They got the snow off the roof and things are looking better. We will still need major repairs, but I'm hoping we can be open around them. We still have so many great 1/2 price bargains on Christmas fabrics and kits, it would be a shame to miss them.

I don't know how many of you are able to travel and might want to come to the shop. We discovered that our roof was almost ready to collapse due to snow weight. We will be doing repair work this week and business will be disrupted or we might actually have to close. Please call ahead if you plan to visit. 712-764-7012.

Hope you are all recovering from the storm. I'll give you our tale of woe in a few days.

We're going to have to be closed today, Saturday December 26. There is now, snow and more snow, almost impassable roads and lots of power outages in western Iowa. Have no fear, we'll still have all the great after Christmas bargains next week.
Hope you had a good Christmas.

Karen has been "playing" with our new faux sherpa and animal skins cuddle. Her friend Patti is playing the part of the "tiger". We just got the patterns and the fabrics and Karen says both are easy to work with.

Yesterday I was busy packing up all the food items our Christmas Open House participants brought to share with some needy families. Eveyone was very generous. While hinking about those who need help not just at Christmas, but all year, I found this Link

It has links to lots of sites that can use our help with quilting/sewing projects (that can use up some of our stash fabrics) and also places who can use donations of fabric, etc. I haven't had time to look at all of them, but I think with some study we could all find good uses for the fabric and supplies we no longer use.

Barb brought show 'n tell Friday. She had made our Shiloh topper in Chrismtmas colors. Our pattern uses the flip and sew method so she took the trimmed corners and made the miniaturized versions (she had also made a Fall topper). For these she used paper piecing. I never visualized my pattern so small.

We will b e demonstrating our little laminated cosmetic bags again today at the shop. I quilted some very nice fabrics the other day and made the bags from these. If you still need to make some really quick gifts, try them.

I've decided to name the quilts in our Doll Quilts IV series for my nieces. The top one here is #2, Erika which I just finished. The bottom one was the first, Elizabeth. I have eight nieces and five grandnieces, but there is a set of twins in there so it should work out.

Don't forget, you can still get in on this Series - we'll catch you up.

Our friend Gail made this quilt using Lakehouse's Teatime Floral group. I thought we could use a breath of Springtime in the middle of this rotten weather. It's going to be a long Winter. Hope you're stocked up on sewing and quilting projects. We've mailed the first of our Doll Quilt Series IV quilts and still have some memberships left. Maybe you could give a hint to Santa.

Carol just completed this Blessings Baskets quilt. It's a Jan Patek design made from her Moda Blessings Fabric collection. It uses jelly rolls for the blocks, so a lot of cutting is done for you. Carol machine appliqued her baskets and vines and Mardell did agreat job of quilting it.

For Christmas Open House on Monday we put our Christmas kits on sale at 25% off. Because the weather has not been too great, we still have some left. They could make good Christmas gifts.

Here's Carols completed Sleepover Quilt. The case is attached to the quilt (kind of like the old "Quillows".) Of course she made it in flannel and we will be doing kits. It would be fun to use a themed fabric to fit the interests of the child who will receive it.

The blizzard they were predicting actually materialized. We closed the shop for the second time since 1992. Actually we were closed three days in a row for the big storm a couple of years ago. We will open tomorrow as Mardell lives in Elk Horn and can probably get there. It might be afternoon before they clear our roads here in the country.

We were supposed to have our staff Christmas party this evening. Guess we'll try for tomorrow night. This gave me an extra day to decorate and clean house.

Tonight I will do some hand work on a few Christmas gifts. I'm trying to do some embroidery using the satin stitch. I haven't done that since my grandmother taught me to embroider years ago.

Carol completed the paper doll quilt. We waited a long time for all the fabric to come in. The top photo shows the envelope on the back that holds doll clothes. Some little girl would love this for Christmas and there is still time to get one done.

We had a pretty good turn out for our Christmas Open House yesterday considering the threatening weather. We collected lots of food for the needy and enjoyed the afternoon and evening with old friends.

We definitely get all wrapped up in our quilting! Mardell had just finished quilting this "sleepover quilt" for Carol and couldn't resist wrapping it around Pam and herself.

I took a rare Saturday off to spend the day with Charlie. It was a nice day and we drove a few miles into Nebraska to do some things he wanted to do.

We've been waiting for this fabric to arrive ever since Quilt Market. It's a Minkie-like product called Cuddle -- softer than you can imagine. There were throws made of a combination of several of the "skins". We'll be doing a sample and a kit for it. You can see one of the dots. We have this in three color combinations. It was used in really cute kid's items. There are even two "faux sherpa" pieces - one pink with beige and one brown with blue. We have several Kwik Sew patterns to use with these. You need to come see these. There is probably something quick you can still get finished for Christmas - how about a pillowcase?

At our Open House on Monday the 7th we'll be demonstrating the laminated fabric cosmetic bags, an "origami" bag, baked potato bag and a super fast table topper. there will probably be more ideas by Monday. There is still room in both sessions (2pm and 6 pm) of our workshop, just call to register.

I finished block four in our TV series - Chained Star. Tomorrow we will be filming program 4.

As soon as we finish filming we'll be making the kits for our Christmas Open House workshop next Monday. Our project is the little "Peace " pillow I showed you last week. I like to design a new hand project each year for the open house.

I've finished embroidering several of the blocks for the Flight of Fancy quilt I'm working on. If you like redwork you'll love this one. We're using French General's Rouenneries line of fabric from Moda to make the kit. We probably won't be able to make too many kits so you might want to reserve one.

We had a good Julefest weekend with soome of the nicest weather I remember for the days following Thanksgiving.

Hushabye is a really nice Moda line - from the name, meant for babies, but I think it will have other uses as well.

I'm also showing a couple of baby quilt bboks from Leisure Arts. Both have several great ideas and like many Leisure Arts Books they are priced well - just $10.95 each.

We'll spend tomorrow on final preparations for Friday and Saturday. We'll open at 9 am each day - as far as I'm concerned, a very civilized hour. Plan to come to Elk Horn and Kimballton for a fun and calm after Thanksgiving experience. Here is a link to more information about about Julefest.

I made a couple of cosmetic bags from the laminated fabric. They were easily made in about 10 minutes each. I have always hated putting in zippers, but this method was so slick. Talking to a cutomer today (she said her daughter was a great Nebraska football fan) we decided some cool bags could be made from the sports based tablecloth fabric. Right now we have some for both Iowa and Nebraska. I guess I'll try that next. These will be my "go to" quick gifts project.

Put some finishing touches on Chritmas decorationg around the shop today. It's early, but we have to be ready for Julefest on Friday and Saturday. The staff gals have started hanging their sample quilts in the Retreat Center. They really have a lot of them this year.

I finished the first quilt in our 4th doll quilt series. I haven't named it yet I like the way the border fabric seems to glow. We're taking sign ups now for this 12 month program. Cost is $24.95 per month which includes pattern and all fabric for front and backing. Many people receive this by mail or you can pick them up at the shop.

We got to see more of the Dear Jane quilts from our Corning friends. The top one belongs to Mary and the red one is Carol's. It's been so much fun to see them especially in all the different versions.

Today the paper doll fabric from Windham arrived again. I know many of you have been waitng for it. If you ordered a kit, you should be receiving it soon. I think it will go fast again so call soon if you want some.

We have several new laminated fabrics that we chose at Quilt Market. The one's shown here are by Philip Jacob's for Westminister Fabrics. I think laminates will be a fun new category. In the current issue of Quilts and More there is a pattern for three sizes of makeup bags along with tips about sewing with laminate. There's still plenty of time to make some of these for gifts.

At Quilt Market we saw other bags, raincoats (for both adults and children) and aprons made from laminates. Karen took home a piece to make a coat.

I think we have about seven different laminates right now.

Carolyn and her granddaughter, Avery brought in this top yesterday to coose border fabrics. The work is beautiful. No, that's not yellow check fabric in the corners - it's pieced one inch squares.

Today I plan to work on the sample for the first doll quilt in our new series which starts in December.

We now have DVDs of programs one and two from our Quilting with Julie show available for sale at the shop.

This is the take and teach project we will do for this year's Christmas Open House on December 7. Every year we have a day to demonstrate easy Christmas projects and put Christmas fabrics on sale. We also do a little workshop. This year there will be two sessions - one at two p.m. and one at 6 p.m. There is a minimal charge for the workshop or you can bring some non-perishable food items for the needy. We need to have you pre register so we'll know how many kits to make.

Our peace pillow is wool felt on linen. You can't see the back, but it is red velvet.

Shar finished this sample in less than a day - the whole center is a cheater! She made this one queen sized, but imagine how quickly a throw could be made. Black and white quilts are really popular. It's also good to add a touch of red or lime green.

Nadine finished another new sample ofour popular Shiloh topper. Here's a really nice project that you can actually get done by Christmas. The piecing is easy and doable even by beginners. Because it is a table topper we back it like a pillow and turn it - no batting, no quilting and no binding. We'll help you choose other colors if you are not into blue.

When we were at Quilt Market I found these great Chevy fabrics. Charlie and I love old cars (even though we're more Ford people) so I couldn't resist. Bet you know someone who would like a quilt (or at least a pillowcase) from one of these.

Mary brought in another of her Four Stack Posies quilts. This time she used the Laurel Burch Secret Jungle panel. It made an unbelievable quilt. A four Stack Posy is made by stacking four repeats of a fabric (in this case four panels), cutting it into squares then picking up a stack of four squares that are identical ~ these four squares are then stitched into a block. Of course some fabrics worka lot better than others ~ this one was fantastic! All these different blocks came from the panel above.

This weekend we had a great bunch of gals from the York Nebraska area sewing in our Retreat Center. They comoe twice a year and we always enjoy their visit. Once again I was jealous of the time they had together and the amount of work they got done. Next week the quilters will be here from Grinnel. We've had groups of from four to 24 use our center. Just contact us if you'd like more information.

Tomorrow we film the third program in our TV series, Quilting with Julie. It is shown daily on METC's local access channel 99. Because they have had requests they will be selling DVD's of the programs. At this time, you need to contact them. Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company 712-764-6161.

It is definitely an interesting experience. I'm learning a lot.

Mardell just finished piecing this sample from Moda's Rouenneries. It's a kit that comes from Moda. The quilt will be 80"X80" and will sell for $99.95 which is really good for a Moda produced kit of this size. It even comes in this neat linen bag. We purchased a limited number of these kits and can not get any more so let us know if we should reserve one for you.

The bag must have been made from the toweling that Moda sells to go with this line. We have several different pieces of it in stock.

Shar has designed this quilt for our 2010 Runaway Quilter's Retreat to be held January 15 and 16 here in Elk Horn at our retreat center. I really enjoy how graphic it is and the fact that it looks like a feathered star without the difiiculty.

We first held this retreat back in 1992 in Atlantic. It was one of the first quilt retreats in Iowa. Shar, Pam and I had been attending a retreat in Minnesota led by Shar Jorgensen. We loved it and decided to try one of our own. We held it in Atlantic for a few years and then moved it to Springbrook State Park. Two years ago we brought it home to Elk Horn. I'll be posting more info about it soon.

Pam completed a new sample of Harper's Ferry which she and Karen designed. It's one of several kits we have for bed quilts right now.

We really enjoyed all the AQS show visitors. Many quilters stopped by the shop on the way to or from the show. Sounds like everyone had a great time.

It was a beautiful day here today - finally it seems like an Iowa Fall. We did a few things outside and just felt the sun.

This evening I started tracing the embroidery blocks for Crabapple Hill's new Fllight of Fancy quilt. There are twelve wonderful redwork bird blocks on Rouennerie's ticking. I don't have a lot of time for embroidery but my Mom has offered to help. Maybe we can each get six done.

Tomorrow I start consulting with a web designer for our new website. I don't know how long it will take to get it up and running, but I hope it is soon. Our greatest need is for an improved shopping cart so we can showcase more fabrics and kits. I'm excited to get it going.

We've been having a great time the last few days welcoming visitors on their way to and from the AQS show. We have a sale in the retreat center which will still be going on tomorrow (Saturday) and is open to everyone whether you attend AQS or not.

It's finally here! Rouenneries by French General from Moda. There is a famous shop in LA whose owner imports antique textiles from France. Moda asked her to design a line of fabric. There are some truly great pieces - including tickings and 54" linens. We love it and have one of the most complete sselections around. You really need to coome see it.

Another of our Corning friends brought her Dear Jane quilt to show us. I have never seen one done all in blue - it was beautiful.

If you are heading to Des Moines for the AQS Show consider stopping to see us if we're on your way. We're having a special sale in the retreat center today, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you need us to open early or stay late call us during business hours to make arrangements.

Even if you are not going to Des Moines, you are welcome to take part in the sale.

Here's our Lincoln Commemorative top after I got it pieced - not the best photo, but I really like the quilt. These ten weeks really flew by - can't believe it is done already.

Yesterday Carol visitied us and brought these two recently completed quilts. The pink and brown was made from one of our kits and then she made a blue version, too. It's so much fun to see the same quilt done in two different color ways. I think she said she had completed seven bed sized quilts this year to be Christmas gifts for her children. What an accomplishment.

I finished the last two blocks in our LIncoln Commemorative quilt. I also pieced it together. I think it looks great. I'll do a photo tomorrow at the shop when I can get someone to help me hold it up.

We are really getting tired of all this rainy weather. We usually have a nice Fall in Iowa, but not this year. The farmers just can't seem to catch a break.

Nadine just finished this cute little quilt from Moda's Hushabye charm pack. Add a border and it would make a nice baby quilt.

I was home today. Charlie just got back from a fishing trip so we cleaned gutters and did a few other outdoor jobs. I also started work on our Christmas Open House project. We've set the date - Monday December 7. We usually do an evening and an afternoon session.

Here's our newest baby quilt. What looks like solid blue is actually chenille. It's a super simple quilt with lots of class and texture.

Pam, Shar and I spent the day moving Christmas samples and fabric from one room to the other. We're always happy with the results shen we get done, but it's a real job.

We're also making room for the French General's Rouenaries line for Moda which should be arriving any day now. We have really been looking forward to it.

Linda brought these to show us yesterday. she made her quilts in sections and then put those sections (with batting) on stretcher bars which will then be hung on the wall. It's a really interesting concept. Her daughter requested the magenta one after she saw Linda's blue and brown.

We had another busy Saturday at the shop. People are really starting to work on Christmas projects. I put our Halloween and Fall kits and fabric on sale at 25% off. If you see something in the photo that you'd lilke, give us a call. 712-764-7012