Eco-Friendly Snack Bags

Nancy's daughter, Laura, shared her pattern to make eco-friendly snack bags with us. These are pretty darn cute little bags--about the size of a self-sealing sandwich bag--that are lined with a waterproof fabric called PUL. Think of how many self-sealing sandwich bags you can save by making a few of these eco-friendly bags and tossing them into the washer to clean.

We have made them up in sooooooo many different fabrics, from fruit and veggie fabrics, to cupcake fabric, to florals, and we are even making some kits up with the new Monopoly fabric from Quilting Treasures. The bags were featured this month in Quick Quilts magazine. Check them out on our website--kits and pattern or already made by Mamamade.

Happy stitching,

Lynda and Nancy

Beautiful Pineapple quilt top by Marcia Koester

Marcia Koester was in my Pineapple class in late January and came in a couple of weeks ago with this beautiful Pineapple top. She made 56 blocks following the Barn Dance pattern from our book Positively Pineapple using the Pineapple Rule. The top is made entirely from scraps-florals, conversation prints, calicoes, and pretty much anything that she had.


It is what I call a "controlled scrap" quilt, because in this case, each row (or round) is made with the same fabric. When you look at the blocks upclose, you see this easily, but from further back it is hard to notice.

It is truly a lovely quilt and she did a wonderful job. I can't wait to see it quilted. Thank you for sharing the top with us Marcia!

To see more information about our book Positively Pineapple and the Pineapple Rule, check out our webite http://www.greatamericanquilt.com/.

Happy Stitching,

Lynda

"The Help"--a wonderful listen!

I live almost 25 miles away from work and have to drive from one side of Denver to the other-35 minutes at best and 1 1/2 to 2 hours at worst-not fun! So my favorite driving pasttime (since I shouldn't be stitching) is listening to audio books. My favorite book in the last couple of months is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett (her debut book). The story is about African-American women working in white households in Mississippi in the early 60's. I enjoyed it so much that when I got to my destination I had to make myself get out of the car and stop listening. When it was over, I didn't have another book downloaded, so I started listening again and enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. I have recommended it to several friends and have yet to hear of anyone that was not facinated by this story. The audio version is narrated by 4 gifted women, including Jenna Lamia who reads for Skeeter, the main character. Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell are the other narrators. I highly recommend that you listen to this book, but if you can't listen to it, find a copy to read.

I'm now listening to another great book, "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" by Beth Hoffman. It is another Southern debut novel narrated by the same Jenna Lamia. I'm enjoying Jenna's interpretation so much in both of these novels that I will search her out in the future. (She also narrated "The Secret Life of Bees".)

I'll continue to let you know what I am reading and I'd appreciate any recommendations from you to add to my wish list.

Happy reading or listening,

Lynda

When I grow up I want to be...

One of the services that we provide at Great American Quilt Factory is making photo transfers-usually from photos, but this time from drawings. Lenora Chavez made this quilt from her daughter's and classmates drawings at St. John's Lutheran School, in Denver. The kids are 7 and 8 years old and they had to illustrate what they would like to be when they grow up.

Some of their answers depicted doctor, veterinarian, paleontologist, spy, detective, dentist, and pet store owner. Lenora pieced the quilt together (her very first quilt). Doesn't she look happy?

The quilt will be auctioned off for a school fundraiser. I hope it brings in lots of money and I hope it goes home with one of the lucky artists. Thank you for sharing your first quilt with us, Lenora!

Happy stitching,

Lynda and Nancy

California here we come!

Yea! Yea! Yea! California here we come!

Nancy and I are headed to one of our favorite places for a busman's holiday. We love to go to the Empty Spools Seminars at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, CA. We are taking an Independent Study class from our friend and fellow author/teacher, Becky Goldsmith.

That means we can do anything we want--although that is what we always try to do--5 days of sewing without too many expectations. Sewing, walking the beach, sewing, great dinners in Pacific Grove, sewing!!!! If you have not heard of Empty Spools, check it out or call/e-mail us for more information. It is supposed to be rainy and cool which is a change up from snow, snow, and more snow.

We will also make at least one trip to Back Porch Fabrics. BPF always has something new and fun--Gail always seems to have fabric that we don't carry and has a great gallery exhibit. Be sure to stop in if you are ever in Pacific Grove.

Happy stitching,

Lynda

Receiving Blankets Going to Haiti

Last Friday, we were given an incredible opportunity to help the people in Haiti. Nancy Boyd is one of our customers and her husband is part owner of a business aircraft called a Pilatus. These aircraft are smaller and can land in the smaller Haitian cities. Her husband was going to spend 5 days flying people and cargo into and out of Haiti as part of the relief effort. Nancy found out that the Haitians needed receiving blankets and immediately thought of us. The plane was going to be loaded with medical and other supplies, but receiving blankets could certainly be stuffed into nooks and crannies. We sent out an email to our customers on Friday and by 12:00 noon on Wednesday we had received 477 mostly handmade receiving blankets. What a wonderful response! To see the piles of blankets click here Receiving Blankets Going to Haiti. We will keep you updated when we get more information. Nancy was going to try to take a picture of the airplane packed to the gills. Thank you all for making this quick effort a huge success!

Lynda and Nancy

AND THE WINNER IS....

Jill from Maryland is the winner of the gift basket filled with Possibilities! Jill said "I wish Maryland was closer to your store...I'd be a good customer! Interesting to hear you on Pat's new show."

Jill, you didn't leave an email address, so contact me or Pat with your information.

Thanks to everyone who left comments--it was so fun to read them all! I can't wait for the weekend so that I can listen to Pat's second show.

Happy stitching,
Lynda

Pat Sloan's radio interview

Hip Hip Horray!

Today we made history! We were Pat Sloan's first guests on her new radio show!! Pat asked questions and made comments and we talked, talked, talked--of course Pat makes it soooo easy. To hear the interview, click on this link Pat Sloan's Radio Show . After you listen to the interview, check back here, leave a comment by Friday the 22nd and be entered to win this wonderful gift basket filled with lots of 'possibilities'.

Enjoy,

Lynda and Nancy

Lynda & Nancy's interview by Pat Sloan

Our friend and fellow teacher/blogger, Pat Sloan, is starting a one hour Internet Radio Show on Monday, January 18th and......drum roll please.......Nancy and I are her first guests! Pat's word of the year is Possibility, which led her to think of us.

Pat will be talking about creativity, motivation, inspiration, trends, techniques, GIVEAWAYS and much, much more. You will be able to listen to it live or download it to listen later. If you follow Pat at all, you will probably agree that she is the original Energizer Bunny. Her brain and body must not sleep. We are so honored to be her first guest and hope you will be listening in.

Speaking of GIVEAWAYS, leave a comment on our blog (by Friday the 22nd) about the interview and be entered for a chance to win this gift basket valued at more than $50.00. It's filled with lots of Possibilities.

To read more about Pat and her new show click here.

Remember, Monday the 18th at 4:00 PM EST and be sure to leave a comment on our blog for your chance to win the basket of goodies.

Congrats on your new venture, Pat!

Lynda

Patchwork Lottery at Great American Quilt Factory

We have a special monthly lottery at Great American Quilt Factory. Every month a block pattern is given out for free in the store or online. Customers make however many blocks they would like in the suggested colorway. They then bring or mail the blocks to the store by the last day of the month. They get one entry for the drawing for each block they enter. One lucky person will win all of the blocks for that month.

This August, Layne Quiring won our Patchwork Lottery. She is the first one to bring in a completed quilt from the blocks. The block was an easy Log Cabin and the suggested colors were blue and yellow. Yeah Layne! Layne made 2 blocks, won 32 blocks and made this quilt with 30 of the blocks and used the 2 extra for the corners in the border.

It is really a cute quilt and so refreshing. Thank you Layne for sharing!

If you would like a chance to win this month, download the block here, make as many as you want in the suggested colorway and be sure to get them to the store by the end of January. Maybe we'll see your picture and your quilt right here.

Good luck and happy piecing,

Lynda and Nancy

Texture Magic winners from Dolly Dresses Blog

Hello all,

I finally have chosen 3 winners randomly to win a package of Texture Magic.

jaybird said:

"The Texture Magic was such a great idea!! Your quilt is so cute!"

Christy said:

Darling project, as are all the others so far! I love the Texture Magic effect. And, of course would love to win some to give it a try. I'm in awe of all the creativity of the women and men in the quilt world. Thanks for inspiring!

brigette said:

"The Texture Magic worked wonderfully on the dress panel!! Thanks so much for the generous giveaway! "

I contacted jaybird and brigette with an e-mail. Christy, please send me your address and I'll get a package sent out to you, too.

Thanks to everyone for participating and commenting. It was great fun!

Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!

Lynda

Dolly Dresses Blog Event, Day 17

Well, the Dolly Dresses Blog Event is almost history. Today's quilt comes from Penny Sturges of Quilts Illustrated--very charming. To see her quilt go to Holly Holderman's Holly Blog for the link.



I've been remiss in picking the winners of the Texture Magic. I'll try to get that done over the weekend and I'll let you know the winners here on the blog. I'll be around the house because my 21 year old son is having his tonsills removed tomorrow.



Talk to you tomorrow,

Lynda

Dolly Dresses Blog Event

Hello,

Day 15 and 16 of the Dolly Dresses Blog Event brings two more wonderful quilts. Day 15's reveal was Tricia Cribbs of FriendFolks. Today, Day 16's quilt is a real cutie that is being auctioned off to help raise money for the Irish people who were involved in the epic flooding. The quilt was made by Elizabeth Scott of The Late Bloomer.

To see these quilts, go to Holly Holderman's Holly Blog and click on the links. Enjoy!

See you tomorrow,
Lynda

Dolly Dresses Blog Event

Today is day 14 of the Dolly Dresses Blog Event created by Holly Holderman of LakeHouse fabrics. What fun it has been and what creativity. Today's reveal is Sheri Bignell from Freckleberry Farm--cute, cute, cute! See Sheri's quilt by clicking the link on Holly's Blog.

For now, I'm leaving for the snow and cold up at Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Back tomorrow afternoon.
Lynda

Dolly Dresses Blog continues...

Hello again,



I don't have much to say today because I'm getting ready for our store party and for a short 2-day trip to the mountains to hear my favorite all female Irish group--Cherish the Ladies. But, I had to let you know that the Dolly Dresses Blog Event continues for a few more days. Today features Rachel Griffith of PS I Quilt--very cute quilt and an added storyline. To see Rachel's quilt, go to Holly Holderman's Blog and click on the link.



Enjoy,

Lynda