Donation Blocks

Fellow Seam Sisters:

Tonight we enjoyed a lovely evening at Elsie's! During the meeting, we discussed making blocks for donation quilts. Here are the specifics:

1.) 9 1/2" unfinished size (that means 3 1/2" squares)

2.) Nine Patch pattern

3.) Use your scraps. We will coordinate the blocks as we accumulate an assortment to choose from.

4.) Have fun with it!

More posts to follow soon with: pictures of show and tell items, updates on the Round Robin Row Quilt Challenge, and more.

Upcoming classes and events

Happy Holidays, Everyone! It has been a long time since Mom or I have posted anything. I don't know where the time goes... I hope you have the time this season to really enjoy some time spent with family and friends. If you have any time to spare, join us at a class or two... Have a very Merry Christmas!

Quilters’ Book Club:
Our book club is open to new members at any time. The following are the book selections for each month and the meeting date for the discussion.
January 26^th 6pm: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Gavin Stein

Classes

Recycled Sweater Mittens
Warm mittens, a Minnesota necessity! Clean out your closet, make use of a "laundry mistake" or visit a local thrift store to gather 1 or 2 old sweaters (preferably with a minimum of 70% wool content) and join the fun. Prior to class, shrink/ felt your wool sweaters as much as possible. This can be done by a number of methods, but the easiest is to wash in your washing machine on hot and dry in your dryer on hot. Repeat if necessary. Bring your own sewing machine, scissors, pins, wool sweaters, 1/2 yard of matching fleece, matching thread and matching yarn (optional for decorative stitch).
Willow River
When: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011
Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Willow River High School, Home Ec. Rm
Cost: $17.00

Aprons!Aprons have made comeback in popularity in the last few years. People are collecting old aprons and creating new aprons from some of the fabulous fun and bright prints that are available now. Join us for this class to make a basic apron. There will be options for adult and child size.

Materials Needed: Sewing machine, scissors, rotary cutter, mat, and ruler (opt), coordinating thread, (3) 5/8 yd pieces of coordinating fabric.
Willow River
When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2011
Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Willow River High School, Home Ec. Rm
Cost: $12.00

T-shirt Quilt
Another easy way to repurpose your old t-shirts! A t-shirt quilt makes a great memory quilt, use it as a way to remember a loved one to use it to showcase a part of your or someone else’s life… think graduation gift, etc. The first session of the class we will work on your quilt layout and preparing the t-shirts for use. The second session we will put your quilt top together and decide on backing and binding options along with quilting or tying options.
Materials Needed: Sewing machine, scissors, rotary cutter, mat, and ruler (opt),coordinating thread, T-shirts (lots… at least 12), 10-15 yards of fusible light to medium weight interfacing, and 2-4 yards of a coordinating fabric. (You will eventually need batting and backing fabric, but we will decide on that as the class progresses and you decide how big your quilt is going to be.)
Barnum
When: Monday, Jan. 9^th and Monday, Jan. 30, 2012
Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Barnum High School
Cost: $20.00
Willow River
When: Thurs. Jan 12 and 26, 2012 Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: Willow River High School, Home Ec. Rm
Cost: $20.00

Open Sewing/ Knitting/ Crocheting

Looking for some craft time? Why not pack up your projects and sew/knit/ crochet with others on the second Saturday of each month in at Barnum High School. Bring your own lunch or order from Lou’s Diner.
Barnum

When: the second Saturday of each month

Time: 10am-6pm
Where: Barnum High School
Cost: $2.00

To register for classes in Barnum: Go to www.barnum.k12.mn.us and click on community education and adult classes. Click on, complete, and send in the Registration form with fees to:

Barnum Community Education
3675 County Road 140
Barnum MN 55707
Cancellation and Refund Procedures:

· Community Ed reserves the right to cancel any activity due to insufficient enrollment. Complete refunds will be given if this occurs.

· If you want to cancel your registration, you must do so no later than 48 hours prior to the start of a class or activity. A cancellation fee of up to $7.00 may be deducted from your refund.

· No refunds will be given after the start of a class or activity.

To register for classes in Willow River:

Check the Willow River School Website, as new classes and updates will continued to be posted.www.willowriver.k12.mn.us OR call Bobbi Dresel

218.372.3131 x244

Are You Going on the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop?

Are you going on the 2011 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop? It's not too late... you have until Sunday afternoon to stop at a few shops and gain some inspiration.

Last Thursday, Mom, Deb, Jenna, and I headed out on a fun filled day of shop-hopping. One positive thing about closing my shop is that I actually had the opportunity to visit some of the other fantastic shops in the area.

Heart To Hands Quilt Shop, Deer River, MN was our first stop of the day. This quilt shop is in an old church and was a great stop to kick off our day.

ABC's of Quilting, Grand Rapids, MN was our second stop. This shop is located is a beautiful old school building. There was someone playing the piano in the distance and there was even free popcorn.
On a side note, if you are ever in Grand Rapids and have some extra time on your hands, stop at Red Willow. This is a huge gift shop with everything from furniture to greeting cards in it. Some really great stuff. I purchased a purse that looks like an old tapestry carpet bag.

Then we were off to find a place for lunch on our way to Aitkin. We stopped in Hill City and ate at the Hill Lake Cafe. I had my usual club sandwich (which was good), but everyone else had the patty melt and raved about it.

When Seams Like Home was open people used to talk about a quilt shop in Hill City that was located in a gas station/ convenience store. Well, we found it and it was great. Decent selection and great prices. It is called Elaine's Quilt Corner. While we were there browsing, we decided on a new challenge. We each chose 5 one yard cuts of batiks and we will be working on 5 yard quilts at the retreat in October. (see photo above)

Then, we were off to Aitkin. First stop, Aitkin Quilts and Fabric. Looking for American Girl sized doll clothes and accessories? Then this is the place. Then we stopped across the street at Sew Much More. They have a nice variety and also a nice selection of craft supplies.

Then, it was a mad dash to McGregor before they closed the for the day. (The day just flew by) We walked in the door and, of course, were greeted with Diane's hugs. She was kind enough to stay open while we visited and shopped... so much to catch up on and a fantastic way to end the shopping day. If you are ever near McGregor, stop in at Timeless Treasures of Mcgregor and tell Diane hello from me!

Barn Block of the Month

Well, I have been working on more of the Barn Block of the Month blocks. (The blocks are from "Quilt Blocks on American Barns" by Eleanor Burns. We started this block of the month last fall when my shop was still open, but we are still trying to finish it out.)

Above you will find some photos of some of the blocks, if you have been a part of this year's block of the month program, you should have received an email update from me today. If you didn't, please contact me.

In like a lion! Come on Spring!!

Well, it's FINALLY March. Even though it didn't snow on the first it still felt as though it came in like a lion. That wind was really something.

After some quiet weeks(the after Christmas period), things are starting to get really busy here at Seams Like Home. Spring retreats are happening all over and projects are getting started and finished up before the on-set of gardening and lawn mowing.

Wanted to show you some of the new spring projects we are featuring.

The top photo is a brand new line called "Botanical Blooms" by T'Amore Designs for South Sea Imports. One of the bolts is a panel in soft spring colors. I barely had it unpacked and I was cutting for a customer.

The "peaceful" quilt is a pattern called "Peaceful" by blue meadow designs, Cori Derksen and Myra Harder. It is marketed as a baby quilt but for all of us who were teenagers in the 70's, the peace sign feels like a part of our history.

The wildlife wall-hanging is called "Tracking the White Tail Deer" designed by Granola Girl Debbie Fields for Troy Corporation's Riverwoods Collection. The fabric line is flannel, great for a throw, or backed with a beautiful cotton for a wall-hanging. Kits are available.

Next week is busy with open daytime sewing on Tuesday the 8Th, open nighttime sewing on the 9Th, book club meets the 10Th and the day we have all been waiting for, (at least I have) day-light savings time on the 12Th.

Then there is this: The annual winter re-model at my Parents house is coming to completion. We met on two different weekends to cut tree branches, empty the garage, Sheetrock, insulate and add new wiring. Our goal of this project is to make a "Man-cave" for my Dad. My Dad is a talented woodworker, woodcarver and project craft er. The "new" garage will have heat, many outlets and superior lighting. It is the shop he has needed for years.

This is what I know: My Dad has no idea what "man-cave" even means. He has spent his whole life working on the crafts and art he adores and is so talented at without ever needing or expecting a space of his own. He worked around cars, lawn mowers, equipment and six children. He has crafted irreplaceable heirlooms for us, our children and our grand-children. We came together to give him a space that we hope he will use for years to come. The fire department was not needed this year, we broke nothing, destroyed nothing, and did not irritate the neighbors. We actually might be getting pretty good at this re-model stuff, it's probably why my folks say, next year they are staying home.

Till next time!