Off To Market

We're crazy at the store today. We are packing and getting everything ready for the girls while we are in Salt Lake City, Utah. I always laugh when everyone says, "Oh, how fun!" Yes, it is fun as we get to be with all of our cronies, but it is a work-out. I always think I'm going to wear a pedometer, but always forget. It literally takes us 3 days to work the market. Think of a football field full of booths! Beth will be taking her computer so stay tuned to the blog as we share market with you. I am sooooo excited to see what is new!

TTFN,
Carol

Moving Day

Things are underway for Sassy Sisters, our women's clothing store! Beth and I spent a day in Chicago looking for fixtures. We were very lucky to have found just what we wanted. We had to get the fixtures last week so we motored up to Joliet to get them. To make a long story short, we ended up taking my husband's livestock trailer and it worked perfect! Thank God we both married a Country Boy! Isn't that how the song goes? Due to the wonderful rain we kept having, Marty had a tarp that fit from one side of the trailer to the other side. I told him our boys would have been so proud of him by the way he had everything tied up with twine in his "Boy Scout" knots! Of course we kind of looked like the Beverly Hillbillies heading to town, but it worked! Even our ol' diesel with 300,000 miles made it. Beth had to have a little help from Cary to get into it as her legs aren't quite as long as mine. As you can see, the fixtures were all tied up and we didn't have one scratch on anything. You can see in the pictures Beth, Cary and Marty working and I was supervising and giving orders. Thank goodness Cary and Beth have room at their farm to store everything until we are ready to bring it all to town! Well, lots to do before we leave for market so better get back at it.

TTFN,
Carol

P.S. Oh, I had the greatest day! My college friend, Sally Lessen, visited the store while she was on Easter break from teaching. We had a blast. Marty said he wished he could have been there so he could have tried to get one word in! -

P.S.S. Just had to put in my new picture of Brayden with my parents on Easter. Marty calls me "kissy koo!" I just can't quit kissing those cheeks!

Where is spring?

Brrrrrrr! The only good things about this cold weather is it makes me want to quilt! I'm working on a gift for a wedding and I can't wait to get it done. It is a fun tumbler pattern and I think the bride will really like it. Aren't weddings fun? The only problem is I will be in Salt Lake City the weekend of the wedding. I guess you can't do everything, but darn! So, since I can't do everything, I am really trying to prioritize. I think if I make lists, I feel better prepared. Beth and I are pulling together things for Garden Club and have so many new ideas for our bright fabrics. Sew much to do! - Yesterday we motored to Chicago to get fixtures for our new store. Of course we always brainstorm and get our agenda for what needs to be done. We have really been trying to clean. How do we accumulate so much? Make sure you check out our barrel the next time you are in. You just never know what will be in it! - Well, back to the quilt. Hope you enjoy more pictures from our retreat! Be sure and wish Jeannie Baby Casey a Happy Birthday. Her birthday won't be as planned as she had to have surgery on her hip/leg and will be recuperating in Liberty Village in Peru.

Ta,Ta for now!
Carol

Spring is just around the corner!

We are just basking in the sunshine and warmer weather around here. It just gives a little lift to your step! Our retreat was such a hit at Wise Guys. We had a wonderful time with 46 women in attendance. We have booked for next year on March 23 and 24 so mark your calendars now. Everyone got so much accomplished. Beth taught a quilt by Edyta Sitar using the 60 degree ruler. We always love more than one way to use a ruler! I taught the 10 Minute block. My quilt was made with jelly rolls, but I've posted a picture of Ginger and her quilt was made with layer cakes. Many also made our Friday night mystery project - a quilted project bag. They all learned an easy method of inserting a zipper. If you need a gift for a quilter or stitcher, this would be a great idea! - Last night Beth and I motored to Chesterton, Indiana for an Aunt Sewzy program. What a delightful group of ladies! These ladies have donated over $10,000 to the Ahlheimer's Association through quilt donations. WOW!!! Quilters are wonderful no matter where you roam. Enjoy the pictures from our retreat. Till next time......

Ta, Ta,
Carol

Getting Ready for the Retreat

Hey all,
The final plans are almost in place for our retreat. We are so looking forward to it. Wise Guys has been wonderful to work with and to just drive down the street! AWESOME!! Beth and I have our projects quilted. I have to say they look mighty fine! I am doing the 10 minute block and it literally takes 10 minutes! The process to make it has been so much fun. I wonder if the lady who designed it ever sleeps! It is such a neat technique. Beth is doing an Edyta Sitar pattern with the 60 degree ruler. I know many of you have this ruler and the quilt is stunning. Be sure and stop in the store next week and see our new additions. Well, off to finish a few last minute things.

Ta Ta,
Carol and Beth

Quilting takes a back seat!

Just had to do a quick post to let you know that my quilting has been on the back burner because I just had my first grandson! Wow, it is wonderful!!!! Brayden Chad Keller was born on Feb. 25 and weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. The week after he was born was a blur as we were getting ready for the quilt show in town. Cary (Beth's husband) says we just move from crisis to crisis! Anyway, back to Brayden--he has lots of dark hair. Marty(my husband) says he has more hair than him! How fun it is to hold him and have him snuggle. I'm having a hard time focusing as all I think about is that cute little guy. I bought him a few outfits last weekend as he is growing so fast and Sarah said I had already purchased the one with -I dig Grandma- on it. Oh well!! Well, must get back to quilting. We are getting ready for our retreat on the last weekend of March and I must get my project ready.

Till next time,
Carol

A Few from the Carribean!

Wow,I was looking through our pictures from the cruise and wishing I was back there! I just had to post the picture of Beth with the beautiful blue water in the background. It is such an awesome color! The other pictures are Wendy, Beth, Marty and I climbing the Dunn's River Falls. It was quite an experience. You literally relied on your team members to help you get up the falls. It was a 950 ft. climb. A few times we needed a good push from the person behind us. Isn't quilting like that? It seems I always get more done when I have a "little push" from a friend and always get more done when I'm sewing with a group. Well, that is a little lie. Beth would say I get more talking done! I just love the camaraderie of quilting buddies. - Well, I need a little push to get our things ready for our Aunt Sewzy program in Ottawa tonight.

Till next time,
Carol