"This is my first quilt ever"

"This is my first quilt ever."

I thought she was kidding..you know, teasing me. 

 I had a customer order some fabric a few weeks ago and we had trouble making ourselves clear via the internet, so she gave me a call. What a story she had.

The quilt shown above was the first piece of quilting she ever did. Her name is Mary and she is a character! Mary had never quilted a day in her life. Her sister was a quilter though. And Mary saw a picture of a Paula Nadelstern quick and promptly called her sister to request one be made for her. Well, much to Mary's surprise, her sister was not much into those teeny tiny little kaleidescope pieces. 

So Mary set out to make this quilt herself. She did not even have a complete book. She had a class pamphlet she had found somewhere and when she neared the end of her project she realized there were pages missing. So, her husband, who was a surveyor by trade, took his vast knowledge of angles and together they figured  out how to finish her project!!!

She went into her local quilt shop to get something to complete the project and the ladies were having a guild meeting in the back. The cashier that waited on her engaged Mary in a conversation during which Mary said, " I am not a quilter". Now, she had that stunning piece of art with her. So the cashier yells back to the guild ladies.."hey, y'all come look-this gal says she's not a quilter!!"...

Below are some other photos of her "young" work. She clearly, in my opinion has a gift that is rare.

 These were quilted by the renowned Timna Tarr, who said she had to sit down when and breathe when she first began to work on Mary's quilts. 

I am not sure when I have ever been more inspired..To sit down with a book, well, sort of a book, and do work of this quality is just breath-taking! You go Mary! (She's only in her 60's-imagine what she'll do when she gets some experience lolol!!!)

What a pleasure it is to serve my wonderful customers! Especially when I get to know them a little!

Happy Quilting on this first day of Fall!

barb

My List of Quilts....

The list of Quilts I've Yet to do....

Do you have this list? Either written or just stored carefully in your mind..

Of people who have touched your life so deeply  that you know there is a quilt in there just aching to be born for them. I do...

And I need more hours in the day-for to not make these quilts will break my heart. They simply must know that each stitch represents a moment or a memory or a thought of them that has touched me. A gift they have given me that without the quilt they may never know of their offerings to my heart.

Words often fail..Actions do not.  They reveal the hearts of those around us.

I have made quilts for people who, as it turned out, only wanted the quilt-figuratively speaking of course. But you get it-the "thing" was all they needed from me. Not the "stuff" behind the "thing". And those quilts, and those people have faded away now-not of my choosing. Of theirs. But the love I sewed into those quilts lives on. It waits for no welcoming door or offer of acceptance. It just rests there with love on it.

I have a quilt on the machine right now that i am struggling with. It is nearly ready for binding. But somehow, to finish it may signal the end of something I am not ready for. At least I tell myself I am not ready.

But I am determined it will be finished before the cool weather sets in here and it will go to the person I love and it will say the words I cannot find.

And then I will begin the next one, and then the next one, and then the one after that..

For in the end-all that matters is love. In whatever form you give it.

Happy Quilting,

barb

The "Rules" of Quilting.....

I had a young quilter contact me this week for a batting. And she needed it quickly so i sent it off straight away..

I just heard from her again this morning and she was so discouraged.

She had been into a local quilt shop where she was berated for her choices in thread, binding technique plan, and her decision to not pre-wash..

She was so discouraged, in fact, that she was contemplating whether she should continue to quilt or not...

I was appalled. As a craft, many of us desire to see quilting thrive. And it is seeing a resurgence in those trying to learn the art of quilting.

But, like all crafts, and forms of art, I do not believe there is "one right way" to quilt. And I do not think we will attract young quilters who may be able to learn some of the intricacies of quilting when we approach them with the "rules" from the past.

None of her choices were going to "ruin" her quilt, her machine, or most importantly, the gift of love she was offering to someone in this quilt.

To encourage the love of the art, perhaps as shop owners, we ought to embrace that our jobs are just that..to encourage "art" the way the creative person is envisioning. I am not saying we cannot offer helpful pointers about getting good cuts, or angles or strip piecing..But when we offer "our advice" without being asked, we are simply trying to assert our "right way" over someone else's idea..

I have no time for that. The world is already full of people who are discouraged at every turn. If you cannot lift someone up in their endeavor...well, maybe quiet is the answer..

Wishing you a happy quilting day,
barb

New Fabrics and Notions

Wow! It is September 2nd and 48 degrees this am in Virginia!! Feels like fall already.

And the fabrics for fall projects are gorgeous! We have new Halloween fabrics from Northcott as well as the gorgeous winter collection-Sherri Berry Holiday!

I sure got the sewing bug! We are working on turning some great Cherry House patterns into kits with the new fabrics.
Be sure and check the website for our new items.

And once again my mind wanders to the kits and patterns realm. Seems some quilters think that a quilt pattern must be done in the colorway on the pattern! What a limitation-changing the colorways or print scales on a pattern may completely rejuvenate a long loved pattern.

We love to take a pattern and turn it around with completely different fabrics. Quilting patterns are no different from sewing patterns in that-you wouldn't only make your skirt out of the one fabric shown on the pattern-the same is true with quilts! Open your mind and you'll find "new" patterns in your favorite pattern stash.

Fabric Trends

It is nearly Summer already and I find myself contemplating the never ending search for new fabrics. I have been drawn to more and more of the contemporary fabric designs of late and was beginning to think I had really grown weary of the "traditional". I was wrong.
I began to make some curtains for my soon to arrive first granddaughter's room and I had an epiphany.
Her curtains began with a modern print and something just didn't "feel" right. So I added a more traditional little flounce at the bottom and they were perfect!
I don't think I need to take the shop in just one direction with our fabric choices. We can blend the more modern and the traditional fabrics with great success. I knew that, but had somehow forgotten.
I am so grateful I was reminded!
So mix and match and create to your hearts content. Don't get caught up in just one mode!
Happy Quilting!

It's here!!! The Hoffman Challenge Fabrics for 2009! And they are stunning.
They also sold 35 yds in the first 12 hours! I wish I had doubled the order...
Be sure and check out the Challenge website: www.hoffmanchallenge.com
And visit us at: www.seasidequiltingsupplies.com to get yours before they are gone!

Happy Tuesday! I am excited about today...the possibilities are endless. New internet friends to meet, new experiences, a fresh day....

And we just got these darling some Beach Babe prints in from Hoffman Prints. They are so cute! This kit contains all the fabrics for the top of the quilt and the pattern.

We can change out the pink tonal and make the kit more blue for the special babe in your life!

I am personally working on a "beachy" blue, white, and cream throw for a gift for someone special. Will put up some pictures when it is ready. Must be ready by March 8th, so I better get to piecing. Write us to have us put together a special kit for you!

Happy Holidays!

The time has come! Our time to finish up is here. (I personally am still sewing rapidly..lol)

We love this time of year. Not because of the materialism of it (no pun intended as we sell material...), but for the chance it gives us to gather with those we love and share food, fun, and memories. I will not get to be with my mom, dad, and my siblings this year-and I will miss them terribly.

But we will have all of our children, Dh's mom and sister, and our friends nearby. And we will make memories and laugh-LOTS i hope!

I anxiously await the new year!

Of course, all of our other locations are still up and running:

www.seasidequiltingsupplies.com
http://stores.ebay.com/quiltbattingandfabricsupplies

www.fabricsbythesea.etsy.com

We look forward to serving you in the future! Remember we are always willing to cut fabric in any arrangement you 'd like.

Happy, Happy Holidays to you and your family!

It's Here! Tis the Season!

I don't know about you all, but I am finding that time really does seem to go faster and faster. My mom always said that and I didn't believe her. She was, of course, right!

I have not shopped out in the stores this weekend at all. I have done some online shopping. The last few years I have done most of my shopping online. I have had great online shopping experiences so it is hard for me to understand that there are still people who are "afraid" of it. No need to fear it at any of our shops. We always ship as inexpensively as we possibly can, and we always refund any amount over what it costs us to ship!

After the terrible news of people clammoring over "deals" to the point of someone's death, I may never shop brick and mortar on this weekend again.

Today, it is rainy and cold here in Virginia. I am writing while my amazing husband makes our weekend morning treat-an amazing coffee shake with extra protein, ice cream, half and half, and two shots of his great espresso.

There are still chores to finish, but today, the sewing machine will hum. I am finishing a project for a friend, am hoping to make good progress on a quilt for my mom, and will consider the other things I'd like to make for people.

I am finding myself so incredibly grateful for the life I have. I have a healthy family-great husband, 4 wonderful sons (one is my "in-law" son), one beautiful, pregnant daughter, wonderful parents, and a business that I love.

No, things aren't perfect! but therein lies the beauty! In the imperfection. So, I will sew with no fear of perfectionism! The beauty is in the love in the stitches, not in the perfect length of them!

Happy Sewing today!

Good Morning! Well...It's almost here-The shopping frenzy. We have jumped in the frey.

And before the questions come-we do business at all of these locations and each shop costs us a different amount in fees and expenses-hence the differences in the specials!

Below are our specials at each shop:

Quilt Batting and Fabric Supplies on Ebay~ get FREE US shipping on orders over $100.00 and for international orders, take 10% off your $100.00 order. Allow us to send you an invoice with the correct total.

Fabrics by the Sea on Etsy.com~FREE US Shipping on orders over $30.00/10% off international orders! Buy 5 yds get 1 FREE and every first time customer gets a FREE gift with purchase! Or if you buy a quilt kit, get a FREE Quilters Dream craft size batting! I'll send you a correct invoice upon completion of your shopping!

Seaside Quilting Supplies~We have lowered many of our prices yet again and we will continue to offer FREE Shipping on all US orders over $100.00 for the remainder of November and 10% off our international orders.

I have been blog challenged of late..Didn't want to just ramble aimlessly...I realize that is the point of some blogs. But not ours!
Wanted a coherent, flowing, contribution. So, I waited, and waited, and I may still be waiting. But I am writing, nonetheless.

Today is my birthday. I am 45. I said to my husband, I suppose my life is half over (technically), but I feel like I am on the upward slope! Not that the first 45 were downhill, there was just such a learning curve in that half-how to be a great mom, a great friend, a super wife, a smart businesswoman-you know, all the hats that we women wear. So much to learn, so little time, and at a breakneck pace!

Now, although time seems to be going faster than ever, I do feel like I have learned a few things. And now, I can apply them to my world. I have learned lots of "skills" in the last 45 years. Often wondering what value they would have in my life. Some skills are now revealing their value.

Quilting and sewing for example. I learned to sew at a young age (middle school) and my mom was a seamstress. I viewed the ability to sew mainly as a utilitarian skill. One that would serve me well in the future. An economical, practical skill to have in one's toolbox. And it has been that over time.

What I have come to learn about sewing and quilting, however is-that the pleasure in this process goes far beyond utilitarianism-the quiet hum of a sewing machine, the tactile pleasure of beautifully crafted fabric in your hands, and the transformation of tiny pieces of fabric into a gift of love, are magical. Those seemingly small moments provide places in our day where we can dwell on the quiet, gentle, important things in our lives- Those we love and cherish and want to communicate those feelings to, and those we may not know at all-to whom we want to communicate that the universe cares for them (thanks to all you amazing quilters who give away your works of love to those in need of care).

Here we find ourselves in the season of giving(although for most quilters the season of giving goes on and on) with only a few days left before the "BIG GIVE". That reality can create pressure and steal the joy of the gift making and giving away from us.

So my thought for today: Make the season of giving be whenever your heart is moved to give. Do not be confined to a day or a moment. That robs both the giver and the receiver! If your projects aren't going to be finished "in time", do not relinquish the joy of creating for the stress of meeting the deadline-simply write a lovely, loving note to those you wish to bless, and create on in peace.

Happy Creating!

just as an aside-if you ever wonder where you can find our things:

www.seasidequiltingsupplies.com

http://stores.ebay.com/quiltbattingandfabricsupplies

www.fabricsbythesea.etsy.com