What? It's September already!!

O.K. So while the cooler mornings, the sun setting earlier and the quietness of kids being back in school are all indications Summer is waning, Fall has still snuck up on me. August was a whirlwind of "The Minnesota Shop-Hop" followed by the "Quilter's Yard Sale" and of course one day spent at the State Fair.

Here at "Seams Like Home" it is everything Fall. The "Gobble. Gobble" wall-hanging is a pattern by Sandy Gervais-Pieces from my Heart with a fabric line by the same name from Moda. The turkey is imploring you to "eat more pie!"

Melissa has also put together from a "Gobble, Gobble" honey bun a quick project that would make a great wall-hanging , a table-topper or couch throw.

The lovely new fabric line in shades of plum, soft green and rich Burgundies and black is "Eva",new from Basicgrey for Moda. We have layer cakes, charm packs and yardage.

We are showing the ever popular "Bow Tucks" bag pattern by "Quilts Illustrated" in the new "All Star' line from Riley Blake Designs. And the last picture is the porch pillow pattern in "Mary Engelbreight" Christmas. You may remember I am lobbying for them to be a project at the upcoming fall retreat. Stop in and pick out your jelly roll, the pattern is free with purchase. The pillows are fun, quick to make, simple. Enough said.

The newsletter contains all the upcoming fall news, if you don't receive it, call the shop with your e-mail address and we will add you to the mailing list.

Block of the Month for 2008-09 is wrapping up and we are excited about the new projects for 09-10. Both new BOM's will start in the month of October. Stop in for a peek, read the rules and get signed up on the list.

Upcoming and worth marking your calender for is the "Fat Quarter Scramble". November 17,2009. Doors close at 6:00pm and re-open at 6:30pm. Scramble is one hour from 6:30-7:30pm. Fat Quarters will be $1.00 each sold only in groupings of 25. Not pre-bundled. Many other shop specials the same evening. This event has grown every year and we encourage you to be at the doors when they open for the best selection.

January of 2010 we are starting a book club. It will be a "Quilters Book club" and we will be reading and sewing with the Jennifer Chiaverini series "The Elm Creek Quilter's". The first novel will be "The Quilter's Apprentice" and the quilt blocks we will be making are from Jennifer's book "Sylvia's Bridal Sampler". Stop in and get signed up so we can place your order for books.

Don't forget: Daytime open sewing. Each Tuesday from 11-? Check that newsletter for classes that interest you and take the time to stop in and view Eleanor Burns truck show titled "El's Best Trunk Show" in the shop until the end of the month.

And then there is this:

I spent the morning meandering through our local town as they held city-wide garage sales. If you were to ask my family they would say that I have always been an auction person, a garage sale person, I like thrift stores and hand-me-downs. It is interesting to me what people save and what they sell. What they treasure and what they give away. My possessions are eclectic and varied. Although I will be the first to admit to many collections like Fiestaware that I watch for, my true passion is family memorabilia. If I have something that came from my Grand-parents or my parents it will stay in my charge until one of the kids or Grand-kids decides they would like to have it. It is one of the reasons that I find it interesting that one day a couple of years ago in a random conversation with my Dad, he felt the need to tell me that he has traps he has saved for years and although he knows they are collectible he hopes that my brothers will take them when the time comes. They were words not needed. My Dad knows that he raised children that understand when it comes to family memories we know how to care for them. I was fortunate enough today to bring to my youngest daughter, a framed needlework of wildflowers made by her husbands Grand-mother. The stitching is intricate, the coloring is beautiful, my daughter will treasure it until it is time to pass it on to her son. There is much in my life I was saving for Mike. It would have given his Dad and I the greatest joy to pass things on to him. I now care for Mike's things and it is something I give reverence and respect. You see, Mike was very much like me, a holder of tradition and it is important that I get this right. Everything Mike owned is a memory. A story from his life. We honor those who go before us, by caring for what they've left behind. Mike would want me to move forward, but he would also know that I will never let go.

Till next time.

Quilter's Yard Sale August 22nd 9am-1pm

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow, August 22nd, from 9am-1pm for our 4th annual Quilters' Yard Sale. There will be booths set up outside under a big tent, free lemonade, select fabrics in the shop for $3-4/yard and other specials. Come join the fun!

Playtime's Over

Mike and the fire guys used to have a saying "playtime's over" when R&R days were done and it was time to go back to the flames. Melissa and I and the rest of our gang just returned from spending 4 days along the beautiful North Shore. Out destination was Grand Marias but we meandered getting there. Grand Marais smiled on us with perfect weather,sunshine filled days and gentle nights. It is a hard town to leave. Our last evening up there we traveled up to "Trail Center" (30 miles up the Gunflint from Grand Marais, a must go). A local fellow, a musician was home from Nashville visiting his family. After some encouragement he opened the old upright piano in the corner and rocked the bar with "Great Balls of Fire". Perfect end to a great vacation. One of those moments where we were in the right time and the right place. His name is Tim Styles and I looked...he has a website. Take a moment and check it out.
So for us it truly is "Playtime is over" as we prepare to host old friends and new for the "Great" Minnesota Shop Hop. I know many of you are formulating your travel plans. I fielded some phone calls yesterday regarding hours etc. We have a dear and valued customer who has family come from the west coast and they travel most of the state in the next two weeks complete with 3-ring binders, with ideas, patterns and sites to remember. If you are lucky enough you may run into them somewhere, they will be the three that are just having the best time. Here at "Seams Like Home" we are ready. The welcome mat is out. The coffee pot is ready. The Minnesota Fabric is the first thing you will see as you come in the door. If you don't have ideas for a project, believe me when I say, we do.
New to the shop this week. Apron panels and embroider able tea towels on the bolt. Fabric is RJR and could not be cuter. The newest "Snap Sack" arrived yesterday and in the spirit of the new RJR fabric I chose a retro summer look for the fabrics. Sample will be done by days end. Stop in and see. The "Snap Sacks" have really caught on. Fun, Quick and everything you need for just $12.99. You only have 3 more days of "Christmas in July" hurry in and get those projects while all things Christmas are on sale.
And then there is this. When we were in Boise this past spring my husband and I were visiting with some folks from Yellowpine Idaho when the woman mentioned to me that she was a quilter. We were 48 miles up the mountain, single lane road on the edge of the "Frank Church Wilderness River of No Return", I think you can understand the remoteness of this place. I asked if I could see some of her work. She graciously said yes and took me into her sewing room. Imagine my surprise when the first thing I saw was an early model Gammill on the frame and more shelves of fabric than I have ever seen in a personal collection. This wonderful woman was well into her 80's with a passion for quilting that picked you up and swept you along with her. She gave me a "show and tell" that was beautiful and inspiring. She loved to do applique and had quilts on every bed in the house. She told me though that her eye-sight was failing and that all the corrective measures available had been tried. She was no longer able to sew. She walked through that room though and touched her fabric as though she were planning "the next project". This was the lesson. Here at the shop I so often hear, "I have so much fabric, I don't need anymore" when nothing really could be further from the truth. If it is your passion, feed that passion. There is a woman in remote Idaho we could all learn from.
Till next time!

Did we miss August?!!!

I am wondering where the last half of July and the whole month of August have gone? As I sit down to write it is overcast, chilly and misty. I am a summer girl and rarely if ever complain about the heat. The heat will be back and August is coming, I hope you have circled the 22nd on the calender and will come and shop or come and sell at the "Quilter's Yard Sale". This event has grown every year. The more sellers the more fun so pack up those UFO's, books and patterns-not quite right and fabric that no longer speaks to you. It is true that one man's "stuff"s is another man's "treasure" so bring those treasures to sell. You can still get space and a table. Call Melissa at the shop(hopefully before July 31st) and she will put you on the list. "Seams Like Home" will have lots of specials, lots of deals, lemonaide and treats. Come and join the fun. We set up a tent for inclement weather but as to date the weather has always been fine.
Seams Like Home has a new look inside. It was time to move things around in readiness for Quilt Minnesota and Fall. Some of the summer samples have been taken down and new samples have taken their place. There is inspiration everywhere and advice and assistance whenever you need it.
This is the week that my small niece heads to camp. She has been looking forward to this all summer. I am sending her a letter with some money inside for the "store". She is going with one friend, otherwise she will know no one. Such courage should be rewarded.
And finally this. My husband and I went to the movies this past week. We went to our little small town one screen movie theater. I love this place. Multi-plexs have their points but you simply cannot replicate the look, the feel and the smell of a theater that has been around as long as the "Lake" has. This theater has loads of neon signs, a ticket window where "back in the day" I imagine tickets were sold as you stood outside, hot buttered popcorn and the newest releases. OK, so the movie we saw was Disney's "Up" it was an animated poignant story of loss,unfinished dreams, deep love and a child that marches to his own drummer. In the end it was about gently letting go. The crowd was small, mostly adult. There was a young Mom there with two small girls around 4 and 6. They sat close together, eating popcorn, sharing their drinks, the girls were completely captivated by the movie. They showed the full range of emotion from devastation and tears to loud no holding back laughter. They didn't censor themselves ,they did not care what others thought. At the end of the movie, they clapped. Such honest emotion, not even on the screen. They were worth every penney of the admission price. Till next time!

Lots to Talk About

The days of summer pass too quickly. We are half-way through "Christmas in July" and heading towards the Quilter's yard-sale. If you are ahead of schedule and working on Christmas projects, stop in for great deals on fabric, kits and patterns. All Christmas fabrics and kits are 10% off and books and patterns for Christmas are 15% off. We have samples of several of the new lines to inspire you even in the hot days of summer. Also new layer cakes from Moda. "Aviary" by 3 Sisters, "Neptune" by Tula Pink, "Hushabye" by Tula Pink, "Swanky" by Chez Moi. We also have "Hushabye" and "Arcadia" in charm packs. New lines from Studio E include "Deja Brew" and "Nature-ology". From Windham Fabrics, a great new line commemorating the "Buffalo Bill Historical Center" in Cody, Wyoming called "Wild West". If you have not been to this museum, put it on your must see list. We have "Picnic Parade" a new Free Spirit, "About Town" a new Robert Kaufman and for fall, new from South Sea Imports, "Nature's Bounty"

We are getting very close to the start of the "Quilt Minnesota" shop hop. This event runs from July 31st to August 16Th. The fabric is very "Minnesota" and I can't imagine being from this state and not wanting something for the cabin, the camper or the family room out of this fabric. Here at "Seams Like Home" Melissa has samples of a large pillow, a quick pillowcase and a fantastic year-round tote. Please see photos. During the event we will be open 7 days a week, all shops will be open M-Sat. 10am-5pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Grab a friend or take some much needed "just me" time and hit the road. A convertible is optional but would sure be fun! If you don't have a "top-down", put in your favorite travel CD, crank up the air and sing at the top of your lungs. Stop in to pre-order your fabric, we will cut it, package it up and it will be ready for you the 31st.

I intended to write about our trip to Boise but I think Melissa spoke for the family. In many ways it was something much bigger than words. I remember many years ago while vacationing in Grand Marais, we were eating at "Trail Center"( a restaurant Mike told me about where the fire guys would go when working in the area, another put on your must see list) anyhow I was lamenting about all those in the family that were working or whatever and not there with us and wishing they were, when my Dad said something I never forgot, he said "I'm just glad I'm here" and the truth of that has never left me. Sometimes it's just enough, that you are there. Fourteen of us went to Idaho to represent Mike. We made a memory. My 80 year old Dad stood up in a crowded auditorium of grieving Firefighter families and when it was our turn he said in a loud, clear voice words he never wanted to say under these circumstances. "We are here for Mike Breeggemann". We went to Boise searching for some peace, Boise did not let us down. God Bless the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, they are doing his work.

This is the week that my Mom and 8-9 of her best girl friends vacation on the shores of beautiful Sturgeon Lake. They have been coming here for as many years as I can remember. They pile in a couple of vans loaded with food, clothes, cards and cocktails. They will laugh, play cards, eat, visit all the local sights and sun themselves on the lake. What they do best for each other though is listen. These women have seen each other through all that life is, both the good and the unbearable. They are in their 60's, 70's and soon to be 80's. Their group started out known as the "Sassy Lassie Homemakers". They are not ashamed of this. That is what and who they are. They made homes for husbands, passels of kids and themselves. I am a grateful recipient of their sacrifices. May they travel safely. They are the Matriarchs of many.

And finally this. Today is the 27Th birthday of my youngest daughter Heidi. Heidi is a child of the "break dancing" generation. When she was four, I am not even kidding you she had a dance routine that would send people into peals of laughter. To say she was a ham would be an understatement. She is a "glass-half-full" person and feels things on the deepest level with as much soul as you can pack into one person. I consider her one of my closest friends and best confidantes. Her son Nolan shows all indications that he will be Heidi-the next generation. I always thought guardian angels that helped give you strength were older, but I know for a fact I have seven that stay with me each and everyday. Happy Birthday Babe! Till next time!