Saturday, January 31, 2009

WHAT KIND OF QUILTER ARE YOU?










Are you an expert, an amature or a drop out? The difference between the expert and the drop out is dedication. The expert keeps on trying, never gives up, takes risks, tries something new, and learns from his/her mistakes.

Don’t be a drop out. Recently a former customer said she didn’t come back because she felt she didn’t learn anything in the class. She gave up. She never came back. How sad. Think of all the fun she’s missed. Not only has she missed out on the camaraderie with other quilters, but she’s missed out on the exhilaration of the creative process. Sometimes a teacher can say something in a certain way that just speaks to us. Another class, a different teacher, and she could easily become an expert.

You too can become an expert. All it takes to go from drop out to amateur to expert is persistence. Drop outs, of course, just give up and quit. Amateurs keep doing things in the same old way, never try anything new, just keep plugging along in a rut. Experts take classes at the Attic Window Quilt Shop and learn new techniques, try new patterns, play with colors in new ways. Becoming an expert has nothing to do with natural talent. It’s all about persistence. Think of how many times Edison failed. He never gave up. Don’t let your quilting be boring. Don’t stay an average amateur. Make each quilt a growth process. Practice what you are not good at, or take a class in something you’ve never done before, or just have not had any interest in. For instance, maybe you don’t like making triangles because you just can’t get them to look right. Well, they will never look right if you don’t practice. Maybe you will learn a new and easier technique when you take a class with a different teacher.

An example would be the paper pieced tea pot above. Paper piecing may not be your cup of tea, but you can take a stab at it and make this fun paper pieced tea pot out of those scraps you have on hand. You will find different tea pots on the other blog sites on the Blogs I Follow List. They are cute and bright and seem to be all the current rage. Why not try it? You can find a pattern at the Pink Penguin. You can also find a pattern (a bit more complicated) called the Dancing Teapots at the Quilter’s Newsletter .

Valentine’s Day Special

Don’t let Valentine’s Day slide by with just a card and a kiss. Make a heart wall hanging or pillow, to help you get into the mood. You can find the free pattern on the blog.
Hope you have fun this weekend trying something new, building your confidence, and becoming an expert quilter.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Make Good Use of Your Scraps with Project Improv


If you are like most quilters, you cannot think of tossing out those little pieces of left over fabric so you save it, just in case. Well, I got so excited that I had to share this with you. If you go over to Project Improv you can make a beautiful quilt out of those scraps and donate it to the needy. I had so much fun making this wonky square this morning. What a fun and inexpensive way to be creative, and if you so desire, be giving by donating it to Project Improv, or making a full quilt and donating it to the needy right here in our home town.
Another Note: Check out a picture on the blog. We have an orphan block that needs to find its way home. We think someone left it at the shop by mistake.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Six Reasons Why You Should Take A Quilting Class

I'm sure there are more, but these are the first reasons that came to mind when arguing with myself about if I should take a class:

  1. It helps you relax - Let’s face it, there are any number of things that take up our time during a day, cooking, cleaning, working outside the home, grocery shopping, running errands, hauling kids to soccer/basketball/etc., getting all stressed out trying to be June Cleaver. When is it your time to relax? I say a little self indulgence can renew your energy and give you a new outlook on life. Go quilt! Quilting is an escape from those hectic days. It helps you to relax and forget all about those worries of the day. Let quilting be your love, your relaxation.
  2. You meet nice people – One woman reported that she’s never met a quilter she didn’t like. “I’ve met some remarkable friends who have such talent and are willing to share ideas with me.” Another woman reported that she found quilters to be so helpful. Let’s face it: quilters are regular folks who have common ground. Their love not only for quilting but for fellow quilters is evident. Should there be a crisis, your quilting friends will be there to help however they can.
  3. You improve your quilting skillsAttic Window Quilt Shop teachers have years of experience. Their techniques are varied. One teacher may teach appliqué on way and another teacher a different way. Neither is wrong. How wonderful that you have the opportunity to choose which one is best for you. One woman in the recent Mystery class at the Attic Window said that she could always count on learning a new technique when she came to class. (See pictures on blog)
  4. You find new patterns and quilt books – New books and patterns are arriving almost daily at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, along with boxes filled with bolts of new fabrics.
  5. You start a new project – Imagine this: you pick up a fat quarter then place it next to a bolt of fabric and your fingers start to itch as you dream of what these fabrics look like made up in that pattern you just saw over on the rack. And you are off and running. A new project changes your attitude, gives you a brighter outlook on life.
  6. You Are In-the-Know – Being in the know is important because it means you won’t miss out on those timely opportunities. For instance, if you didn’t get your reservation in on time, you missed out on the V.I.P. Day Tripper where a buss load of quilters rode the bus in comfort for the day to visit various quilt shops and were treated to lunch, free patterns, and lots of pampering. You won’t want to miss out on the Year Long Parade of Shops. Reservations end Jan. 31st.

SOMETHING NEW
A new Bee for hand stitchers is starting on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Demonstrations and treats included. Come join Colleen for the first meeting this Wednesday, Jan. 28th, from 6-9 p.m.


This week’s link:

Found this fun blog and on it is a tutorial on an interesting way to deal with applique circles. Check it out at: http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2007/02/super-circles.html

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Get Your Quilt Room Organized


Are You Organized? - If you live in Michigan there is lots of snow and sub zero temperatures. Perfect weather, perfect for getting organized! But, where do you begin? On TV people getting rid of their clutter are told to use the three pile method: keep, toss, and give away. Toss? Give away? Are they insane? Quilters can’t get past the keep pile? Maybe a better idea is to start with project-specific baskets, boxes, or zip lock bags to organize your keep pile. Don’t forget to include that pattern.

It’s not just the fabrics that you have to deal with. What about all those patterns and ideas you’ve ripped out of magazines or the many, many magazines you collect. You could start a binder file or designate a special drawer in your file cabinet with hanging folders for all those odds and ends. Get a book shelf for your books and magazines. Most book shelves will hold those magazine file boxes so you can file your magazines by year. Now that’s really organized.

Then there are the many scraps left over from projects you’ve completed while taking a class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Frugal quilters never throw these away. It has been suggested you create a parts department– a box for all those ½ square triangles you’ve clipped from other projects; another box for those long strips to make string blocks; and another one for squares of various sizes. A fantastic place to visit for free scrap patterns is http://www.quiltville.com/ Check out her scrap saver’s system and her Crumb pattern.

Reduce, reuse, recycle – those are the magic words when getting organized. Don’t know what to do with those tiny little pieces. Make beads. Take a look at this website to see how it’s done. http://ajpadilla.com/

Another place for a tutorial on what to do with those scraps is http://quiltingisstillmypassion.blogspot.com/2007/07/mile-minute-blocks-photo-tutorial.html The tutorial called Crumb Chaos is great.

Or you could donate those scraps to the Quilts for Wheels group or the Cancer Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Your donations are always welcome.

Keep all this in mind while taking your next class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Check out the calendar on the blog for upcoming classes and events. There are also new pictures of samples for upcoming classes, along with the fun additions to the blog roll.

Until next week, Stay Warm, and Happy Quilting.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Reducing With a Blog Roll - Jan. 11, 2009


Is your quilting accuracy mood dependent? Want to know the best way to improve your mood? Start a new project! The Quilting Doctor recommends that you sign up for a class at the Attic Window Quilt shop. How about a Batik FQ BOM? Who wouldn’t want to feast their eyes on these exciting colors. The vibrant explosions of color are extraordinary to work with. This is a sample of one of the many classes you can take that is bound to improve your quilting skills and your mood.

There is now a new calendar on the blog that will help you in deciding which classes you want to take. Just click on the Attic Window Monthly Calendar, then click on the event you want to learn more about and you will get additional details about the class. You can even ask for a reminder to be placed on your personal calendar. This whole calendar can be synced into your own personal calendar if you wish.

Want to know the best way to keep that New Year’s Resolution about dieting? Go on a blog roll. You will be so interested in what you are seeing and reading that you’ll forget about eating. Blog rolls are fun and you can get new ideas and some blogs even give you free patterns. There are three such blogs links on the Attic Window blog. Be sure and check them out. Fredashive has directions for the cutest Doll House pot holder.

Have you signed up for the Year Long Parade of Quilt Shops? What a bargain for only $5. Registration ends in Jan. 31.

NOTE: The Penny Rug Club meets the fourth Tuesday afternoon of the month.

Till next week, Happy Quilting!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

January 4, 2009 - Happy New Year

OOOPs. I’m so sorry but the blog had several errors in it last week (Lord only knows how that happened. Maybe the editor had a little too much eggnog?). New Year’s resolution: check before put fingers to keys. Last week it was reported the shop had a new look. This was based on rumors of what was going to be done. Facts were checked this week and we are sorry to report that Chris spent those days off sick on the couch (she says it was the flu) and her husband had injured his hand. Chris is back at the shop and feeling better (saw her Saturday) and we hope her husband’s hand mends soon.

Apologies too because a picture of one of LeeAnne’s quilts was posted instead of Geri’s (Wonder what planet the editor was on when that happened). That has been corrected. Sorry about that Geri.

As for the new news – Newsletter has been mailed and e-mailed and if you did not get your copy you can download it and the three month calendar on the blog.

New classes are starting – Lots of really great BOM’s coming up. Be sure and take a look at the samples. As new samples come in to the shop pictures will be posted.

Don’t forget the clubs – Clothesline club looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun this year and will also have a BOM.

Redwork and Twilling Clubs are sure to provide something special this year too. Take a look at the Twilling sample posted on the blog. And be sure to check out the other twilling and redwork samples when you go into the shop. Barb does such beautiful work. You will be inspired to participate.

A new Bee has begun. Julie says you can come and make dolls or work on any craft you would like. Her group meets on the second Thursday of the month from 10-1.

The other clubs and BOMs are filling up fast so don’t procrastinate on reserving your spot. Take a look at the Primitive Garden BOM sample on the blog. Colleen did a fantastic job.

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year and you are keeping all those resolutions???
lkjlkj

Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
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