Thursday, November 4, 2010

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

November/December Newsletter



Class Schedule for November:



UFO class - Thursday, November 4, 5-8pm

Farmer’s Wife - Wednesday, November 10, 2-6pm

Beginner Class - Wednesday, November 10 and 17, 5-8pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, November 11, 4 or 5 til 8pm

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends B.O.M. - Sat., Nov 13, 12-1pm

Civil War Tribute B.O.M. - Sat, Nov 13, 10am-11am

Wool Applique B.O.M. - Thursday, November 18, 6pm-8pm

Back Home B.O.M. - Saturday, November 20, 12-2pm



Class Schedule for December:



UFO class - Thursday, December 2, 5-8pm

Farmer’s Wife - Tuesday, December 8, 2-6pm

Beginner Class - Wednesday, December 8 and 15, 5-8pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, December 9, 4 or 5 til 8pm

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends B.O.M. - Saturday, December 11, 12-1pm

Civil War Tribute B.O.M. - Sat. December 11, 10-11am

Wool Applique B.O.M. - Thursday, December 16, 6pm-8pm

Back Home B.O.M. - Saturday, Dec. 18, 12-2pm



(B.O.M. means ongoing Block of the Month)



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Remember, if your name is mentioned in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will get a free fat quarter next time you come in the shop. (Of course, you will have to remind me!)

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SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! - February 23-26, Wed. - Sat. The shop will be open 9-6 Wednesday-Friday (yes we’ll still be open until 8pm on that Thursday) and 8am-8pm Saturday, Anita Provenzino. Saturday the 26th there will be a bus leaving from the shop and making the circle to Terri’s Treasures, the new shop in Aitkin, Timeless Treasures in McGregor, Hill City, Tiger Textiles in Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and of course back home to Chisholm! If you did not go last year on the bus, you missed a great time. This year we will have more room on the bus AND Carol Lee will be your tour guide! How lucky can you get!? But WAIT, there’s more! The price will be the same as last year - $35.00!!!!!!!!!! WOW! Like I said, Linda Carlon, you’ll have more room on the bus, Kathy Young, (to stow your purchases while you’re out running all over the country cheating on me) and the seats are more comfortable (think First Class), and THEN you get to return to the shop and have a gourmet dinner served to you! Okay, it won’t be gourmet and you’ll probably have to serve yourself, but it will be GOOD!

You can call the shop (254-1700) or Chisholm Community Education (254-1431) to reserve your spot on the bus. $35.00 will be due January 26. More about this in January newsletter………………..



QUILT CAMP - Camp Chicagami Thursday, April 28 - Sunday, May 1. This is a UFO (unfinished objects) camp. Sign up in the shop!



Coming up in January, we will be doing a Patchabilities block of the month. In January you will get a 12” x 14” stand and a pattern and fabric to make a little 12” square wall hanging to go on it, Margaret Morgan. Each month thereafter, you will get the pattern and fabric to make another block for the stand AND a little seasonal stand topper that attaches to the stand! All this for a pittance of $22.50 per month! AND there will be a sample made for display in a TIMELY fashion (because Bev will be doing it, not me.) Please come in and sign up so I’ll know how many stands to order!



Also in January we will be starting a NEW Block of the month, Jeannie Quirk, “Patriots in Petticoats”. This is Windham Fabrics in Association with the Daughters of the American Revolution project. It is a beautiful quilt and - if you are in the current Civil War Tribute b.o.m. then you will appreciate the simplicity of the blocks. The pattern has a monthly tribute to women who lived during the time of the American Revolution and the early years of our country.



Beginner class - This is a new ongoing class on Wednesday nights as noted on the class schedule. If you know anyone who needs a beginner class, they can start on any of the dates on the schedule - I just need to know at least a day before they start coming! This seems to work best when we have people come in and want a beginner class. We always have scheduling problems and by the time we get a full class they may have lost interest. Wednesday nights I will be here to get you started, and help you progress each step of the way. The shop is closed at 6pm, so there will be minimal interruptions. When you can’t make the following class, then you just let me know. That way, it takes the pressure off you and you will eventually have a quilt! If you cannot make it on Wednesday nights, ask me about Tuesday mornings! If you can’t make Tuesday mornings, either, then God help you. No, just kidding. We will work out a schedule. I’m willing to work one on one. $15.00 class fee per session.



Wool Applique - Thanks to Carol, the November, December and finishing kits are ready to be picked up whenever you want them. The finishing kit is $15.00.



Arlene Huset came in the shop today with ALL 113 Farmer’s Wife blocks done! I am going to get back to making my blocks one-per-day if it kills me (it might).



Mary

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Quilt Shop of Chisholm


September 2010



Class Schedule:



****UFO Night - Thursday, Sept. 2, 4pm-8pm



****Farmer’s Wife - Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2pm-6pm



Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, Sept. 9, 5pm-8pm



Civil War Tribute Block of the Month - Saturday, Sept. 11, 10am-11am



****Aunt Grace Circle of Friends B.O.M. - Saturday, Sept. 11, 12pm-1pm



****Beginner Quilting Class - Tuesdays, 5pm-8pm, Sept 14 & 28, Oct 12 & 26



Wool Applique - Thursday, Sept. 16, 6pm-8pm



Back Home B.O.M. - Saturday, Sept. 18, 12pm-2pm



(**** denotes new classes starting in September)





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If your name is mentioned in this newsletter (no matter how inappropriately)

You will receive a Free FAT QUARTER!

*******************************************************************



I put the above statement about the free fq in all my newsletters. A few months ago my sister Jenny (who is NOT a quilter and reads the newsletter on the blog) emailed me and said “I want a free fat quarter! What is it?” !!

QUILT CAMP! QUILT CAMP! QUILT CAMP!

Camp Chicagami - Fall Into Quilting - September 9-12. Thursday-Sunday $170, Friday-Sunday $160. If you have signed up with Charlotte Nelson’s group, great! If you sign up with the QSOC group, you can still participate in Charlotte’s classes if you want to, OR just work on your UFO’s. You may arrive anytime Thursday and our first meal will be on Thursday evening. We will have 2 meals each day. Day campers: Thursday or Sunday $35.00, Friday or Saturday $40.00, includes one meal.

Household tip: If you head up the stairs with windex, paper towels, and trash bags, and look down pointedly at the people you live with who are stretched out watching Nascar on Sunday afternoon, tell them you are going “upstairs to clean”, then put your nose in the air, you can get a nice long Sunday afternoon rest and no one will come upstairs to bother you. I tried this several weeks ago. I really had intentions of cleaning - and I did, for about 15 minutes. Then I saw my bed - so inviting - and someone had left the TV on, so I lay down for a few minutes to read. Unfortunately, who ever had been watching TV in my room had left the tv on the Animal Planet Channel, and this show called “The Monster In Me” was on. If you have never watched this show, DON’T DO IT! Forget “Nightmare on Elm Street” or “Silence of the Lambs” or any of those movies - this show is about parasites that invade our bodies. (Are you itching yet?) The episode that was on was about bed bugs, lung flukes and some parasite that can get in your eyes and the cure is a drug that has some chemical pool cleaner in it. I am not making this up. After I checked the sheets for telltale signs of bed bugs and determined that since I wasn’t going to eat any raw crustaceans then I wasn’t going to get lung flukes, I called my 19 year old daughter because she wears contacts. I informed her that she was NEVER to use old or dirty lenses and she needed to keep her contact cleaner somewhere where it wouldn’t get contaminated. She replied “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?”. To which I replied that parasites might be invading her eyes at this very moment and she thanked me for telling her and hung up. Then I started thinking about how quilting gets a hold on us like a parasite. But it’s a GOOD parasite. It can completely take over your thought process. Your husband is talking about something that happened at work that day and you are saying the appropriate things in response like “really? Uh huh? Are you serious?” and all the time you’re thinking “if I used triangle papers and made the half square triangles 3” instead of 2”, then I would only have to make 413 of them instead of 2,687. I wonder if I have enough of the brown material for the sashing?” or “the flannel quilt in our bedroom is so old and falling apart - but do I really want to make another queen size and how am I going to afford the flannel for that size and the backing - I know, I’ll buy the fabric for the blocks first, then when I finish that I’ll get the borders. Then I’ll get the backing later. What pattern do I want to use?” And he’s continuing “blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah, so how was your day?” And you suddenly realize that he’s stopped talking and is looking at you like he’s waiting for a response. And if you’ve been married long enough, you know that he’s either asked 1. What’s for dinner or 2. Can we have a quick romp in the hay before the kids come in or 3. How was your day. This is very important that you answer correctly. He doesn’t LOOK hungry. He looks too tired for a romp in the hay. So you say “just great, honey, just great.” and he looks happy.

So, even though quilting is a parasite, I still say it’s a good parasite.

If I haven’t lost you yet with my rambling: We will be having a new class on the first Thursday of the month starting this month: UFO NIGHT! You come on the first Thursday anytime in the afternoon or when you get home from work and bring your machine and whatever you want to work on. If you need help with something or advice (we LOVE to give advice), or if you just want to work on an unfinished project. Class fee is $5. BUT, there is a catch…………….(I know, there always is, right?). Think of it as a bonus - not a catch - since I will be demonstrating a new technique to you at each class! September will be a technique used in the book “10-Minute Blocks, 3-Seam Squares for Quicker Quilts”. This class will fill up very, very fast, as there is only room for 12 people. Call the shop to sign up!

Farmer’s Wife - if you have the book and want to come to work on your blocks, or if you want to cut your fabrics, or if you want to copy template measurements out of my book, this is the class for you. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, come in and see the book.

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends Block of the Month - this is a 7 month project with a cost of $27.50 per month and includes all fabrics for top and binding. These cute 1930’s prints are just charming. Come in and see the picture and the blocks that Doris Smith has done.

Beginner Quilting class - Karen Skraba will be teaching this class. Class fee will be $60 for all 4 sessions. You will be making a 52” x 68” lap size quilt and fabrics will run about $45.00. The supply list is available at the shop. Limited to 6 students, so sign up as soon as possible!

We will be starting a new wool applique block of the month in January and I have a picture of the new project and a sign up sheet in the shop. Jackie is almost done putting together her sample of this year’s wool block of the month and you will be jumping up and down to get yours finished when you see it!!!!!!!

Sometime in September I will be starting a “Triangle Exchange” - I will have information in the shop on that and other upcoming things.

Now, before I sign off, I have to tell you about the bat that came to visit. I don’t know how he (or she) got in, but I can tell you how he or she got out. Bev and I were alone in the shop and saw the movement of flight. He flew behind the quilt on the back wall. Bev looked at me and I said, “I’m going down to the basement to get my rubber gloves.” She looked at me harder and said, “What if he comes out from behind the quilt and builds a nest in my hair? That’s what my older sisters told me when I was little.” I told her that the bat was perfectly happy behind the dark quilt and I would be right back up. I went down stairs and almost immediately hear the pitter patter of little feet (running) and SQUEALING from up above. I grabbed my gloves and as I headed up the stairs I hear Bev sobbing: “Mary, you need to get up here right now!.” I opened the door and there was Bev, cowering under the cutting table, emitting a squeal every now and then, and the bat WAS kind of making a bee line for her. When he finally landed, I picked him up with a plastic bag in my rubber glove and turned the bag inside out and took him out in the alley. So I called Bev at home the next morning and told her I was sorry that she had had such a traumatic experience at the quilt shop and that I still respected her, even though she hid under the table and squealed. Sorry, Bev, I just had to tell it.

We have darling pillow case kits for the magic pillow case made up in the shop - this would be the perfect opportunity to make a pillow case for the pillow case challenge! See Barb for details.

Mary

Friday, May 28, 2010

June Newsletter and Classes


June 9, 2-6pm - Farmer's Wife group
June 12, 10-11am - Civil War Tribute Block of the Month
June 17, 6-8pm - Wool Applique Block of the Month
June 19, 11-12 - Sweet Pickin's Club
June 19, 12-2pm - Back Home Block of the Month

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If I mention your name in this newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you get a free fat quarter next time you come in the shop!  You have to remind me because I have the memory and attention span of a gnat.
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The Farmer's Wife Group - Those of you who have the book "The Farmer's Wife" have asked for a "class" or meeting to get together, so every month on the 2nd Wednesday, we will meet here at the shop.  We will meet from 2-6pm to cover those of you who don't want to come at night, and those of you who work during the day.  Of course, you may stay the entire 4 hours, but you do not have to stay!  You may bring your machine to sew, or you may bring your scraps to cut, or you may borrow my book to copy the sizes of the templates.  Whatever you want to do related to the book, you may.  Unless you want to dance on the book.  I have made 25 of the 113 blocks - I look forward to making a block before I leave the shop every day - it's fun, it's fast, and I only have to make ONE of them.  If you do not have this book and would like to purchase it, I have them in stock.

Back Home Block of the Month - this is a new block of the month that started in May - there are still opening - you're not too far behind!!!  Laura Lignell and I are both teaching this class and the sample is just darling.  This is a class to bring your machine along and let us check your needle, your stitch length, and give you tips to make your applique look the way you want it to look.  Let us hover over your shoulder, breathing down your neck!!  (No wonder the class got block one pieced, appliqued and stitched in the first class.)  Plus, if you've never had Laura as a teacher, she always brings snacks or a dessert, which is more that you get from me!!  Class fee (includes pattern), $20.  Supplies (mostly fat quarters) extra.

The Shop Hop fabric is BEAUTIFUL!  All blues and creams, all about Minnesota.  We are pre-selling the fabric and you can pick it up or have it mailed to you on July 30 when the shop hop begins.  Did you know that you can take a bus trip to cover the Northeast Section?  Each bus trip is three days and two nights.  The cost is $175.00 and includes lodging.  Meals will not be included but the hotels do offer breakfast.  There will be one trip Friday-Sunday, July 30-August 1st.  Another trip will be Monday-Wednesday, August 2-4.  For more information, call (218)285-2080.


Thought you might like to see some of the finished products from our blocks of the month. 
 These two are from the Batik Mystery Quilt Block of the Month.  The top one belongs to Gail Haybloom and the bottom one belongs to Terese Damyanovich.  Good job, guys!!



This is one of the Stash Pot Pie quilt tops done by Sue Walker.


Stash Pot Pie is taking a break over the summer, but this class will be back with a vengence in September!!  We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month, from 4-8pm.  This class continues to amaze me with their dedication and results........I'm not sure if they come to use up the fabrics in their "stash", eat pie or socialize.  All I know is that I'm afraid to leave the room when they're here because I might miss something. 

Monday, April 5, 2010

Here are our happy quilters at 7:45 am before they got on the bus to Shop Hop in February! 
Geranium Mini Quilt!
Looks so cute in the little 12" x 14" quilt hangers.

"One Million Pillowcase Challenge"

The Quilt Shop of Chisholm has joined the American Patchwork & Quilting "One Million Pillowcase Challenge." We will be donating the pillowcases to local charities such as nursing homes, cancer patients at the hospital, and foster care children. If you have other ideas please let me know.  Barb will be in charge of arranging a meeting to decide on how many we think we can do and exactly where we would like to donate these pillow cases.  We will have patterns and ideas that you can use when Barb gets back from Texas.  (She says she's in Texas, but we don't know that FOR SURE.)  Our pillow cases will  be counted toward the countrywide total. The challenge continues through the rest of 2010.  Click on the button below to get more information.
 
American Patchwork & Quilting 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge - Participating Shop. Click here to learn more.

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

116 W Lake St, Chisholm, MN 55719
218-254-1700
www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com



April 2010 Newsletter

Class Schedule:

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, April 8, 4-8pm
Civil War Tribute Block of the Month - Saturday, April 10, 10-11am
Advanced Beginner - Tuesdays, April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 5-7pm
Wool Applique Block of the Month - Thursday, April 15, 6-8pm
Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - Saturday, April 17, 10-11am
Sweet Pickin’s Club - Saturday, April 17, 11am-12pm

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Remember, if your name shows up in the newsletter (whether it is used in an appropriate manner or not) you get a free FQ!!!!!
*************************************************************

Coming Up:

A Block of the Month in May (3rd Saturday of the Month) will be replacing Cobblestone Lane. It is fusible applique and it’s called “Back Home”. Laura Lignell and I are making the blocks for the sample. This will be a hands-on block of the month, meaning that we will actually be working on them during the classes. Laura and I will share with you the tricks to make machine applique look the way you want it to look!

April 29 - May 2, Thursday - Sunday --- Quilt Camp!!!!!!!
We are having quilt camp at Camp Chicagami. If you are already signed up and have not sent in your deposit, it is $50. The cost of camp will be $160 for Thursday-Sunday, $125 for Friday-Sunday, with the evening meal of the day you come the first meal included. Day campers will be $35 per day (which includes meals). We still have openings available! We will be working on UFO’s. There will be more on www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com later on this month, Sue Walker.

STASH POT PIE - I found out why Karen Johnson doesn’t say anything during stash pot pie class. It’s not because she is hiding something - it’s because if she talks, she can’t listen to the 3 or 4 conversations going on around her. As she told me, “I might miss something!” In March, Karl could not make the pies, so I made Banana Pudding and Chocolate Candy Bar Pie, using instant pudding mix (the recipes were on the boxes) Cool Whip and pre-made pie crusts. I will not tell you how much I ate, but I was in a sugar coma the next day, overslept and did not get to the shop to open until 10:30. Karl will be back this month with pies that are not so deadly.

CIVIL WAR TRIBUTE - We learned several things last month in this class: First, when quilt blocks are squared up and sewn together, there will be some points that are “cut off”, Judie Gustafson. This is inevitable. Even samples sent from the pattern company are not perfect. Secondly, quilters who insist on a “scant quarter inch” seam allowance and get down to 3/16 of an inch are neurotic. Now, I’m just telling you what was discussed. The word “neurotic” came right from the lips of a woman who has spent her entire life in the field of psychology. AND “The Mother of All Quilters”, the only woman who I know that has ever pieced, quilted and bound the “Dear Jane” quilt (with the scary snow cone border), agreed with her. So I snuck over and changed the scant ¼” setting on my machine before anyone could notice.

ADVANCED BEGINNER - Karen Skraba will be teaching this class at the request of her beginner quilters. It is a sampler quilt and we have a sample made up in the shop. If you are a novice seamstress, Pattie Schleicher, but are new to quilting or if you have had the beginner class and want to learn something new, this is the class for you. Four classes, $60 class fee, supply list available at shop when you sign up, homework will be given!!!!!!!!!

***************************************************************
My niece in Baltimore has recently had a baby. Her second child. A BOY. So far, her oldest child (who is only a year old) has been a sweet, angelic, patient, smiling girl. I would like to tell my niece that life, as she knows it, is over. But I won’t. Because she only has one boy. He may be that rare exceptional case that is inquisitive, yet careful. Fearless, yet careful. Energetic, yet careful. Why, my niece may ask, do I keep saying “careful”? Because all boys are inquisitive, fearless and energetic, but none of them care about the consequences - and therefore aren’t careful. Now, let’s say your little darling is the exception to the rule and your precious daughter tries to keep close tabs on him for the next few years (oh, boy, WILL she.) Then you will go and do something absolutely insane and have another child and if it’s a boy - then I’ll tell you that your life is over and you are going to need something much stronger than herbal tea to make it through the next year - make that the next 25 years. Because “boys” are different than girls. One boy is bad enough, but from the moment that second boy is brought home from the hospital, the horror begins. Here is my theory on “boys”. When more than one are together, you take the lowest IQ score from the group and divide it by the number of boys in the group, and the whole group’s actions will reflect that IQ score. Think about it. No, my dear niece, don’t think about it. You will have enough to think about over the next few years. But somewhere in the back of your brain you will remember this advice when he’s 4 years old and playing with his cousins and they have set fire to your house. Or when he pries or peals the letters off your car and brings them in the house to you. (You didn’t tell him NOT to.) That’s the problem with boys. There are infinite things that you “didn’t tell him not to do” because you, as a mother, would not in your wildest dreams think he might do it. His father will have thought of them, and may even be doing them with him. Even if you try to train yourself to think about aberrant behavior, you won’t be able to foresee tablecloth tents in your large tree in the front yard, the 3 foot hole dug right by your back porch, hammer marks in your coffee table, batteries wrapped in copper wire melting crayons on your kitchen counter. Then when he’s older, driving a 4 wheeler straight up a hill with his friends (remember the IQ theory) AND THEN DOING IT AGAIN after he rolls. It doesn’t have to be a 4 wheeler and a hill. It could be trying to ride his bike up an oak tree, and when he falls, he tries again, over and over. Then when he is an older teen, and the police come to your house at 8:00 in the morning because his car is (a) buried in a snow bank, (b) abandoned on the side of the road or (c ) skid marks lead into your driveway or (d) all of the above. I don’t know when boys become real people. I could go on and on, but I’m too depressed to tell you any more. Just get a big bottle of Jack Daniels and keep it in your basement so you can go down there to “do the laundry”. Trust me, no one will follow you.

Mary

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

April 2010 Newsletter:



Class Schedule:

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, April 8, 4-8pm
Civil War Tribute Block of the Month - Saturday, April 10, 10-11am
Advanced Beginner - Tuesdays, April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 5-7pm
Wool Applique Block of the Month - Thursday, April 15, 6-8pm
Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - Saturday, April 17, 10-11am
Sweet Pickin’s Club - Saturday, April 17, 11am-12pm

*************************************************************

Remember, if your name shows up in the newsletter (whether it is used in an appropriate manner or not) you get a free FQ!!!!!

*************************************************************



Coming Up:
A Block of the Month in May (3rd Saturday of the Month) will be replacing Cobblestone Lane. It is fusible applique and it’s called “Back Home”. Laura Lignell and I are making the blocks for the sample. This will be a hands-on block of the month, meaning that we will actually be working on them during the classes. Laura and I will share with you the tricks to make machine applique look the way you want it to look!



April 29 - May 2, Thursday - Sunday --- Quilt Camp!!!!!!!

We are having quilt camp at Camp Chicagami. If you are already signed up and have not sent in your deposit, it is $50. The cost of camp will be $160 for Thursday-Sunday, $125 for Friday-Sunday, with the evening meal of the day you come the first meal included. Day campers will be $35 per day (which includes meals). We still have openings available! We will be working on UFO’s. There will be more on www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com later on this month, Sue Walker.



STASH POT PIE - I found out why Karen Johnson doesn’t say anything during stash pot pie class. It’s not because she is hiding something - it’s because if she talks, she can’t listen to the 3 or 4 conversations going on around her. As she told me, “I might miss something!” In March, Karl could not make the pies, so I made Banana Pudding and Chocolate Candy Bar Pie, using instant pudding mix (the recipes were on the boxes) Cool Whip and pre-made pie crusts. I will not tell you how much I ate, but I was in a sugar coma the next day, overslept and did not get to the shop to open until 10:30. Karl will be back this month with pies that are not so deadly.



CIVIL WAR TRIBUTE - We learned several things last month in this class: First, when quilt blocks are squared up and sewn together, there will be some points that are “cut off”, Judie Gustafson. This is inevitable. Even samples sent from the pattern company are not perfect. Secondly, quilters who insist on a “scant quarter inch” seam allowance and get down to 3/16 of an inch are neurotic. Now, I’m just telling you what was discussed. The word “neurotic” came right from the lips of a woman who has spent her entire life in the field of psychology. AND “The Mother of All Quilters”, the only woman who I know that has ever pieced, quilted and bound the “Dear Jane” quilt (with the scary snow cone border), agreed with her. So I snuck over and changed the scant ¼” setting on my machine before anyone could notice.



ADVANCED BEGINNER - Karen Skraba will be teaching this class at the request of her beginner quilters. It is a sampler quilt and we have a sample made up in the shop. If you are a novice seamstress, Pattie Schleicher, but are new to quilting or if you have had the beginner class and want to learn something new, this is the class for you. Four classes, $60 class fee, supply list available at shop when you sign up, homework will be given!!!!!!!!!



***************************************************************

My niece in Baltimore has recently had a baby. Her second child. A BOY. So far, her oldest child (who is only a year old) has been a sweet, angelic, patient, smiling girl. I would like to tell my niece that life, as she knows it, is over. But I won’t. Because she only has one boy. He may be that rare exceptional case that is inquisitive, yet careful. Fearless, yet careful. Energetic, yet careful. Why, my niece may ask, do I keep saying “careful”? Because all boys are inquisitive, fearless and energetic, but none of them care about the consequences - and therefore aren’t careful. Now, let’s say your little darling is the exception to the rule and your precious daughter tries to keep close tabs on him for the next few years (oh, boy, WILL she.) Then you will go and do something absolutely insane and have another child and if it’s a boy - then I’ll tell you that your life is over and you are going to need something much stronger than herbal tea to make it through the next year - make that the next 25 years. Because “boys” are different than girls. One boy is bad enough, but from the moment that second boy is brought home from the hospital, the horror begins. Here is my theory on “boys”. When more than one are together, you take the lowest IQ score from the group and divide it by the number of boys in the group, and the whole group’s actions will reflect that IQ score. Think about it. No, my dear niece, don’t think about it. You will have enough to think about over the next few years. But somewhere in the back of your brain you will remember this advice when he’s 4 years old and playing with his cousins and they have set fire to your house. Or when he pries or peals the letters off your car and brings them in the house to you. (You didn’t tell him NOT to.) That’s the problem with boys. There are infinite things that you “didn’t tell him not to do” because you, as a mother, would not in your wildest dreams think he might do it. His father will have thought of them, and may even be doing them with him. Even if you try to train yourself to think about aberrant behavior, you won’t be able to foresee tablecloth tents in your large tree in the front yard, the 3 foot hole dug right by your back porch, hammer marks in your coffee table, batteries wrapped in copper wire melting crayons on your kitchen counter. Then when he’s older, driving a 4 wheeler straight up a hill with his friends (remember the IQ theory) AND THEN DOING IT AGAIN after he rolls. It doesn’t have to be a 4 wheeler and a hill. It could be trying to ride his bike up an oak tree, and when he falls, he tries again, over and over. Then when he is an older teen, and the police come to your house at 8:00 in the morning because his car is (a) buried in a snow bank, (b) abandoned on the side of the road or (c ) skid marks lead into your driveway or (d) all of the above. I don’t know when boys become real people. I could go on and on, but I’m too depressed to tell you any more. Just get a big bottle of Jack Daniels and keep it in your basement so you can go down there to “do the laundry”. Trust me, no one will follow you.



Mary

Saturday, February 13, 2010

February Update

Classes:  This Thursday, Feb. 18, 6-8pm ----------WOOL APPLIQUE BLOCK OF THE MONTH
                                                                               (every 3rd Thursday of the month)
               Thursday, Feb 25, 10a-2p----------------ATLANTIS BLOCK OF THE MONTH

BRENDA POQUETTE - I need to know if you want your finishing kit for Atlantis as the pieced border or the sample border!!!!!   This month in Atlantis we will have the finishing kits ready and we are working on the border and finishing up!  If you do not have all twelve blocks and your finishing kit, I should have them here for you to pick up.  (Except for Brenda.  Ha!) 

Wool Applique Block of the Month - Block 2 will be ready and you may stay and stitch (or cut as the case may be) or pick up & go. 

MARCH CLASSES:

STASH POT PIE - Thursday, March 11, 4pm or whatever til 8pm.  $5.00 class fee.  THIS CLASS IS ALWAYS THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, Tammy Jerkovitz.  The cutting instructions must be picked up when you sign up for the class.  You would not believe what goes on in this class and I could repeat stories and comments that would make your hair stand on end.  This is absolutely my favorite class and there is no doubt I could blackmail several people, Julie Thune.  ("Pokey Little Puppy".  Need I say more?)  Since she has learned to say "Stash Pot Pie" instead of "Pot Stash Pie", Karen Johnson has not said anything that I can blackmail her with - YET.  She is very careful not to say anything that is inappropriate, but she WILL slip up -- and I'll be there when she does. 

CIVIL WAR TRIBUTE - Saturday, March 13, 10am-11am.  Block #3.  This class is always the second Saturday of the month.  I know it's hard to believe, but I will do a demonstration at this class and we will have a show and tell of any and all Civil War fabric projects that you have made!

WOOL APPLIQUE - Thursday, March 18, 6-8pm.  This class is always the THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH!

COBBLESTONE LANE - Saturday, March 20, 10-11am.  Block 5 of 6!!!!!!!  Are you working on your setting squares?????

SWEET PICKINS CLUB - We resume after the shop hop!!! Yeah!!!  This class is always the THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, Tammy Jerkovitz. 

**************************************

This Wednesday - Saturday is the Stars of the North Shop Hop!  February 17-20.  For those of you who have not picked up the brochure in the shop, it will be Quilt Shop of Chisholm, Elaine's Corner in Hill City, Terri's Treasures in Iron, Quilts Around the Corner in Hibbing, Tiger Textiles in Grand Rapids and Timeless Treasures in McGregor.  For those of you who are on the bus - You need to get here by at least 7:30 Saturday morning to be able to eat before the bus leaves at 8:00 am.  If you don't want to park on the main street for 12 hours, there is public parking in the parking lot behind Tom and Jerry's or you can park on the side streets (avenues). 

Mary  

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

January 2010 Newsletter

Class Schedules:

Saturday, Jan. 9, 10am-11am -- Civil War Tribute Block of the Month
Thursday, Jan 14, 4 or 5 - 8pm --Stash Pot Pie
Saturday, Jan 16, 10-11am--Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month
Saturday, Jan. 16, 11am-noon --Sweet Pickins Club
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 5-8pm --Continuing Education (the creation of Quiltzilla)
Thursday, Jan. 21, 6-8pm--Wool Applique Block of the Month
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 5-8pm--Second class of Continuing Education
Wednesday, Jan 27, 3-6pm--Mexican Star wallhanging
Thursday, Jan. 28, 10am-2pm--Atlantis Block of the Month #11
Saturday, Jan. 30, 10am-2pm--Atlantis Block of the Month #11


Class descriptions will follow.  Remember, if your name appears in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will receive a free fat quarter!************************************

Things that were overheard in the quilt shop in 2009:

  • Mary Jo telling the customer next to her as she was reaching for a bolt of fabric:  "I HATE this place."
  • "Barb did it" or "Barb didn't do it", whichever works.
  • Terese D. telling me "Go to H***, Mary" when I told her I "just happened" to have kits available for a quilt she was admiring.
  • Bev telling me "YOU CANNOT ASK THE CUSTOMERS TO BAKE YOU COOKIES....." 
  • Tammy J. telling me (after I drew ink pen lines on the RIGHT side of her fabric while showing her how to make continuous bias binding) "You are for all purposes dead to me now."
  • "We are having a Shameless Promotion today......"
  • "I'm just here to get my fix and pet the fabric."
  • "When I finished that last quilt with all the triangles, I spent a full day in the corner of my bedroom, rocking back and forth in the fetal position, sucking my thumb"
  • "The Elusive Jennifer....."
  • Tammi C. (nicknamed Flannel Tammi) asking me:  "Why are all the flannels on display?  Why are they up front?  Put them in the back so no one will buy them."
  • Linda C. telling Bev:  "I have NO friends."
  • "Organize ME, will you?"
  • Laura L., after completing a row of blocks named "Peanut Butter and Jelly" for the shop hop quilt:  "Peanut butter and jelly, my A**!!"
  • Barb telling customers "Come back tomorrow when Mary's not here and we'll be having a big sale with friends and family discount."
  • Doris S.:  "Is it coffee time?"
  • Bev saying "Barb and I are going to open up a quilt shop in Kitzville and be your worst nightmare."
  • "I found another bolt of flannel that Flannel Tammi must have hidden back here."

Inventory is done and we are ready for the new year.  I would like to say a heartfelt "Thank You" to all the women who help me with this shop - whether it's by working here, doing binding, making samples, helping with inventory, letting me "steal" your quilts for samples, and hang them in the shop, or just by being good customers.  A "good customer" is one who comes by to visit, asks for our opinion on a project, gives us her opinion on our works in progress and makes suggestions.  (It doesn't hurt if she also spends a lot of money.  Ha!).

The Civil War B.O.M. will be the 2nd Saturday each month for 12 months and the fabrics are GORGEOUS!  The cost will be $24.00 per month for the fabrics and pattern.  We are in the process of making the sample,  Amy Rice, so come in and ask to see the blocks.  The size of the quilt is like 100" x 108". 

Cobblestone Lane B.O.M. will be block number 3 out of 6 (remember, since we are making 2 blocks per month, and there are only 12 blocks, we'll be done in April!).  There are still a few of you who need to pick up your finishing kits.  Don't worry!  They are safely stored in the back, Lue Strom. 

Sweet Pickins - At the last meeting in December, the challenge was to make an ornament.  So we decided to each make an ornament (ONE ornament) and we'll have an ornament exchange at this month's meeting to keep for next Christmas!  This month's project is a Valentine Table Runner and is very cute. 

Karen Skraba will be teaching the "Continuing Education (The Creation of Quiltzilla)"  classes.  There will be five classes on Tuesday nights, Jan 19 and 26, Feb. 2, 9, and 23.  This class was requested by her beginner class as something a little more challenging to continue their education in quilting.  Be careful what you ask for!!!!!    Just kidding - it will be very easy, Karen Beil.  It's a gorgeous sampler from the book Better by the Dozen.  Come see the sampler and get your class supply list.  The class fee will be $15.00 per class.

The Mexican Star wallhanging - Laura Lignell will be teaching this class on the folding technique that looks so much like applique.  We have two beautiful samples hanging in the shop.  This class will fill up fast.  Laura wants to offer this class for no class fee, as a customer appreciation gesture.  (It's not often you get this kind of gesture from Laura, usually it's the other kind.)

The Wool Applique Block of the Month - I am so excited about this I can hardly stand it!!!!  There are already 35 people signed up for this and I can take 15 more!  We will meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month 6-8pm starting this month.  This can also be just picked up and taken home.  (In fact, I think the idea that is so appealing about this project is that it's something you can do at home while watching tv.)  The wools are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!  The cost is $10.00 per month for the wool applique fabric and block pattern.  The first month you will need to purchase a yard of the flannel that is your background for the entire small quilt.  There is also another 2 yd. fabric purchase sometime during the course of the project for your sashing and borders.  We will have the sample made up as soon as I can get it cut for Jackie.  Jackie Shuster will be helping you out with your stitching if you need help (she does a fabulous job with the hand stitching).  There will also be a kit available with all the threads used in this project for hand applique for $21.00.  If you want to use your own threads or machine applique, that is fine, Carol Chadwick.

Finally:  Don't forget we have a regional shop hop coming up February 17-20.  There is a bus leaving from our shop at 8a.m. on that Saturday, the 20th.  We've had a great response to this 4th Annual Star of the North Shop Hop.  For those of you who are signed up for the bus and haven't paid - your seat is NOT reserved until you pay.  Please pay at the quilt shop of mail your payment to Chisholm Community Ed. as seating is limited!

                                                                                Mary