Braced Star

  The goal when I started blogging was to post sixty 6 1/2" blocks.  We are slowly approaching that goal.  This does not mean that I will stop.  It does mean that it is time for new ideas.  I have a few in mind so we will see what will happen.  
  As for the 6 1/2" blocks, I have been piecing them but I have just over half of them made.  I hope to have it finished this year, not in 20 years.  haha  We will continue to tape the blocks for youtube.  That helps me in getting the blocks sewn.  Thank goodness.
  Today's block is Braced Star.  Sew the center first, then the star points.  Sew the block together at an angle.

Braced Star

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    two  2 1/2" sq.  cut diagonally once
    one  1 7/8" sq.  for center

  Medium fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  star points

  Four Medium to Dark fabrics
    cut one  1 1/4" x 2 5/8" rectangle from each of the four fabrics

Keep quilting,
  Terry  

Handy Andy

  Nadia, my granddaughter, is learning to crochet.  I have been helping her and decided that it is time for her to learn to read patterns.  That way she can pick any project to make on her own.  Over the years, I have crocheted just about anything.  Crocheted socks was something new.  That might be fun for a young gal but I thought I better make them before giving her the book.  Well, that is just what I did and finished them the other day.  I even have had a chance to wear them.  Definitely, different.  She now has the book so we will see what happens.
  Today's block is--Handy Andy.  It has a similar look of Gentleman's Fancy but the center is different and more fabrics.

Handy Andy

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    two  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Light Medium fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    one  1 7/8" sq.  for the center

  Dark Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice

Have fun piecing,
  Terry
   

MOVING ONWARD

  For me, if it is Wednesday, it is soup night with the grandkids.  Tonight, it was turkey noodle soup, crackers and monster cookies. With Grandma's help, we did homework.  Thank goodness, they are in elementary school.
  We have had a busy week following the grandkids activities.  Attending football games, cheerleading competition, and black belt testing has been tiring but lots of fun.  
  Now to the second most important topic.  Today's block--Arkansas Crossroads.  This is a simple block with 12 squares and 4 HST.

Cutting
  Medium Light #1, Medium Dark & Dark
    four  2" squares of each fabric
  Light & Medium Light #2
    two  2 3/8" squares  cut diagonally once to make HST or use your favorite method
  
  I have been working on some ideas to use the blocks besides the lap quilt that I am working on.  I hope to have them finalized shortly.
Until the next time,
  Terry

Block 3

Good Day Quilters,
  Survived another soup night with the grandkids.  We played cards and legos until they all left.  This afternoon Owen has a football game that we will attend.  Thus the life of a grandmother.

  Today's block is Twin Star.
Cutting
  Light fabric
     five  2 1/2" sq.
     one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  

  Medium fabric
     two  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once
  Dark
     one  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice

  If you are planning on making a lap quilt, you may want to make two of each block.  In future post I will add some pictures for quilt or project options.

   Have fun,
       Terry

Shameless Cute Baby Post

Hope everyone is using their quilts this week!  After a beautiful weekend, we have had ice and snow again for the past two days.  How about you?  What is the weather like where you live?

Terry made it to Phoenix this week for the Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival.  She is setting up her booth today.  Check our Facebook page for pictures over the next few days.

When it snows, we don't have as many customers that come through the doors.  That's okay because they can always order online.  But we do love it when we get to see a few of these cuties!

What projects are you working on?  We are gearing up for a new YouTube tutorial.  We can't tell you what it is yet, but we will show it to you soon.

Do any of you use embroidery software?  We use it here in the store and love all the templates it provides.  There are some darling patterns for all uses.  We have some Anita Goodesign software that is currently 50% off.  This brand includes monkey and nautical themes, candle wraps, book clutches and more.  I love the delicate stitches of the utensil holders software.  Take a look here for all the options.  

I can't believe we're nearing the end of January!  I'm not sad.  It just went fast.  February 2nd is Groundhog Day.  

Photo Credit:  Reader's Digest

I think it's fun that we all gather around a rodent to find out weather related news.  I'm hoping he's wearing a little scarf when he pops his head out.  Probably won't happen.  But to acknowledge the fuzzy guy, we will be having our own little celebration in the store and online.  It will be a great sale with a deeply discounted price point.  We're keeping it close to the vest for now.  We hope you'll check back with us next week to find out what it is.

Thanks for following along with us this week.  We look forward to seeing any current projects you're working on.  Just post them in the Comments section.  Have a great weekend!

Phoenix Bound!

In just a few short days, Terry will be headed down to Phoenix for their HUGE quilt show.  Officially called the Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival, it is held January 26-28, 2017.  Over 150 vendors will descend on the Arizona State Fairgrounds to provide seminars, workshops, and prizes.
In the meantime, she is packing up the trailer.  

She's filling it with all the goodies she wants to show everyone. Finished projects, kits, fat quarters, rotary cutters... 

She'll pack them up, and load them in and out of the truck with these convenient storage carts.

And then she'll be out of here...

Photo Credit:  Cody Lere Photography

and pulling up to here!  

Photo Credit:  3009 Investments

Those of us staying back at the shop might be a tad bit jealous.  Sturgis in January is a smidge colder than Phoenix.  But the show, I mean, the shop, must go on.  We are still open to serve our customers in the area and online.  

We can't wait to see what Terry finds down in Phoenix.  We'll try and post some pictures of this great show.  Terry hopes to see some of you there!

November has Begun

I am a fan of the Farmer's Almanac.  They are so smart and insightful.

Usually.

This year, they said that winter would start early, be colder, but end early.

I got ready.

I put away my summer clothes and hung up my winter ones.  I had the dog groomed in October so she would be nice and wooly (and warm) by December.  I found our winter hats, gloves and scarves and made them accessible to the kids.

Then I waited.  

I waited for the cold, cloudy days and the small hard snowflakes that would attack our cheeks in the turbulent South Dakota wind.  I waited with furrowed brow and a cranky attitude.
And this is what happened:

The leaves started turning.  The temperature dropped a few degrees.  The sun set earlier.  And my eyebrows became unfurrowed.  At least temporarily.  It was, after all, only October.

A few days ago, the US National Weather Service forecasted November to be above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.  So now I feel really, really, over prepared.  And a little silly.

Regardless of the weather, November is a time to be thankful.  And a time to think of our loved ones and what they mean to us.  And darn it, what are we going to get them for Christmas?!  We have tried to help you out be discounting our Thanksgiving and Christmas fabrics 30%.  You can look here to see if anything catches your eye.  So much to choose from!  And if you need any patterns, don't forget to check out our Free Pattern page.


In other news, Chris and Terry just got back from the Quilt Market in Houston yesterday.  It is an amazing 3 day trade show dedicated to the sewing and soft craft industry.  They have come back with some exciting ideas and new fabrics ordered.  I can't wait to show them to you when we get them in.

In the meantime, don't forget to check our YouTube channel for our free tutorials.  These tutorials can really help you visualize how your finished project could look.  If you have any suggestions for what you would like to see, just let us know!

Sewing Classes and Customer Pictures

Remember Judie?  She's our resident genius.  She will be teaching sewing classes starting in September!  Kids aged 8-13 will receive basic Sewing 101 lessons and then have the option of multiple projects throughout the fall and winter.  They will be using our Baby Lock Sofia brand sewing machine, which will allow them to personalize their projects.  Classes will run $10 plus the cost of materials.  We start 9/19/16.  Classes will run Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:30-5:30 pm.  If you want to sign up or have any questions, please let us know!


A few customer pictures:

This one is a of a favorite family of ours-Mrs. Jean Rounds and her husband, Mike.  Jean is a regular customer at our store.  Mike happens to be one of our state's US senators.  We appreciate their patronage and their service to our country.

This picture is one of a completed project that our customer sent in.  She got her instructions from our YouTube tutorial called our Last Minute Table Runner.

We love the colors and the crispness of her lines.  She did a fantastic job!

We hope you get a chance to visit the Black Hills Quilters Guild booth at the Central States Fair this week.  We love seeing all the finished quilts and demonstrations.  OK.  And the funnel cakes might be calling my name.