Hooray for HandiQuilter

We are in the Shuttle and on our way!

Marsha and Jen getting a massage while we wait for our plane!

Arriving at Handi Quilter!

One of the views from Handi Quilter!

We are taking a breather in the lobby at Handi Quilter!

Well it is Thursday and I had all intentions of writing this post on Monday. Jen, Ronda and I were extremely fortunate to spend last week in Salt Lake City at HandiQuilter. We took the beginning quilting class for the Fusion. What a fabulous company! Talk about customer service, they really wanted our experience to be as educational as possible, friendly, and of course fattening. Our accommodations were great and the food was fabulous. There were times during the week that I wanted to say "stop my brain is full." Now for the really fun part - putting it all to good use. Jen has already quilted a quilt using one of the techniques we learned. My week-end will be spent (hopefully) quilting up three tops that need to be done.

The Classroom/Studio!

There were 15 ladies in our group and four teachers. Really a great ratio. All of the women were so nice and fun. We all decided to take the intermediate class together next Jan. The ladies came from all over the United States. What a Hoot! If you ever need help running a successful company call HandiQuilter they are tops!

It's Snowing!

The Whole Gang!

Since we first opened Morning Star Quilts customer service and kindness has always been a high priority for me. I guess this has just been one of those weeks when I feel like I can't make anyone happy. I have a tendency to be too generous and sometimes it backfires and I end up either getting mad or getting my feelings hurt. Just another way of knowing that none of us are perfect. I've always tried to look at the positive and not the negative. Sure makes life easier. Take one day at a time, do your best, smile and try to make someone's day better. So it's time to forgive and move on. Tomorrow is a new day and a fun one at that.

Friday is the day that I like to teach classes. Tomorrow I will be teaching a class where the ladies will learn how to use texture magic, make the 7 minute circle, and use Elisa's Back Porch templates to create a great quilt. Fun Fun Fun!

Have a great weekend! Be kind to all and love the unlovable.

Forgiveness is the healing of wounds caused by another. You choose to let go of a past and no longer be hurt by it. Forgiveness is a strong move to make, like turning your shoulders sideways to walk quickly on a crowded sidewalk. It's your move.

Real Live Preacher

Up, Up and Away

I sure wish there was a magical equation for the 36 hour day. It doesn't matter how organized I am I never get enough done. Samples, class quilts, quilts I just want to make or quilt, cleaning, groceries, cooking, socializing, church, reading, gardening, posting on my blog - how do you possibly get it all done? Time is either your friend or your enemy. I have decided time is my friend and I can only do so much. I miss spending time with family and friends, so my quilting might take a little longer than usual but my life will be more enriched with friends and family.

We just got back from a great weekend with my parents and Mark's parents. Mark's Dad was celebrating his 88th birthday. A lot of their friends from our childhood days were there to help them celebrate. It was great to catch up with them and hear about our childhood friends. Mark and I are so blessed to still have them with us. Our families attended the same church when we were growing up. Our childhood memories have enriched and blessed our marriage. Thank you Mom's and Dad's!

Just a quick note - I want you to meet my dog. Here's Ziggy!

Ronda, Jen and I are leaving for Salt Lake City tomorrow to take a longarm class at Handi-Quilter. Hopefully we will come home as experienced custom quilters.

Last week we rearranged our batik room and the children's corner. We are also starting a wool section with antique buttons and patterns. I'd like to spend some time when we go to Market to research wool, because I really don't know squat.

Well time to go home, pack, and organize food for Mark. He will be busy taking care of Tyler, Bryant, Bella and of course helping the girls at the shop.

More to you from Salt Lake!

Marsha

After the holidays I don't want to even think about next Christmas, but in the quilting world that is unrealistic. We have to start ordering all of our fabric for Christmas 2010 in January. The good side of that is we have a long time to think about and plan the next project.

Today we received 7 boxes of freight. Our UPS driver Dave always loves days like this. For him it is a lot of work, and for us it's like Christmas everyday. Today we received quite a few new bolts of Batiks from Island Batiks and Robert Kaufman, and like all of the others they are stunning.

We also recieved the most adorable baby line "Chirp" from Robert Kaufman. We are making a very cute sample that is a perfect baby quilt or wall hanging. Here is a sneak peek at the beautiful bolts.

Chirp was designed by Kate Hennagir.

Our next Christmas present today was a box from E.E. Schenck. It was full of the Veranda line from Maywood Studios. Laurie is going to be making a beautiful sample from this line. We will post pictures when the sample is done.

Veranda

Our last present of the day was an adorable line from Red Rooster Fabrics. The Sew-It Book Collection by Amy Barickman is a line of fun reproductions of the 1929 classic sewing book. The original text was by Richard Taft and has been reissued by Amy Barickman of Indygo Junction and The Vintage Workshop.

The Sew-It Book Collection

Happy Quilting!

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile, make footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same. ~Anonymous~

SHE Time

Today will be a great day at the shop. Our Wednesday girls are coming for a sew day! These ladies make us laugh, smile and enjoy the concept of true friendship. The older I get the more I appreciate my friends and cherish the time we spend together. I call it SHE TIME. Getting together with the she's is the best.

When we opened Morning Star Quilts I had no idea how many great friends we would make and grow to love. I feel so blessed to work with my daughter and close friends everyday. What a gift!

I would like to share a picture with you of an upcoming class I will be teaching. The object of the class is to work with curved templates, learn the seven minute circle and work with texture magic. The class is Feb 26. Come and join us.

Yesterday Jen and I played around with some of our displays. Here are some pictures of what we ended up with. Tell us what you think!

Bella is always so good about us making her pose for pictures!

Beautiful Kaffe Half Yard Cuts

Our newest sample and fun new bag kit!

May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you; May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

~Irish Blessing~

Birth

New beginnings. Yesterday was our last Sunday of the month Quilt Sisters sew day. Our newest little member, Taylor Renee came by for a quick visit. Taylor was our New Year's gift. She has already made her first quilt with perfect points and seams - Go Figure!

Marsha and Taylor

Debi, Mama Coleen, Aunt Jen and Marsha with baby Taylor

Pretty Taylor

Another new beginning is this blog. I have been fighting this blog for many months but after incessant encouragement from my friend Pam Bush I finally caved in. Hope you will follow along. Love Marsha