Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop

Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop

Monday, November 30, 2009

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

Monday, November 23, 2009

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

Saturday, November 21, 2009

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

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sneak Peak at New Spring Class - Twist and Shout Tote

I promised I would give you a sneak peak of a few of our new classes, so here's the first. This is a new bag pattern that we picked up at market and are super excited about! It’s called the “Twist and Shout” bag and it is put together in the coolest way.





It’s kind of hard to explain because you really need to see it done. You basically make four panels using the “quilt as you go” method and then they somehow twist together in this really awesome hard to explain way. It goes together really fast and you don’t have to make a lining. It comes in three different sizes, the mini is 5” x 5” x 8”, the small (which is what Diane made) is 7” x 7” x 10” and the large is 9” x 9” x 14”. Diane is teaching the class and you will be able to pick which size you want to make. It’s a strippy tote and is jelly roll friendly. I think this is going to be a popular class so come to the open house on December 5th to be the first to sign up. Look for dates and times in your newsletter which should be arriving sometime next week. Keep watching our blog for more sneak peaks at next session’s classes.

Katie

Monday, November 16, 2009

Meet Sarah!

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

Meet Sarah, my GGGrandmother



We are starting a new club and I am so excited about it. It is named after my GGGrandmother, Sarah Phillips, and we will be doing our own designs based on antique quilts - some that I own, and some will be from pictures. The club will be lead by Deb, with some input from me, and we are already busy working on the samples for this session. Most of them will be designed to be little quilts, with an option to make them bigger if you want.

The first one is based on an antique doll quilt that is owned by Sandy Schweitzer. It is made with a lot of madders (I am getting some designs ready for my upcoming fabric line with Blue Hill Fabrics). I dug deep into my secret stash at the shop to find some wonderful madders that I had been saving for something special. The kits will be made up of a variety of madders and neutrals (and probably no two will be the same!). I have already finished my top, and I love it! You will have to come to the Open House on December 5th to see it in person.

Another quilt we are reproducing is a six-pointed star quilt that is set with triangles to make a star in a star pattern. I purchased the quilt in Paducah this year, and I think you are all going to love it as much as I do. We are going to learn Engish Paper Piecing in the club, but I will give you an alternate method to use, too. My quilt is set with double pinks, but Deb will do hers in another colorway. We will make it small, but you will have the option do do it as big as you wish! Maybe you will want to make it as big as my antique quilt!

We talked about other quilts too, and I know this is going to surprise you, but I really don't remember which ones we decided to do this session. We came up with so many different ideas - I think we have enough for the next several years! We are planning to try and cover a lot of different techniques, as well, that you can add to your quilting repetoire.

I know you are going to love this club as much as I already do!

Be sure to come to the Open House to get 10% off of your registration fees.

Piecefully Yours,
Carrie

Monday, November 9, 2009

Northern Lake County Quilt Show Pix

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

I just wanted to share a little of the fun we had at the Northern Lake County Quilter's Guild Show. We had a wonderful time vending there - everyone was so nice to us, and it was great to see so many familiar faces and meet some new friends.

I was very impressed with the skill level of the quilters in this guild. The show had something like 200 quilts, and there wasn't a dog among them. These girls obviously are doing a great job of sharing their skills with each other, and that is what belonging to a guild is all about.

I was especially pleased to see a lot of Pieceful Gathering class and kit quilts in the show, along with a lot of quilts featuring our reproduction fabrics. I tried to take pictures of a bunch of them, but my camera card didn't have enough room for everything I would have liked to photograph. The lighting made the pictures turn out kind of dark, but I tried to lighten them a little, and the rows were too close together to get full pictures of some of the bigger ones, so I apologize for them in advance, but here are a few that I did get (in no particular order):

Starburst by Jean Gundrum
This was a Pieceful BOM that eventually was made into complete kits. I think we still have a few floating around the sale room. Isn't it gorgeous? Good job Jean!

Elegant Garden by Lynn Ray
This was Katie's last Wool BOM. Lynn did a beautiful job on it. And, might I add, I think Lynn had more quilts in the show than anyone else. I could be wrong, there were several women that had quite a few, but I was pretty amazed. Imagine finishing all those quilts! What a concept!

Civil War Sampler by Madelyn Anderson
I think this was the first BOM I did after opening the shop. It was a wonderful quilt that was designed by Karen Witt, one of our favorites. I might have been a little overly ambitious when I decided to tackle this one, but several people did finish it, in spite of me! As you can see, Madelyn won a well-deserved ribbon for her efforts!


Baltimore Album by Marcia Hilse
And speaking of ribbons - Marcia won Best of Show with this stunning quilt. Marcia started this gorgeous quilt in our Baltimore Album Club with Joanne Parks and finished it later on her own. I believe most of the blocks come from Elly Sienkiewicz designs. It is amazing to see how beautiful a traditional quilt like this can look when you do it in batiks. Congratulations Marcia - what a wonderful heirloom you have made!


Lori Smith Quilt by Marcia Hilse
While we are admiring Marcia's work - here is another one of hers. I can't remember the name of it, but it was another Block of the Month we did awhile back from a Lori Smith pattern. As you can see - it is pretty complicated. Great job Marcia!


Jacob's Ladder by Susan Russell
This is a kit we made up using a pattern that I wrote up for a traditional Jacob's Ladder quilt. Susan did such a nice job on it that we stole it from her for awhile to use as a shop sample. I really loved that quilt. It was nice to see it again!


Dear Jane by Denise Groesbeck
ACK! It's the "Slit-your-wrist" quilt. Ok, that's my take on it, but many feel their quilting life won't be complete unless they do one of these incredible quilts. Denise actually finished hers, which I think is a rare feat. Many have started and given up somewhere along the way. (I can guarantee you that this one will NOT be included in my vast collection of UFOs) I wish I could have gotten a better picture of Denise's quilt, but there wasn't enough room to back up. However....


Dear Jane by Shar Snellman
Shar's Dear Jane was hanging at the end of a row, so I was able to get all of it in my picture. Any Janiac living in this area probably knows that Shar is the Queen of Janiacs. Her quilt is amazing - but I would still slit my wrists....
Tumblers by Denise Groesbeck
Well, I think Denise did this before she became a Pieceful Groupie, but we do have a Tumbler class, and I really liked her quilt, so I had to take a picture - and look, she won a ribbon!
Cool Cheddar Star Quilt by Denise Groesbeck
I tool a picture of this one just because I liked it. How awesome is that Streak of Lightning setting with the Cheddar? A little bird stopped by to tell me this was made by Denise. I should have known - I love her work!

This show takes place every other year, so be sure to watch for it in 2011!
Happy Quilting,
Carrie

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Cotton Theory Class

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

I would like to let you know about an event we are sponsoring in January along with Catalyst Career Group. Vicki Madigan, the woman that organized the great bus trip to Madison, is organizing this event, so it is sure to be a lot of fun!

Here is the picture and info:


COTTON THEORY CLASS
Sponsored by Catalyst Career Group and
Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop

Taught By
Margy Weber
Certified Cotton Theory Instructor

Date and Time
January 15-16, 2010
Friday Night – Trunk Show and Introduction – Cotton Theory – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m
Open Sewing – 9:00 - ????
Saturday – Sit and Sew – Courthouse Steps Table Runner – 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own

Location
Courtyard by Marriott, 1311 American Lane, Schaumburg, IL
Special Room Rates with Breakfast Available if You Desire to Stay at the Hotel
(847) 619-8100

Cost
$65.00 for Friday and Saturday if Registered By 12/31/09 – $75.00 after 01/01/10
$20.00 Additional Kit Fee – Kit Provided by Instructor
Paid at Time of Class (01-16-10)

To Register Call:
Vicki Madigan at Catalyst Career Group
815/308-5426
OR
Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop, Fox River Grove, IL
847/516-7911

Credit cards or checks accepted for registration payment
Upon receiving registration student will receive via email: class supply list, cutting instructions,
and coupon to Pieceful Gathering

Mailing address
Catalyst Career Group
801 Prairie Ridge Drive
Woodstock, IL 60098
815-308-5426



I think this sounds like a really good deal. Katie and I are planning on vending, as well as attending the event. It should be a lot of fun! I am betting it will fill up fast, so don't wait too long to register.


Piecefully Yours,

Carrie

Monday, November 2, 2009

Jo Club News

Hello Pieceful Quilters,

We have received word from Jo that the new club is ready for us to order. We are still contemplating our next move. Here are Jo's new quilts from the next Club:


Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy, but you get the idea. So, in the last couple of months we have been doing some of our own quilts, while Jo was busy with a sick mother. Deb and I have done some quilts using Jo fabrics and our own patterns. This month Deb designed this one called Crossed Paths:
We would welcome any input on what you guys would like to see us do with Jo Club. Just email me, stop by, or call the shop. We don't want to completely give up on Jo Club, since we still adore every fabric she comes out with, but we want to do whatever would make our Jo Club members, or future members, the most happy.

There are a lot of different ways we could go with this, and we are really stuck. So, please let us know what you think.

Thanks - Carrie

Buck Hunting Season is Coming!

Hello Pieceful Quilters and Buck Hunters,YES, Buck Hunting Season is almost here! If you are new to Pieceful Gathering, you are probably wondering, "What the heck is this nutcase talking about, now?"

Well, for the last couple of years we have had a Pieceful Auction in February or March, where you can use your Pieceful Bucks to bid on fabulous Treasures (a.k.a."one man's Trash"). The event is a lot of fun and laughs, even if you don't always get your favorite "Treasure." This year's Pieceful Auction will take place on Sunday, March 21st at 2:00. We have been collecting treasures for months, so be sure to mark your calendars now!

You can start collecting Pieceful Bucks in January. Every time you make a purchase of regular priced merchandise, you receive a matching amount of Pieceful Bucks. There are other ways to "earn" bucks, as well. Bring in a Show n' Tell to earn bucks, or watch for little Buck Head stickers on items in the shop to earn double bucks. A flier with all the particulars will be available at the shop when the time comes.

In the meantime, we want you to plan to send your significant Male other to MAN DAY on Sunday, December 20th we planned this for the last minute because we know they like to wait until then, and they will be in a panic to find something you will actually like!

MAN DAY will also be the kick-off for Buck Hunting Season. For every dollar your man spends on you, he will bring you two bucks to add to your collection! If you have Bucks from last year, they will still work. We are just recycling them - so never throw them away!

MAN DAY will begin at Noon and go until 3:oo. Man Refreshments will be served and football will replace our usual lovely Music. No Women Allowed! Our wonderful men will be working the checkout, but Katie & I will be in the background to wrap gifts and help out as needed.

A "Wish List" for you to fill out will be available in the shop and online soon. Just fill it out and tape it to your fridge, or to his forehead - whatever works - then send him in to do some hunting and gathering for you. Ha-ha - get it - Buck Hunting and Gift Gathering....

Sometimes I even make myself laugh!

Happy Hunting!

Carrie