Busy, busy, busy

I am so embarrassed that I haven't posted anything in so long....but now I have plenty to post and I am having trouble finding time to post....

 

See this...it's the start of our new class schedule.

On June 23rd we had an open house at Mama's Quilt Shop

and so many wonderful quilters dropped by to say hello...

and I didn't get one picture...

I was too busy talking to everyone about all the new classes, clubs and demos we have planned for the rest of the year.

 

Brenda has given me permission to keep the quilt shop open late every Thursday night so that people (like me) who work all day can come and sew and learn new techniques.

So here goes...

Second Tuesday night of every month we will be having

"Color My World Crazy"

These were some of my examples of color...this is such a fun little pattern...and goes together so quick...I have gotten to the point that I can cut out 6 blocks and put them back together in an hour.  You get such a good feeling when you finish them.  Each month we will pick a different color and make six blocks....everyone can bring them scraps or pieces of their stash and trade them around.  The whole point is to use up your stash and have a lot of fun.

These would make fabulous lap quilts or charity quilts.

On the 3rd Thursday night of every month we will be making a string quilt....again the whole point is to use up our stashes and scraps.  I haven't made one of these yet and I am so looking forward to learning this technique.

 

On the 4th Thursday night we will be making a star quilt.  Each month we will make two different stars for our quilt.  We will be learning new techniques.  We will be supplying the fabric so that the quilt matches when we finish.

 

Not only will every Wednesday be Sit 'n' Sew day....all day....but on the 2nd Tuesday of every month we will have the UFQ (Unfinished quilts) Night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Now this is kinda like a weight loss class....You bring your machine, your unfinished project*....we take a picture of it and when you finish we take another picture.  On December 31st, the quilter with the most finished projects for the year will win a $25 gift certificate from the quilt shop.

*The project must be no more than 1/2 finished to be entered.

 

Those are the night classes....

Now for Saturday...

On July 6th I invited everyone to join me making a ragged flag wall hanging....

 

You missed it....and it was so fun...

but anytime you come by on Saturday you can see it hanging in the shop and I will be glad to explain how I made it.

 

The second Saturday of every month we will have the "Bag Lady" club....we will be making a different bag, wallet, tote, hamper, etc. every month.  The cost will never be more than $35.00 and sometimes less.  This Saturday, July 13th, we will be making a bargello bag....I can't wait....I have my fabric all ready to go....good chance to try bargello before taking on a whole quilt.

And if you show up Saturday....you can even have a piece of my birthday cake...that's right...it's my birthday and I want you to help me celebrate!  But instead of you bringing me presents....I want to give you one...so come by and wish me Happy Birthday and I will give you a small gift!

 

On the 3rd Saturday of every month we will be doing a applique class in the a.m. and the "Brown Bag Club" will meet from lunch until closing.  Bring your lunch and take part in a "mystery quilt" we will be making.  There will be a $5.00 charge for each of these activities.

 

And on the 4th Saturday of every month....oh my favorite...I will be hosting the "Breakfast Club".

It's all about the gentle art of hand embroidery...the initial fee is $20.00....to cover your beginning supplies, but after that you spend as little or as much as you want.  I want you just to come and enjoy the friendship and sharing of beautiful handwork.

I was just playing one day with my neutral crazy quilt blocks and this is what happened....I fell in love and so has everyone else who has seen it....so I am going to teach everyone to do this on Saturday mornings.

 

Now as if all of that isn't enough....July 24, 25, 26 and 27th is our anniversary celebration.

Mama's will be twelve years old....and we are so excited about having our local quilt shop and all the new classes being started we want you to come help us celebrate.

 

And look what's coming up in August....

Brenda made both of these with the same ruler....what!?!....can't wait to learn how to do this.  I love the modern version in the first picture...but the second reminds me of something my grandmother would have made....

 

And Brenda is going to teach us how to make these circles....

Fun, fun, fun!

 

Oh and remember our "Sit 'n' Sew" on Tuesday night....well look what we accomplished....

Brenda helped Patty finish this beautiful paper pieced block...now she has to figure out how she is going to use it....

and I put together my latest crazy quilt....just need to add the borders....

 

and if you can't get there at night....look what you can do during the day...

Pam has been working on her Cotton Club Block of the month club....isn't it beautiful.

 

So come join us....whenever you can...need more info....call the quilt shop or email us.

Have a great day

Martha

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Well the "In Your Words" blog hop is officially over.  I am kinda sad...I was so enjoying everyone's projects.  I added several ideas to my list. 

 

I so appreciate all of your kind words and I hope that I managed to answer everyone's emails.  Forgive me if I missed you...but I read every one.  Some made me laugh, some made me cry, but each one was a gift. 

 

I promised a "smile" bag to one lucky person and that person is Joyce Carter from Demorest, Georgia!  Joyce I have sent you an e-mail requesting your snail mail address. 

 

I wanted to send a gift to everyone who left me a comment but I can't.  However, some of you touched my heart in a big way.  You shared your pain, your joys, your memories and your prayers with me and I am so grateful. 

 

Three of you asked me where you could get the panel....well, guess what!  Brenda at Mamas Quilt Shop still had 3 of those panels in the store and I bought them all. 

 

So Sharon at Vrooman's Quilts,

if you haven't visited this inspiring blog, jump on over there.  I promise you will come away with smiles and ideas.

 

 

Sandra in Stratford, Ontario, doesn't list any blog, but wrote:

 

Bless you Martha, I had Cancer seven years ago and had a double mastectomy I was 63 and my daughter was having my first Grandchild. My daughter has diabetes and she had just lost one baby at 27 weeks so I had to help her and never mind this pesky old cancer. Fortunately I didn't need Chemo. My daughter was in hospital for 5 months and them had our little Jonah who is our light and he was born blind. I needed to be alive for both of them so here I am 7 years later still cancer free. I had my days that were hard but God was always behind me. We moved to live closer to our daughter and Grandson because she had to go on dialysis and I look after Jonah three days a week and I am thankful that I am able to and I pray that the cancer won't come back but I will to deal with it if it does. I think attitude and faith has a lot to do with how cancer goes and yours is beautiful. I love your panel and what you wrote after about cancer. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I live in Canada and have never seen this panel is there anywhere i could find it on line.
Blessing Sandra

 

 and Farm Quilter

 be watching your mailboxes...your panel will be on the way this week.

 

A special shout out to Deb at Living on Air

livingonairJanuary 13, 2013 at 7:49 AM

You know... My mother used to say, "If everyone were to sit in a circle and place their troubles in the middle of the table, you would gladly take back your own". How true!!! After reading your post I had to sit and think a moment.
I was diagnosed with PTSD, after my husband passed away from an 8 year battle with ALS. It has been rough going for me for the past 5 years. However, your post made me realize that my life/health has never been compromised... just my mental state. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

Deb Hathaway
http://www.debhathaway.com

 

Love what her mother said to her!  And it is so true.  I always find that when I am having one of my own personal little pitty parties (and yes, I do have them occasionally) God sends me a reminder that there is always someone who has it worse than me.  Check out Deb's blog, you will be inspired.

 

Thank you all so much, I have been so blessed by your comments and stories.

 

If you have time jump over to my personal blog

Living Life - One Day At A Time

and see what's next on my list.

 

Remember....

Keep Dancing!

Martha

 

 

 

It's Time!

I just love words....don't you?

They can make you laugh, cry, sing, shout and so many other emotions...

they can also scare you and made you sad....

 

!!!!CANCER!!!!

12 years ago...

I heard these words come out of my doctor's mouth...

I was stunned....

Never been in the hospital, never had surgery...pretty much healthy as a horse...

Within 2 months I had had three surgeries, lost my right vocal cord, ate thru a tube inserted in my stomach and was scared about my future.

 

Cancer can hurt you financially, spiritually and emotionally...

 

BUT SOMEONE GAVE ME A CARD TO READ

and I still read it all the time...

and when I found the panel below in my LQS

I knew I had to make a wall hanging out of it for my sewing room...

with bright cheerful fabrics, full of hope and fun...

 

 

 

WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO....

 

It cannot corrode faith....

(It put a small dent in it at first,

until I reminded myself that God did not do this to me, he helped through it)

 

It cannot shatter hope....

(It's been 12 years and I still hope to sing again some day.  I go sit in the choir loft at church just in case something comes out.)

 

It cannot conquer the spirit....

(I still get up every morning and go to work, I still teach classes at the quilt shop)

 

It cannot stifle laughter...

(Well, throat cancer can, but only on the outside.  I still laugh in my head)

 

It cannot invade the soul...

(There's no room for it in the soul....I am all filled up with God's love)

It cannot erode confidence...

( I still do my job everyday, despite the fact that most people have trouble hearing me)

It cannot kill friendship...

(It made friendship stronger, I couldn't make it without God and my friends)

It cannot erase memories...

(Still intact and some more vivid than others)

It cannot cripple love...

(I still love things with the same passion I had before cancer)

 

It cannot silence courage...

( I know that it may come back, but I will deal with it when it happens)

It cannot steal humor.

(I have found that people either whisper back to me or scream at me.  I ask them why they are whispering or tell them "I can't talk, but I hear just fine."  After they get through apologizing I make them laugh by telling them to relax, it's no big deal)

It cannot destroy peace...

(Only I can let it do that and I refuse)

 

To those of you who are fighting cancer everyday....you are my heroes....you are my inspiration...you are in my prayers. I am not making light of cancer, but I refuse to let it dominate my thoughts.

 

Cause you see...

Cancer is a pretty scary six letter word...

but it is, afterall, just a word...

not a state of mind!

 

Everyday, I get up, accept the fact that I have had it and may have it again....

and then I go out and dance!

 

Because, just for today, I am still cancer free!

 

Now drop me a note...tell me your story...and I will surprise one lucky person with one of my

"SMILE" bags with a few surprises in it when the hop is over!

 

 

Oh!  A huge thank you to Linda at Buzzing and Bumbling

and Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt

for hosting this fun event!

 

God Bless You!

Martha

 

and go visit all the other wonderful bloggers who love words....

Monday, January 7

Stitch, Stitch, Stitch, Stitch (Cyndi H.)

Kwilty Pleasures (Kathy G.)

Debby Kratovil Quilts (Debby K.))

Sew Darn Quilt (Carolyn R.)

Mary On Lake Pulaski (Mary K.)

Traveling Quilter (Debbie A.)

Just Let Me Quilt (Carol S.)

Vroomans Quilts (Sharon V.)

Cate's Linens (Catherine R.)

Nini and the Sea (Denise)

Sew Much 2 Luv (Karen)

Tuesday, January 8

Piece Peace (Patricia G.)

A Stitch in Time (Patty D.)

krislovesfabric (Kris T.)

Marjorie's Busy Corner (Marjorie)

Grandmamas Stories (Jane H.)

Mrs. Pickles Garden (Hayley)

Patchouli moon Studio (Daryl P.)

Till We Quilt Again (Helen E.)

The Slow Quilter (Felicia F.)

Quilting With Terry and the Cats

Wednesday, January 9

Kathy's Quilts (Kathy W.)

Sunshine Quilting (Martina S.)

Sew Incredibly Crazy (Amy)

Quilt Doodle Doodles (Cindy S.)

Doodling in My Mind (Darla R.)

I Like to Quiltblog (Bente)

Michelle's Romantic Tangle (Michelle M.)

Grammie Q's (Charlotte M.)

Dancing Moon (Carla B.)

(Betty V.) at “that other blog”

The Fuzzy Hat Quilter (Laura Ann)

Thursday, January 10

Life in the Scrapatch (Pat B.)

Just Sew Sue (Sue B.)

Nati's Little Things (Nati)

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans (Amy)

Pig Tales and Quilts (Thearica)

Scrappy 'n Happy (Jess R.)

Little Mushroom Cap (Amira A.

Moosestash Quilting (Joan K.)

Sowing Stitches (Beulah aka. Carol)

Just Quilt It (Kathy G.)

Friday, January 11

Jane's Fabrics (Jane R.)

Jane's Quilting (Jane C.)

Nuts 4 Redwork (Heide W.)

Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio (Cherry G.)

Bits and Pieces (Martha R.)

Life in Every Breath (Jennifer B.)

Quilting Lines (Patricia L.)

Travel Thru Greece (Mara)

Meadowbrook (Kristen K.)

Count It All Joy! (Denise P.)

Sophie Junction (Sophie W.)

Monday, January 14

Gracie Oliver Arts (Jeanie)

Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)

Cherrys Prairie Primitives (Cherry E.)

Simple Sew (Shirley T.)

Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)

RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)

Celynn's Sunflower Patch (Celynn)

A Quilting Sheep (Amy)

Sane and Crazy Quilting (Cathy L.)

Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)

Feathered Nest Studio(Jennet)

Tuesday, January 15

BQuiltin Studio (Beverly K.)

Hill Valley Quilter (Britt-Inger)

Bumbleberry Stitches (Theresa K.)

Buzzing and Bumbling (Linda W.)

In Stitches and Seams (Annette S.)

Englating (Marica from Sweden)

Stitchin by the Lake (Marlene B.)

Selina Quilts (Selina)

Sheila's Quilt World (Sheila M.)

Words & Stitches (Beth S.)

Sew Mollie Sue, Quilt Much? (Pamela A.)

Wednesday, January 16

My Collection of Things (Jeni K.)

Quiltin' Jenny (Jenny)

Shade Tree Quilting (Judy C.)

(Rosemary B.) at “that other blog”

Pat Sloan, The Voice of Quilting (Pat. S.)

Dachsies With Moxie (Agnes B.)

Sew Many Yarns (Lyndsey M.)

Tomorrows Treasures Today (Denise D.)

The German Mom (Tina S.)

Christa Quilts (Christa W.)

Read, Quilt, Cook, Pray (Aletta D.)

Sew We Quilt (Mdm. Samm)

 

Well the shop is almost back in order....

Brenda and I made it back from the Quilt Festival at 1:00 a.m. Monday morning and we were two tired little puppies....but man did we have fun.....

 

I was busy looking at booths but Brenda took a few minutes to sit down and talk with Tim, one of our fabric reps and Diane Springer.  Isn't her booth fun!  Check out her website for cute ideas to use your scraps.  She is great!

 

I was checking out all the Riley Blake booths.  Don't you just love all the colors and cuteness!

 

Even when your feet are killing you, you can't help but smile.

 

We stopped and couldn't help but buy patterns from Laura Blanchard at Plum Tree Quilts!

 



I really can't wait to try the batik table runner and the 3D quilt called Shadowplay.

 

And the Adorn It booth.....

OMG

so cute....

I bought this purse....I have someone very special in mind to make it for!



 

And then....I was stopped dead in my tracks....wow....

Phillips Fiber Art

 

 

Are they beautiful or what?

 

Well folks....it is time to go do what I do everyday in order to afford to do the things I want to do everyday!  Translation:  My boss expects me to come to work everyday!

But I am so blessed!

Be sure you start watching the Mama's Quilt Shop website to see all the new products we picked up at market.



Off to Houston....

It is 6 a.m. here in Louisiana and I am finally finishing up packing and getting everything ready to leave for Houston in about 3 hours.  I just know I have forgotten something....oh well....there will be plenty in Houston for me to see and buy!

 

This beautiful quilt was started in Florida, but it is finished now!  And Brenda will have the kits in Houston.  Stop by our booth #653 and tell Brenda you seen it on our blog.  You will get 5% off any of your purchases, just for stopping by.

 

We will have quilt kits, fat quarters and I will demonstrating the twister mug rugs everyday all during the day.

Have a great day!

Martha

 

 

We have a winner!

Actually we had one yesterday....but the internet decided not to cooperate so I could post!
So without any more delay:

Flo@ButterflyQuilting
I started with rag quilts...but now am hooked on piecing...or trying to piece larger quilts!!
The book looks like something fun to try..thanks for the giveaway!
And I only wish I was going to Houston! So jealous!! Have an amazing time!! And then tell us all about it! :)

Congratulations Flo!  I am one of your followers from my blog and I so enjoy reading your posts.  I look forward to seeing what you do with the book Turning Twenty Slapplique by Tricia Cribbs and the fabric to make this block...

And I want ya'll to know that I took my camera yesterday so that I could take pictures at the shop...and when I got home realized I hadn't taken a one!  We were working like crazy preparing quilt kits to take to the show....and then I realized that I had put "less than 3 weeks we are going to market".  Well I don't know what calendar I was looking at but it was actually less than 11 days before we leave.  OMG!  I have to wash clothes, pack, finish up everything at my "real" job and make arrangements for everything at my house to be taken care of.....EIGHT DAYS in Houston....this means I have to pack double of everything I usually pack and sack up twice as much cat food as I normally get ready.  (I have a lot of feral cats out of doors that I feed and I can't let them not eat while I am gone.)

But good things happened too!  BP who has been feeling a little under the weather rode with me to the quilt shop and brought the quilt she had finished for the shop sample....wait til you see it!  I promise I will go by today or tomorrow and take a picture.  It is beautiful.  She whipped out her little featherweight and went to work on her tiny blocks of last year's BOM.

Patti (our little energizer bunny) was cutting fabric and packaging quilt kits with the help of Nydia.  Then when they took a break after lunch I taught both of them how to make a twister mug rugs.  Patti is leaving to go on another quilt retreat and she cut out all of the fabric she needed to sew up while she was there.

Mike was back to pick up his two quilts that Beth finished machine quilting for him and to make the binding for them so he could bind them on the plane home for a visit with his family and to see his new grandbaby.

Brenda had a family reunion to go to but she got us started and then helped us finish up when she got home.

We are going to have some beautiful quilt kits for sale in Houston.  But we are going to market too!  So we can bring back lots of ideas for 2013 at the shop.  I am so excited.  I always put too much on my plate after going to market.  So many talented beautiful people go to the festival.

Thanks to everyone who entered our contest and please keep visiting us to see what is happening.

Martha

Houston here we come.....

Less than 3 weeks away....

Houston here we come....

8 days of drooling....

 

fabric, patterns, kits, demonstrations, embellishments

and oh so gorgeous quilts.

 

I am so excited....can you tell?

 

Are you going?

 

I blogged about my latest adventure on my blog....

Living Life...One day at a time

 

Since I work full time I don't have time to finish a lot of complicated quilts....

enter rag quilts...

I can put them together...wash them...dry them...and I have a precious quilt.

 

When we were cleaning up at the shop the other day, Brenda found an entire box of books that she had forgotten about. I fell in love with the Strawberry Shortcake slapplique and I tried it. It was so easy and fast.

 

Turning Twenty Slapplique by Tricia Cribbs.

 

 

I love this fabric line, Olivia by Michele D'Amore for Benartex, Inc.

 

Beautiful and delicate handkerchiefs were the inspiration for this collection by Michele D’ Amore. Olivia has lush cabbage roses, elegant paisleys and plaids.

I could just see this soft antique looking fabric in a soft lap throw....

so I made a sample block.

 

By the way....Mamas Quilt Shop...has seven bolts of this wonderful fabric!

 

 

 

Now this is a 2009 book...but it is fabulous for those of us with small amounts of time.  There are 6 patterns in this book and all are easy to make.  Brenda is selling these for $12.00 plus shipping. 

 

But wait....don't tell Brenda...

I am giving away a copy!

And enough fabric to make your own sample block!

Just like mine!

Leave a comment on this post,

let me know if you like rag quilts or if you are going to Houston!

Easy peasy!

 

Now...if you have a little more time on your hands...

blog about our give-a-way and leave me a second comment telling me about it.

You will get two chances to win!

 

I will draw the winners name Saturday morning, October 20th at the quilt shop over coffee and donuts.

 

And that's not all....

visit us everyday until we leave for Houston to see what special we will be offering

or

what I will be giving away to some lucky blogger!

 

Have a great day!