HEART OF WINTER BUS TOUR

The Heart of Winter Bus Tour was this past Saturday and it was such a fun trip that I took lots of pictures to share with you.  There were four quilt shops involved in the tour.  We met at the Attic Window Quilt Shop at 7:30 a.m.  We ate sweet rolls and drank coffee while we meandered around the shop waiting for everyone to arrive.  The theme this year for the Tour was coffee mugs.  Above is the darling table topper that Chris designed.  Note the 9-patch to the left of the mug.  That is for playing tic tac toe!  How cute.  Patterns were given to participants and kits were available for purchase.

Above, participants signed in and picked up their name tags as they arrived.

This is Lauren and Brynn.  Remember Brynn from last year?  I blogged about her here .  And she gave us her wonderful cookie recipe here.   More about them later. 

Our first stop was Quilted Memories in Montague, MI.  Above, Jill (owner) shows us what we can do with the kits she gave everyone.  Included with each coffee cup were directions for making a mug rug and directions and fabric to make a pin cushion using the mug she gave us and a bag of green tea!  What a cute idea!

It seems everyone is crazy about hexagons.  Isn’t this quilt beautiful!

Jill showed us how to make these hexagons using the Creative Grids Hexagon Trim Tool.  She demonstrated how you can create perfect pieced hexagons with 2”, 4”, 6” finished centers by squaring up each round of strips as you go.   Since each round is squared up before the next set is added, the blocks created are perfect hexagons. This is a must-have tool if you want to make hexagons.

Of course there were refreshments and then we were on our way to Around The Block Quilt Shop in Portland, MI. It was a long drive, but the roads weren’t too bad and it gave us a chance catch up on what our quilting friends have been doing while snowed in.

Above the shop owner greets us and tells us about the discounts and that there was a marvelous lunch waiting for us in the other room!   It was a difficult decision…go eat lunch, or look at all the bright beautiful fabrics. 

We had plenty of time to do both.  Above, some of the women ate and admired the beautiful sample quilts in the room.

 Back in the bus and the next stop was Quilts Plus in Kalamazoo, MI.  The first thing that caught my eye as I entered the store was this beautiful quilt.  I think it is a Laundry Baskets pattern.

This is a lovely store with lots of fabrics and notions.  Above, Amber shows me this Dritz Bobbin Box that she said would not let my threads roll around and come loose!

Of course there was nourishment for us (these bus trips can be so taxing) and these cute mugs to purchase that were filled with directions and fabrics to make their mug rug.

Now, back to Lauren and Brynn.  Brynn came on the bus trip last year and this year brought along her friend Lauren.  Brynn told me that over this past year she’d made a number of pillowcases and lots of covers for her friends at school for their electronic items.  It was so much fun to watch these young women in the shops.  They knew what they wanted and pulled fabric bolts like pros.  If they couldn’t find it, they found a clerk and asked for help.  It was thrilling to see their excitement in a fabric shop.

During our long trips, the young women helped Lee Ann and me (co-hosts on the bus) and would go up and down the aisle distributing water and snacks.  They also helped with distributing the gifts.  Chris (AW owner) had put together a large bag of gift items.  Lauren would draw a name of someone on the bus, and Brynn would pick a gift from the bag and take it to the person whose name was picked!   Lee Ann and I cannot thank them enough for all their help.  It was a lot of work!

When we arrived back at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, dinner was waiting for us.  Above is just a picture of one small part of the table.  We had wonderful soup, wraps, Salad, and Red Velvet Cake!  I don’t think any of us had to worry about cooking that night. Chris also gave each of us a packet that contained a couple recipes, a couple patterns, some candy, and a fat quarter!  Thank you Chris!

Of course we had plenty of time to look around the shop.  This is a new quilt made with the Double Diamond ruler. Isn't it stunning?   I think Marilyn made it and will probably be having a class.  Keep an eye on the calendar for that.

I also wanted to show you Lee Ann’s latest bag.  I love this bag and can’t wait to take the class. 

I hope you will take advantage of this bus tour next year as it is fun and a great way to cure those winter blues.  Thanks Chris (and all the other shop owners) for all the hard work you did.  I can’t imagine this is an easy task!

DON’T FORGET: 
The Happy Scrappers meet on Wednesday, Feb. 12th, and on Saturday, Feb. 15th.  Don’t forget to bring things for show-n-tell.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Don’t forget your little fury loved one during Valentine’s Day.  Sew 4 Home has a tutorial for making a Valentines Catnip Heart Mouse.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

IF YOU ARE AN LARs, THIS POST IS FOR YOU

Calling all Local Area Residents (LARs).  If you like anything at all about quilting, you are going to love the Heart of Winter Bus Tour.  This trip on Saturday, February 11^th is for YOU.    There are many reasons to participate in this tour, the above snowman being just one of them.   You will get a Free pattern, each of a different season, when you visit each shop on the tour.  The above Snowman is the FREE pattern from the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Let me tell you about the trip: 

Participants should arrive at the Attic Window Quilt Shop between 7:30 and 7:55 a.m. on Saturday.  Why not come early?  Chris said she will  have warm coffee and goodies for you if you haven’t had time for breakfast.  The bus leaves the shop at 8:00 a.m. sharp.

First stop is Portland where you will visit the Around the Block Quilt Shop.  This shop provides a rich selection of colorful fabric, books and patterns to inspire your creativity.  You will have an hour and a half to shop and enjoy looking at all the beautiful samples in the shop.

Next, the bus will take you to Quilts Plus in Kalamazoo where you will get an hour and a half to shop. You will find many quilts on display plus thousands of bolts of 100% cotton fabric, quilting books, patterns and supplies.   After shopping you will enjoy a nice lunch provided by the shop (included in price of tour).

From there you will take the bus to Montague, MI where you will visit Quilted Memories.  You will spend an hour and a half at this shop which has a wide selection of quality fabrics and supplies.  By the way, the shop’s mission statement is “Helping you create tomorrow’s treasures.”  Sounds like my kind of place!

Make sure you don’t spend all your money at the previous shops because, last but not least, the bus will take you back to the Attic Window to spend three hours shopping (Chris is just kidding).  However, we will get plenty of time to shop the featured reproduction fabrics of all kinds, from Civil War prints to 1930’s fabrics, plus the wonderful selection of bright fabrics.  New books, patterns, supplies and fabrics arrive at the shop on a daily basis.  There is always something new to see, like their new dolls which have been featured on a couple blog posts. 

You won’t want to miss this fun tour and take advantage of the free patterns, special discounts, and loads of fun with like minded friends.  Call the shop today and register.  Reserve your spot now.  Space is limited.

 

Remember last Monday I blogged about a block that Wayne Kollinger had on his blog and mentioned that I had a little problem with it.  Wayne has so graciously written specific details for making those triangles that gave me a problem.  Thank you Wayne.  I’m going to make some more of these blocks. 

 

SewHappy Me is having a quilt along.  Get over there now to get part 1 directions and templates as they will only be up for one week.

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

SMALL PROJECTS FOR NEW TECHNIQUES

For those of us who didn’t get to go on the Heart of Winter Tour bus trip in February (I blogged about it here), I want to show you a few things we missed. Judy brought these to share when the First Saturday Bee met at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Above is the wall hanging that Judy made. She received this pattern from one of the shops they visited on the tour. Judy said the pattern was for a pillow but she decided to make it into a wall hanging. The object was to learn how to make prairie points. Isn’t it darling!

This pattern was from another shop they visited.  The object of this project is to learn how to make a block using crayons.  Judy said she learned a lot and was surprised that special crayons were not needed.  Didn’t she do a great job!  I like the quilting too!

This little wool penny rug was given to all who rode the bus that left from the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Sally served as hostess and distributed these packets so the women would have something to do during their ride. Sally, I bet those women love and thank you.  I hope someday to get to participate in this fun event.  Keep your eyes open for next year's tour.

The Quiltiger has some free quilt block patterns. Click on the featured block on the right to get the directions that are in PDF format. It comes in 5”, 6”, 12” blocks.

♥
Stay Positive!
Caroll

MUG RUG FOR YOU!

  

Remember when I told you about the tutorial that Barb of Bejeweled Quilts had?   I made this mug rug from her tutorial.  I’m planning on giving it to Allie of Allie Ooops Sweet Happy Life as one of her Christmas Through The Winter give-aways. I'm such a slob and this little mat really protects my table.  I love Barb's pattern,  Have you had a chance to think about starting in on next year's Christmas gifts?  I'm thinking about them because I sure don't want to go through that last minute rush like I did this year.  Check out Allie's blog.  There is nothing to commit to.  You can hop in and out as you please.  You just link to her blog during her post at the end of the month and get a chance to win the give-aways.  Check her blog often as she has links to tutorials and patterns too.

This is a close up of the mat.  The pattern is so easy and these fabrics add a touch of color to brighten up these dull winter days.

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Heart of Winter Tour 

Come join us for our Heart of Winter Tour on Saturday, February 12^th.   No need to worry about the weather or road conditions.  Just sit back and relax while you ride in a warm, comfortable bus.  A bus will pick you up at one of the four participating shops: Quilts Plus, Kalamazoo; Around the Block, Portland; Quilted Memories, Montague; and the Attic Window Quilt Shop; and take you to each of the other shops.  The hours are approximately 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For the price of $40 you will ride in luxury while you talk to your quilting friends, receive lunch, free patterns for a winter project, and watch demos at each store.  This is a fun trip to help you get rid of those mid-winter blues.  Sign up at one of the participating shops before the end of January.  Actually, you would be best to sign up ASAP because last year there was a waiting list.  An early registration will guarantee you a seat, and let each shop owner know if a larger bus is required. 

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Don’t forget the SNOW DAYS OF JANUARY at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Stop in anytime during the month and take advantage of the special events and sales.  All month we are giving away a free snowman pattern.  You can enter your name for a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate. You will also get 20% off all fabrics on bolts. 

Each week during the entire month of January there will be a special sale.

           

2^nd Week –         Jan 10-15…..20%off all books

3^rd Week –         Jan 17-22…..20% off all kits

4^th Week –         Jan 24-29.....Buy five pre-cut fat quarters and get one free.

NOTE: There is a 50% off special on a selected Christmas fabrics, patterns, books, and kits all during the month of January.

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Diary of a Quilter has a quilt as-you-go table runner tutorial. Looks like it will be a fun project to add to Allie’s Christmas Through The Year projects.

PS:  Don't forget Mary Lou's Sock Block Swap.  There is still time to participate.  You can read about it on my previous post.  You can sign up by going to Mary Lou and Cherries Too on my side bar and then scrolling down and joining her Yahoo group.  It is going to be such fun!

♥

Stay Positive!

Caroll