Square in a Square Day Camp

Marge Pearson taught the Square in a Square piecing technique to a packed house today.

Using Jodi Barrow's ruler, Marge walked students through 8 different blocks.

It was fun to post the blocks as they were completed and see how coloration made such a difference.  Above is a great example.  The blocks on the right side of the display are all layed out the same.  The color choice just makes them look quite different.

And, as promised, here is the dessert I served with our lunch:

Almond Joy Bars

Press in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan:

1 C crushed graham crackers

1/4 C powdered sugar

1 stick butter

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes

Mix and pour over graham cracker crust:

1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 C shredded coconut

Bake again - 350 for 10 minutes

Melt and spread over cooled coconut bars:

3 Hershey's chocolate bars with almonds

1 C chocolate chips

TODAY IN THE SHOP

Jenny Osler will be in the shop for a while at 1 pm to demo how to make a pillowcase with no raw seam allowances.  Stop by.  This is part of our promotion to gather 80 pillowcases for the local woman's domestic violence center.

Hand Quilting Frame For Sale

 Linda Hungerford, West Des Moines, 226-1129, has a hand quilting frame for sale.  If you are interested, call Linda.


$40 - Medium-colored wood, hand quilting frame. Easy to assemble. A-frame legs can adjusted to a distance (length) apart from 50 inches to 82 inches. (Shown in photos at 82 inches apart.) For quilting, distance between poles is 26 inches. Two poles included are 92 inches long. Four tilt positions. From a smoke-free home.

LEAP YEAR SPECIAL

Next Wednesday - Feb 29 - Comes around just one day every 4 years.  Plan to celebrate with us.  We are leaping over every 5th yard sold on Feb 29 only.  Walk, run, skip or leap on in.

Baby Gifts

These are self-binding receiving blankets.  These will go to a high school friend of my kids for her baby shower.  The baby room is grey and white with a little pink so, I chose these colors.  This baby mama studied for a semester in Paris so, I thought she might like this perisian fabric.  The dark grey is Moda's plush Fireside fabric.  These are quick to make, using a 40" square and a 30" square, the back becomes part of the front.  Stop by when I am in the shop and I'll be glad to show you how.

These are burp cloths made for baby Thomas Spencer Corritson.  His mama is a college friend of Willow's and she asked me to make these, using ISU colors.  These are pre-folded cloth diapers and Willow has found them to be her favorite burp cloth.

More Quilt Circle Show N Tell

Here we go - around the circle - -

February was a half square triangle exchange month.  Blocks are made with black/white and the month's designated punch color -  this month was orange.

Above and below are quilts shared by new member, Julie Sealine.  She was looking for help with quilting ideas for the embroidery quilt below and received several suggestions.

Deb Semmens shared two comfort quilts, above was made by Deb herself  - Bar Code.  Below is a Jelly Roll quilt made by Cathy Blomquist.

Above is just one of the pillowcases Jackie Orton shared, made for the local shelter.  Below, Nancy Hagelberg shared the same.

Samantha Derrifield shared this baby quilt and below, Theresa Hane also shared a baby quilt.

Above, Deb York shared a Christmas quilt off of her get er done list and below is a baby quilt she made.  She serged the edges and then used her ruffle foot to apply the ruffles to this quilt.  So cute.

Celia McCollum is practicing her machine quilting and shared her progress.

Madylin Bonus shared this little Christmas quilt in which she used fabrics from our Christmas fabric exchange, above, and below is the bulletin  board Grandma Celia helped her with.  Impressive young lady, huh?

Trish Snyder shared her Loon quilt - It was on her Get Er Done list!

And Margaret Beal shared this Christmas runner, also using fabric from our exchange.  Below is her adorable St Pat's wall hanging.

And here it is! Jan Mueller has been walking us through this quilt for the past couple months and now it is done.  It is a wedding gift for her son.

Penny White shared this great little notion.  It has a magnetic button you slip inside to hold it to your shirt.  Then just stick your pins on this magnetic pad.  Watch for these on our shelves soon!  And below is her newest bag.

We ended our evening with some yummy cupcakes fromAdel's  Brick Street Books and Cafe.  As always, special thank you to Jackie Orton for taking these pictures and sending them to me.  Such a huge help.

Quilt Circle Show N Tell

Jackie Orton made this quilt for her daughter's friend and gave it away prior to Feb QC meeting so sent this show n tell to me via email.

Gotta love this onsey!

Melissa Rice, baby Keller, Kaci and Riley (Jackie's daughter and granddaughter)

Look at all these wonderful pillowcases!!!

We are half way to our goal of 80 pillowcases - - - already!  I expected customers to bring in 1 or 2 but I was really underestimating.  All these pillowcases below came from the first 5 gals to contribute:

Renae Godberson, Nancy Hagelberg, Jackie Orton, Marilyn Gonseth and Fran Cleary

Just for fun --

Eli Keeran is here! 8# 7oz, 20" - Grandson of Lonnie Keeran (and Kurt)

Fibonacci Quilts

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Customer, Marc Dorman, is planning a Fibonacci quilt.  Above is a sample of one that Marc sent me. 

Fibonacci is a mathematical series of numbers.  Each number is a sum of the two previous. 

Example:  0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, ... Marc plans to use this formula to cut squares for his quilt.  Interesting, isn't it?  Thanks for sharing, Marc.

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WOW!

This is the first time the I-80 Quilter's Shopping Spree has been Saturday and Sunday (instead of Sunday/Monday).  What a huge success!  It was wall to wall shoppers from opening through noon today and then it leveled out quite nicely.  Fortunately, we expected this and came prepared with plenty so, come on out tomorrow!

Set Up and Ready To GO!

Here's our new sample of Manhattan in gray and white.  Faith Bratton was kind enough to loan us her Pineapple quilt and Marge Pearson has taken this technique and written a pattern.  Then see Box O Chocolates.  This BOM quilt is now available as a whole quilt pattern and kit. 

Our booth is chuck full.  Several new samples and fun gadgets.

Saturday and Sunday - Exit 225 - No entry fee!

And - one more thing - - -

Starting this month, come in on the last Saturday each month for Demo Day.  Each month we will feature a different demo for basic beginners and beyond.  Ideas are:

• Beginners - Cutting, Stitching, Pressing - The Trifecta for a Perfect Beginning
• Binding How To - Tips and Handouts
• Paper Piecing Basics
• English Paper Piecing
• Hand Quilting - Let's Get Started
• Wool Felt Flower Applique
• Machine Applique basics

What else would you like to see.  It's all free on the last Saturday of the month from 1 to 3 pm

FEBRUARY DEMO DAY - SATURDAY FEB 25
In connection with our collection of pillowcases for the local domestic abuse and violence center, Jenny Osler will be in the house to demo the pillowcase with no raw edges.  Stop by at 1 pm on Saturday, Feb 25, for the free demo.  Pillowcase kits, featuring over 1 yard of fabric, are available for just $6. 

SEW MUCH GOING ON AT ADEL QUILTING!!

Today, we are frantically finishing up samples and kits for the I-80 Shopper's Spree.  And, yes, I still have one quilt on the long arm that will be bound and hanging in our booth by Saturday morning.  We also have several brand new samples we are taking and I have prepared several demos to share at my booth, Feb 18 & 19.

• Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm        
• Sunday - 10 am to 4 pm
• I-80 Exit # 225 - Little Amana Clarion Inn
• No admission fee

Participating Shops:
Adel Quilting & Dry Goods Co - Adel
Rainbows and Calico Things - Williamsburg
The Quiltmaker's Shoppe - Manchester
The Cottage Rose - Marion
Merry's Stitchins - Jesup
Heritage Designs & Needlework - Amana
Expressions in Threads - LeClaire
Seams To Me - Algona
The Backstitch - Elkader
Fabrications - Dyersville
Nolting Long Arm Quilter - Hiawatha

What's next?  Well, we have to celebrate Leap Year, don't we?  Come in on February 29 and leap right on over every 5th yard.  Every 5th yard you purchase is free.  Buy 5 yards, one is free.  Buy 10 yards, 2 are three and on it goes - - --

New Stuff

Since the Snap Sacks we all love have been discontinued by the vendor, Lonnie and I started coming up with ideas for our own little quilts.  These little kits come complete with fabric for front, back and binding, a pattern and a little theme-matched hanger for just $10.95.

These are 27" square quilts from the same pattern.  Just re-arrange the hearts!  Isn't that clever.  Celia McCollum made the Valentine sample and Diana Weirich made the St Pat's sample.  Guess what?  We have both in kits!

And, you've seen our little tub time snuggler.  New is this pattern with a towel kit.  Here's a great gift that can truly be made in an hour.

And now for some Show N Tell - - - -

Mary Jude Lyon made this quilt for her 3 year old Grandson.  He called to say "Nana - I have a big boy bed now!"  She had to make him a quilt, right?  This is our pattern, "Guy Quilt".  Simple 8 1/2 " strips with a pieced brick border.  Use that focus fabric.

Barb Hoene brought in this pineapple quilt to show.  Several in her Lake Panorama group made these quilts and shared the idea with us.  Marge is now teaching it in a nearly sold out Day Camp, March 12.

This is a baby quilt Lonnie Keeran made for a friend.  The new father has been on a safari and the baby room is decorated in safari prints.  Isn't this the perfect baby quilt for this baby boy?

Open Sew Show n Tell

Here are just a few of the quilts that were coming together at Open Sew yesterday.

Bonnie Nelson shared these first two quilts.  She does beautiful hand quilting.  The scroll work above is couched on.  Just lovely

In this quilt, Bonnie did perfect small stippling by hand quilting in those side setting triangles.

Colleen Eckoff and Celia McCollum each worked on their Radiant quilts.  Above is Colleen's.

Deb Semmens finished up another donation quilt top for Iowa Comfort Quilts.

I worked on this shop sample, Manhattan by Blue Meadow Designs, done in grey neutrals from Stella Designs.

Marge worked on blocks for her Pineapple Quilt Day Camp.  Haven't met a pineapple block yet that I didn't love.

There were other beautiful things in the works but, I tend to get caught up in my own sewing and miss taking pictures.  It was, as always, the perfect way to spend a Friday, quilting with friends.