When it rains...

Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore! When they say thunderstorms, they mean it. We drove down to New York last night, and was caught in a doozy. Trees were falling, branches were scattered all over the road, and lightning was striking everywhere.

The rain was coming down so hard, we had to pull over for a bit. The water filled the entire road and ran above the curb and gutter to flood the sidewalk. I have to admit, as the cars crawled through the deep water, Amy and I thought it would be fun to go "puddling" and see just how much spray a tiny Kia can make! We may have done it just a couple of times... :-0

Amy and I are in New Jersey this week becoming "Janome Certified". So, far, after 2 days of intense training, we are so happy with decision to become a Janome Dealer and are excited to come home and show you all the amazing features unique to the Janome line!

Monday we spent the day learning all the amazing features and functions of the brand new Horizon 7700. I am now fully convinced that this machine can also be called Lexi, because it is the Lexus of all sewing machines!

The accufeed system feeds the fabric through the foot and feed dogs in perfect sync, making the decorative stitches come out perfectly every time. I'm also extremely excited for the release of the Quilt Binding Foot next month. I watched it with my own eyes - it can bind a quilt in 1 step! And... the first photo shows the size of the monogram stitches - a full 7mm!

Yesterday, we were introduced to the world of embroidery. Since it was the first time either of us had ever embroidered in our lives, the rest of the class was convinced we'd been living in a cave. We are giving them such a great first impression of Idaho! ;-) Today, we are off to certify on the Digitizer software to create and customize our own embroidery images. With any luck, we will have the Quilt Barn logo embroidered on anything and everything by next week. Just kidding!

Spearmint Quilt

 

The Spearmint quilt is a variation of the Woodland Delight Quilt Pattern by Paula Prass (a free download from her blog)  I used scraps from making the quilt top to create the stripes in the backing. You can download a sheet showing how I made the quilt top and backing here: The Spearmint Quilt. All prints are from Amy Butler and the solid is Tarragon from Robert Kaufman. 

Have you entered?

Here's how it works:

1. Purchase a copy of Schnibbles Times Two by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company.

2. Use any currently available Layer Cakes and/or Charm Packs from Moda Fabrics and make any quilt from the book Schnibbles Times Two by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.  *Contestants may enter as many quilts in this contest as they like. Each quilt must be accompanied by a separate completed and signed entry form. 

3. Each quilt must be delivered to The Quilt Barn by closing time on July 31, 2010. “Finished” means bound and quilted (either by the contestant or someone else), with a label and hanging sleeve. The completed and signed “Schnibbles Contest Entry and Publicity Release Form” must be attached to the quilt. 

4. All contestants’ quilts will be displayed in the shop for everyone to enjoy. The Quilt Barn will have a contest (*check for the details about the local contest at the store) to select one winning quilt from the entries submitted to their shop. Martingale & Company and Moda Fabrics assume no responsibility for the outcome of local shop contests. Each local winner will become a finalist in the overall competition. 

5. One finalist will be selected by viewer’s choice vote and photos of that quilt will be submitted to Martingale & Co. by August 16, 2010, for the overall competition.

6. Winners of the overall competition will be selected September 15, 2010, and will begin receiving their prize shipments in September!

For more details, entry forms and contest rules come and see us!

The Laundry Line Bag

A free pattern for you from The Quilt Barn and kzjo'studio! This bag is great for keeping your clothespins in reach while hanging laundry, you can check out the finished bag in our store front window. 

The Laundry Line Bag Pattern Instructions

The Laundry Line Bag Pattern

You will need to download both of these in order to make the bag. (*to download- click the link above, click download now, wait about 20 seconds for the Download file now to appear and click to finish downloading.) 

   Also, feel free to add photos of finished projects to The Quilt Barn Flickr Group and/or the kzjo'studio Flickr Group. 

Stunning beauty...

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed that you could make a wedding dress with the long arm quilting machine! Carissa Zanella of Hillbrook Studio, designed this pattern for the Statler Stitcher (our computerized quilting machine). Her award winning gown is truly breathtaking! If I started beading now, do you think I could make one for Halle by the year 2030? I've got 20 years, I better get started!

Classes are wrapping up today in Columbia, Missouri, where I've spent the last 3 days learning how to design and digitize quilting patterns, and tips and tricks to make your quilts even more beautiful with my Statler. I can hardly wait to get home and start "playing"!

A new chapter...

I can't believe Logan graduated from High School this weekend! Whether I'm ready or not, here comes a new phase of life for Doug & I. It's so odd to think that he'll be off to school soon and starting a new chapter in his own life. How will he ever make it without me micromanaging his decisions? ;-) Who am I joking? He cut the apron strings a long time ago and he can hardly wait to enter "the real world" where responsibilities are minimal and freedom abounds! I asked my sister how long it takes after they go off to college that they begin to realize how good they had it at home. She said, "About 2 weeks, when they run out of underwear and get tired of ramen noodles." Since Logan has been doing his own laundry for years, and is an impressive sous chef, I may not hear from him for months! :-O

New from Primitive Gatherings...

Primitive Gatherings has a new book out that is absolutley delicious! From wool penny rugs and pin cushions, to quilts that make you drool, "Summer Gatherings" is packed with so many projects, you won't know where to start! Couple it with JoAnn Mullaly's new book, "Wool Crazy", and you'll be in project heaven. If you like primitive and/or crazy quilts, this is a must have. Take a peek at her blog http://woolcrazy-jam.blogspot.com/. How amazing is that??? Both books are now available at the Quilt Barn!

Lucky Jelly Roll Winner!

Blog Follower "cheriewmeservy" has been drawn as the lucky winner of a Moda Jelly Roll! Congratulations and keep following the Quilt Barn as we award winners on June 1st and 15th!

Sale Fabric List...

I promised I would post a list of all the Fabric Collections that just hit the sale wall, so here goes... I hope I get them all! $4.50/yd Min. 1 yd cut, finish the bolt and get it for $4/yd.

MODA: Arcadia, Objects of Desire, Miss Jump's Scrap Bag, Tranquility, American Primer, Mary Engelbreit's Recipe for Friendship, Heritage Collections for a Cause, Portobello Market, Recess

Christmas & Halloween Fabric by multiple manufacturers, Windham Basics, Hoffman Meadow Dance, Serenity, Michael Miller children's prints, Red Rooster Retro Children's Prints, among others!

Flannel: Moda Cuddle Cloth Flannel and Alpine Flannel prints are all just $2.99/yd

May 15 - May 22nd only!