Sharing - - - - QOV Exhibit in Paducah, KY

The "To Honor and Comfort: Quilts of Valor" exhibit offers an emotional testament to the wounds American military personnel bring back from the fields of conflict. The exhibit runs until November 10th and wraps up with an event on Veterans Day, November 11, with a ceremony to award the quilts to deserving veterans and service members. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The Quilts of Valor Foundation was started in November 2003 by Catherine Roberts with the goal of making quilts that would both heal and comfort our war wounded. These quilts are called  Quilts of Valor (QOVs). Wounds that qualify are those that are both seen and  unseen. Chaplain John Kallerson suggested using the phrase "touched by war" as a way of identifying recipients. "Veterans and active duty military personnel have performed a courageous service for this nation," says National Quilt Museum CEO Frank Bennett. "The Quilts of Valor participants perform a meaningful and wonderful service for those 'touched by war.' We're proud to host this exhibit and play a part in spreading the word about this exceptional program." More information about Quilts of Valor Foundation can be found at QOVF.org

This little quilt was stolen right off the display at the Iowa State Fair. If you see it, please contact the Des Moines police.

A few new pieces - -

From Zen Chic for Moda, this group of modern fabrics is called For You!

Show and Share!

Lucille C brought this quilt top in to share. The story behind this is - - - Lucille's friend bought fabric for a church group to make her this quilt. Then something happened and the group was no longer making quilts. So, this friend gave Lucille the bag of fabric and a picture of a quilt and asked if she could do it. It was like putting together a puzzle, deciding which fabrics went where and figuring out the pattern but, Lucille got it done! Isn't this pretty?

Marilyn C. brought this T-shirt quilt in to show us. It's made by   Cindy Swanson of Campus T Shirt Quilts in Clive.  Marilyn wanted to share how happy she is with how it turned out. This gal does not use and stabilizer for her shirts so the quilt was quite soft. She also does not sash the blocks together so it makes every one of her quilts unique.

And check out Ben's first quilt. I bet it won't be his last. Grandma Nancy J. helped him plan it and he did all of the stitching. Nice job, young man!

Thank you all - - -

For another great weekend. We truly appreciate and value each and everyone of you.

Each of the 6 participating shops will now draw for 4 - $25 gift certificates. Our winners are:

Cindy Moore
Pat Becker
Delores Donahue
Becky Glade

Congratulations Gals!

Such patient husbands - - -

Thank you to all of the husbands patiently waiting while their quilter wives shop hop. Here is a few from this morning. 

from Florida

From eastern Iowa/Quad Cities area. See his foot sticking out the window?

State Fair Ribbons

Marge P took these pictures at the fair and sent to me.

 Both of these state ribbon quilts were made by Margaret B. of Adel. I believe the quilt above was machine quilted by Julia Swallow. We have her contact info for anyone interested and you can generally find her behind the counter here on Mondays.

Here we go!

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS!

Starts today and goes through Saturday. Hours are extended today to 7 pm. Friday and Saturday, 10 to 5.

Be sure to sign up for the drawings at each of the 6 participating shops. We will draw for a total of 24 gift certificates!

Plus 15% discounts, demos and refreshments. We are serving warm cinnamon rolls in the mornings and warm chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon. Come visit us in Adel!

Free Bag Pattern

From Timeless Treasures Fabric

Get it here

Fun evening in Perry - - -

Just sharing - sounds like a nice summer evening, doesn't it?

Sunday Sewday

I finished up my Fancy Fox II quilt.

Isn't this cute fox print perfect for the back? Fun.

It's time to show our appreciation!

Customer Appreciation Days!

This annual summer event is approaching, featuring 15% discounts, refreshments and prize drawing at 6 of the Central Iowa Quilt Shops:

Adel Quilting & Dry Goods Co, Adel

Creekside Quilting, Clive

Quilt Block, West Des Moines

Woodside Quilting, Des Moines

Quilters Cupboard, Ankeny

Quilt Connection, Ames

August 20 through 22

Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm,

Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm

Stop in and let us show you our appreciation for your business. Each of the participating businesses will draw for 4 - $25 Gift Certificates. That’s 24 chances to win!

More AISH Winners!

Back to the All Iowa Shop Hop - - - here is a message I received today about prize winner. Check it out!

Hi Everyone,

I just posted the 2015 Regional Prize winners at www.alliowashophop.com. The 5+ Stores winners should be posted within a week. There are a lot of really nice prizes this year so we should have some very happy shop hoppers.

Kevin

Fresh Summer Recipe

Grilled Chicken Caprese

1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 cup corn kernels (from 1 large ear, or frozen and thawed)
1 pint mixed color grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
4  6-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 lbs. mixed-color medium and large tomatoes, sliced
6 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/4 cup small fresh basil leaves


1.)  Heat grill to medium-high. Clean the grill and lightly oil. In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, 3 Tbsp. oil and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper, stir in the shallot. Add the corn and grape tomatoes and toss to combine; set aside.
2.)  Rub the chicken with the remaining 2 tsp. olive oil, season with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, and grill until just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes per side.
3.)  Arrange the chicken, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter. Spoon the corn mixture and any juices from the bowl over the top, then sprinkle with the basil.

My Sunday Sewday

I sewed all day yesterday and really covered some ground. It was a great day but now I need to stop and clean my sewing room :(

I worked on this row quilt project. Quilt Circle Friends are starting a row quilt, using a different animal in each row. The idea is that you can make, as example, 5 pig blocks or just one (as shown) and 4 other blocks to complete the row. Make it your own!

I added the borders, quilted and bound this bom quilt, "Where the Cows Com Home".

We had this barn quilt fabric on the shelf. Seemed perfect for the back.

And this funky fox is a baby quilt, 30" x 36". I think binding will be yellow. Didn't take long to stitch this guy up.

New Stuff!

Just in - these are really cute fall prints in a charm pack. Typical Sandy Gervais.

Our batik collection continues to grow with the addition of these charms and layer cakes from Moda - Fiji. Really pretty.

And here are the Fiji selections we have on the bolt.

Show and Share

Jenny made this for a friend she works with. The t-shirt belonged to her friend's son who passed away last year. What a kind gesture and a nice keepsake! The machine quilting was done by Julia Swallow, our Monday girl.

Time for some Sweet Deals!

Besides all the free sweet corn you can eat, what other sweet deals do we have for you tomorrow (Sat Aug 8)? Read on.

These are all flannels and they are all $8.99 a yard, tomorrow only. That's 25% off! The hottest day of the year is the best time to get fabric for those winter quilts and holiday gifts.

Also 25% off, tomorrow only, are these jelly rolls of red, cream and blue. Regularly $34, tomorrow only pick one up for $25 - while supplies last.

Remember - parade is from 9:30 to 11 am and parking in our back lot should open up after the parade.

This sounds like fun!

Enjoy Pre–Cut Classes for $19.99 Now

Create beautiful quilts with ease when you learn timesaving pre–cut techniques from Camille Roskelley, Kimberly Einmo and more! Enjoy lifetime access to online classes that feel like recess and easily learn from the world's best instructors without the world travel.

One of my own Get Er Done quilts - - - -

This is a Round Robin quilt I made with a group of quilter friends about 15 years ago! It is all made using my collection of vintage feedsack fabrics. 

For this exchange, I made the center square. I placed it and several pieces of feedsack fabric in a paper bag. Our small group met once a month and passed the paper bags from each other around the group, taking turns building quilts.

Because of the feedsacks, my effective procrastination technique was to say I was going to hand quilt it. However, 15 years later, I decided to machine quilt it and GET IT DONE!

Done.

show and share

 Are you finishing up old projects? Take a picture and send it to me via email. We'll post here to encourage all of us to - - - Get-er-done!

Jenny O. sent me this picture. She's had the material for a couple years but, it's done now, just in time for Halloween!

Sarah's Show and Share

Sarah is the queen of the Walk About quilt pattern. Here is her special issue, using the All Iowa fabric. Isn't it nice?

Sunday Sewday

I started this skanky humid hot day out in the yard, weeding and mulching, After a nice cool shower, it felt great to retreat to my sewing room where I finished putting together our newest block of the month, "Where The Cows Home".

This is the center of the quilt. There will be an outer border added next.

This BOM is starting now. The program will run for 9 months, one barn block per month. Fee is $10 a month which includes all of the material for the blocks, setting fabrics, borders and binding

The book, "Where the Cows Come Home" is also required. This book shows the blocks made with wool but our block of the month will use all cottons, not wool.

Call soon to register. We are always happy to ship.

Machine Applique Class

Thank you to teacher, Diana Weirich and all the gals that gathered at the Adel Library Saturday for this class.

When it comes to Machine Applique, Diana is the best around. The gals really appreciated all of the little tricks she shared that will make their projects look better while being easier. Experience speaks.

Today is the day!

Taking your quilts to the state fair today?

What's new today?

Just in, this grouping of northwoods prints in jewel tones.

and some new basics called Matrix. 

Show and Share

 Carol P. brought in this quilt to show. Pattern is called Coins. The rows are built with long wedge pieces. Take a closer look to see this is an ISU quilt. I like!

Carol also shared this email block of the month she has been doing through Quilter's Cupboard in Ankeny. Isn't this sweet?

New from Stella

These last two bolts (left) just came in to complete this fall line from Stella Designs. The colors are even prettier in person. Come see.

My Sunny Suburbia

This new shop sample was made for us by Penny White. From Quilter By Night Designs, this is the smallest version, approx. 40" square. The pattern also gives direction for 62" square and 84" square.

 

I love the beautiful floral we used for the quilt back.  Thank you, Penny.

And while we are out front, here is a close up of our new yard art. I am not normally a fan of yard art but, I am a big fan of plates. I saw these for sale at our local museum and had to bring one home. These are plates and saucers, layered up by a local artist.

July and August Deal of the Month!

Have you seen this? It's made with Moda Slices. These are 10" squares cut in half to make triangles. All pre-cut and packaged with this pattern. Makes it easy to do this chevron quilt. Packets are now 40% off!

Sunday Sewday!

 On my Sunday, I froze a few tomatoes for future stews, baked a fresh peach pie and then had some fun with these blocks. This is from an old, old bom so it takes a bit just to sort things out and recall where I left off. There are 12 blocks total and I have a good start on the next three. Finishing this quilt is on my 2015 bucket list so, I remain hopeful.

Jenny O. sent me this adorable picture. She started with a t-shirt the size her granddaughter wears and then just gathered and top stitched layers to the shirt. Isn't that adorable? I want to see a picture of it on Avery!

Row, row, row your quilt in here and pick up one of these fat quarter bundles as a gift from us. The quilt must be finished and labeled and it must use our row. That's it!

Toddler Model

I asked little Olive to strike a pose in the new skirt and top I made for her and this is what I got. I believe she has had her picture taken before!

We have a Row by Row winner!

Lila Bilbrey from Panora just brought in this quilt using 8 rows of the Row by Row patterns. She is the first so that makes her our winner!

These rows came from shops in Omaha (2), Jolley, Lake City, Creston, Newton , Papillion, NE and Adel. 

It is such a joy to award our prize to Lila. I know her as a regular customer and she is a kind and gentle soul, a common thread among quilters! 

In addition to 25 fat quarters, Lila also won our bonus prize for using our row in her quilt, a sewing caddy, complete with lots of notions.