I am not a Blogger

The title says it all!
 I have discovered that I am not a blogger. Carla, Linda and Nicole are great bloggers. I admire bloggers. I follow quite a few blogs and enjoy them immensely, but I am not one to daily or even weekly put my thoughts into words to share with others.
I have discovered that I can easily achieve Facebook posts though, so come visit us there, become a fan and keep up with the latest info from Katja's Quilt Shoppe.

Dog eats Homework!

We've been having a lot of fun with our English Paper Pieced Hex-a-thon here at the store. And there has certainly been more interest than I expected. But, sometimes interest comes from unexpected places. As Marie's dog Dexter proved this week.

 Marie wasn't going to do the Hex-a-thon, she decided, her plate was a little full. Then she went to Moda Club and decided that she didn't want to miss out on all the fun everyone was having putting their hexagons together. So, Marie decided to join in. She bought a 'little' fabric and went to work on her new project.

 Then Marie's dog Dexter decided to join in on the fun as well. I wonder if the taste of the glue was too much to resist. Dexter didn't do as much damage as he could have and thankfully he didn't swallow the needle (still attached to the project). I guess Dexter just didn't want to miss out.

Notice the little teeth marks in the papers and the needle still attached. 

Block-a-week Hex-a-thon!

Merrily we Hex-a-thon! Hex-a-thon! Hex-a-thon!

Years ago when confronted by an English Paper Piecing workshop at the local guild, my comment was "Why the heck would anyone want to subject themselves to that intentionally?" Obviously time passes and our tastes change. We have become known for our Love of English Paper Piecing here at Katja's Quilt Shoppe.
For the last several years I have wanted to design an English Paper Pieced Block-of-the-something. I struggled with how to design within a hexagon on the Electric Quilt program I use and last Fall Quilt Market I spoke with the EQ folks and once explained to me the light went on and I realized just how easy it could be. I knew I could have designed it by hand, but I wanted professional looking templates with straight lines when I printed them.
So, here we are folks, your chance to take part. For a $25.00 sign-up fee (plus HST) you will receive a set of general instructions for english paper piecing (and by the way we're making it easier for you by glue basting the shapes instead of thread basting, MUCH FASTER), once a week if you stop by the store the week the pattern is offered the rest is free to you, if you don't come the week the pattern is offered or send someone in to pick it up for you there is a 50 cent fine. The templates (pattern) come printed onto cover stock for you to use for your piecing.

Here is my Week 1 block I am using a collection of Terrain by Kate Spain for Moda and selected solids.

Sharon's lovely Thimbleberries Week 1 block

My Mom, Sonja, is using scrappy Batiks.

Here are the three week 1 blocks. Amazing what a difference the fabrics can make. 

My week 2 block. I love the effect the fussy cutting gives it!

Sharon's week 2 block. Lovely muted colours.

Sonja's Week 2 batik star.

The three Week 2 blocks.

All my blocks so far, giving you a sneak peek of Week 3.

English Paper Piecing is a great portable hand project. Linda is also hex-a thoning with us. And until yesterday I thought Carla, the all-time English Paper Piecing lover, was a hold out. But if you check out her blog I think you'll learn differently.

There's still time to sign up, so come on in!

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.