The Latest at A Notion To Quilt

Retreat 2011

2011-02-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Back from our retreat weekend in Rindge, NH at the Woodbound Inn. We had a great time and much was accomplished. Massages and good food added to the success of all. From Thursday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, 624.25 hours were calculated as quilting time. 37 quilt tops, 10 pillow cases, 6 runners, 2 bags, 11 wall hangings and 11 other projects were completed. Lots of laughter and fun, late nights and chocolate. Plans were already being made for next year! Snow came down around us and we didn't care.

So Much to do!

2011-02-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

It seems like February has just disappeared and hopefully spring is around the corner. We have been busy ordering - if you can believe it - holiday, fall and halloween fabrics for next year! Our show season begins in March. We will be in Canton,Ma and Amherst,MA. March also brings our Male Review. A quilt exhibit of quilts made by men. It should be a great treat and we are looking forward to it. It's an event not to be missed!

Some photos of a few New Year's Resolution Challenge pieces for you to enjoy;

Information on Cotton Prices

2011-02-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

As I meet with our fabric reps to choose new and exciting fabrics, I quietly ask about the price. There have been some fabrics I ask to be put away when I hear the answer.Even though the price is increasing we are keeping in mind our goal of offering quality fabrics to our customers. I am passing along an article that talks about the reasons and perhaps will put things into perspective. That being said, we continue to receive new fabrics ( I am addicted) and try to find places to put them. New batiks, Some Bunny, a beautiful easter collection, new Kaffe and more. Be sure to stop by and
take a look!

cotton prices

What a Winter!

2011-02-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been sooooo long since I have checked in here. Where does the time go? The holidays have come and gone. January has disappeared and left snow behind and February has started with a bang as well.
Shoveling has never been a fond task but today was not a great day. Lenny started off by plowing the driveway - the first swipe landed him in trouble and he discovered that reverse went in the truck. So hooking up the other truck, he pulled the truck so it was aimed down our hill. (we have quite a hill) Now the plow truck is at the bottom - we have to get it fixed. Now how are we going to get our driveway plowed? We have a tractor and blower but they are in the shed behind the garage - no path has been made because we haven't needed it. Josh, Lenny and myself shoveled out the entrance to the shed. This left Lenny to put the chains on the tractor and hook up the snowblower. The next step is getting the tractor out of the shed and to the driveway. Hmm - the snow is way too deep for the tractor and we can't go the shortest way because the snow is piled too high. So we have to shovel the latest snow and create a path across the yard and to the driveway. The place that goes down the hill we had to give the tractor an extra push. the snow was up to our knees! We haven't had a winter like this for a while and I hope it's a long time before we have another! Hope you enjoy our snow story.

Super Bowl Weekend is this weekend. We have a special savings on Sunday. At the register you will choose a "chip" from our football chip dish and it will give you the % you will save - from 10% to 40%.

Last Saturday we had a visit from our grandchildren. They are growing so quickly and refuse to stop growing! We had a good day and at the end of the day grandpa and Quinn were clearly tired out!

Cookie Swap

2010-11-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

ON Sunday, November 7 from 12 - 2 we will host a cookie swap ! Bring your favorite cookie recipe and samples (of course). A great way to get some new recipes for your holiday baking! If you can't decide on just one - bring two!

Baby Lock Machines will be here soon!

We are pleased to announce that we will be adding Baby Lock machines to our inventory. Lenny and Becki went to training and are excited to bring these machines into the shop. We know you will love them too. The sergers are amazing!! Watch for more information.

Shop Hop is Over

2010-10-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

The shop hop is over and what a time we had! The theme was the 50's and we saw some great spirit. Thanks to all who participated and hope to see you again next year for our 10th Shop Hop - if you missed it this year plan for next year!

Time passes quickly!

2010-10-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it has been so long since the last post! So many things have happened since then!
We have been to several quilt shows, disney and now getting ready for the shop hop.
In September we went to the Bennington Quilt Show. We were in a new space and things went well. We enjoy going to see old friends and always love making new ones. The highlight was seeing a quilt by 12 year old Jennifer. She was so proud and excited. We chose to put our vendors ribbon on her quilt. The excitement didn't stop there for her - she had her picture taken for the local paper too - now she is thinking about her next quilt!

Where did the Summer go?

2010-08-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that the summer is almost over! I really don't know where August went. As I look ahead to the fall it's looking pretty busy and filled with activity. This weekend is our annual tent sale with Metaphor Yarns. We are hoping for great weather but will be able to have a warehouse sale in the event of bad weather.

Lots of bolts on sale along with fat quarters, patterns, books, some kits, and other items. We are cleaning out! Inside we will have our holiday and Halloween fabrics at 20% off.

While you are at the sale be sure to go in and check out the new Koala Sewing Cabinets - they are beautiful!!!

Our fall classes are posted on our website. There are some great offerings so don't miss out. Do you have a friend who would like to learn? Send them our way, we have some beginner classes being offered.

Congratulations to Liz for her popular vote in the Gone With the Wind challenge. It was a close vote and Lil wasn't far behind!

Back from Bayberry Quilt Show

2010-08-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

The Bayberry Quilt Show was this past week in Harwich, MA. It was our first time vending this show. We had a good time and met lots of wonderful quilters - some new friends, some old friends.

Lenny and I had the opportunity to visit a few restaurants, take a bike ride on the bike trails, go to the ocean and go to a concert by the Hyannis Sound an A Capella group of young men - fantastic performance (http://www.hyannissound.com/). That's how we spent the evenings after the show!

One of the places we ate was the Lobster Claw - yummy steamers and fresh lobster!

Our favorite restaurant was Morrells Resturant & Catering. Our meal was sooo good. We had an appetizer of spinach & cheese dip with warm sundried tomato chips. Then we enjoyed a plate of whole fried clams - they were so fresh and not heavily breaded. Dessert was really good - I had warm grapenut custard with whipped cream and Lenny had warm apple cranberry crisp with ice cream. They make their own desserts. Our waitress was very friendly and the owner ( we met him at the quilt show - he catered the food there) was also friendly and accommodating. If you get to the cape look them up in West Yarmouth.

The quilt show was lovely. There were some beautiful quilts as you can see below.

New Website!!

2010-07-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

We finally launched our new website today! Very scary but also pretty cool. There is alot of work left to be done to get it up to speed but a good start. Check it out and let us know how you like it. We will be adding to the online store and the calendar this week. Boy, it does take a bit of time!

Kids class started today. The girls went home with a pillowcase to use tonight ( they are hopefully sleeping peacefully right now - something I should be doing). Tomorrow they make a bag! Fun time.

Busy Day!

2010-07-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Today was a very busy day! We had several groups out shopping and having a good time. We sent some to Shelburne Falls and especially to Mo's Fudge Factor for ice cream and fudge! I hope they stopped and had some yummy ice cream. My favorite is almond joy! Check out her website - http://www.mosfudgefactor.com/allaboutmosfudgefactor.html

Sue Pritt was here teaching the Shop Ladies and brought her new pattern The Hen Party - so cute!!! She is one talented person. We love having her here to teach and have all her patterns here at the shop.

Shop Hop sign-ups have begun. Don't delay - tins are moving out! More info at our website - http://www.anotiontoquilt.com/ or at the shop hop website - http://www.massshoptoit.com/.

The theme is the 50's, so dig out your poodle skirts!

Hot Weather, Cool Fabrics!

2010-07-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

The weather is hot, hot, hot but we have COOL fabrics just in! Newly arrived are Santa's Big Ride by South Seas and Choir of Angels and Winter's Gleam by Wilmington Prints. Stop by cool off in our air conditioned store.

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July to everyone! This is a different one for us. We are usually away and haven't been home in a long time. The shop is closed today but open on Monday! We are having a BIG sale. Over 200 bolts of fabric are in place and waiting for a new home at $3.00 a yard. Some patterns and books on sale as well. Halloween fabrics 20%. Hope to see you! Have a great day!

A Great Class with Sue Pritt

2010-06-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today was the beginning of new Painted Ladies with Sue Pritt leading the way. The class enjoyed working with Sue as she shared her tips and advice for the beginning construction.

During the day, Sue Babji stopped by with the Painted Ladies that she completed after Sue's class last year.

Sue also unveiled her new patterns The Barnyard Ladies. They are wonderful!! We have scheduled a class for fall.
I will post those pictures later!

The grandchildren visited the shop today. They are so much fun! They brought smiles to many faces today.

Garden Spruce Up

2010-06-20T05:49:00.000-07:00

Working in our memory gardens and got the weeds out (for now) and planted some new items. A few plants didn't come back but others look good. It was a relaxing time for me and gave me time to remember our quilting friends who lost their lives to cancer. I couldn't participate in Relay for Life so this was another option.

Holiday Preview

2010-06-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

Our holiday fabric is "under wraps". We will have a holiday preview on Sunday, June 27. Come and help us "unwrap" our holiday selectiions. Sign up for a free fat quarter holiday bundle. There are many beautiful fabrics for rmany tastes. Don't miss it!

Just in is this adorable button fringe - think of the possibilities!!

Have a great weekend! If you get a chance stop by and see us.

Great Weekend

2010-06-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend we spent the time with one of the children and his significent other. Jay and Cheyenne are living on a houseboat on the Delaware River in PA. Jay broadcasts for the Trenton Thunder ( a AA team for the NY Yankees). We enjoyed two games (they won both!) and a lovely time with Jay & Cheyenne. Gabby, Chey's cat has come home with us and will be living with us for a while.

Jay in broadcast booth

houseboat

Now it's time to get back to work! Watch for rescheduled Pattern Party. Many great classes coming up and a trunk show by Judi Dains and her book Bold and Beautiful.

Happy Memorial Day

2010-05-31T06:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day to all. Our power was fully restored and the sun is shining. While the power was down, I made room ( hard to do) for the new fall fabrics. Yes fall! This will give us all time to get our ideas lined up and going so they will be done! That's the theory anyway, I try but it doesn't always work!

Thanks to all who have been coming in and telling me that they have seen the blog! That is encouraging and helps spur me on. Yesterday Lenny and I worked for a bit in the yard before opening - since we were away things are growing very fast! My lupines are so beautiful - I wish that they lasted longer.

Here are a few of the quilts from quilt market that looked like you could reach out and smell or touch them!

Have a great day!

2010-05-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

The journey is always interesting. We got hit hard Wednesday night and have no power at home or at the shop. However, we are still open and have pen and paper! Please stop by and visit. Lots of new fall fabrics ar here. We also have no internet or phone - cell phone is sparse - The local Foxtown Coffee Shop with my Aunt Pat is where we go to get our internet and something to eat! Remember we are open on Memorial Day and hope we have power by then!!

Pattern Party

2010-05-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

Join us on Thursday, May 27 from 3 - 9 for our Pattern Party. Cheryl from Thimblefaire Patterns will be at the shop to share the many patterns for you to look through. Stop in for a short time or hang out and enjoy the festivities! There will be door prizes, goodie bags and refreshments. Don't miss this good time! There is a $2.00 fee.

Back to the shop and new fabrics are arriving - some Halloween and some Christmas - yes already! But don't expect to see it yet - we will have an unveiling of our Christmas fabric on Sunday, June 27. Be there to help reveal the fabrics!

We're Back!

2010-05-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

We made it back after a small delay very late last night. With many extra pounds added to our luggage, we brought our haul home. Now to sort out and make choices!
After we finished walking the aisles of vendors, we took some time to enjoy the quilts that were on exhibit.
Below are only a few of the many beautiful quilts that were there. Hope you enjoy!

Day 3 at Quilt Market

2010-05-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we survived another day walking the isles. The isles begin with 1100 and end with 3700 - that makes 29 isles from end to end with vendors on both sides!Our feet hurt! We talked with many, saw some friends, made new friends, got some books signed and more. I was walking along when someone stopped me and asked where I got my diet coke - I looked up and was looking at Mark Lipinski- chatted for a bit and moved on.

Chatted with our friends Kate and Karen from Berkshire Quilts - their booth looked great!

My friend Mary Jane from Holly Hill Quilt Designs had a beautiful booth as well. She just got done with 4 new patterns.

At the Textile Creations booth Elaine Huffman's Gumdrop Bag hung proudly done up in their fabric.

At the end of the day when we went back to the hotel, I emptied my pockets and look what I found

hmm.... chocolate - imagine that!

Our day ended in a nearby town called Coon Rapids with Lenny's brother and his family. We had a great meal and wonderful time visiting. Wish we weren't so far away!

Tom & Sharon

Mckayla, Stacy, Jeff and Amber

Tomorrow's the last day!

Quilt Market News

2010-05-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of Quilt Market. We spent all day in workshops - they lasted either 15 or 30 minutes and went from 9 - 6. One of the seminars I attended was with Ricky Tims - he is so creative and a lot of fun!

After that we sat in LONG lines until 8pm to enter sample spree. This is vendors who are set up to sell product and there is usually a limited amount available. It was worse than an after Christmas sale. After a bit we walked around with a glazed look and feeling and decided to head back to the hotel with our loot.

This morning we were up and at it early - 8:00 workshop - then the doors opened at 9:30 and let in hundreds of quilters to walk the floor. The isles are numbered and you have a list but it doesn't seem to matter. We started in the middle and started viewing the vendors and their product. By 1:00 we had covered 3 aisles - there about 8 on each side. We covered about 1/2 of the floor today and will go back for more tomorrow.
The quilt exibit has some beautiful quilts and wearables. Today we were looking at the Hoffman Challenge Items. They were beautiful!!

We left the convention center and went for a short ride to check out another quilt shop. This one was called Calla Lily and I picked up a new runner pattern. We had a nice chat and enjoyed our visit. Then headed back to the hotel for supper and collapsed! Another day tomorrow!

2010-05-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

Lenny and I have been here in Minneapolis for a couple days. On Wednesday we took a ride to several area shops and had a great time. There were lots of other shop owners on a bus touring at the same time. Love to see new shops and maybe even get some new ideas about displays, classes or whatever!

Our first stop was Rosebud's Cottage. It was a hub of activity and a very nice shop.

Our next stop was Bear Patch Quilting. These women were so friendly! They treated us the same as the bus tour and even offered us the best cinnamon buns ever! We poked around and chatted with many other quilters. I had a lovely chat with a shop owner from California. We did some comparisons - it was very interesting. The staff at this shop were so helpful and willing to share ideas - we had a great time.

2010-05-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Our Grandchildren, Trinity and Tess have a great time "sorting" fat quarters and "shopping"!

A New Experience!

2010-05-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here's the beginning attempts at blogging! We can only see what happens. Ann Brauer from Shelburne inspired me when she posted such a lovely piece about the shop. Be sure to check out her website - http://www.annbrauer.com - Her quilts are wonderful!

There is never enough time and I am wondering why I am beginning this as we are getting ready to leave for Quilt Market in Minneapolis. Lenny and I are looking forward to a "mini" vacation mixed with pleasure. We will also be able to visit with Tom and Sharon, Lenny's brother and wife.

Quilt market will be filled with new and hopefully exciting ideas, fabric, notions, patterns, techniques and business tips for us. Tiring but will give us renewed energy for the shop.

We are leaving it in the capable hands of our staff and know they will take good care of all our customers.....hmmmm or will the customers take care of them! I am sure that the staff are looking forward from a break from us as well!
We are expecting record sales while away.