English Paper Pieced, Block-a-week Hex-a-thon

I've been hard at work with a new idea for you. As many of you know we are addicted to English Paper Piecing here at Katja's Quilt Shoppe. 

I have designed a collection of english paper pieced blocks inside a 3"(along the edge) hexagon.  

 There will be a one time sign up fee for the program. We will provide some general english paper piecing instructions with your first block. Each week in 2012 we will provide one block (outline drawing) printed on cover stock, for your piecing pleasure. If you come in the week the block is offered (in person, no proxies) there is no further cost to you. If you can't make it in that week or send someone in for you, we will charge you a small fee for that week's block.

So far I have designed about 65 different blocks. The possibilities are endless. This promises to be a fun little project to keep you entertained for 2012.

Linda and I have just returned to International Quilt Market in Houston Texas to check out all that's new in the quilting world.

Everyone needs time to eat!

Of course we always take in Sample Spree the night before Market opens to get a sneak peek.

Anxiously lined up, waiting for Sample Spree to open.

Here is a photo of a  small portion of market taken from the second floor. I've been told that the entire space is the equivalent of 14 football fields.

The customers just can't wait to start shopping. 

If you are a fan of Extreme Home Makeover, you'll recognize this face. But we found Ty's booth empty when we passed by. Below is proof that he did make an appearance.

Ty is now designing for Westminster Fibre.

You just never know who you'll run into at Quilt Market. Here is Linda with Monica Miltimore and Dianne Jannson of Di-Versity.

Barb and Alma of Blackbird Design.

Lisa from Sweetwater.

Mr. Moda himself Mark Dunn of Moda Fabrics.

And sadly the sun sets over Houston and another Fall Quilt Market and time to wait for the orders to come in.

Another day in Paradise.......

 It was my Birthday on Monday, and every year as I receive Birthday wishes from friends via email, phone, mail and in person I give thanks for my friends. I share this day with a very special little girl named Scarlet, whose Grandma Carla happens to work for me. 

A special gift from a special friend!

One very special friend surprised me with a lovely mug rug, mug, and the means to fill it. This mug rug is big enough to hold your coffee/tea/beverage of choice and a muffin or cookie.  

These mug rugs are easy! You can make your own!

Or maybe one for a special friend!

Linda has a great tutorial on her blog so that you can make your own. 

See that lovely bright quilt in the background? That is our new Block of the Month, The New Vintage. 

We've used Kate Spain's line Terrain for Moda and This and That's Block of the Month patterns, Vintage Memories for this must have, new vintage, slightly retro, quilt. 

Working hard on getting the sample done.

I loved the blocks as we were piecing them. Thanks Linda for the help!

Getting closer!

All the blocks are done.

Almost!

Only the borders to go.....getting so excited.

Borders are on and the top is ready for Linda!

Tada! I absolutely LOVE this quilt. 

I LOVE IT!

Here are a couple of close-ups!

Now for the quilting.............................

Thanks Starbucks for my free Birthday drink!
Can you say "Grande Mocha Frappucino in a Venti cup with extra whip"?
It was that kind of a day!

 The day was complete with my special birthday drink from Starbucks. My mug rug is on my desk waiting for the next drink and treat.

Have a great day everyday!

This & That

One DEAD Computer

Well, if you look closely, you'll note that my last post was September 2nd. Turned out that my computer's hard drive crashed later that day. You'll note the external hard drive next to the computer. Yes, it backed up my files daily at 10pm. All my files you say? Well so I thought. Turns out that my accounting files were not included in the documents I was backing up. When I picked up the computer it appeared that my accounting software had loaded, but without the financial files. After several stressful days and no sleep, thinking I had to rebuild back to my last year end, I stumbled across the data by accessing it in a different way than I have in the past. Turns out that it was just the change to a newer operating system and a different computer system, that was my problem. All is well that ends well.......

I LOVE MY NEW MAC

I haven't yet figured out everything on the Mac, like what do I do about my publisher files from my PC. I think I'll have to save them to a flash drive, take them to Staples and convert them to PDF so that I can at least read them and print them.
My Newsletter was of course in publisher...........so now I am rebuilding that template..............

Terrain by Kate Spain
ready for kitting into our new Block of the Month

There were some bright spot in the last few weeks however, like the arrival of Terrain by Kate Spain for Moda. We've been busy cutting. Linda joined my Mom and I at the store on a Sunday to help piece blocks. The top is almost complete and I will post pictures shortly.

Another season of Moda Club has begun

Moda club started up again last Saturday. A great time was had by all. Check out Carla's blog for the tidbits and show & tell.

Tantalizing gems ready to turn into a quilt!

Here are the kits for the featured project shown below. They will be available in-store later this week.

Look what you can make with those little lovelies above.

Have a great week! Remember this weeks lesson. Back-up, back-up, back-up!!!!!! And then check what info you are backing up, just to make sure.

Gerry's Retirement

August 31st was our 12th Anniversary at the store, as I posted that day. Well, Gerry has been with me practically since the beginning. 11 years, 7 months and 24 days if you want to get technical. Last night I had the staff over for a BBQ/retirement dinner for Gerry. I had told Gerry earlier in the day that I hadn't 'done' anything special for her retirement, but I didn't tell her that the staff had gotten together and made her a little something special. So she was quite surprised when she was presented with this special reminder of her time with us.

One thing you must undeerstand is that Gerry LOVES cats. So this pattern was quite appropriate. She is also fond of 30's reproduction fabrics and clear colours.

Linda, of course was entrusted with the quilting. You can see more pictures at Carla's and Linda's blog.

Gerry we will miss you! Hope to see you here on a regular basis!

12th Anniversary

Hard to believe, but it's our 12th Anniversary today. It doesn't seem that long. My kids were just 15 and 13 when I opened the store. Sonja is now 27 and Nicholas 25. It has been a rewarding 12 years. I have met some great people over the years.

Our latest newsletter is now available online. We have some fun classes waiting for you.....

Here is just a sampling:

Fusible Applique

Be There Make and Take Series


Katja's Favourite Apron

Crazy Quilt Bags

Reversed Rainbows

Black & White & Red All Over

Quilter's Village

Charming All Around

Wonky Squares

Funky Strings

Sixteen Again

Circle Tour

Last Thursday Ken and I took off on a little adventure. We headed out on a journey and decided to go by chance to see where we ended up. On a previous trip through Osoyoos we discovered the most awesome native themed metal sculptures. This time we did a bit of further investigating and ended up at the Okanagan Nation complex. We found a beautiful array of buildings including a high school/elementary school and health center. Spread throughout were these metal sculptures. I have included just two of the images.

Traveling through the South Okanagan, orchards were to be found wherever you turned. It makes your mouth water, and your belly crave those luscious delights.

I loved the row-after-row, mile-after-mile of vineyards and the sun streaming through the fruit trees.

I was tempted to lie down between the rows an soak up the ambiance.

Hairpin turns are a given when traveling back up between Osoyoos and Castlegar, but some are really beyond belief. Remember when the suggested speed is 30 km/h it's not a bad idea to heed these warnings.

This is the view of Osoyoos Lake about half-way through our climb of hair-pin after hair-pin.

In Castlegar we came upon these three sand sculptures. Amazing....I would have loved to see the sculptors in action.

In the little town of Kaslo we found the greatest hospitality. Not realizing that Kaslo hosts a Jazz Festival on the August long weekend, we were greeted by NO Vacancy sign everywhere.

A lovely lady named Marlaina at Willow Home Gallery (well worth a stop, by the way, they had some lovely items to choose from) phoned around for us to see if a vacancy could be found anywhere.

After a few calls, and a bit of luck, we ended up at Loon's Echo:

Dave and Jean swapped some stories with us and we had our own private little cabin with a view of the lake and a beach to enjoy as well.

Looking for a place for dinner we happened upon Buddy's Front Street Pizza. Great hospitality and wonderful pizza. We tried 4 different kinds (we went back for lunch the next day). I would recommend any of the ones we tried, which were: Number One, Aloha, Kaslo Special and Artichoke. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!

Walking off our meal we happened upon this little gem hidden in the lilacs.

Creeks and rivers are everywhere and pictures can not convey the spectacle of the rushing water.

In Nakusp we sauntered along the lakefront with it's spectacular gardens.

We also stopped at the Nakusp Hotsprings to soak out a few aches and pains (not that we're getting older.

Here we are on the Galena Ferry. What do you mean you didn't recognize me? These lovely new green sandals were purchased at Softy's Shoes in Penticton.

On to Revelstoke where we found the marvelous Grizzly sculptures and the metal art . By the way Revelstoke hosts a baseball tournament on the August long weekend. Again, we were fortunate to find a room.

I've always been fascinated by tunnels that go through mountains. Can you imagine building that?

The impressive grandeur of Three Valley Gap never ceases to amaze me. One man's vision for future generations to enjoy.

A quick stop at Craigellachie, site of the last spike and it's time to head home.

Vacation time is now over and it's back to the store tomorrow.

Carla, who is much more faithful in the updating of her blog, shared some pictures of a few new lines that came in to the store while I was gone.