You Made a Difference

On Saturday, Joan from 'Sew Creative' and I were vending at a quilt show in Strathroy. After we packed up and since we were at the same place at the same time, we decided to go to the Women's Rural Resource Centre in Strathroy.

Through the New Year Party we collected $5 as a donation from the party goers. Since we had over 110 people we collected $570 in cash (there were some additional donations).

We rang the buzzer and, after a few minutes, a young woman working at the Centre opened the door. We handed her the envelope and told how we collected the donations. She seemed surprised and grateful. When we said we thought they may have use of it she replied, "You should see our food bank."

So those who attended the party have made a difference for some women and children. We can be thankful when we have food for our table and know we have nourished others.

'Winter Sports' Flannel has arrived

I told a number of people I would post as soon as the flannels arrived. They came in the door about 4pm today.

Northcott Silk Inc has a line of winter sport flannel to coincide with the Olympic Games in Vancouver this winter. You can see the line at www.northcott.net (look under Fabrics and click on Flannels) and know that we have all 13 of the fabrics.

Also, they asked Canadian designers to design quilts using the flannels. Ten patterns were chosen and the quilts made. The quilts are divided into 3 trunk shows. We have the trunk show that contains Brenda's quilt 'Winter 2010', until October 3. She is taking students for a class to make this quilt in time for Christmas. The class will start in November. Call or email for details.

Tomorrow we will be making up some kits so email or call 519-666-3330. We will let you know which patterns we have and which kits are available.

Thanks For Coming

Last night was the new year party. Thank you to all the quilters and quilters' friends that came to the party. We will be donating $560 to the Women's Rural Resource Centre in Strathroy.

Over 100 people came to hear Brenda of 'Among Brenda's Quilts' and Barb of 'Babs 'n jas' show and speak about their new patterns. A display of classes being offered this fall at The Marsh Store and Sew Creative gave party goers lots of ideas.

Thanks to Barb, Brenda and QuiltSource Canada for contributions to the prize table.

The Northcott 'Winter Sports' trunk show added lots of colour to the hall. I have patterns for 5 of the quilts and will let you know as soon as the wonderful flannels arrive.

Best Things

One of the very things about being in a quilt shop is being part of your celebrations. When someone comes in to make a baby quilt and says, 'I'm a new grandma', it's wonderful to help. Or, when a family comes in to plan a wedding quilt and I see how they learn about each other as they pick out fabric.
The Marsh family ran the general store for 85 years. It's great to keep that feeling of community with the people who visit. Thanks!

BYOC or Book Your Own Class

One of the most challenging parts of running a quilt shop is designing classes that customers need and want. So we have decided to have a list of BYOC, book your own class. You need only one person for a class but if you are interested we may have someone else who wants to come too. Our classroom holds 4 so you know the class will be small.

Price will be determined when you show interest so you can decide if it fits your budget. We try to be fair and reasonable.

Topics you may choose: fitting borders, binding, mitered border/corners, speed piecing, planning a quilt, reading a pattern (one of your chosing), hanging sleeves, hand piecing, hand quilting, sunprinting, working with fusible web, machine quilting, machine applique, hand applique.....

The list is as long as the skills you need and want to learn.

The 'Amalie Collection' by Darlene Zimmerman

When Tim and I were at Quilt Market in May we went to a presentation by Darlene Zimmerman. You may know her through her line of 1930s reproduction prints. She told the story of her great great grandaunt coming to the Minnesota area in the 1800s. The story inspired her to design Civil War Era prints. The colours of her fabrics reflect the original colours as they would have been produced so there are great double pinks, lively indigos, whites, teals and chocolatey browns.

I love fabric that tells a story. We have had Beatrix Potter, Paddington Bear, the Very Hungry Caterpiller and Brown Bear fabrics for children. So after hearing Darlene speak we ordered the line of fabric by Robert Kaufman. You can see it at their website; http://www.robertkaufman.com/

Also, there are 4 sets of patterns with letters telling the stories of the settlers. I am working on getting the patterns but you can see the 'Many Blessings' quilt in an ad in the latest Fons & Porter magazine. Each pattern has a large quilt and a doll quilt as well as a historical information in letter form.

We were given 2" sample squares at Market. I made a mini quilt using the teal border print and mitered corners. Karen made a mini with black sashing. We both used border print backing.

Let me know if you want to see the patterns when they arrive.