Gift Giving Idea #1

It's December? Already? Guess, I better get in gear with my gift giving planning and ideas! Today's gift idea is the 2011 American Patchwork and Quilting Calendar by Better Homes and Gardens. This fabulous calendar is sure to provide new inspiration each month. Each month has a different beautiful quilt project pictured in 2 different colorways. There is a separate booklet with the complete instructions for each of the 12 projects. Retails for $23.96. Supply is limited, stop in and pick up one today!

It's time for "Retreat"!!

The leaves are falling, there's a chill in the air and

the shop is full of shoppers heading to "Quilt Camp".

I'm happy to say.....we are too! I have packed

more projects than I could finish if I planned to

be gone for weeks...but as all retreaters know you

don't want to come up short. The weather report looks fabulous so walking along the country road and down by the lake will definitely be on my list. Don and Deb host us with a casualness that encourages relaxation and Melissa takes care of all the decisions.

October was filled here at the shop with events, not the least of which was the "Holiday Extravaganza". The photo shows the winner of the "Seams Like Home Quilt Shop" prize basket. She hales from Cloquet and was thrilled to be notified. The basket was filled with fabric from the new "Bliss" line from Moda and I would have been thrilled to walk away with it too.

Looking ahead, we have the new "Groovy Girls" club starting on the 25th. If you are interested there is still time to call the shop and get signed up.

The class "Getting to know your sewing machine" is scheduled for Thursday Oct. 28. November brings the "Fat Quarter Scramble" on the 17th. and classes are:

Re-cycled t-shirt scarf on the 4th.

English Paper piecing on the 8th.

Painted Moon on the 18th.

Measuring party on the 22nd.

Recycled sweater mittens on the 29th.

Seams Like Home will be closed in honor of Thanksgiving day on the 25th and will have reduced hours Friday the 26th(open 10-2) and Saturday the 27th (open 10-2).

The photos at the top of the blog are from a trip that my husband and I along with my parents took to the "Buffalo Round-up" in Custer State Park. We traveled west with our RVs and spent 5 beautiful days in the prairies of the Black Hills. The buffalo round-up was proceeded by an Art Festival of local and Native American art. Fantastic! The round-up itself was on Monday. Cowboys and Cowgirls from all over "Apply" to ride for this event. 14,000 people line the ridges of the canyons to watch the event unfold. The buffalo came over the rise at a dead run, herded by some of the best riders in the west. One cowboy was carrying the American flag. It was a moment straight out of the "old west" and we enjoyed every minute of it. We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the park staff, sort, vaccinate and check the herd. The cabin in the photo would be my dream home for next years summer season. It is the Badger Clark cabin located in the park limits. It is secluded and beautiful. Imagine the sewing I could get done!

And then there's this: The final photo shows Nolan and Uncle Greg, sitting side by side on their "Quad Racers". They have a bond that includes 4-wheelers, John Deere, tools and all things "boy". Greg lives in a house of women so time spent with Nolan and doing things with Nolan is precious. On Saturday Nolan spent the afternoon riding the battery powered 4-wheeler Greg found for him. He wore his helmet and rode around the yard for hours. The rest of us burned calories running alongside.

This is what I know: For that afternoon, Nolan was thinking, this just might be the best day of my life.

Till next time!

Holiday Extravaganza

Join us for three days of holiday inspiration!
Visit one shop or all, the choice is yours. The more shops you visit, the more prizes you have the chance to win…

Thurs., Oct. 7^th: 9am-5pm
Fri., Oct. 8^th: 9am-7pm
Sat., Oct. 9^th: 9am-5pm

Shop for holiday gift giving ideas and decorating ideas, along with the chance to win prizes, collect free patterns, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow quilters!

Participating shops:
* Country Caboose Quilts, Wahkon
* Fabric, Fashions & More, Rush City
* Seams Like Home Quilt Shop, Sturgeon Lake
* Timeless Treasures of McGregor

At each shop receive a different,
* Free Customer Appreciation Kit and
* A Free Pattern for a Holiday Project
* Opportunity to win a gift basket valued at $200. Register at each shop, total of 4 given away!

Welcome Fall Quilting!

WOW! I let the whole entire summer get by me with the intent to blog and no time to do it. So.....here goes.

I am hoping that you have received your newsletter. It is packed with all the new events, classes, clubs, shop hours and upcoming challenges and events.

Class registration days will be Saturday, Sept. 18Th for the October classes and Saturday Oct. 16Th for the November and December classes. Early sign-up rewards you with a 10% discount on class registration fee and a free fat-quarter.

2010-2011 Block of the Month kicks off in November. We will be doing "Quilt Blocks on American Barns" by Eleanor Burns. I have been looking forward to this since first seeing the book. As you can see in the photos, my personal quilting space is a barn. This project(my barn) my husband and my Dad worked most of the summer getting ready for me. I am so grateful.

"Groovy Girls" sewing club begins Monday, October 25Th. Join us for laughter, learning, sewing and exclusive patterns and ideas, new techniques etc. all from Atkinson Designs. Fee is $6.00 per session plus materials and supplies.

If school has started, and it has, it is time for the "Beginners Sewing Series." Join instructor Chris George as she guides you through the steps towards accurate and precise piecing techniques.

September classes include "A bag for Andrea", Sept. 23rd and "Patchwork Ironing Board covers", Sept. 30Th.

The "Quilters Yard Sale" has come and gone and it was a huge success. The tent photo shows our vendors setting up. The wind was our worst enemy, but the "tent crew" got it set up and the wind helped Marty, Melissa and I take it down. Mark your day planner for next August, this event has become much anticipated and our vendor numbers keep growing. This year the tent filled up, so early sign-up is key.

The photo of my grand-daughters shows their first project in Nannie's new sewing studio AKA "The Quilt Shack". They both made pillowcases with fabric they picked, on their very own Janome sewing machine. Fun day!

The final photo shows Poppa and Nolan taking Labor day very seriously. When the John Deere breaks down, the tools come out.

Well gotta sign off and sew.

Questions?? Call us here at the shop.

Till next time.

Quilters' Yard Sale

Join us for the 5th Annual Quilters' Yard Sale

this Saturday, August 28th from 9am-1pm

at Seams Like Home Quilt Shop in Sturgeon Lake!

Under the big tent outside you will find all kinds of great deals on fabrics,

notions, patterns, books, UFOs, etc.

Inside the shop we will be having specials too.

Come join the fun!