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.