2011 Calico Hutch EXCLUSE Block of the Month

In case you haven't signed up yet (like me) don't forget!

Here is a mock up of what the 2011 project will look like.

(this image shows the log cabin style finishing option which is queen size. There is a smaller throw size option too!)

"Front & Center"

Here's the scoop.

$20 covers your patterns and fabric each month for the block...for the WHOLE YEAR!
Club meets the 3rd Saturday (8:30-9AM) or the 3rd Tuesday (4:30-6PM) To see all the details and read even more about it, click here and scroll down a ways.

Note: pretty sure you can call the shop 507-377-1163 with a credit card to register too. Also, if you're not from the area, I bet they would mail the block to you each month :)

Color Options to pick from:
~ Civil War
~ Batik
~ Kansas Troubles

I think I will do Civil War and finish to the large throw....with minkee on the back....

What option will you pick???
~K

Belated Merry Christmas

So, time got away with from me this past week. I'm sure you all know exactly how that goes around Christmas time. So....

Merry Christmas!

I hope that safe travels were had by all and your tummies were blessed with yummy viddles.

Later!

~K

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas!

So, the sewing machine hasn't taken very many stitches lately...don't worry, I've got a ton of stuff lined up for after the holidays. Last night I went to Des Moines to see Mannheim Steamroller in concert...they were AMAZING!!!! Now I'm REALLY in the Christmas spirit...watch out!

I LOVE decorating for Christmas and thought I would share some of my very favorite Christmas things.

1) I ALWAYS buy a red poinsettia...this year I picked this one because I liked the variegated look....Yes, it's in my large Fiesta canister.

2) The doily under the poinsettia was made by my great-grandma (we lovingly called her "granny"). She was absolutely obsessed with making these "Christmas doilies" and she made sure EVERYONE had one. Granny donated this one to a charity auction where my mom bought it and then later gave it to me because she thought I needed one...sure enough, she was right, I did need one. Now I put it out every Christmas and think of her. It makes me smile and then usually get a little misty...Oh, sentimental me.

3) My Christmas quilt. I made this one last year and it was at the shop till probably July as a sample so this is the first Christmas it has adorned my living room wall. I LOVE IT!

Fabric: Figgy Pudding by Basic Gray for MODA
Pattern: Peppermint Posies by Thimbleblossoms...one of my FAVORITE designers :)

I LOVE THIS QUILT!!!

4) My nativity. One of my auties (aunt) gave me this set over the course of a few Christmas'. This year I set it up "cascading" down my piano...

5) My tree. I'm one of those "real tree" people...don't know why, just am. This picture was taken by accident when I was fussing with the gifties. Kind of nifty though I thought!
I like the red and white look and and each year I pick up a couple specialty type red and/or white ornaments. Here you can see a star, baseball, acorn....and lots and lots of ribbons and berries..even a couple birdies!

I believe that you can never have too many lights...800 lights on my little tree this year...it looks brilliant!

6) My VERY FAVORITE Christmas decorations are wrapped gifts. I love wrapping and even more I love real bows. Of course, I coordinate the paper with the tree and the ribbons with the paper.

6) Gift tags....I make them every year....they will get done tonight! Hopefully I haven't forgotten what's what! Yikes!

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration?

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my birthday give away! I will announce the winners VERY VERY soon!

~K

*SALE*SALE*SALE*

Just an FYI:

December 16, 17 & 18

Just in time for Christmas!

25% Off All Bolted Fabric & KITS

(Minimum 1 yard cuts, excludes batting on the roll)

If you've liked any of the things I've sewn and shown, most likely there is a kit available...and on SALE!

Also, Check out the Bernina Chairs:

ON SALE FOR $201

Almost a $100 savings!!

Adjustable Approx 9,873 different ways...for real :)

I've had one since October and love, love, LOVE it! (so does my back and tush!)

Limited supply available!!

Of course, don't forget to pick up a

Gift Certificate

For that quilter on your list!

Also, you still have a couple days left to comment on my Birthday post to be eligible to win something wonderful made by me just for you!

~K

I'm another year older today-GIVEAWAY ALERT!

So, today is my birthday...

I'm celebrating the 7th anniversary of my 20th birthday.

Somehow, I went from looking like this :

(that's me in the front) To looking like this:
I must say I aged pretty gracefully!

Did you know that a long time ago it was customary for the birthday girl (or boy) to host a BIG party and give gifts to all their guests?

ABOUT THE GIVE AWAY:

So, In honor of my birthday, I am going to make a little something special for 5 lucky readers. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your favorite birthday cake is before 10 pm on Friday Dec. 17th.

Plese also include your email address so I can contact you for mailing info!

I can't tell you what it is because that would be like telling you what's in your birthday present before you open it! Just know 1) I'm making them 2) they will be awesome 3) you won't need batteries!

Happy Commenting!
~K

Winter 2011 Newsletter

Good Morning!
There are beautiful piles of snow EVERYWHERE!!!
If I had a sled, I think I would call in sick to work :)

The new Winter 2011 Newsletter is up and on the web.
http://www.calicohutchquiltshop.com/
Then click on Newsletter

There are lots of good classes being offered and TONS of clubs to join.
If you've been considering joining a club (MODA, Piecemakers, Paperpiecers, Clothesline) now is the time as new projects start in January.

Also, Be sure to check out our EXCLUSIVE Block of the Month...It looks like a really good one this year. I personally can't decide what color way to pick....Batik, Civil War, or Kansas Troubles.

2010 Moda U Quilt...Part 1

Tomorrow (Sat) starts the 2011 year of Moda U at the Calico Hutch. You are ALL welcome to join in on the fun. Each month there are treats, show and tell and you also get to see all the new Moda stuff in the store.

However, this month we get some sort of extra something for having our 2010 Moda quilt done. Each month we made 2 star blocks and an applique block. I opted out of the applique block because I had a plan to do something different....as usual....I can never just go with the flow.

I got out some graph paper and after about 2 hours of drawing and erasing, this is what I came up with....
If I would have ever fathomed how much time it was going to take to piece all those little squares and flying geese....I probably would have finished it like we were supposed to. I don't know what in the world I was thinking.
Here's a little close up of the finished center:

Hopefully tonight I'll have enough time to sew up the star blocks I'm missing...yes, I got behind on the club stuff over the summer.

Because I didn't know how I was going to finish the project when I bought the fabric, and I didn't want to run out (been there, done that, not happening again if I can help it) I just guessed and then added a little....I will have enough to make another entire quilt...queen....yay...I love these fabrics. (Aster Manor by 3 Sisters for Moda)

This is just a portion of my left overs:Any ways...Moda club is a lot of fun and I highly recommend it....tomorrow morning...9:30....Calico Hutch...here's this years project:

I really like the way it finishes so I"ll probably follow that pattern this time :)

P.S. I love little, tiny pieces!
~K

Your ideas please!

There are some projects that are more fun if there is a "support group" you can fall back on. Over the past couple years, I've heard a lot of people talking about wanting to make Sylvia's Bridal Sampler but haven't taken the leap and made the commitment.

Here's where I come in.
I would like to do a quilt along through this blog. Not sure exactly how it will work yet, but here's what I'm thinking:
Set amount of blocks each month (6-10?). Quarterly sew days at the Calico Hutch to get together and see every one's pretty blocks and catch up on sewing blocks...maybe with a pot luck. There would be kits (prob just fat groups) available a few times throughout the year to break up the expense (30 when you start, 30 a couple months later, 30 a little after that...you get the picture.) And of course, I would have a place on this blog for participants to post pictures of their progress and also ask questions/help each other. I figure, 140 - 6" blocks are easier to complete if you're doing it as a group! Also, if you're not comfortable with some of the methods, there is nothing saying you "have" to do ALL the blocks! However, this may be a really good way to learn new things!

So, is this something that interests you?
What are some of you're thoughts?
PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS!!!

I know of some other groups that have done things like this with success!
I'm excited!
~K

JUNE BUG update No. 1

Here's the update.

NOTE: DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY MACHINE APPLIQUE!!! I was until I did these...don't know what I was scared of...silly me!

I made a whole bunch of these (24ish)

Here here's a whole group of them

They look so cute together

To make this

This also is the first time I've done a "lot" of machine applique

Thanks to Bernina, stitch #50 (2.90 stitch width, 2.90 stitch length), Aurifil thread and the #20 foot, it was much easier than I would ever have dreamed....of course, my mom gave me a quick tutorial too :)

Watch out, now I'll be blanket stitching EVERYTHING!!!

Now I just have to pull all the threads to the back and tie them off....of course while watching a Christmas movie!

Gotta go tie the knots

~K

Snow time sew time

I'm heading down to the basement...good things happen down there!

Two words...JUNE BUG

I'll let ya know more about that tomorrow!

If you're a Southern MN person, enjoy the snow!

A Bernina 430 (dream machine) is calling my name

~K

Busy, busy, busy

decorating

church stuff

orchestra

pattern writing

teaching at the shop

re-writing

sewing up my blocks that will be published in jennifer chiaverini's new book coming out in 2011...same concept as sylvia's bridal sampler....sorry, not allowed to share pics :(

baking cake for bible study

orchestra dress rehearsal

feeding the cat

re-formatting/editing

boiling water for the christmas tree...thank goodness the tea pot whistles :)

decorating the church christmas tree

playing with my cute little nephews

more jennifer blocks

bible study

community band

listening to christmas music

celebrating advent

lovin' the light dusting of snow

looking at the cardinal on the feeder outside...love birds

going to bed

~K

The Perfect Tree

I've noticed that everyone has their own image of their "perfect" tree.

Some tall and some short...some thin and some a little on the chubby side.

Long needle and short needle, fur and pine.

Some fake and some real.

For as long as I can remember, our family tree has come from Budd's Christmas Tree Farm so it only seemed natural that I would continue to get my annual "perfect" tree there.

If you're not familiar with Budd's, it's located by Clarks Grove, MN and owned/operated by the Budd family...I happen to be buds with one of the Budd daughters.

This is the first tree that caught my eye....just so happens to be the first tree in the farm.

I was in the market for tall, skinny, fir with lots of imperfect holes.

Because it would be WAY too easy to by the first one when there are a million more trees to pick from, I kept looking. Then I found this tree....I took a picture of it for a couple reasons.

A) It reminds me of Charlie Brown

B) Pretty sure I begged my parents to buy this EXACT tree when I was 10 years old...it's grown up kinda funny with character just like me :)
C) If my brother was with me, he would cut this one down, trim off about 8' of trunk and put it in his house. Every year he ends up with an odder looking tree...I think he feels sorry for them or something.

D) Why not?

NOTE: On the way out of the tree farm I ran into Diane from the quilt shop. She and her husband were there cutting down their "perfect" tree...pretty sure she picked this one so I know it has a good home :) Just kidding...I'm guessing she's also a fir person... and this is a pine.

Oh well, I'll visit again next year at the tree farm.

Then, after walking down row after row, looking at tree after tree...I found this beauty.
My mom just looked at me and said "Katie, it's like 15' tall" I said "I know mom...I have 8' ceilings, it will work." she laughed...I cut it down.

My favorite part of the whole process is cutting it down

Dad helped me carry it to the truck...just look how perfect it is!

Stop back again soon to see it prominently positioned in its new home!
Hope you have fun picking/putting up your PERFECT tree!
~K

Bus Trip

So, It's been a long time since you've heard from me and you're probably wondering where I've been.Well, you see....NASA was looking for a female to send on a secret mission....Sorry...I better not elaborate on that one, you know how secret missions and NASA are! What I'm supposed to tell people when they ask is that mom and I were bus moms. We were directly responsible for 51 other fellow quilter. We only departed one shop short a passenger...but we caught it before we made it more than 15 feet fortunately. We went to 6 shops in MN and WI in 2 days. It was a fabulous trip.

Here are some shots from our trip:

The shop that hosted us Saturday night served us root beer floats...it was like 23 deg outside and they really hit the spot :)

We also played a dice game for fats...I wasn't a winner :(


And another dice game for random goodies....I wasn't a winner :(
Here's the boobie prize winner....just think, had we really left her at a shop earlier in the day, she wouldn't have won that roll of cheap, scratchy TP.

This was the welcome sign at the hotel...they got us all wrong...I later found out there was a group of rug hookers spending the night too. Oh well, we got lots of laughs in before the hotel management felt the need to set us straight.

And here's a lovely picture of all us girls on the bus...sorry to those of you in the front seat, you missed out on the picture.

It was a good time with lots of laughs and tons of wonderful fabric!

~K

Wishes for a Blessed Thanksgiving

Every year at this time, we reflect on all the blessings we have been given. From good health, warm homes (or cool depending on where you live), clothes to wear, religious freedom, and people that love us and call us family... we all have something to be thankful for.

Also around this time evey year, one of the networks usually airs "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" . This cartoon has become a tradition to watch for a lot of people...including me...the history of thanksgiving/prayer scene is my favorite part, and I think we have a lot of the same things to be thankful for that the pilgrims did the first thanksgiving.

Here's a snippet from the cartoon with the history/prayer scene:




As some of you travel and some of you host the meal, I wish you all the very best this Thanksgiving.

~K

Whoa! look at that! Wednesday.

Okay, I have a tutorial to share with you. Bonnie has introduced that shop to the jelly roll in a tube. I had to make one just because it's such a cool concept. I used a little honey bun (1 1/2" strips) for mine and it made a cute baby quilt.

I'm not sure if this is the exact video clip that Bonnie found, but it's the same concept.

Here ya go...prepare to be amazed!

They used a spiffy special ruler in the video....I was able to make due with one of my regular omni-grid squares using the 45 deg line. However, this is a really nice tool...I just didn't have one at home when I decided to quick sew one up.

Here's mine: I used a honey bun (1 1/2" strips) and then sashed between each block to make it a little bigger. (sorry, it's not bound yet...yikes!)

Here's the two currently in the shop: They are made using a jelly roll (2 1/2" strips) and additional background. As you can see, it turns out to be a pretty big quilt!

Also, the blocks are fun to fiddle around with and make up your own setting design! I really like the one hanging in the video clip...hmm....

Have you made one of these yet?

Hope you enjoyed!

~K

Come fly with me, Let's fly, Let's fly away....

For some reason, whenever I think about this quilt Frank Sinatra rolls into my mind and Come Fly with Me gets stuck in my head.

So...here it is...."Due South" by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.
Bonnie at the shop quilted it with a small overall meander and I had her also use a wool batting.

The pattern calls for 10 star blocks positioned helter-skelter....I needed just one more for the bottom corner so I used my scraps to make this little cutie....I think it's my favorite part of the whole quilt. Also, the points aren't cut off on the bottom, I just took a bad picture...they're all there in real life!

This quilt is currently hanging at the shop, but I can't wait till all the kits sell because it looks so at home on my couch...I just want to lay down, snuggle in and watch a good movie.

Kits and patterns are available...you all should put this one on your Christmas list...doesn't it just scream heirloom quilt??? Okay, maybe not....but....it was a fun one to make!

What are you working on right now? I'd love to hear!

~K

Just got back from church and I thought I would fill you in on what's goin on in my portion of the planet Earth.

I was quite productive yesterday.
I went to Moda You at the shop which was fun as always.
Then I can home and worked on Confetti Cake some more.

The quilting portion of my day went like this.

1) Sew strips together, then cut them apart.

2) sew them back together again...note the use of fork pins :)

3) Trimming...I truly love the cutting/trimming part of the process

4) Made more block segments to fork pin and stitch back together again.

5) When I went to bed, I had a pile of finished blocks

This is what my cat (her name is "Miss Kitty", you know...like the one on Gunsmoke...people think I lack pet naming originality) did yesterday. She napped, gave herself her Sat. evening bath, laid, sometimes sat up, and gave me that "and just what do you think you're doing" look all....day....long. I kid you not.


Well, 4 more blocks are waiting to be made and Miss Kitty's waiting to give me "the look"!

Keep in mind Sunday is the day to rest....sewing is rest! I hope you all are able to take some time to put in a few stitches :)

~K

Here Comes Suzy Snowflake!

The weather man says that Suzy Snowflake is going to visit me today!
This excites me....I LOVE snow....always have.....always will.

My mom has this piano book filled with winter/Christmas songs...ALL the good ones :) I remember sitting next to her on the piano bench...she played and sang, I just tried to sing and sometimes managed to turn the page at the right time.

One of my VERY VERY favorites was/is this one:



It looks like Suzy is tappin on my window right now!
Gotta Go!

~K

Retreat Show & Tell

Here are some tidbits from show and tell at the retreat. The lighting wasn't that great in the show and tell area so most of my pics aren't blogable. Maybe one of these times I'll buy one of those REALLY nice cameras...hmmm....


This is and "I Spy" quilt made by Jolyn Olson. Jolyn has a blog too that I like to read...it's http://www.farmquiltsbyjolyn.blogspot.com/. This quilt was made for a little cutie in her family. Also, Jolyn teaches at the shop sometimes too....she's a good one to take a class from. Jolyn is the one on the bottom right talking into the mic.

This is a BEAUTIFUL quilt...it's "Dear Jane" and sadly I forgot who to credit with it. If it was you, please post a comment claiming it so I can get you the credit you deserve. It is truly a work of art.

Update: Thank you Doris for letting me/us know that Trina Kirkvold beautifully crafted this quilt.

I've always envied this paper pieced turkey that Merle Stensrude made...of course, I also have this weird fascination with turkeys...I'll have to make one sometime...it rocks. Also, Merle teaches at the shop too...her beginner class is top notch and her paper piecing classes always fill up fast too!

Lastly and not from the retreat, here's the baby quilt I concocted last night. It was pretty simple...it just cut random curves....some bigger, some smaller...and then I sewed them back together. It went pretty fast and with the border - I know, the border is almost too wide but that's how that print on the border fabric worked out- it ended up being I believe somewhere in the 45" range. It will be wonderful with minkee....

Have a wonderful evening friends!

Now I've got some sewing to do!

~K

Retreat Update

Retreat Theme: Woodstock

Here's Carolyn (the shop owner) dressed in her Woodstock attire

And here's the best shot I could get of all the sewers in the main room...It was too vast to capture the whole thing in one snap...it would be like trying to fit the entire Atlantic ocean in a mere tea cup. Trust me, the analogy checks, no stretching the truth there (wink, wink, wink)

Well, it's off to the sewing zone for me...there's a baby quilt that needs to be made. I plan to use the new Sandy Gervais line Lollipop of which I have some yardage and a charm pack and I plan to make up the pattern....watch out! I'll update you on that tomorrow too!

Stop back tomorrow for: Snippets of show and tell from the retreat and to see how the baby quilt turned out!

Later gator-
~K