Pieces of Work

Quilt Market-Spring 2012

Quilt Market in Kansas City was invigorating and colorful! Lots of impressive fabric lines, plenty of new patterns, a couple of gadgets and a few new stellar books caught our attention. Kristina and I had a chance to hop around a bit on our way to market and enjoy several fabulous shops on our journey. The weekend was topped off with the birth of my first grandson, Edward Michael-life is a blessing! Today's topics: Baby and Books

Proud Grammy pictures first...

So far he looks like his mommy, with his daddy's chin, although my husband thinks all babies look like Winston Churchill.

I'm in love...I will get to visit and cuddle him soon!

 Book FAVS from quilt market:

The Quilters Hall of Fame I hope to post extensively about this book. This is a fantastic biographic book of our quilting "fore-mothers", all who shaped the art and industry as we know it today. In a day where anybody who can blog becomes an icon, I will take pleasure in sharing stories of women who gave and created tirelessly for decades to help our quilting passions and opportunities evolve.

Scrappy Firework Quilts - Edyta Sitar is in a league of her own! This amazing book is based on strips, scraps, triangles, and 8-pointed stars. Great color, great tutorials, she makes show stopping quilts attainable. 

 

Big Blocks Big Style - Gudrun Erla of GE Designs has an excellent new book with both a modern and scandinavial flare.

Little Quilts 4 Little Kids - by Heather Peterson of Anka's Treasures. This is the most fun kids book I've seen in a while. It will surely please both mommy and grammy-not always easy to do :)

Stay tuned to our enews and facebook, more market fun to follow.

Sew on,

Mary

 

Kudos to Quilted Treasures Class Accomplishments

Just a couple quick pictures to share class happenings this spring. We have a very talented group of Quilt Basics quilters about to "graduate". It has been great fun getting to know them, and amazing to watch how quickly and egarly they have learned to quilt. Congrats to you all! See  a couple of completed tops:

Beautiful workmanship!

She got to piecing, and just couldn't stop!

Saturday Sampler Show and Tell-thanks Paula and Jan!

Check out our many fun and new classes at

 http://www.quiltedtreasures.net/quilted-treasures-classes.aspx

Sew on!

Mary

 

Lot's of fun at Quilted Treasures

It is good to have angels. I have lots of them that work at Quilted Treasures. This morning when I arrived at the shop, my display angel had created many magical places around the shop. It was like Christmas morning. I wanted to ditch the to-do list and just create something fun. Instead I decided to take a few pictures and share the fun with you. Hope you get a chance to visit in shop or online soon.

Our angel opened our entry area creating small displays, easier to take in each grouping. This is the Summer Breeze line by Moda-very Springy and very Scandanavian too!

In Minnesota we find tropical sun in our fabrics. Helps the winter pass with a smile. Below is a new hutch my angel found at a flea market store. Really cute!

This yummy group is the Green Tea by Timeless Treasures. Notice the party slippers!

Modern section is looking great. (Typewriter fabric is sold out :(

Our year round Holiday section still has lots of goodies.

Top selling Tube Scarf  and Slinky Minky samples.

Hope your day is filled with happy surprises too!

Sew on,

Mary

Oh, The Things You Will See...

My husband and I went to Eau Claire last night to see our youngest son Evan perform in "Oresteia"  at UWEC. Oresteia is an original adaptation of a Greek Trilogy. I can't say that I understood the entire play, which is based on Greek mythology, but going to the play reminded me of the many experiences we have had following his performances. We were "anything to do with sports" parents for our older two sons, so imagine our surprise to find out there was another world of arts and performance out there! Here's Evan before he discovered acting. His life was filled with attending whatever activities his big brothers were involved in.

And in high school, a passion was born.

Totino Grace High School Coffeehouse performance

The witch boy in Dark of the Moon, Totino Grace High School

Rico in Coc Cabana at Lyric Arts Theater in Anoka. One of the better hair styles he sported while in character.

In The Foreigner at UWEC-great role, and normal hair.

Romeo and Juliet (the friar) at UWEC. Not my favorite hair style, nor was it great as it grew out. Shaving the rest of his hair off was part of the set strike after the play run.

As Papagano in The Magic Flute opera at UWEC. Believe it or not, he loved the costume. He even saved a feather to wear in his signature Fedora.

(In fedora at brother Tom & Courtney's wedding with Court's brother Eric)

As Willard in Footloose at the Lyric Arts. The hat prevented the need for a hayseed hairdo.

And finally, his look for Oresteia. Hair extending, beard, and another cool costume.

Wait, maybe all of this is my fault!!

Anoka Halloween Parade - circa 1994

Thanks for the adventures, Evan, your journey is just beginning!

 

Anniversary Blessings

Each year my husband Ed and I have the good fortune to celebrate our anniversary in Naples, Florida. (Kind friends share their condo!) To get back into the blogging groove, to celebrate the fresh new look to our website, and to most importantly celebrate my 35th wedding anniversary I am sharing our sunset pictures. We particularly love morning walks, lots of excersise, fresh air, sunshine, evening sunsets followed by a delicious meal at a variety of restaurants. By the way, our favorite restaurant this year was Pazzo! on 5th Avenue. Favorite meal was an arugula and beet salad with crab linguine-yum! When on our anniversary trip, we always break the no appetizer/no dessert rule and even splurge on our wine selection. Why Not! Pics below are from our first evening here, which has turned out to be the most dramatic sunset.

I particularly love the contrast and backlighting of the clouds. The next picture is of a "girls weekend" group. One of many groups choosing this particular week for girlfriend fun. Hmmm-I think QT needs a quilt cruise-what do you thinK?

Getting closer...

Half way...

Aahhhh such beauty!

And finally, celebrating #35 and counting dinner at Yabba's

 So many changes over the years. Our early years were spent in traditional roles as Ed built his career in law enforcement and we raised our sons. For the past 12 years (business ownership means many, many hours away from home), he has been in charge of housework and yardwork and is the first on call for grandchild babysitting. I'm one lucky girl!

Thanks for visiting our fresh new website-stop back often to see what's new!

Mary

best in show

We were proud to sponsor the

BEST IN SHOW (small quilt) at the

Minnesota Quilt Show last weekend in St. Paul

It's called Red Letter Daze

by Janet Stone of Overland Park, KS

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 


 

Patriot Dames for Quilts of Valor

The Patriot Dames group led by Kathy Yano were busy over Memorial Day weekend at Quilted Treasures. Kathy, Linda, Jan, Sandy, Char, Betty, Caryn and Phyllis joined forces to create two beautiful quilts for soldiers. The cutting, piecing, pressing and pinning were done out of love and respect for those who serve.  By the end of the weekend, they had completed two beautiful quilts with pillowcases to match.

 

The fabric was donated by Quilted Treasures and designed by Minnick and Simpson for Moda. I chose this fabric collection because proceeds from fabric sales will be donated by Moda to the Semper Fi Fund. The Semper Fi fund supports wounded marines and their families as they heal and adjust to life after combat injury. The monies go directly to the marines and their families. See the quote taken from the Semper Fi site. "Since establishing this fund in 2004, we’ve issued more than 30,000 grants totaling more than $49.5 million to thousands of our heroes and their families." You can learn more about the fund and read soldier stories  here Semper Fi Fund  Such a worthy cause! If you would like to purchase a kit for this quilt, please call Quilted Treasures at 763-428-1952.

A huge thanks to all of the Patriot Dames, I am proud of your accomplishments. Thanks for the organizing Kathy, and Thanks for the picture Char!

Sew on,

Mary

Flower Festival

Let's just pretend I blogged yesterday... Anyway, here is a happy quilt that brought me to spring/summer during this long and gray winter. Bloomin' Beauties is the name of the quilt.

Above is the quilt as pictured in the Flower Festival book. Below is my version of half of the quilt.

I had fun making each block with colorful fabrics, fusible applique and a primitive stitched finish. (Emphasize primitive-my skill level in applique) While this project led me away from my usual traditional piecing, I had a blast making it.

We are offering it as an Installment quilt project beginning in June. Check it out! Bloomin' Beauties 

There are other great projects in this book by Kim Schaefer, Flower Festival

PS-As I write this blog it is cold and rainy outside-AGAIN. Thank goodness for fabric. We can create our own sunshine!

Til next time,

Sew on!

Mary

Stash Management, Yes - Fabric Diet, No

Did you get a chance to read Kristina's blog post on organizing her stash? I was both proud and very interested to read it. I was tempted to jump in with pictures of my own stash, but then I remembered that I don't have one. Yep, that's right. A quilt shop owner with no stash. The word stash implies that I have an actual plan to utilize these fabrics in a project in the forseeable future. What I have is a "collection" of fabrics that I am in love with. These are fabrics that I have purchased while on quilt shop hops with my girlfriends. Fabrics for future grandbaby quilts, pillowcase themes, a few fall colors, fabrics that make my heart sing just by looking at them or touching them. I have no guilt associated with this collection of fabric, just pleasure.I used to have a "stash", but as every quilt shop owner will tell you, there is no time to sew on personal projects. Since I still love to shop for fabric, I just give myself permission buy what I love and keep it until I am done admiring it. If it becomes a quilt then I will admire it in it's finished form. If not, I can still pet it. Either way, I feel no guilt. Below is a list of clubs you could form if you want to ease your guilt of having a large stash/collection of fabric. There are many more, but this will give you a perspective on how to give yourself permission to continue to buy the fabric you love. It is a lot more fun than dieting!

"Fabric Catch and Release Club"-fishermen do not feel guilty about purchases they make in pursuit of their hobby. Many have no intention of eating a fish, they just enjoy the chase. You are not obligated to make a quilt out of every piece of fabric. Really, it's ok just to enjoy the process.

"My Stash Weighs Less than Your Stash Club"-have you ever retreated with a Scrapbooker? Their project bins need to be delivered by semi. They need cutters and do-dads and 150 pounds of paper to create one page (slight exaggeration)

"Woodcrafters Wives Club"-we often have woodworking husbands come into the shop with their wives. I love this because they completely understand the stash thing. Just get on the topic of exotic woods, and watch their eyes light up. In the meantime, they don't care how many yards their wife is purchasing to add to her stash. They have a collection of their own in their "work" shop, including scraps they will never use.

"Hunting Season Support Group" Hunting season is also quilt retreat season. We support hunting season because this is the easiest time to smuggle fabric into the house. At the end of a hunting weekend, you can continue to pet your new fabric. You don't have to hang it in the garage, process it and eat it later.

"You Can Never Have Too Many Toys Club"- Surround Sound System = Queen Sized Batik Kit; Radial Arm Saw = Set of Creative Grids Rulers; Fly Fishing Rod= Moda Fat Quarter Bundle; Harley Bike = Quilt Retreats; Video Game = Collection of your favorite thread colors... 

"If I Have to Dust It, I Don't Want It Club" Hummels, antique glassware, thimbles, villages, you get the idea.  

What clubs would you form? I would love your comments and ideas!

Bottom line is that we all need to let ourselves imagine, play and create. It just makes life better! Speaking of making life better, I get to spend a few minutes today with my little friend Bridget, our Cuddle blanket model.

Sew on!

Mary

I found my camera...

Time to share a couple of show and tell projects. First, Adele shares her colorful and COMPLETED! version of Spin City, our recently completed Saturday Sampler program.

 

And Jan shares her lovely Lazy Day Throw...

 
and Amy shares her "Crooked Mile"

 
This is a very clever design by Quilter's Dream. Nice job, Amy!

Finally, a recipe request: Pumpkin Bars. I got my recipe from the Festal Pumpkin can years ago. It is a family and shop favorite. I searched the recipe and give credit for this version to Cooks.com, where I find abundant culinary inspiration.

FESTAL PUMPKIN BARS

4 eggs 1 c. salad oil 2 c. sugar 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin 2 c. flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/2 tsp. cloves 1/2 tsp. nutmeg Mix eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin together in large bowl. Sift remaining ingredients together and add. Pour into greased 12x18x1 inch pan. Bake 25 minutes at 350°F.  FROSTING: 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 3/4 stick butter 1 tbsp. cream or milk 1 tsp. vanilla 4 c. powdered sugar Whip cheese, vanilla, butter and milk together until soft. Add sugar until correct consistency to spread. Sprinkle chopped nuts over top, if desired. These freeze very well.

Enjoy!

Sew on,

Mary