Dolls, Purses & Twilling

This is Julie’s sample for Gail Wilson’s Pincushion Doll class that will be held May 7 & 21 at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. The doll is styled after 1800's paper dolls (the underwear look). She has an embroidered face, emery strawberry, and a needle case attached to her dress. She also has an apron appliquéd to her front that holds scissors or other gadgets. She can stand alone or be attached to a wooden base with spool holders. You won't want to miss out on this fun class. Call the shop and register now.

This Messenger Bag is a smaller version of the traditional size bag. A great starter for those of us who are not into construction (the editor only does flat). Should be a fun class and with all the new vibrant fabrics that are in the shop you are sure to come out with a beautiful bag. Cindy's class starts May 6th.

Kate Veenstra has taken Twilling to a new level. This is what she was working on at the Knotty Girls Stitching Bee Wednesday night. Usually you see Twilling in white on white. Don’t you just love her clever use of colors?

This is a close up of her work. Great job Kate.

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Ever lost your keys, your scissors, your whatever. Don’t Look Now has a tutorial for a key ring lanyard that will solve all your problems. It would make a nice Mother’s Day gift too.

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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting.

HOW TO USE THOSE MEMENTOES

Using your favorite photos, child’s artwork or mementos you can make this beautiful wall hanging or use them in making a quilt. Above is the sample for Carolyn E.’s class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. During the class she discusses the different kinds of transfer methods, how to choose the right fabrics to set off your photos, artwork or other mementos. This is a fun class that produces a beautiful project that will be much loved and appreciated. If you interested in taking the class, call the shop and get on a list for a future date and time.

Making It Fun has some wonderful tutorials for making an eye mask or therapeutic neck wrap. What a lovely gift for mother’s day.
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting

HONORING THESE SPECIAL WOMEN

Seated (left to right): Nancy Cranmer, Phyllis Ax, Marlene Hajack. Standing (left to right) Mary Rankin, Marie Upendale, Yvonne Banning, Henrietta Hammersma, Carol Huster, Gail Foster, Veronica Otto.

Today we honor these spectacular women who gather once a month at the Attic Window Quilt Shop to make quilts for kids with cancer. Carol and Henrietta started the group over 10 years ago. During that time over 400 quilts have been donated to the DeVos Children’s Cancer Kids. The group meets the last Friday of the month and encourages anyone to come and help sew these beautiful quilts. Donations of fabric, money, batting, thread, etc. are also welcome. Phyllis is now the lead person for the group and says that last year three people in the group contributed over $1700 in fabric and batting. Other donations were also made by people in the group (but they didn’t keep track) and others outside the group. Gail and Phyllis also donate time to make up the kits during the month so that everything is ready for the women to sew on their Friday. No time is wasted. Phyllis says she has gotten lots of feedback from the hospital and that the kids love these quilts so much that they take them to college with them, to their grave, or to the foot of their bed for life. These women are truly angels. Give them a special hug when you see them.
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting

A PEEK AND A CURE

Just wanted to show you a sneak peek of the next monthly free pattern here on the blog. Hope you like it. Check back on May 1st for the download.
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It’s spring in Michigan and with that comes a phenomena known as CCF (otherwise known as Crazy Cleaning Frenzy). Did you know that CCF causes some women to hear voices? During an episode of CCF these voices appear, usually when the struggling-to-clean-her-house woman finds some forgotten UFOs. These voices nag at her day and night. Sometimes the voice is masculine (Good lord woman why don’t you finish all those projects you have before you start something new?), and sometimes that voice is feminine, sounding very much like herself (I really should finish up those other projects before I start something new.)

A cure has been found. A local minister once said (and it has never forgotten by you know who): “Thou shall not should on thyself.” Remember those words. They are magic. Once you realize what he said is true you will no longer hear voices. You are once again free to go to quilt shops and buy fabric, new patterns and most importantly start a new project.

Women deny themselves far too much while raising a family and taking care of a husband and a home. They should not deny themselves one of the greatest joys in quilting: starting a new project. The best place to find those new patterns, books and fabrics is at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Stop in and see what’s new. In fact, stop in this Friday and Saturday and take advantage of the Spring Cleaning Sale. Chris says she has to make room for all the new fabrics coming in. Now what better reason to start a new project? Think of all the good you will be doing by helping to make room for more and newer fabrics and saving money at the same time. You will be blessed for your kindness.
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Something else for you: Remember a while back I gave you the link to a blog that showed you how to make T-shirt yarn. Well, Little Black Kitty shows you what can be done with it.
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting

MAKE THIS FABULOUS SEWING BAG

This Favorite Sewing Bag is a must-have for carrying your blocks and other sewing items back and forth to class. Cathy B. is a new teacher at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Come and welcome Cathy when she teaches this class on Wednesday, May 6th.

This I Spy quilt is made with recycled denim. Use those old denim jeans, add a novelty print, and you will have the perfect quilt. There are hidden pockets too. What a fun project. Carolyn E. teaches this class on Saturday, Apr. 26th and also on Thursday, May 14th.

Joyce Sehl drove in all the way from Gaylord to the Attic Window Quilt Shop to take Maggie’s Shooting Stars class. Didn’t she do a fantastic job on this block? She stopped in at the shop recently with all her blocks finished and was looking for background fabric. Can’t wait to see the finished project. You did a great job Joyce!

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Spring is here and it’s time to clean and get organized. You don't want to miss the Spring Cleaning Sale being held Friday & Saturday (April 24 & 25) at the Attic Window. Check out the great bargains!

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With spring cleaning comes organization. Instead of buying those storage cubes, why not make them! You can color coordinate them and make them the size you want. Check out the pattern at Crazy Mom Quilts.
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!

IT'S ALL ABOUT APPLIQUE

This pattern is at the Attic Window Quilt Shop if you would like to make a cute table runner like the one above that Colleen made. Can’t you just picture it in 30s fabrics? Or how about some of those bright fabrics that are in the shop? Or picture it in the soft pastels of spring. Stop in and check it out.

This is a WIP. Remember the hearts and my plea for help. This is just one suggestion. Still needs a lot of work done, but I’m having fun with it.

Have you seen what Julie is up to lately? She has the cutest pincushion doll for her next class. This is a doll styled after 1800's paper dolls. The doll has an embroidered face and hair and comes with a wooden stand with two spool holders, and her apron holds lots of tools. Take a look at the picture on Julie’s Dolls blog (there is also a link on the sidebar).

Have you been over to Exhuberant Color lately? She has a nice tutorial for a patchwork journal cover. Very nice. Check it out.

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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting

HELP NEEDED WITH APPLIQUE HEARTS

Maybe we should call today’s topic Affairs of the Heart? Or how about My Heart Belongs 2U? Whatever it’s called, inspiration is needed. What do you do when someone gives you hearts and says “go for it?” There is an Accucut at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Chris, the shop owner, distributed these heart cutouts and asked for something creative in return.

They are all the same size. Do these fabrics even go together? This arrangement doesn’t look particularly interesting. Do you have any ideas? If you want to join in the fun, just e-mail me a picture of your ideas for these hearts and it will be posted here on the blog. It’s a fun way to get the creative juices flowing.

Speaking of hearts check out the Elefantz blog for a cute shabby heart stitchery.

At Bee last week everyone was raving about Best Press, the light weight starch. The women swore that it took out all the wrinkles, even those awful creases that you find in the end-of-bolt fabric. It smells good too and there are several different flavors available at the shop. Hint: Some women said they have diluted it to make it go further and it still works great.

Can a girl ever have too many necklaces? Over at Moda Bake Shop there is a nice tutorial for making one of those fabulous necklaces. Check it out.

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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!

NEW CLASSES AT ATTIC WINDOW

The Attic Window Quilt Shop Newsletter and quarterly Calendar is now on the blog.
Zipper Bag – Aren’t these bags cute. These small mesh bags are great for all kinds of stuff – cosmetics; your kids take along small toys; pencils and crayons; and snacks. Cindy S. will be teaching this class on Monday, April 27th. Call the Attic Window Quilt Shop to register and for further information.

Paper Piecing - If you want to do precise difficult piecing, paper piecing is the way to go. Chris has an easy technique that eliminates waste. This class begins in May.

Vickie’s quilt - One Saturday while at the shop Vickie decided to make a slice ‘m and dice ‘m quilt. Don’t you just love her vivid fabrics!

Might be a little late but Don't Look Now has a project so cute you will want to start it now so you can have it finished for next Easter. Scroll down and find the bunny.

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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting

NEW SAMPLES AND STUDENT PROJECTS

Above is a purse that student Geri made. It has scads of pockets for all those special items. Don’t you just love her fabric and how she fussy cut the outside pocket? And how about that button! It’s special too. She does such good work! Thanks for sharing Geri.

The above Sewing Caddy samples are made by Sue for her class on April 23. The pattern is free when you sign up for the class. They are so cute and so handy to have. Stop by and take a look at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

This is another student project. Yvonne showed us her Relay for Life quilt. Don’t you just love these cute fabrics? She had lots of leftover fabric so she made several purses that will be sold with the money going to Relay for Life. Thanks so much Yvonne. You do beautiful work and are truly an angel to do this.

Teachers Julie, Barb and Vickie put together kits during the Attic Window teacher’s meeting Friday night. The newsletter will be out this week. Look for it in your mailbox or you can read it on the blog. These women have lots of new classes planned for you and the promise of lots of fun.

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Molly Chicken has a tutorial for the cutest Easter birdy. Something just in time for that special child, or the child in you.

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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!

WHO DOESN'T LOVE CATS?

What is it about quilters and cats? They go together like cake and ice cream, bees and honey, needle and thread. This is Britney, part of Pam Bono’s Pussy Willow Gang. There are six different kittens in this adorable quilt. Watch for an upcoming class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.
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For that special cat in your life why not make a fishbowl quilt? The Evil Mad Scientist has a cute pattern.
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Very Important Information: Ever wondered about how to fold your quilts? Worried about getting those creases? This bias fold method eliminates fold marks. Appliqué ‘n Patch Quilting has a great tutorial with wonderful pictures on how to do this bias fold method. Check it out.
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting