Happy Valentine's Day???

I will put this in the newsletter. I thought it might be fun for everyone that reads the blog to get a sneak peek at some new fabric. It is called Marzipan from In the Beginning Fabrics. I think it is really neat. Hope you like it too.

Diane

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I am a day late. I meant to do the blogging yesterday but it didn't happen. I finished my landlords quilt and he loved it. I think he was truly surprised. It is fun to surprise someone with a quilt.

I thought it might be fun to give a little more information about what is coming in the new year for The Cotton Patch. One thing coming up soon is Winter Wonderland. It will be in January and we will be celebrating winter and the coming thaw. The girls and I have some really fun things planned. OK that is enough more later about that.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and the new year holds much success and happiness.
See you soon,
Diane

2011

Yesterday, Debi, Lauren, Carol and I sat down and talked about 2011. I know it isn't even Christmas but that is the way it is. We talked about what we want to differently, what we did well and what we needed to change. I have to say that I am excited about what we talked about. Ok Diane what are you going to do new..... Well I am not going to tell you. :) not yet. The reason being is that we have to work out the details. If we do half of what we thought of we will have some cool stuff to show you.

I do want to thank all that participated in the worksheet hand out. It really helped. Thank you.

More later.... I promise

Diane

In the paper

Today The Cotton Patch was featured in the Keizer section of The Statesman Journal. I really wished the gals at the shop were in the picture instead of me. I hate having my picture taken but I do appreciate the newspaper doing the story. Here is the web address if you would like to see it. www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20101215/COMMUNITIES/12150329/KEIZER

New Stuff

Lee has been busy hanging festive quilts. Lauren has been decorating the shop, Debi has been packaging cute kits and Renee has been cutting those kits. Seems like everyone is buzzing around and me??? I have been sewing and designing. I know I promised a new counter block of the month and I think I have found the right design. Of course we will do our snowman block a month but we will also do a pieced counter block. At this point I am thinking we will put out the pieced block on the 3rd Saturday of the month. I don't want to make Renee crazy.

I will tell you the name of the quilt for the counter BOM: Summer in the Willamette Valley.

I might even let a little preview slip soon too.

See you soon,
Diane

Black Friday

Hi
Wheeeee its Black Friday! I am hiding out in my office catching up on writing while the gals run the store. I have seen lots of smiling faces today. We are running our sale today and tomorrow.
25% off all fabrics,books,notions,patterns and clearance. 2 days of sale.. on fabric. Life is good.
See you soon,
Diane

Quilting Weather/Thanksgiving

Hi,

I took this picture on Tuesday morning. I was so happy that it was my day off. I do want to say that if we have bad icy snowy weather(I love it) we may end up closing the shop. Please give us a call before you head out.

Back to sewing. I have been working on a Poinsettia wall hanging at home. Today I finished the top and started the quilting. I hope to have it all done and in the shop next week.

Tis the season to be quilting. :)

I want to wish you all the Happiest of Thanksgivings.

See you soon

Diane

Fireplace and silk

Today, I had some really nice carpenters stop by and fit the fireplace surround. They will install it on Monday/Tuesday. I am so happy. The second Saturday group will be the first to really see it and maybe we will be able to do a show and tell with lighting it up. It is my fondest desire to have a sewing room for our quilters to come and have a place to sew.

I have ordered silk dupioni and it should arrive any day now. What do you do with that? You can add something really special to your quilts. Of course if you are a crazy quilter(I don't mean a loony) then silks and mixed fabrics is nothing new. If you are new to using different fibers then silk and wool are great places to start. You can use silk for the whole quilt but it is extremely $$$. So just touches of sheen here and there. In that case I would use it on something that doesn't get a lot love and cuddling. A wall hanging or table topper. Silk can be washed in cold water. Just like cotton, silk and wool are natural fibers. You don't see sheep or silk worms going to the dry cleaner for their Saturday night bath. Gentle soap, cool water and line drying is all you need. You can use your cotton thread to piece and quilt.
I encourage you to try a new fiber.... who knows you might really like it.
See you soon,
Diane

Other places

I was at Craft Warehouse tonight and I always see people I know. One of two things happen, they either laugh and say hey what are you doing here? or They look like a deer in the headlights.
Why do I go to other places because I can't carry everything. That is the foremost things the other of course is curiosity. What are they selling? Do they have something I haven't seen? How about their prices? Are we in touch with what is out there? All those things go through my mind when I am not looking to make a quilt.
I bought some flannel fat quarters so I can make my Aunt Doris a lap quilt. She lives in North Dakota and it gets COLD there. Anyway, Craft Warehouse had some very pretty pink flannels and I thought hmm I bet she will like that. I will back it with Minkee(I have that at the store).
Shopping other places is fun but I have to admit... I still like to shop at my store.
See you soon,
Diane
PS It is really OK to say hi if you see me out and about at other stores, I promise I won't make you feel bad for shopping somewhere else. I am happy when you visit me but as a quilter I like to see all the fabric too.

Fog

I love these days where there is fog and sun. I took this picture on my way to shop. This is sewing weather. The fall fabric is pouring into the shop and we all can't seem to sew fast enough.
I finished 2 quilts this week. One for my dad (don't tell him it is for Christmas) and a Christmas table topper or maybe wall hanging. Carol already has my dad's quilt quilted. She is so good.
I hope all of you have some time to spend doing what you love. I know I will be enjoying the sun and the rain and the sewing. Viva Autumn!

New Quilts

Lee was busy putting up new quilts this afternoon . I love changing the quilts. Hope you like the newest additions.

See you soon,

Diane

Ok I am a little late with the picture.

Here is the new Block of the Month. This is the white background colorway. There is also there is the black colorway which is the same block fabrics, just the background is black.

If you want to sign up you have until the 30th.

See you later,

Diane

BOM

I just finished binding the Block of Month. Many thanks to Carol Nelson for working so hard on this quilt. Once I get it up on the wall I will take a picture and post it.
Ok my finger really does hurt. I think I need chocolate.
Later gators,
Diane

Bindng

I always wait until I have a bunch of stuff to bind and then I sit there night after night binding. That sounds either lazy or wonderful depending on your point of view. From this side it is neither. It is one of those things I regret not doing on a regular basis.
My finger is sore. I know, use a thimble, duh. I do sometimes but I admit I loose them, the dogs chew them( I use leather thimbles when I can find them )or I just want to get started.
I like sewing without a thimble when my finger gets toughen up. That takes a few days of ouch. Once that middle finger gets tough then I can really fly( in a binding sense). If I would do it on a regular basis that callous would build and I would be done in no time.
Ok enough griping, I only have one more side to go and I can show it at 2nd Saturday. I should really stop blogging and get on with it. I' m going really, I mean it . Back to work. My finger is really sore. I need to get it done and stop whining. This time I mean it. Maybe if I could just find a thimble...

See you later,
Diane

I am totally uncool, I guess.

Once in a while I read other quilt shop's blogs. I should do it more often but I don't. I realized however, that I am not "with it". There is mention of a Justin Bieber, in one of the blogs. I had to ask Lauren what/who this was. I thought Bieber was a carpet style...wait that is Berber.

I do like to see what other shops do. Not to copy them, but admire what they have done. There is so much creativity in this world and a lot of it is in quilting.

Quilting is still thought of as something little old grandmas do. Funny, I am not a grandma (yet, but I am waiting) and the grandmas I know that quilt are fun, lively and very creative. Quilting isn't the rock star of the crafting/sewing world. I really don't care. I like being uncool. It is easier way to be. Then, if someone askes me if I like Beiber I can say, no, it gets pins stuck in it. They walk away cool and I get to sew. I am totally ok with that.

See you later,
Diane

Oh and by the way spell check wants to change Beiber to Berber. I guess he hasn't become as cool as carpet.

Fireplace

OK, so it is August, but I have to tell you that the fireplace is in. It is adorable, if fireplaces can be such a thing. Dennis Blackman, my landlord, has done a stellar job of interpreting my vision of a great sewing room/classroom. A few things have to be done and the room will be complete. A little paint here and trim there. We have had classes in there and the sewing desks worked great. I will admit to having a little fun with the wheels on the chairs. They can really zoom, not that I would know that personally. I just happen to see it :).



We have received more Christmas, Halloween and Asian fabrics this week. I never get tired of seeing our UPS man. A smile on his face and a box of fabric in his hands. There just doesn't get to be a happier site for me.



If you haven't been in the store in the last month... You will be surprised at the changes. I am thrilled with what has changed and I hope you will be too.

See you soon,

Diane

New floors and a new look!

Ok, I thought moving the bolts and moving them back would take an hour or so. Wrong! It is an all day thing with lots of help. I was really considering hiding out after a few hours and sleeping on the Minkee, but I would have been found, in a few days. I thought you might like to see some pictures of the new look. Thanks to all who helped and a big thank you to Dennis Blackman, my landlord, friend and mentor. I really appreciate his advice and guidance.

Closed for new flooring

We aren't closing for good. Just July 13,14 & 15th. We will open up with brand new flooring and more space on Friday the 16th.

We will have an official whoop di do a little later in the month. Yep, that will mean a sale and cookies. :)

I will take pictures and post them.
I am so excited about the new changes. I can' t wait to show them to you.

See you soon,
Diane

Woo Hoo!

The floor went into the classroom today. It is beautiful. Soon the cabinetry will be in and the granite counter tops, the sewing tables and ???. Some of you know already. If you want to know you can always ask me. I can't keep a secret about this but I won't write about it until it happens.
The fall and Halloween fabric has started to arrive. Neat lines by Northcott and Riverwoods. Also new patterns and books came in too. I expect more batiks next week and a shipment from Blank. Good thing I will have more room by the end of the week.

See you soon,
Diane

One down, one to go.

The folk art, primitive, man cave and wool room is DONE! I worked most of the day getting the room dressed. Lee painted the new shelves and they will be installed in the morning. I have wait until Debi gets back to do the last of the finishing touches. I will post photos. I love the color and the extra space. If you get a chance stop by and check it out.
See you later,
Diane

Happy 1st Aniversary

Yesterday was our 1st anniversary. The girls and I set sail on the stern wheeler, Willamette Queen, for their dinner cruise. We all took a turn steering the boat. What a great way to celebrate.

Thank you to the gals that work with me, they are the best.

A big thank you to all of the customers/friends you have given us wonderful support. For you I have a little sale starting on Saturday. The email will spell it out on Friday night.

Thanks for the fantastic year.

See you soon,

Diane

Fun with Blank Quilting

We had such a good time with Marion Burns from Blank Quilting. There were lots of quilts to look at and neat door prizes. She will be back again in the not too distant future when there are new fabrics and patterns. I have a good idea what to buy and what you all are looking for. I love being able to do these types of programs. Everyone benefits.

Tomorrow there will be a lot of noise in the shop. The dry wall is going up and the doors are being framed. Pardon the noise and the dust. Not too much longer.

See you soon,

Diane

Doorway

Hi
The guys have broken through the store. The doorway is open. It is covered with plastic but we are a step closer. The drywall is going up and they are planning to paint next week. So when will this classroom be completely done? July. Middle of July to be exact. We are waiting on the flooring. There was a little misunderstanding and so the floor will be going down on the 13th of July.

I feel so lucky to have Dennis as my landlord. He is just great to work with. The other cool thing is that he "sees" what I want.

More to come later,

Diane

Last time

I was going to post these pictures. This is the last free event we had. Jan from E. E. Schenks came down and demonstrated the fusible ribbons and copic pens. We have the ribbon and the pens will be here in July. A couple of people have used the ribbons already. Debi did a great quilt and it will be in the shop. We will bring Jan back for some more on the ribbons and pens. Look for that in the near future.

Just in case I haven't said it in the last couple of days. We are having a $5.00 event on Sunday the 13th at 1pm. Marion from Blank Textiles will be in the shop to show the newest fabrics, sample quilts and new patterns. The $5.00 will be for a choice one of three new patterns that Marion is bringing. It is like getting a pattern at cost! You do need to sign up to get a chair and we will collect your money at the door. A few spots remain.

Walls and Fabric

I was in the back today and we have the walls up! Yipee!

I looked at new fabrics today by RJR. I bought some great stuff. I already have plans for the fabric. Here is a a sneak peek. You will see this fabric in the fall.

I will post a couple of pictures tomorrow of the new room.

One step closer

I promised I would keep you posted. The floor is starting to take shape and I couldn't be happier. Actually, the noise is not that bad...yet. :) It really is going to be neat. Now I can see the shape of the room and the dimensions. It is funny how you have a picture in your head and then it is different in reality. I am not complaining just thinking. More pictures to come as we get closer and closer.

So it begins...

They started breaking down the concrete wall that is between the warehouse and the store. So loud. I kept thinking the man doing the work would take a lunch break. Nope. He did get a coffee at around 3. 15 minutes later he was back at it. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that the construction has started. The classroom space will be so nice. I can't wait until it is done and all the stuff is in place. I hope it will be done before 2nd Saturday but I will be happy if it is done before Sew Oregon. I will keep you posted and try to take a few pictures along the way.

Button Trim

This trim came in today. I love it. I can't wait to use it. It comes in pastel, green, pink, brown and black. All the buttons dangle on mini ric rac and are attached to a crochet trim that compliments the buttons. Cool.

Speaking of cool. Debi and I went to the button show today. I actually held a $1500.00 but from the 1700's. Wow. It was beautiful. So many buttons of all shapes and sizes. Fun, fun, fun.

Quilting has so many branches. I love it!

Oh my Stars!!!!

I finished a quilt!!! Yippee! It is made out of Moda's Bar Harbor. I am going to get it to Carol , for quilting and then I will post a picture.
I fondly remember the days when I could do a quilt top a week. Really! Those days are gone and I happy to have a top done.

We received a new fabric today. This time it is from Andover. A little Jo Morton. The cool thing is that it has ticking fabric. Great for towels and home dec. Ok quilts too. This is a bit more repro in feel but it is pretty. I will be putting out the newsletter with pictures of it.

Quilt College pictures

Quilt College

I had a great time teaching at the guild's Quilt College. This was the first time that The Cotton Patch has been invited to be at Quilt College. I taught the Lone Star block. It is always cool to see how the fabrics come together so differently for each person.
There are so many talented quilters and a lot of great teachers too. The Quilt College has classes on wearables, machine quilting, piecing, and new techniques.
The one thing that I miss is the time to teach. I really love seeing how everyone's quilt progresses. I think that is why I love to see the projects come.
I hope I will get to teach at the next Quilt College. I have a couple years to figure out my next project. Yipee!

Motorcycles are just as heavy as you think

Once in a while I will blog about stuff that happens outside of the shop. Sunday Lee and I decided to go on a motorcycle ride. I looked over at Lee and well my motorcycle fell over. Unfortunately my ankle was caught underneath. OUCH! If you come into the shop in the next few days, you may see me hoping around with my shoe off. My ankle isn't broken but I do have a nasty sprain. My ankle lots like I am smuggling a soft ball. Good thing it isn't my sewing foot.

Other news is that I met with Moda today. Neat fabrics for fall. I did buy some more primitive type fabrics from Kansas Trouble's line End of Summer. Good basics to call on for darker quilts. I also bought new books and patterns. I love seeing all that is new and inspiring. Lots of good things are coming to the store. Now if I can just get the swelling to go down in my foot.

Gardening

I have often said that quilters make good gardeners. That doesn't mean we have green thumbs. I do think that we can put good color combinations. Gardening is also like making a quilt. We start by looking at plants and thinking about colors. Then we start planting or sewing seeds. When we are all done we step back, look at what we had done and know if we have done what we set out to do.

Lots of new spring fabrics have come in. Fresh colors and themes. We also have a great selection of new books and patterns. I can't wait to dig into these fabrics and make something springy.

We will miss you, Judith.

Judith Lock the former owner of The Cotton Patch passed away yesterday from her battle with cancer. We will all miss her and know that she is at peace.

The shop will be closed Monday, March 29th so we can attend her memorial Service. Thanks for understanding and we will be back in the shop on Tuesday.


Diane

National Quilting Day

Woo Hoo! Happy National Quilting Day! We had a blast at the shop. Thanks to all that stopped by and helped celebrate with our sale. We love seeing the projects and what your plans are for the fabric you buy. We love quilting and our customers! Hope you had a happy day! Remember to bring in your projects. It makes our day.

Fabric Buying

I'm just a girl that can't say no. I think that song from Oklahoma! was written about me. I have seen all of the major fabric reps and wow what a great bunch of fabrics coming.
Moda had some really great fall fabrics. The panels were fantastic. If you want to see some of what is coming, check out UnitedNotions.com. Then go to browse fabric and then click on future groups. It is really fun to see the new stuff.
I had a chance to meet one of the big guys from Northcott fabrics. Bernie was a blast. A true New Yorker. Not only did we get to talk with Bernie but he brought the new stuff that will be see at market. We ordered fabric that a lot of people haven't even seen yet. I will give you a hint. You will be seeing Northcott fabrics in the next block of the month.
RJR's Mario showed me some great Robin Pandolf and new Thimbleberries. The last couple of years I haven't really seen much from Thimbleberries that I hadn't seen before. This time it was a different case. Something that I thought was great was a new panel featuring 17" blocks. Instant pillows, wall hangings or a great fabric to embellish, this panel had my mind spinning. I can't wait until it gets here.
I will write more soon about the other lines and what you can expect to see in the Holiday fabrics. I promise I will be better about blogging... Really I mean it.
See you soon!
Diane

2nd Saturday sign ups

Its that time again, sign ups for the new block of the month. This time it is fall and holiday colorways. We finish this one in August. I will post a picture after this weekend. The quilt is in the store and it is really cool. Which ever colorway you pick, I think you will be very happy with the finished quilt.

See you soon!
Diane

Super Bowl Sale

I love the Minnesota Vikings. Every year since I can ever remember I have wanted to see them win a Super Bowl but noooooo.... We go we lose. We have Brett Farve and we can almost see it and we lose. I have licked my wounds for another year. Maybe next year. In the mean time, I guess we will have a sale.

All regular priced fabric is 25% off
Books and patterns are 15% off

See you soon,
Diane

A Evening with Blank Textiles

What a fun night! Our Evening with Blank was a huge success. Everyone had an opportunity to see the newest fabrics. Marian Burns, answered questions about fabric and designs. We also got to see the newest patterns from Quilt Woman. Then we were able to purchase the patterns. Cool. Marian brought quilt samples too.

I love being able to bring free shows/classes to the shop. Look for more in the coming months. Quilting is the best!

See you soon.
Diane

Minkee

I went up to Schenk's and brought back 7 bolts of Minkee. I think we will find lots of uses for these in the shop. I know Loretta is planning a slippers class. Can't wait to see what she brings in. She is so creative.

I also found these really cute little bottles of buttons. They come in lots of colors. I bought some brights, and some simple colors. Fun. Buttons can be used in so many ways. I see the brights making great flowers or flower centers. The cream color can be snowflakes and black and browns can be seeds. The possibilities are endless. Buttons are a great way to break into the world of quilt embellishment.

See you soon.
Diane

Winter Winds

What great day for a shop hop. We had lots of people and lots of fun. To top it off we received more fabric. 10 more bolts of batiks from Batik Textiles. Urban Angel by Studio E, this is a great group for teenagers. Simple Nature, a sweet baby group in pink/brown or blue/brown.

We also squeaked in a lunch for our good friend, Shirley Whorton. She is moving and we will miss her so very much but we also wish her the best in her new home.

The sign ups for our Evening with Blank Textiles have filled up. If you missed out on this one, look for more special free events this year.

Fun with Moda and a project finished

Today Bob from Moda came to show the newest lines. So much fun. Look for the new collections in starting in Spring. We will have lots of Christmas and winter to choose from. Kits and great ideas. This year Christmas has taken an elegant turn. Not that there isn't fun prints but more of the traditional that last year. We also bought new books and patterns. Can't wait until they are here.

I finished a quilt top today. Only took 3 weeks. I will get it to Carol and then scallop the edges. It is made out of Blank's Contessa Court in the light teal colorway. I through in a little Primrose Inn from Moda. My husband, Lee, thinks it is striking. Everyone will see it soon at the shop.

See you soon.
Diane

More Christmas fabric

Another day another bunch of fabric buying. Still seems weird to be buying Christmas fabric. I did though. Really neat stuff. Today was South Seas, Henry Glass, Avlyn and Henry Glass. I was able to be the first to see the new Maywood stuff too. That was really cool. Maywood had beautiful stuff. I bought 2 lines of flannel from Maywood. One that called Warm Woolen Mittens and the other I can't remember the name but it is cream with golds and coppers. Hard to describe but it was breath taking.
The fabric manufacturers that I mentioned before had take a little more whimsical look. The colors however are traditional for the most part. Studio E was the bright and cheery. All these fabric will be coming in May, June and July. I am hoping most will be here for Sew Oregon.
Tomorrow Moda visits! I will let you all know what lines we get.

Diane

Wild Times

Seems like everything happens at once. I am not complaining just making a statement. 50 bolts of batiks arrived today. Yesterday, Nature's Notebook, a really pretty yellow and blue line came in. Add a few odds and ends, a shop hop and a special event and I have had a busy week.

A special event? Yep. Our Rep from Blank Textiles is coming next week, Friday the 22nd. to show us the newest spring fabrics. This is really cool because we are opening the store that night at 6 so our customers can come and see the new stuff as we see it. We will have treats too. Food, fabric and inspiration. Sounds like fun to me.

Tomorrow I look at bringing Minkee into the store. I will let you know what happens.

Let the Buying Begin

Tomorrow I start the buying process again. It always amazes me that Christmas fabric buying starts in January. I have seen a little of what the trend is and it is elegant. Not too much whimsy this year. Lots of metallics and deeper colors. What will I buy? I guess we will find out tomorrow. I will let you know what I see and what I ordered.

Color Wall

My husband Lee, has been working hard on getting new shelving in the store. Today he finished the color wall shelves. It looks so great. Now all the color wall fabric is off the floor and easy to get to. I think when you see it, you will love the change. It also gives me an idea of what colors we need. Ok so we are really good on turquoise. Not that there is anything wrong with that . I think we are a little shy on the pink side of the color wall. However there is pink in a lot of the collections.

Tomorrow I am off to pick up more fabric in Portland. I am also expecting a big shipment from Blank Textiles this week. At least now I have a bit more room to put things. It always so much fun when the boxes arrive. We have grown from 700 bolts to 2100 bolts in 6 months. Yippee.