More Retreat Fun!

I know that I posted some great pictures from the retreat already, but my friend Dawn put this together after we got back - what a great and fun way to put all the pictures together...this was such a fun retreat!  I can't wait for the next one. My daughter wants to get back to come to one of these...until then she keeps trying to do quilt retreats on her own - we all know quilting is WAY more fun with friends!  

Blessings on your day!

Good Times!

This past weekend we had such an amazing time!  These women are so much fun!  Early to bed, early to rise - makes for some really fun quilts being started and finished!  These pictures just capture a glimpse of how much fun we really have during the days/nights that we're together.  It's the perfect way to get away and get stuff done!  

 As you can see from the windows- the scenery while you are working away is beautiful - everyone has lots of space to work.

 Another beautiful masterpiece being created!

 It can get intense from time to time...

 And...always lots of laughing while Sally and I play and show the ladies a fun new cell phone purse!

 It Zigs...It Zags!  What an awesome new quilting tool!!

 A great demonstration by Sally on how the zig zag ruler works.

 Friends!

 Set up a little place in case anyone forgets anything, or wants to start something new

 

If you would like to do a retreat - give us a call at the shop!

Sundance here we come...

We are at it again!  We have a great weekend planned at Sundance Mountain Lodge coming up in October. 

In beautiful Coolin, ID - we will be staying Thursday, October 24th through Sunday, October 27th at this great lodge. 

For only $230 for the entire weekend, we'll be staying in great accomodations, have amazing food from their chef, spend quality time with one another and finish up all those projects we have been dying to finish and just needed some time.

If you have any quesitons - please give me a call at the shop!  We only have a handful of spots left and once it's filled, we can't take anymore, so reserve your place today!

Oh what a wonderful time we had...

We spent last weekend at a retreat center about an hour or so outside of Spokane.  It was so beautiful and the weather was fantastic for a change.  

 As you can see, we worked diligently through the day finishing up on all those projects we've started and just haven't had time to complete yet!

 Also, at each retreat, one of the gifts we give to registrants is the ability to make their own scissor charm.  It's made with beads by YOU, so you get to mold it to your personality.  This is always a big hit.

 We got one final shot of everyone there that day.  

What fun we had...

Lumpy Binding No More!

In looking through some Quilting Magazines (this article, thanks to American Patchwork and Quilting October 2001) we had laying around the shop, we came across this great article about how to eliminate the lumping that we so often get in our bindings.  Enjoy!

Cute Shop!

One of our customers, Mrs. Besser, buys fabric from the shop and turns it into these GREAT little girl clothes.  She is selling them on Etsy.com.  Her shop name is Tot Frock and if you thought quilts were beautiful with this fabric, just check out these cute clothes - all her own designs!  

Bias Binding

I am posting this great clip on how to do a bias binding that we learned at the Retreat the first weekend of March.  Enjoy!!

Jennifer Chiaverini- Community and Quilting

I've often talked with my daughter about the wonderful quilting community.  Sharing with one another our joys and our struggles.  Jennifer Chiaverini talks about the inspiration to her books and her quilting in this short video.  Makes me want to go and read and create a beautiful quilt!  

Have you read any of her books?  Which ones are your favorite?

Working with Laminate

This seven minute video is totally worth the time as Jina explains the benefits of working with laminate fabric.  In the shop we are just starting to carry laminate fabric, but as soon as more projects are on the horizon, we'll be sure to get more.  Let us know of your favorites and we'll start investigating.

Million Pillowcase Challenge

I am a big fan of supporting local charities with handmade products.  This video is helping to promote the Million Pillowcase Challenge by teaching how to make a quick and simple pillowcase.  My grandson had his tonsils out when he was just five years old.  When he got to the hospital, they let him pick out a new and special pillowcase just for him to have for his hospital stay.  It's this kind of little and simple things that can bring comfort to so many people.  Please enjoy the video and stop in the shop for some cute fabrics to start your projects and be part of the one million.

(This video is just about ten minutes long)

Strip Tube Quilting and Superbowl Savings

We have this great new product in our shop.  It's the Strip Tube Ruler!  

I'll be having a demonstration in the shop this Sunday....

Speaking of Sunday....

the ever popular Superbowl Sale will be happening again!  See below for more details:

SUPERBOWL SUPER SALE

Spend up to $50 and get 10% off

Spend between $50 and $100 and get 15% off

Spend over $100 and get 20% off

Store will be open from 10am - 3pm on Sunday, February 5th

Online Sale will be counted until February 10th.

Cindy and Jina teach "Zipper Flowers"

We have been having a lot of fun experimenting with new things in our shop.  We've got lots of fun zippers and this is just one great video on how to make some CUTE flowers!  You can find zippers on the website and if you stop in to our shop!  

Thanks to Cindy and Jina of Riley Blake Designs for another great teaching video.

Book Lover's Lunch Box

When I was in Wisconsin, my daughter and I stopped in at a local quilt shop (something I love to do when I am traveling) just to look around.  We found this pattern for the "Book Lover's Lunch Box."  Many of you have been asking if I had something like this.  The pattern is designed by Carol Dockery from Quilter by Night Designs.  It's a project that takes six fat quarters.  Because my daughter wanted to make it, she choose the line "Peaceful Planet" by Studio E Designs.  

Just look at how cute this turned out! It stands about 10 inches tall and it 8 1/2 inches wide.  It's great if you wanted to slide a water bottle into it as well.  It also has directions to make reusable/washable snack size bags.

This is another view, showing how easy a book slides into the back pocket.  

Let me know what you think about this! I love to hear your feedback.

Cindy and Jina's Bias Binding

Watch this video from Cindy and Jina of Riley Blake Designs teach how to do a bias binding for your quilt.  I learned something new from this quick 5 minute video!

Christmastime in Wisconsin

Each year my husband and I go to visit our daughter in Wisconsin.  We have had such a great time with them.  From baking to sewing to shopping, it's always just a fun week to set aside everything else and play together.  Because they live so far away, it's nice to know that we'll get this time that is just us together.  

There is a cute little town just up the road from where they live.  Right by their city hall they had a Santa's Workshop, complete with Gingerbread men and candy pops all around. We had to stop and take a picture.  Randy and Jamie are just goof balls, so they were playing around the whole time.

I had never seen a blow up Christmas decoration like this one.  Loved it!  I also loved that Mary has a little air belly on her right now.  Jamie said she'll go back and check to see if the baby Jesus will be there after Christmas.

This was one of our favorite finds!  I've had people in the shop show me this cute "Little Wallet" that Valori Wells has designed.  We popped into the quilt shop in her town and found the pattern.  We thought it would be fun to do a small project together.  We had so much fun making the two reversed wallets, that we want to do more.  Stay tuned, because this pattern is coming to Quilt Patch Lane!!

Christmas...

I love Christmas.  From the perfect number of lights on the tree, the hand decorated cookies, driving around looking for the house with the most lights - it is all fun.  I love how traditions that we started as a young family 30 years ago have shifted to my children.  We always got new jammies for the kids to open on Christmas Eve.  It's been fun to watch my three children do the same for their children.  We also purchased a new ornament each year while the kids were growing up.  They have these ornaments on their trees now, and do the same for their kiddos.  It is hard to not all be together on Christmas each year, but I love waking up on Christmas morning knowing that some of these traditions carry on.

May you have a blessed Christmas and remember the true reason we celebrate is because of the Savior that was born that night.  

Friends...Fabric...Food

Quilt Patch Lane's Annual Open House!!

Friday, December 2nd 10am - 4pm 

and 

Saturday, December 3rd 10am - 4pm

Stop in and see us while you are out and about this weekend. We'll have refreshments, demonstrations on new techniques and be showing off our new fabric lines. 

We'll also have some great deals on your favorite things!

Can't wait to see you!

New Line Coming...

We are so excited to be offering a new line by Lotta Jansdotter through Windham Fabrics.  Lotta Jansdotter is known for her work with Rowenta iron and Martha Stewart.  She was born in 1971 on Aland, which is a small group of islands between Sweden and Finland.

Her designs are fresh and have an urban feel to them. We can't wait to get this fabric in the shop for you to see.  If you would like to learn more about her, please visit her website at www.jansdotter.com.

Pumpkin Cake

I have been thinking about all the wonderful food that we have at the holidays.  Many things have changed over the years from the "staples" that were always on the table to what we have now.  A new recipe that I have discovered over the past few years is a quick a simple recipe when you have an event, a potluck, a family gathering to attend and need something quick.

1 box yellow cake mix
3 whole eggs
1 can pureed pumpkin
2 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

Mix everything together.  Pour into a prepared Bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees 30-35 minutes until done.

One variation my daughter has tried when she is preparing the pan is to lightly sugar the pan before pouring the cake mix in.  This creates a sweet crust on the cake.  Delightful!
Another variation would be to try a different shape for a pan other than the traditional.  There are so many out there - the one pictured is a castle!

This is one simple recipe!  Enjoy!!

Quilting Community

I started thinking about the question: why do I quilt?  Of all the hobbies that are out there, why did I start quilting.  Then I realized I love how social it is.  My girlfriend, who had been a quilter for years, invited me to come along to a quilter's group with her.  I fell in love with the fabric and the amazing tops that were being created.  Although my first block wasn't perfect, I loved the time I got to spend with the people around the room.  Learning the stories of the women and about their families was so much fun.  The community of quilters is amazing.  Besides the learning that happens about each other, techniques are taught and "tricks of the trade".

I asked my daughter, who was moving away, if she would like to attend a beginner quilting class.  She and her husband were moving to another state so he could go to school and I wanted her to have a hobby; something to help keep her entertained while he was studying.  Little did I realize this hobby would aid in the creation of a community for her.  After a few months she had made friends and they were coming to her house to sew together.

Thank you all for being a part of that in my life...whether you are local or in another country, you are part of my Quilting Community.