Happy New Year!

Hello Pieceful Quilters!

I can hardly believe that 2009 is over - it seems like just last year we were all worried about the Y2K computer disaster (that didn't happen - phew!). What happened to all those years in between? It is also hard to believe that we have been here for over three years. I guess time really does fly when you are having fun. I know that my years in the law firm didn't fly like that.

I hope you are all ready to get back into quilting. The winter months are a great time to stay home and quilt. I have been busy doing bindings now that it is colder in the house. It is nice to wrap up in a big quilt and stitch away. I have finished four bindings in the last few weeks. Of course, some of them were partially done. We seem to have a habit of hanging our samples with the bindings pinned in parts. We changed the shop around last week, and I ended up with a couple of quilts to take home and finish. The Williamsburg quilt must have had 50 pins in it! It was all good, though, since I apparently threw away the thread catcher/pin cushion in my sewing room. It has been M.I.A. since the last time I cleaned in there. I have been using some "antique" pins from a box of my grandmothers sewing junk. I am sure I will end up with some rust spots if I leave them in too long. Of course, that will make my quilts look more authentic. There is always a silver lining, isn't there?

Newly Reorgnized Shop Pix

We decided to open things up a little in the back by moving out one of the big ugly fabric shelf thingers. The quilt over the fireplace (yes, there is a fireplace behind that pile of snippet bundles) is Beyond Borders - A Monique Dillard/Open Gate pattern using the Lincoln Bicentennial Line from Windham Fabrics. The blue and white one in the back corner is Janes Journey - a Bethany Fuller/Grace's Dowry Quilts pattern. Both are bound - with labels! Aren't you impressed? We do have kits for both of them, which which we would be happy to mail out to those of you that are reading my babbling from far away. Just give us a call - 847-516-7911 or 866-433-7911 (Toll Free). Katie has Beyond Borders on our website, too. Feel free to email me if you have any questions - carrie@piecefulgathering.com.

We moved the big cabinet out of the corner, and I really like it where it is, now. Funny to think it was in my parent's basement the whole time I was growing up. I think my Dad would have been just as happy to leave it there when he broke up the house a few years ago, but I made my (sainted) husband drag it out of there for me. It is all one piece and it weighs a ton! I am sure glad I did - it looks great in the shop! The quilt you see hanging from the shelf thing is Calico Comfort from Kathleen Tracy's book, Remembering Adelia. We still have some kits for that great scrappy quilt. It is on the website, too.

If any of you have time, you should bop over to Kathy Tracy's blog, http://sentimentalquilter.blogspot.com/2009/12/quilt-shop-tours.html

She has a review of some of the quilt shops around here, including your favorite and mine :)

Take a few minutes to read through some of her other entries, too. She is really a wonderful writer. That reminds me, we finally did up a sample of Kathy's Broken Dishes quilt in Pink and Brown from Prairie Children and Their Quilts. We have had the kits for awhile, but our sample was in the originial Red, White and Blue that Kathy used in her book. Don't you love the Pink and Brown:

I had a call this morning from a new customer that wanted to know about our quilt service. It seems that she had taken an applique quilt somewhere else to be quilted, and the quilter went right over her applique work! I would have been sick (assuming I would ever do applique). Anyway, it made me think of this great quilt that Vonnie did recently on a quilt that Jan Griffith made in our Quiltsmart Club. The group did a Lonestar last session, and Vonnie did these amazing feathers free hand! Both Vonnie and Cathy are turning out such beautiful work. They have really mastered the Gammil!

Well - that's it for now. I need to get home and get to work on my Mystery Quilt instructions for next week - ACK!

I wish you all a very Happy 2010!

Carrie

Snow Pool

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

As you all know, I am insane. Just to prove it, here is a picture Katie took of me shoveling Route 14. It is taken through the window screen, so it's a little fuzzy, but that's me! Crazy as a loon.

Actually, I was doing it for your safety and mine. The wet slush and snow had formed a puddle at the end of our driveway, which would have turned into a nice skating pond if I hadn't gone out and cleared the drain. It worked great, and I am alive to tell about it!

Anyway, I decided it would be more fun to clear snow all winter if I made a game out of it (I have a little Mary Poppins thing going, don't I?). Hence, I have created the Pieceful Fat Quarter - Snow Removal Pool. Here's how it will work:

The pool will be based on the number of times I (or another Pieceful employee) have to go out and sweep or shovel snow. This can be more than once a day, so the number could get pretty high! So far, I have been out 5 times! We are going to start the pool at 20 and go up to 200. You can get into the pool by purchasing a fat quarter which will go into the Pieceful Snow Pool Pot. Each fat quarter will "buy" you half a square (20 - 200). The pool will end on Pieceful Auction Day, March 21st. (And hopefully that will also be the end of Snow Removal!) The winner or winners will receive all, or half, of the fat quarters in the pot (depending on whether there are one or two people on the winning square) PLUS - 100 Pieceful Bucks (if there are two winners they will each receive 100 Pieceful Bucks)! How's that for FUN! You can begin purchasing squares now - so come in soon to get your first choice of squares!

Good Luck!

Carrie (the head nut)

Man Day - Wish List Suggestions

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

As most of you should know by now, Man Day is coming up on Sunday, December 2oth. This is the day you can send your man (husband, son, significant other, etc.) to shop for the things you actually want (what a concept). We will have "Manly" refreshments - yes, that means beer, and our husbands will be working the register. We will have the Bears game on the radio and Katie & I will be in the back doing giftwrapping (just in case any questions come up that the boys can't answer).

Man Day will also be the Kick-Off of Buck Hunting Season. Anything your Man purchases on Man Day will earn him DOUBLE BUCKS to bring home to you! These can be used at our Pieceful Auction on 21st. Regular Buck Hunting Season will begin after the 1st of year.

I know that you all have things you have been wanting, but if you are like me, when you sit down to fill out the list they will all go right out of your head. I thought it might be helpful if I came up with a little list of nifty things you might want:

Items between $10 and $20

• 4.5" Frosted Square Ruler
• Mini Crafting Iron
• 12" Add-a-Quarter Ruler
• Best Press 16 oz Spray Bottle or 33.8 oz Refill Bottle
• Pounce Pad - White, Blue or Iron Off
• Texture Magic
• Mesh Bags (Various sizes)
• Easy Angle, Companion Angle or Tri-Recs Rulers
• Foundation Paper Pack
• Fit to be Geese or Fit to be Square Rulers
• Applique Pressing Sheet
• Desktop Needle Threader
• Super Satchel Slim or Large
• Get Squared Ruler pack (for fussy cutting)
• Susan's Simple Applique Rulers (various designs)
• Printed Treasures Photo Transfer Paper
• A NEW Rotary Cutter - oh yeah!

Items between $20 and $30

• A NEW Mat 18" x 24", or a NEW Ruler 6" x 24"
• Amazing Nickels - Pat Speth's newest book
• 12 1/2" Square Ruler or 15" Square Ruler
• Dating Fabrics by Eileen Trestain (1800-1960 or 1950-2000)
• Little Box of Baby Quilts (patterns)
• Remembering Adelia by Kathleen Tracy
• Sew Slip (Teflon Sheet to aid in machine quilting)
• Fat Quarter Quilting by Lori Smith (Her new book)
• 60mm Rotary Cutter (the big one - doubles as a pizza cutter - haha)
• Judy Martin's Log Cabin Book (just awesome)
• Ergonomic Rotary Cutter (good if you want to cut sitting down)
• Pack of 5 Rotary Blades (45mm)
• Simple Comforts by Kim Deihl (great book)
• Autum Gatherings by Lisa Bongean (classic)
• 501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks (a must have!)
• Little School Girl Kit (Lori Smith)
• Lincoln's Platform Quilt Kit (from Remembering Adelia)
• Sawtooth Star Wallhanging Quilt Kit by Carrie

Items $30 to $40

• Best of QNM - Quilt Design Software (see what EQ is all about before buying it)
• Triangulations Software (A must have!)
• Shape Cut Plus or Quarter Cut Rulers (you know how I feel about these!)
• Autumn Medallion Wallhanging Kit by Katie
• Pieceful Gathering Denim Shirt
• Sawtooth Star Lap Quilt Kit by Carrie
• Fun at the Beach Tote Bag kit by Jean
• Pieceful Flowers Wool Tablerunner Kit by Katie
• Gifts from My Heart Wallhanging Kit (Patriotic looking with Wool Bird Applique Center)
• Kansas Winter Jelly Roll
• Fabricalculator

Items $40 and up

• 20.5" Square Ruler
• 24" x 36" Cutting Mat
• Morgan 12"/14" Lap Stand
• The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns by Jinny Beyer (A must have)
• Heritage in Quilts - Quilt History book from the Tennessee DAR
• Best Press 1 Gallon Refill Bottle
• Shape Cut Pro Ruler (20" x 24" - 2.5" intervals) the mega one
• Dear Jane Design Software
• Aurifil Cone in our favorite color - 2310 Light Beige
• Calico Comfort Quilt Kit from Remembering Adelia
• Beyond Borders Quilt Kit (blue & white - Grant & Lee Panel Center) by Monique Dillard
• Holiday Shop Hop (Autumn Medallion) Full Size Quilt Kit
• Jane's Journey Kit (Blue & White from Grace's Dowry Quilts)
• Vonnie Marie's Wedding Ring Quilt Kit (1870 Reproduction by Carrie)
• Civil War Sampler Complete Kit by Karen Witt (on SALE)

I hope this helps. We will try to have enough of these things in stock, but be sure to have second choices in case we run out of the most popular items. Don't forget, Gift Certificates are always an easy choice for your man (less confusing).

Below you will find a copy of our wish list form that we have been handing out at the shop - just in case you didn't get one.

....................................................................................................

Pieceful Man Shopping Day
Get a jump start on Buck Hunting Season!

December 20th from 12:00-5:00

· The shop will be open for Men Only
· Mark & Tony will be “manning the shop”
· The Bears game will be on and there will be “manly” refreshments
· Free gift wrapping will be available
· All purchases made will receive double bucks which can be used in the 2010 Pieceful Auction

Just fill out the “wish list” on the back and give it to your man. Then be sure to send him to Pieceful Gathering on December 20th.

.......................................................................................

Dearest Husband,

I’ve been really, really good this year and all I want for Christmas is quilting supplies from Pieceful Gathering Quilt shop. Please, pretty please, buy me the following must have quilting items!

· A Gift Certificate
· A Kit for the Quilt _______________________
· Fabric in the color _______________________
· Fabric from the new line __________________
· These Notions __________________________
· The book ______________________________
· The pattern ____________________________
· Other _________________________________


Yours truly,

_____________________­­­­­­___

.............................................................................................

Thanks for Shopping with us!

Carrie

A Few Pictures

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

We have a winner! Nancy Luehrs won the 2009 Pieceful Gathering Quilt Pink Raffle Quilt. Thanks to our great customers who came through at the last minute after I confessed that I had done a truly pathetic job of promoting the quilt this year, and bought enough tickets to double the amount we will be sending to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We will be sending a check for $320.00 thanks to all of you!

Nancy Luehrs with her new quilt!

Yesterday, I worked during the Baltimore Album Club meeting. I was so exhausted from standing all day on Saturday that I decided to sit and stitch with them for a little while. Talk about a fun group! I just sat and giggled the whole time. I had to take a couple of pictures to share with you. They are working on a method called Papercuts, where they actually cut a pattern out of paper and use it to create beautiful applique blocks. Watching a bunch of women that are a long way from kindergarten trying to cut paper was amusing, to say the least. Here are my pix with captions:

"Are you serious? Where are my magnifying glasses? Does anyone have some sharper scissors?"

"Ta-Da, it's a snowflake - ok, so maybe it's a melted snowflake."

Of course, I am just making fun. The actual blocks are truly amazing. Stop by the shop to see Joanne's sample blocks.

That's all for now. Be sure to stop by and sign up for our Spring (Jan-April) classes and clubs!

Piecefully Yours, Carrie

Quilt Pink Raffle Ending!

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

I have to admit that I have really dropped the ball on the Quilt Pink Raffle Quilt. So far, we haven't even sold $200.00 worth of tickets, and the drawing is this weekend. In other words, whoever has entered has a good chance of winning! On the other side, we will not be sending a whole lot of money to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This means that whole thing was a tremendous waste of time. Heck - the quilting and the raffle tickets probably cost more than we are going to donate, unless a lot more tickets get sold between now and Saturday. SO - if anyone has a meeting or group this week with people that might buy some tickets, feel free to borrow the quilt and go sell some tickets for the cause!

Here is a picture of the quilt. Sorry, it's not a very good picture, but you get the idea. I think it turned out really pretty:

Pieceful Gathering Quilt Pink Raffle Quilt 2009

Please think about how we can sell more tickets this week. And be sure to purchase some when you come in the shop. I have tons of tickets, if anyone wants to take some to work or something. Or - if you just get names and phone numbers, we will fill out tickets for anyone that is interested.

Tickets are $1.00 each, or 6 for $5.00

The drawing will be held at the end of the day at our

Holiday Open House and Discount Registration Day

This Saturday, December 5th

Thanks!

Carrie

Hexagon Quilt Update

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

Just in case you thought I had given up on my hexagon quilt, I thought I would give you a quick update. I am up to 18 rosettes now, with several more in the works. Here they all are.

I love the way they look when they are done. That is what keeps me going. I am actually looking forward to paper piecing the stars in the quilt I am reproducing for Sarah's Club. See post from November 16th. Who would have thought I would be having so much fun doing hand work?

That's it for now - Keep watching for the next Hexagon update!

Carrie

Sneak Peak at New Spring Class - Harvest Moon Wool Table Mat

Here is another sneak peak at a new spring class. I'll be teaching this class and I think it will be perfect for those of you who have been wanting to do something with wool but haven't known where to start.






This class will be a great introduction to working with wool. We'll learn wool basics, how to use fusible with wool, and how to do the buttonhole stitch. In class we will get all of our pieces cut out and fused down and we will start on our stitching. I'm hoping to spend some time this weekend working on my sample. I'll have it for you to see at the December 5th open house to make sure you are there!

Katie