WISQ October 2009

WISQ was at Mary’s house in October.  Here are the pix:

Doll Quilt Swap 7

I found this Doll Quilt Swap online and decided to participate. Here were the guidelines It was fun deciding what to make my buddy and then really fun to receive my quilt in the mail.

Swap Guidelines

You must be an active Flickr member (with favorites!) to participate.

SIZE: from 12″x12″ to 24″x24″…any size or shape in between. Rectangles are cool, too.

MATERIALS: natural fibers/cotton, wool, linen

CONSTRUCTION: Pieced, appliquéd, wholecloth, or yo-yos; quilted by hand or machine; and bound.

LABEL: It is recommended that you attach a label to the back of your quilt. I know, this can be a bit scary for some people though, so I will not make it a requirement. A label is however a very nice addition to any handmade quilt. Whether or not you decide to label your quilt, please do include a note with your quilt with your name and contact information (URL, blog, email address, etc. so that they can thank you).

SECRET: This will remain a secret swap. Your partner will not know your identity. If you need to get in contact with your partner do so through your swap parent.

DUE DATE: The deadline for all quilts to be mailed is SEPT. 7 (int’l), and SEPT 15 for those sending nationally . I like to plan on sending mine a week early…just in case life gets in the way and I’m delayed. There is nothing more disappointing than not receiving a package. Also, please email me to let your swap parent when you have mailed your quilt. Delivery confirmation is required, within the U.S.

COMMUNICATION: If for any reason you cannot met the deadline or you need to drop out of this swap, please let me know as soon as you know. If you communicate any setbacks with me I can make sure things work out favorably for your partner, no hard feelings.

I sent a cute little quilt to Monique.  I scouted out her blog, Only Doll Quilts, to get an idea of what would “turn her crank.”  I think I did well, because she said she loved it.  Take a look at her post about it.

Here’s the quilt I sent to Monique:

And here’s the quilt I received from Donna Weible.

I’m a Grandma

Becoming a first-time grandma is a pretty amazing experience.  My husband and I were visiting the North Shore of Lake Superior when my son Jon called.  He said, “Sorry to cut your trip short, but you have a grandson.”  He came three weeks early.  I guess he couldn’t wait to meet all of us . . .  and I was so excited to meet him.  We rushed back to the Twin Cities because I just had to see him on the day he was born.

I made him a Very Hungry Caterpillar Quilt.  He loves it!

I also bought him a “Going to Grandma’s” outfit and the book On the Day You Were Born.

Grandma loves you, Henry.

A new Quilt Shop in Town

There’s a new quilt shop called the Noble Quilter in Elk River, MN. A couple of my quilting buddies went with me to check it out on Saturday.  We were impressed.

The owner’s name is Angela Roberts.  She welcomed us warmly, told us about the shop and coming events, and then gave us time and space to shop.  

Her employees were equally friendly and helpful.  

The space is bright and nicely organized.  The walls are a soothing shade of blue which forms a nice backdrop for all the colors of the fabric.

There are samples, although not as many as an established shop. I’m sure there will be many soon.

A block of the month, designed by Sherri Falls, will be coming soon.  There are two color choices.  The one on display is mainly green and black.  The other choice is red and brown if I remember right. 

They currently carry Civil War, Batiks, Novelties, baby flannel and more.  I bought a few fat quarters I liked.

Here’s some information from the handout I got.  

                                             The Noble Quilter                                                                                    19570 Holt Street NW                                                                                    Elk River, MN

763.633.4669

www.thenoblequilter.com

Located on 169 No, st the last stoplight heading north out of Elk River. (197th Ave NW).  Menards and the Harley Dealership is on the right, shop is on the left in the Pearle Vision Center Building, which is next to the Aldi Grocery Store.

There will be a Grand Opening on August 28 – August 30.  

I liked this sign . . .

  . . . of course all of us quilters know this is true.  I think a visit to this new shop would make for a good day too.

5000 Hits

     Woohoo!  I reached 5000 hits on my blog today.  It’s been just over a year since I wrote my first post.  So that averages just over 400 hits a month.

     It felt satisfying doing it all, even though there was a steep learning curve at first.  Looking back, I’m full of gratitude for all the creativity, fun, and fellowship with many wonderful quilters.  

 

 

 

WISQ August 09

Our meeting was at Cathy’s this month out in Buffalo.  It was fun as always, with lots of guests:  Bonnie, Diane, Judy, Ruth, Rita and Rita.  Did I get that right?

I’ll get right down to our show and tell.

Love those polka dots!

Ooh Lah Lah

Who's that hiding behind that quilt, Mary?

Shoes,

shoes,

and more shoes.

We had dessert (of course). It was sherbet with cookies. Yum, great summer treat. Thanks, Cathy.

“Is My Grandbaby a Boy or a Girl?” Runners for Jon and Kate

August is a wonderful month of anticipation for me and my family.  My first grandchild is arriving in early September and I’m beside myself with delight.  

My son Jon and daughter-in-law Kate (I know, Jon and Kate, not the famous ones) decided not to find out the sex of the baby, wanting to be surprised when the big day comes.  Since Kate loves table runners, I decided to make her a pair, one pink and one blue. I call these “Is My Grandbaby a Boy or a Girl?” table runners.  

This Tuesday,  we all went shopping for a stroller for Baby S.  So it was the perfect opportunity to give Kate the table runners.  

Here’s the pink one:

Here’s the blue one:

I found a cute backing fabric that says “I love mommy” and”I love daddy” all over it.

So, is my grandbaby a boy or a girl?

I’ll find out soon . . . . . .

The pattern I used was a free one from Timeless Treasures.  It’s called Easy Striped Table Runner by Karen Montgomery.  I was going to include a link, so you could find it but in the last week or so they have taken it off their website and it is now available for purchase at the Quilt Company.

Bummer – when I printed this pattern out at the beginning of August my printer ink was in short supply so my copy is not pretty.  I planned to print out a new one.  Not now.  

Putting these together was so slick and easy.  Just six short seams and the top is done.  Cutting is a little tricky, but not bad.  (I’ll post photos and instructions soon, so keep an eye out for it if you’re interested. )

Here’s a photo of the happy couple with their new stroller:

Grandpa S had to thoroughly check it out and it passed his inspection.  Shew!

 

This is all so much fun.  I can hardly wait to meet my grandbaby.  A child brings so much love.  I guess that’s why they are called “a bundle of joy.”

Love you Jon and Kate.  (You’re my favorite daughter-in-law.)  :)

No Comment Necessary

Augusta 2009

Rita and I started on our excellent quilting adventure bright and early on Monday morning.  I managed to get everything I had packed into Rita’s van and off we went.  Traffic wasn’t bad and we got to the Sew Little Time Quilt shop in Hudson just as scheduled at 9 am. . . . Unfortunately, summer hours were in force and it didn’t open up until 10 am.  No problem for Rita and Jan, always prepared; we donned our tennies and took a walk.  By the time we got back, the rest of the entourage had arrived and the owner couldn’t help but notice and invited us in early.  Yay!

 

 

Shopping was fun as always, especially since there was a fat quarter sale.  

After making some purchases, we reboarded our vehicles and moved on to Menomonie to have lunch at the Green Mill.  After being refueled with food and conversation, we started the last leg of the itinerary.  

Some people stopped at Weavers in Fall Creek.  If you haven’t been there they have a remarkable selection of food.  

The rest of the group headed straight for Augusta and Bridge Creek.  We hurriedly unpacked and set up our sweat shop – well, not really, it was nice and cool in the sewing room!

We got right down to it, unloaded our snacks . . .

 and beverages . . . . .

and started producing our projects.   I decided to start with something quick and easy, so I worked on my pair of  ”Is my grandbaby a boy or a girl” runners.  One was blue for a boy and the other pink for a girl.

 

 

Next I moved on to putting the last border on my Very Hungry Caterpillar quilt for Baby S (did I mention I’m going to be a grandma for the first time in September ?

Then on to another pair of runners.  One was red with green and the other green with red.  Did I say those were my favorite colors?

Here’s Mary’s Heritage Club quilt.

. . .  and Rita’s black and white beauty.  I think it would look great in my house.

Shirley made a cute baby quilt.

 

And Cindy showed off her Jo Morton pink and brown beauty.

There were lots of thinks to admire on the design walls.

A close up of Sue’s wedding quilt.

On Tuesday we were up for a little field trip to Fall Creek. Although small, it’s an interesting town. Deb, Rita and I ate lunch at Grandma’s little hometown diner .  

Next we were off to check out a quilt shop in town called Yard Work.   I love the name.  It’s full of many bargain fabrics and run by some very friendly people.

Back at Bridge Creek, an intense afternoon of sewing left us all hungry.  Jason came to the rescue.  He’s the owner of Tep’s Drive In in Augusta and agreed to cater a meal for us.  It was fabulous.  

We had an amazing amount of fabulous food:

Egg Rolls

Tossed Oriental Salad with Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage, and Spring Mix with Toasted Sesame Peanut Vinegrette and Ramen Crunch

Sweet and Sour Pork                                                                         Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry  and                                                   Sesame Garlic Broccoli and Beef

Noodles and Fried Rice

Dessert was Crisp Fried Wontons topped with Coconut Milk Ricotta Cheese and Fresh Berries.

Man cleaning kitchen!  Could it get better?

Lots more quilting.

The Gussie Awards.

Some good laughs.  No, I’m not explaining this one.  What happens in Augusta, stays in Augusta.

We had our farewell dinner on Wednesday night at the Black Bear Supper Club. 

We had to stop at the most photographed spot in Wisconsin (again) but it’s a place you wouldn’t easily tire of.

We managed to sew 39 pillowcases for charity. ( Pat on the back.)

I am so grateful to be a part of this great group of women.  

Finally, it was time to pack up for home.

Some of us went home with a few things more than we brought.

Good bye to Bridge Creek for another year.

Only 350 some days till next year.  I’m counting, because I can’t wait to go back again.

As my fourth graders often say at the end of their writing. . . . .

THE END!!!

Off to Augusta

Today’s the big day.  I’m off for our annual quilt retreat to Bridge Creek Cottage in Augusta, Wisconsin.  

 

All packed and ready to go.  Do you think I forgot anything?  Good thing my friend Rita drives a van.  We wouldn’t want to leave anything behind.

This will be sooooo much fun.  Woohoo!