Quilting Adventures ~ The Friendly Store for Everyone Who Creates With Fabric!

We all know that our Laura Blanchard is a wonderful awesome teacher, but now even more people know about it!  Read on for the official press release from Professional Quilter Magazine:

Laura Blanchard of Midlothian, Va., was nominated for the 2008 Quilt Teacher of the

Year Award from The Professional Quilter magazine. She was nominated by her students in

recognition of the quality of her teaching and the enthusiasm she generates for the world of

quiltmaking. The winner was announced in the Spring issue of the magazine.

Candidates were judged by a jury of previous recipients of the award and quilt teachers

on commitment to development of fine workmanship and personal expression of students;

involvement in and contributions to the field of quiltmaking; and professionalism,

including a personal code of ethics and willingness to serve as a role model.

The Spring issue of The Professional Quilter includes a profile of Laura along with all the

other nominees. Copies are available from The Professional Quilter, 22412 Rolling Hill Lane,

Laytonsville, MD 20882; www.professionalquilter.com. The cost is $9.99 ppd. ($10.59 in

Maryland).

This is the 22nd year The Professional Quilter magazine has recognized an outstanding

quilt teacher. In its 25th year of publication, The Professional Quilter provides business

information and networking opportunities to thousands of quilters around the world.

Next is Kristal!

~Kristal~
Where were you born?
I was born and raised in Mathews County, Virginia. Well, technically I was born in Williamsburg because there isn’t a hospital in Mathews. But, basically, I’m a true Virginia girl.

How long have you been sewing?
I’ve sewn most of my life. My mom sewed quite a bit and we always had a sewing machine in the corner of the living room. I started out doing those woven potholder things (with the fabric rubber bands) but got tired of that. So, one day I asked her how the machine worked. She sewed one straight line, gave me the manual, and told me to be careful. She helped me out when I got it all tangled up though!

What is the first thing you made?
Well, I always liked to embroider but never really “made” anything out of it. I did embroider flowers up and down some of my pants but the kids at school laughed at me.. : ( But then I was digging in the attic and found a bunch of denim bagged up – they were rectangles that were cut to be made for pockets my mom had found years before. Light and dark denim.. So I mustered up the courage to make my first quilt (checkerboard pattern) that I used all through high school and college.

What is your favorite sewing technique? Hand or machine?
I really like to try out all sorts of things. It depends on my mood honestly. I used to say I wasn’t patient enough for hand sewing but then Phoebe and Joyce saw some of my embroidery and called me a liar! : ) But I do love to zip away on my Babylock more than anything! Although, now I want to learn hand appliqué for some reason…

What is your favorite color?
I always say deep, dark red to this.. But not the purple burgundy kind.. Working at Quilting Adventures (and hearing Phoebe squeal when we get in any lime green) has made me branch out quite a bit!

What color do you have the most trouble using in your quilts?
Purple. Although I just used it recently. And I might use it to make a wedding gift for my boyfriend’s sister soon. I think I just convinced myself some time ago that I didn’t like purple.. But, again, the quilt shop has helped me appreciate all colors!

What inspires you?
I’m really not trying to suck up to Joyce.. But working at the shop definitely inspires me… Getting to see new books, customers projects, etc. I’m also inspired currently by all the blooming flowers.

Favorite book?
I have a hard time with ‘favorites’.. It changes.. The first thing that came to mind is Winnie the Pooh. I just read One Hundred Years of Solitude recently which was very good. My favorite quilting book at the moment is Last Minute Quilted + Patchwork Gifts.

Favorite movie?
Princess Bride, and anything with Hugh Grant and/or Johnny Depp

Favorite band?
I’ve been in a music funk lately (I’m not the biggest fan of Richmond radio stations).. But I really like Nickel Creek, Counting Crows, and lots of girly acoustic guitar things.

Favorite song?
Ode to a Butterfly by Nickel Creek

How long have you been working for QA?
Not even a year yet.. since the late fall.. like, October I think.

You can view more of Kristal’s work on her blog at:
http://dawnstitches.blogspot.com/

Kristal and her boyfriend John

You can view the biography on our website:

http://www.quiltingadventures.com/staffpage.htm#kristal

Well, our results from the staff Ugly Fabric Challenge are in, and the winner is…………Betty! Followed very closely by Susan and MaryN. Here is a picture of their three entries, along with a closeup of Betty’s.

Also a shot of all of the entries (not the greatest mind you):

From left to right:
Nina’s quilt, MaryN’s bag and accessories, Betty’s round quilt, Susan’s smocked dress, Karen’s apron, Karen’s shoe pincusion, Rey’s quilt, Nina’s vest, Joyce’s quilt, MaryT’s quilt, Amy’s dog collar, and Phoebe’s quilt.

Hi everyone! Remember me (Joyce)? Thank you all very much for the well wishes and cards, etc. I am healing – slowly, but healing. Still not driving, and still not able to use my right arm for very long (as in typing), but each day it hurts a little less and I grow a little stronger.

Please remember that tomorrow is the deadline for our Bag Contest – if you start sewing right now you still have time to get a bag done to enter!  The judging on the bags will take place this weekend, and we will announce the winners (with photos) here.

Speaking of contests, if you haven’t come in the shop to see the Ugly Fabric Staff Challenge and vote for your favorite, please do so soon!

I miss you all and hope to see you soon!  Once I get past this needing a nap every day thing…. 

~Joyce

This week’s bio is Mary T:

~MaryT~

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Have been living in Richmond since 1994 with my husband Henry. Our son Chris is 29 years old, our daughter Caitlin is 25 and they live in Brooklyn, NY, a few blocks away from each other.

I started sewing during the summer when I was 13 years old — that awkward age when you’re too old to hang around doing nothing and annoying Mom, but too young to get a job. So my mother sent me to the Singer Sewing School where we made an A-line dress, which actually fit! From then on I was hooked.

I have made clothing for myself and children, as well as curtains, pillows and bed skirts and lots of stuffed animals. I’ve sewn costumes for several local theater and ballet companies. I even sewed costumes at King’s Dominion one season when they had an ice skating show and we had to “rig” all the skaters’ clothes so they would stay tucked in at the waist.

All shades of blue and green are my favorites, and I prefer sewing by machine. For hand work I like to knit and crochet. Working at QA inspires me — both the bright colorful fabrics, and the creative talented staff. All the artsy stuff we sell is exciting, and I’m working on “unleashing my inner artist” by taking lots of classes here.

As a former children’s librarian, I love reading contemporary novels and still enjoy books written for kids and teens. I like trying out new cooking and baking recipes.

Here’s the link if you would like to view the webpage:

http://www.quiltingadventures.com/staffpage.htm#maryt

Just a reminder, our Fat Quarter Frenzy is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday only!  All of our cotton FQs will be on sale – 10 for $15.  You have to buy them in batches of 10.  If you want to buy less than ten, they are regular price.  This is not a special group of FQs that we have picked out just for the frenzy, it includes all of our regular fabrics!  We will restock Sunday morning, so if you come on Sunday you should still be able to find some great stuff!  This is a great way to add to your stash, or a chance to buy all the fabric for that next gift!

See you then!

Today one of our teachers, Susan, decided to write a short review of the new issue of Creative Needle magazine:

“When I stop at Quilting Adventures, someone usually has something new I need to see, and Sunday was no exception.  The June issue of Creative Needle has arrived.  The cover alone hooked me.  It was a cute outfit embellished with yo-yos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the smocked bishop dress class I recently taught, we went over how to alter the pattern if one wished to use checks or plaids.  This issue of Creative Needle has very good instructions and illustrations for this alteration.  And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!  It’s a packed issue.
Happy Smocking,
Susan”

I’ve looked through it myself, and as a non-smocker, there are plenting of other things in there.  I also enjoyed reading through their wonderful suggestions for yo-yos!

Last week, one of our customers, Janet, came in with this wonderful bag made from the Amy Butler home dec fabric.  The pattern is from the book “Slouchy Bags” by Cindy Taylor Oates.  She did a wonderful job matching up the fabric too!

One of our customers, Kris, sent us a picture the other day of an adorable stuffed kitten she made.  She said she got all the fabric from our store, and this was the first stuffed animal she’d made!

Isn’t it cute?!?!?

Awhile ago mom decided that she wanted some samples made from some of our patterns.  One of them was this really cute teepee.  Mary bravely offered, and has already made one!  This is just her practice one, she plans on making one for the shop out of some of our fabric.  She says that it is “large enough for two toddlers and lots of toys”!  I’m assuming that these are her two adorable grandchildren inside.  We have plenty of the patterns in stock!