Beehive Quilts Online Store is Now Closed

BeehiveQuilts.com fabric and pattern store is now closed, I am sorry to say. I have had it up and running since August of 2007 - 5 years. It has done well and I have enjoyed working on it. As my husband and I are going to do some traveling starting in 2013, I figured now was a good time to start selling off the product and getting some of my own projects done.

Between on-line sales, e-Bay and having a studio sale in June, I have done a good job of selling a big portion of my product. I still have some that I will continue to sell items through e-Bay. You can find those items under probles22 on e-Bay.

I have really loved doing this website. It was something I never thought I could do on my own. In the spring of 2007, Gil and I went to a seminar through Stores-on-Line and liked what we saw. They are a web hosting company out of Utah. We bought a license to try it out. I took this on by myself. With the help of the templates Stores-on-Line had and their tutorials, I designed it and stocked it and advertised it. It was wonderful while I had our bricks and mortar store open. It has given me an outlet and release after that closed down. I loved doing our Wildflower Rhapsody BOM and getting to know many of you who participated. [By the way, I still have some of the fabric for that. Let me know if you run short on any of it.]  More than anything the site has done well enough to keep me in fabric money, which has been fine with me.

I will keep working on this blog. I have used it to post ideas for quilting and pictures of quilts out and about and to help promote my website. It will still be used to put up ideas I find that I think should be shared. Elisa and I will continue to go to quilt shows, so pictures will keep going up that way. It will become a lot more personal as I work on my projects and goals. Plus when I travel, I will post where I have been and where I am going.

One of my goals as we travel is to see as many quilt stores as I can before Gil tells me enough already. He is so good about that, I think I will be good for a few months. I will write of them and take pictures to share with all of you. I will also be asking you to tell me where to go, where your favorite sites are. Or to let me know of a quilt show that is coming to an area that we might be near at the time.

Keep returning here. I want you to see what we see as we travel along. It will be fun for us all.

Keep on Quilting

Mitered corners video

I have done mitered corners often. They always come out, BUT. . . .Sometimes it takes me more time to get it right than I think it is worth. So often I just opt not to do them. Here is a video that shows how to make them. It is a little slow going at first, but it was worth my while to stay with it and view the whole thing. I have not tried this technique yet, but I shall soon. In fact I have a quilt top done to the point that I was ready to put on the final border, which I was going to miter. I have had it to this point for several months and have been putting it off. I will let you know how they come out.

Here's the video link: http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/how-to-videos/

If you try this, let us know how it came out for you.

Keep on Quilting

Cure Alls - Most I have never heard of before

Here are some relief aids I have never heard of. Some I probably would not do - especially the Gatorade one since I cannot stand the taste of Gatorade. The others are pretty interesting. Know that I have not tried any of these. I just thought they were worth reading. Take them for what they are worth.

Who knew?

Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?

Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never advertised for this use.

Honey remedy for skin blemishes... cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection... to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure... cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters... to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.

Vinegar to heal bruises... soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... it's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

Now you can Keep on Quilting!

I am a Preferred Member at Joann's Fabric Store

Yes. I am special. I am a preferred member at Joann's. Do I purchase fabric there? No, I do not. I prefer to honor my local quilt shop (LQS) first with my dollars. Having owned my own bricks and mortar quilt shop, I know how difficult it is to keep it well stocked if people do not buy the fabric there. Since the prices are close enough (except for sales), why not give our small business owners the money instead?

Now that said, Joann's carries a lot of things you cannot get at our LQS. So I do shop there occasionally.  My dear daughter let me know you can apply for a preferred member card, which gives you 10% off your purchase every time you get something there. Good deal.

I received my first one over a year ago. Last month I went in and tried to use it, but it had expired. So I had to re-apply. Today I received an e-mail with a coupon for 20% off my entire purchase, including sale items. Too good to be true. I love their Halloween decorations, so perfect timing. Yeah!

Do you want to receive your preferred member card. Just click on the following link: http://www.joann.com/joann/common/content_custservice.jsp;jsessionid=382B648ED86CBBD6AA1EC28C793346F2.a5p1?catName=VIPDiscounts

Keep on Quilting!

Calculate backing and binding website

Do you hate math? You betcha!

Here is a website that will figure the amount of backing material needed for any size quilt, and then tell you how to put it together to work. Yeah. I love it!

It will also tell you how much binding fabric you will need for that size quilt.

Just go to http://www.mywebquilter.com/index.aspx to let them figure it out. FREE!

Keep on Quilting!

How to photograph your quilt

With quilt shows starting back up after a summer lull, pictures are occasionally requested to be submitted with application to the guild(s). Go to http://www.quiltviews.com/how-to-photograph-a-quilt-video to see a good video presented by AQS on how to best photograph your quilts.

Use these ideas to get the best picture possible to post your quilt on e-Bay, etsy or any other place you might be trying to sell your quilts. Pictures, good pictures, help sell your quilts. People do not always read what you type, but they always look at the pictures. Do not forget to take a picture of the back of your quilt, too. Potential buyers will want to see the fabric used on the backing as well as the front.

We occasionally list quilts and other items on e-Bay and etsy. If you need assistance in this process, contact me at contact@beehivequilts.com. I can give you other hints.

Keep on Quilting!

Flying Geese Tutorial - Sew Easy

Love to have flying geese in your quilts but hate to make flying geese? Watch this tutorial by Ricky Tims. You will never be hesitant to make those geese again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y

Here is a link to several other ways to make the flying geese pattern. I usually do the second one. They each have their own advantages. Try each one and see which one works best for you.

http://www.quilterscache.com/H/Howtomakegeese.html

Keep on Quilting

I Sew, Therefore I Rip

Yes. I sew. I also rip--more often than I would like to think about. How about you?

My complaint about having to rip it out is not so much about the time I lost or the frustration of doing something wrong. It is more how do I get all those little pieces of thread out the fabric after I rip. If you do not get them out, they stick out like porcupine quills after you sew the new seam. Plus they get caught up in the new stitching. Then they are almost impossible to get out. Humph! What can be done.

Elisa finally shared what she uses. She buys those tape lint removers that you brush over you clothes when the cat got to close or you black skirt was next to your fluffy bathrobe in the closet. She just runs that over the left over stitches and out they come. I have been sewing for over 150 years (well, maybe not that long) and never thought of something so simple.

I would just like to know why I did not have such an item when I was in my high school tailoring class. My teacher insisted the project be perfect - inside and out. She was always marking me down for how the inside looked. It just was not finished to her liking. Her comment was always, "Peggy, your projects look marvelous on the outside. Why can't you make the inside look as good?" I always responded with something like no one is ever going to see the inside. She did not appreciate that answer.

My final came. We could make anything we wanted, as long as it was more tailored than just a simple shift or skirt. I chose to make a suit with jacket and skirt. I purchased a beautiful flue wide-wale corderoy. It was beautiful when completed, as usual. Now to get away from the teacher from taking points off because of inside finishing and to make the outfit just be a little classier, I lined both the jacket and the skirt. The lining was not just a hanging lining. I actually hand stitched it all down to cover all inside seams. It was nice.

When it came time to have it graded, she insisted to come to each person's home and see what they made. She had me model this suit before she looked at it up close. After modeling it and showing her my sewing space and discussing the semester I had been in this class and my sewing talents as perceived by her, I had to take off the suit and hand it to her to check it all out. She turned it inside out and saw that I had lined it. It was done beautifully, she was pleased. Then she asked, "Did you line this to keep me from seeing your finishing techniques?" "Yes," was my answer. She just laughed.

I got an A+ on the project and an A- for the semester. I was pleased.

I would love to hear some of your ways of correcting ripping threads and/or your interesting sewing stories. We all have them. My sister's story would have to be the time she sewed through her finger nail.

Keep on Quilting/Sewing

Color crayons and hand embroidery

I was first introduced to color crayons and quilts about two years ago. A customer in our shop, Trudy, was demostrating it at a quilt show. I was fascinated. It made sense as an easy way to make your hand embroidered design really pop out. Since then I have seen many quilts done in this matter. I have not tried it yet, but plan on it soon. I actually have in my stash a panel that looks like red embroidered flowers. It is kind of bland. When I bought it (several months ago), it was my plan to keep it simple and surround the blocks in beautiful red fabrics. Now I am going to buy myself some crayons and color in the fabrics. Then I will border the blocks in beautiful red fabrics!

I was told the best crayons or other coloring devices would be to use Crayola crayons. You know, the ones we grew up using. A simple 64 pack would be perfect, but of course that large box would be even better. There are "quilting" crayons/pens available, but they are much more expensive. Plus you do not get the variety you can get using actual crayons.

Be sure to heat set it after coloring. To keep your iron clean, be sure to put a pressing cloth on your ironing board. Mine is just a used towel. I would put a couple of newspaper pages or paper towels under that so the grease from the crayon cannot seep through. Put the design down on top of that with design facing up. Cover that will a couple of paper towels for absorption and another pressing cloth.

For hints on making your design really look great, go to http://www.quiltmaker.com/articles/breath_of_spring__coloring_tips for more information.

If anyone has done something like this before, please share your experiences. We would love to hear what you have done. Send me a picture, too. We would love to see your finished project.

Keep on Quilting

Frixion Pens for Marking Fabric

Have you heard or used one of these pens?

I have and they are my preference to mark my cotton fabrics. They are wonderful because all you do is mark your fabric, sew, iron and the marks are gone. Totally gone. You will not even see a trace of the pen! [See comments posted below. There are some fabrics that do not like these pens. Always test your fabric before using the pens.]

How do I get one, you ask. We sell them on our website now. Just got them in this morning. They are only $4.50 each and come in blue, black or red. You are going to want, no need, one of these and maybe one for your best quilting bud, too.

Go to http://www.beehivequilts.com/notions and scroll down to find them.

Keep on Quilting

Special orders available at BeehiveQuilts.com

We just posted the following information on our website at http://www.beehivequilts.com/ to give you the opportunity to shop for that quilting item you need. Let us know if this works for you.

Looking for a particular pattern or book or need a quilting notion that is hard to find?
Beehive Quilts has a great idea. We have access to several distributors of quilting/sewing items and order from them every four to six weeks. If you have something special you want, look on our site first, as our website carries some notions and patterns. The link below carries most of the notions and patterns available. You have the ability to look through Checker's website and put items on your "wish list" on their site. Before you leave the site, print out the wish list or write down the item description and number and price. Fax us the list at 916-517-1420 or call us at 530-867-1154 or e-mail us at contact@BeehiveQuilts.com, and we will place it on our next order.

Checkers also carries fabric. If you find a fabric you need and want it special ordered, a pre-paid order of 6 yards would have to be paid before we place the order with Checkers.

Just let us know how we can serve you better.

http://wwww.checkerdist.com/

Great quilt display idea

The above was posted on QuiltingBoard.com

I thought it was a great idea. My dear husband built a quilt ladder for me, which I love. I would have never thought to turn it sideways and display in this manner.

On another note, you might wonder what http://www.quiltingboard.com/ is. If you have not already found this site, it is one to check out for sure. You can read what you want on it without signing in. Or you can sign in and get to read and respond. My favorite part is getting to see the portion where people submit pictures of their quilts. Gives me good ideas and makes me realize I have a lot to learn. People post good tutorials there, too. I high recommend it.

Keep on Quilting

Great site for projects ** FREE **

Do you like free patterns? I do. I came across the following site http://3creativestudios.com/free.htm. It has so many different projects that you could be busy for the rest of your life just working off this site. It even has a free BOM at http://3creativestudios.com/bom.htm. Pretty cool one at that.

There are all sorts of projects you could make. There are patterns for notebook covers, quilts, placemats, all sort of items. I saved a few of them to make, too. Just remember they are copyrighted - for personal use only.

Keep on Quilting

Beverly's Fabrics

Having been an owner of a local quilt store, I would always advise people to support them first. It is hard to make a go of it in this economy. Many owners never take a pay check out of it; all the money goes right back into the shop to make it better.

Now that said there is a big box store that I will shop at occasionally. That is Beverly's Fabrics. They just changed the Carmichael CA store from their normal craft and fabrics and house decor to just fabric. They carry most any fabric, but they have a huge section for us quilters. They carry brand names just like the LQS does and of the same quality. They also carry very "cheap" fabric for those that just cannot afford the higher quality. I personally stay away from that fabric, as I am not going to make a beautiful top that will not last very long.

The Carmichael store and Beverlys.com has a fabric of the day for $2.97! Wow. I personally have purchased some, as has Elisa. We have not been disappointed. The website posts the new day's list at 9 a.m. PDT. I try to log in no later than 10:30 a.m. because often the best of the three fabrics posted is sold out. They post what amount they have to sell. Take a look at it at http://www.beverlys.com/. Today's (Wednesday) is really neat. It has birds and nests and feathers. I have a friend that was asking if I had any bird fabric, which I do not. Maybe I will be nice and buy her some before it is gone.

Here is the fabric listed for today:

Keep on Quilting

Threading with silk ribbon

Have you seen or worked embroidery done with ribbon instead of thread. It is beautiful. It adds a dimension to your work that is unique. In researching for something totally different, I came across a link that shows how to thread the needle with the silk thread to allow you to start sewing with it. It also tells you what size needle to use. This is a great technique. I thought you might like to see it.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3KhjpAO0jE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

To see several examples of silk ribbon embroidery go to http://www.google.com/search?q=silk+ribbon+embroidery+ideas&hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS274US275&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=32rITc-uCYK4sQOE4qCVAw&ved=0CDwQsAQ&biw=1245&bih=633.

Pictures included on this post were talken from that site.

Keep on Quilting or Embroidering

Wildflower Rhapsody May Block

The end of April is near. We at Beehive Quilts are preparing the May block of the Wildflower Rhapsody BOM. We expect it to ship either Monday or Tuesday, next week. So be looking for it by the end of next week in your mail box.

Did you all get a chance to finish last month's block? Mine is half done. Hope to finish it today.

We received pictures of two finished blocks for last month. Their pictures are posted on this blog. Would love to see more. The first picture sent in was Renea Aldrich's. She will receive 4 fat quarters just for sending me a picture of her finished block. Good job, Renea. 

There will be a similar award this next month, too, so watch for what you could win. This month it will be different. I realize some of you will receive your block quicker depending upon the USPS delivery schedule. So what will be done from now on is that for everyone who sends me a picture your name will go into a drawing. The drawing will be held at the end of the month. The name that is drawn will receive whatever is chosen to be the gift for the month. You can send it to me electronically or through snail mail, as long as it is received before the last day of the month each month. That way everyone has a fair chance of winning the gift.

We had the suggestion of posting a picture of a finished block. Here is May's block:




May's block for Wildflower Rhapsody BOM
Thank you, Elisa, for completing this block.

 In April's block package you received a half yard cut of the brown fabric and some general instructions. Those instructions stated you would be fussy cutting your brown fabric (#14) for several blocks. You can see Elisa cut her brown fabric so a flower would show up in each small block. That is the reason you received it all at one time. You get to decide where that fabric will be placed. Remember you will use it throughout the 12 blocks. Cut it wisely.

We have also developed a "BOM Block Insurance" package. We are selling a package of 1/8 yards cut into fat eighths, which is 9" x 22" approximately. There are 14 different cuts - one cut for each fabric used in the main 12 blocks. This package will give you the insurance that you will have enough fabric for those of us that cut and then read the instructions. You can find the package at http://www.beehivequilts.com/bomfat8ths.

As always, have fun with this block. Post your comments about the blocks here (see below). We love to read your comments.

Keep on Quilting

To wash or not to wash fabrics, that is the question

To wash, or not to wash, that is the question. Whether it be nobler. . . .

I was recently asked if we should wash our fabrics before we start to make the quilt or not. While my shop was opened, that was probably the most discussed subject that came up. This was my answer:


"I never pre-wash my fabric. It changes it. I learned to be a seamstress with clothes before quilting. We always pre-washed the fabric, because you did not want the item to shrink after it was made.


I understand most people pre-wash quilt fabric to keep it from running and to take out the sizing, which used to be done with formaldehyde. Now it is not done with that chemical. Granted the fabric does have chemicals in it when it is new. Most people turn around and put the chemicals back in with sizing after washing. So you are adding a step that is not needed, plus it never looks the same. As far as running goes, most good quality quilt shop fabric does not run. There are several color fast sheets you can put in when you do wash the quilt that will capture any runs if there is a need.

When you wash small pieces like what you are getting in BOM cuts, you wind up with warped fabric and hard to make it fit the needed dimensions. I cannot tell you exactly what to do. I will tell you I do not pre-wash it. But again, I do not pre-wash any fabric for quilts.

So after answering the question, I decided to see what others have said on this subject. Here are a few links where you can read more about the subject:

http://www.straw.com/equilters/library/tips-hows/prewash_or_not1.html

http://www.stitchingcow.com/about/useful-resources-and-articles/quilting-tips/should-i-wash-my-quilting-fabric
The link above does make a good point. Many people wash their quilts after making them and before they are sent to that loved one. When washing after their are quilted, it makes the quilt look totally different - more used looking. Many people love that look and do not pre-wash, but post-wash instead. Again personal preference.

http://www.connectingthreads.com/tutorials/To_Prewash_or_Not_to_Prewash__D85.html
Connecting Threads makes the point that all must be aware of. That is to not share pre-washed and not pre-washed fabrics in the same quilt. It will make for some unusal looks after the quilt is washed again. So if you are going to pre-wash your fabrics, pre-wash all of them for the same quilt.

http://www.connectingthreads.com/tutorials/To_Prewash_or_Not_to_Prewash__D85.html
I like the above site. It says pretty much what the others say, but then it goes on to say how to check to see if it will run first. It also tells you how to pre-wash your fabric. It emphasizes what I said above, DO NOT USE BOTH IN ONE QUILT.

There are many other sites you can go to by typing in "wash quilt fabric vs not wash" into your search engine [I used Google]. I would be willing to guess they all say the same thing: It is a personal preference on the quilter's part.

My one suggestion would be not to wash BOM [block of the month] cuts. The cuts usually are just barely enough to make the block you need. The shrinkage would take it down to where you might not have enough fabric to make the desired size.

I hope this helps with the question on whether to wash or not to wash. No right answer to that question.

Keep on Quilting

Quilt Insurance for Wildflower Rhapsody BOM

Quilt insurance! Yes, quilt insurance.


Make a mistake in cutting? Cat hide your piece? Wash the fabric and it shrank (not recommended, by the way on such small pieces of fabric)? Whatever the reason, here is a chance to be able to correct your mistakes. In this kit is an immediate fix. Each kit contains 1/8 yard of fabric cut into fat eighths. More than enough to fix several oops through out the BOM year. What you do not use could be incorporated into a pillowcase to go along with your quilt.

This purchase is available for the members of Beehive Quilts Wildflower Rhapsody BOM only.

Go to http://www.beehivequilts.com/bomfat8ths to order the kit.

Fat eighths of a yard is approximately 9" x 22" There are 14 different cuts in this kit!

Please do not order this if you are not a member of this BOM. If any are left over they will be offered to anyone after the BOM is over in April of 2012.
 
Oh for those that have not signed up yet, there is still room to accept someone into the BOM, if you are interested. Just sign up. You will receive all the back blocks with the first month after you sign up (with a $12.95 charge for each block already missed). Go to http://www.beehivequilts.com/wildflowerrhapsody to sign up for the BOM itself.
 

Keep on Quilting!

Chocolate Never Faileth

If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Why are men are happier (not negative, just funny)

I found the following on Quilting Board website and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you do, too.

Men Are Just Happier People --
Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be President.

You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal.

You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.

People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you,

He or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough..

You almost never have strap problems in public.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes..

Everything on your face stays its original color.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives

On December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.