Where in the world are Carol and Beth?

What a day! We saw so many new things it is hard to know where to begin! So......I'll start with our first purchases--two rulers by Deb Tucker. Yes, you guessed the first one--The Tucker Trimmer. She was so busy doing demos that we had our picture taken with her husband. He said he didn't mind at all! We also bought another ruler that you are going to love for doing the 54/40 or Fight. It is the V block trimmer. We definitely don't think Deb sleeps at night. She is amazing! On the first day of market we always sit with our Moda Rep, Brian. Edyta Sitar has some beautiful batiks and cottons. Of course we purchased some Kansas Troubles. And, we purchased an adorable line from Sandy Gervais. Our final picture of the day was with the guys in pink from Like Sew. As you can tell, we always have a lot of fun with them. They run our website and we use their program for designing blocks. I was in their very first class at market 2 1/2 years ago. They are the nicest "computer geeks" we know. Market closed at 6 PM and then we headed to the Moda party. We aren't going to tell you where it was held, but we will give you three strikes, oh I mean three guesses as to where it was. Now, don't tell our husbands to check out these pictures of us. We've always told them our trips to market are work, work and more work. Actually, you can tell our husbands as they don't even know how to turn on our computers!

TTFN,
Carol

P.S. If you like my scarf, I got it at Amma's in Princeton! Beth was sooooooo tired of people stopping me and asking where I got my scarf. I was almost tempted to take it off so I could get through the aisles! (Notice I said almost!) I finally called Kay, the owner of Amma's, and asked her if she could mail them to people. She has them in many colors, but you better get down there soon as Kay will soon be out of them!

To Market, To Market

The day before market is such a fun time---anticipation, anticipation, anticipation! We have been receiving mail with all of the new products and designs. We just always wonder what the new "hot" item will be. I am finishing a Camille Bag to take to market out of the leopard Shannon Cuddle print. It is adorable! I was up in Chicago with my niece on Monday and that is what I am seeing in the accessory department. Lots of leopard prints! Of course that is right up my ally! I'm also noticing the soft textures. Oh, I can't wait to see what new Shannon prints will be offered. I hear Fons and Porter are coming out with a new program also. --The biggest plus of it all is I get to see my sister while in Houston. She will be coming down a couple of nights. Yahoo!!! Well, need to finish that bag...............

TTFN,
CArol

Whirlwind???

Wow, things have been a whirlwind around here. This has been a great fall--weather included! The great part of driving places is getting to enjoy the beautiful leaves. We have definitely been on the road! Of course last weekend we had 8 busloads of wonderful quilters. I believe a good time was had by all! Last Monday we were in Coal City at the library to do our Aunt Sewzy program and last night we were in Albia, Iowa to do a program also. You know, no matter what guild you are at, it is the same-- wonderful quilters everywhere! The guild last night does so many charity projects. It just gives you goosebumps to hear what they are doing and the joy it brings people to be the recipient of a pillowcase or quilt! Of course we had God on our side last night. We left Albia and made a 2 hour drive back to Muscatine to spend the night. The ladies told us to be very careful as the deer were terrible in their area. Aren't they terrible everywhere? Well, we were about 2 miles from Muscatine and a deer started trotting across the road. Of course someone was right on my tail! Anyway, the deer got real close to my door and decided not to cross the road. He literally turned around and ran the other way!!! Of course our alarm clock didn't go off in the motel room so we slept a little late!!! Oh well, it is a good story!

TTFN,
Carol

Fall is Quilting Season

With the changing of the leaves, it reminds me of quilting season! Haven't the leaves been unbelievable? The colors seem so intense and beautiful. It makes me want to finish my fall quilts. I said it makes me WANT to finish, not that I am going to finish! Maybe in a few weeks! -- We are getting ready for our big "Crazy for Quilting" bus hop. It will be a great time. 8 quilting shops in 2 days. What could be more fun? --Have you had a taffy apple yet? I saw one that looked so good, but it was a Granny Smith apple and I like Red Delicious. Do you like your apple sweet or tart? Beth likes her apple tart and I like mine sweet. We have a really cute towel done up with a taffy apple on it. It makes me hungry each time I look at it. - Next week we have 2 Aunt Sewzy programs. We will be doing one in Washington, IL on Monday evening and then we have one in Albia, IA on Thursday evening. Aunt Sewzy will be on the road again! We look forward to meeting new quilters. We are definitely a special breed. There is a special bond between quilters that is hard to explain to anyone who isn't a quilter. Don't you agree?

TTFN,
Carol

Day at Home

There is nothing like a day at home! It has been quite a little while since I've had time at home so I'm enjoying the day trying to get things done. I was wondering how you all get things done? Do you make lists or what do you do to stay on track. As you know, I have a difficult time staying focused. I find if I write it down, it helps me immensely! My son's wife is very focused. She has a big board in her office and she writes down on a dry/erase board what she needs to do. I would say she is extremely focused if she was able to take her first test to become a CPA just 2 days before their wedding! I still don't know how she did it. I was reading the Good Housekeeping magazine and Jamie Lee Curtis had an article about being organized. I think the real key is to clean out clutter. Nicole and Sharon helped me organize the office this week. Wow! Nicole said she could actually see that our desk was brown. I had Steve Lewis hang some shelves so we could get more things off the counter and also got more folders to get things filed. It sure makes me feel good! HOWEVER, at home I have a harder time going through things and getting rid of them. I always think I might need something (even though I haven't used it in 5 years) and hate to part with it. We don't have a basement in our home so I have to be pretty good about getting rid of things, but it is still hard. Well, so much for talking about being organized. Guess I better get busy and do something. Beth and I are taking off for a few days for a little sewing and relaxation. Well, we hope to get alot of sewing done!

TTFN,
Carol

The wedding

I know it has been so long since our last post. We have been very busy at the store getting ready for the quilt show in Madison, WI. Remember, it is next week on Sept.9,10 and 11 at the Alliant Energy Center. If there is any way you can get there, it is well worth your while. We will be in booth 99 and 100. We have lots of new patterns we will be debuting and we have all been working day and night to get ready.--I am wondering where the summer went. It was definitely a memorable summer for me. My son, Chad, married Sarah Schierer on July 24th at Kickapoo Winery near Peoria, IL. In the outdoor rehearsal picture, I was watching them practice and when I looked up, there was a beautiful rainbow over them. It still gives me goosebumps! The wedding went off without a hitch! It was such a wonderful time to share with family and friends. At the next wedding, I will take more pictures of the bride and groom together. I kept thinking, "I'll get those pictures from the photographer." So, I don't have lots of pictures of Chad and Sarah together, but I'm sure you can get the idea!! - I was reading on one of my favorite blogs - Jill Savage - and she was saying how we wonder how our children grow up so fast. When our children are younger and people tell us to enjoy our children because they DO grow up fast, we think, "Yah, Yah, Yah!" I have to say that when I was looking through pictures for the wedding I really wondered how the time did go so fast. Would I do anything different if I had to do it again? Probably. I would worry less about a clean house and having everything just so. I have always walked to the beat of a different drum. I am not very routine - imagine that! I just love watching mothers who are soooooooo organized. I tried so hard to keep everything in order (and spun my wheels more often than not)and just should have thrown it all in the wind! I am glad though that we always took vacations and spent lots of time with our extended families and friends. So many memories!!!
Well, lots to do so better get back to kits, kits and more kits.

TTFN,
Carol

It's Close!!

Yes, the wedding is almost here. I know you all can't believe I got the bridesmaid's bags done ahead of time, but I did. We went to St. Louis shopping last weekend for the bachelorette party. Now that is my type of a party. On the way home, my extremely organized sister, Kathy, helped me make a list of all I had to do this week. I'm getting the things crossed off little by little. - The shop hop was a success! Now we are just waiting for all of the passports to come in so we can draw the winners. How fun! - Remember, we still have room for our Crazy For Quilting Bus Hop on October 15th and 16th. If you want more information, just give us a call! - Believe it or not, it is time for us to be thinking about the Madison, WI quilt show. Our class room shows we have work in progress!! The dates for that show are September 9, 10 and 11th. Be sure and put it on your calendar. Well, must get back to work!!!

TTFN,
Carol

Summer is Here!!

I think summer is finally here! It is time for the M-P Fair, so it must be here in full force! We have our free-motion quilting class tomorrow. The class is full, but we will be scheduling another one soon. We all have so many quilt tops to finish and learning to free-motion quilt is a good beginning!--Remember, the shop hop is next week--Wednesday,July 14th-Saturday, July 17th. What a fun way to spend a few days! Get a carload of friends and aim your car towards Interstate 80. The passports are FREE! Yes, I said FREE! The grand prize is a Janome Gem Gold 3. What a great machine for classes. Speaking of classes, we just finished an apron class. A picture is included so you can see our accomplishments. Of course we get a little goofy by the end of the class, but some things will never change. - Our friends, Mary and Bill Fowler, have been frequenting Quilter's Garden a lot lately. (Well, actually more than lately and we love to see them come in. Bill says that we torture him, but for some reason he keeps coming back!) As you can tell, Mary keeps very busy quilting. She keeps her machine a hummin'. Mary is in the process of making a quilt for all of the members of her family. What a gift! - Thank you to all who took advantage of our quilt appraiser, Janette Dwyer. What a great 2 days we had! Janette taught us so much--label, label, label. Did I say you needed to label your quilts? I will really have to work at taking her advice, but learned how important it is. It is also sooooooooooo important to get your quilts appraised so you can list them on your insurance. Unfortunately, unless you have your quilts appraised, if something happens to them, the insurance companies compare them to those found at the "W" store. Ouch!!! I know I am going to have more appraised! Well, it is closing time and time to head to the Marshall-Putnam Fair. Oh darn, I will have to sit for 3 hours and stitch while "guarding" the food department. I may even have to try out a corn dog, elephant ear and lemonade shake-up. At times life is so hard!!

TTFN,
Carol

TGIF

Hey,
Thank goodness it is Friday! We have been so busy at Quilter's Garden. If you come in you are liable to get caught up in the fabric frenzy also! We just got in a HUGE shipment of Shannon fabrics. They are luscious! Beth has made up some pillowcases that are soooooooooooooo soft. You will definitely have to make one for your little someone. Did I say it is sooooooooooooo soft? We also have some free patterns if you purchase the fabric. Don't you just love that?
We have also picked out some kits to make some projects from Edyta Sitar's book, "Hop To It." You all know me and know I am not a batik person. But, I have to say after seeing her projects, she has me looking at things a whole different way. I have the applique block in the first project all done and now just need to sew the quilt together. Has anyone found some extra hours yet? I need a few! - Beth has chosen her colors for the second project and now we just need to get them appliqued. I have to say that applique is my new favorite quilting thing to do. I just love my sewing machine as when I stop sewing, it lifts the presser foot just a little so I can maneuver the fabric without having to lift the presser foot manually. It is awesome and saves a lot of time!
Well, Sarah's shower is tomorrow and I need to finish the binding on her gift. This has sure been a fun journey. Aren't weddings fun?
Oh my, I just looked out the back door and the storm clouds are coming in. I'm saying a prayer that it will pass over and everyone will be safe!!!

TTFN,
Carol

Antique quilts

I am "flying high" today. I stopped at my mother-in-law, Dorothy's, house last night and she gave me 6 quilts to bring to Garden Club and share. They are just treasures! My very favorite one is a Flower Garden Quilt that she embroidered when she was a freshman in high school. The pattern was in the Bloomington Pantagraph newspaper each week. Her sister copied off the pattern and then Dorothy stitched one block a week. Her mom then put the quilt together with a picket fence border around the outside. Dorothy's stem stitch is just BEAUTIFUL! The ladies in club were so interested in it that they thought they would like to do it for a block of the month. To my good fortune, a quilt appraiser came in the store from Iowa right after club and I showed her the quilt. She said the pattern was designed by Ruby Short McKim and I could go to her website and probably find the pattern. Of course I went and googled it immediately. I found it! I am going to order the book and get started. I'm hoping Dorothy will let me display the quilt for a little while. - Another quilt I have is a quilt made by her favorite aunt. The appraiser thought it was probably a purchased kit. I didn't even realize they had kits back in the 30's and 40's! - Dorothy said that most of the fabric was probably ordered from the Sear's Catalog. Her mom ordered scrap bags of fabric and the fabric would come in all shapes and sizes. The bags were probably like our scrap barrel! Some of the fabrics look just like our reproductions. It is awesome! - The double wedding ring quilt has a purchased bias binding on it. The appraiser said that she considered the binding to be a "hot gadget" at the time. Bias binding was something very new and the "gadget girls" were the ones who purchased it. - Dorothy's aunts would come to her house around 8-8:30 AM and would stay until it got too dark in the house to quilt. Just think--they didn't have Ott lights! - Dorothy's mom's stitches are soooooooo tiny. I don't know how she got them so small and even! Her mom never took any of her quilts to the church to have them quilted, she just quilted them with her sisters. Oh what fun they must have had!-

TTFN,
Carol

Sunday - Sew Day

Sometimes I wonder if I should be sewing on Sunday, but I came to church in Princeton this morning and then decided to stop by the store for a few hours to put some borders on some new quilts. You will have to stop in the store to see them. I think they are so neat. We have already sold one kit for "Hannah's Joy" before the quilt is even done! Hannah's Joy is a tumbler quilt and Beth's daughter, Hannah Joy, has designed the applique to go in the corner. Remember the new fabric we purchased, Petal Pushers? This quilt is made in this fabric and yes, it screams freshness and spring. The other quilt is made from my favorite, Kansas Troubles, and is an applique quilt I have been working on for..........well, a long time!
Have you been thinking about the cruise? The balconies are almost booked! Bunny was in yesterday and said 100 people are already signed up. We are so excited. It is going to be tons of fun and Bunny has lots of neat surprises too!!! If you have any questions, call the store and if we can't answer them, Bunny will. Remember, Bunny is also putting a package together that will include airfare, hotel accommodations the night before the cruise and transfers from the airport to the hotel, hotel to the ship and ship back to the airport! We are looking to take a flight out of Bloomington, Peoria, or Moline so don't stress about having to get to Chicago! What a vacation - cruising and quilting!
Well, better get to those borders. I told my family I would be home to cook dinner.

TTFN,
Carol

Rainy day - quilting day

Wow, what a rainy day! Wow, what a day to quilt.! Actually, my husband was hoping for a little rain and hoping we aren't going to get the storms as predicted. I spent Monday in the tractor "helping" my husband. He told me what I did looked good from the road. Of course I laughed to myself and thought of us quilters as we say our quilts look good from a galloping horse! My mother-in-law asked me if I enjoyed being out in the open air. Truthfully, I told her, "No, I don't really enjoy it." I am really an indoors kind of gal. I appreciate looking at beautiful gardens, but I don't really want to have one. Isn't it wonderful that God made us all different? I LOVE to do applique, some don't like it at all! I love the "h" word - "hand-work" - and Beth prefers to do everything with her machine. I love to look at diamond quilts with all of the set in seams, but have no desire to try one. Some like a challenging quilt, others like to do simple quilts. I prefer the simple quilts. I like the mindless-brainless ones that I can talk to my friends while making them. Imagine that!!! And, I especially love giving them to people who don't quilt. They are impressed with anything! And if you love giving things, don't forget about our pillowcase challenge. The girls who stayed in our retreat center last weekend made us a boatload of pillowcases to take to Freedom House! They were so inspiring for us. They found if they purchased a yard each of two different fabrics in the clearance section, they could get two pillowcases. You should see the beautiful pillowcases they came up with. Marianne (the lady who takes the pillowcases to Freedom House) told me the kids get so excited when they see a cool pillowcase on their bed. She said it is even more exciting when she tells them they get to take it with them when they leave! Well, just in case you have nothing to do on this rainy day, think about making a donation of a pillowcase for someone who would really appreciate it!

TTFN,
Carol

We're Back!

Yes, we're back and have hit the ground running! Dallas, Texas was WONDERFUL! We got the red carpet treatment while we were at Moda/United Notions. Our minds are spinning from all we learned. We spent the airplane ride making a big list of everything we wanted to do. We took 2 classes from Joanna from Fig Tree Quilts. She taught the most adorable pin cushion. Beth and I were able to get them cut out while in class and hope to get them together this week. We also liked one of her dresden plate patterns. Another lady we took classes from was RoseAnn Kermes. She did lots of demos for us and gave us some super ideas. Susan Fuquay from American Quilt Retailer presented 2 classes also. Boy, is that lady organized. Very inspirational!!! We flew back into Chicago on Saturday evening, stayed at a hotel, and went to Troy's Fabriganza on Sunday. We came home with a van load of material. Our biggest "find" was Petal Pusher's fabric by Pearl Louise. It screams SPRING! The colors are red, white, green, blue and yellow! Stop in and see this new line. We have lots of projects planned for it. - Our purchases from Moda should be arriving any day. Moda is the king for jelly rolls so we couldn't leave Texas without a new grouping! Well, we have Garden Club this evening so I better get back to work! In case you were wondering, my April Fool's joke backfired! AARGH! Beth carries a Miche bag. (I'm sure you all know what these are and if you don't, just ask us and we will show you.) She has three openings for pictures on the front of the bag. Of course she has two of the openings with pictures of her grandsons in them. The third opening has been empty for weeks! So, I put a silly picture of myself in the third opening and thought she would carry it for weeks without noticing. It just so happened that she noticed it within 2 hours! Of course her son-in-law took it a step farther and put a mustache and beard on my picture! What kind of family does that Beth have anyway?!!!

April Fool's

I love April Fool's day. It is my husband's birthday and it has always been special in our house. One year April Fool's day fell on a Sunday and I was playing for church. It took me the whole service to get up the nerve, but on the last hymn instead of playing what I was supposed to be playing I played, "Joy To The World." The congregation was trying very hard to sing along with me, but it didn't sound too pretty. After they had sung one verse, I stopped and yelled, "April Fool's!" They all laughed so hard that it was hard to finish the service. The pastor was very gracious about it and said we must laugh at church also. She was in the store the other day and brought up my April Fool's playing and said she will never forget it. The best thing about owning a quilt shop is being able to laugh and have a good time with our customers. We are sooooooooo blessed! Oh, in case you are wondering if I have an April Fool's joke up my sleeve, you are correct--I do! I will have to wait a few days before I tell you what it is..........Till then!

TTFN
Carol

Belated thank you!

It's been crazy busy the last few weeks. Carol and I have neglected the blogging. But now I do want to go back to January and comment on the fabulous response by you all for products for our local food pantry. We want to thank you so very much. We took several boxes and bags to the food pantry. When I made the delivery, they were in awe and terribly excited. You see, that very morning the shelves were bare. Then another party unexpectedly brought in several boxes of food. The same afternoon, I brought the toiletry products. The folks at the pantry were so grateful. The need has been great! Anytime you have a few extra dollars and would like to pick up a few items, just drop them off at our store and I will be glad to make the delivery. I decided that when I am shopping at Dollar General, I will just pick up double of shampoos or toothpaste or laundry soap and collect some items to donate. It feels great to know that this is a small way we can help someone who is in need.

Sunday, Sunday

It's been a few weeks since we posted so I thought I would type away. I have been home today, which is unusual. Marty is trying to combine so the best thing I can do is stay at home! Needless to say, it is not going the greatest. As many of you know, his combine burned up so we made a trip to Indianapolis last weekend to look at a different combine. (The one that burned was our oldest one, so at least we have another one.) His combine was old enough to vote, but he had the same sentiments about it that I have about my 930 Bernina. Anyway, I got a lot of sewing done traveling in the van. I am working on an applique project by Buggy Barn and using Beth Ferrier's applique paper. It is awesome. I can't wait to get back to it. You will have to check it out at the store in a few weeks. While the guys were checking over the combine for 3 hours, (that's what happens when you send your son to diesel mechanics school) Lizzie and I watched a movie - Bringing Up Sarah Cain -and I just cut and glued away. What did we ever do without DVD players in our vehicles? I would highly recommend this movie. We also watched The Christmas Blessing. It was a tear jerker, but a good one too. I have to put my applique aside as we are getting ready for our retreat. We will be unveiling 3 new tumbler table runners. We have one all ready to be quilted and have the other two ready to put on the appliques. They are pretty cute, if I don't say so myself! - Well, I have been on a milk buying binge lately and was trying to think what I can make to use some of it up. (It is one of those things that I think I am probably out of milk, so I pick up a jug! AARGH!) I am going to make some sugar cookies like my Grandma Gibbs used to make. Grandma put pecans on the top of hers and ALWAYS had a tupperware bowl full of them on the top of her refrigerator. I just love thinking about those wonderful memories. I can almost feel them melting in my mouth. Off to the kitchen.........

TTFN,
Carol

Vacation???

Beth is on her way to WARM Phoenix, Arizona? Am I jealous? NOT AT ALL!!! Well, that is a lie! I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. How do we accumulate all of this stuff? And, I don't even have a basement. At this time I am trying to decide if I will have a garage sale or take it all to The Closet. At this time, The Closet is winning! - I got a new Bing Crosby Christmas tape, so I am listening to it as I type. I just can't turn off the Christmas music yet! I was giving my son a haircut and I said, "Do you like my music?" For some reason, my 18 year old didn't care for it! - Anyway, back to the cleaning. I found a ton of wool. I am allergic to wool. What was I thinking? I guess I thought maybe things would change. Then I finally tried on this beige pair of shoes I keep putting back in the closet for a "good" outfit. They were so tight and really pinched my toes. I couldn't have worn those if they were the only shoes I had! - Remember that we will be closed Mon., Tues., and Wed. I will be at the store on Thursday and Beth had better not call me and give me a weather report like she did last year. If she does, I may be looking for a new, nice partner! - Oh, one WARM spot today. I am meeting my best friend from college tonight in Peoria. I haven't seen her for a couple years. Sure hope we have something to talk about!!! Of course you know I am kidding! Keep Warm!!!

TTFN,
Carol

Counting our blessings

Wow, we were really blessed today! We had so much left to do to finish getting the shop ready for the sale. And then 3 blessings occurred--2 angels stopped by and 1 called to see if we needed any help! That blew us away--not to mention that Beth's mom came in to help also. So, we give heartfelt thanks to Sandy, Maribel, Rosanna and Armida for being our blessings of the day! What we like to do when we feel blessed is pay it forward--so we will see what happens next.....
See you at our sale!
Beth for QG

2010 already???

I just had breakfast with my girlfriends this morning and we were remembering the hype about the year 2000. Remember when we didn't know what would happen to the computers when they switched over, we bought generators, and we purchased water and toilet paper just in case? It's hard to believe that was 10 years ago. Where does the time go? And, when I am talking about 2000 that reminds me that Quilter's Garden has been in business for almost 10 years. Wow!!! How lucky Beth and I have been to meet so many wonderful people. Elizabeth Geuther was in the store today with her mom, Jan, and we were wondering how she grew so much. She was just 3 years old when she started accompanying her mom to the quilt store and now she is almost 6 foot!!! - With the new year, I have been cleaning at home and we have been cleaning BIG TIMES at the store. Don't forget about our sale next week. It will start Wednesday, Jan. 6th- 10-5, Thursday , Jan 7th - 10-7, and Friday, Jan 8th - 10-5. 25% off of fabric, yarn, notions, patterns and books. (1 yard minimum purchase) Bring in women's toiletries for the Food Pantry and get an extra 5% off your purchase. Items excluded are kits, Accu-quilt items and batting. We will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 9th and the following Mon-Wed (11th, 12th and 13th) for vacation. - Well, I must close as I am off to have supper at Kenyon's in Lacon with my son, Chad and his fiance, Sarah. Corn fritters here I come!!!

TTFN
Carol