NEW PROJECTS AND MORE GOOFS

Another goof...by me.  I totally forgot to post this picture of the paper pieced lion that Cathy did.  It was part of her show-n-tell when the Paper Piecing Bee met recently at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. It is really awesome.

Misti sent me a picture of her latest quilt.  I love the soft colors.  She said that she made this as a wedding gift for her daughter who is getting married next week.  What a lovely gift.  Thanks for sharing, Misti.  Enjoy the wedding.

When recently at the Attic Window Quilt Shop I saw this bag on display.  Marilyn made it and you are going to love it.

It has lots of pockets and is so cute!

Another goof. Remember this picture?  When I walked into the Attic Window Quilt Shop the other day, I was greeted with, "There she is, the city girl."  Yes, so?  Everyone started laughing.  You will have to understand that the shop is near a rural area and lots of women and men who come into the shop are familiar with "farm" things.  I guess they could tell I was a city gal because I didn't know the difference between a bail of hay and a bail of straw.  When I posted the picture with the story about the Country Fair  Barn Quilt Road Tour, I said it was a bail of hay.  Wrong!  It was a bail of straw.  When I asked how one would tell the difference, I was told that hay is green and straw is yellow.  Well, you learn something new every day!

Another goof:  I posted the times wrong for the Sunday Stitch-In.  Sunday, September 29th, the Stitch-In is from 12 noon to 5 p.m.  I think I need to work more on that Brain thing that I talked about in yesterday's post.  

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:

• CRAFT DAYS: Saturday, Nov. 23; Saturday, Nov. 30; Friday, Dec. 6; Saturday, Dec. 7.
• Watch for Make It Take It classes coming in October and November. 
• February Bus Trip is scheduled for Feb. 8.  Four shops are participating. 
• January 1, BIG SALE DAY! 

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 

• Friday, Sept. 27
• Bargello Class  **** You won't want to miss this!!
• Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29
• Stitch-In, Saturday, 10 - 4
• Stitch-In, Sunday, 12 - 5

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

• EllisandHiggs has a free quilted costers pattern.

Caroll, 

Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

BUSY DAY AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

It was a busy day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop today.  The Paper Piecing Bee had its first meeting, Marilyn was teaching a purse class, and Barb Johnson (above) stopped by and graciously showed us her quilt.  It is stunning!

Barb said that the pattern was for a table runner but she decided to make it into a quilt and will be giving it as a wedding present to her best friend's son. "They like bright colors," she said.

This is a closeup of the pretty back.  Thanks Barb for sharing.

The Paper Piecing Bee also had some Show-n-Tell.  Above, Charity (left), and Cathy (right) show us their paper pieced Christmas trees.  Awesome!

 Above, Marilyn, who was teaching another class, helps Carol P. with her paper piecing.

 And I have to show you what Shirley and Mary P. did when taking the purse class from Marilyn.  They are not finished yet but these purses are going to be fantastic.

This is another view of Shirley's purse (front) and Mary's purse (back).  Great job ladies!

It was a fun day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I hear various things about working your brain to keep it young and active.  I think my brain got a workout today as I tried to remember how I made my paper pieced block.  Hopefully I can get it squared up and show it to you tomorrow. I've heard that people of age should get lots of socialization to keep your brain in shape.  I'm sure all the fun I had socializing today did wonders for my brain.  Come to the quilt shop; it will keep you young.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:

• CRAFT DAYS: Saturday, Nov. 23; Saturday, Nov. 30; Friday, Dec. 6; Saturday, Dec. 7.
• Watch for Make It Take It classes coming in October and November. 
• February Bus Trip is scheduled for Feb. 8.  Four shops are participating. 
• January 1, BIG SALE DAY! 

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 

• Thursday, Sept. 26
• Doll Bee
• Intermediate Quilting
• Beginning Quilting
• Friday, Sept. 27
• Bargello Class  **** You won't want to miss this!!
• Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28 and 29
• Stitch-In

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

• Noodlehead has a tutorial and free pattern for a Snappy Manicure Wallet.

Caroll, 

Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD MAKE THIS

Saturday I attended the Coin Purse class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Above are the samples that the teacher Marilyn brought to class.  What a collection.  We thought the larger one would be perfect for a Bridesmaid.  However, for this class we all made the small coin purse.

After Marilyn explained how things were to be done and showed us the various frames we could choose from, we got down to the business of sewing.  Above, Lynn shows us her finished purse.

This is a close up of Lynn’s coin purse.  Isn’t it adorable?  I love her choice of fabrics.

This is the coin purse that I made for my friend Phyllis. I never thought I could make something like this.  It looked way too difficult for me.  As I've said in the past, "I only do flat."  But Marilyn made this so easy.  I came away feeling like a Pro!

 I had to leave before everyone was finished but did want to show you how Barb was coming along with her purse.  She is in the final stage of the hand sewing.  Cute fabrics.

Diana was just finishing up her hand sewing as I left.

Diana has one of those fancy phones and sent me a picture of her cute little purse all finished!  Thanks Diana!

Marilyn will be teaching a “Sew Together” bag soon.  I’ll post about it as soon as I learn the date.  Can't wait to take that class.  Marilyn is a great teacher and the bag looks so cute.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: 
A Farm Wife’s Journal has a tutorial for a candy hearts table runner.  Make this now and you’ll be all set for next Valentine’s Day.

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

A CLASS QUILTERS LOVE TO TAKE

Have you ever wanted to make a quilted bag?  You won’t be disappointed when you take a class with Lee Ann at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Once you’ve taken a class with Lee Ann you will want to take more.  You suddenly feel successful. You are pleased with what you have accomplished.  You never thought you’d be able to sew in a zipper and have it look so nice.  You would never have dreamed of making a bag that looked like you paid boo coo bucks at some high priced department store.  I bet the women who made these three bags in the photo above felt pleased when they recently took a class with Lee Ann. Aren't they beautiful!  And they look so professionally made.  Look for more of Lee Ann’s classes in the upcoming Newsletter.  Or if you don't want to wait, get a few friends together who want to take a class and call the shop to set up a time and date.

On Another Note: 

• The Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild has it’s first sew-in this coming weekend.  You can get the details by clicking on this link here or see my Sidebar.  
• Mark your calendar NOW!  Jodi Barrows, author and creator of the amazing Square in a Square technique, will lecture, demo and have a Trunk Show at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Thursday April 11th from 6-9 p.m. Call the Shop to reserve your seat as space is limited.  More info to follow in future posts.
• The Spring Fling Shop Hop will be held the week of April 12-20.  Seven shops are participating.  Daily drawings for $20 gift certificates from each shop.  Someone will be the winner of the grand prize: a Janome Sewing Machine!   Get your passport now for only $5. 
• Quilters Road Trip will be held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  Passports are only $5. 

On Another Note:   Mary Manson Quilts has a tutorial that intrigues me.  It looks like the Lil Twister quilt but it is not and you do not need to purchase a tool to make this one.  Check it out.

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

MAKE A TRIPLE ZIP POUCH or IT'S THE CAT'S FAULT

Picture this:  It’s 5:30 Sunday morning.  It’s been snowing for days.  I'm in bed asleep, snuggled down under my warm comforter, secure in the knowledge that I can sleep in because I know I am not going any place today.

And picture this:  A high chest of drawers next to the bed and a 17 lb. cat who loves to sleep on top of said chest. Remember, it's 5:30 a.m.  Said cat takes a flying leap off the chest, and crashes onto the bed startling me awake.  Then she uses my body as a balancing beam as she travels across the bed, and hops onto the floor, landing with a thunderous thump.  Now that she’s sure I’m wide awake, she stands in the doorway and lets out earsplitting meow’s. 

I ignore her, grit my teeth, and snuggle down under the covers a little deeper as I wonder about my sanity at owning a cat.  Then I give up.  I am awake.  I might as well get up and sew.
 
And this is what I did.  You may have seen the Triple Zip Pouch on other blogs, i.e. Peas In A Pod or Alamosa Quilter.   I wanted to make one too, so I rolled out of bed, fed the cat, made coffee, and went into my sewing room to tackle that project.  Above is the end result. 

This shows you the lining I used, which is really just the same fabric that I used on the bottom of the pouch.  I had visions of making this cute little pouch for all my friends and maybe even get an early start on Christmas gifts. Not! Let me tell you what happened, but first I must preface this with the fact that any troubles were certainly no fault of the pattern maker.  The problems are all my own. (Actually, it was the cat's fault!)

First of all I had it in my mind that it would be a much larger pouch than it turned out to be.  I know the size of fabrics was posted, but my mind could not grasp that.  In fact there were several things my mind didn’t seem able to grasp. (Due to said cat.)

I thought I’d have problems with the zippers, but that was not the case.  I followed the instructions and got that part put together without problems.  It was when I came to the finishing stage that I had trouble.  March Girl Designs even put together an alternate way to finish the bag, but I still could not get the pouch to look right. Stephanie and Lynn didn’t have any problems.  After re-reading the instructions several times and doing a lot of un-sewing, I finally got it, but the bag is still not perfect.  Note the rounded corner at the right top.  And I don’t know what I did wrong with the lining, but it sure isn’t as smooth as it should be.  I now know why I just do flat. (I still think it's the cat's fault.)

It is a cute bag and I would recommend anyone try it.  Most people have better skills than I do and probably don't have a cat waking them at the crack of dawn.  So check out A Quilter's Table for the tutorial.

Check out Retired To Quilt to see her bag and what she did with the zippers.  A really cute idea. Then check out Solar Threads for more interesting ideas on what to do with the zippers.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive! (oh, boy, did I ever need to remember this)
Caroll

MAKE THIS 3 ZIPPER BAG WITH US!

 Yesterday Alamosa Quilter posted about the Triple Zip Along that A Quilter’s Table is hosting.  I’ve wanted to make this bag as I need to stretch my skills in that “zipper” area.  Today while shopping with some friends, I picked out the fabrics.  I like them; however one of my friends didn’t like the stripes.  I figure I’m not that great at doing things with zippers, so I wasn’t going to spend any more time trying to find the perfect fabric.  We’d already been shopping for over an hour.  Like I said, I like these fabrics and the contrasting zippers. 

This is another look at the fabrics, without the zippers.  I’m trying to decide if I want to feature the bottom fabric as I have done here or the red in the first picture.  You’ll see what I mean when you see the bag at A Quilter’s Table blog.  What do you think?

Look what I did this afternoon!  I made that Sampler block that I put off making yesterday.  Lynn was a big help in making those half square triangles.  You can see what I mean by going to the Tips section on her blog here.  My block is not perfect, but I think all this practice is helping.

On Another Note:  Since we’re talking about bags today, I thought you might like to see the cute little ruffle coin purse tutorial that Clover and Violet has.

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

IT TAKES PATIENCE TO MAKE A PURSE

Last week I took a purse class from Lee Ann at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  As you can see above, Diana (fellow student) has her Bow Tucks bag practically finished.  She did such a good job making it and hardly needed any help from Lee Ann at all, which was fortunate because I monopolized her time.

 I struggled with my bag.  Lee Ann is a wonderful teacher.  And does she have patience!   I was amazed!  If I had been Lee Ann trying to teach me to make a bag, I would have kicked me out of the class and told me to never come back!  But not Lee Ann.  She smiled all through class.  Above Lee Ann is turning my bag.  See her big smile!

It is a small bag, perfect for what I wanted it for; however NOTHING was easy about making it.  Well, nothing was easy for me, that is, because I only do “flat.”   However, I will admit that with Lee Ann's patience and excellent instructions, the bag did turn out rather nicely.

My 87 year old friend just got an iPad and today is her birthday, I decided to make her a bag for the iPad as she isn’t hooked up to the internet yet and often carries the iPad back and forth to the library.  I was afraid she would drop it and this bag with the strap seemed like the perfect solution.  I hope she likes it. 


If you are interested in taking a purse/bag class at the shop, call and see when Lee Ann has her next class.  No matter what class she is teaching, you can make any purse/bag that you like so long as it is one that Lee Ann has made and taught before.  Note above, Diana made a Bow Tucks bag while I was making this Hip Bag.  I would recommend taking a class from Lee Ann.  She makes you look like a pro!

Last week I devoted most of my posts to the quilt show.  Today I saw some other quilts that I wanted you to see.  Maverick Quilts has pictures of a show that has an “I’m Not Crazy” category. Take a look and be sure to scroll down through the pictures and look at the sunflower made all of buttons.  Awesome!

On Another Note:   Recently Esch House Quilts announced that a holiday craft bash would soon begin.  There would be tutorials and gift ideas each week from now through Nov. 26th.  Check out her blog for who is participating and on what days.  Looks like it will be a lot of fun.  

 
On Monday, A Little Gray had the first tutorial for a darling abominable Snow man.  

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

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Knotty Girls met recently at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Judi made this Halloween quilt. She said it is from the book Simple Seasons by Kim Diehl. Isn’t it cute!

She also shared her latest purse made out of Halloween fabrics. She said she used the Ying Yang Scrap Bag pattern to make it. How cute is that!

Marcy Westveer finished another wonderful stitchery and pieced quilt from Crab Apple Hill. She made this Over The River quilt with white and black fabrics, which made an eye-catching quilt. Great job Marcy!

Want to make a Bow Tucks purse like the one above? Lee Ann is a master at making these. You won’t want to miss her class on Wednesday. Don’t forget all the other great classes coming up at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week. Check the calendar on the sidebar or take a look at the Newsletter (woman with the hat) on the sidebar.

Sew Many Ways has two great gift ideas for you.

♥
Stay Positive!
Caroll

PURSES AND TWILLING

I stopped in at the Attic Window Quilt Shop last week and cornered a few people for pictures. Above is Lee Ann’s new purse. The pattern is Bahamas Blues by Thankfully Sew. It has lots of room and a nice zippered pocket inside. Lee Ann has two purse classes this week: Weekender Tote on Wednesday from 10-4 and Taylor’s Trio Bag on Saturday from 10-4. Lee Ann said that if you prefer to make any other purse that she has as a sample in the shop, instead of these two mentioned, you can do that on Wednesday or Saturday. Just call the shop ahead of time and leave word of your pattern choice so she’ll be sure to have the necessary items on hand for teaching.

Sue Sedine was also at the shop and graciously let me take this picture of her latest twilling project. She said she’s going to finish it as a throw. There are so many things you can do with twilling. If you haven’t taken a class, you’ll want to learn this interesting technique and perhaps make a lovely throw or wallhanging like this.

I love this Biscuit purse. I noticed it sitting on the floor beneath the table. It obviously belonged to a student in Barb’s twilling class. Carol Penrod said it belonged to her. Carol lives in Florida but comes to the Grand Rapids area every summer and tries to get in a class or two at the shop. She said this Biscuit purse is her own idea. She said that the front of each biscuit is 4” square and the back is 3” square. Isn’t it darling!

I can’t believe I haven’t shown this to you. I checked in my previous posts and can’t find it so I guess I didn’t. I’m so sorry. Allie Ooops Sweet Happy Life has the cutest birdcage stitchery. Check it out.

Stay Positive!
♥
Until next time,
Caroll

PURSE FOR WOMEN & A BAG FOR MEN

Cindy made this expandable purse from a pattern by Whistlepeg Creek Productions. Isn’t it beautiful? Very classy looking. Add your own special button as she did to make it distinctly yours. You can find the pattern at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Cindy will be teaching you how to make Mallorys Big Box by This and That patterns on Wednesday, August. 18th from 2-4. I can see this in a fabric that men would like. Why pay $118 for a leather shaving kit when you can make one just like it at one forth the price. Make your special guy this boxy bag for Christmas.
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The Long Thread has a list of links for creative back to school projects. Check it out.
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Crazy Days of Summer Sale on Friday August 20th from 6-9. I don’t know any of the details yet, but the Attic Window Quilt Shop always has great sales, so mark your calendar now so you won’t miss this fantastic event.
♥
Until next time,

Caroll

MAKE THIS ID PURSE

I’d like to introduce you to Ruth DeVries. This past week I attended the Fat Quarter ID Coin Purse Class given by Ruth at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Ruth is a very special woman. She said that when she learned her granddaughters could not carry a purse to their college classes due to security reasons, and that the small ID holders that they were wearing around their neck were falling apart because the gals tried to cram too much in them, she decided to design her own. She said that after she did, so many people wanted them that she decided to make a pattern. Her first patterns did not include the lanyard. She would purchase those. She lived in Florida at the time and got ones that had her state name on them. However, that was rather expensive, so when she saw some brightly colored lanyards at the local flea market for only $1, she bought a bunch. When she took them home and showed her granddaughters, they were surprised. Ruth wondered why. Her granddaughter said, “Because the marijuana flower is printed on them.” Ruth nearly died. She didn’t know that. All she saw was the pretty and colorful flower. She quickly cut off the connectors and decided she could make her own lanyards, which she now includes in her patterns.

These are some of the ID Coin Purses that we made during class. Each is large enough to hold several items. In the front beneath the plastic, the student can place her ID. You can also get a cell phone, lipstick, money and driver’s license in this small purse. It’s big enough for a passport which makes this great for travelers. It is also wonderful for hands-free shopping. You don’t have to worry about leaving your purse in the grocery cart while you shop. If you have ever watched TV, you know that the floor is not sanitary. You’ll never have to worry about where to put your purse at the restaurant or in the restroom. Never again, will you accidently leave your purse behind. It is with you all the time, safe from purse-snatchers. Call the Attic Window if you’d like a pattern. They really are very easy to make. This is a lovely gift for a woman of any age.

♥

The Noble Wife has a cute tote bag and stitchery pattern. Check it out.
♥

Have a good weekend!

Caroll

ARE YOU A BAG LADY?

Whether you are a bag lady or not, you are going to love these bags. Above are samples for Cindy’s upcoming classes at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. You will be able to see the dates and times when the next newsletter is published. The teachers have been diligently working on getting their classes prepared for the next session. I’ll let you know when you can download it off the sidebar when we have it completed.

Cindy also made this billfold. Inside there are lots of pockets for credit cards and a zippered area for your money. This is a fun project to make and would make a lovely gift. You can purchase the pattern at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

♥

NOTICE: Julie says she has lots of notions for those making the patriotic doll that was pictured in the last post. Supplies are on a first come basis so if you are interested, sign up for that class now by calling the shop.

♥

Homeberries has the cutest Whimsical free hand embroidery designs. Check it out.

♥

Until next time: Happy quilting!

Caroll

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.

♥

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.

♥

Until Next Time: Happy Quilting.