Hi all!
Yeah, yeah it's been waaaay to long since I posted to my blog. A lot has happened in the meantime (as a lot of you know). Suffice it to say that I'll be a grandma in July....a little to early for me, but such is life. Also, with my Dad's health failing.....I've been very preoccupied.
I've started a Quilt Club at the store (Stony Brook) and our first night was a rousing success. We worked on the fairly new machine binding method. Almost no hand finishing! There were ten people that came and everyone seemed to have a great time. This method is really cool, a wonderful way to finish off a quilt very quickly. Perfect for those charity quilts that we don't have time to hand finish off. Or for that quick quilt you need to get together for that baby shower this coming weekend. I don't think it will replace the look of a good, well bound off quilt done by hand. However, it's a great method. Takes a little practice though.
Next month, we're doing a crazy quilt block and embellishing the block. Hopefully, by the end of the class, the block will be ready to be turned into a pillow. Crazy quilt blocks are perfect for those of you who have sewing machines with lots of beautiful decorative stitches that you've been dying to try out. Come on out, should be a lot of fun.
I need ideas for future Quilt Club projects. I have a bunch already, but I'm always open for more ideas. I will be adding a morning Quilt Club once I can get space on the store calendar. Please check out the class listing on the store website www.stonybrooksewandvac.com.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Friday, October 26, 2007
It's been awhile!
Hi all!
I know I promised that I'd post often...however it has been extremely busy for me the last few weeks. The classes at the store are going very well and the little free time I've had has been spent in my studio trying desperately to catch up on commissions and future samples.
I've been getting some feedback on what classes I should teach in the near future. I've already submitted my next series of classes covering January through March. I already have to amend it since a lot of people are asking for doing memory quilts. I'm probably going to try to do a large class event (one day) where everyone leaves with a small wall hanging or pillow with their photo on the project. I haven't figured out the nuts and bolts...and as usual, I'm open to any and all suggestions on how you all would like to see this be organized. I figured it would be more fun to have a large event. That way not only will everyone learn how to do this definitely treasured project but have fun at the same time with other event participants. So everyone.....time to give me your ideas!
Bob and I will be doing some tinkering with the site and I should have the first of my tips posted very soon. Eventually there will be video clips of the tips. Also, I'm working up the free block projects for the site as well. Nothing like biting off almost more than I can chew. At least I'm not bored!!!
Piece in piece to all,
Pat
I know I promised that I'd post often...however it has been extremely busy for me the last few weeks. The classes at the store are going very well and the little free time I've had has been spent in my studio trying desperately to catch up on commissions and future samples.
I've been getting some feedback on what classes I should teach in the near future. I've already submitted my next series of classes covering January through March. I already have to amend it since a lot of people are asking for doing memory quilts. I'm probably going to try to do a large class event (one day) where everyone leaves with a small wall hanging or pillow with their photo on the project. I haven't figured out the nuts and bolts...and as usual, I'm open to any and all suggestions on how you all would like to see this be organized. I figured it would be more fun to have a large event. That way not only will everyone learn how to do this definitely treasured project but have fun at the same time with other event participants. So everyone.....time to give me your ideas!
Bob and I will be doing some tinkering with the site and I should have the first of my tips posted very soon. Eventually there will be video clips of the tips. Also, I'm working up the free block projects for the site as well. Nothing like biting off almost more than I can chew. At least I'm not bored!!!
Piece in piece to all,
Pat
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Setting Spring '08 classes at Stony Brook
Hi all!
Yesterday, we (Lynne, Sally and myself) were pouring over some new Hoffman fabrics that we are ordering for December/January delivery at the store. Wait until you see some of these fabrics, they are GORGEOUS! We ordered some fabric collections which have patterns to go with them. I basically have set my January through March classes already based on the fabrics we ordered! And with the fabrics arriving in December...I'll actually have samples ready ahead of time!
One of the classes is based on an Asian collection from Hoffman and the quilt pattern to go with it will definitely appeal to those of you who love Asians. It also lends itself to be a masculine quilt so for those of you who want to make a quilt for their special someone (male) this might be the quilt. We are also getting more batiks to fill out our batik wall at the store.
Since I am setting my classes for the spring....if you have a burning desire for a specific class, please let me know quickly!!!!
I hope you all have a great weekend...my rest of the week after last Monday was quite nice. I got all the annoying stuff out of the way on Monday (see my previous posting) :-)))
Piece in peace,
Pat
Yesterday, we (Lynne, Sally and myself) were pouring over some new Hoffman fabrics that we are ordering for December/January delivery at the store. Wait until you see some of these fabrics, they are GORGEOUS! We ordered some fabric collections which have patterns to go with them. I basically have set my January through March classes already based on the fabrics we ordered! And with the fabrics arriving in December...I'll actually have samples ready ahead of time!
One of the classes is based on an Asian collection from Hoffman and the quilt pattern to go with it will definitely appeal to those of you who love Asians. It also lends itself to be a masculine quilt so for those of you who want to make a quilt for their special someone (male) this might be the quilt. We are also getting more batiks to fill out our batik wall at the store.
Since I am setting my classes for the spring....if you have a burning desire for a specific class, please let me know quickly!!!!
I hope you all have a great weekend...my rest of the week after last Monday was quite nice. I got all the annoying stuff out of the way on Monday (see my previous posting) :-)))
Piece in peace,
Pat
Monday, October 1, 2007
Did I ever tell you I hate Mondays?
Hi all!
Today was a perfect example of why most people hate Mondays. I got up this morning ready to go to work at the store and work on some class samples. First, my daughter Meaghan was already up at 5:30am working on her essays, she went to bed around 1am trying to get the essays done (she was away for the weekend). She's got a cold and she's miserable and can't get her essays printed on any of our printers in the house. Chris (the son) gets a phone call to come into work at 6am (he forgot to check his schedule when he was away). Sabrina, (the other daughter) leaves the house at 7:00am, leaving her lunch behind. Justin (the youngest) wakes up with a headache and stomach ache. The husband is home, getting ready to go to a fundraiser golf tournament. And I have to be at my physical therapy by 8:20am.
First, I get Chris off to work, get Meaghan to dump her files onto a floppy and also to email her essay to her account at the high school. I call Justin in sick, then I get dressed and drive over to the high school to drop off Sabrina's lunch. Of course, no one tells me that the main office has moved to the other side of the building! Then the bell rings and I'm awash in teenagers. Luckily a teacher who knew me took the lunch and promised she would get it to Sabrina.
Next, I'm driving away from the high school...I then find out my route to the therapist is closed and I have a ten minute detour to negotiate. I was then late for my therapy. While there, I get a phone call from Meaghan who is now ill and wants to come home. She tells me that the school's internet was down and she had to go to three different areas in the school to find a computer that had a floppy drive (note: we are definitely getting memory sticks for the kids). After my therapy is done, I go back to the high school to get Meaghan home. I called Lynne to tell her I was running late and that I had a great story to explain why. I then proceed to hit EVERY RED LIGHT from my house to the store. At this point, I look heavenward and say "OK God, whatever I did, I'm really sorry can you stop now?" The only thing I thought was that my hubby would have a much nicer day.
Guess what, the hubby had....let's be delicate here....a wardrobe malfunction while on the golf course. He was able to continue playing but he was very careful about moving around. Needless to say, the O'Brien family was definitely having a baaaaad Monday! Makes you want to not get out of bed. The only bright side is, since everything happened today, the rest of the week can only get better (we hope).
Here's to a better week, I hope you had a much better day today than I did.
Piece in peace, Pat
Today was a perfect example of why most people hate Mondays. I got up this morning ready to go to work at the store and work on some class samples. First, my daughter Meaghan was already up at 5:30am working on her essays, she went to bed around 1am trying to get the essays done (she was away for the weekend). She's got a cold and she's miserable and can't get her essays printed on any of our printers in the house. Chris (the son) gets a phone call to come into work at 6am (he forgot to check his schedule when he was away). Sabrina, (the other daughter) leaves the house at 7:00am, leaving her lunch behind. Justin (the youngest) wakes up with a headache and stomach ache. The husband is home, getting ready to go to a fundraiser golf tournament. And I have to be at my physical therapy by 8:20am.
First, I get Chris off to work, get Meaghan to dump her files onto a floppy and also to email her essay to her account at the high school. I call Justin in sick, then I get dressed and drive over to the high school to drop off Sabrina's lunch. Of course, no one tells me that the main office has moved to the other side of the building! Then the bell rings and I'm awash in teenagers. Luckily a teacher who knew me took the lunch and promised she would get it to Sabrina.
Next, I'm driving away from the high school...I then find out my route to the therapist is closed and I have a ten minute detour to negotiate. I was then late for my therapy. While there, I get a phone call from Meaghan who is now ill and wants to come home. She tells me that the school's internet was down and she had to go to three different areas in the school to find a computer that had a floppy drive (note: we are definitely getting memory sticks for the kids). After my therapy is done, I go back to the high school to get Meaghan home. I called Lynne to tell her I was running late and that I had a great story to explain why. I then proceed to hit EVERY RED LIGHT from my house to the store. At this point, I look heavenward and say "OK God, whatever I did, I'm really sorry can you stop now?" The only thing I thought was that my hubby would have a much nicer day.
Guess what, the hubby had....let's be delicate here....a wardrobe malfunction while on the golf course. He was able to continue playing but he was very careful about moving around. Needless to say, the O'Brien family was definitely having a baaaaad Monday! Makes you want to not get out of bed. The only bright side is, since everything happened today, the rest of the week can only get better (we hope).
Here's to a better week, I hope you had a much better day today than I did.
Piece in peace, Pat
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Cancellation ranting and future classes
Hello all!
I got a phone call from Lynne yesterday...I had to cancel yet another UFO class (unfinished object class) due to lack of enrollment. Hey ladies! A lot of you asked for UFO classes to finish up your projects and/or to just hang out with your buddies with help. Please let me know what days and times are best for you and I will try and accommodate. I hate to cancel classes since I always get several calls or emails asking why we cancelled (after the fact). Remember, the store policy is to cancel one week ahead of time if no one signs up. Signing up includes paying for the class since we've gotten burned lots of times with other people signing up for a class without paying, and then not showing up.
OK, enough ranting. My shoulder is feeling much, much better. I'm actually cleaning and re-organizing my studio this weekend so I can get back to work in there. The hubby and two of the kids are away at a Catholic Scout Retreat, another one is working the weekend and I've got some of Justin's friends sleeping over to keep him occupied. Now if I could just have a few little elves to do the work of cleaning up for me I'd be set!
I'm working on a few new patterns that I hope to have ready for the next session of classes in January. Ladies, now is the time to let me know what classes you would like to see offered and if I can't teach it, I'll help the store find teachers for it!
Have a great weekend!
Piece in peace,
Pat
I got a phone call from Lynne yesterday...I had to cancel yet another UFO class (unfinished object class) due to lack of enrollment. Hey ladies! A lot of you asked for UFO classes to finish up your projects and/or to just hang out with your buddies with help. Please let me know what days and times are best for you and I will try and accommodate. I hate to cancel classes since I always get several calls or emails asking why we cancelled (after the fact). Remember, the store policy is to cancel one week ahead of time if no one signs up. Signing up includes paying for the class since we've gotten burned lots of times with other people signing up for a class without paying, and then not showing up.
OK, enough ranting. My shoulder is feeling much, much better. I'm actually cleaning and re-organizing my studio this weekend so I can get back to work in there. The hubby and two of the kids are away at a Catholic Scout Retreat, another one is working the weekend and I've got some of Justin's friends sleeping over to keep him occupied. Now if I could just have a few little elves to do the work of cleaning up for me I'd be set!
I'm working on a few new patterns that I hope to have ready for the next session of classes in January. Ladies, now is the time to let me know what classes you would like to see offered and if I can't teach it, I'll help the store find teachers for it!
Have a great weekend!
Piece in peace,
Pat
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Quilt Pink results & my return to teaching
Hi all!
As I said in my first posting, I would try to post every day, but this time life definitely intervened. More like my computer did not want to cooperate with my posting to the site. Bob's working on it, he thinks it's our security software giving us problems accessing the blog site. I definitely did not want to go to Meaghan (one of the daughters) for help....I'd never hear the end of it :-))
Last Saturday we had a Quilt Pink workshop at the Stony Brook Hamilton store. We had a total of 11 quilters show up. Actually, some were new to quilting, having never quilted before but we successfully passed on the Quilt Pox to them. It was even more meaningful since one of our newbees is a very recent breast cancer survivor, having her last chemo treatment just the Thursday before! As usual, the "Sweatshop Gang" of Mary, Elaine and Heather were in high gear making blocks like crazy. They already have several large lap quilt tops in process. I'm hoping for at least one, possibly two queen sized quilts. It seems the larger quilts do better on the auction site (e-bay).
If you want to see information about Quilt Pink click on this link http://www.quiltpink.com. Also, you can go to e-bay (http://www.ebay.com/quiltpink) and you will see the quilts up for auction. If you want more information about breast cancer and the effort to raise funds to help find a cure go to http://www.komen.org. The more information you have, the more likely you can help yourself or a loved one.
I am recovering very rapidly from my latest surgery on my shoulder (yes, again). I will start classes in October, the first being Circle-A-Round. This is a technique class which will help you learn how to set circles into fabric to create your own unique quilt. Some of the sample quilts from the book are really outrageous. You've probably seen similar ones when you went to quilt shows and though "how did they do that?" I had a lot of fun working with this book. I've got a bunch signed up for the morning session....where's my night ladies!! Please call the store and sign up soon before we have to cancel the class....boy I hate doing that!
I am also doing more new owner guide classes at the Hamilton store. This is to help Elizabeth since she's covering several locations. That way I can get to see more of my buddies at the Hamilton store. I hope to see you all really soon!
Piece in peace.
Pat
As I said in my first posting, I would try to post every day, but this time life definitely intervened. More like my computer did not want to cooperate with my posting to the site. Bob's working on it, he thinks it's our security software giving us problems accessing the blog site. I definitely did not want to go to Meaghan (one of the daughters) for help....I'd never hear the end of it :-))
Last Saturday we had a Quilt Pink workshop at the Stony Brook Hamilton store. We had a total of 11 quilters show up. Actually, some were new to quilting, having never quilted before but we successfully passed on the Quilt Pox to them. It was even more meaningful since one of our newbees is a very recent breast cancer survivor, having her last chemo treatment just the Thursday before! As usual, the "Sweatshop Gang" of Mary, Elaine and Heather were in high gear making blocks like crazy. They already have several large lap quilt tops in process. I'm hoping for at least one, possibly two queen sized quilts. It seems the larger quilts do better on the auction site (e-bay).
If you want to see information about Quilt Pink click on this link http://www.quiltpink.com. Also, you can go to e-bay (http://www.ebay.com/quiltpink) and you will see the quilts up for auction. If you want more information about breast cancer and the effort to raise funds to help find a cure go to http://www.komen.org. The more information you have, the more likely you can help yourself or a loved one.
I am recovering very rapidly from my latest surgery on my shoulder (yes, again). I will start classes in October, the first being Circle-A-Round. This is a technique class which will help you learn how to set circles into fabric to create your own unique quilt. Some of the sample quilts from the book are really outrageous. You've probably seen similar ones when you went to quilt shows and though "how did they do that?" I had a lot of fun working with this book. I've got a bunch signed up for the morning session....where's my night ladies!! Please call the store and sign up soon before we have to cancel the class....boy I hate doing that!
I am also doing more new owner guide classes at the Hamilton store. This is to help Elizabeth since she's covering several locations. That way I can get to see more of my buddies at the Hamilton store. I hope to see you all really soon!
Piece in peace.
Pat
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Hello all! My first posting in cyberspace!
Today my husband finally put most of the bits and pieces of my website and blog site together. Hopefully you all will check in from time to time to see what I've been up to. I will try to the best of my ability (chuckle) to post daily. As you all well know, life has a tendency to intervene, so if I'm late in posting, feel free to zip out an email to me to give me a nudge.
Actually, I'm pretty excited about my entry into the 21st century. I've always used computers, however, I was fairly reticent about promoting myself. When Bob (the hubby) pointed out that I was missing out on making more money, which will allow me more time to stay in my studio and quilt...I realized it was time to do it.
It's been a long time dream of mine to have a show, something like Alex Anderson's Simply Quilts but with a twist. I love teaching people how to quilt and I felt that would be an exciting way to reach more people! Whether or not I achieve that dream...we'll see. But, at least I can give shameless self-promotion a shot! The worst thing that happens is I get ignored, but at least I can say I tried.
Please let me know what you think of my new website and blog (venting) space. I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I like talking (hey, I never did say I was a quiet person).
Piece in peace!
Actually, I'm pretty excited about my entry into the 21st century. I've always used computers, however, I was fairly reticent about promoting myself. When Bob (the hubby) pointed out that I was missing out on making more money, which will allow me more time to stay in my studio and quilt...I realized it was time to do it.
It's been a long time dream of mine to have a show, something like Alex Anderson's Simply Quilts but with a twist. I love teaching people how to quilt and I felt that would be an exciting way to reach more people! Whether or not I achieve that dream...we'll see. But, at least I can give shameless self-promotion a shot! The worst thing that happens is I get ignored, but at least I can say I tried.
Please let me know what you think of my new website and blog (venting) space. I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I like talking (hey, I never did say I was a quiet person).
Piece in peace!
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