Small Towne Quilts

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Just a quick Happy New Year to one and all. I am betting this is going to be an awesome year for all of us.
Stay tune for updated photos and ramblings from Alice in Quilterland.

Hello to one and all, and thanks for being out there!!

2011-12-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I am coming upon my one year of not having a quilt store downtown. How do I feel about that you may ask? Well, my life filled up quite nicely, thank you. I have become the Palouse branch librarian, totally out of the blue and my children have moved back to the Palouse. Three more dogs have entered my home and my husband came out of retirement to go to work at Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston, Id.
As for my sewing life? Well thanks to many of my loyal customer I continue to machine quilt and barely squeeze in regular sewing. I did complete a Eleanor Burns quilt, with two of my friends, however, it still needs to be quilted and I just don't know who to give it to. I am sure it will come to me.
My idea for my "quilt shop" has changed quite a bit. At first I thought I would continue to sell products and fabrics, but my space it small, quite small and I thought it would be too dorky. I do have some bolts left, not much on them, but I am selling it if there is an interest. My machine quilt will be my focus. Having said that, I do teach classes privately and when the new community center is complete I will be holding classes once a month, so stay tuned. I do want to mention the great fabric shops we have in our area and encourage you to visit each and everyone. Grammy G's in Viola, Id, Stitches and Petals in Moscow, Id, Quilted Heart in Pullman, Wa, The Quilted Moose in Colfax, WA, Rabbit Run in Kendrick, Id and The Crazy Quilter in Deary, Id. I will leave it up to you to find the location information, but if you are stuck please contact me and I will send you on your way. We are very lucky to have such great shops in our area and each one offers wonderful choices. Please take time to visit them. Well I must be off now, quilts are patiently waiting to be quilted.

A new place to play

2011-06-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I visited with my friend Joanie Wilken yesterday. She has a new playground and we all are invited to play with her. Joanie is the designer of Harebrained & Happy Designs. She designs the cutest rabbit style wall hangings, quilts, hand painted furniture and so much more. I mean CUTE!! She has a new location in Kendrick, Idaho. You need to call first to visit, 208-816-8520/address is 402 E Main St, Kendrick, Id. Her studio/store is filled with pretty colors, pretty fabric, pretty everything. You sit in her comfy chairs and have tea, you admire her ability to design, create anything rabbitity (new word, not in the dictionary yet!). A lovely drive down hill, into a pretty valley setting.

It really is awesome. Here are a couple of pictures, there will be more to come. You must call and visit, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Mile stones, are they just in my childrens lives or mine too?

2011-06-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

My adult children are scratching their way through life. As I view theirs I remember mine at that age. I was married and having fun, children were not on the horizon, until one day, well there he was, my son. What are my children thinking about right now? Both of them are going through changes and I believe that they will come out victorious. They are touching on miles stones right now and there will be more to come, but those stones hurt don't they? Big, rough, hard and so ominous. Well I survived and I know they will as well. I guess my pain at watching it, is as my mother and fathers pain was to watch myself and my sister's mile stones. When I reach that mile stone of not worrying anymore, I believe that I will be dead, no really, I just don't think my worry factor will ever go away. Some days are not as near as bad as others, but it is still there isn't it? The worry I have is not contained to just my kids either. Will I get the quilting jobs done in time?, will they be good enough to make my customers happy? The list is endless in my head. But I believe that I too will be victorious. Here's to tomorrow and what it may bring, I am ready for ya!!

As I have said before.....

2011-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

Everyday is a learning experience. I now know how to download books onto my Iphone, so if you need help, I can do it. I don't know how to send out emails from my gmail account, so sorry for the three messages you just got.
I want to add my new library facebook page to this blog, but, well you'll know in about 3 hours if I got it right or not.
I have learned (well am still trying) that everything happens for a reason and worrying really doesn't fix, change or help the situation. I have learned that procrastination is a big part of my personality (sorry quilts waiting to be quilted and quilts waiting to be made). So I hope that you have learned something of use today and the day isn't over yet!!!

Hello Sunshine

2011-06-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

With the seasons that change so do our activities. Spring seems to have finally come to the Palouse and that means outdoor work. Now for a few years, I haven't really participated because of my main street business. But now.....well I am not on main street but looking out my home's window's and there is no doubt where I need to be. Machine quilting will become an evening activity and I will for the first time in a long time be able to go into the sunlight on a regular day. I have mixed feelings as I have been a mole for so long. Well here it goes, wish me luck!!

Teaching ideas shared with my daughter, now a sewing instructor

2011-05-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips for you as a teacher. This is a random listing.
For you as a new teacher you need to know that folks will come in with all different kinds of machines. Just remember these things that could go wrong if someone doesn't know their machine.
1. the bobbin may not be in correctly 2. the machine is not threaded correctly 3. the tension is not set correctly. 4. the needle is in wrong.
Most machines thread about the same, needle placement could be different.
If folks are buying machines from where you work, they may think that you know how they work. If the store has a machine in your class room you need to be familiar with it. They will also think you know about all machines so be prepared to tap dance your way through. But if you don't know say that, perhaps you could ask if they have the Manuel for the machine or who they bought it from. A lot of folks will get machines from thrift stores, yard sales, inherited from a family member. Use the internet to for information.
If you have kids or adults that come in with a machine that is threaded look at it so when it becomes un- threaded you might be able to get them back on track. If a needle breaks and it will, make sure you have all the parts, that way you know that a piece of it is not in the bobbin area of the machine. Use the brush to clean after that happens, sometimes you can get the part out and sometimes the machine is dirty and that's why the needle broke.
If you teaching newbie kids and you use the paper idea, you can either keep the thread in or take is out. I usually do it without thread, but they are sewing on my Bernina's and I know how to re-thread. So you have to decide what works best. I usually draw about four straight lines on a piece of paper and have them sew on the lines. This way they can practice raising and lowering the presser foot and learn speed control on the foot pedal.
Be careful of speed demons. You want to show kids how to keep their fingers out of the way of the needle when the machine is working.
Well I probably have more thoughts on this but you get the idea. Just remember for newbies they have no idea of the lingo of sewing or what tools to use or how to use them.

I am very proud of you this is the best job for you.
LOVE

Hi there, just checking in

2011-05-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hi, there world, just checking in. I have been very busy with my new job as librarian and the wonderful work of machine quilting. I hope to have some new photos of quilts that I have quilted soon.
I had a very, very quick visit with my kids this past weekend. It was Greg's (my husband) mothers day gift to me, and we picked up a car from Kelsey (my daughter). You could count the minutes I spent with both Sean (my son) and Kelsey. I am grateful for even those few minutes though. My children are great adults and are plowing through life. I hope someday it won't be so hard for them. The day when they don't have to worry every morning if they have a job or if their education they are working so hard to get will pay off.
Well, off to get the quilting done. I'll update you all later. Have a good spring day.

My quilting style

2011-04-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

I believe that each person who pieces a quilt and quilts a quilt develops their own style. I know that is true, because I have seen it and I am sure you have too. I use the terms, free form, primitive and wonky. Maybe a couple more names but we won't talk about that. I never thought of myself as being an artist, but in ways I have become one. Whatever the style or name I know I love what I do. The skill of quilting challenges me and pushes me to a new level. I am very fortunate that my customers allow me this. I am not perfect and I really do not strive to be. I want my customers to be happy with what I have added to their work. Now not all days are bliss I must say. But for the most part things turn out pretty good. As long as my customers allow me I will post their quiilts, quilted.

Things are shapeing up

2011-04-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

Storytelling was awesome today!!! I forget the tune to a song, but Lilli, a parent helper, helped me. thanks
I am quilting a couple of cool quilts right now and wish I had more time to spend each day, but I think when I post the pictures you will agree. I am very excited about life right now. It is a feeling that I haven't had for a while. I have missed it. I think part of that is because it is spring time. I know in our area it doesn't feel that way, but I always get a feeling of hope this time of year, no matter what the weather is like. I think that is what keeps me going, that feeling of hope. Well here's to another day, Cheers!!

I am on my own

2011-04-21T08:38:00.001-07:00

Today I do storytelling on my own. I have studied. I have sang songs (to my husband) and I have prepared a craft. Let's do this.

Cautious Blogger

2011-04-20T11:57:00.001-07:00

Today was the beginning of my 4th week of being a librarian. What I have found is that being a librarian is more then just checking out/in books. You have to do storytime!! Now my recollection of storytime is with my kids, sitting on their beds and reading to them at night. Well, my new version is a whole lot different. I am reading to 3 and 4 year olds groups and this summer will be doing a large group event for 6 weeks. I will have an audience. Now as some of you know, being in front of alot of people just really isn't my thing. I cry, I forget what I am saying and am just generally nervous. So somewhere deep inside me I have to bring out the "performer" part of me. I discovered the "artist" part when I began machine quilting. I guess deep inside of a person are all types of skills, personalities and strengths just waiting to come out. So if you are downtown during the summertime, take a peek and see the "performer" in me, just bring the Kleenex.

Learning Everyday

2011-04-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, Here I go with another change in my life.

I closed my store front business at the end of 2010 and took some time off. Folks thought I would be retired, but I really didn't feel or like that idea. I have been on a couple of small vacations, but during that time I knew I had to get refocused and back on track. So I got a job as our town librarian, which actually has always been something I wanted to do since I was a kid. I love libraries!! I continue to do machine quilting and am feeling very good about my life right now.

I am planning on creating a couple of videos on techinques that I think you will appreciate.

I will be posting quilts that I have quilted so that you can see my style. Stay tune I feel that the fun is just about to happen, again.

stuff going on in the quilting world of Palouse and beyond

2010-04-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 10, Palouse Spring Open House 10am to 5pm. Eleven downtown business in Palouse, WA are welcoming spring. Enjoy unique shopping, great food, door prizes and refreshments.

Saturday, April 10, Bingo, Potato Bar and Silent Auction
5PM potato bar and silent auction fundraiser for the new Palouse Community Center, hosted by Needful Things Thrift Store.
7PM Bingo, hosted by the Palouse Lions Club
All this is at the Palouse Arts Council Building (grange hall) Palouse Washington

Saturday, April 17 10 am to 6pm and Sunday, April 18 noon to 5pm
Palouse Patchers Quilt Show
Admisson $5, seniors and children under 10 $3
Latah County Fairgrounds, Moscow, Idaho

Saturday, April 24 10 am to 5pm and Sunday, April 25th 10 am to 4pm
Seaport Quilters Guild Quilt show
Clarkston High School, Clarkston, Washington
Admission $3

Whew, that should keep you going until the shop hop, more info coming soon!!!!!

2010-03-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we are coming up on the middle of March already. My 5th year anniversary of business will be on Saturday, April 3, this coincides with my birthday of April 2. I will have a 30% off sale, except all ready marked on items and consignments. I will have my favorite cake, chocolate and drinks, please join me in this event.
I am off to the beach for a couple of days. My friends Nancy Hill and Alvira Spangler will be in charge while I am gone. Lincoln City here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have new fabrics in the shop, sweet, sweet rose. A beautiful pink grouping and there is a free pattern with this line.
I haven't quite figured out the adding of photos to this blog, bare with me as I journey along on this new facet of my business.

making room

2010-03-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well, with the help of my husband and two friends, we rearranged the store on Sunday. Mostly because my class room just wasn't quite big enough. It is very open now and hopefully we will be able to get more daylight in the back part of the store. Whenever I do this I get nervous about if it's the right thing to do. I don't mind changes, you have to go with the flow. However, I want the space to always be appealing to my customers. The only way to find out is to go with it. You never know what life has to offer if you don't go down that road. It's probably going to be great.

blogs that I like

2010-03-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well, It's a beautiful day on the Palouse and I am ready for quilters to come into my store. This is the year that I have discovered Eleanor Burns method of quilting. You might see that in my class scheduling. I mean once I post it here, but you can view it at my stores website, www.smalltownequilts.com. Eleanor has a fun website too, www.quiltinaday.com.
I also have bec0me inamored with the selvaged edge blog site www.selvageblog.blogspot.com, you can do any kind of sewing projects using your slevage edges and their is no shortage, just ask your friends to give them to you.
My daughter also has a blog, www.kelseysquiltadventure.blogspot.com, please view her site and see what a 22 year old can accomplish when she puts her mind to it.

2010-02-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Social networking is not just on the internet. I have been doing this ever since I opened my quilt store. Ah, the conversations that go on here. New grandchildren, giving help for a backing selection, show and tell of grandma's apron, toddler skirts, baby quilts, and how do I get to Mosocw. This is the real networking. I am not adverse to change, most of the time I see it as an adventure and the opportunity to learn and grow. I am just slower at the technicial stuff that's all, but when I get it, I get it!!

2010-02-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Me! This is a license plate I saw today. It made me think, what this persons life must be like if they can drive around stating that they are happy all the time. I would like to adopt that attitude everyday. I am happy when I am sewing, then it stops when I have to rip out a seam, then it starts up again when I'm just about done with a project. I am happy when my childern are around me, when the sun shines. What is it that makes you happy? How can we be happy everyday, or maybe just have moments of happiness. So let me know.

Welcome!

2010-02-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, welcome to my store's, Small Towne Quilts, blog. On this blog there will class schedules, prices, pictures, videos (hopefully!), advice, and much much more. I hope you all enjoy and feel free to ask any questions or give any advice!