Hand work for the winter

I have fallen in love with English Paper piecing. I needed something to work on in waiting rooms, a place I find myself in often now. I prep the pieces with the sewline glue stick, which I love! It cuts my time in half. Both of these samples will be about 15x18 and framed for the store. The tumblers are one inch, love it! The Texas star is about 2.5 from tip to tip.


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I put my bobbin next to it to give you an idea of the size.

Went to my favorite antique store today and got a cute pair of white stockings to hang on the fireplace. I'm loving all the white things they are showing for Christmas decorating this year. I will take pics of all my new stuff soon!

Things that make me smile
Little kids wooden chairs
Old books
Anything white

Happy thoughts for everyone

This year has been a very long hard year for my family,many upsets and the passing of some very important people. I was thinking of my darling niece, Becky having to grieve the lose of her wonderful husband and I smiled at something Mike had said to me when my Mom passed,I will keep it in my heart forever. Sometimes you just have to look for the happy place!!! Grief does not define me, my family, friends and God are the defining moments I will remember forever. I love what I do and find myself smiling at certain things. Always look for the good stuff, the things that make you smile and the things that make your heart beat. My list is just that, my list. Some are silly, but they are mine! These are not in any particular order----

Old tattered quilts
The way buddy looks at me
Old boxes
Pewter
Fall trees
Santa
Christmas trees
Old houses
Old houses, yes I said it twice
Babies
Black furniture
Black gourds
Small kids furniture
Wooden bowls
Eliza's jazz leg
New England
There is so much more I will share later. What makes you smile?



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A Perfect Passing

I was very privileged and blessed to be with my Mom on Tuesday nite as She let go of her cancer ridden body and made the journey home to be with the Lord. Just before she left she tried to get out of bed and she took of her oxygen mask and said she need to get out of there (hospital) because her sisters were there to get her. I held her hand told her we all loved her, and that she should go with them. I will never be as blessed as I was at that moment.





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"Get On The Bus, Gus"

Ladies, The Quilt Merchant is planning a bus trip. You will be visiting 8 shops that have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler as a Top 10 shop in the USA. The trip will begin on the morning of October 21 in our parking lot and end the evening of October 22 back in our parking lot again. The cost will be $150.00 which will include your bus ticket, your overnight accommodations and your food. For more details call or e-mail Docia or Beth at the shop.
Phone: (630) 480-3000

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lights out!!!!!

A big storm blew thru the area and knocked out the power, we still wanted to hang in there and work but it just got to hot. We finally gave up and took the day off.
Four of our grandkids are here for a visit, we are having lots of fun! Eliza loves to cuddle Benny. I will really miss them when they go home.





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Jo Club

This months quilt for club is Vintage Holiday, we made it in Browns and Pinks ,love love love this one. There is still time to buy a kit so call and reserve it now! Don't forget to come to club this Thursday, I have lots to show.


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Lizzie verses the Ten Minute Table Runner

Liz is my granddaughter, the one that just got married. Papa is teaching her how to sew!!!!! Nate, her new husband is very lucky! She is a very sweet, gentle and loving woman.We are so lucky to have her with us for a few days. Monday Jim is taking her to Savannah to be with Nate, who is serving in the Army. Two wonderful people in love and starting their lives together.











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Twisting the nite away

This is how my red and white twisters started then I cut them out -----


And what I had left was the skeleton. When I get it sewn together I will post a picture! We may have to do this in featherweight club. It's just to cute! The squares are 2.5 inches!


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Jo Club

This is the Jo club quilt for the month, just in time for the holiday!


Another cute quilt by Jody!


Ya gotta love the twisters,we have them in the store now!


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Dear Jane

Don't forget to sign up for Dear Jane, it starts June 4th. Start thinking about your color choices, I think I'm doing mine in red and brown. Can't wait to see you all there. You will not believe what Val has in store for you.



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Vote now!!!!!

. Vote for The Quilt Merchant so we can win a grant. We could buy lots of fabric, wool and put on a retreat.


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The care and feeding of a Quilt shop owner

Most quilt shop owners go to market to find new things for their store,I also go to learn and meet people. Lucky for me many of my friends went to Salt Lake City this year. I want to thank Pam Buda, Nancy,Tara Lynn Darr, Paula Barnes, Mary Ellen,Char Hopeman,Deb Peterson, Deb Luttrell, Jerry Stube and countless other wonderful women who took the time to share with me. I attended some wonderful seminars and classes with other shop owners and did manage to buy some great things for the store. As a Top Ten Shop owner I was invited to the ceremony to announce the shops for this year and was so happy to have two local shops join us. Yellow Creek Designs in Pearl City, their quilt is a must have. In the fall you will see Prairie Quilts in Oswego show their shop. Their quilt is on my list, I loved it. Both shops are wonderful and deserve the honor!
Being in business as a women is not easy and we need the support of everyone to help us with the stress and fun of owning a quilt shop. It was amazing to hear stories from other shop owners and how much we have in common. As President of Quilt Trade Association, it is very important to me to spread the word that a sense of community is very important to our future. So many times I heard that shop owners don't get along, our area seemed to be a hot spot. I don't always see it, but if that is the perception we must change that. We are blessed to have so many great shops with in a small area, (150miles). All are unique and have there own style and feel. I would hope if they needed something they would call, whether it is for product or just plain old help.
Beth and I spent a lot of time planning for the next 6 months. Next year market will be in Kansas City so I invited the Quilted Crow from Australia to come early and teach a class on a wool project. Yea! Lots of new things and ideas are spinning in my head. Stay tuned for it all to come flying at you!




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The Market is closed!

Well friends, Beth and I have had a wonderful time at Market. Here is a picture of her quilt made with her line, Marguerite, hanging in the Windham booth. I'm so proud.








We're so excited to come home and show you all the wonderful things we found! We get back Monday late afternoon so everything should be in the store on Tuesday. Come see us and we'll show you everything!

We found out today that Pam, Karen, Tara Lynn Darr, and Beth and I are all on the same flight tomorrow. My son said he hopes there's an air marshall on our plane. Party pooper.

See you soon!




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Market Report 2

Phenomenon in Salt Lake City: crosswalks in the middle of the block with orange flags where cars actually stop for you when you start walking!!! Needless to say Docia is entertained every time we cross the street.





Goals met today:
- fantastic patterns from Patchwork with Busyfingers for English Paper piecing
- new wool designer with GORGEOUS patterns that are super classy
- beautiful new patterns from Lori Smith, mostly appliqué which we love
- proudly viewing Beth's fabric line with Windham called Marguerite. View it here:

Marguerite

Amazing Mexican food for dinner and hanging out in our jammies. No mud facials tonight.



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Market report 1

Beth and I got in last night about 7 pm. Flight was great, no ear problems !!!
We had dinner at Buca's yum yum, then went back to the room and Char and I gave ourselves mud facials. Beth walk in and just rolled her eyes and went to bed!!! Baby girl can't take it, her mother and I always act out! No there will be no pics of that, don't want to get kicked out of blogland!! Had a brisk 15 minute walk to breakfast, it is beautiful here. Now of to a class with a diet coke in hand. See ya, and I miss my family.


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All packed up

We are back at the hotel, packing up was easy it only took 40 minutes to tear down and get it in the trailer. We have had a great time in Paducah, the people are very welcoming and take good care of us. This has been a tough couple of weeks for them with the rain, the quilt show was almost canceled which would have been a great loss to them. Stella and I got to see a lot and had great fun, she was introduced to our life on the road and meant some new friends. I'm not sure she will ever want to travel again. Shows are very hard work, I think she will be happy to go back to her job.
Beth will be sending out an email for a special demo this Saturday, May 7th. I found a new product at the show for anyone who wants to do Redwork or fancy stitching on wool. This will give you perfect stitches every time. I always love to get the jump on something new that will be at Market! Joyce Jaksa you will love this! Off to bed so we can drive home in the morning, I need some Eliza loving !!!!!!!


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Paducah

Stella is having a great time in Paducah! Even when the flood walls went up we were still smiling , but we were wet!! Everyone has been great to us,even with the big move. I would love to tell you more but have to get back to work.

















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The wedding

Elizabeth's wedding was beautiful as was she. Nathan is a great addition to our family! What a blessing to go to a grandchild's wedding.Jim and I enjoyed seeing all the grandkids and friends. Now we are on to Paducah to vend.








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it's here!!!!

The dress my sister made for Eliza came today!! All I can say is WOW! We will keep it in the store for awhile so you all have a chance to see it. I can't wait to see it on Eliza.

We also have a trunk show from Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts going on in the store while we are in Paducah. Make sure you stop in to see all these quilts (at least 15) ,we have to give them back so she can take them to market. We have lots of patterns on hand, so don't miss out.

Make sure to check back often for my reports on Stella's trip of a life time.She is going with us to Paducah to help us out in our booth. First we are going to Kansas City,Mo, to my oldest granddaughter's wedding, Easter Sunday we head for Paducah. Monday we set up and Tuesday, we do Paducah.








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It's all about Jo

I think Becky and Terry are over achievers! Thank you to everyone who brought in show and tell.











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Prairie Women Sewing Circle

We are so lucky to have Pam herself teach our Prairie Women Sewing Circle, we had lot's of fun and saw lots of quilts old and new. Hope you all get a chance to take part in this unique club at some point.















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All my friends are famous

Ya gotta love Kansas City Star Books, they know good authors when they see them! Two of my friends have new books with them. First out was Tara Lynn Darr with Simply Charming,a superb book with great quilts,lot's of small ones. Then my friend Deb Roberts, Four Seasons at Minglewood came in.Deb owns The Quilted Moose in Gretna Nebraska. She is a fellow Top Ten Shop with Better Homes and Gardens ( same issue as us). Both books will knock you socks off!!!! And then there is Pam Buda,of Prairie Women Stitchers fame, has an article in Better Homes and Gardens about her favorite subject make do. Oh well if you can't be famous at least you can rub elbows !!!



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Thursday Jo Club

Thank you to everyone who brought in show and tell ! We had so much fun visiting with each other the time flew by! See you all next month.














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Jo Club

A big thank you to Lori for sending pics of her Jo Morton Club projects. I think we have a theme here. All three small quilts are done in my two favorite colors, black and cream. I can't believe you got the Courthouse Steps done since club on Saturday. Way to go!!!!








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Ya gotta love a super talented sister

This is Eliza's new dress from my sister Connie! I am so grateful to have a sister who is generous and talented and kindhearted. Her website is That's sew Connie. Look her up, you will be amazed at her talent. We are going to have Eliza's picture taken with Buddy! And maybe she will wear it in Aunt Emily's wedding. I will have it in the shop as soon as we get it so everyone can see it!!


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Tumbler quilt

Beth made this quilt with our template! Mine wasn't getting done fast enough. Tumblers are cute no matter what size. Pop into the store and pick up one, we have three sizes.



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New quilt

Grandmother's Jumping Jacks in Chinese Red !!!!!!!


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