Pieces of Work

Two Quilted Treasures Favorites by Laundry Basket Quilts

Before I tell you about the QT faves, a word to fellow grandparents out there. Isn't it a joy?! Everything "everybody" always said about being a grandparent is true. All the fun/none of the worries.THANK GOODNESS for age, wisdom, perspective and uninterrupted sleep. We get to have all of the fun. My granddaughters are visiting their other Grammy and Papa in Los Vegas. Kristina sent me a couple of pictures that tell the whole story of the differences between these sisters. #1 is all in, every way, every day. You will always know where you stand with her, and don't even think about trying to pull anything over on her. Live life full speed ahead...that's Lainey.

#2 Miss Bridget will observe all situations, and would likely say, "I'll get back to you on that"... She wants to go for it, but must proceed with caution. No doubt learned by her observations of living life with her "all-in" sister. Here she is waiting a little bit away from the pool before deciding if she wants to go for it.

On to QT favorites! We have been sharing the joy of several designs by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts, and two have risen to the most favorite status. Eldon combines stip stars with log cabin set-in blocks in a beautiful setting arrangement. I personally have only made one block, but this quilt is on my bucket list. Very striking quilt with just enough challenge to satisfy the urge to create an heirloom.

Another favorite has been the Sunset Star quilt. This quilt literally took my breath away when I first saw it at quilt market in Edyta's booth. QT staff member Joni made this version, and it is a stunning centerpiece for our classroom. Our current class offered for this project is full, so we will no doubt revisit it. Looks harder than it is!

 

Remember to check out Edyta's "Scrappy Fireworks" book for more heirloom ideas!

One more reminder: Don't forget to celbrate National Quilting Day. Donate a UFO or fabric and get a 20% discount at Quilted Treasures! Quilt shop quality fabric please:)(Minky and Heirloom kits excluded from sale)

Sew on,

Mary

Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day

Oh, dear, is it 2013 already? Let's not even "go there" about how long since I have posted. No New Year resolutions either. Just wanted to share a few shop activities. We have fun events and great class offerings for Jan-March. Highlights include:

Visit your Local Quilt Shop Day is January 24th. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar, and choose your "deal of the day" 10am - 8pm. Be sure to enter the I Love my Local Quilt Shop photo contest  !

Calling all quilters and crafters for our spring bus hop

How about some awesome classes? Sunset Star by Laundry Basket Quilts. Looks very challenging, but is cleverly constructed. We have beautiful kits available for this stunning quilt.

Would you like to learn to piece this magnificent star block? It is from the book Constellation of Stars.

How about a Judy Niemeyer quilt? We are hosting a workshop for 3 Saturday afternoons in February. Our Cabin Fever kit  includes a beautiful collection of blues, taupes, broowns and greens. YUMMY!

      

                                                                    

Just want to have a little fun? We recommend the Log Cabin Loco class. No matchy-matchy stuff, just fun sewing.

 

Enough teasers for today. Download our current class list here.

We hope you visit Quilted Treasures in Rogers, and www.quiltedtreasures.net to start your new year with creative fun.

Sew on,

Mary

                                                                                                                                   

Kids Camp at Grammy's House

We have the boomers, the millenials, the moderns, the contemporaries, the organics, the traditionalists...are we ready for the next generation of quilters?

My granddaughter Alaina had a sleepover at our house and I decided it was time to do what she has been asking to do for some time-SEW WITH GRAMMY! I set up a small table near mine, equipped it with my first Pfaff sewing machine (Hobbymatic) a pair of scissors (pointed), moleskin guides (for "1/4" seam allowance), a charm pack and away we went. I was utterly amazed. She is a quick study and had no fear. I was particularly thankful for the speed governor on the foot pedal...

she laid out her charm squares "in the order desired"

She perferred putting both feet on the gas pedal. I wonder who will teach her how to drive...

We put "snuggly stuff" on the back and had sweet dreams. The next quilting generation is ready for the world! Do you know a future quilter? We are offering Kids Camps at Quilted Treasures. Our June dates are for children 9 and older to learn quilting, and our July dates are for children 6 -10 to make small sewing craft projects.  Check our website for details.

Sew on!

Mary

More Quilt Market Goodies

Just a quick post to share a couple more market finds. Kim Diehl's new book, Simple Charm is packed with rich traditional quilts in Kim's signature warm and colorful style. An excellent follow up to her Simple Graces book!

Another excellent find is the Quilter's Academy Volume 4. I have read all books written by Harriet Hargrave cover to cover and appeciate her extensive knowledge on all things quilting. In Volume 4, "the senior year" she focuses on advanced techniques such as y-seams, hexagons, diamonds and drafting. The entire series of books from freshman to senior year are "must have" textbooks for quilters of all skill levels.

   

New in the shop Lucy's Crab Shack by Moda-simply beachy. Sometimes we just want to have fun, and that's what this line is about.

Sew on!

Mary

 

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!