Quilt Shop of Chisholm January/February Newsletter And Class Schedule Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 331 6th Ave SW 10am - 5pm Chisholm, MN 55719 218-254-1700 HAND EMBROIDERY CLASS: (4th Friday of each month) Friday, January 24, 10am Friday, February 28, 10am UFO CLASS: Thursday, February 13, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm “M” IS FOR MYSTERY BLOCK OF THE MONTH: (2nd Saturday of each month) Saturday, January 11, 10:00 am Saturday, February 8, 10:00 am WORDS TO LIVE BY WOOL APPLIQUE BLOCK OF THE MONTH: (Last Saturday of each month) Saturday, January 25, 10:00 am Saturday, February 22, 10:00 am BLESSINGS OF SUMMER BLOCK OF THE MONTH: (3rd Saturday of each month for 10 months, beginning in February) Saturday, February 18, 10:00 am ********************************* If you check our Facebook page (Quilt Shop of Chisholm) you’ll see the progress I’ve made on the “Cabin Fever” quilt that will be available in kits or progressive blocks soon. Progressive blocks means you pick up your next block when YOU are ready. Of course you have to sign an oath in blood that you will pick them up and give me a credit card number to guarantee that you won’t run off to the Cayman Islands with the first block or two and then forget about me. (How pathetic would that be to run off to the Cayman Islands with a “Cabin Fever” quilt block???!!) Some day I’ll figure out how to add pictures to my blog again, but in the meantime, you’ll have to check them out on Facebook. The “Words To Live By” wool applique block of the month is close to filling up. There are some spots left. This B.O.M. will be on the last Saturday of each month. I sent a picture of the 88” x 88” quilt in my last email to you, and I’m working on the sample for the shop. $32.00 per month includes all the wool and cotton fabrics. Let me know if you want the valdani thread kit, which is extra. Blessings of Summer is the cute applique block of the month that I’ve been working on. It is adorable and will get us out of our igloos and thinking about spring and summer!!! I must say, the whole state is hibernating. We need to buck up and realize that this is MINNESOTA and that we are TOUGH and a little cold weather doesn’t shut us down!!! This two days of no school on Monday and Tuesday on the Iron Range makes us look like a bunch of panty waists! The roads are good, the sun is out, so get over here and buy some fabric (I mean, come see us!!) Speaking of fabric, we have ALL 46 of the new Jinny Beyer batiks in the shop and several samples in the works. Little Black Dress II by Moda will be coming in later this month (jelly rolls and coordinating bolts). All kinds of good stuff! AND, bringing in your “unwanted stash” during December has been a big hit and we will continue to offer the $3.00 off a full-priced yard of fabric coupon for each grocery sack you bring in! The church we are giving the scraps and yardage to is thrilled. Some quilters have even brought in completed quilt tops that they don’t want any more!! Someone who works here, who I promised not to use her name, but she goes down to Texas to see her grandchildren ALL THE TIME, says she is not making anything other than lap or bed quilts for her son’s family. She says they never hang the wall hangings and the crushing blow came when she went to kiss her grandaughter good night and she was trying to snuggle up under a TABLE RUNNER!!!!! (That’s almost as pathetic as running off to the Cayman Islands with a “Cabin Fever” block.) SIGN UP FOR THE BUS FOR MARCH ! EITHER HERE OR AT QUILTS AROUND THE CORNER IN HIBBING!! I’M NOT GOING WITHOUT YOU!

Fall Schedule

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

331 6th Ave SW

Chisholm, MN 55719

218-254-1700



Hours: (New!!!) Tues - Sat 10am-5pm



September Classes:



UFO Class - Thursday, Sept. 5, 5-8pm

Thursday, Sept. 12, 5-8pm



Cross Cut Technique Class - Thursday, Sept 19, 5-8pm

Saturday, Sept 28, 10am-2pm



Hand Embroidery Class - Friday, Sept 27, 10am-1pm



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NOTICE: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, we will be closed on Mondays through May, 2014. Then we’ll open back up on Mondays!



September we will have two UFO classes (formerly Stash Pot Pie). They are open enrollment for each month, $10 fee. Please call 254-1700 to reserve a spot; must have 3 or more in attendance or class will be cancelled.



Cross-cut technique is the Ricky Tims’s Convergence technique. Maximum of 6 people per class, so sign up early. $45.00 non-refundable fee includes enough fabric for top, border and binding, instructions from your wonderful teacher, Doris Smith, and fee for the class. Check the QSOC Facebook page for photos of some of the samples, or come in and see them in person! You may choose from these same fabrics, or on the night of the class we will help you choose if you want something different. Can’t make the class? You can purchase the Convergence book ($27.95) and the 4 half yards of fabric that it takes.



Hand embroidery class - you should be starting on your Winter wall hanging/pillow this month, if you haven’t already! Note that we have moved to the 4th Friday morning of the month. Still openings available, still kits available to purchase for the Winter project, still no class fee .



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October and November you can look forward to several new block of the months: “My English Garden” and “Cabin Fever”. Cabin Fever will be designed by my husband (a winterized version of the “Cabins Around The Lake” quilt he designed for this summer’s Shop Hop!



January brings a MYSTERY QUILT BLOCK OF THE MONTH!!!!!! Want to see what it looks like? Too bad! Even I don’t know what it looks like. But I can tell you this: The fabric used to make it makes me go “Ahhhh….” each time I see it. (Like the boys in the old song “Girl from Ipanema”. If you don’t remember this song, shame on you!). My fabrics for the shop sample (which you can’t see!) wil be here in October, and I’ll show you the fabrics. More info to follow….



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The 3rd Annual Patchwork Pumpkin Shop Hop will be October 3, 4 & 5. On Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th we will be open 9am - 5pm. Saturday is BUS DAY and our Saturday schedule will accommodate the buses, which means we will be open at 8am and close when the buses are done. The cost for the bus is $40.00, lunch at the Fireside Inn in McGregor is $10.00 (including drink), and C A R O L L E E will be your bus hostess. Negotiations are still in progress with her, because she refuses to be on a bus that doesn’t have a cordless microphone. She’s such a prima donna. I am going to slip into the contract fine print that she cannot sing to you on the bus, but once the bus is gone, it’s really out of my hands. (Are you still humming “Girl from Ipanema” to yourself?) I have a sign up sheet for the bus and you must be signed up and paid by September 15. Limited seating.



The bus will leave from the Hibbing shop, Quilts Around the Corner, since we are sharing a bus, and go to Elaine’s Corner in Hill City, Sew Much & More in Aitkin, Timeless Treasures in McGregor, Quilted Dog in Cloquet, Terri’s Treasures in Iron and Quilt Shop of Chisholm, then back to Hibbing.



If you’re not on the bus, if you get your passport stamped at each store, you’re still eligible to win one of the seven $100.00 gift baskets ! FUN FUN FUN!!!

APRIL 2013 NEWSLETTER

Quilt Shop of Chisholm
331 6th Ave SW
Chisholm, MN  55719

218-254-1700

Hours:  Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

Classes for Stash Pot Pie I and II are winding down for the year.  We will meet in April and May, at which point I will give you your terrifying summer mission, whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you! 

Mill Girls Block of the Month - All the blocks are ready.  March is month 7, April month 8, May month 9 and June month 10, but you may pick them up whenever you wish.  I also have the gorgeous wideback made especially for this quilt if you would like to purchase it. 

Women of Courage Block of the Month - Blocks 1 - 8 are ready, blocks 9 - 12 will be ready by the 2nd Saturday of April.  I'm going to get a 108" wideback for this quilt also.  Should have that in April, also. 

The Needlers (hand embroidery club) will continue to meet through the summer on the 2nd Friday of the month 10am-noon,  and if you need any additional help, let me know.  Not that I will be able to help you, but I can sure call Doris Smith in a hurry!!!!!!!  Doris would like you to bring in any heirloom-type embroidered pillows or dresses or whatever you may have to share next time you meet.

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Spring is here!!!!!!!!  So is the snow!!!!!!!  It will go away eventually!!!!!!!!

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The statewide shop hop (Quilt Minnesota) is in August 2nd - 18th, 2013, and the fabric is State Parks of Minnesota.  It looks very pretty on the computer (go to www.quiltminnesota.com) but I can't WAIT to see it in PERSON!  It is supposed to be delivered in May.  We are back in the Upper Northeast Section again this year (yeah!) and are cooking up some wonderful incentives for those who complete the section.  To see what those incentives are, you will have to visit Quilt Shop of Chisholm in person or on Facebook.  Yes, it's true.  The shop is on Facebook.  Starting tomorrow, I hereby promise to update the facebook page every day.  I will actually do this, because I can control it from my phone.  But not today, because I left my cell phone at home.  Boy, do I have excuses, or what?

QUILT SHOP OF CHISHOLM IS ON FACEBOOK - FACEBOOK - FACEBOOK!!!!!

(That was for those of you who just scan the blog to make sure I don't have an incriminating picture of you posted and didn't read the above paragraph.)

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Remember:  Check out FACEBOOK tomorrow!     Mary

January Class Schedule

Quilt Shop of Chisholm
331 6th Ave SW
Chisholm, MN 55719
218-254-1700

“Half way between the Iron Man and the water tower!”

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm
Open late for classes on Thursdays

January Class Schedule:
Stash Pot Pie II - January 3
Stash Pot Pie I - January 10
The Needlers - Friday, January 11, 10am-noon
Women of Courage Block of the Month - Saturday, Jan. 19, 10am-noon
The Mill Girls Block of the Month - Saturday, Jan. 19, noon-2pm
Freedom Rings Block of the Month - Saturday, Jan. 26, 10am-2pm

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The Needlers club will meet January 11, 10am. If you have not signed up for the class, please do so if you want to learn how to do all those hand embroidered stitches that Doris Smith will teach you. The first project is the wool envelope to keep all your stitching supplies in. Cost of kit: $35.00. Since this is a club, instead of a class, Doris has decided not to charge a class fee.



Women of Courage - We are done with the blocks and January starts you on the setting squares! How about that???



Mill Girls - I have been promised that FINALLY the fabrics for blocks 3-6 will be arriving the first week in January, so by January 19 you will be able to pick up November, December and/or January!! Sorry about the delay.



Freedom Rings is the NEW block of the month starting January and going through July. This block of the month is the one with the triangle papers to make the perfect half square triangles if you’ve seen it in the shop. Also the one with the eagle and star sashing. The blocks are beautiful! $30/month for 7 months.

Address:  331 6th Ave SW, Chisholm, MN  55719
Phone:      218-254-1700
DECEMBER PANIC SALE!!!!!!!!

(and, incidently, January Newsletter)



This is the sixth December I have been in business and every one of those Decembers I -- PANIC! -- (just ask Bev). I panic because everyone is busy with Christmas preparations and if they are making Christmas presents, they have already bought their fabrics for those presents. It’s kind of like when you are a little child and all the preparations are made for your birthday party and you’re staring out the window waiting for your guests arrive and all of a sudden you have a terrifying thought: WHAT IF NOBODY SHOWS UP? So every December I go through this. (It always turns out okay, but this year I’m closed December 22-January 1 to go to South Carolina for Christmas, so I’m in HIGH PANIC MODE because I want to order new fabric for 2013. So, this year I’ve decided to have a December Panic Sale. Details:



For the general public, the sale is December 10th-15th, Monday through Saturday, one week only. For those of you who get the newsletter, this sale starts right now and goes through Dec. 15!!!



25% off all fabrics!!! (one yd cut min.)

25% off all kits!!! (does not include BOM kits)

FAT QUARTER FRENZY!!!

Buy 20 or more fat quarters and get them for $1.50 each, instead of $2.75 or $3.00!!!



You cannot afford to miss this sale!

Punch cards will be punched, but save your full cards for 2013, they cannot be redeemed during this sale!!!!!!!!!!
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JANUARY NEWSLETTER   We moved to our current location, 331 6th Ave SW in October, for those of you who haven't been by to see us.  Then on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving the building next to the OLD location of the quilt shop burned.  We would have lost all our fabric to smoke damage and water damage - so we are really blessed.  But being next door to a liquor store is VERY interesting.  Just now, while I was hiding in my office doing the newsletter, a man walked in with his six pack of beer and wanted to know what a quilt shop was and who owned it and what we did here.  So, of course, Barb had to drag me out from the back to answer his questions.  If we see a man approaching, we will fight to the death to get to the back room first so we don't have to talk to him.  Invariably, men who don't quilt or have wives or girlfriends who quilt will want to custom order a king size quilt with "fish" or "deer" on it and pay about $25-$50 for it.  My favorite part is telling them that a king size quilt custom made would be about $1000 minimum.  I should get my camera out before I tell them and snap their picture as I tell them.  I would gladly custom make a quilt for $1000 minimum but I don't think there's enough money in the world to make me put "fish" on it.  That is my personal opinion (the fish) just like you will never see me making a Sunbonnet Sue quilt (there is something evil under that bonnet, I just know it) or a quilt that has trapunto (I don't even like people to SAY trapunto.)   Anyway, we are very happy at our new shop and January classes are:   Thursday, January 3, Stash Pot Pie II Thursday, January 10, Original Stash Pot Pie Friday, January 11, Needlers Club (hand embroidery) Saturday, January 19th - Mill Girls BOM and Women of Courage BOM.   Remember, we have NEW HOURS now:  Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm except when there are classes on Thursday nights.    Mary      

November News

QUILT SHOP OF CHISHOLM

331 6TH AVE SW

CHISHOLM, MN  55719

(218-254-1700)

NEW HOURS:  Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Open later for scheduled classes.

WE HAVE MOVED!!!!!

We have relocated to 331 6th Ave SW in Chisholm.  We are halfway between the Iron Man and the water tower right next to Central Liquor and two doors away from Iron Kettle.  Easy to find, easy to park!!!!!!  We are very happy with our "new digs".  Below are some pictures if you haven't had a chance to drop by and see the new shop.  The main word people use when they see it is "cozy"  and "light and bright". 



Stars of the North Quilt, Old Savannah Quilt and Granny Squares Quilt

A view from the front entrance

 A view from the front register

 Notions, books and patterns with a "shrine" to Edita Sitar's quilts

 The Cozy Flannel Corner

 Behind the cash register

Village Square Quilt and Homespun Hill Quilt

 Amish With a Twist

 Bon Voyage Quilt

 Berkshire Flannel Throw

So now that you have had the grand tour, come in and see all the great new samples we are finishing up.  We're still the same shop, just "cozier"!!!!!

NOVEMBER CLASS SCHEDULE:

Stash Pot Pie II - Thursday, November 1, 5-8pm

Stash Pot Pie I  - Thursday, November 8, 5-8pm

Generals Wives - Saturday, November 10, 10am-noon

Women of Courage - Saturday, November 17, 10am-noon

Mill Girls - Saturday, November 17, 12pm-2pm

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I have some really cute last minute holiday stuff for teacher gifts that you can whip up in no time flat!  There is a pretty Braided Diamond Table runner in fall colors that would be perfect for Thanksgiving and I'm working on a Christmas version now.  The 10-minute table runner is always a hit!  Let me help you pick out some fabrics for the people on your list.  And we have kits for cute kid's throw quilts featuring pink cats and blue puppies!!!  Very fast and easy. 

THE NEEDLERS' CLUB - Doris Smith is going to teach a hand embroidery class starting in January on Friday mornings.  The first project will be Crab-apple Hill pattern "Embroidery Envelope" made from wool.  Complete Kits will be available for the class.  This is a class where you will learn the intricate embroidery stitches that make heirlooms and have fun with other women at the same time.  Doris is a wonderful teacher.  She won't slap you or anything if you make a mistake.  At least not hard.  Ha!  She's the best hand embroiderer I know and a very patient teacher.  The second project will be another Crab-apple Hill pattern called "Winter Sampler".  The hand embroidery will be done in class and if you wish to complete the wall hanging on the pattern we can easily help you do so, but the kit will include your pattern, threads and fabric for the center of quilt embroidery square.  Go to www.crabapplehillstudio.com to see these patterns and all the other wonderful patterns they have.  I would imagine that the third project will be chosen by the class and how many times a month you will meet will be decided at the first meeting.  The first meeting will be Friday, January 11, 2013 at 10am.  The cost of the class is $10.00 and the cost of the kit for the embroidery envelope (which will include wools, floss, pattern and beads will be around $35.00.   Call me to sign up, since I have a feeling this will be very popular! 

Mary 

September-October Newsletter

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

                                                                    116 W Lake St
                                                                Chisholm, MN 55719
                                                                     218-254-1700





Class Schedule:

Stash Pot Pie II - Thursday, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, 5pm-8pm
Stash Pot Pie I - Thursday, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, 5pm-8pm
Generals’ Wives - Saturday, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, 10am-12pm
Women of Courage - Saturday, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, 10am-12pm
Mill Girls - Saturday, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, 12pm-2pm
Amish With a Twist - Thursday, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, 6pm-7pm
Marti & Me Club - Saturday, Sept. 22, Oct. 27, 10am-12pm

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2nd ANNUAL PATCHWORK PUMPKIN SHOP HOP

OCTOBER 4, 5, AND 6, 2012

7 great shops (Quilt Shop of Chisholm, Quilts Around the Corner, Terri’s Treasures, Timeless Treasures, Sew Much & More, Elaine’s Corner and Quilted Dog).

Visit all 7 shops, get your passport stamped at each shop, check out the featured pattern and have a chance to win one of seven baskets worth over $100.00 each, filled with quilting goodies!

THE BUS will operate on Saturday, October 6, and take you to all seven shops. Quilt Shop of Chisholm and Quilts Around the Corner in Hibbing are sharing a bus. Sign up with either me or Kathy to reserve your spot on the bus. Cost will be $35.00. Bus will stop for lunch ($10.00) or you may bring your sack lunch with you, whichever you prefer. Such a deal! All this and you get:

                                                                    CAROL LEE

As your “bus mom”. What more could you ask for? Rumor has it she will be offering her steel brush pedicures again on the bus, but I’m not worried about it. Of course, I won’t be on the bus. Wear shoes that lace and double knot them is my advice. The bus will leave from the Hibbing shop at 8:00 am (you will need to be there at 7:30) and return you to Hibbing before 8pm as usual. We will have snacks at each shop, but we realize that you just want to get home when you get back and will not be serving dinner.

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Stash Pot Pie I and II - when you come to class in September, you will need to bring with you 90 (ninety) 1 ½” x 5 ½” strips of “darks” and 90 (yes, ninety) 1 ½” x 5 ½” strips of lights. We are making a small project this month that is a secret (you better not squeal, Nancy). Your interpretation of lights and darks will determine how you use your stash and scraps to make this kitchen project (hint). You must also bring your COMPLETED summer project if you want to hang with us. Ha! Just messing with you. I just liked seeing some of your faces when I showed you the pattern for the summer project. I wish I could see your faces when you read about the 180 strips you have to cut for class.

Generals’ Wives - Months 9 and 10, and I have months 11 and 12 ready if you want to leap ahead!!!

Women of Courage is a new 12 month block of the month that we have just started. There is room for two more people to join this block of the month, and it is a beauty. The stories are interesting to read about each woman of courage that comes with your monthly block. Month 2 has a story about Sojourner Truth that will give you goose bumps when you read what she said at the 1851 Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. $25.00 per month. (That’s not what Sojourner Truth said. Ha!)

Mill Girls is starting in September and will be a 10 month block of the month that will finish in May. The fabrics are by Judy Rothermel (she designs all the Old Sturbridge Village fabrics for Marcus Bros.) and the pattern is by Nancy Rink, which means it’s beautiful fabric & the pattern is easy to follow. The Mill Girls block of the month gives you a glimpse into the life of girls (ages 15-25) who left the farm to work in the New England cotton mills between 1830-1850. It’s a surprising story that documents their way of life and each month your block will include excerpts from a letter written home by a mill girl. But even if you don’t read the stories, each month you will get the gorgeous fabrics and pattern to make the beautiful quilt!!!!!! Ten months, $30.00 per month.

Amish With a Twist - September and October will be months 4 and 5! And you are finished! Kits are available for the entire quilt, also.

Marti & Me Club - September we have a cute bag from wine fabrics using the Marti Michell templates and October is a darling project using the Dresden plate template.

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Finally, Quilt Shop of Chisholm is relocating in town here to the building that was formerly “Rolling Thunder”. It’s on the frontage road by Iron Kettle right next to Central Liquor Store. Not that that had anything to do with why we’re moving. Ha! There will still be plenty of room for classes and we’ll still have room to shop without being crowded, you just won’t be able to go out for a 40 yard pass in the new building like you can in this building! We will be moving Sunday, October 14, and open for business at the new location on Monday, October 15!!

Mary

Quilt Shop of Chisholm


July/August Newsletter



Class Schedule:



During the summer months, Stash Pot Pie I and II do not meet, but will be back with a vengence in September.



Generals’ Wives - (the 2nd Saturday) July 14 and August 11, 10am-Noon



Marti and Me Club - (4th Wed. or 4th Sat.) 10am-noon. Saturday June 23, July 28 and August 25th; Wednesday June 27, July 25 and August 22.



***New***

Amish with a Twist Block of the Month - (the 3rd Thursday) 6pm-7pm, Thursday June 21st, July 19th and August 16.



***New***

Women of Courage Block of the Month - (the 3rd Saturday) 10am-Noon, July 21 and August 18.



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Here is a picture of our sample of “Amish with a Twist” (I‘ve been referring to it as “Fifty Shades of Amish.”) Jennifer and I (mostly Jennifer) made the sample, and I think it is the most striking and enchanting quilt I’ve ever seen. The block of the month will be June - October (that’s 5 months for those of you who didn’t go to Duluth East high school like Bev did), and will be $30.00 per month. Or I will have kits ready for the entire quilt top and binding for $150.00. The quilt is very fun to make using all the bright colors.

Women of Courage block of the month is a beautiful quilt made from gorgeous Windham fabrics with a border print that pulls it all together. I’ve been so busy “petting” the fabric that I haven’t made the sample quilt yet. Here is a picture of the quilt from the poster the fabric company sent to me.

Here is a picture of the border print:

Marti and Me Club meets on the 4th Wednesday and the 4th Saturday of each month. Laura Lignell does a great job in demonstrating a different ruler and/or templates by Marti Michell. You can make a project as small or as big as you like with the patterns given to club members, all for a mere cost of $5.00 per month club fee. This month the sample is a darling little 12” wall hanging called “Cabana Houses”.



Speaking of cabanas, summer has officially arrived and I have not posted the SUMMER DRESS CODE. June 15, 2006, was when I opened Quilt Shop of Chisholm, and the following summer I devised the Summer Dress Code, which still applies, so let me review: You may not wear shorts into the shop unless your legs are pastey white. The only exception to this rule is if you have a “sock line”. Tube tops are prohibited, as are any strapless top. (If you jump up and down with excitement in the shop, we just don’t want to deal with the strapless results. Unfortunately, there are children in the shop sometimes, so it’s only decent that we ban tube tops.) And finally, if your hair looks better than mine, you may only stay a maximum of 10 minutes, make your purchase and leave. Certainly no hanging around for coffee, and if you’r here for a class, I will quietly refund your class fee. I will be the final judge of whether your hair looks better than mine or not.



That last part may have to be revised since a year ago I whacked off my hair in a menopausal, psycho rage, so it is very hard for anyone’s hair to look worse that mine. Mine is growing out, though, so we’ll only suspend that part of the code for this summer. And of course the shorts and tube top rules still apply. Ha!!



Quilt Minnesota, the state-wide shop hop is starting August 3. Remember, you may buy the fabrics, but you can’t take them with you until then, or we can mail them. Same goes with the kits we have made up. We’ve made some nice samples, so come and see them!



Mary

Warm Fuzzy Snowman Quilt - This is wool applique and embroidery and is available in kits with all fabrics, threads, and pattern. 

This is a quilt that combines applique with piecing.  VERY fun to make.  Kits available.

THE GENERALS' WIVES BLOCK OF THE MONTH

A CROW FOR ALL SEASONS CANDLE MAT BLOCK OF THE MONTH.

January - February Classes

Quilt Shop of Chisholm


116 W Lake St

Chisholm, MN 55719

218-254-1700



JANUARY-FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER



January Class Schedule:



Thursday, Jan. 5, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie II

Thursday, Jan. 12, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie I

Saturday, Jan. 14, 10am-11am- Generals’ Wives Block of the Month*

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2pm-6pm - Farmer’s Wife

Thursday, Jan. 19, 6pm-8pm - Wool Candle Mat of the Month*

Saturday, January 21, 10-11am - Tonga Rhapsody BOM #11



February Class Schedule:



Thursday, Feb. 2, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie II

Thursday, Feb. 9, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie I

Saturday, Feb. 11, 10am-11am- Generals’ Wives Block of the Month

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2pm-6pm - Farmer’s Wife

Thursday, Feb. 16, 6pm-8pm - Wool Candle Mat of the Month

Saturday, Feb. 18, 10-11am - Tonga Rhapsody BOM #12

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 10am-12noon - From Marti and Me Club*

Saturday, Feb. 25, 10am-12noon - From Marti and Me Club*





* Generals’ Wives B.O.M., Wool Candle Mat of the month, and Marti and Me Club are all starting this month. All have openings available. Go to www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com to see pictures!



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SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP:



The 6th Annual Starts of the North Shop Hop will be March 1-3, 2012. Visit all eight shops, get your passport stamped at each shop, pick up your free pattern section and be eligible for top prizes. There will be EIGHT baskets worth over $100 each, filled with quilting goodies! Saturday, March 3 is BUS DAY and for the measly sum of $35.00, you can enjoy being chauffeured from shop to shop in luxury, will Carol Lee as you hostess. She will give you a foot massage and a pedicure between shops - no charge. JUST KIDDING, CAROL! Call me to sign up for the bus!



We have some great new blocks of the month and clubs starting this month. It’s not too late to come in and check them out (or look on the blog) and join up.



Stash Pot Pie I - you guys met when I was in South Carolina last month, and I did not leave you a new pattern for this month. So we will be continuing to work on last month’s quilt (or the one before.)



Stash Pot Pie II - Certain Stash Pot Pie II Members have decided they want to “buck the system” (what a surprise) and work on the 3-part mystery quilt that starts in the Jan-Feb issue of McCalls Quilting Magazine. If you are a member of Stash Pot Pie II and are interested in doing this, we will help you decide on fabrics from your stash OR !!!!NEW!!!! Fabrics. It only requires four different fabrics. You can do this in place of our scheduled pattern, “Pocket Full of Posies” on page 87 of the scrap quilts magazine you all have. Don’t lose that magazine, I don’t have any more!!!!!!! Or, you can do both. Or neither. Just come to class!!!!



Generals’ Wives Block of the Month is a beautiful 100” x 100” quilt that honors the wives of the Civil War generals. Each month you receive the fabric and instructions for a block and a biographical story about one of the wives of the generals. Throughout the year you will receive bits and pieces of the setting blocks, so when you finish up the year, you will have everything ready to put together and it will be done! Check out a picture of the quilt on the blog.



Wool Candle Mat of the month - “A Crow for all Seasons” is the name of the series of patterns that not only have darling candle mat designs for each month, but a Crow you can make from wool and “dress” each month (hats, scarves, flags, nosegays, etc.). No, I have not lost my mind. Jackie has made the sample for January and people are signing up as soon as they see it! I still have the class open, so if you sign up too late to get started in January, you can catch up. You do NOT have to make the crow. But the first month you get a pattern for the crow (whether you want it or not) and the wool to make the crow. And you will find yourself getting attached to the crow. Jackie volunteered to make it “because it’s part of the pattern and someone may want to make it” and got so attached to the crow that she was reportedly talking to it. She and Bev took it to Lowes to buy a dowel and wooden stand for it and Bev said she asked the crow, “How did you enjoy your trip to Lowes?” Bev called me and simply said, “there’s an issue with the crow.” My 20 year old daughter, who hates everything in the shop(!!), saw the crow and said, “I want one of these! Will you make me one?” The price of the candle mat of the month is $26.00 and includes the pattern and wool for the background, applique and backing. If you want to make two, the second kit of the wool only is $18.00.



From Marti and Me Club is a monthly club that is going to meet every 4th Wednesday or every 4th Saturday of the month. Each month, starting in February, you will have a demonstration of a Tool of the Month by none other that LAURA LIGNELL, the master of combining teaching and entertainment. I like to call her a “teachertainer”. That sounds better than calling her an “entereacher”. For the small fee of $5.00 per month, you become a From Marti and Me Club member, which entitles you to attend the monthly meeting (you pick which works better for you, Wednesday mornings or Saturdays), watch a fascinating demonstration of the Tool of the Month and get the pattern FREE that she is demonstrating. In addition, as a club member you will get a 10% discount if you buy the tool she is demonstrating. If you like the project and want a kit of it, you will also have the opportunity to buy the kit at a 10% discount! Kits will be available after the club, but only CLUB MEMBERS will get the free pattern and club discounts. The February project is called “Bali Breezes” and will be showcased in two color ways. Sign up as soon as possible!!!! Call within the next ten minutes and get a free steak knife…………..oops - I got carried away.



Next month we will have another episode of “Murder in the Quilt Shop of Chisholm”, but for now I just wanted to get the newsletter and class schedule out!



Mary

October Class Schedule

Thursday, October 6, 5-8 pm..................................................Stash Pot Pie II
Saturday, October 8, 10-11am................................................Patriots Block of the Month
Tuesday, October 11...............................................................Pick up Monthly Minis
Tuesday, October 11, 5:30-8:30pm..........................................Paper Piecing Basics
Thursday, October 13, 5-8pm..................................................Original Stash Pot Pie
Saturday, October 15, 10-11am...............................................Tonga Rhapsody Block of the Month
Tuesday, October 18, 5:30-8:30pm..........................................Quilting Basics
Wednesday, October 19, 2-6pm..............................................Farmer's Wife
Thursday, October 20, 6-8pm..................................................Wool Applique Block of the Month
Saturday, October 29, 12-4pm.................................................Paper Piecing Basics

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Quilting Basics:  Taught by Karen Skraba, who is a wonderful teacher who will take you through the basics while you make a 12" block that can be made into a little hanging quilt or pillow while you learn the techniques that will make your quilting future bright.  Class fee (includes pattern and material) $25.00.  Class supply list:  Thread, scissors, pins and your sewing machine.  If you want to reserve a shop machine, call me at 218-254-1700.

Paper Piecing:  This was so popular that we are having two more classes this month.  We provide the fabrics, pattern and paper.  Class fee $25.00.  Karen will be showing you how to use an Add-A-Quarter ruler, so if you have one, bring it.  Otherwise I have them for sale.  Supply list:  Thread, scissors, a small ruler and SMALL cutting mat if you have one with a rotary cutter, and your machine. 

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SHOP HOP This week Thursday-Saturday, October 6-8.  Pick up your passport from me and visit all the shops!  Our Shop Hop Quilt is beautiful and each shop has a $100.00 value basket of goodies that you can qualify to win by completing your passport.  Quilt shops participating are Quilt Shop of Chisholm, Quilts Around the Corner, Sew Much and More, Terri's Treasures, The Quilted Dog and Timeless Treasures.  Each shop will have a Feature Fall Pattern at 15% off. 

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  Last Month, Murder in the Quilt Shop of Chisholm debuted here in the blog, and many of you called me to tell me that you suspected FLANNEL TAMMI.  You were right!  Let's see if you can guess this one!

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MURDER IN THE QUILT SHOP OF CHISHOLM!!!!!!!!!!

It was a bright and sunny morning at QSOC and I decided I better roll out the awning in front to keep the quilts in the window from fading.  A car of quilters from "the cities" pulled up and began to unload like clowns from a tiny car.  (OK, it was a van and there were only 5 of them.)  I welcomed them to QSOC and held open the door for them, following them inside.  Dawn, Julie and Marlene were busy working on their Tuesday Morning projects and solving the world's problems with Bev.  Suddenly, a shot rang out!  But it was only Dawn's cell phone ring tone.  She answered her phone, and we all relaxed.

  The shop was beginning to get busy when my favorite customer, Belva, blew in the door.  Belva is a very experienced quilter and spares no expense to indulge herself in her latest project.  Her latest project just happened to be a flannel quilt kit that is very QUICK AND EASY.  Belva made a bee line to me and threw her completed quilt top down on the cutting table in front of me.  She fixed her beady little piercing eyes on me and I could tell I was in for it.  "I want you to cut this quilt top by the pattern for me RIGHT NOW," she bellowed.  She leaned in close to me and said in a whisper, "I'm scared to do it myself."  I calmed her down and finally her heavily ringed fingers stopped flashing around and blinding everyone with the reflections of her diamonds in the sunlight.  "See, Belva", I explained to her - "when we cut the quilt top on the diagonal like this....." I cut with my rotary cutter...."and turn it around and sew it like this......" I pinned it....." then you can cut it again and all the squares will be on point like a diamond", I explained.  To myself I thought that the 5 inch squares we were cutting were ALMOST as big as one of her diamonds.

Belva was just leaving, when.....suddenly, a shot rang out again!  Dawn answered her phone again.  "Hello.  Hello.  HELLO?" she said.  One of the women from the cities screamed and pointed to the floor.  Belva was face up on the carpet with blood pooling under her head.  One of the women from the cities raced to Belva's side and felt for a pulse.  "I'm a nurse", she said.  "She's dead."  

I was too stunned to move.  Bev called 911.  When she hung up, she informed us that the 911 operator told us to all remain calm and for no one to leave or enter the "scene of the crime" until the police arrived.  

Since Belva, or "the body", was right by the front door, we were all standing around staring at it, except for Dawn, who was still trying to answer her phone, when a customer approached the door.  It was Diana.  "WAIT!", I said as she opened the door.  "You can't come in.  Someone has been murdered, and the police said not to come in."  

"Well, too bad," said Diana, with a toss of her blonde hair.  "I need to pick up my block of the month.  And besides........it was only Belva."  A sharp intake of breath could be heard in the shop, and then silence until...."HELLO? Is anybody there?" from Dawn.  "DAWN!" shouted Julie.  "Nobody is on your phone.  That was a real gun shot.  Not your ringtone!  Put your phone down and come here.  We have a dead woman here and she is starting to bleed on the fabric."  Diana reached down and picked up poor Belva's quilt top.  "OOOH!" she exclaimed.  "Well, she won't be needing this anymore.  Finder's Keepers."

Officer Al looked through the glass door from outside and just shook his head.  Another murder at Quilt Shop of Chisholm.  He knew that the 911 dispatcher always told witnesses not to touch anything, and he could see one of the women picking up a bag by the body and another two moving bolts of fabric away from the body.  He pulled open the door and yelled, "Freeze!"  The ladies all jumped and stared at him.  Suddenly, a shot rang out.  "Now I know that's my phone, said Dawn and began to trot toward the back of the store."  Officer Al was stunned that someone would run toward a gun shot.  He picked himself up from behind a sewing machine display stand and peeked around the corner.  "It's her ring tone."  I said.  "That's why we didn't realize right away that someone had been shot.  We thought it was Dawn's phone ringing."  Officer Al looked a little sheepish, but quickly recovered.  "Hey, you," he yelled toward Dawn.  "Get off the phone, and bring it up here right now.  That phone is evidence and you are getting a ticket."  

"For WHAT??" asked Dawn.  Officer Al scratched his head and then tilted his chin at her.  "Interfering with a police investigation and having a gun shot ring tone."  Dawn just stared at him.  "You have got to be kidding me."  

"All of you just go sit down at the back table and we'll go over what happened, one at a time," officer Al said.  "I don't have time for this," said Diana, with another toss of her head.  "I just came in to pick up my block of the month.  I have places to go and people to see."  Officer Al shook his head and pulled out his notebook.

Later that night, Officer All looked at his list of suspects:

Mary, quilt shop owner - Belva bossed her around, but Belva also spent a lot of money every month in the quilt shop.  

Bev, quilt shop employee - Belva did NOT boss her around.  Nobody bosses Bev around.

Ladies from the cities - all alibi each other, did not know Belva, had no motive.

Dawn - troublemaker, has a ring tone like a gun shot, but apparently kept trying to answer the gun shot after the murder.  No motive.  

Julie and Marlene - each other's alibis.  No motive

Diana - Arrived at the scene shortly after crime committed and proceeded to compromise evidence.  When told by police to give back the bag with Belva's quilt top in it, stated:  "I want it, and what Diana Wants, Diana Gets."  Victim appears to have been shot in the back of the head, but was she facing the door or was she turned around to look at something?  

Officer Al decided he better call this Diana to get some further information.  He dialed her number.  Diana was fondling the Quick and Easy Squares quilt top she had taken from Belva's side and tossing back a martini (and her hair) when her phone began to ring.  Suddenly, a shot rang out.

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I guess that if you are still with me, you know that this month's mystery showcases the Quick and Easy Squares Quilt kit shown below.  As pictured without borders, it is 44" x 64".  The pattern calls for a border that makes the throw 56" x 76".  The soft flannel "Woolie" fabrics are precut in strips and ready for you to get started.  The kit is $39.00, and you will need two yards of fabric for border and binding in addition to the kit.  And of course if you can guess who killed Belva, then you get a 10% discount off the kit!  

 

Pictures of Quilts

Merry and Bright Christmas Throw

(kit $39.00)

Forest Table Mat

(Kit $19.00, includes backing)

Our 2011 Wool Applique Block of the Month!



MURDER IN THE QUILT SHOP OF CHISHOLM!!!!!!! STARTING THIS MONTH!

This month I'm starting something new.  If you want to see the newsletter and class schedule, email me at qsochisholm1001@qwestoffice.net and I'll put you on the email list. 

Each month, someone will be murdered at Quilt Shop of Chisholm and you will have a chance to solve the murder and get a discount on the featured product (kit, fabric, pattern, etc.)  It's okay ---- all the victims are like video game characters and they have "multiple lives".  This month I will be murdered, but don't think I won't reappear!

A DISCLAIMER:  These "murders", all characteristics and words of the characters are fictitious.  Only the actual names will be used.  Don't even try to get your lawyer involved if your name appears --- you can't get blood out of a turnip and a lawyer will not work to get you a discount on fabric.  Believe me, I've tried!


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It was a dark and stormy afternoon at Quilt Shop of Chisholm.  Mary was cutting fat quarters of  flannel.  Barb and Bev were in the back office making coffee and talking.  The bell on the front door jingled, and they could hear Mary talking to a customer.  Bev heard a loud "THUMP" and the bell jingled again.  As they got to the door of the office and looked out into the shop, Barb said, "I don't see Mary, but there are some bolts of FLANNEL THROWn on the floor.  She must be playing with the bolts again.  I'll pick them up while you get the coffee."  Bev went back to pour the coffee and returned to the shop to see Barb staring white faced at the floor and pointing.  "She's dead,"  Barb whispered.  "Who?"  said Bev.  Barb stepped aside and pointed at the floor.  Bev could just see the toes and shapely ankles of her friend.   (Hey, I'm writing this.  I can have shapely ankles if I want to.) "Call the police, Barb!"  Barb looked for the cordless phone, but of course she couldn't find it.  Running around the shop in circles, she stopped for a sip of coffee several times and finally found the phone under the flannel bolts on the floor.  "The phone is under the bolts with Mary!"   "Well, grab it!" said Bev.  "I'm not touching a dead body.  I don't get paid enough for that!"  said Barb.  "GET IT!" demanded Bev, and Barb quickly picked up the phone and looked up at Bev.  "What's the number for 911?"

When the police officer arrived, Barb and Bev were sitting at the table drinking coffee and the body had a quilt THROWN over it.  Officer Al lifted up the quilt and checked the body.  "Looks like she was bludgeoned  by flannel.  But you can tell it was personal.  What kind of a monster would take the time to hack up her hair like that?"  Barb and Bev looked at each other.  "Oh, that wasn't the killer.  Her hair always looked like that" said Bev.  "Really?" said Officer Al.  "Can you think of anyone who would want to kill Mary?"  Barb and Bev looked at each other again and then the giggles started.  "How much time do you have?"  asked Barb.  "Let's see.....there could have been Bev or myself.  Her husband.  Her children.  Her customers........"

Officer Al looked at his list of suspects:
1.  Husband of victim.  Drives up to front of shop in new sportscar with a young redhead on his arm to identify the body.  Says, "YEP, that's her.  Gotta go now.  I'll be at Fortune Bay with my 'sister' if you need me."  Husband doesn't have a sister.  Husband took out large life insurance policy on wife one week prior to murder.

2.  Children of victim.  When daughter contacted by phone, says, "Oh, too bad.  Well, at least I don't have to worry about her writing stupid personal things on her blog about me anymore.  And as her only daughter, don't I get all that cheap costume jewelry she wore?"  Oldest son in Florida wanted to know if he had to "show up" for anything.  Middle son seemed genuinely upset, but not surprised.  "FLANNEL THROWn?  Isn't it obvious?  Check out 'Flannel Tammi'," he whispered and hung up.  Youngest son only said "does this mean I can watch what I want to on TV tonight?".

3.  Barb and Bev.  Alibi each other.  Unless they did it together.

4.  Mike the postman.  Says he saw a pretty blonde hurrying away from the shop as he was delivering the mail on the day of the murder.  Says when he entered the shop to bring in a wheelbarrow of bills to the shop,  he saw Barb running around in circles looking for the phone and left in a hurry.  Note to self:  must find out who "mystery blonde" is.

5.  "Flannel Tammi".  Note to self:  Found the mystery blonde. --Interviewed suspect at her home where she tried to hide her "stash" of flannel by closing the door to her Flannel Room.  I knew it was the Flannel Room because she had a sign over the door that said "Flannel Room" and she finally couldn't keep it closed any longer.  Told me she would just "pet" the flannel while we talked, whatever that means.  I asked her if she had been in the shop on the day of the murder, and she looked wildly around before saying.  "No.  But I should have been!  She deserved it!  Selling all that beautiful flannel to just ANYONE.  And she had all those EASY FLANNEL THROW kits with the beautiful combinations of Maywood Woolie Flannels and they were selling and selling and soon there would not be any left for me.........but of course I wasn't there.  Can't think of any reason anyone would want to THROW FLANNEL at her."  Note to self:  Find out if Tammi is single.  She's really cute.
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By now, you've probably figured out that the quilt kit I'm promoting is the EASY FLANNEL THROW.  Here is a picture of  two different EASY FLANNEL THROWS.  We put them together in many color ways, and they are all gorgeous.  The kits sell for $48.00 and make a 54" x 72" lap throw.  Fabric for backing is extra.  Let me put one together in your colors and if you can guess who murdered Mary you will get 10% off your kit and backing!!!!!!  Call or come in and let me know if you guessed it!   (218) 254-1700.

 

This is our beautiful Block of the Month "Patriots in Petticoats".  We still have some openings! 

This quilt and bag are made with the Hannah Wallace Collection from Wyndham Fabrics in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

This is a quilt made by Helen Wykstra from fabrics she bought a few years ago.

This is a quilt shown at our recent quilt camp - pattern created and made from looking at a photo -  by Jean Goad!

Some of our shy campers modeling their PURSES. 

Jennifer (last name not provided to protect the innocent) is a normal person and has not been drinking.

This is me (Mary) in the shop.  Notice I am not wearing a purse on my head.

Both of these quilts are in the book "Hop To It" by Edyta Sytar.  Kits available!!!!

June Newsletter

218-254-1700
Hours:M,T,W,F 10am-6pm
Thursday 10am-8pm
Saturday 9am-4pm
Sundays Closed


BLOCK OF THE MONTH PICKUPS:

Patriots and Petticoats - 2nd Saturday of the month (June 11 & July 9)
Monthly Minis - 2nd Tuesday of the month (June 14 & July 12)
Wool Applique - 3rd Thursday of the month (June 16 & July 21)
Tonga Rhapsody - 3rd Saturday of the month (June 18 & July16)

Usually these are ready before the scheduled date if you want to call to check and you can pick them up early.

CLASSES:

PIGS - Old Stash Pot Pie will resume in September, the 2nd Thursday, 4pm-8pm (or whenever you can get here.) We will now be known as PIGS (projects in grocery sacks.) This class is full and you know who you are, PIGS.

NEW STASH POT PIE class will start in September! This class will be the 1st Thursday of the month, and it will be up to you if you want it to be in the afternoon or the evening. In other words, you can come at 1pm and leave at 4pm or come at 4pm and leave at 8pm. Or come at 1pm and leave at 8pm! We will go by the original Stash Pot Pie patterns and make some beautiful quilts using your stash. $10.00 per month. Begins September 1st! If this class fills up as fast as the current one, you better sign up early! Limited to 9 people.

SURVEY ABOUT CLASSES: I can schedule classes all month long, but I need to know what classes ya’ll want! Do you want classes on table runners, bags, bed runners, purses, pillowcases, new techniques, free motion quilting?? Answer me by email and phone. OR come in and TELL ME AND YOU WILL GET A FREE FAT QUARTER!

BEGINNERS: If you know of someone who wants to begin quilting refer her to me, you will get a little “bonus” from me if she signs up and attends beginner classes. The “bonus” will have at least a $20 value. I will custom this bonus to each of you individually, based on what I know about you and your quilting habits! So now is the time to get those beginners started.

DID YOU KNOW that I have 2 Baby Lock shop machines? If you want to come in and sew or if your beginner friends have no machine and still want to learn, these machines can be used for the incredible value of $7.50 per class or day! If you reserve one in advance for class, think how nice it would be not to have to haul your machine in.

Starting tomorrow, May 26, we will be having:
SHAMELESS PROMOTION THRIFTY THURSDAYS!!!
Every Thursday, since we are open until 8pm, we will have a special for THAT DAY ONLY. It will be my choice; a percent or dollar off amount of specific fabrics or notions, etc. It will be different every Thursday and it will be a SURPRISE. We will not tell you over the phone what it is. (Do you see the theme here? I want to GET YOU IN THE SHOP!!! )

QUILT MINNESOTA SHOP HOP FABRICS should be shipping to us right now so we’ll have them in the shop next week. Pre-orders must be paid for as they will be cut and put away for you to pick up when the shop hop begins!

April Newsletter

April 2011 Newsletter

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

Hours: MTWF 10am-6pm, The 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm

April Classes:

UFO - Thursday, April 7, ?-8pm
Patriots and Petticoats Block of the Month - Saturday, April 9, 10am-11am
Monthly Mini’s B.O.M. - Tuesday, April 12, 4-6pm (or until you need us)
Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, April 14, ?-8pm
Tonga Rhapsody - Saturday, April 16, 10-11am
Geometric Gems - Wednesday, April 20th and May 4th, 1pm-4pm or 5pm-8pm
Wool Appliqué B.O.M. - Thursday, April 21, 6pm-8pm

Quilt Camp!!!!! - Thursday, April 28 till Sunday, May 1

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Remember, if your name is mentioned in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will get a FREE FQ when you come in and tell me!
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We still have openings in the Patriots, Tonga Rhapsody and Wool Blocks of the Month if you didn’t sign up and want to start them! I have finished the top of the Patriots quilt and it is unbelievably beautiful. The blocks all came out the right size - even the ribbon border fit and was a no-brainer! I have to give Bev credit for sewing the blocks together and making a few of the blocks. (No - really - I HAVE to give her credit or she will make my life miserable. She says the only time I give her credit for sewing something is when I’ve messed it up and she has to finish it and it’s too far gone to fix correctly.)

UFO and STASH POT PIE will both have pie (or cake) this month due to the fact that Nancy K. wanted her sister to attend Stash Pot Pie on the 2nd Thursday and her sister went ahead and booked her plane ticket so that she will be here the 1st Thursday. So we are pretending that UFO is Stash Pot Pie for Nancy (she is making a Wacky Cake!) and her sister. Sisters are a piece of work, aren’t they? Who else can be your best friend and worst enemy all within a 24 hour period? Except for my sisters, of course. We are all united in making our only brother’s life a Living Hell. It’s okay, his wife and daughters are united with us. We don’t even have to try, it just comes naturally! Anyway, come to UFO and we’ll pretend it’s Stash Pot Pie.

Stash Pot Pie will still be Stash Pot Pie and Karl will be baking for us! Come and join us, even if you aren’t going to sew -- you will be amazed at the things you learn and the surveys you are asked to participate in. No subject is taboo. No Subject. My husband will not come to the shop during Stash Pot Pie because he doesn’t want to overhear any of the conversations. And at any given time, there are at least three conversations going strong.

Geometric Gems -- This is a technique class that will be taught by Karen Skraba. It will help you control your scrappy strip techniques, teach you bias techniques while creating diamonds, assist you with pieced borders and talk about finishing (quilting) techniques. All in only two sessions! The sample will be in the shop by April 1, so you can see what you’ll be making, and the book and ruler you will need will be available for purchase. Also, I’ll help you pick out your fabrics before class. Class will be April 20 and May 4, 1pm to 4pm (Wednesday afternoon.) If you can’t make afternoon classes, Karen says she will also do a class the same days from 5pm to 8pm if there is enough interest! Class fee $15 per class, so $30 total plus book and supplies.

QUILT CAMP at Chicagami -- Thursday to Sunday, $160.00. Friday to Sunday, $130.00. So far we still have space available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary

February Newsletter

Quilt Shop of Chisholm


116 W Lake St

Chisholm, MN 55719

(218)254-1700

Hrs: M T W F 10am-6pm,Th 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm



FEBRUARY CLASS SCHEDULE:



UFO - Thursday, February 3, whenever until 8pm

Monthly Mini BOM - Tuesday, Feb. 8, 4-6pm or later

Farmer’s Wife - Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2-6pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, Feb. 10, whenever until 8pm

Patriots in Petticoats - Saturday, Feb. 12, 10am-11am

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends - Saturday, Feb. 12, 12-1pm

Wool Block of the Month - Thursday, Feb. 17, 6-8pm



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If your name is mentioned in this newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will receive a FREE FAT QUARTER!!!

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My niece Jodie, who does not quilt, reads my blog and made a comment: “What is with you quilters and fat quarters? That is discrimination. You should call them ’boundry-challenged quarters’.” I don’t know if you remember me writing about her in a previous newsletter, but to sum it up, when she was pregnant with her second child and it was a BOY, I told her that her life was OVER. I was right. I haven’t seen her in a while. If you think it’s bad now, Jodie, wait until you discover that he’s raising chickens in his bedroom closet when he’s 17. Just a little something for you to look forward to.



NEW IN MARCH - Tonga Rhapsody 2011 Block of the Month! These are beautiful batiks that we received recently and we have a sign up sheet! It will be $22.00 per month and includes pattern, fabrics for top binding AND WIDE BATIK BACKING. Such a deal!!!!



SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP!



5th Annual Stars of the North Shop Hop February 23-26. Saturday the 26th we will have a bus (LUXURY COACH with a bathroom) leaving from the Quilt Shop of Chisholm at 8am. We are over half full and need to fill up so CALL ME TO SIGN YOU UP!!!!!!!!!! The cost is $35.00. We will have muffins and coffee for you when you get here from 7:30-8:00, a goodie bag to take on the bus and a hostess to entertain you on the bus!!! If you don’t know Carol Lee, you will by the time you get off the bus. She is very nice, very pretty and I’m not sure but I think she’s a little bit naughty, Sharon Beaver. That must be why I like her! We will have dinner ready for you when you get back from your tour of the other 6 shops: Terri’s Treasures in Iron, Aitkin Quilts and Fabrics, Timeless Treasures in McGregor, Elaine’s Corner in Hill City, Tiger Textiles in Grand Rapids, and Quilts Around the Corner in Hibbing.



QUILT CAMP is coming and I have about 10 people signed up so far - April 28-May 1, Thursday-Sunday. Is it Spring yet??????!!!!!!!



If you signed up for UFO, Pat Young, or if you didn’t sign up, come anyway! I have a feeling the numbers will be low this month because the 1st Thursday “snuck up” on us. Is “snuck” a word? Which brings me to another subject - the UFO class started out as a time for you to finish “unfinished objects” while I demonstrated a technique or new tool for your education. I know it’s hard to believe, but I slacked off a little. Remember the first class where I talked about

A Triangle Block Exchange

And you all looked at me with glassy eyes? The book “Friendship Triangles” by Edyta Sitar has BEAUTIFUL quilts and projects made from half square triangles using her 2” half square triangle paper. We bundle these up using a dark strip of fabric or batik and a light strip along with a sheet of triangle paper that makes 28 half square triangles and sell them for $2.50. They are by the cash register and we call them “Cinnamon Sticks” (NOT “Cigars”, Mary Jo.) We now have a sign up sheet if you want to make up HST (half square triangles) and exchange them in the shop. Come check it out, and come check out the 2 quilts we have in the shop made from these HST’s: “Tree of Life” and “Southern Exposure”. Of course, kits are available if you want to purchase them, and the kits include the cigars -- I mean cinnamon sticks, Bev Cherro.



Monthly Mini’s - there is still 1 opening for the Monthly Minis Block of the Month. The stand (which those of you who picked up already know) is $20.00. Each month you get the pattern, fabrics and any buttons if needed along with your stand topper for $25.00. Very cute.



Farmer’s Wife - I’m back to cranking out blocks again! This is fun. This class is very loosely formed - you can copy square and triangle sizes from my book if you don’t want to use templates (who does?) or you can cut your fabrics or sew your blocks or browse the fat quarters (boundry challenged quarters) or just sit and stare into space and drink coffee. No class fee.



Stash Pot Pie - If you need a copy of the cutting directions for the February class, we have them. This month is FRENCH SILK CHOCOLATE PIE and KEY LIME PIE. God bless you, Karl.



Patriots in Petticoats Block of the Month - THE FABRICS ARE HERE and we can finally start. Month 1 is 2 different 10” finished blocks and they are beautiful and go together like a dream. Come see my blocks. Yours are ready to pick up! There are still some openings for this Block of the Month. $21.50 per month, Julie Lange.



Aunt Grace Circle of Friends Block of the Month - Block number 6 - the applique! We will be including “Doris’s Tips” with this month’s pattern. Next month (month 7) includes your borders and binding to finish!



Wool Applique - BY POPULAR DEMAND, I’VE GOTTEN IN MORE KITS FOR THE WOOL BLOCK OF THE MONTH, SO YOU CAN STILL JOIN! $15.00 PER MONTH, PLUS THREAD. The blocks are BEAUTIFUL. Jackie has 3 done (she’s in the Cities with a new grandchild and took her stuff with her, so I’m sure she’ll come back with a few more!)



Who wants to do a One Block Wonder quilt like the one Kay DelGreco made hanging behind the cash register? I have broken out my MAGIC MIRROR and found some really great fabrics that will work. Let’s do a class in March. Let me know if you are interested!!!!!!!



Carol and I work very hard to keep the e-mail list for the newsletter as accurate as possible. Last month there were a number of e-mail addresses returned to us as undeliverable. Most of these were part of the Paul Bunyan network. It appears that our e-mails were blocked due to a filter named “barracuda reputation.” Others were rejected due to a variety of reasons such as: user unknown and mailbox unavailable. So why are we telling you when you obviously are getting the newsletter by email? Because maybe you have a friend who says, “I don’t get the newsletter anymore” and you can tell her that it may be because of this problem and to check with us. Ditto if you are reading this on the blog.



Last but not least: A big thank you to Barb Henry and all the women who made pillow cases for the 1 million pillow case challenge. We have provided 250 pillowcases to The U of MN Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit and the local United Way. The local United Way will distribute these pillow cases to local shelters in St Louis County. Both places were VERY grateful to receive these pillow cases. Barb Henry (who begs for an Employee of the Month award “like Spongebob Squarepants gets” every month) deserves a big pat on the back for organizing this - she suggested it, organized it and made it happen. Good Job, Barb! As a token of my appreciation, I gave her an employee of the month certificate for January 2011. The last time I saw her she was leaving the shop muttering something under her breath about “this is the thanks I get------a pat on the back is free------thankless, good for nothing----see how many Mondays I work from now on------”. I think she must have been on the way to the printer to have her certificate framed!!!!!!


My sisters donate to this charity and asked me to include the link on my blog.   http://www.pillowsforpatriots.org/


Mary

January 2011 Class Schedule and Newsletter

 

Class Schedule and Newsletter

Class Schedule:



MILLION PILLOWCASE CHALLENGE CLASS - SUNDAY, JAN. 9, 1PM-??????????



UFO class - Thursday, January 6, whenever you get here until 8pm



Aunt Grace Circle of Friends BOM (Month #5) - Saturday, Jan. 8, 12-1pm



Patriots in Petticoats NEW Block of the Month!!!!!! - Saturday, Jan. 8, 10-11am



Monthly Mini NEW Block of the Month!!!!! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 4-6pm (or later)



Hand Quilting??????? - Tuesday, Jan. 11, during the day??? A prize to anyone who can tell me why I have this written on my calender? Did I tell someone we’re doing a class??????



Farmer’s Wife 12-step program support group (My Name is _______, and I am a blockaholic) - Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2-6pm



Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, Jan. 13, whenever til 8pm



Back Home BOM - (last month! You better be caught up!) - Saturday, Jan. 15, 12-2pm



Wool Applique NEW Block of the Month!!!!! - Thursday, Jan. 20, 6-8pm



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If your name is mentioned in this newsletter (no matter how inappropriately) you will receive a free FAT QUARTER!!!

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I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - today the kids are back in school. My son Austin is the perfect example that, for children, “hope springs eternal”. Even though my husband works for the school and Austin knows he was out plowing snow two days over the weekend with the other guys who work at the school, he said to me last night, “Maybe Mr. Varichak will cancel school tomorrow because of all the snow we’ve gotten. Maybe it will be too slippery to walk on. Maybe it will be too cold.” I wanted to say “And maybe pigs will fly” but I didn’t because that would have gotten me an eye roll and a possible arm crossing. My kids do not think I’m funny, they do not think I’m cool, and in some cases they don’t seem to even think I’m presentable. I know when I lost the respect of my older boys. It was when they were in elementary school and we were coming out of a Target store in the rain. I told them to wait under the shelter while I went and got the car. Then I made the fatal mistake of putting an empty plastic bag over my hair to keep it dry. They were humiliated and traumatized. I guess Charlotte and Austin just picked up the attitude through osmosis. But that’s part of being a mother, I guess. Learning that your kids do not want you to carry on a conversation with their friends or show up at a public school function unless they have pre-approved your clothing choices. Or, as my son David said to me once, “Seriously, Mom. Are you really going out like that?”



The Million Pillowcase Challenge is a national challenge to make pillowcases for donation to charities of our choice. This Sunday we will meet to have a pillowcase marathon! Bring your machine and any fabric that you wish to use for pillowcases. We also happen to have fabric here (surprise) that you may purchase for a VERY reduced price to make pillowcases.



UFO class - Karen Copeman, there is no pie served at this class. I repeat, no pie.



The Patriots in Petticoats new block of the month still has a few openings, Bonnie Keith. This is using fabric circa 1840 designed by Windham Fabrics in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Each pattern has two blocks to make for the month and a commentary on a particular female patriot. Some of these stories are unbelievable - when you think of the time these women lived. Those of you who were in the Civil War Tribute block of the month class -- these blocks are a JOY to make - AND - they come out the right size!!!! Believe me, it took both Bev and I to figure out how to do the Civil War block 10 (and then I had to pry it from her hands while telling her it was as good as it was going to get and it would all quilt out. I have very low standards and Bev has very high standards.) If you are signed up for the Patriots in Petticoats class, you will enjoy it very much. If you want to sign up, call me.



The Monthly Mini new block of the month will start on Tuesday, Jan. 11. (Still a few places open.) The time is 4-6pm, but we will stay later if you can’t get here from work and want instruction on the applique, Maggie Manion. Most of you are familiar with the fusible applique technique, but if you need instruction and want to stay past 6pm, I’ll stay with you. The first month you will receive your 12” x 14” stand and the pattern, fabric, buttons and stand topper for February. Instructor: Bev. Cost: $25.00 per month and $20.00 sign up (for the stand).

Call me if you want to sign up!



Farmer’s Wife - What is not to love about the Farmer’s Wife book? You can come to this class and copy the template sizes from my book so that you can rotary cut them. You can use your scraps to make the blocks. There is no class fee. All you need is the book! Come join us……………………….



Stash Pot Pie - You guys are SO lucky that Bev is here. When I overheard some of you saying you wanted to do a SCRAP quilt, possibly a crazy quilt, my evil side came out and I found the perfect pattern. It is so horrendous and I thought to myself “I’ll fix their little red wagon. If they want scrap crazy quilting, THIS will shut them up.” I showed it to Bev (not on purpose) and she told me I could NOT do that to my Stash Pot Pie class and that I’ve always said that Stash Pot Pie was my favorite class and it was MEAN to give them a pattern like that. So I withdraw the pattern I showed you last month, Karen Weber, but you can still do it, if you want to! I’ll come up with a more user friendly scrap quilt pattern.



Back Home Block of the Month - this is our last month - Block 9 and we’ll be ready to put on borders.



Wool Applique NEW Block of the Month! - Jackie has brought in the first block sample - it is very pretty. Last year’s quilt had only red, green, gold and brown wool - but this year’s has gorgeous colors! $15.00 per month, plus threads.


Mary