Quilt Shop of Chisholm

2012-01-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

Warm Fuzzy Snowman Quilt - This is wool applique and embroidery and is available in kits with all fabrics, threads, and pattern.

This is a quilt that combines applique with piecing. VERY fun to make. Kits available.

THE GENERALS' WIVES BLOCK OF THE MONTH

A CROW FOR ALL SEASONS CANDLE MAT BLOCK OF THE MONTH.

January - February Classes

2012-01-05T15:07:00.000-08:00

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

116 W Lake St

Chisholm, MN 55719

218-254-1700

JANUARY-FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

January Class Schedule:

Thursday, Jan. 5, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie II

Thursday, Jan. 12, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie I

Saturday, Jan. 14, 10am-11am- Generals’ Wives Block of the Month*

Wednesday, Jan 18, 2pm-6pm - Farmer’s Wife

Thursday, Jan. 19, 6pm-8pm - Wool Candle Mat of the Month*

Saturday, January 21, 10-11am - Tonga Rhapsody BOM #11

February Class Schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 2, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie II

Thursday, Feb. 9, 4pm-8pm - Stash Pot Pie I

Saturday, Feb. 11, 10am-11am- Generals’ Wives Block of the Month

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2pm-6pm - Farmer’s Wife

Thursday, Feb. 16, 6pm-8pm - Wool Candle Mat of the Month

Saturday, Feb. 18, 10-11am - Tonga Rhapsody BOM #12

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 10am-12noon - From Marti and Me Club*

Saturday, Feb. 25, 10am-12noon - From Marti and Me Club*

* Generals’ Wives B.O.M., Wool Candle Mat of the month, and Marti and Me Club are all starting this month. All have openings available. Go to www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com to see pictures!

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SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP HOP SHOP:

The 6th Annual Starts of the North Shop Hop will be March 1-3, 2012. Visit all eight shops, get your passport stamped at each shop, pick up your free pattern section and be eligible for top prizes. There will be EIGHT baskets worth over $100 each, filled with quilting goodies! Saturday, March 3 is BUS DAY and for the measly sum of $35.00, you can enjoy being chauffeured from shop to shop in luxury, will Carol Lee as you hostess. She will give you a foot massage and a pedicure between shops - no charge. JUST KIDDING, CAROL! Call me to sign up for the bus!

We have some great new blocks of the month and clubs starting this month. It’s not too late to come in and check them out (or look on the blog) and join up.

Stash Pot Pie I - you guys met when I was in South Carolina last month, and I did not leave you a new pattern for this month. So we will be continuing to work on last month’s quilt (or the one before.)

Stash Pot Pie II - Certain Stash Pot Pie II Members have decided they want to “buck the system” (what a surprise) and work on the 3-part mystery quilt that starts in the Jan-Feb issue of McCalls Quilting Magazine. If you are a member of Stash Pot Pie II and are interested in doing this, we will help you decide on fabrics from your stash OR !!!!NEW!!!! Fabrics. It only requires four different fabrics. You can do this in place of our scheduled pattern, “Pocket Full of Posies” on page 87 of the scrap quilts magazine you all have. Don’t lose that magazine, I don’t have any more!!!!!!! Or, you can do both. Or neither. Just come to class!!!!

Generals’ Wives Block of the Month is a beautiful 100” x 100” quilt that honors the wives of the Civil War generals. Each month you receive the fabric and instructions for a block and a biographical story about one of the wives of the generals. Throughout the year you will receive bits and pieces of the setting blocks, so when you finish up the year, you will have everything ready to put together and it will be done! Check out a picture of the quilt on the blog.

Wool Candle Mat of the month - “A Crow for all Seasons” is the name of the series of patterns that not only have darling candle mat designs for each month, but a Crow you can make from wool and “dress” each month (hats, scarves, flags, nosegays, etc.). No, I have not lost my mind. Jackie has made the sample for January and people are signing up as soon as they see it! I still have the class open, so if you sign up too late to get started in January, you can catch up. You do NOT have to make the crow. But the first month you get a pattern for the crow (whether you want it or not) and the wool to make the crow. And you will find yourself getting attached to the crow. Jackie volunteered to make it “because it’s part of the pattern and someone may want to make it” and got so attached to the crow that she was reportedly talking to it. She and Bev took it to Lowes to buy a dowel and wooden stand for it and Bev said she asked the crow, “How did you enjoy your trip to Lowes?” Bev called me and simply said, “there’s an issue with the crow.” My 20 year old daughter, who hates everything in the shop(!!), saw the crow and said, “I want one of these! Will you make me one?” The price of the candle mat of the month is $26.00 and includes the pattern and wool for the background, applique and backing. If you want to make two, the second kit of the wool only is $18.00.

From Marti and Me Club is a monthly club that is going to meet every 4th Wednesday or every 4th Saturday of the month. Each month, starting in February, you will have a demonstration of a Tool of the Month by none other that LAURA LIGNELL, the master of combining teaching and entertainment. I like to call her a “teachertainer”. That sounds better than calling her an “entereacher”. For the small fee of $5.00 per month, you become a From Marti and Me Club member, which entitles you to attend the monthly meeting (you pick which works better for you, Wednesday mornings or Saturdays), watch a fascinating demonstration of the Tool of the Month and get the pattern FREE that she is demonstrating. In addition, as a club member you will get a 10% discount if you buy the tool she is demonstrating. If you like the project and want a kit of it, you will also have the opportunity to buy the kit at a 10% discount! Kits will be available after the club, but only CLUB MEMBERS will get the free pattern and club discounts. The February project is called “Bali Breezes” and will be showcased in two color ways. Sign up as soon as possible!!!! Call within the next ten minutes and get a free steak knife…………..oops - I got carried away.

Next month we will have another episode of “Murder in the Quilt Shop of Chisholm”, but for now I just wanted to get the newsletter and class schedule out!

Mary

October Class Schedule

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Thursday, October 6, 5-8 pm..................................................Stash Pot Pie II
Saturday, October 8, 10-11am................................................Patriots Block of the Month
Tuesday, October 11...............................................................Pick up Monthly Minis
Tuesday, October 11, 5:30-8:30pm..........................................Paper Piecing Basics
Thursday, October 13, 5-8pm..................................................Original Stash Pot Pie
Saturday, October 15, 10-11am...............................................Tonga Rhapsody Block of the Month
Tuesday, October 18, 5:30-8:30pm..........................................Quilting Basics
Wednesday, October 19, 2-6pm..............................................Farmer's Wife
Thursday, October 20, 6-8pm..................................................Wool Applique Block of the Month
Saturday, October 29, 12-4pm.................................................Paper Piecing Basics

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Quilting Basics: Taught by Karen Skraba, who is a wonderful teacher who will take you through the basics while you make a 12" block that can be made into a little hanging quilt or pillow while you learn the techniques that will make your quilting future bright. Class fee (includes pattern and material) $25.00. Class supply list: Thread, scissors, pins and your sewing machine. If you want to reserve a shop machine, call me at 218-254-1700.

Paper Piecing: This was so popular that we are having two more classes this month. We provide the fabrics, pattern and paper. Class fee $25.00. Karen will be showing you how to use an Add-A-Quarter ruler, so if you have one, bring it. Otherwise I have them for sale. Supply list: Thread, scissors, a small ruler and SMALL cutting mat if you have one with a rotary cutter, and your machine.

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SHOP HOP This week Thursday-Saturday, October 6-8. Pick up your passport from me and visit all the shops! Our Shop Hop Quilt is beautiful and each shop has a $100.00 value basket of goodies that you can qualify to win by completing your passport. Quilt shops participating are Quilt Shop of Chisholm, Quilts Around the Corner, Sew Much and More, Terri's Treasures, The Quilted Dog and Timeless Treasures. Each shop will have a Feature Fall Pattern at 15% off.

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Last Month, Murder in the Quilt Shop of Chisholm debuted here in the blog, and many of you called me to tell me that you suspected FLANNEL TAMMI. You were right! Let's see if you can guess this one!

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MURDER IN THE QUILT SHOP OF CHISHOLM!!!!!!!!!!

It was a bright and sunny morning at QSOC and I decided I better roll out the awning in front to keep the quilts in the window from fading. A car of quilters from "the cities" pulled up and began to unload like clowns from a tiny car. (OK, it was a van and there were only 5 of them.) I welcomed them to QSOC and held open the door for them, following them inside. Dawn, Julie and Marlene were busy working on their Tuesday Morning projects and solving the world's problems with Bev. Suddenly, a shot rang out! But it was only Dawn's cell phone ring tone. She answered her phone, and we all relaxed.

The shop was beginning to get busy when my favorite customer, Belva, blew in the door. Belva is a very experienced quilter and spares no expense to indulge herself in her latest project. Her latest project just happened to be a flannel quilt kit that is very QUICK AND EASY. Belva made a bee line to me and threw her completed quilt top down on the cutting table in front of me. She fixed her beady little piercing eyes on me and I could tell I was in for it. "I want you to cut this quilt top by the pattern for me RIGHT NOW," she bellowed. She leaned in close to me and said in a whisper, "I'm scared to do it myself." I calmed her down and finally her heavily ringed fingers stopped flashing around and blinding everyone with the reflections of her diamonds in the sunlight. "See, Belva", I explained to her - "when we cut the quilt top on the diagonal like this....." I cut with my rotary cutter...."and turn it around and sew it like this......" I pinned it....." then you can cut it again and all the squares will be on point like a diamond", I explained. To myself I thought that the 5 inch squares we were cutting were ALMOST as big as one of her diamonds.

Belva was just leaving, when.....suddenly, a shot rang out again! Dawn answered her phone again. "Hello. Hello. HELLO?" she said. One of the women from the cities screamed and pointed to the floor. Belva was face up on the carpet with blood pooling under her head. One of the women from the cities raced to Belva's side and felt for a pulse. "I'm a nurse", she said. "She's dead."

I was too stunned to move. Bev called 911. When she hung up, she informed us that the 911 operator told us to all remain calm and for no one to leave or enter the "scene of the crime" until the police arrived.

Since Belva, or "the body", was right by the front door, we were all standing around staring at it, except for Dawn, who was still trying to answer her phone, when a customer approached the door. It was Diana. "WAIT!", I said as she opened the door. "You can't come in. Someone has been murdered, and the police said not to come in."

"Well, too bad," said Diana, with a toss of her blonde hair. "I need to pick up my block of the month. And besides........it was only Belva." A sharp intake of breath could be heard in the shop, and then silence until...."HELLO? Is anybody there?" from Dawn. "DAWN!" shouted Julie. "Nobody is on your phone. That was a real gun shot. Not your ringtone! Put your phone down and come here. We have a dead woman here and she is starting to bleed on the fabric." Diana reached down and picked up poor Belva's quilt top. "OOOH!" she exclaimed. "Well, she won't be needing this anymore. Finder's Keepers."

Officer Al looked through the glass door from outside and just shook his head. Another murder at Quilt Shop of Chisholm. He knew that the 911 dispatcher always told witnesses not to touch anything, and he could see one of the women picking up a bag by the body and another two moving bolts of fabric away from the body. He pulled open the door and yelled, "Freeze!" The ladies all jumped and stared at him. Suddenly, a shot rang out. "Now I know that's my phone, said Dawn and began to trot toward the back of the store." Officer Al was stunned that someone would run toward a gun shot. He picked himself up from behind a sewing machine display stand and peeked around the corner. "It's her ring tone."  I said. "That's why we didn't realize right away that someone had been shot. We thought it was Dawn's phone ringing." Officer Al looked a little sheepish, but quickly recovered.  "Hey, you," he yelled toward Dawn. "Get off the phone, and bring it up here right now. That phone is evidence and you are getting a ticket."

"For WHAT??" asked Dawn.  Officer Al scratched his head and then tilted his chin at her. "Interfering with a police investigation and having a gun shot ring tone." Dawn just stared at him. "You have got to be kidding me."

"All of you just go sit down at the back table and we'll go over what happened, one at a time," officer Al said. "I don't have time for this," said Diana, with another toss of her head. "I just came in to pick up my block of the month. I have places to go and people to see." Officer Al shook his head and pulled out his notebook.

Later that night, Officer All looked at his list of suspects:

Mary, quilt shop owner - Belva bossed her around, but Belva also spent a lot of money every month in the quilt shop.

Bev, quilt shop employee - Belva did NOT boss her around. Nobody bosses Bev around.

Ladies from the cities - all alibi each other, did not know Belva, had no motive.

Dawn - troublemaker, has a ring tone like a gun shot, but apparently kept trying to answer the gun shot after the murder. No motive.

Julie and Marlene - each other's alibis. No motive

Diana - Arrived at the scene shortly after crime committed and proceeded to compromise evidence. When told by police to give back the bag with Belva's quilt top in it, stated: "I want it, and what Diana Wants, Diana Gets." Victim appears to have been shot in the back of the head, but was she facing the door or was she turned around to look at something?

Officer Al decided he better call this Diana to get some further information. He dialed her number. Diana was fondling the Quick and Easy Squares quilt top she had taken from Belva's side and tossing back a martini (and her hair) when her phone began to ring. Suddenly, a shot rang out.

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I guess that if you are still with me, you know that this month's mystery showcases the Quick and Easy Squares Quilt kit shown below. As pictured without borders, it is 44" x 64". The pattern calls for a border that makes the throw 56" x 76". The soft flannel "Woolie" fabrics are precut in strips and ready for you to get started. The kit is $39.00, and you will need two yards of fabric for border and binding in addition to the kit. And of course if you can guess who killed Belva, then you get a 10% discount off the kit!

Pictures of Quilts

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Merry and Bright Christmas Throw

(kit $39.00)

Forest Table Mat

(Kit $19.00, includes backing)

Our 2011 Wool Applique Block of the Month!

MURDER IN THE QUILT SHOP OF CHISHOLM!!!!!!! STARTING THIS MONTH!

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This month I'm starting something new. If you want to see the newsletter and class schedule, email me at qsochisholm1001@qwestoffice.net and I'll put you on the email list.

Each month, someone will be murdered at Quilt Shop of Chisholm and you will have a chance to solve the murder and get a discount on the featured product (kit, fabric, pattern, etc.) It's okay ---- all the victims are like video game characters and they have "multiple lives". This month I will be murdered, but don't think I won't reappear!

A DISCLAIMER: These "murders", all characteristics and words of the characters are fictitious. Only the actual names will be used. Don't even try to get your lawyer involved if your name appears --- you can't get blood out of a turnip and a lawyer will not work to get you a discount on fabric. Believe me, I've tried!

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It was a dark and stormy afternoon at Quilt Shop of Chisholm. Mary was cutting fat quarters of flannel.  Barb and Bev were in the back office making coffee and talking. The bell on the front door jingled, and they could hear Mary talking to a customer. Bev heard a loud "THUMP" and the bell jingled again.  As they got to the door of the office and looked out into the shop, Barb said, "I don't see Mary, but there are some bolts of FLANNEL THROWn on the floor. She must be playing with the bolts again. I'll pick them up while you get the coffee." Bev went back to pour the coffee and returned to the shop to see Barb staring white faced at the floor and pointing. "She's dead," Barb whispered. "Who?" said Bev. Barb stepped aside and pointed at the floor. Bev could just see the toes and shapely ankles of her friend.   (Hey, I'm writing this. I can have shapely ankles if I want to.) "Call the police, Barb!" Barb looked for the cordless phone, but of course she couldn't find it. Running around the shop in circles, she stopped for a sip of coffee several times and finally found the phone under the flannel bolts on the floor. "The phone is under the bolts with Mary!"   "Well, grab it!" said Bev. "I'm not touching a dead body. I don't get paid enough for that!" said Barb. "GET IT!" demanded Bev, and Barb quickly picked up the phone and looked up at Bev. "What's the number for 911?"

When the police officer arrived, Barb and Bev were sitting at the table drinking coffee and the body had a quilt THROWN over it.  Officer Al lifted up the quilt and checked the body. "Looks like she was bludgeoned by flannel. But you can tell it was personal. What kind of a monster would take the time to hack up her hair like that?" Barb and Bev looked at each other. "Oh, that wasn't the killer. Her hair always looked like that" said Bev. "Really?" said Officer Al. "Can you think of anyone who would want to kill Mary?" Barb and Bev looked at each other again and then the giggles started. "How much time do you have?" asked Barb. "Let's see.....there could have been Bev or myself. Her husband. Her children. Her customers........"

Officer Al looked at his list of suspects:
1. Husband of victim.  Drives up to front of shop in new sportscar with a young redhead on his arm to identify the body.  Says, "YEP, that's her. Gotta go now. I'll be at Fortune Bay with my 'sister' if you need me." Husband doesn't have a sister. Husband took out large life insurance policy on wife one week prior to murder.

2. Children of victim. When daughter contacted by phone, says, "Oh, too bad. Well, at least I don't have to worry about her writing stupid personal things on her blog about me anymore. And as her only daughter, don't I get all that cheap costume jewelry she wore?" Oldest son in Florida wanted to know if he had to "show up" for anything. Middle son seemed genuinely upset, but not surprised. "FLANNEL THROWn? Isn't it obvious? Check out 'Flannel Tammi'," he whispered and hung up. Youngest son only said "does this mean I can watch what I want to on TV tonight?".

3. Barb and Bev. Alibi each other. Unless they did it together.

4.  Mike the postman. Says he saw a pretty blonde hurrying away from the shop as he was delivering the mail on the day of the murder. Says when he entered the shop to bring in a wheelbarrow of bills to the shop, he saw Barb running around in circles looking for the phone and left in a hurry. Note to self: must find out who "mystery blonde" is.

5. "Flannel Tammi". Note to self: Found the mystery blonde. --Interviewed suspect at her home where she tried to hide her "stash" of flannel by closing the door to her Flannel Room. I knew it was the Flannel Room because she had a sign over the door that said "Flannel Room" and she finally couldn't keep it closed any longer. Told me she would just "pet" the flannel while we talked, whatever that means. I asked her if she had been in the shop on the day of the murder, and she looked wildly around before saying. "No. But I should have been! She deserved it! Selling all that beautiful flannel to just ANYONE. And she had all those EASY FLANNEL THROW kits with the beautiful combinations of Maywood Woolie Flannels and they were selling and selling and soon there would not be any left for me.........but of course I wasn't there. Can't think of any reason anyone would want to THROW FLANNEL at her." Note to self: Find out if Tammi is single. She's really cute.
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By now, you've probably figured out that the quilt kit I'm promoting is the EASY FLANNEL THROW. Here is a picture of two different EASY FLANNEL THROWS. We put them together in many color ways, and they are all gorgeous. The kits sell for $48.00 and make a 54" x 72" lap throw. Fabric for backing is extra. Let me put one together in your colors and if you can guess who murdered Mary you will get 10% off your kit and backing!!!!!! Call or come in and let me know if you guessed it!   (218) 254-1700.

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This is our beautiful Block of the Month "Patriots in Petticoats". We still have some openings!

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This quilt and bag are made with the Hannah Wallace Collection from Wyndham Fabrics in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

This is a quilt made by Helen Wykstra from fabrics she bought a few years ago.

This is a quilt shown at our recent quilt camp - pattern created and made from looking at a photo - by Jean Goad!

Some of our shy campers modeling their PURSES.

Jennifer (last name not provided to protect the innocent) is a normal person and has not been drinking.

This is me (Mary) in the shop. Notice I am not wearing a purse on my head.

Both of these quilts are in the book "Hop To It" by Edyta Sytar. Kits available!!!!

June Newsletter

2011-05-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

218-254-1700
Hours:M,T,W,F 10am-6pm
Thursday 10am-8pm
Saturday 9am-4pm
Sundays Closed

BLOCK OF THE MONTH PICKUPS:

Patriots and Petticoats - 2nd Saturday of the month (June 11 & July 9)
Monthly Minis - 2nd Tuesday of the month (June 14 & July 12)
Wool Applique - 3rd Thursday of the month (June 16 & July 21)
Tonga Rhapsody - 3rd Saturday of the month (June 18 & July16)

Usually these are ready before the scheduled date if you want to call to check and you can pick them up early.

CLASSES:

PIGS - Old Stash Pot Pie will resume in September, the 2nd Thursday, 4pm-8pm (or whenever you can get here.) We will now be known as PIGS (projects in grocery sacks.) This class is full and you know who you are, PIGS.

NEW STASH POT PIE class will start in September! This class will be the 1st Thursday of the month, and it will be up to you if you want it to be in the afternoon or the evening. In other words, you can come at 1pm and leave at 4pm or come at 4pm and leave at 8pm. Or come at 1pm and leave at 8pm! We will go by the original Stash Pot Pie patterns and make some beautiful quilts using your stash. $10.00 per month. Begins September 1st! If this class fills up as fast as the current one, you better sign up early! Limited to 9 people.

SURVEY ABOUT CLASSES: I can schedule classes all month long, but I need to know what classes ya’ll want! Do you want classes on table runners, bags, bed runners, purses, pillowcases, new techniques, free motion quilting?? Answer me by email and phone. OR come in and TELL ME AND YOU WILL GET A FREE FAT QUARTER!

BEGINNERS: If you know of someone who wants to begin quilting refer her to me, you will get a little “bonus” from me if she signs up and attends beginner classes. The “bonus” will have at least a $20 value. I will custom this bonus to each of you individually, based on what I know about you and your quilting habits! So now is the time to get those beginners started.

DID YOU KNOW that I have 2 Baby Lock shop machines? If you want to come in and sew or if your beginner friends have no machine and still want to learn, these machines can be used for the incredible value of $7.50 per class or day! If you reserve one in advance for class, think how nice it would be not to have to haul your machine in.

Starting tomorrow, May 26, we will be having:
SHAMELESS PROMOTION THRIFTY THURSDAYS!!!
Every Thursday, since we are open until 8pm, we will have a special for THAT DAY ONLY. It will be my choice; a percent or dollar off amount of specific fabrics or notions, etc. It will be different every Thursday and it will be a SURPRISE. We will not tell you over the phone what it is. (Do you see the theme here? I want to GET YOU IN THE SHOP!!! )

QUILT MINNESOTA SHOP HOP FABRICS should be shipping to us right now so we’ll have them in the shop next week. Pre-orders must be paid for as they will be cut and put away for you to pick up when the shop hop begins!

April Newsletter

2011-03-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

April 2011 Newsletter

Quilt Shop of Chisholm
116 W Lake St
Chisholm, MN 55719
218-254-1700
www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com

Hours: MTWF 10am-6pm, The 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm

April Classes:

UFO - Thursday, April 7, ?-8pm
Patriots and Petticoats Block of the Month - Saturday, April 9, 10am-11am
Monthly Mini’s B.O.M. - Tuesday, April 12, 4-6pm (or until you need us)
Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, April 14, ?-8pm
Tonga Rhapsody - Saturday, April 16, 10-11am
Geometric Gems - Wednesday, April 20th and May 4th, 1pm-4pm or 5pm-8pm
Wool Appliqué B.O.M. - Thursday, April 21, 6pm-8pm

Quilt Camp!!!!! - Thursday, April 28 till Sunday, May 1

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Remember, if your name is mentioned in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will get a FREE FQ when you come in and tell me!
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We still have openings in the Patriots, Tonga Rhapsody and Wool Blocks of the Month if you didn’t sign up and want to start them! I have finished the top of the Patriots quilt and it is unbelievably beautiful. The blocks all came out the right size - even the ribbon border fit and was a no-brainer! I have to give Bev credit for sewing the blocks together and making a few of the blocks. (No - really - I HAVE to give her credit or she will make my life miserable. She says the only time I give her credit for sewing something is when I’ve messed it up and she has to finish it and it’s too far gone to fix correctly.)

UFO and STASH POT PIE will both have pie (or cake) this month due to the fact that Nancy K. wanted her sister to attend Stash Pot Pie on the 2nd Thursday and her sister went ahead and booked her plane ticket so that she will be here the 1st Thursday. So we are pretending that UFO is Stash Pot Pie for Nancy (she is making a Wacky Cake!) and her sister. Sisters are a piece of work, aren’t they? Who else can be your best friend and worst enemy all within a 24 hour period? Except for my sisters, of course. We are all united in making our only brother’s life a Living Hell. It’s okay, his wife and daughters are united with us. We don’t even have to try, it just comes naturally! Anyway, come to UFO and we’ll pretend it’s Stash Pot Pie.

Stash Pot Pie will still be Stash Pot Pie and Karl will be baking for us! Come and join us, even if you aren’t going to sew -- you will be amazed at the things you learn and the surveys you are asked to participate in. No subject is taboo. No Subject. My husband will not come to the shop during Stash Pot Pie because he doesn’t want to overhear any of the conversations. And at any given time, there are at least three conversations going strong.

Geometric Gems -- This is a technique class that will be taught by Karen Skraba. It will help you control your scrappy strip techniques, teach you bias techniques while creating diamonds, assist you with pieced borders and talk about finishing (quilting) techniques. All in only two sessions! The sample will be in the shop by April 1, so you can see what you’ll be making, and the book and ruler you will need will be available for purchase. Also, I’ll help you pick out your fabrics before class. Class will be April 20 and May 4, 1pm to 4pm (Wednesday afternoon.) If you can’t make afternoon classes, Karen says she will also do a class the same days from 5pm to 8pm if there is enough interest! Class fee $15 per class, so $30 total plus book and supplies.

QUILT CAMP at Chicagami -- Thursday to Sunday, $160.00. Friday to Sunday, $130.00. So far we still have space available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary

February Newsletter

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Quilt Shop of Chisholm

116 W Lake St

Chisholm, MN 55719

(218)254-1700

Hrs: M T W F 10am-6pm,Th 10am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm

FEBRUARY CLASS SCHEDULE:

UFO - Thursday, February 3, whenever until 8pm

Monthly Mini BOM - Tuesday, Feb. 8, 4-6pm or later

Farmer’s Wife - Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2-6pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, Feb. 10, whenever until 8pm

Patriots in Petticoats - Saturday, Feb. 12, 10am-11am

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends - Saturday, Feb. 12, 12-1pm

Wool Block of the Month - Thursday, Feb. 17, 6-8pm

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If your name is mentioned in this newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will receive a FREE FAT QUARTER!!!

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My niece Jodie, who does not quilt, reads my blog and made a comment: “What is with you quilters and fat quarters? That is discrimination. You should call them ’boundry-challenged quarters’.” I don’t know if you remember me writing about her in a previous newsletter, but to sum it up, when she was pregnant with her second child and it was a BOY, I told her that her life was OVER. I was right. I haven’t seen her in a while. If you think it’s bad now, Jodie, wait until you discover that he’s raising chickens in his bedroom closet when he’s 17. Just a little something for you to look forward to.

NEW IN MARCH - Tonga Rhapsody 2011 Block of the Month! These are beautiful batiks that we received recently and we have a sign up sheet! It will be $22.00 per month and includes pattern, fabrics for top binding AND WIDE BATIK BACKING. Such a deal!!!!

SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP!

5th Annual Stars of the North Shop Hop February 23-26. Saturday the 26th we will have a bus (LUXURY COACH with a bathroom) leaving from the Quilt Shop of Chisholm at 8am. We are over half full and need to fill up so CALL ME TO SIGN YOU UP!!!!!!!!!! The cost is $35.00. We will have muffins and coffee for you when you get here from 7:30-8:00, a goodie bag to take on the bus and a hostess to entertain you on the bus!!! If you don’t know Carol Lee, you will by the time you get off the bus. She is very nice, very pretty and I’m not sure but I think she’s a little bit naughty, Sharon Beaver. That must be why I like her! We will have dinner ready for you when you get back from your tour of the other 6 shops: Terri’s Treasures in Iron, Aitkin Quilts and Fabrics, Timeless Treasures in McGregor, Elaine’s Corner in Hill City, Tiger Textiles in Grand Rapids, and Quilts Around the Corner in Hibbing.

QUILT CAMP is coming and I have about 10 people signed up so far - April 28-May 1, Thursday-Sunday. Is it Spring yet??????!!!!!!!

If you signed up for UFO, Pat Young, or if you didn’t sign up, come anyway! I have a feeling the numbers will be low this month because the 1st Thursday “snuck up” on us. Is “snuck” a word? Which brings me to another subject - the UFO class started out as a time for you to finish “unfinished objects” while I demonstrated a technique or new tool for your education. I know it’s hard to believe, but I slacked off a little. Remember the first class where I talked about

A Triangle Block Exchange

And you all looked at me with glassy eyes? The book “Friendship Triangles” by Edyta Sitar has BEAUTIFUL quilts and projects made from half square triangles using her 2” half square triangle paper. We bundle these up using a dark strip of fabric or batik and a light strip along with a sheet of triangle paper that makes 28 half square triangles and sell them for $2.50. They are by the cash register and we call them “Cinnamon Sticks” (NOT “Cigars”, Mary Jo.) We now have a sign up sheet if you want to make up HST (half square triangles) and exchange them in the shop. Come check it out, and come check out the 2 quilts we have in the shop made from these HST’s: “Tree of Life” and “Southern Exposure”. Of course, kits are available if you want to purchase them, and the kits include the cigars -- I mean cinnamon sticks, Bev Cherro.

Monthly Mini’s - there is still 1 opening for the Monthly Minis Block of the Month. The stand (which those of you who picked up already know) is $20.00. Each month you get the pattern, fabrics and any buttons if needed along with your stand topper for $25.00. Very cute.

Farmer’s Wife - I’m back to cranking out blocks again! This is fun. This class is very loosely formed - you can copy square and triangle sizes from my book if you don’t want to use templates (who does?) or you can cut your fabrics or sew your blocks or browse the fat quarters (boundry challenged quarters) or just sit and stare into space and drink coffee. No class fee.

Stash Pot Pie - If you need a copy of the cutting directions for the February class, we have them. This month is FRENCH SILK CHOCOLATE PIE and KEY LIME PIE. God bless you, Karl.

Patriots in Petticoats Block of the Month - THE FABRICS ARE HERE and we can finally start. Month 1 is 2 different 10” finished blocks and they are beautiful and go together like a dream. Come see my blocks. Yours are ready to pick up! There are still some openings for this Block of the Month. $21.50 per month, Julie Lange.

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends Block of the Month - Block number 6 - the applique! We will be including “Doris’s Tips” with this month’s pattern. Next month (month 7) includes your borders and binding to finish!

Wool Applique - BY POPULAR DEMAND, I’VE GOTTEN IN MORE KITS FOR THE WOOL BLOCK OF THE MONTH, SO YOU CAN STILL JOIN! $15.00 PER MONTH, PLUS THREAD. The blocks are BEAUTIFUL. Jackie has 3 done (she’s in the Cities with a new grandchild and took her stuff with her, so I’m sure she’ll come back with a few more!)

Who wants to do a One Block Wonder quilt like the one Kay DelGreco made hanging behind the cash register? I have broken out my MAGIC MIRROR and found some really great fabrics that will work. Let’s do a class in March. Let me know if you are interested!!!!!!!

Carol and I work very hard to keep the e-mail list for the newsletter as accurate as possible. Last month there were a number of e-mail addresses returned to us as undeliverable. Most of these were part of the Paul Bunyan network. It appears that our e-mails were blocked due to a filter named “barracuda reputation.” Others were rejected due to a variety of reasons such as: user unknown and mailbox unavailable. So why are we telling you when you obviously are getting the newsletter by email? Because maybe you have a friend who says, “I don’t get the newsletter anymore” and you can tell her that it may be because of this problem and to check with us. Ditto if you are reading this on the blog.

Last but not least: A big thank you to Barb Henry and all the women who made pillow cases for the 1 million pillow case challenge. We have provided 250 pillowcases to The U of MN Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit and the local United Way. The local United Way will distribute these pillow cases to local shelters in St Louis County. Both places were VERY grateful to receive these pillow cases. Barb Henry (who begs for an Employee of the Month award “like Spongebob Squarepants gets” every month) deserves a big pat on the back for organizing this - she suggested it, organized it and made it happen. Good Job, Barb! As a token of my appreciation, I gave her an employee of the month certificate for January 2011. The last time I saw her she was leaving the shop muttering something under her breath about “this is the thanks I get------a pat on the back is free------thankless, good for nothing----see how many Mondays I work from now on------”. I think she must have been on the way to the printer to have her certificate framed!!!!!!

My sisters donate to this charity and asked me to include the link on my blog. http://www.pillowsforpatriots.org/

Mary

January 2011 Class Schedule and Newsletter

2011-01-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

Class Schedule and Newsletter

Class Schedule:

MILLION PILLOWCASE CHALLENGE CLASS - SUNDAY, JAN. 9, 1PM-??????????

UFO class - Thursday, January 6, whenever you get here until 8pm

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends BOM (Month #5) - Saturday, Jan. 8, 12-1pm

Patriots in Petticoats NEW Block of the Month!!!!!! - Saturday, Jan. 8, 10-11am

Monthly Mini NEW Block of the Month!!!!! - Tuesday, Jan 11, 4-6pm (or later)

Hand Quilting??????? - Tuesday, Jan. 11, during the day??? A prize to anyone who can tell me why I have this written on my calender? Did I tell someone we’re doing a class??????

Farmer’s Wife 12-step program support group (My Name is _______, and I am a blockaholic) - Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2-6pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, Jan. 13, whenever til 8pm

Back Home BOM - (last month! You better be caught up!) - Saturday, Jan. 15, 12-2pm

Wool Applique NEW Block of the Month!!!!! - Thursday, Jan. 20, 6-8pm

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If your name is mentioned in this newsletter (no matter how inappropriately) you will receive a free FAT QUARTER!!!

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I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - today the kids are back in school. My son Austin is the perfect example that, for children, “hope springs eternal”. Even though my husband works for the school and Austin knows he was out plowing snow two days over the weekend with the other guys who work at the school, he said to me last night, “Maybe Mr. Varichak will cancel school tomorrow because of all the snow we’ve gotten. Maybe it will be too slippery to walk on. Maybe it will be too cold.” I wanted to say “And maybe pigs will fly” but I didn’t because that would have gotten me an eye roll and a possible arm crossing. My kids do not think I’m funny, they do not think I’m cool, and in some cases they don’t seem to even think I’m presentable. I know when I lost the respect of my older boys. It was when they were in elementary school and we were coming out of a Target store in the rain. I told them to wait under the shelter while I went and got the car. Then I made the fatal mistake of putting an empty plastic bag over my hair to keep it dry. They were humiliated and traumatized. I guess Charlotte and Austin just picked up the attitude through osmosis. But that’s part of being a mother, I guess. Learning that your kids do not want you to carry on a conversation with their friends or show up at a public school function unless they have pre-approved your clothing choices. Or, as my son David said to me once, “Seriously, Mom. Are you really going out like that?”

The Million Pillowcase Challenge is a national challenge to make pillowcases for donation to charities of our choice. This Sunday we will meet to have a pillowcase marathon! Bring your machine and any fabric that you wish to use for pillowcases. We also happen to have fabric here (surprise) that you may purchase for a VERY reduced price to make pillowcases.

UFO class - Karen Copeman, there is no pie served at this class. I repeat, no pie.

The Patriots in Petticoats new block of the month still has a few openings, Bonnie Keith. This is using fabric circa 1840 designed by Windham Fabrics in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution. Each pattern has two blocks to make for the month and a commentary on a particular female patriot. Some of these stories are unbelievable - when you think of the time these women lived. Those of you who were in the Civil War Tribute block of the month class -- these blocks are a JOY to make - AND - they come out the right size!!!! Believe me, it took both Bev and I to figure out how to do the Civil War block 10 (and then I had to pry it from her hands while telling her it was as good as it was going to get and it would all quilt out. I have very low standards and Bev has very high standards.) If you are signed up for the Patriots in Petticoats class, you will enjoy it very much. If you want to sign up, call me.

The Monthly Mini new block of the month will start on Tuesday, Jan. 11. (Still a few places open.) The time is 4-6pm, but we will stay later if you can’t get here from work and want instruction on the applique, Maggie Manion. Most of you are familiar with the fusible applique technique, but if you need instruction and want to stay past 6pm, I’ll stay with you. The first month you will receive your 12” x 14” stand and the pattern, fabric, buttons and stand topper for February. Instructor: Bev. Cost: $25.00 per month and $20.00 sign up (for the stand).

Call me if you want to sign up!

Farmer’s Wife - What is not to love about the Farmer’s Wife book? You can come to this class and copy the template sizes from my book so that you can rotary cut them. You can use your scraps to make the blocks. There is no class fee. All you need is the book! Come join us……………………….

Stash Pot Pie - You guys are SO lucky that Bev is here. When I overheard some of you saying you wanted to do a SCRAP quilt, possibly a crazy quilt, my evil side came out and I found the perfect pattern. It is so horrendous and I thought to myself “I’ll fix their little red wagon. If they want scrap crazy quilting, THIS will shut them up.” I showed it to Bev (not on purpose) and she told me I could NOT do that to my Stash Pot Pie class and that I’ve always said that Stash Pot Pie was my favorite class and it was MEAN to give them a pattern like that. So I withdraw the pattern I showed you last month, Karen Weber, but you can still do it, if you want to! I’ll come up with a more user friendly scrap quilt pattern.

Back Home Block of the Month - this is our last month - Block 9 and we’ll be ready to put on borders.

Wool Applique NEW Block of the Month! - Jackie has brought in the first block sample - it is very pretty. Last year’s quilt had only red, green, gold and brown wool - but this year’s has gorgeous colors! $15.00 per month, plus threads.

Mary

2010-11-04T14:37:00.001-07:00

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

November/December Newsletter

Class Schedule for November:

UFO class - Thursday, November 4, 5-8pm

Farmer’s Wife - Wednesday, November 10, 2-6pm

Beginner Class - Wednesday, November 10 and 17, 5-8pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, November 11, 4 or 5 til 8pm

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends B.O.M. - Sat., Nov 13, 12-1pm

Civil War Tribute B.O.M. - Sat, Nov 13, 10am-11am

Wool Applique B.O.M. - Thursday, November 18, 6pm-8pm

Back Home B.O.M. - Saturday, November 20, 12-2pm

Class Schedule for December:

UFO class - Thursday, December 2, 5-8pm

Farmer’s Wife - Tuesday, December 8, 2-6pm

Beginner Class - Wednesday, December 8 and 15, 5-8pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, December 9, 4 or 5 til 8pm

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends B.O.M. - Saturday, December 11, 12-1pm

Civil War Tribute B.O.M. - Sat. December 11, 10-11am

Wool Applique B.O.M. - Thursday, December 16, 6pm-8pm

Back Home B.O.M. - Saturday, Dec. 18, 12-2pm

(B.O.M. means ongoing Block of the Month)

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Remember, if your name is mentioned in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will get a free fat quarter next time you come in the shop. (Of course, you will have to remind me!)

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SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! SHOP HOP! - February 23-26, Wed. - Sat. The shop will be open 9-6 Wednesday-Friday (yes we’ll still be open until 8pm on that Thursday) and 8am-8pm Saturday, Anita Provenzino. Saturday the 26th there will be a bus leaving from the shop and making the circle to Terri’s Treasures, the new shop in Aitkin, Timeless Treasures in McGregor, Hill City, Tiger Textiles in Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and of course back home to Chisholm! If you did not go last year on the bus, you missed a great time. This year we will have more room on the bus AND Carol Lee will be your tour guide! How lucky can you get!? But WAIT, there’s more! The price will be the same as last year - $35.00!!!!!!!!!! WOW! Like I said, Linda Carlon, you’ll have more room on the bus, Kathy Young, (to stow your purchases while you’re out running all over the country cheating on me) and the seats are more comfortable (think First Class), and THEN you get to return to the shop and have a gourmet dinner served to you! Okay, it won’t be gourmet and you’ll probably have to serve yourself, but it will be GOOD!

You can call the shop (254-1700) or Chisholm Community Education (254-1431) to reserve your spot on the bus. $35.00 will be due January 26. More about this in January newsletter………………..

QUILT CAMP - Camp Chicagami Thursday, April 28 - Sunday, May 1. This is a UFO (unfinished objects) camp. Sign up in the shop!

Coming up in January, we will be doing a Patchabilities block of the month. In January you will get a 12” x 14” stand and a pattern and fabric to make a little 12” square wall hanging to go on it, Margaret Morgan. Each month thereafter, you will get the pattern and fabric to make another block for the stand AND a little seasonal stand topper that attaches to the stand! All this for a pittance of $22.50 per month! AND there will be a sample made for display in a TIMELY fashion (because Bev will be doing it, not me.) Please come in and sign up so I’ll know how many stands to order!

Also in January we will be starting a NEW Block of the month, Jeannie Quirk, “Patriots in Petticoats”. This is Windham Fabrics in Association with the Daughters of the American Revolution project. It is a beautiful quilt and - if you are in the current Civil War Tribute b.o.m. then you will appreciate the simplicity of the blocks. The pattern has a monthly tribute to women who lived during the time of the American Revolution and the early years of our country.

Beginner class - This is a new ongoing class on Wednesday nights as noted on the class schedule. If you know anyone who needs a beginner class, they can start on any of the dates on the schedule - I just need to know at least a day before they start coming! This seems to work best when we have people come in and want a beginner class. We always have scheduling problems and by the time we get a full class they may have lost interest. Wednesday nights I will be here to get you started, and help you progress each step of the way. The shop is closed at 6pm, so there will be minimal interruptions. When you can’t make the following class, then you just let me know. That way, it takes the pressure off you and you will eventually have a quilt! If you cannot make it on Wednesday nights, ask me about Tuesday mornings! If you can’t make Tuesday mornings, either, then God help you. No, just kidding. We will work out a schedule. I’m willing to work one on one. $15.00 class fee per session.

Wool Applique - Thanks to Carol, the November, December and finishing kits are ready to be picked up whenever you want them. The finishing kit is $15.00.

Arlene Huset came in the shop today with ALL 113 Farmer’s Wife blocks done! I am going to get back to making my blocks one-per-day if it kills me (it might).

Mary

2010-08-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

September 2010

Class Schedule:

****UFO Night - Thursday, Sept. 2, 4pm-8pm

****Farmer’s Wife - Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2pm-6pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, Sept. 9, 5pm-8pm

Civil War Tribute Block of the Month - Saturday, Sept. 11, 10am-11am

****Aunt Grace Circle of Friends B.O.M. - Saturday, Sept. 11, 12pm-1pm

****Beginner Quilting Class - Tuesdays, 5pm-8pm, Sept 14 & 28, Oct 12 & 26

Wool Applique - Thursday, Sept. 16, 6pm-8pm

Back Home B.O.M. - Saturday, Sept. 18, 12pm-2pm

(**** denotes new classes starting in September)

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If your name is mentioned in this newsletter (no matter how inappropriately)

You will receive a Free FAT QUARTER!

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I put the above statement about the free fq in all my newsletters. A few months ago my sister Jenny (who is NOT a quilter and reads the newsletter on the blog) emailed me and said “I want a free fat quarter! What is it?” !!

QUILT CAMP! QUILT CAMP! QUILT CAMP!

Camp Chicagami - Fall Into Quilting - September 9-12. Thursday-Sunday $170, Friday-Sunday $160. If you have signed up with Charlotte Nelson’s group, great! If you sign up with the QSOC group, you can still participate in Charlotte’s classes if you want to, OR just work on your UFO’s. You may arrive anytime Thursday and our first meal will be on Thursday evening. We will have 2 meals each day. Day campers: Thursday or Sunday $35.00, Friday or Saturday $40.00, includes one meal.

Household tip: If you head up the stairs with windex, paper towels, and trash bags, and look down pointedly at the people you live with who are stretched out watching Nascar on Sunday afternoon, tell them you are going “upstairs to clean”, then put your nose in the air, you can get a nice long Sunday afternoon rest and no one will come upstairs to bother you. I tried this several weeks ago. I really had intentions of cleaning - and I did, for about 15 minutes. Then I saw my bed - so inviting - and someone had left the TV on, so I lay down for a few minutes to read. Unfortunately, who ever had been watching TV in my room had left the tv on the Animal Planet Channel, and this show called “The Monster In Me” was on. If you have never watched this show, DON’T DO IT! Forget “Nightmare on Elm Street” or “Silence of the Lambs” or any of those movies - this show is about parasites that invade our bodies. (Are you itching yet?) The episode that was on was about bed bugs, lung flukes and some parasite that can get in your eyes and the cure is a drug that has some chemical pool cleaner in it. I am not making this up. After I checked the sheets for telltale signs of bed bugs and determined that since I wasn’t going to eat any raw crustaceans then I wasn’t going to get lung flukes, I called my 19 year old daughter because she wears contacts. I informed her that she was NEVER to use old or dirty lenses and she needed to keep her contact cleaner somewhere where it wouldn’t get contaminated. She replied “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?”. To which I replied that parasites might be invading her eyes at this very moment and she thanked me for telling her and hung up. Then I started thinking about how quilting gets a hold on us like a parasite. But it’s a GOOD parasite. It can completely take over your thought process. Your husband is talking about something that happened at work that day and you are saying the appropriate things in response like “really? Uh huh? Are you serious?” and all the time you’re thinking “if I used triangle papers and made the half square triangles 3” instead of 2”, then I would only have to make 413 of them instead of 2,687. I wonder if I have enough of the brown material for the sashing?” or “the flannel quilt in our bedroom is so old and falling apart - but do I really want to make another queen size and how am I going to afford the flannel for that size and the backing - I know, I’ll buy the fabric for the blocks first, then when I finish that I’ll get the borders. Then I’ll get the backing later. What pattern do I want to use?” And he’s continuing “blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah, so how was your day?” And you suddenly realize that he’s stopped talking and is looking at you like he’s waiting for a response. And if you’ve been married long enough, you know that he’s either asked 1. What’s for dinner or 2. Can we have a quick romp in the hay before the kids come in or 3. How was your day. This is very important that you answer correctly. He doesn’t LOOK hungry. He looks too tired for a romp in the hay. So you say “just great, honey, just great.” and he looks happy.

So, even though quilting is a parasite, I still say it’s a good parasite.

If I haven’t lost you yet with my rambling: We will be having a new class on the first Thursday of the month starting this month: UFO NIGHT! You come on the first Thursday anytime in the afternoon or when you get home from work and bring your machine and whatever you want to work on. If you need help with something or advice (we LOVE to give advice), or if you just want to work on an unfinished project. Class fee is $5. BUT, there is a catch…………….(I know, there always is, right?). Think of it as a bonus - not a catch - since I will be demonstrating a new technique to you at each class! September will be a technique used in the book “10-Minute Blocks, 3-Seam Squares for Quicker Quilts”. This class will fill up very, very fast, as there is only room for 12 people. Call the shop to sign up!

Farmer’s Wife - if you have the book and want to come to work on your blocks, or if you want to cut your fabrics, or if you want to copy template measurements out of my book, this is the class for you. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, come in and see the book.

Aunt Grace Circle of Friends Block of the Month - this is a 7 month project with a cost of $27.50 per month and includes all fabrics for top and binding. These cute 1930’s prints are just charming. Come in and see the picture and the blocks that Doris Smith has done.

Beginner Quilting class - Karen Skraba will be teaching this class. Class fee will be $60 for all 4 sessions. You will be making a 52” x 68” lap size quilt and fabrics will run about $45.00. The supply list is available at the shop. Limited to 6 students, so sign up as soon as possible!

We will be starting a new wool applique block of the month in January and I have a picture of the new project and a sign up sheet in the shop. Jackie is almost done putting together her sample of this year’s wool block of the month and you will be jumping up and down to get yours finished when you see it!!!!!!!

Sometime in September I will be starting a “Triangle Exchange” - I will have information in the shop on that and other upcoming things.

Now, before I sign off, I have to tell you about the bat that came to visit. I don’t know how he (or she) got in, but I can tell you how he or she got out. Bev and I were alone in the shop and saw the movement of flight. He flew behind the quilt on the back wall. Bev looked at me and I said, “I’m going down to the basement to get my rubber gloves.” She looked at me harder and said, “What if he comes out from behind the quilt and builds a nest in my hair? That’s what my older sisters told me when I was little.” I told her that the bat was perfectly happy behind the dark quilt and I would be right back up. I went down stairs and almost immediately hear the pitter patter of little feet (running) and SQUEALING from up above. I grabbed my gloves and as I headed up the stairs I hear Bev sobbing: “Mary, you need to get up here right now!.” I opened the door and there was Bev, cowering under the cutting table, emitting a squeal every now and then, and the bat WAS kind of making a bee line for her. When he finally landed, I picked him up with a plastic bag in my rubber glove and turned the bag inside out and took him out in the alley. So I called Bev at home the next morning and told her I was sorry that she had had such a traumatic experience at the quilt shop and that I still respected her, even though she hid under the table and squealed. Sorry, Bev, I just had to tell it.

We have darling pillow case kits for the magic pillow case made up in the shop - this would be the perfect opportunity to make a pillow case for the pillow case challenge! See Barb for details.

Mary

June Newsletter and Classes

2010-05-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

June 9, 2-6pm - Farmer's Wife group
June 12, 10-11am - Civil War Tribute Block of the Month
June 17, 6-8pm - Wool Applique Block of the Month
June 19, 11-12 - Sweet Pickin's Club
June 19, 12-2pm - Back Home Block of the Month

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If I mention your name in this newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you get a free fat quarter next time you come in the shop! You have to remind me because I have the memory and attention span of a gnat.
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The Farmer's Wife Group - Those of you who have the book "The Farmer's Wife" have asked for a "class" or meeting to get together, so every month on the 2nd Wednesday, we will meet here at the shop. We will meet from 2-6pm to cover those of you who don't want to come at night, and those of you who work during the day. Of course, you may stay the entire 4 hours, but you do not have to stay! You may bring your machine to sew, or you may bring your scraps to cut, or you may borrow my book to copy the sizes of the templates. Whatever you want to do related to the book, you may. Unless you want to dance on the book. I have made 25 of the 113 blocks - I look forward to making a block before I leave the shop every day - it's fun, it's fast, and I only have to make ONE of them. If you do not have this book and would like to purchase it, I have them in stock.

Back Home Block of the Month - this is a new block of the month that started in May - there are still opening - you're not too far behind!!! Laura Lignell and I are both teaching this class and the sample is just darling. This is a class to bring your machine along and let us check your needle, your stitch length, and give you tips to make your applique look the way you want it to look. Let us hover over your shoulder, breathing down your neck!! (No wonder the class got block one pieced, appliqued and stitched in the first class.) Plus, if you've never had Laura as a teacher, she always brings snacks or a dessert, which is more that you get from me!! Class fee (includes pattern), $20. Supplies (mostly fat quarters) extra.

The Shop Hop fabric is BEAUTIFUL! All blues and creams, all about Minnesota. We are pre-selling the fabric and you can pick it up or have it mailed to you on July 30 when the shop hop begins. Did you know that you can take a bus trip to cover the Northeast Section? Each bus trip is three days and two nights. The cost is $175.00 and includes lodging. Meals will not be included but the hotels do offer breakfast. There will be one trip Friday-Sunday, July 30-August 1st. Another trip will be Monday-Wednesday, August 2-4. For more information, call (218)285-2080.

Thought you might like to see some of the finished products from our blocks of the month.

These two are from the Batik Mystery Quilt Block of the Month. The top one belongs to Gail Haybloom and the bottom one belongs to Terese Damyanovich. Good job, guys!!

This is one of the Stash Pot Pie quilt tops done by Sue Walker.

Stash Pot Pie is taking a break over the summer, but this class will be back with a vengence in September!! We meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month, from 4-8pm. This class continues to amaze me with their dedication and results........I'm not sure if they come to use up the fabrics in their "stash", eat pie or socialize. All I know is that I'm afraid to leave the room when they're here because I might miss something.

2010-04-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here are our happy quilters at 7:45 am before they got on the bus to Shop Hop in February!

2010-04-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Geranium Mini Quilt!

Looks so cute in the little 12" x 14" quilt hangers.

"One Million Pillowcase Challenge"

2010-04-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Quilt Shop of Chisholm has joined the American Patchwork & Quilting "One Million Pillowcase Challenge." We will be donating the pillowcases to local charities such as nursing homes, cancer patients at the hospital, and foster care children. If you have other ideas please let me know. Barb will be in charge of arranging a meeting to decide on how many we think we can do and exactly where we would like to donate these pillow cases. We will have patterns and ideas that you can use when Barb gets back from Texas. (She says she's in Texas, but we don't know that FOR SURE.) Our pillow cases will be counted toward the countrywide total. The challenge continues through the rest of 2010. Click on the button below to get more information.

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

116 W Lake St, Chisholm, MN 55719
218-254-1700
www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com

April 2010 Newsletter

Class Schedule:

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, April 8, 4-8pm
Civil War Tribute Block of the Month - Saturday, April 10, 10-11am
Advanced Beginner - Tuesdays, April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 5-7pm
Wool Applique Block of the Month - Thursday, April 15, 6-8pm
Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - Saturday, April 17, 10-11am
Sweet Pickin’s Club - Saturday, April 17, 11am-12pm

*************************************************************
Remember, if your name shows up in the newsletter (whether it is used in an appropriate manner or not) you get a free FQ!!!!!
*************************************************************

Coming Up:

A Block of the Month in May (3rd Saturday of the Month) will be replacing Cobblestone Lane. It is fusible applique and it’s called “Back Home”. Laura Lignell and I are making the blocks for the sample. This will be a hands-on block of the month, meaning that we will actually be working on them during the classes. Laura and I will share with you the tricks to make machine applique look the way you want it to look!

April 29 - May 2, Thursday - Sunday --- Quilt Camp!!!!!!!
We are having quilt camp at Camp Chicagami. If you are already signed up and have not sent in your deposit, it is $50. The cost of camp will be $160 for Thursday-Sunday, $125 for Friday-Sunday, with the evening meal of the day you come the first meal included. Day campers will be $35 per day (which includes meals). We still have openings available! We will be working on UFO’s. There will be more on www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com later on this month, Sue Walker.

STASH POT PIE - I found out why Karen Johnson doesn’t say anything during stash pot pie class. It’s not because she is hiding something - it’s because if she talks, she can’t listen to the 3 or 4 conversations going on around her. As she told me, “I might miss something!” In March, Karl could not make the pies, so I made Banana Pudding and Chocolate Candy Bar Pie, using instant pudding mix (the recipes were on the boxes) Cool Whip and pre-made pie crusts. I will not tell you how much I ate, but I was in a sugar coma the next day, overslept and did not get to the shop to open until 10:30. Karl will be back this month with pies that are not so deadly.

CIVIL WAR TRIBUTE - We learned several things last month in this class: First, when quilt blocks are squared up and sewn together, there will be some points that are “cut off”, Judie Gustafson. This is inevitable. Even samples sent from the pattern company are not perfect. Secondly, quilters who insist on a “scant quarter inch” seam allowance and get down to 3/16 of an inch are neurotic. Now, I’m just telling you what was discussed. The word “neurotic” came right from the lips of a woman who has spent her entire life in the field of psychology. AND “The Mother of All Quilters”, the only woman who I know that has ever pieced, quilted and bound the “Dear Jane” quilt (with the scary snow cone border), agreed with her. So I snuck over and changed the scant ¼” setting on my machine before anyone could notice.

ADVANCED BEGINNER - Karen Skraba will be teaching this class at the request of her beginner quilters. It is a sampler quilt and we have a sample made up in the shop. If you are a novice seamstress, Pattie Schleicher, but are new to quilting or if you have had the beginner class and want to learn something new, this is the class for you. Four classes, $60 class fee, supply list available at shop when you sign up, homework will be given!!!!!!!!!

***************************************************************
My niece in Baltimore has recently had a baby. Her second child. A BOY. So far, her oldest child (who is only a year old) has been a sweet, angelic, patient, smiling girl. I would like to tell my niece that life, as she knows it, is over. But I won’t. Because she only has one boy. He may be that rare exceptional case that is inquisitive, yet careful. Fearless, yet careful. Energetic, yet careful. Why, my niece may ask, do I keep saying “careful”? Because all boys are inquisitive, fearless and energetic, but none of them care about the consequences - and therefore aren’t careful. Now, let’s say your little darling is the exception to the rule and your precious daughter tries to keep close tabs on him for the next few years (oh, boy, WILL she.) Then you will go and do something absolutely insane and have another child and if it’s a boy - then I’ll tell you that your life is over and you are going to need something much stronger than herbal tea to make it through the next year - make that the next 25 years. Because “boys” are different than girls. One boy is bad enough, but from the moment that second boy is brought home from the hospital, the horror begins. Here is my theory on “boys”. When more than one are together, you take the lowest IQ score from the group and divide it by the number of boys in the group, and the whole group’s actions will reflect that IQ score. Think about it. No, my dear niece, don’t think about it. You will have enough to think about over the next few years. But somewhere in the back of your brain you will remember this advice when he’s 4 years old and playing with his cousins and they have set fire to your house. Or when he pries or peals the letters off your car and brings them in the house to you. (You didn’t tell him NOT to.) That’s the problem with boys. There are infinite things that you “didn’t tell him not to do” because you, as a mother, would not in your wildest dreams think he might do it. His father will have thought of them, and may even be doing them with him. Even if you try to train yourself to think about aberrant behavior, you won’t be able to foresee tablecloth tents in your large tree in the front yard, the 3 foot hole dug right by your back porch, hammer marks in your coffee table, batteries wrapped in copper wire melting crayons on your kitchen counter. Then when he’s older, driving a 4 wheeler straight up a hill with his friends (remember the IQ theory) AND THEN DOING IT AGAIN after he rolls. It doesn’t have to be a 4 wheeler and a hill. It could be trying to ride his bike up an oak tree, and when he falls, he tries again, over and over. Then when he is an older teen, and the police come to your house at 8:00 in the morning because his car is (a) buried in a snow bank, (b) abandoned on the side of the road or (c ) skid marks lead into your driveway or (d) all of the above. I don’t know when boys become real people. I could go on and on, but I’m too depressed to tell you any more. Just get a big bottle of Jack Daniels and keep it in your basement so you can go down there to “do the laundry”. Trust me, no one will follow you.

Mary

2010-03-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

April 2010 Newsletter:

Class Schedule:

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, April 8, 4-8pm
Civil War Tribute Block of the Month - Saturday, April 10, 10-11am
Advanced Beginner - Tuesdays, April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 5-7pm
Wool Applique Block of the Month - Thursday, April 15, 6-8pm
Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - Saturday, April 17, 10-11am
Sweet Pickin’s Club - Saturday, April 17, 11am-12pm

*************************************************************

Remember, if your name shows up in the newsletter (whether it is used in an appropriate manner or not) you get a free FQ!!!!!

*************************************************************

Coming Up:
A Block of the Month in May (3rd Saturday of the Month) will be replacing Cobblestone Lane. It is fusible applique and it’s called “Back Home”. Laura Lignell and I are making the blocks for the sample. This will be a hands-on block of the month, meaning that we will actually be working on them during the classes. Laura and I will share with you the tricks to make machine applique look the way you want it to look!

April 29 - May 2, Thursday - Sunday --- Quilt Camp!!!!!!!

We are having quilt camp at Camp Chicagami. If you are already signed up and have not sent in your deposit, it is $50. The cost of camp will be $160 for Thursday-Sunday, $125 for Friday-Sunday, with the evening meal of the day you come the first meal included. Day campers will be $35 per day (which includes meals). We still have openings available! We will be working on UFO’s. There will be more on www.quiltshopofchisholm.blogspot.com later on this month, Sue Walker.

STASH POT PIE - I found out why Karen Johnson doesn’t say anything during stash pot pie class. It’s not because she is hiding something - it’s because if she talks, she can’t listen to the 3 or 4 conversations going on around her. As she told me, “I might miss something!” In March, Karl could not make the pies, so I made Banana Pudding and Chocolate Candy Bar Pie, using instant pudding mix (the recipes were on the boxes) Cool Whip and pre-made pie crusts. I will not tell you how much I ate, but I was in a sugar coma the next day, overslept and did not get to the shop to open until 10:30. Karl will be back this month with pies that are not so deadly.

CIVIL WAR TRIBUTE - We learned several things last month in this class: First, when quilt blocks are squared up and sewn together, there will be some points that are “cut off”, Judie Gustafson. This is inevitable. Even samples sent from the pattern company are not perfect. Secondly, quilters who insist on a “scant quarter inch” seam allowance and get down to 3/16 of an inch are neurotic. Now, I’m just telling you what was discussed. The word “neurotic” came right from the lips of a woman who has spent her entire life in the field of psychology. AND “The Mother of All Quilters”, the only woman who I know that has ever pieced, quilted and bound the “Dear Jane” quilt (with the scary snow cone border), agreed with her. So I snuck over and changed the scant ¼” setting on my machine before anyone could notice.

ADVANCED BEGINNER - Karen Skraba will be teaching this class at the request of her beginner quilters. It is a sampler quilt and we have a sample made up in the shop. If you are a novice seamstress, Pattie Schleicher, but are new to quilting or if you have had the beginner class and want to learn something new, this is the class for you. Four classes, $60 class fee, supply list available at shop when you sign up, homework will be given!!!!!!!!!

***************************************************************

My niece in Baltimore has recently had a baby. Her second child. A BOY. So far, her oldest child (who is only a year old) has been a sweet, angelic, patient, smiling girl. I would like to tell my niece that life, as she knows it, is over. But I won’t. Because she only has one boy. He may be that rare exceptional case that is inquisitive, yet careful. Fearless, yet careful. Energetic, yet careful. Why, my niece may ask, do I keep saying “careful”? Because all boys are inquisitive, fearless and energetic, but none of them care about the consequences - and therefore aren’t careful. Now, let’s say your little darling is the exception to the rule and your precious daughter tries to keep close tabs on him for the next few years (oh, boy, WILL she.) Then you will go and do something absolutely insane and have another child and if it’s a boy - then I’ll tell you that your life is over and you are going to need something much stronger than herbal tea to make it through the next year - make that the next 25 years. Because “boys” are different than girls. One boy is bad enough, but from the moment that second boy is brought home from the hospital, the horror begins. Here is my theory on “boys”. When more than one are together, you take the lowest IQ score from the group and divide it by the number of boys in the group, and the whole group’s actions will reflect that IQ score. Think about it. No, my dear niece, don’t think about it. You will have enough to think about over the next few years. But somewhere in the back of your brain you will remember this advice when he’s 4 years old and playing with his cousins and they have set fire to your house. Or when he pries or peals the letters off your car and brings them in the house to you. (You didn’t tell him NOT to.) That’s the problem with boys. There are infinite things that you “didn’t tell him not to do” because you, as a mother, would not in your wildest dreams think he might do it. His father will have thought of them, and may even be doing them with him. Even if you try to train yourself to think about aberrant behavior, you won’t be able to foresee tablecloth tents in your large tree in the front yard, the 3 foot hole dug right by your back porch, hammer marks in your coffee table, batteries wrapped in copper wire melting crayons on your kitchen counter. Then when he’s older, driving a 4 wheeler straight up a hill with his friends (remember the IQ theory) AND THEN DOING IT AGAIN after he rolls. It doesn’t have to be a 4 wheeler and a hill. It could be trying to ride his bike up an oak tree, and when he falls, he tries again, over and over. Then when he is an older teen, and the police come to your house at 8:00 in the morning because his car is (a) buried in a snow bank, (b) abandoned on the side of the road or (c ) skid marks lead into your driveway or (d) all of the above. I don’t know when boys become real people. I could go on and on, but I’m too depressed to tell you any more. Just get a big bottle of Jack Daniels and keep it in your basement so you can go down there to “do the laundry”. Trust me, no one will follow you.

Mary

February Update

2010-02-13T13:46:00.000-08:00

Classes: This Thursday, Feb. 18, 6-8pm ----------WOOL APPLIQUE BLOCK OF THE MONTH
                                                                               (every 3rd Thursday of the month)
               Thursday, Feb 25, 10a-2p----------------ATLANTIS BLOCK OF THE MONTH

BRENDA POQUETTE - I need to know if you want your finishing kit for Atlantis as the pieced border or the sample border!!!!!   This month in Atlantis we will have the finishing kits ready and we are working on the border and finishing up! If you do not have all twelve blocks and your finishing kit, I should have them here for you to pick up. (Except for Brenda. Ha!)

Wool Applique Block of the Month - Block 2 will be ready and you may stay and stitch (or cut as the case may be) or pick up & go.

MARCH CLASSES:

STASH POT PIE - Thursday, March 11, 4pm or whatever til 8pm. $5.00 class fee. THIS CLASS IS ALWAYS THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, Tammy Jerkovitz. The cutting instructions must be picked up when you sign up for the class. You would not believe what goes on in this class and I could repeat stories and comments that would make your hair stand on end. This is absolutely my favorite class and there is no doubt I could blackmail several people, Julie Thune. ("Pokey Little Puppy". Need I say more?) Since she has learned to say "Stash Pot Pie" instead of "Pot Stash Pie", Karen Johnson has not said anything that I can blackmail her with - YET. She is very careful not to say anything that is inappropriate, but she WILL slip up -- and I'll be there when she does.

CIVIL WAR TRIBUTE - Saturday, March 13, 10am-11am. Block #3. This class is always the second Saturday of the month. I know it's hard to believe, but I will do a demonstration at this class and we will have a show and tell of any and all Civil War fabric projects that you have made!

WOOL APPLIQUE - Thursday, March 18, 6-8pm. This class is always the THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH!

COBBLESTONE LANE - Saturday, March 20, 10-11am. Block 5 of 6!!!!!!! Are you working on your setting squares?????

SWEET PICKINS CLUB - We resume after the shop hop!!! Yeah!!! This class is always the THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, Tammy Jerkovitz.

**************************************

This Wednesday - Saturday is the Stars of the North Shop Hop! February 17-20. For those of you who have not picked up the brochure in the shop, it will be Quilt Shop of Chisholm, Elaine's Corner in Hill City, Terri's Treasures in Iron, Quilts Around the Corner in Hibbing, Tiger Textiles in Grand Rapids and Timeless Treasures in McGregor. For those of you who are on the bus - You need to get here by at least 7:30 Saturday morning to be able to eat before the bus leaves at 8:00 am. If you don't want to park on the main street for 12 hours, there is public parking in the parking lot behind Tom and Jerry's or you can park on the side streets (avenues).

Mary

January 2010 Newsletter

2010-01-05T18:16:00.001-08:00

Class Schedules:

Saturday, Jan. 9, 10am-11am -- Civil War Tribute Block of the Month
Thursday, Jan 14, 4 or 5 - 8pm --Stash Pot Pie
Saturday, Jan 16, 10-11am--Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month
Saturday, Jan. 16, 11am-noon --Sweet Pickins Club
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 5-8pm --Continuing Education (the creation of Quiltzilla)
Thursday, Jan. 21, 6-8pm--Wool Applique Block of the Month
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 5-8pm--Second class of Continuing Education
Wednesday, Jan 27, 3-6pm--Mexican Star wallhanging
Thursday, Jan. 28, 10am-2pm--Atlantis Block of the Month #11
Saturday, Jan. 30, 10am-2pm--Atlantis Block of the Month #11

Class descriptions will follow. Remember, if your name appears in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will receive a free fat quarter!************************************

Things that were overheard in the quilt shop in 2009:

Mary Jo telling the customer next to her as she was reaching for a bolt of fabric: "I HATE this place."
"Barb did it" or "Barb didn't do it", whichever works.
Terese D. telling me "Go to H***, Mary" when I told her I "just happened" to have kits available for a quilt she was admiring.
Bev telling me "YOU CANNOT ASK THE CUSTOMERS TO BAKE YOU COOKIES....."
Tammy J. telling me (after I drew ink pen lines on the RIGHT side of her fabric while showing her how to make continuous bias binding) "You are for all purposes dead to me now."
"We are having a Shameless Promotion today......"
"I'm just here to get my fix and pet the fabric."
"When I finished that last quilt with all the triangles, I spent a full day in the corner of my bedroom, rocking back and forth in the fetal position, sucking my thumb"
"The Elusive Jennifer....."
Tammi C. (nicknamed Flannel Tammi) asking me: "Why are all the flannels on display? Why are they up front? Put them in the back so no one will buy them."
Linda C. telling Bev: "I have NO friends."
"Organize ME, will you?"
Laura L., after completing a row of blocks named "Peanut Butter and Jelly" for the shop hop quilt: "Peanut butter and jelly, my A**!!"
Barb telling customers "Come back tomorrow when Mary's not here and we'll be having a big sale with friends and family discount."
Doris S.: "Is it coffee time?"
Bev saying "Barb and I are going to open up a quilt shop in Kitzville and be your worst nightmare."
"I found another bolt of flannel that Flannel Tammi must have hidden back here."

Inventory is done and we are ready for the new year. I would like to say a heartfelt "Thank You" to all the women who help me with this shop - whether it's by working here, doing binding, making samples, helping with inventory, letting me "steal" your quilts for samples, and hang them in the shop, or just by being good customers. A "good customer" is one who comes by to visit, asks for our opinion on a project, gives us her opinion on our works in progress and makes suggestions. (It doesn't hurt if she also spends a lot of money. Ha!).

The Civil War B.O.M. will be the 2nd Saturday each month for 12 months and the fabrics are GORGEOUS! The cost will be $24.00 per month for the fabrics and pattern. We are in the process of making the sample, Amy Rice, so come in and ask to see the blocks. The size of the quilt is like 100" x 108".

Cobblestone Lane B.O.M. will be block number 3 out of 6 (remember, since we are making 2 blocks per month, and there are only 12 blocks, we'll be done in April!). There are still a few of you who need to pick up your finishing kits. Don't worry! They are safely stored in the back, Lue Strom.

Sweet Pickins - At the last meeting in December, the challenge was to make an ornament. So we decided to each make an ornament (ONE ornament) and we'll have an ornament exchange at this month's meeting to keep for next Christmas! This month's project is a Valentine Table Runner and is very cute.

Karen Skraba will be teaching the "Continuing Education (The Creation of Quiltzilla)" classes. There will be five classes on Tuesday nights, Jan 19 and 26, Feb. 2, 9, and 23. This class was requested by her beginner class as something a little more challenging to continue their education in quilting. Be careful what you ask for!!!!!    Just kidding - it will be very easy, Karen Beil. It's a gorgeous sampler from the book Better by the Dozen. Come see the sampler and get your class supply list. The class fee will be $15.00 per class.

The Mexican Star wallhanging - Laura Lignell will be teaching this class on the folding technique that looks so much like applique. We have two beautiful samples hanging in the shop. This class will fill up fast. Laura wants to offer this class for no class fee, as a customer appreciation gesture. (It's not often you get this kind of gesture from Laura, usually it's the other kind.)

The Wool Applique Block of the Month - I am so excited about this I can hardly stand it!!!! There are already 35 people signed up for this and I can take 15 more! We will meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month 6-8pm starting this month. This can also be just picked up and taken home. (In fact, I think the idea that is so appealing about this project is that it's something you can do at home while watching tv.) The wools are BEAUTIFUL!!!!! The cost is $10.00 per month for the wool applique fabric and block pattern. The first month you will need to purchase a yard of the flannel that is your background for the entire small quilt.  There is also another 2 yd. fabric purchase sometime during the course of the project for your sashing and borders. We will have the sample made up as soon as I can get it cut for Jackie. Jackie Shuster will be helping you out with your stitching if you need help (she does a fabulous job with the hand stitching). There will also be a kit available with all the threads used in this project for hand applique for $21.00. If you want to use your own threads or machine applique, that is fine, Carol Chadwick.

Finally: Don't forget we have a regional shop hop coming up February 17-20. There is a bus leaving from our shop at 8a.m. on that Saturday, the 20th. We've had a great response to this 4th Annual Star of the North Shop Hop. For those of you who are signed up for the bus and haven't paid - your seat is NOT reserved until you pay. Please pay at the quilt shop of mail your payment to Chisholm Community Ed. as seating is limited!

                                                                                Mary

Finally! I update my blog!

2009-12-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

November and December 2009 Newsletter

November Class Schedule:
Free Motion Quilting - Saturday, November 21, 1-3:30pm
Tablerunner of the Month - Thursday, November 19 - 4-8pm
Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - Saturday, Nov. 21, 10-11am
Sweet Pickin’s Club - Saturday, Nov. 21, 11am-noon
Atlantis Block of the Month - Saturday, December 5, 10am-2pm

December Class Schedule:

Free Motion Quilting - Wed., Dec 2, 10am-12:30pm
Autumn House BOM - Thurs., Dec. 3, 5-7pm
Hand Quilting - Thurs., Dec. 3, 5-7pm (same time as Autumn House)
Atlantis Block of the Month - Sat., Dec. 5, 10am-2pm
Stash Pot Pie - Thurs., Dec 10, 4pm-8pm
Tablerunner of the Month - Thursday, December 17, 4-8pm
Cobblestone Lane - Saturday, Dec. 19, 10-11am
Sweet Pickin’s Club - Sat., Dec. 19, 11am-noon

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Remember, if your name is mentioned in the newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you get a free fat quarter next time you are in the shop!

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WE WILL BE CLOSED FOR REMODELING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 and will be open for business again on Tuesday, December 8 (even if we are still moving things. We are getting new carpet! Be sure to come by to see our fancy new look, Pam Moss.

Then, on SATURDAY, December 12, we will have our annual open house, with a FAT QUARTER FRENZY and all fabrics (except flannel and sale fabrics) on the bolt for a 20% discount! One day only. Fat quarters will be $1.25 each. If you buy 25 or more, they will be $1.00 each.

***********************************************************************************************************************************

SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

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Free Motion Quilting - Don’t be afraid! Once you learn how to do this, you will be amazed at how those quilt tops get done! It’s all in practice, practice, practice. You are not allowed to criticize your stitches (I will be happy to do that for you!) But there are some requirements for this class: You need to have a sewing machine that you know how to operate and has the capability of lowering the feed dogs and you need to know how to lower them. You need to have a “Free Motion Foot” that fits your machine and is specifically made for free motion. If you don’t have one, get one from either P & D Sewing in Grand Rapids or Viking Village in Hibbing or Virginia. You have to be able to tell them your model and make of sewing machine for them to give you the right one. Call them first and ask them if they have one for your machine and if not, can they order it for you. Other supplies you need (which are available here at the shop if you don’t have them) are quilting gloves (I prefer the “Machingers” brand), Schmetz Quilting Needles, size 75/11 or 90/14 depending on your thread size, 40 or 50 weight cotton thread AND something to quilt. I would suggest you either make a few quilt “sandwiches” with fat quarters and batting and also bring something that you want to quilt (and can live with the fact that it won’t be perfect.) We do not use safety pins for basting - either 505 spray or hand basting. Only 505 spray please, because the cheaper brands tend to gunk up your machine. Class fee $15.00

That being said, Karen Skraba, for Hand Quilting, I will supply the needle, you will need a thimble and your choice of thread. You do not need a practice “sandwich”, just a quilt that you want to work on. Class fee $15.00
TABLERUNNER OF THE MONTH: You don’t want to miss the last two classes - November is the darling Santa Runner and December is the Snowman! They are both done (believe it or not) and kitted, or you can use your own fabrics. Class fee $5.00

COBBLESTONE LANE - The sample is here - the blocks are kitted and the price will be $10.00 per month. We will try to have the finishing kits ready if you want to get yours this month.

SWEET PICKIN’S CLUB - Cute stuff this month - come and see! If you want to join Sweet Pickin’s, Susie Cencich, and have not, there is still room for you.

ATLANTIS will meet on Saturday, December 5, 10am-2pm for the November class due to Thanksgiving. We can decide then when to meet for December. December will be block 11 of 12! I need to know if you are doing the fancy border or the plain border by December 5, so we can kit it up for you!

STASH POT PIE - If you remember last December, Karl and Kristine made us a WONDERFUL Chicken Pot Pie and the best Chocolate Cake EVER, and they are going to do it again this December. So if you are not signed up, there are still a few spots. Call me!!!!!

January we will start a new Wool Club - raw edge hand applique (or machine if you prefer) of wool on flannel. It will be a block of the month, Doris Kerzie, every 3rd Thursday of the month starting January 21st, 5pm to 8pm. You can stay and we’ll hand sew (you will not need your machine) or you may pick up your pattern and fabrics and take them home. More information to follow, Lois Mehle……..

If you have a deer hunter in your life, you know that rifle season is coming to a close. But of course, there is always bow season and something called “muzzle loader” season - WHAT EVER. All I know is that Quilt Season is open year round for me, Lue Strom. (Except summer. I read in summer.) I have some questions about the men in your life that I would like to quiz you on.
1. Have you ever found a machete in your umbrella stand?

2. How many pairs of boots does a man need?

3. Why do men never throw anything away?

4. Why do men and boys like to wrestle?

5. Why do men notice that rolls of toilet paper in the store have gotten
Narrower but they don’t notice when the roll is empty at home?

If you know the answer to any of these questions, please let me know.

Mary

October Class Schedule

2009-09-26T06:20:00.001-07:00

Quilt Shop of Chisholm

October Class Schedule

Thursday, October 8 - Stash Pot Pie, 4 or 5 til 8pm

Thursday, October 15 - Table Runner of the Month, 4-8pm

Saturday, October 17 - Cobblestone Lane BOM, 10-11am

Saturday, October 17 - Sweet Pickins’ Club, 11am-noon

Thursday, October 22 - Atlantis BOM, 10am-2pm

Saturday, October 24 - Atlantis BOM, 10am-2pm

　

Thursday, October 22, 5:30-8:00 pm, Jackie Shuster will be teaching a table runner class using her Simply Charming table runner pattern. We have samples made up and kits available, so sign up. Class fee $15.00. Kits include fabrics and pattern and are $23.00.

BEGINNER CLASS----BEGINNER CLASS----BEGINNER CLASS

Karen Skraba will be teaching our beginner class this fall (Teresa Smith is in the process of building a home and moving). We are very lucky to have Karen teaching - her background is in teaching and her present job is on the “psych ward” at a local hospital, so she is perfect for the job! She will be teaching you cutting, piecing and quilting techniques on a lap size quilt (52” x 68”) in four evenings. Beginning October 13, Tuesday nights 5:30-8:00, October 20, 27 and November 10. Fee of $60 covers all 4 classes, supply list available at the store.

September Newsletter

2009-09-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

Class Schedule:

Autumn House Block of the Month - Thursday, September 3, 5-8pm

Stash Pot Pie - Thursday, September 10, 4-8pm

Winner’s Bouquet Class - Saturday, September 12, 10am-2pm

Tablerunner of the Month - Thursday, September 17, 5pm-8pm

Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - Saturday, September 19, 10-11am

Sweet Pickins Club - Saturday, September 19, 11am-12noon

Atlantis Block of the Month - Thurs., Sept. 24 OR Sat., Sept 26, 10am-2pm

Batik Mystery Block of the Month - Pick up at your convenience.

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Remember, if your name is mentioned in this newsletter, no matter how inappropriately, you will receive a free fat quarter! (You have to come in and tell me, unless you want a virtual fat quarter emailed to you.)

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QUILT CAMP!!!!!! Quilt Camp at Camp Chicagami October 8-11. 3 night/4 day is $160 and 2 night/3 day is $125. We have a few openings left Linda Mortenson. I need a $50 non refundable deposit by 15 September! Those of you on the list will receive a special mailing with more details. We are going to have SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!

Well, September has arrived! The school busses will be humming in town here and all children will be off the streets, out of our houses, out of our kitchens with their heads stuck in the refrigerator, and will have to wait until after 3pm to ask us the dreaded daily question: What’s for dinner? I would like to go JUST ONE DAY without being asked that question. For approximately 22 years I have been asked that question EVERY STINKIN’ DAY, and it looks like I have another 9 years to go. Yes, Austin just had his 9th birthday. I looked in on him sleeping the other night and brushed his hair with my hand and felt a lump on the side of his head. I started to panic until I felt one on the other side of his brow, too, and realized it was just his Cro-magnon Iron Ranger brow growing in.

With my daughter Charlotte at school in Minneapolis now, we have 3 down, 1 to go, unless of course……….SOMEONE COMES BACK. A few years ago I had a Grown Child Stress Quiz that maybe did not apply to some of you then, but it does now. Here goes:

1. If you have a grown child living at home, give yourself 1 point.

2. If it’s a male over the age of twenty three, give yourself 5 points.

3. If your GC (grown shild) is living in the basement, give yourself

Another 5 points.

4. If he calls you “Mommy”, give yourself 10 points.

5. If your GC is not employed, give yourself 10 points & a big shot of

Jack Daniels

6. If you have teenagers living at home (they pretty much have to, by

Law) in addition to the GC, give yourself 10 more points.

Now let’s tally up the points:

1-5 points - It’s already bad - you have a grown child at home.

6-10 points - It’s not looking good - you won’t be getting your quilting room

Back anytime soon.

11-19 points - You have permission, Sharon Wrobel, to cry and throw things (other than His/her laundry in the washer) whenever you wish.

20 points + - God Bless You. You get a 10% discount at the Quilt Shop of

Chisholm in the month of September if you tell me you have

20 points or over when you come in. Don’t tell me anything else

- no details, please. Otherwise we’ll both get stressed and

Upset and we come to the quilt shop to get away from that

(and drink coffee and eat chocolate).

　

STASH POT PIE begins our new year September 3, and will continue to be the 2nd Thursday each month. I’m SO EXCITED because this year I get to choose the scrappy patterns instead of following the program we did last year. You are at my mercy! Let’s face it, it couldn’t be any worse that the program last year. I won’t be telling you to cut 467 1 ½” squares with a Tri Rex ruler…..Or will I???!! You are safe for the first few months - but if I hear any complaints or whining, it’ll be back to tiny Dear Jane blocks with templates. Ha! $5.00 class fee

Winner’s Bouquet - if you have seen the beautiful quilt on display in the shop, then you know how popular this class is going to be, Merle Dosen. The class that begins on September 12 will be taught by Doris Smith and will consist of cutting out your fabrics using the rotary templates provided in the pattern. You will NOT need your machine for the first class. You will decide as a group when to meet for the 2nd class. Pattern cost is $30.00, class fee $15.00 for the 1st class and $10 for each class after that.

Tablerunner of the Month - Ok, you guys. Summer is over, Carol Haverkamp. It’s time to get down to business. Every 3rd Thursday. Is that so hard to remember? If you haven’t seen the vegetables we did in July or the apples we did in August, you should BE ASHAMED. Ha! Of course I have kits made up if you want to make it like the sample. This month we will be doing the pumpkin/jack-o-lantern, which is REALLY cute, so don’t miss it! $5 class fee

Cobblestone Lane Block of the Month - This block of the month will be the 3rd Saturday of the month - this is our Moda University replacement this year. At the September meeting we will receive the pattern, and talk about the quilt, because the fabrics (Astor Manor by 3 Sisters for Moda) are not available until October. The cost of the block of the month program will be minimal each month ($5-$8) except for the first month - the pattern is $30 - and at some time during the year you will need to get your finishing fabrics and alternate block background and sashing fabrics. The quilt will finish 78” x 100”. If you want to choose your own fabrics and still do the block of the month with us, then I will help you choose them. Sherri K Falls, who designed the pattern, will be sending the completed quilt to the shop so we can see exactly what we are making. I would LOVE to tell you when in September, but I can’t remember. It will be a SURPRISE when it gets here, which pretty much sums up all events in my life.

SWEET PICKIN’S will follow the Cobblestone Lane class every month - it will also be the 3rd Saturday of the month from 11am-noon. Sweet Pickin’s is a new club that is going to meet also on the 3rd Saturday of the month right after Cobblestone Lane. So you can come to one, the other or BOTH, Karen Ecker! Sweet Pickin’s Club does not make a quilt. Each month you will receive a newsletter, an exclusive pattern that will not be sold in stores, but will be for members only (such as bags, table runners or wall hangings) and an “extra”. The “extra” is a small project or challenge like a pincushion, Christmas ornament, etc. The newsletters have recipes, sewing tips and info on tools/gadgets that work well for quilting. Members receive a web address and password for the club blog which will post projects that other clubs do and will post pictures from US and our finished projects! I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a haircut and losing weight if I’m going to be on a blog. (I barely know what a blog is.) The losing weight part will be hard, since we will be serving refreshments each month. The membership dues for the whole year are $36.00 per person. This will cover club costs and printing charges. And, of course, each month I will JUST HAPPEN to have kits of the projects for sale.

Batik Mystery Block of the Month - This is a B.O.M. that can be joined at any time. If you subscribe to McCall’s Quilting Magazine, there is a 6-issue series for a Mystery Quilt called “Make It Your Way!” that started in the June, 2009 issue. If you want to participate, Judy Towle, and do not have the magazines, then I have a limited number of the past issues. We are making it from batiks and once you come in and pick out your fabrics, then I cut them, put them in back, and dole them out to you monthly (approximately 2 yds per month) to do that month’s mystery blocks. How simple and inexpensive is that? AND it makes a huge (90” x 102”) quilt.

If you have emailed me and I have not responded, it is because my email is different - it is now qsochisholm1001@qwestoffice.net. It’s not because I only check my email once a week or because I don’t care.

Wow!

2009-09-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure I completely understand this blog thing, but I know I'll be able to post my shop newsletter and pictures. I'll also be able to have a "Cast of Characters" (with photos) of people working in the shop. No one is safe! Comb your hair! Put on your Spanks! I can already tell I'm going to be power tripping over this. News about the shop and blackmail all in one easy package! Watch for more..........Mary