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