Lauren's Graduation

Ok so it has been a long time since I have posted anything. We attended Lauren's graduation at Western Oregon. I get to brag just a little. She graduated Cum Laud with a BA in Anthropology. I am so proud of her. I remember when she was a newborn, I thought my little girl will go to college and study what she loves. I never finished.

She has become an amazing young women.

I have to say also I am very proud of my husband, Lee. He received his Master in computer systems management.

Next up is Mychal. I am proud him too. His day is coming in a couple of years.

I have a wonderful family and I am one lucky lady. Thanks for letting me brag on them a little.

Diane

What a week!

Ok, so I have had better weeks. First, I fell in the shower and a concussion and black eye followed. Then I have to rewrite all the block of the month patterns because of a glitch. Alright enough of the poor, poor, pitiful me. I guess if I have learned something over the years is sometimes you win and sometimes you sing the blues but at least the blues don't stay forever.
I am glad i have so many wonderful friends and famliy that care about me. So I will take the good with the bad.
As for the block of the month; it will be ready on time but at least it was caught now instead of later.
Diane

What happened to your eye?

I know I am going to hear that a lot when I come back to work. Well, here is what happened:

I was in the shower on Saturday and I had a hot flash. Next thing I know I am on the shower floor telling Lee, "I don't know how I got here." Long story short i have a concussion. I have been home taking it easy while my wonderful family and friends run the store. They have done a terrific job. I feel very lucky to have these great people in my life. They have bossed me around to take care of myself.

Thank you all for you kind words and concern. A special thanks to all that helped at the shop and even those who told me to stay home. Just goes to show quilters are wonderful people.

See you soon,
Diane

Ok Here is the deal

First off, Happy St. Patrick's day!
Now here is what is on sale starting tomorrow: All regular priced fabric is 25% off and all clearance fabric and items are an additional 15% off.
That is the way to celebrate national Quilting Day! No coupons no jumping through hoops just straight up good deals. So let the fun begin! Quilting is one of the best things you can do. It is fun, artistic and practical. Oh I could go on but... I think I will go to my sewing room and see what trouble I can get in to.
See you soon,
Diane

50 bolts of fabric

Wow! We have been unpacking fabric. The Northcott solids arrived on Monday. They are so nice. It makes me want to do a solid quilt. No wait. Penelope came in. Ooo la la French inspired fabric... No wait... My Asian Garden from Northcott. Yellows and purples... Wait... Izzy flannel. Argh.... Micheal Miller's tulips... no......wait more Kona Bay Asian..Aghh.. Vintage Postcards. You get the point. Lots and lots of fabric has come through the door.

Time to shake things up. Out with the old and in with the new. That means lots of new stuff on clearance.
So what about what is coming up for National Quilting Day? Oh I will let you know very soon, but not now... Stay tuned
Diane

Happy St Pat's Day, and National Quilting Day

Ok I am a little early. The way things have been going lately it is a nice change of pace.
I had a great time with the girls on Sunday at Trends. It is fun to be able to go with everyone and see new stuff. Nice for the ladies I work with to get some hot deals too. I feel very lucky to have to such talented people around me. It helps me be more creative in return.

So what is happening for National Quilting day? Oh I think there might be something nice at the store in a way of a.......... hmmm maybe it is too early. I think I will talk about it in the newsletter instead and then post it. :)

See you later,
Diane

Super Bowl Weekend SALE

Hi
Just a quick post about the sale.

10% off kits
15% off regular priced fabrics
20% off clearence

Jake, my little white Scottie is fussing so have a great weekend. Go Packers!!

Lauren's blog

Lauren has a new blog. It is about her quilting journey. I think you will like it so I have added to blogs I like.

For those who don't know Lauren is my daughter. She has been very artistic all her life. I happy to say that she has fallen in love with quiting and fiber arts. I hope you will give her blog a look and see what she is up to.

Stitches in Bloom

I just got home from the Stitches in Bloom show. Tonight was the preview night. I had a great time looking at the quilts. So many beautiful quilts.
I love the inspiration that looking at other's quilts. One of my favorites was a Lone Star done with Asian prints. It was stunning.
I stopped by Marsha McCloskey's booth and had a nice visit with her. I am so excited that Loretta will be teaching her feathered star. Marsha also showed a great new way to approach miniature quilts. Really cool.
I hope everyone can get out to this show. It is a nice size and there are cool vendors. Not just us. :)

Potato fabric etc.

I had so many requests for potato fabric and tater batting. I hadn't seen the tater batting at Schenks but they had it today. So of course it had to come to the shop. The nice people at Schenks gave me a whole bunch of free patterns too. The neat thing about tater batting is that you can use if for any food purpose. Corn, tortillas and potatoes....I am hungry.

Fabric!

Lots of new fabric arrived today! Here are just a few of the bolts that arrived. Yipee!

Stitches in Bloom

Hi,
I have decided that nothing ever happens at The Cotton Patch without us scrambling around, pulling our collective hair out and sliding into home. Yesterday, we were invited to take part in The Oregon Garden, Stitches in Bloom Quilt show. I thought we were not going to be able because the all the spaces were filled. A spot opened up and we will be there. We have a ton of stuff to do and I am so thankful that Renee is there to cut and package all we are taking. Debi and Lauren are organizing. I get to do all the other stuff like ordering and fretting. I think our booth will be really cool. I promise I will take pictures. If you are around the dates for the show are January 27 and 28. It is a nice show and lots of fun. Now to run to the finish line.
See you soon,
Diane

Blogs

I may be getting the hang of this. I am not as cool as some but I do like to read other people's blog and maybe you do too. So I am starting to add Cool Blogs at the top left. Threaded Together is my friend Debbie Douma and her daughter's blog. I have known her and her girls, well even longer than I have been quilting. They have all sort of cool things on it.
The Crafty Cupboard has great ideas. These are not so much about quilting but I find that quilters and crafters can cross pollinate. Hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I do.
See you soon
Diane

Happening New Year

This weekend has been really busy. Thanks to all that have been in the store. Some one noticed that our shelves are a little empty. Well it is that time where we have to count fabric. Let's just say that is not one of my favorite things. So we let the inventory work down a little. Never fear we have lots coming and some of it coming next week.

Changing the subject... I have had a chance to see Four Season's block of the Month. It will blow you away. It simply one of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen. Carol is finishing up and it will be in the shop shortly. I know she is aiming for Second Saturday. I have to toot Carol's horn a little... This very talented lady is a true artist. Her work is impeccable. I will post a picture of the quilt when it arrives in the store. I feel so very lucky that Carol is part of our team.
I am having breakfast with the girls this morning so I will say.... see you soon.
Diane

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