite a laugh over our misadventure, it is rather ironic and we have to laugh ourselves. Since buying our little shop we've had a burglary, a flood, a snake, and a sewage backup to keep us on our toes. Today's experience is just another blip in our journey. These blips are trivial in the scope of life and without them we would never appreciate how truly good our life is. We have our health, our family, and our livelihood. What more can one ask for?

As a follow-up....Pat at Quilts went above and beyond by compensating us for our replacement windshield after their insurance declared the accident an "act of God" and therefore not covered by the policy. The repairs were just below the deductible for our auto insurance policy and therefore not covered. (Remind me again why we pay those high insurance premiums each month?) Thanks Pat! I promise not to cause such a hubbub the next time I visit your shop.

I am a slacker.....

2010-12-03T00:09:00.000-07:00

It's official...I am a blog slacker. I started this blog with the intention of posting weekly if not more often. What was I thinking? Maybe other more experienced bloggers don't have this problem. When I start a new post, it takes me an hour or two to get everything right from the spelling (and I don't always excel in this area) to the digital picture uploads (i.e my Hershey Day 3 calisthenics, lay on your right side to view this picture, stand on your head to view this one, etc.) before the blog is ready to post. So I must confess, I have avoided posting like the plague over the past month (or two.) It's time bite the bullet. Saturday night is my new, official blog update night. My New Year's Resolution (that gives me a month to practice and gear up!) is to post weekly, every Saturday night.

In the meantime....

We're gearing up for our open house on Saturday, December 11th, and we invite you to stop by for some fun make & take holiday projects, demonstrations, and gifting ideas. Look for a new post on Saturday (that's two whole days for me to plan and prepare) for a schedule and list of shop specials.

Hershey Day 3

2010-10-24T22:42:00.000-06:00

We're up and ready by 9:00 this morning. Karen is soooo good and has already been to the fitness center and taken a walk through the woods. This morning we're going to enjoy our complimentary breakfast in the circular dining room.

On the way to the dining room we pass beautiful bouquets of flowers.

There is a 20 minute wait to be seated so we roam the patio. The baskets of petunias are almost as big as Diane!

Karen takes the opportunity to relax by a flower basket.

And then the "your table is ready" pager in my back pocket vibrates my tush and it's time to head in for breakfast. The circular dining room is beautiful. A garden trellis is artfully painted along the ceiling and the floor to ceiling windows, which line 3/4 of the room, have stained glass floral borders. The windows overlook the formal gardens and the view is lovely. We are lucky and get a table right by the window.

The ceiling of the circular dining room at the Hotel Hershey.

I have tried and tried to get this picture to load right side up but no luck.
Please lay on your left side to view this picture so you can enjoy the view as it should be.

The breakfast buffet is 5-star. There are two omelet chefs, servers constantly fill silver dishes with all sorts of goodies, a Belgian waffle station, breakfast meats of every imaginable type, and of course, chocolate! Chocolate is available for almost everything.

Diane tries the fresh fruit, a Belgian waffle, and a ham steak.

Karen goes for the healthy breakfast - fruit, muesli, and an egg white & vegetable omelet.

Bette Jo, who we quickly discovered has quite the sweet tooth, is having the chocolate lover's dream breakfast. There is dark chocolate bread pudding, a chocolate eclair, a Carmel pecan cinnamon roll, a cherry white chocolate pancake, and a Belgian waffle smothered with chocolate chips, whipped cream and a mixed berry sauce.

Bette Jo is in chocolate nirvana!

I have eaten all of my food before I think to take a picture - oops! In addition to my bacon, mushroom, onion & cheese omelet I think I tried a little bit of everything. I'm not getting back on the scale in front of a camera any time soon!

We finish off our chocolate breakfast feast with, of course, a cup of hot chocolate.

After the enormous breakfast, we need to walk and burn off a few thousand calories so we stroll the formal gardens.

The koi pond is huge.

The koi are huge too! I think they must get the left over chocolate breakfast items from the buffet.

Bette Jo, Diane, Karen, Cathie

The garden is filled with beautiful dahlias, begonias, petunias and impatiens.

I am really having a tough time with pictures tonight. You'll need to lay on your right side
while viewing this picture to appreciate the beautiful view.

We have probably only walked off half of our breakfast calories and we still have a few hours before the spa so we walk over to the Hershey Gardens.

Our tour guide is a little scary...

We take lots of pictures in the gardens. Don't panic, I'm not going to show them all to you. Here are a few of the best.

lay on left side for this one

From left to right while laying on your right side...
Karen, Bette Jo, Diane

They even named a plant after Diane!

And then it's off to the spa.... (for the sake of our viewing audience, no pictures were taken at the spa.)

a hot chocolate bath for Bette Jo

a Rose Garden Aromatherapy Message for Karen and Cathie

a Hot Stone Massage for Diane

and "sweet feet" pedicures for all.

Several very relaxing and rejuvenating hours later here are our "sweet feet"

More on the GIANT HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER

2010-10-24T12:36:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we shared a few shots of our roadside acquisition, the giant head of cauliflower. This purchase has tickled our funny bone and has been a source of great entertainment. I guess we're easily entertained!

Self-serve roadside stand somewhere in the countryside between Ephrata and Intercourse, PA

I've seen self-serve stands in Willard, UT too. We actually leave an extra fifty cents because we don't have exact change and this cauliflower is worth every penny and then some.

Our beautiful cauliflower was not unique. It had several equally lovely brothers and sisters,
but ours was the largest of the bunch!

Diane chooses the best cauliflower from the stand.

Diane has developed a special relationship with our cauliflower. Do you think she can fit it in her carry-on bag?

We are fascinated by this cauliflower. We tell almost everyone we meet about it. I am sure they are thinking these people from Utah are a little odd but it is such an amazing cauliflower we just have to share our amazing purchase. Karen even stops to show it to the doorman on our return to the hotel. He's not as impressed as we are.

Our obsession keeps growing. We have to find out just how big this cauliflower is. Hmm....how to go about it. We set it on our bathroom scale but it is so large that it covers the number readout. I bravely volunteer to get on the scale with & without the cauliflower. I hop on -

I would like to say 130 but I think it is much closer to 135 pushing 136.
OMG! I've gained 5 pounds on this trip and we're only half way through!

On the scale with the cauliflower.

I'd say between 143-144 lbs.

Our cauliflower weighs in at 7 to 8 pounds. This one head would be enough for everyone at a Utah family reunion. That is a very impressive cauliflower!

Hershey Day 2

2010-10-23T21:58:00.000-06:00

Today is even better than yesterday. Karen is up bright and early to hit the fitness room. Bette Jo goes for a swim. Diane gets ready for the day. Cathie sleeps in.

By 9:15ish we are ready to hit the road. A quick stop by the Cocoa Beanery for Cathie's morning jump start and we're off....well, we're out of the building anyway. It takes us a little while to get through the parking lot. The grounds are so lovely that we have stop for a number of Kodak moments.

Diane, Karen & Bette Jo outside the Hotel Hershey

Our first stop is, of course, A Quilters Cottage. What a fun little shop! We meet the owners, Beth & Joan and buy chocolate kiss fabric, patterns and lots of other fun goodies.

Diane & Karen at a Quilter's Cottage

It is a lot of work and we are famished. Just a few minutes down the street is the Hershey Cafe and we head there.

There is a twenty minute wait. I make two more yoyos (I have almost a dozen now - just another couple of hundred and I'll be ready for YoYoville) and enjoy watching the people. This must be the chef....

We take a table on the patio when it becomes available. It is a bit brisk today so I order hot tea. It comes in this adorable tea pot. I need one of these too!

This trip is all about food. We are eating our way across Lancaster county! Diane has the cinnamon bread french toast. She is kind enough to share a taste with everyone and it is delicious. Karen has baked oatmeal. It looks much fluffier and lighter than regular oatmeal and comes with blueberries. Bette Jo has vowed to do "one brave thing" every day of our trip. Today she bravely orders the turkey sandwich. It doesn't sound very brave but Bette Jo is not an adventurous eater. This turkey sandwich is served on cinnamon bread with cranberry sauce and Swiss cheese. It looks quite tasty. Bette Jo gives it a go but says the cinnamon bread masks most of the other flavors. I have the crab and eggs Florentine. A yummy combination of lump crab, spinach, poached eggs, and holandaise sauce over an English muffin.

Back to the car for a drive through the countryside. It is beautiful. The homes are old, really old, and have so much character and personality. While taking a scenic trip around the block to catch a road we missed we stumble upon this gorgeous display of color.

Bette Jo suggests we stop at Ephrata Cloister. We arrive just in time for the 2:00 p.m. tour which is very interesting. We learn all about Conrad Beissel and the religious group he started. http://www.ephratacloister.org/

Our tour guide is wonderful and entertains us for the next hour. The buildings have been lovingly restored by the state of Pennsylvania who purchased the Ephrata Cloister in the 1940s. Wish we had more time to explore but it is after 3:00 and we're only half way to Intercourse.

Back in the car Diane programs the GPS to take us to Intercourse on the back roads. This trip just keeps getting better an better! We are driving through the heart of Amish country and see the Amish men, women, and children working in gardens and fields. We don't take any pictures so as not to intrude on their privacy but I must confess I am staring and gawking. It is like traveling back in time. A mule pulled plow works one field. In another we see a team of mules pulling a contraption that is flinging manure onto the field. An older woman is picking vegetables in the garden. A mother with a small daughter wearing identical dresses and white head coverings walk towards the barn. There are huge clothes lines that run from homes to tall poles and operate on a pulley. It is very quaint but I cannot help but think how grateful I am for my electric clothes dryer.

We stop at a roadside stand. It is self-service with a slot for the money and huge heads of cauliflower for $1.50 each.

We are so impressed by the enormous cauliflower heads that we buy one and leave $2.00 in the slot. This really is the largest head of cauliflower I have ever seen and it is perfect and white.

Back on the road with the enormous cauliflower in tow, we finally come upon the site we have been looking forward to all day. A horse drawn buggy is in front of us. They put on the blinker for a left turn. A buggy with brake lights and blinkers! What a fabulous blend of antiquity and technology.

We arrive in intercourse and spend an hour shopping at Zook's. Lots of fun fabrics to see and feel. Bette Jo buys a lace panel to use as the skirt of a blessing gown. Cathie buys lace curtains printed with chickens for the shop. Diane gets a some for her kitchen too. The shop girls are all Amish and we listen to their lilting voices as they speak quietly together in German/Dutch. Karen asks an Amish woman what fabrics she would use for a quilt and ends up with a beautiful selection of primary solids and black.

Bette Jo heads up the street to do some genealogy work. We continue shopping until the store closes at 5:00. We head into the touristy part of town for more shopping.

Time to head across town to Plain & Fancy for family style Amish dinner. At our end of the table are Bob and his wife Cheryl. They are visiting from New York and we enjoy chatting with them.

Bob & Karen

Time to get back to the hotel to blog and get some shut eye. Tomorrow is spa day!

Hershey - Day 1

2010-10-22T22:56:00.000-06:00

4:45 am and I am waking up to go to Hershey. I am not a morning person......especially after just a few hours of sleep. But this is a big and exciting day and I perk up pretty quickly. My husband drops me at the American Airline terminal just before 6:00 and Bette Jo and Karen are inside waiting. Diane shows up on my heels.

Bette Jo, Karen & Diane

Karen, Diane, Cathie

We check in, go through security - always a joy! Karen is wearing her Crocs today and the men with the blue gloves take them aside for a special inspection. They don't question her epipen or the "bug" she is wearing on her arm that electronically measures the calories she is burning as we trek across the airport, just the Crocs. Crocs back on feet, we head for the gate where we still have a good half hour before we board our teeny tiny toy plane. Yes, it's a puddle jumper with very little overhead space and even less leg room. But we're going to Hershey so I'm not going to complain! After visiting with Diane for 10 or 20 minutes fall asleep and wake up feeling much perkier. I sew 6 yoyo's for my YoYoville quilt http://www.bunnyhilldesigns.com/store/products/details/?product=yoyohome (Julie is going to teach it a block of the month next year - it is so cute!) I have never made yoyo's before and it's pretty addicting. I love the Clover yoyo maker.

We have a lay over of several hours at Chicago O'Hare and we have a wonderful lunch at the bar & grill in the terminal. Good home style soups and a pretty decent burger. We especially enjoy Nick, our attractive waiter with a wonderfully deep voice and Chicago accent.

Next, the high point of Chicago O'Hare - the toilets have self-changing seat covers! You push the button and the cover slides along the seat and rolls up inside as the new cover slides over the seat. I am particularly impressed with this and am sure the flash coming out of my stall amused quite a few people as I snapped my pictures. We're in the big city now girls!

Chicago O'Hare Self Changing Toliet Seat Liner

Harrisburg International may not sport self-changing toilet seat liners, but they do have these quaint rocking chairs along the way to the rental car & baggage areas. Had to take a quick stop for a Kodak moment.

Picked up our awesome Toyota Camry Hybrid - never drove one before but I am in love. I need one of these cars! And thankfully Diane had packed her GPS and preprogrammed the Hotel Hershey's address because getting there was a very confusing series of ramps, turns, and parkways and by the time we get there I am not sure which way is north, south, east or west .

We arrive at dusk, but even in the low light the hotel is amazing. I try not to embarrass our group snapping pictures of the lobby and staff and restrain the urge. Maybe in the morning I can covertly snap a few. The staff is extensive and definitely the friendliest staff on earth! We are cheerfully greeted, given our wonderful package of free tickets, coupons and events and congratulated as the winners of the Dream Dinner's contest. Off to our rooms where we have more goodies!

A chocolate basket and more tickets for activities and events!

After testing the bed

investigating the rooms, discovering nice terry robes in every one's closet and a host of wonderful toiletries, we are tickled to see a scale in each bathroom. A scale in the bathroom at the Hotel Hershey? It seems almost criminal. And even better, look at the brand name on the scale

Maybe it's a wishing scale!

We quickly unpack and head for dinner, a wonderful meal at the Trevi 5, the Hotel Hershey's casual Italian restaurant. Delicious fresh breads, a fresh greens salad, pancetta & truffle roasted brussel sprouts, house made tagliatelle with grilled chicken, mushrooms, arugula, porcini-cream sauce with a glass (OK, two glasses) of Merlot. It is rich and delicious. I am about to explode I am so full. I know I'm in heaven when our waiter recommends the white chocolate cherry bread pudding for desert. Total foodgasm! We spend several hours over dinner and desert and just sitting at the table visiting and getting to know each other. A very enjoyable evening.

We head back to our room and, I could get used to this, we have had turn-down service while we are out. Classical music is playing gently from the radio,

a sweet dreams card with Kisses is on the nightstand, our beds are turned down,

the TV remote is on a tray on the bed with the next days weather report and a list of fun things to do. The Hershey elves have even picked up the clothes Karen had left on the bed and artfully draped them over the chair.

This is luxury!

Now it's off to bed so we can get up bright and early, no later than 9:00 or so, enjoy breakfast in the circular dining room, and head into town and then out into the country for the day.

Wish you could all be here with us.

Countdown to Hershey!

2010-10-22T02:42:00.000-06:00

This image of the Hotel Hershey pops up during every search. I can't wait to see if it is really this pretty. My goal for Saturday morning is to post a picture taken from this same location and see if it lives up to the promos.

Today is the big day! E-mails have been flying as Bette Jo, Diane, Karen & I coordinate the last minute details. These ladies are incredibly organized and have jumped right in to help with planning and organizing. Good thing, because I am more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal.

Bette Jo made reservations for our Amish dinner on Saturday and checked out and forwarded the weather forecast - cool and clear through Saturday with clouds and rain arriving Sunday/Monday. (Saturday is our "touring the countryside" day - could it get any better than this?) She also packed her GPS so we can navigate without the Wasatch range letting us know which way is east. When I lived in Massachusetts I was perpetually lost unless I could see the ocean!

Karen found out our baggage limitations and requirements, not so much a concern traveling to Hershey as on the return trip when we'll be loaded with chocolate, souvenirs, and lots of fabric and patterns from the Pennsylvania shops.

Diane tracked down AAA discounts, coupons, and maps for our activities. She's also been trying to circumnavigate her trip to the Houston Quilt Market the week of our return. I'm not sure if she'll get a chance to unpack before she heads out of town again!

I made the hotel and spa reservations and organized the airfare. To be honest, the airline tickets were coordinated by our fabulous Hershey intern, Melissa (I really hope we get to meet her and tell her what fabulous job she did coordinating our trip) All I had to do was call American Airlines and give the magic number to the ticketing agent) But I did make the rental car arrangements - I got us a luxury sedan, no compact or mid-size for this trip, contact the Quiltmaker's Cottage to arrange a visit, and.....OK, I guess that's all I did. Good thing I've got Bette Jo, Karen & Diane to fill in the rest!

And now It's 2:30 in the morning and I am frantically washing & drying my cute new outfits, undies, and socks so they're ready to pack in the morning. Will I get a few hours sleep before our grand adventure begins? My hubby, and unofficial airport shuttle driver, has informed me that we need to get up at 4:30 a.m. in order to get to the airport by 6:00 a.m. He obviously wakes up much slower than I do! I am sure I can get showered, shave my legs (can't have furry legs at the Hershey Spa!) trim my toe nails to a reasonable length so the pedicurist isn't scared silly (it's kind of like picking up the house before the cleaning service arrives) pack my bag, and chug my morning java in half an hour or less. That means I don't have to wake up until 5:00 a.m.... maybe I should just stay up until it's time to leave and get my sleep on the plane and during the long layover at Chicago O'Hare....

I'll keep you posted!

Countdown to Hershey

2010-10-17T12:24:00.000-06:00

It's almost time for our trip to Hershey, PA. Everyone is so excited for the trip and very willing to make the most of this amazing opportunity. Karen, Diane & I recently met at Goodwood Barbeque to begin planning. We had a terrific time getting to know each other. Both Diane & Karen brought Hershey's treats - great minds think alike!

Karen, Cathie & Diane
Bette Jo was enjoying her anniversary celebration, a trip to
eastern Washington for the shop hop & couldn't join us

It has been quite an adventure planning our trip so far. Lots and lots of time on the phone with American Airlines, the Hershey Hotel, and the Hershey Spa. We were having a terrible time scheduling our flight until Melissa, the wonderful events/contests department intern at the Hershey Hotel & Spa who has been helping us coordinate our trip, stepped in and got everything settled. The bad news....we couldn't get a flight home on Sunday so we have to stay an extra day! Friday will begin our adventure, with the entire day spent on planes and in airports. Since we will have the extra day we decided to rent a car and spend Saturday touring the Amish country, visiting quilt shops, and having a grand time. Sunday is "spa day" and an afternoon of pampering and luxury! Monday we'll check out the Hershey gardens, Chocolate World, and a host of other activities provided by the nice folks at Hershey. We hope you can join us as we chronicle the adventure of a lifetime!

Fall Frenzy Gift Certificate Winners plus a Bonus Drawing!

2010-10-17T11:41:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to the two winners of our Fall Frenzy $100 gift certificate drawing

Cheryl Wallin
Stephanie Lewis

And as a special Thank You! for the wonderful turn-out we had at our first ever Fall Frenzy event, I have drawn an additional 5 names who will receive a fat quarter bundle. Drum roll please.........and the winners of the fat quarter bundles are

Janean Tullis
Vicki Webster
Sandra Visser
Brenda Davis
Deanna Allred

Hershey PA Here We Come!

2010-09-12T23:12:00.000-06:00

OK - I know it's been almost three weeks since my drawing was scheduled. I had no idea how difficult it would be to get 3 fabulous customers to come along. Here is the saga.....

August 31st, just after closing. I draw my first entry. Karen B! Yay! Here is the back of Karen's entry

Could I have picked a more perfect entry? I promise I had my eyes closed when I drew her name. I have a wonderful feeling about Karen. She is definitely a fun person and I can't wait to tell her she has won. I don't get a hold of her, but I leave a voice mail and send her an e-mail with the contest details.

The next name can't be divuldged due to unusual circumstances. I call winner number 2 and tell her she has won and am a little put off by her response. A very awkward and stilted conversation leaving me thinking she isn't really excited to have won and not very clear if she is going to accept. OK, kind of a let down, but I still have my final winner to call.

I reach the child of winner #3 who informs me she is out of town until Sunday. Another let down, but I can wait until Sunday....

Around 9:30 p.m. I get a call from Karen. She got my message and she apologizes for calling so late, but she is dying to know - is she a winner? She is very excited to have been drawn and would love to join me on this adventure. This is how I envisioned my contest! My confidence is restored.

The next morning I get a call from entrant #2.........'s mother. Unfortunately, winner #2 is just 15 years old. Yes, my contest rules specifically said you must be 18 years old to enter. Maybe she thought she was like me and never wins anything.... just goes to show there is a first time for everything. She didn't tell me she was 15 when I talked to her on the phone but this explains her odd reaction. Her mother says "I don't know why she didn't tell you when you called." I do. I remember 15 as one of the most awkard and difficult years of my life. I am sure she had that deer-in-the-head lights look as I was talking to her. Of course she couldn't tell me, when I was that age I wouldn't have been able to tell me either!

So I draw a new name. My next name is Diane K. I have to leave her a message and I am a little gun-shy after the last experience....but Diane calls me back and (Yay!) is very excited to be a winner. She kindly reminds me that I met her when she stopped by the shop in August with two very good friends of mine. What a co-inky-dink! She lives in Draper and stops by the next day to introduce herself again. Diane, with a huge smile on her face, asks me to pinch her because she knows she must be dreaming. She has never won anything like this before and can hardly believe it. This is Diane

I know we will get along splendidly!

At this point, I am pretty optimistic and excited to hear from winner #3. I am waiting to announce the winners until I hear from her. Sunday comes and goes and no response. On Monday, I call again to tell her the good news. I do get a hold of her, but she doesn't know what I am talking about when I tell her she has won. This is not a good omen. I give her the rundown of the contest. She is not very excited and says she will check with her family and let me know if she can go...another bad sign. Several days pass. I call again and have to leave a message on her voice mail (does she have caller ID? is she avoiding me? am I really this insecure?)

On Friday I get a message that winner #3 will not be joining us. What a surprise (not!) Yes, this is sarcasm, a staple in my household for dealing with uncomfortable situations. I draw another name. Bette Jo. I call her and once again get voice-mail. I leave a message. De ja vu all over again! I send an e-mail with the contest details.

On Saturday, I don't have time to check my e-mail before work (I have to be there by ten for Pete's sake!) Mid-day, one of our customers appears at the register desk with some wonderful tote bags she has made. She says, "You probably don't remember me, I am Bette Jo. " I gleefully announce to all in the shop "This is Bette Jo! She's going to Hershey with me!" We spend the next hour or so visiting, getting to know each other, and planning our trip. Do I remember to whip out the cell phone or camera for a picture - no! I am a terrible blogger. I should have rigged this contest so Kim Wallus (bittybitsandpieces.com) who is an amazing blogger came along for the ride! It would make my job so much easier.

So now I have Karen, Diane, & Bette Jo to enjoy the Girl-Friends Getaway with. I am very excited to get to know them better and I hope they are feeling the same.

Thank you to all who entered the contest and I wish I could take you all! I'll make every effort to post our fabulous trip on the blog

Tiny Treat Bags

2010-08-15T11:55:00.000-06:00

I saw the adorable Tiny Treat Bags in the new BHG Quilts and More fall 2010 issue and I had to make them. Two fat quarters makes 4 bags with enough left over to make fabric handles.

So I made one set and took them to the shop to display. Then I started talking to Julie & Melanie and we decided they would be even cuter with ric rack and pompoms. So now I'm making 8 more with a variety of trims. How fun!

I think these two fabrics will be fun together!

And these little prints from Riley Blake are too cute! I added a strip of mini pompoms to this one.

This is Stretch. To help set the Halloween mood, he knew a black cat was needed in the picture. Why do cats always want to be right in the middle of things? Why not lay beside the instructions instead of on them?

And, now you all know my secret - I do most of my sewing in the kitchen. That's Thomas, my youngest, making breakfast in the background.

Here are my finished bags! Notice there are only eight? One is at the shop, and I still have three more to put together. But I'm out of time today - I have to get the tuffets made for pin cushion club on Wednesday.

Here's your chance to visit the Hotel Hershey!

2010-08-09T22:08:00.000-06:00

We’re having a contest!

Here is a little background…

I bought Thimbles & Threads quilt shop in February. Since then, I have been working 10-14 hour days, six days a week. I love my shop and know how blessed I am to have this opportunity. I also know living in my shop is a temporary situation and, eventually, I will have a more normal schedule. In the meantime, thanks to the wonderful services of Dream Dinners, we still get to have a delicious sit-down family dinner every night (sometimes it's 9:00 pm, but gosh darn it, we're sitting down together!) Dream Dinners provides everything you need to make delicious dinners from easy-to-follow instructions using fresh, pre-cut ingredients. (Is that plug a little obvious?) You can find out more at http://www.dreamdinners.com/main.php?static=index

What does this have to do with the quilt shop? Well…

Three weeks ago, the wonderful folks from Dream Dinners appeared in my shop with a balloon bouquet and a Hershey chocolate bar. Did you hear my screams of surprise and joy across the valley? It seems I won the Dream Dinners “Girlfriends Getaway” to the Hotel Hershey & Spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania. What? I never win anything, ever! But I got the letter from Hershey last week and its official. I am the winner!

It is a trip for four. Well, obviously I am one. But how do I pick three more. Can I choose just 3 friends without hurting someone’s feelings? Probably not. Would my husband appreciate a cocoa facial at the spa followed by a tour of the gardens? Most likely not. Could I choose just three of my five family members to accompany me? Definitely not!

So...I am holding a drawing at the shop and three lucky customers will get to join me in this adventure. What a fun opportunity to spend time with people who share a love of quilting and hopefully chocolate too!

The trip:
* We will depart Salt Lake City airport on Friday, October 22nd
* Two nights at the Hotel Hershey
* As many of the activities provided by Hotel Hershey that we can cram in to a-day-and-a-half
* Return to Salt Lake City airport on Sunday, October 24th

The package includes:
* Round trip airfare courtesy of American Airlines and ground transportation to the Hotel Hershey
* 2 night’s accommodation (double occupancy, 2 queen beds) at the Hotel Hershey
* $200 credit per person at the Chocolate Spa
* Tickets for the Hershey Trolley Works
* Admission to the chocolate tasting at Hershey’s Chocolate World
* Admission to Hershey Gardens
* Admission to The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue

Are you drooling yet? If not, visit http://www.thehotelhershey.com/to see the luxurious accommodations, the fabulous dining, and the grounds. The spa treatments (and we each get $200 credit at the spa!) are to die for, anything chocolate you can imagine is available! http://www.chocolatespa.com/about_the_spa/enhancement.php

Stop by the shop to enter. On August 31st I will hold a random drawing from all entries submitted.

What you need to consider before entering:
* We will depart from the Salt Lake City airport on Friday, October 22nd and return on Sunday, October 24th.
* Chances are, you will be sharing a room with a total stranger. If this is outside of your comfort zone, don’t enter!
* This is a three-day trip. Can you say “Whirlwind?” This is going to be a fast and furious trip to the Hotel Hershey, packed with activities, followed by a prompt return. If this is not your style of adventure, don’t enter!
* You will be responsible for your own meals on the trip. Airfare, room, and admittance to the activities listed in the package description are included but all other expenses will be your responsibility.
* You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
* You will be spending time with me, for better or for worse. I am very energetic, boisterous, and sometimes (OK, most of the time) loud. I can find fun in almost any situation. I love to meet new people and I love new adventures and experiences. If this sounds like the adventure of a lifetime, enter more than once!

If this is up your alley, please stop by the shop and enter our little drawing. I would love for you to join me on this trip!

Ruby's collection by Skipping Stones Studio

2010-08-08T21:43:00.000-06:00

These beautiful fabrics from Clothworks arrived last week, the Ruby's collection by Skipping Stones Studio. Blacks/Whites/Reds with a yummy raspberry tossed in! I had to claim this shop sample quilt as mine!

Follow this link for the free pattern http://www.clothworks.com/pattern_download.asp?ID=201

I started working on the blocks on Wednesday - one of the two days each week that I get to go into the shop late (love Wednesdays.) To start, lots and lots of flying geese, 80 to be exact! Not my favorite to piece, but this pattern uses that wonderful 5 squares method that produces 4 flying geese sets. An added bonus, they are a tad big so you can square them up. I love patterns that allow for the "fudge factor."

And today I finished the flying geese pinwheels and got the blocks framed.

Tomorrow I get to turn these into snowball/pinwheel blocks. After that it's sew the rows together and ad the borders and the top is done. My goal is to finish it by Thursday!

Pin Cushion Club

2010-07-19T22:29:00.000-06:00

Our first Pin Cushion Club meets this Wednesday. I am so excited! I have been hoarding this pear fabric in the back room for the past 3 months looking for a fun project for it.
I spent Saturday evening making a bushel, well, maybe not a bushel, but a bunch of pears. Very fun working the kinks out of the patterns and tutorials I found and I can't wait to share.

Thyme to Water - Alternate Block 1

2010-07-11T09:38:00.000-06:00

Thyme to Water by The Quilt Company is one of the fun new Block of the Month clubs we began in June. Janet Holland has selected wonderful fabrics and embellishments for this pattern. Yesterday a customer, Kelly E., brought in her completed block 1. She's made a few changes to it and it is so adorable!

New Block - a much "softer" look to the bunny

Original Block - looks more catlike

Quilter's have amazing creativity! I love to see how the same pattern done by different quilters takes on the personality of the quilter.

A morning off work!

2010-07-07T10:15:00.000-06:00

It's a wonderful morning! Julie opened the shop this morning so I get to go in late today. I slept until 9:30 and have been leisurely enjoying my coffee, reading the newspaper, and my favorite part - attempting to do the crossword and sudoku puzzles.

And last night I stayed up late sewing. I finished this fun little "Go Fish" quilt from Aunt Em's Quilts. In Em's version all of the fish are swimming the same direction. Oops! Rather than picking seams and turning my fish the other direction, I think I'll just call this one "Going My Own Way"

What a fun pattern and it worked up very quickly. I love the dimension the picots give the fins and waves.

Now it's on to my next sewing project before heading in to the shop. This fabulous shop kit arrived on Friday for our next block of the month club. "Aunt Grace Circle of Friends" Bloom Creek with fabrics designed by Judie Rothermel and pattern by Vicki Bellino. I quickly claimed it as my own and started cutting out block 1 over the weekend.

I love the tiny prints for the 30's reproduction fabrics but my favorites are the solids Marcus Fabrics has added to the collection. Can't wait to work my way through the blocks.

Look for this BOM club beginning in September!

New BOW from Cori Blunt's Baby Bracelet Blessings

2010-06-25T23:05:00.000-06:00

I had a wonderful treat in my mail box this morning - Cori Blunt's new Baby Bracelet Blessings Block #10! (If I was a good blogger there would be a lovely picture of the blocks, creatively placed on my immaculate desk along with the envelope in which they were received. But I am new to blogging and both of my cameras have dead batteries and I have no clue how to take pictures of anything other than my pocket or foot with my cell phone....what a dilemma! You will just have to settle with a link to Cori's amazingly creative & well organized blog http://creativityamongstchaos.blogspot.com/2010/06/baby-bracelet-blessings-bow-10.html) Cori has been a doll to let us display her beautifully stitched block-of-the-week at the shop. I get so many inquiries about her blocks (they're machine stitched aren't they? No - that is Cori's immaculate stitching!) and the patterns are available at her blog or, if you're in the area, you can stop by the shop and pick up a free copy.

It's Time to Dig Out

2010-06-24T22:20:00.000-06:00

This is my office 3 days after shop hop. Do you think there's any chance I'll find the top of my desk in the near future? My desk is on the left. My "stuff" has spilled over to cover the printer table, sewing table, Julie's desk, and the UPS drop table. And all of the "stuff" falls under the category of things I need to do.

This is our Shop Hop quilt. It uses the blocks from all 15 of the Wasatch Front Shop Hop shops. This year's theme was "Celebrate" and each shop chose a holiday or celebration. We had "Fourth of July" which was lots of fun. We have been hoarding red/white/blue fabrics in our back room since February. All the gals in the shop pitched in, designing blocks, piecing, and appliqueing. Julie put it all together (that was a challenge!) and I quilted and bound it (finishing at about 1:00 a.m. the morning of shop hop. I think it turned out nicely. We've had a number of requests for patterns and Janet has kindly agreed to figure the dimensions. As soon as it's ready, we'll post it on the web site and e-mail copies to those who have requested it.

And this is a very dark picture of our theme wall. The new Baisc Grey "Fruit Cake" fabric from Moda is blocking out the blue colorwall on the bottom shelf but you get the idea. I'm working on improving my photography skills but it is still trial and error. I think my next investment needs to be a good photo editing program.

Well, that's all for now. I better get back to digging out the desk!

I survived my first shop hop!

2010-06-20T18:55:00.000-06:00

I can't believe we did it! As I was binding the shop quilt at 1:00 a.m. after a very long day rearranging the fabric, hanging new quilts and projects, and taking care of the hundred or so other details that go into setting up a large event, it didn't seem possible that we would be ready to go when the shop hop kicked off in just 8 hours. But my staff is amazing! Assisted by friends and family who volunteered their time, they worked all day Monday and Tuesday putting together kits, decorating, and setting up displays and had everything looking bright and cheery for our "Fourth of July" celebration. We were ready to open our doors promptly at 9:00 a.m. as scheduled.

Unfortunately, I was so busy with the details, that I neglected to get any pictures. Next year, I'll make sure I have a staff member armed with a camera. As for this year, if any of you who stopped by the shop have any pictures you are willing to share, I would be extremely grateful.

As for the shop hop, I would call it a tremendous success. We had over 1,500 quilters come through the shop and were thrilled with the wonderful feedback and comments we received. Our shop was definitely hopping! On Wednesday, Jill Finley was on hand to sign her new book, Stitched Together: Fresh Projects and Ideas for Group Quilting. Friday applique demonstrations by Cori Blunt of Chitter Chatter Designs were a great learning experience and our printer was running non-stop keeping up with the demand for her beautifully stitched Block of the Week pattern, Baby Bracelet Blessings. All week long, Jennifer from Stampin' Up demonstrated the Big Shot die cut machine (it works on fabric as well as it does on paper!) and provided fun make-and-takes each day. Poor Jennifer was on her feet the entire time and was such a sport to stay long after her scheduled times each day. We gave away 5 fat quarter bundles every day along with other fun prizes like shop hop gear, quilting notions, and a slew of fun patterns.

In addition to the beautiful quilts put together by staff members, we were very lucky to have on display a number of quilts from Mary's Cottage, Nellie's Needle, Peggy Bills, and Chitter Chatter designs. I am constantly amazed at the many talented women in our area who design quilts and are so willing to share their talent.

It was so much fun to see familiar faces and visit with quilters from all along the Wasatch Front. We even met a few out-of-towners who participated in our shop hop, some who accidentally stumbled upon it and quite a few who made the journey just to join in the fun. Thank you for stopping by and we hope to see you again in the near future!