Monday, December 20, 2010

Remembering Grandma

The History of 'APRONS'



I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

This could my own Grandma in her apron.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Remember when Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

People would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think anyone ever caught anything from an apron - but love...


Notice it says "Medium" is size 14-16!


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Shopping song

Get up early Friday after Thanksgiving and sing this song as out the door you go. The tune is to the traditional Thanksgiving song of Over the River and Through the Woods.
Over the river and through the woods
To local quilt shops we go.
The car knows the way to carry us all
Through black Friday crowds, oh no!


We’ll shop all day for that special buy
And bring home a lot more stash
We love to quilt and love to shop
Even though it gives our spouse a rash.


Over the river and through the crowds
We must find what is just right
We’ll shop this day and sew tomorrow
And have a great delight.

Have a great Holiday!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Baobab Blanket Kit "Follow the Stitch"

Follow the Stitch
Baobab Blanket Kit

New on our website is a set of very cute kits. They come in multiple choices for color. The top is a single panel with designs that look like they have been stitched on. You can stitch along those same lines or do your own quilting or even tie this quilt. Included is the backing and a satin binding in the same color as the quilt top. Makes into a darling quilt for a baby or toddler.

The fabric is all a very soft flannel. The kits come from RJR Fabrics, so you know it is great fabric. The design in from 2 mod moms. They did well.

See the options at http://www.beehivequilts.com/followthestitchkit

Keep on quilting.

Up coming shows to go see

In January there is Heart of the Valley Quilt & Textile Show in Modesto. It will be held at the Modesto Centre Plaza at 10th & K Streets in Modesto. The start time is 10 a.m. This is for all quilters and textile and fiber art crafters. Fun, raffles and all. For more information, go to www.countrycrossroadsquilters.com.


The next weekend, January 20 to 23rd is Road to California Quilt Show in Ontario. Gil and I went last year. It is great fun. Just wear good walking shoes and plan on spending a lot of time there. Be sure to take your patience with you, as there are lines and groups of people to get through or around. There is so much to see! For more information, go to http://www.road2ca.com/.

Love those shows.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Honey and Cinnamon

Okay, so this has nothing to do with quilting, but I think it is interesting information. I am going to try it. I figure it cannot hurt.


Cinnamon and Honey


Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey.. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.


Cinnamon and Honey


Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.


Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:


HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.


ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.


BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.


CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.


COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.


UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.


GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.


IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.


INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.


INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu..


LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.


PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.


SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.


WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.


CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.


FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.


BAD BREATH:
People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.


HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

Friday, November 19, 2010

River City Quilt Guild Sacramento

Wow! What a fun day I have had today. Elisa and I went to River City Guild's annual quilt show. It is always fantastic featuring beautiful quilts, wonderful vendors, and a great country store. It is a quilt show that you have to plan to spend hours in, not just one to run in and run out of. Take your time and see it as it is. Wonderful!

There I was seeing wonderful quilts and realized I had forgotten a camera. Elisa had her phone camera and took the following pictures. Thanks, Elisa.

This took a second place. I thought it was the most beautiful. Love it.

This is Laurel Anderson's quilt. She is one of my favorite designers. Beautiful quilt. I guess I am not the only one that thinks she does wonderful work, but she took best of show with this quilt. Good job, Laurel.

El dia de los muertos. I do not normally like skeletons, but this one is fantastic. I love the use of color. Stunning.

This is the quilt ladder Gil made to donate to the raffle part of the show from Beehive Quilts.


This one was stunning, too. It took first place in its category AND best use of color. A lot of work went into this quilt.

Plus a great part was the show's raffle choices. Between Elisa and I we purchased 50 tickets. I thought we might have a chance to win something! Well I got a call an hour ago, and I had won a kit to make a popsicle quilt. Love it!

Best of all, we saw a lot of the people we met while our store in Woodland was open. It was wonderful to say hello to them all again. Miss you all.

Peggy





Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Brownsville Quilt Guild Show

Last Friday Gil, Elisa and I loaded up our Expedition. Gil and I headed up to Brownsville CA. Brownsville is a quaint little community in Northern California. It has a bakery on one of the main corners of the community that I was told is the best place around. The only problem was it was closed by the time we got there and is closed every Saturday and Sunday, which were the days we were there. One day we will take a drive and go have breakfast at the bakery in Brownsville.

Saturday and Sunday was spent as a vendor at the quilt show. What fun it was. And a lot of people came through. I loved it. Who knew such a small community could hold such a successful quilt show? If you are around Northern California in 2011, be sure to come to the Brownsville quilt show on November 5-6, 2011. You will love it. Plus we will be there as a vendor.

I like to take pictures of some of the quilts at the different shows I go to. Here are some from Brownsville:
I love unique quilts. Cute quilt. This was one of my favorites at the show. Of course it helped that it was right above my booth and I looked at it several times a day. The colors were gentle. The design was cute. It was well put together. Just darling.


The Cobbler Guy and his wife were there with the most beautiful and yummy individual cobblers, along with cookies and breads. The absolute best was the Elvis bread. You have find him to find out what the Elvis bread is. We bought a loaf and I wanted to eat the whole loaf myself - but I didn't. They always are at this quilt show, plus they are at Grass Valley and Nevada City events. Search them out.

Lovely antique crazy quilt. This was made out of velvet. It was roped off so we could not touch it. Darn!

Quilts designed like this are hard to take pictures of, as the design tends to run together. This was a striking quilt. Beautiful colors and very nicely done.

I have always loved the puffed blocks. They were popular many years ago. They are back. Makes you want to take this quilt down and wrap yourself up in it.


Beautiful applique quilt.


Monday, October 4, 2010

Halloween wall quilt

So since our move into a new home, I have had fun going through boxes from my sewing room. I am finding things that I forgot I even owned. I came across a couple of panels that I purchased from Joann's years ago. One is a scarecrow that is so cute. I thought what can I do with him? So I made a quilt wall hanging.

I ironed fusible web on his back then ironed him onto the plaid back ground fabric. I think it was a good choice. Then I sewed all around him with a decorative stitch with my sewing machine. I normally would have waited until I was ready to quilt, but the fusible was old and did not stick very well.

Next I added the two borders. On top of them I fused the pumpkins and other items on. They came from the same panel and worked really well to highlight the quilt a little.

I made a major mistake of using a very old, very fluffy bag of batting when I quilted it. So it is way puffier than I would ever want, but I left it anyway. Note to others: do not use that old, fluffy batt you have have hanging around. Donate it or throw it away. I actually took the rest and used to wrap some stuff that I was mailing out for protection. Works really well for a buffer.

I like the quilt a lot and I had a long, narrow wall over a stair case that it fits beautifully.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Table Runners - Chocolate and Bagels

Tables runners anyone? They seem to be making a big splash. Using some of the high quality, delightful fabrics that are available at quilts stores, it is easy to make whimsical, charming, seasonal, or just plain utilitarian table runners. Here are a few I made recently [the chocolate and bagels are available on line at http://www.beehivequilts.com/]:


Bagels with machine applique

Bagels on black

Chocolate all around

Chocolate all through

Center table mat and 4 placemats. Fall themed.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Sacramento Zoo - No quilts there

When our quilt store was open, Mondays were are play days. Well actually Mondays were often spent doing paperwork at the shop. Anyway today became a play day. No sewing. No quilting. Just playing.

My daughter, her daughter and I went to the Sacramento Zoo. We saw so many beautiful animals. Flamingos. Lions and tigers, but no bears. Gila monsters, snakes and poison frogs. Monkeys, birds - big and little, giraffes, emus and even an ostrich.


Red Tail Hawk


Poison Tree Frog - beautiful

Gorgeous flamingos


Posing giraffe

Tiger seemed to love my granddaughter. Something about the weakest of the herd.

Feeding the giraffe. Long tongue!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Tracy Brookshier at Rivercity Quilt Guild

Third Tuesday of every month is Sacramento's River City Quilt Guild general meeting. I am a member and love to go. This is a big quilt guild. I do not know the exact number of members, but I know it is over 200. Great guild and they will be having a great quilt show in November. Go to http://rivercityquilters.org/show/index.html to learn more.

Anyway last night they had as their guest speaker Tracy Brookshier. She is a wonderful quilt designer and a great speaker. She was invited to have one of her quilts shown at a quilt show in Japan. She brought back slides of some of the wonderful quilts shown there and some of the sites of where she was. I tried to find a website that showed the festival after the fact. All I found was the original before website http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/quilt/.

Then she showed just a smidgen of her quilts that she has made. They are really fantastic. She was teaching a class today, but I failed to sign up for it. She will be teaching her Japanese Jigsaw pattern. It looks complicated. She said it is not. I have heard others say it really is not. You do have to purchase a special template to make it, though.

If you want to learn more about Tracy, to go: http://traceybrookshier.com/ I was quite impressed to see she was the creator of the Bento Box pattern. That class was taught at our store when it was open. Everyone who took the class loved it. Many have made several of the pattern. Good job, Tracy. Loved your presentation, too.

Keep on quilting.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Great website for quilt guild shows

I just came across a great website to tell you where and when quilt shows are. Remember it is only as good as the data submitted. Attention to all you guild members that want your quilt show advertised, go to this site, too. Plus much more that I have not even gone into. It has every month listed at the top, so all you have to do is click and search. There are postings for all over the United States - not just California.

The site is http://www.quiltguilds.com/september.htm

Happy Quilting

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Georgetown CA Quilt Show 2010

As posted earlier, there was a quilt show today in Georgetown. It was a very winding and narrow road that took up there, but it was well worth the drive. The show was in a small but beautiful park - thank goodness for the good weather. It was only $5 to enter the show, but all funds were to go to the local fire department. A very good cause.

No vendors were there. Just quilts, hot dog sales and the guild boutique. Here are pictures of some of the quilts:


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My favorite - pineapple design. Stunning quilt.

  






The wind made picture taking difficult
  


Beautiful winter quilt.



I will make this quilt design someday.
I will. I will. I will.
 

 
This was one of many honored quilts from previous shows.

Remember. It was for the fire department.


Quilt show in Georgetown this weekend

September 18, 2010: Georgetown Outdoor Quilt Show

Sponsored by the Needle Nellies of Georgetown. Event to be held at Georgetown Park, Harkness & South Streets, Georgetown, CA. Hours: Sat, 10-4pm

Want to go to the gold country for a nice drive today AND a quilt show? Go to Auburn. Then:
Take exit #119C/ELM AVE - go 0.2 mile
Turn Left on ELM AVE - go 0.1 mile
Turn Left on HIGH ST(CA-193)
Continue to follow CA-193 - go 2.4 miles
Turn Right on COLOMA RD(CA-49) - go 3.6 miles
Turn Left on CA-193 - go 12. miles
Arrive at the center of 95634 Georgetown

Love those quilt shows. It is only on today, so get with it.

Friday, September 17, 2010

New Quilt Store - Sew Fun

The following is a review about a new shop in Folsom. They are so new they do not have their website up and running yet. But it is well worth the drive to see it.

There's a new Shop In Town

Review! by Margaret Ann Ward

The brand new quilt shop, Sew Fun, located at 150 Natomas Station Blvd, suite #200, is going to shape up to be quite the shop. Although their doors have been opened less than a week now they have been bombarded with lots of new clients. Shop owners,Traci and Dayna started the shop out of love and devotion to the art of quilting. Friends first-quiters next- and on to shop owners. Plans are being made for a wonderful Grand Opening Event near the end of September. They intend to fill the shop with what we want most. Of course- we all want fabric- but what kind? So far they are kind of trendy, modern, lively, Batiky, and have plans for generosity and ampleness. Need more than fabric? How about Viking Sewing machines!? They are an authorized new dealer for them and have eight in the shop so far, and when you buy a machine from them, you will get a five year maintenance package with it. The shop may be a bit tricky to find; especially if you get Natomas Street and Natomas Station Blvd mixed up. To get there from us Citrus Heights, head East on Madison towards Folsom, or East on Greenback and then East on Madison. When you get down the hill, you come to Folsom blvd. Go right, cross over the new bridge, drive past Blue Ravine road, taking the next left at Natomas Station Blvd and make an immediate left into the small shopping center. The railroad tracks will always be on your left heading to the shop. Park, look, shop, talk, and have fun. [If you are coming from Highway 50, just take Folsom and head towards the factory stores. Pass by the street that takes you into the stores and go to Natomas Station Blvd. I think it is the next road. Turn right and immediate left. You are there.]

Friday, September 10, 2010

Gold Bug Quilters Quilt Show

Gold Bug Quilters Quilt Show was held in Cameron Park CA starting today and will run through Sunday. Elisa and I drove up to see what there was to see. There were some beautiful quilts displayed there! I am including some pictures of the ones I liked the best.

These two pictures are one of four quilts a lady put together honoring soldiers that have fallen in Iraq. We were amazed at how beautifully she free-handed the names on her machine. I took a picture of what the quilt looked like and one upclose of some of the names.

The one below is my favorite. It was done in shades of brown and quilted with a gold metalic thread that really added to the quilt.


The one above I liked because of the colors used. This picture does not do it justice. The greens are mostly very vibrant green. Loved it.

There were so many to see, plus you get to vote on your favorites in each category. That was fun, too.

They had a very nice Country Store, but I felt many of the prices were a little high. I kind of like getting a bargain when I go to the Country Store. I still wound up buying a few patterns from there. I think my motto is "I cannot turn down a good pattern." I have so many that if I sewed constantly from now until forever, I would never get them all done.  Plus I would have to do a lot of shopping of fabric to complete them all.

The vendors are always fun to see what is new. I did not purchase a lot, but there was some fabric I could not resist. It was used in a quilt that I have a pattern for, so I had to have it, too.

One of the vendors was demonstrating a pen they were selling. It is marvelous. They said it was great for marking your fabric for embroidery and/or quilting lines. Elisa and I both bought one. The best part of this pen was when you use it, if you make a mistake, you just apply heat to it and it disappears. She said you had to be careful because if it got too cold, it would set it. But it would not rub off while you worked on your design. She had black, yellow, pink, red, purple and orange. It is a Pilot pen named Frixion. The cost at $3.98 is nominal for the great uses this gives you.

So my advise is if you live in or around the Sacramento area, take the drive up highway 50 to Cameron Park. Take the first exit, turn left, go to next light and turn left again. Then just follow the signs. Easy to find. Lots of parking. A show worth seeing.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Binding Calculator

Do you have problems figuring how much materials to buy/cut for your binding? Have I got a site for you. Go to http://www.quiltpox.com/calculators.html Type in width, length of quilt and how wide your finished binding is and press calculate. Lo and behold there is the amount of material you need. I always cut too much fabric, because I have cut too little for so long that I love this site to help me cut just the right amount.

That said, I must say I just found the site. But I compared it against a chart I have that Victoriana Quilt Designs has, and it seems to be close to the same except for one size. This link said for 102"x 90 says to purchase 3/4 yard. The hard copy chart I have said 1/2 yard. If I would have purchased that amount only and got home with not enough, I would have been sad. But the others seem to be pretty accurate.

Have fun quilting.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Facebook Page for Beehive Quilts

Okay I am just learning all that FaceBook is about, but I have started a FaceBook page for Beehive Quilts. I hope you will all join me on that page and share ideas about quilt, what your projects are, pictures of your projects, frustrations and joys of quilting and anything else you so want to post. Just go to my FaceBook Badge on the lower right hand side of the blog site and click. If you are not a member of FaceBook, join. It is fun and you will find a lot of your friends and relatives are already there. If you are a member, become Beehive Quilts friend and join in.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Binding Calculator

Binding Calculator

Based on 44” x 45” width of fabric

Based on 2 ½” cut binding strip width



Before I opened my shop and finally learned how much yardage to purchase, I was always afraid I would run short on the binding fabric. So I just bought extra. I would go home knowing I had too much and then cut fewer strips than was needed. That was frustrating, as I would have to then cut another strip and piece it to the binding already sewed to the quilt. Ever done that yourself?

Then I found the following information and started using it and advised others buying binding fabric how much to purchase. Easy.

Length + Width       Strips Required     Yardage Required

24” to 34”                      2                     ¼ yard

36” to 50”                      3                     ¼ yard

52” to 66”                      4                      ½ yard

68” to 84”                      5                      ½ yard

86” to 100”                    6                      ½ yard

102” to 118”                  7                      ½ yard

120” to 134”                  8                      ¾ yard

136” to 152”                 9                       ¾ yard

154” to 168”               10                       ¾ yard

170” to 186”               11                       1 yard

188” to 200”               12                       1 yard

Thank you to Victoriana Quilt Designs
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/

I hope this easy helpful fact helps you when purchasing and cutting your binding strips.

Happy Quilting

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Quilter's Corner Quilt Store

Elisa and I were off and running yesterday. We went to a Block of the Month club inWoodland at 10 a.m. We are doing an Around the World quilt. Each month the teacher, Sherrie Werum, brings a block with a notable site from somewhere around the world. Yesterday we did the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. She shows us a different technique for embellishment each month. Yesterday it was using glitter on the block. It is a special very fine glitter made for fabric. You also have to use a special glue. It really looks good on the quilt. I will use this technique again in the future.

Afterwards we had lunch in Woodland at Morrison's Deli. Yummy food. If you are ever around there, you have to go and have lunch. They close at 2:30 p.m., so don't plan on dinner.

Then we went to a quilt store we had never been to before. It is Quilter's Corner in Sacramento. It is in a business district, but easy to find and has lots of parking. It is a good sized store with lots of beautiful fabric. A little bit of everything there. All the fabric is very well displayed. Pricing is good, too. There was lots of Halloween fabric, which is my favorite.

Since I have enough fabric to start a small quilt store, I did not need anything. But I found an off white sun bonnet Sue fabric that is very charming. Since I do not have a need for it, I bought three yards for just in case. No wonder I have enough fabric for a quilt store. I cannot resist fabric. I also bought several fat quarters. You can never have enough fat quarters.

Quilter's Corner also has a lot of great kits. Elisa wanted one but talked herself out of it. Then they told us that on August 21st everything in the store will be on sale for 20% off. I think we will be going back then.

Best of all they have a great class list. I may even take a class myself.

For more information on this quilt store, go to http://quilterscornersac.com/.

Oh and when you go there, make sure to check out their restroom. It is absolutely the cutest restroom I have ever been in. I tried to take a picture, but my camera would not work.Go see for yourself.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Upcoming quilt show in the foothills

Hey everyone. Next Saturday and Sunday is the bi-annual quilt show in Valley Springs, near Volcano (near Jackson) CA. It runs July 17th and 18th. To find out more about this quilt show go to http://www.loosethreadsquiltguild.com/QuiltShow.html.

Beehive Quilts is an advertised vendor for this show. Due to the move we recently made, we will not be there as a vendor. We are going up Saturday afternoon to see the show. I understand it is a great location and fun quilt show. Why don't you come, too?

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Time got away

Well it has been a long time since I have posted anything on the blog. Sorry for the delay. My husband and I decided to move, found a house and moved. Just that quick. Now we are still unpacking boxes. My long arm machine is in several different parts. My sewing machine is on the floor in the dining room. My material just today (after almost a full month) is finally on shelves and ready to use. My thread is somewhere. I saw it once, so I am sure I will find it again. Needless to say I will be glad to get my sewing studio all unpacked and organized. I will send a picture when it is completed. I can not send one of where it is right now, as I would find it terribly depressing to see it on line.

Have a great fourth of July weekend.

Quilt something for me this week since I cannot.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Calculating a Quilt Size

Approximate mattress size:
(width x length)
27" x 52"     Crib
39" x 75"     Twin
54" x 75"     Double
60" x 80"     Queen
76" x 80"     King
72" x 84"     California King

To calculate quilt size, add the amount of drop (the part that hangs over the edge of the mattress) and the tuck (part that folds under the pillow).

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Pine Tree Quilt Guild of Nevada County 2010

Elisa and were off and running to another quilt show last weekend. It was the one held in Grass Valley. We loved it. The surroundings are nice, the quilts were beautiful. We had a great time there. For more information about the guild featured, go to http://www.pinetreequiltguild.com/

Here are some of the quilts we saw:

The quilt to the left is one of my favorites. It is not all that big, but it is big on character. I would love to do one just like this - or just have this one.


The quilt to the right is a beautiful rendition of the double wedding ring quilt. This was done by the featured artist, Ruby Lee Foster. She had some beautiful quilts on display and was such a gracious quilter.

Ms Foster also did a beautiful signature quilt. See below. The hands were beautifully colored.




I have the rooster pattern to the left but have not made it yet. I bought it in January, I believe. After seeing this one made up, I have to get the pattern out and get busy. Too cute.


The guild has a junior league. The quilt to the
left is one done by a teenage boy. He did such a wonderful job. I was quite impressed. His sister did one, too. It was a western quilt with cowboy boots and hats. Very nice.

                  

A tie quilt!

I love it. What a great idea and an easy way to use all those great ties your husband wore to work until he retired. I want to keep this one. I may just do it some time.

Look of those bow tie blocks in the border. Great addition to the quilt.

Now you see why I love to go to quilt shows. So much to see. So much to do. Really gets me revved up to do some sewing. I should start going to them on Sunday, though, because I come home and do not go right into the sewing room. Monday is one of my sewing days. I have to hold on to the impetus all the way through Sunday.


Enjoy your quilting time. I know I do.