Wednesday, December 29, 2010

August Vacation

You may remember John is booked to teach on an exciting Holland America Mediterranean Empires Cruise in August of 2011.  The exotic ports of call are in Italy, Greece, Croatia and Turkey; get your camera ready!



The tour company has just added a really special event Just For Quilters!.  There will be an exclusive quilters' tour in Istanbul, Turkey.  Visit Mediterranean Cruise Website for the complete details but the highlights are a guided tour to the fabric section of the famous and colorful Grand Bazaar, lunch in a wonderful restaurant in the Spice Market, and a workshop with local quilters and block exchange!  You can sign up for this full day in Istanbul on the tour company's website.  It seems like a great way to see this ancient city and to meet people who share our love of quilting.

If you have a project that you would like Kate to custom cut on the laser, now is the time - she is all caught up!  Most projects are just $60 plus shipping from your own fabric.  Call 800 745 3596 and ask for Kate!

All that talk about the Spice Market and Turkish food made me hungry.  It is lunch time.

Brooke

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

That Was Fun!

We all hope you had a great holiday, however you celebrate.  We all ate too much.  Well, there are a couple of folks in our family who restrain themselves somewhat and actually quit eating when they are full.  There are more of us who say "well, just one more" to servings of dressing, or sweet potatoes, or Christmas cookies!    Stern and solemn, January is just ahead, waiting for us to reform.


Here are updated pictures of John's hand quilting project.  This was early in the weekend; he has a lot more done now.  The television is right by his frame so he can keep track of all football action. 

The Road to California Show is coming up soon.  I spent a few hours today locating the merchandise boxes so we can start packing.  Templates need to be cut, John's class supplies need to organized, suitcases are waiting to be stuffed with quilts.  Important to me is that I have a knitting project ready so I won't be bored on the airplane.  Well, too bored anyway.

If you were fortunate enough to get Money for Christmas, don't forget that the free ground shipping offer is good through January 9, 2011 on Frames, Frame Kits or the Oak Frame Stand.   The discount code is SHIPFREE.  If you forget to type it in, Kate and I still make sure you get the discount.  Humans are better than computers, sometimes.  Order here!

Word is that an Arctic Front is coming with 4 to 6 inches of snow.  I know you quilters back East think that is child's play after what you have been through.  Hang in there!

Brooke

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Sorry about the Snow

To the rest of our U.S. neighbors, I am sorry about the snow.  We like snow here in Montana. Our mountains could use more and I wish some of you folks who don't want it or need it or like it could send it back up here.  Please, please keep the wind, though.

This little deer, this year's fawn, really wanted to come inside with us and have a snack.  He was so cute I forgave him for eating every single geranium and petunia I put out this summer.


John is busy on another quilt for his exhibit at Road to California in January.  This quilt is about 86" square.  It fits fine in the basement so John can watch football and quilt.  He is using the Baptist or Methodist fan design which is traditional with Sioux quilters and variegated YLI Jean Stitch thread.  It is going fairly fast; he can really focus when hand quilting.

Don't forget, there is a holiday special to save on shipping of the frames, kits or frame stands.  See the website for details and the code word which is SHIPFREE.

Brooke

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Fantastic News about Alzheimer's Research

Ami Simms sent out a press release on Sunday about a breakthrough at the University of Michigan Life Sciences research center.  Ami's 501(c) organization "Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative" presented the research center with a $30,000 grant earlier this year.  Quilters made this happen!    Ami's Blog

I don't understand any of the molecular this and the amyloid protein that, but I can tell this is good news.  Quilters, YES!  Alzheimer's,  NO!

Brooke