Classes at Beehive Quilts

Today we had a great class on how to make a very large Christmas Tree Skirt. Check out our class schedule, as we have some wonderful classes coming up. The closer we get to the holidays, the more classes for small quilts, Christmas count down wall hanging, family picture quilts, table toppers and/or runners, plus a wonderful chance to do charity unto others. Charity with Project Linus quilts; turn in quilts for Quilts for Kids; and sewing on Debbie's Gowns that go to patients during difficult times. For these and all our classes, go to www.BeehiveQuilts.com/classes. We would love to have you join us.

Received the following via an e-mail. Sounds interesting.

I thought that you folks might be interested in this exhibit:

Amazing Wonders: Quilts by African Americans of the Northern California Region
http://www.40acresartgallery.org/Amazing_Wonders.htm
Amazing Wonders: Quilts by African American of the Northern California Region is a celebration of quilt-making in the various traditional and nontraditional ways that the art has survived into the twenty-first century, and serves as a testament that the craft is still very much alive and well. For Amazing Wonders, in addition to working closely with Oakland’s African American Quilter’s Guild as well as local guilds here in Sacramento, Folsom and Elk Grove, the 40 Acres Art Gallery is pleased to be collaborating with UC Davis’ Richard L. Nelson Gallery, which will be simultaneously presenting an exhibit of African American quilts from a private collection. Curated by Felicenne Ramey and gallery director Renny Pritikin, the exhibit will be on view in Davis from September 24 – December 13, 2009, and will feature quilts from the collections of Avis C. Robinson of Washington, D.C. and Sandra McPherson of Davis.
October 13 - December 23, 2009
3428 3rd AveSacramento, CA

New Fabric

New fabrics are here. We have three new panels. One is filled with colorful pheasants that are stunning. One has old steam engines on it. The third is Americana birdhouses. We purchased other fabric to help coordinate it all. They are gorgeous. We also have some new Christmas and fall fabric. Come in to see them all. And more is on the way.

Short-arm sewing machine.

We have purchased a short arm Juki sewing machine on a long bed! Elisa is quickly learning the ins and outs of it. She is currently working on a Halloween quilt top that I finished last year and never quilted it. It is looking great!

Someday we will do charity quilts to get more practice--that is after I go through the tops I have made. Then if we feel good about our work, we will take in quilting consignments.

This is an exciting addition to our shop.

Quilt run

My daughter and I had the opportunity to go on the Northern California Quilt Run this past Thursday. It was fun. There were 9 stores involved running from Marysville to Redding. Because we only had limited time (and spent too much time in each store), we did not make it to the three stores in Redding. I wish we could have, but we can make a trip up there another time. Then we will go to the shop in Shasta City. I have heard great things about that shop.

I must tell you, as a shop owner, I looked more at pricing, kitting, customer service and just general marketing in each of the shops. I truly enjoyed Marysville shop. They did a good job on all of the aspects I look at AND they had "stuff" I could not live without, too. Good job, ladies.

I loved the shops in Paradise. Chico also has two great shops. The Rabbit Hole had panels everywhere. I love panels, as they make quick and easy quilts. I spent way more money than I had anticipated spending there. It was a fun shop to go through--tight at times, but fun.

After Chico we made our way to Willows. It was a cute shop. Small but easy to get to off the freeway. They carried a lot of cowboy-type fabric. That is not they type of fabric I normally look for but if I ever want to make my brother in Texas a quilt, I would definitely go back there.

The best part of the shop hop was if you purchased one of the hop's bags, you got 10% off of everything you purchased that day in any of the shops, which really helped. Plus with this bag, I will get 10% off all purchases through until the next quilt run in one year. Wow. I just have to remember to take the bag with me if I travel back up that way. Worst part of that, though, no one told me that in any of the stores. We had been to three stores before someone outside the store asked me where my bag was. This should be broadcast to all their customers with at least a sign where the bags are sitting.

We did have a good time, and I learned many new ways of displaying product and how important it is to greet each and every customer.

Yolo County Fair quilts

Today is the last day of the Yolo County Fair. If you have not had a chance to get over to see all the beautiful quilts, try to this afternoon. While there be sure to vote for your favorite charity block. The voting area is at the far back of the Home Arts Building.

Yolo County Fair Home Arts Building

Thursday and Friday several people showed up to set up the displays of the quilts, needlepoint, crocheted, knitted, sewn and other items that were entered in to the 2009 Yolo County Fair home arts section. I was lucky enough to be part of that group.

What a big job it all is to put the items up. A big thank you goes out to those that showed up to do this task. It was hot. It was tiring. But it was an enjoyable time of getting see all the beautiful items and knowing a needed task was being accomplished. It was also enjoyable getting to work with these wonderful people that volunteered their time and talents.

Thanks!