Free Motion Machine Quilting

Looking for a new book about machine quilting? The book Free Motion Machine Quilting by Don Linn is excellent. It focuses on free motion quilting on your home machine. It would be great for either the quilter who wants to refine her skills or for those of you new to free motion quilting. It includes a series of machine quilting exercises for you to learn to master a variety of skills. It also includes visual troubleshooting guides to solve common machine quilting problems. It's written in a fun way and really radiates a you can do it approach. This may be a book you would like to add to your quilt library.

Tea Leaf Tote

I just finished making the Tea Leaf Tote sample for the free demo on February 9. The pattern by Poorhouse Quilt Designs includes both this large tote (18" x 18" x 5") and a small mini bag. I think this technique gives the look of a cathedral window with much less work. The best part is the technique could be used in a number of different projects. Imagine this as a strip on a table runner or on place mats. Or you could add a pocket or strip on a different purse or tote bag. The demo will run from 1:00 - 4:00 on Wednesday, February 9. Hope you can come.

Civil War Sewing Circle

We just received a new book from Martingale that you quilting history buffs will love. The Civil War Sewing Circle by Kathleen Tracy is a fun book. It is sub-titled Quilts and Sewing Accessories Inspired by the Era. It has 16 easy projects including small and large quilts reminiscent of those made during the Civil War and patterns for a pincushion, sewing box and needle case. Along with the projects, learn a little history about women's efforts during that time. There are also photos and excerpts from letters written to and from soldiers during the Civil War and some interesting historical tidbits. Come in and check it out.

The Show Goes On!

Folks have been enjoying the our staff quilt show of Lone Star Quilts as they've come through the shop this week. Our staff had a great time selecting challenging patterns and planning their quilts. If you haven't gotten in to see the show, we are extending it for a few more days. We'll keep it hanging through the day on Wednesday January 12.
Take a peek at the slide show to see the quilts!
Nancy

This digital slideshow created with Smilebox

Lone Star Show

Here's a sneak peek of the Lone Star Show. Our staff has done an incredible job. We have 14 fantastic quilts on display. I'll be posting a slide show of the entire show in a few days.
Nancy

And the new year begins

At this time of year it's always fun to reflect on the events of the 2010 and look forward to 2011.

It's been a good year for Glad Creations. We spiffed up the shop with new carpet throughout and fresh paint. It was a trial when going on, but well worth it! Our staff all pitched in and we are forever thankful!

We had some fun events this year. The Twin Cities Shop Hop is always great fun and such a nice group of shops to work with. The Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop was also fun. Such creativity in the quilting world. Nancy and I were the speakers at 3 different quilt guilds this year. We put on the program for the Chaska Quilters, the Deep Valley Quilters in Mankato and the Rochester quilt guild. It was great fun to meet all of those quilters and to share some of our quilts and some of Glad's prize winning appliqued quilts. Glad attended with us and thoroughly enjoyed it. We also enjoyed the Minnesota Quilt show in St. Cloud this year. It was great fun to touch base with quilters around the state and to share our love of quilting.

Personally, 2010 was a great year. Our family was blessed with good health and good times. We were also blessed with the arrival of a 2nd grandson, Win. What can be better than that?

So what will 2011 bring us? We are looking forward to another great year. It is starting out with one of the greatest quilt displays we have put up. The Lone Star Show is amazing. Our staff really went all out making some magnificent quilts. Be sure to come in to see it. It will be up through January 8. We know we will have those fun shop hops to look forward to. Also the Minnesota Quilt show in St. Paul. We will be the speakers this year at the St Cloud Heritage Quilters Guild and also the Women of the West. And who knows what else will pop up?

We wish all of you a wonderful 2011. Thank you for all your support this past year. We look forward to seeing many of you, enjoying your quilting accomplishments and getting to know you all even better.

White Christmas

OK, all you quilters that have been dreaming and wishing for a white Christmas. You can stop now! Your wishes have come true! It definitely will be a white Christmas! After 2 snow emergencies in Mpls, they have now restricted parking for the rest of the winter. So, just a word of warning--there is no parking on the North side of 34th street. (that's across the street from the shop) until April 1--or until a lot of this snow melts. You can park on the south side of 34th (the side the shop is on) or on either side of Bloomington Ave. This may be frustrating at times, but you will find it much easier to drive on the Mpls streets. You may want to car-pool if possible, especially on a class day. Those of you coming to Scrap Tamers could come to one of the smaller afternoon sessions for easier parking if that would work for you.
Enjoy the beauty of the snow, think warm thoughts, get some quilting done and we hope to see you soon.