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

A week or so ago I wrote a blog entry about the Piece and Quiet Activity Book.  And it was on a “memory card error” day so I couldn’t post pictures.  Well, here are a few.  But before I show the pictures, I must tell you that the sample book has gone back to the pattern designer.  HOWEVER, we do hae the patterns for sale in the shop, and we’re thinking of offering this as a block of the month.  If you *might* be interested, please let us know!  No commitment at this time, we’re just collecting a list of interested people.  And now, the pictures. 

~Joyce

My sample for our new BOM is almost done!  It’s quilted and bound – I opted to do a straight binding rather than the scalloped binding the pattern calls for.  It also calls for appliques in the borders *after* it’s been quilted.  In this picture, you can see a few stars just laid on the border to see how they look – I’m still deciding if I want to add stars or not, as the quilting really shows up on the black borders!  I’m also going to add some crystals to the quilt, but I need to get it hanging up in the shop you all you folks will sign up. 

My quilt is the wall hanging size.  There is also a king/queen option that is the exact same pattern but done with large pieces.  There are color options, too – white background and/or pastel colors (instead of my brights).  We’ll be doing demo sessions with this BOM, too, but they aren’t mandatory.  You’ll be glad when you’ll attend, because I have lots of tips and tricks to pass along.  Follow this link to learn more about the Kaleidoscope of Kolor BOM, and now (drum roll please) – here’s my sample!

This will also be available to purchase online – more details soon!

~Joyce

If you get Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, the August/September issue (and I’m sorry, I don’t have the page number but it’s in the reader’s letters section), one of our youngest, sweetest, most adorable customers is pictured with his entry in Phoebe’s birthday challenge contest – Jefferson M.  Here’s a picture of his quilt:

I’m sorry there hasn’t been much customer show and tell lately.  I have a few things in my inbox ( a very SCARY place!), but most of the recent photos were on the camera memory card that died.    So if we took a photo of your quilt and you haven’t seen it here, that’s why.  Please feel free to email it to us at info @ quiltingadventures.com (take out spaces), or – possibly even better, because you don’t have to wait for me – you can post photos yourself on our QA Facebook Fan page!

~Joyce

Have you signed up for the Minnesota Road Show yet?  Don’t know what it is?    Well, read on! 

The Minnesota Road Show is a “teaching trunk show” from four of Minnesota’s top designers – Debbie Bowles of Maple Island Quilts, Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs, Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka’s Treasures, and Linda Hohag of Brandywine Design.  On August 15, two of our teachers (Michele Holt and Cheryl Schenck) will teach the designer’s techniques including step-by-step instructions, tips and handouts, and of course, show and tell!  When you sign up for a session, you get four mini-classes, a goody bag including  coupons,  refreshments, and door prizes – all for only $10!  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn four new techniques in one exciting event.

We are offering three different sessions of the MRS, all on August 15 – they start at 10:15, 1:00, and 3:15.  If you stop by to sign up, you can see the wonderful display of samples we have – some on loan from the designers and some made by our talented teachers (of course, if you can’t make it on the 15th, be sure to come by before then to see the display and pick up some books and/or patterns!).  Or you can call to sign up, or follow the link on this page to sign up online.  Seating is limited, so don’t delay.

Just to whet your appetite, here’s a shot of PART of our awesome display:

~Joyce

Next Friday, July 31, is our “I Can’t Believe it’s a Sweatshirt!” class, in which you make this cool sweatshirt:

Yes, I know it’s July, but our AC works really well, and if you start the jacket  now, it’s sure to be done in time for cool weather!  To add a little more enticement, I’m putting all of our sweatshirts on sale for 20% off, now through the end of July.  The sale is limited to stock on hand, so don’t wait too long to shop!

~Joyce

Hey!  All you people who say you can’t sew garments because they don’t fit?  Please come take Saturday’s class with Jonathan on how to make a sundress (photo below).  AND BEFORE YOU SAY THE STRAPS ARE TOO SKINNY – Jonathan will teach you how to widen the straps so your bra straps aren’t showing (for those of us who aren’t totally at ease with the show-your-undies trend).  This is a really good silhouette for all body types (if you know what I mean).    And please don’t be uneasy about the class being taught by a man – I promise you will love Jonathan, and he knows so much about sewing and fitting and making things work – you’ll be thrilled at how much you learn from him in just one day.  And he’s FUN! 

Please call or stop by to sign up today!

~Joyce

For the past week or so, we’ve had a Piece and Quiet Activity book on loan   from the Quilted Fish – this is one of the new pattern companies we found at Market that’s been a big hit.  Here’s what the pattern cover looks like, but honestly – that doesn’t really tell you much!

And I would include photos of the book itself, but we’ve had camera issues (another whole separate post).

ANYWAY, it’s an ADORABLE children’s activity book with pages of the cutest sewn projects and activities.  Kids learn how to buttons, tie, do I-Spy/matching, count, snap, melt a snowman, play with bees, and count money – all with cute animals, a treasure map, and more!  It’s great for taking on trips and the perfect use for those adorable fabrics you’ve been collecting.

OR, for those of you who don’t have the right fabrics, we’re considering doing it as a block of the month, so that we do the shopping for you and you make just one page a month!  But you need to see the book in person, and let us know to put you on the list for the possible block of the month (not a commitment – we’re just collecting an list of interested people).

Here’s the bad news (for you) – I have the mail this thing to the next shop on Tuesday, which means you have to come to the shop today (Sunday) or Monday to check it out.    This week has been so busy at the shop (which is, of course, good news for us!), and I’ve been teaching so much, that I am just now (Sunday at 6:30 am) getting around to writing this post; I’m sorry I didn’t give you all more warning!  Based on the interest I’ve seen so far, I think I’m going to have to bribe one of my staff into making a sample for the shop. 

I’ll try to write about these in a more timely manner when they get here, but we do have more samples on the way from the Quilted Fish that should arrive later this week or early next week – a small trunk show of quilts that we’ll have for two or three weeks. 

Hope to see you VERY soon to check out the Piece and Quiet book!

~Joyce

We’re offering a special on the Stained Glass class with Laura that starts next Tuesday evening, July 21, 6-8 (the second and final class is the next week, the 28th).  The class fee is half price – $12.50! – for four hours of good instruction with one of the best teachers in town! You have your choice of four patterns and will learn Laura’s great technique that takes so much of the headache out of stained glass.  Here’s one of the quilts:

Click here for more info on the class.

Please call or stop by to sign up today!

~Joyce

We’ve got two classes coming up this week and next that use pre-cut 2 1/2″ strips to make beautiful quilts, and they’re quick!  Using pre-cut strips takes so much of the cutting work out of the process so you can get down to sewing much more quickly.  And the results are great because the die cutter cuts all the strips to a *perfect* 2 1/2″!

Thursday well be doing the log cabin quilt.  If you want to make a smaller or larger one, you can do that, too – just adjust the amount of strips you bring accordingly.  If you’re working from your own stash, be sure to set up a time to come in a use the die cutter before class so you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Next Thursday we’ll be doing the Tree Quilt.  Yes, my version screams Christmas, but it doesn’t have to – it can be fall, or fun funky colors, or whatever you choose.  And again, if you don’t want to make the size I’ve made, you can adjust accordingly.  I think these would make cool wall

hangings to embelish, or maybe three blocks in a row for a table runner.  Same deal on the precutting – if you want to work from your stash (or are buying fabric that we don’t have precut), just make a date with the die cutter.

Please call or stop by to sign up today!

~Joyce

Time for another blog giveaway.  Short notice on a class, just like always. 

Saturday July 18, Michele is teaching the Kaledioscope Star quilt using Marti Michell’s Kaleido-ruler. The ruler makes it so easy to cut accurately, and it’s surprisingly easy to get these cool kaleidoscope effects (although you don’t have to do the “fussy-cut” version – you can just cut it “normally” and get incredible movement in your quilt just by good fabric choices).  And, if the fabric selection scares you, Michele is offering a special fabric selection session at the shop on Tuesday evening, the 14th (I TOLD you this was short notice!).

So, make a comment below before 6 AM EST Tuesday June 14th, and I’ll use random.org to pick the lucky winner of the class.  Then we’ll call you first thing Tuesday morning so you can come to the fabric selection session Tuesday evening.

Good luck to all!

~Joyce