Website Done Yeah!

Ray says he is done with updates on the website for now. Of course I am continuing to work on new items so I am sure he will need to get on the site again soon. Go to www.cottagerosequiltshop.com to check it out. 

My goal is to get kits and wool listed on the site some time in the next few months. If there is anything you have questions on or would like to know if I have a kit for just contact me.

New Inspiration

Working from the home can be kind of stifling. I haven't quite figured out how to keep moving in a one direction. I will start a project,then pretty soon it is meal time or laundry beckons. 

I decided today was a day that I needed to boost my creative input. So, off to Barnes & Noble I went. There is something about the smell the of a new book that excites me. I always enjoy the magazines and a few always find their way home with me. Sometimes I could care less what the story says. I can make up my own story just viewing the photos. 

These three made into my hands today. Each one of them fills a need, quilts, home dec and writing inspiration. My hats off to each of the photographers who entice me with every photo.

Choices

Choices have always been hard for me to make. I always want to see all sides to the situation and ask several people their opinions. I have always envied the person who can make a snap decision and never look back.

The only time I can make decisions and not have others opinions sway me is when I am creating. When I am creating I just know or feel what is right. I guess that is why I am always happy with what I created because it is a part of me.

Ugh! No heat

Went to bed last night with all kinds of plans for this morning. Unfortunately the blower for the furnace decided to malfunction last night. Woke up freezing this am. The furnace guy has come and gone and slowly heat is returning to the house. I did spend this am going through some more of the clutter we dropped from the shop move. Sooner or later the house and my sewing area will be back in order. I have been working on a new project "No Two Alike". 

A variety of shapes to make your own snowflake. My sisters were helping me play

Holidays are coming

I am trying to straighten the house enough to display a little Holiday spirit. As I am plucking through everything we brought home from the shop I am finding items to throw together and decorate. This is one part I really miss about the store being able to display. 

Website

My husband has been working on updating the website. He is trying to get more of my patterns on there and a few kits. It is really taking shape. He tells me I have around 100 patterns now. Wow! I didn't  realize that I had done that many. I always tell people maybe around 50 - 60.

You will have to check it out www.cottagerosequiltshop.com

Here is another new one I took to Houston. "Bouquet" all made with wool. I really like this one.

Mailings

Ran out of kits for "#1Pine Tree Strip" kits at the Houston show. Shipping them out today to all the lucky purchasers. I don't know about you but I love getting packages in the mail. Even though I know what I ordered there is just so much anticipation as you open it up.

I know these quilters won't be disappointed.

Home from Houston

Back from the Houston Quilt Festival. I have never been to Houston and it was a fun experience. 

First we had to wait  5 hours in line to unload the vehicle. At least the sun was shining and it was about 85 degrees. Even standing in the shade I got sunburnt. We met some great people from all over the U.S. Waiting in that line.

Here was the booth at the show. We weren't able to pack much for displays, due to the fact that we took so much merchandise, but I was happy with how it all worked out.

Can't wait till the next show in Albuquerque in January.

Iowa Shop Hop

Have you thought about participating in the All Iowa Shop Hop? We now have in the magazine, that will show you which shops and when they are going to be open. There is also patterns using the Kona solids of each district and the special Iowa fabrics. The magazine is beautifully done and would be a great resource to keep around for future adventures.

Quilt Sampler

The new Quilt Sampler has arrived. I love reading about the different shops and what the owners have to say. My dream is to someday be honored with the designation of being a 10 best. So stopping in these stores, talking to the owners and reading a out them gives me inspiration on what I may need to do here. Besides anytime you can be around fabric it can't be a bad thing. Right?

New quilts for market

Here are a couple of new quilts I have created for market

  

This quilt I named "When in Rome" because my husband thought the pattern looked Roman.

   

This one is "Mountain  Trails"

Both of these are made with holiday lines that are due out in May or June

Relaxation Day

Since, it is my birthday today, I thought I would take the day to relax. We all need those day to unwind and rejuvenate once in a while. Went for coffee at Wit's End. Had lunch with my husband. Spent the early afternoon in Anamosa shopping at Gatherings and other antique shops. Now goning to put my feet up for awhile. Then off to supper with my husband and son. What a great day!

Precut, precut

Here are a few more precut patterns for you to enjoy! There is so much you can do with precuts and you get a totally scrappy but coordinated look. Make sure if your precuts are pinked on the edges that you measure your 1/4" from the outer most point of pinking.

   

Cake Walk uses a layer cake and jelly roll. This one comes out a nice size.

   

Up The Down Staircase uses a jelly roll. It does take a little planning but turns out so fun looking. I like it with the modern or holiday lines but could see it made with any line.

   

This is Jumping Jacks. It takes charm packs, jelly roll, candy squares and yardage for sashing. It has a great look to it.

Raffle Quilt

Connie's Quilt Shop and myself are offering this quilt up for raffle. Proceeds go to benefit the Annual Marion Quilt Walk. The walk takes place on August 23,2014.  You can stop by either of our shops and purchase a chance to win. For the next week or so I will have the quilt here in the shop

More precut patterns

Here are a few more of the designs I have created with precuts.

   

This is Cake Walk using a layer cake and a jelli roll

    

Stacked Hearts uses a jelly roll with yardage for background and borders.

Keep checking there is more to come.

Precuts

New jelly rolls, charms and candies have arrived and more to come. I love making things with the precuts. Here are a few things I have created. Plum Porridge uses jelly roll, charm and yardage.

   

   

Happiness uses a charm pack and small amount of yardage.

   

#1Pine Tree Strip uses jelly roll and yardage.

Stop by or stay tuned to see more.

Sunshine and warmth

I must say it has been wonderful to not only see sunshine but feel some of its warmth. It has also been good to see some familiar faces that have been hidden behind scarves and coats zipped up tp your noses. I know in the last few months all anyone wanted to do, was to get quickly from one warm spot to the next, me included. Stop in with your warm smiles and say Hi! It brightens our day.

Pinwheel dilemma

Someone came to me this week with a, new to me, way to make pinwheels or just half square triangles in general. You start with your two squares cut to the size you want for your unfinished pinwheels to be.  In my case I tried 3 1/2". Now sew 1/4" around all of the outer edges

                 

Next cut the square in half, twice on the diagonal.

         

Open up the half square triangles, press and sew together. Believe it or not it comes out 3 1/2" square.

I was a little skeptical that I could truly get the same size as the square I started with, the math just didn't seem to make sense to me. Although, to think about it a square on point does take up more space then one set square.

        

Usually I make mine by adding 7/8" to the finished size of the half square triangle I need, in this case 

2 3/8" for the squares. Draw the diagonal line on the wrong side and sew 1/4" on either side of the line. Cut apart on the line. I would need two sets of squares to make the four sections of the pinwheel.

Only real disadvantage I can see, to this, new to me method, is that all the bias is to the outside of the square. So you will need to be careful not to stretch it as you handle it and piece it in. But you do seem to save fabric and maybe even time.

Guess I will be using this method a little more often.  Thanks Mindy, for challenging me with this method.

Marion quilt walk

Connie and I have made this quilt and will be selling raffle tickets, starting in April. The proceeds will go to increasing the Annual Marion Quilt Walk, activities and exposure. We are excited to be a part of this Marion Main Street event. The Quilt Walk this year is Saturday August 23, 2014. Stop by or contact the store to purchase raffle tickets or if you would like to hang one of your quilts in the show. Or go to marionquiltwalk.org for more info.

Cottage Rose quilt patterns

I thought it would be fun to start posting quilts using my patterns. If you have made up one of my patterns send me a photo. I would like to post them along with your name to give people ideas of color ways. I made this block using some of my scraps and my newest pattern "Empty Fields" now I would like to continue it.  This may work well for a "quilts of valor" quilt or just something patriotic.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Green is the color of the day. So many shades, so many choices. Enjoy!

Late New Years resolution and Wool projects

OK, I think I have gotten the hang of Facebook so now I am going to try to become more proficient and active on my blog. If you haven't been in to the store lately, you need to know I have started doing more with wools. We have even added a rug hooking class which is talking about becoming a monthly get together for already working on rugs to wanting to know how to get started hookers. This little wool appliqué is great for Spring.

Rush Delivery - pattern $9.00, kit $22.00

Sale Sunday February 2, 1014