Deb Tucker's Spotlight

We love to visit the Studio 180 booth when we go to Quilt Market.  This time Deb had a new tool called the Spotlight.  It is a trim down ruler for making the unit that is consisted of a center beam and 2 side triangles.  Normally this is a tricky unit to make.  If you have used her tools before you know that this tool will make the unit easy and accurate to make.  The tool makes 11 different sizes ranging from 1" finished to 6" finished.  I'll be using this new tool to make her pattern called North Star!  Now, living in Minnesota, how could we not have chosen this pattern.

We'll also get a demo board ready and set up at the shop so you can easily see how it works.  If you will be heading to the Minnesota Quilt Show in Rochester on June 14-16, we'll be there demonstrating how to use this tool.  We'll also be showing some of our other favorite Tucker tools. 

Come see us at the shop or at the show.  We'd love to show you how it works.

Spring Cleaning

Spring Quilt Market was inspiring!  We brought back new patterns, tools, and loads of ideas for new samples to make.  So... it's good that we did some spring cleaning before we left town.  The staff set up a great display of samples that we're ready to sell.

So what's for sale?  Here's a sampling.  There's lots more so come in and check it out!

Fun kid's quilts:

 Pieced Wallhangings:

More fun wallhangings:

Lap quilts:

Tablerunners:

 

Large quilts:

Bags:

Who doesn't love a bargain?

Are you thinking about doing the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop this year?  We have 11 shops in the Central East Section this year and we have a bargain for you.  We will have bus trips on the 1st weekend of the shop hop.  That's on August 3rd and 4th.  They will leave from 4 different locations.  These are 2 day trips with no overnight.  The cost of the 2 day bus trip is $99.  If you sign up before May 30, you get a Early Bird Signup price of $89.

Now there's more.  Everyone who rides the bus will get a $10 coupon from each of the 11 shops.  And guess what - you can even use the coupon on purchases during the hop!  If you use the coupons, it seems that we must be paying you to come.  And you save on gas, have fun with a group of quilters and leave the driving to us.  Plus you will be qualified for the Central East section prizes.  Now how can you beat that!

You can sign up at any of the 11 shops, but if you sign up at Glads and ride the bus from the Mall of America location, you will get our very own Cheri for your bus mom!  And you know how fun that will be.

So don't put this off! Save a little money, so you can buy more fabric, by signing up early.  We have all of the information at the shop.  Call or come in if you have questions.  Our phone number - 612-724-1079.

Tessellating Windmill

Be sure you visit the classroom during the Twin Cities Shop Hop.  We'll be demonstrating the newest tool by Marti Michell, the Tessellating Windmill.  This quilt may look familiar, but is made with a different technique than you may have used before.  Use it to make blocks in 8 sizes, ranging from 2" up to 9".   With this technique, you'll end up with straight of grain on the outside of your blocks.  And the tool has specially engineered corners to help you line up your pieces. You use a "leap frog" technique to lay out your blocks and then chain piece blocks and rows.  We'll be demonstrating both Thursday and Friday from 10:00-12:00 and from 1:00 to 3:00.  
And be sure to check out our Daisy Basket quilt made with the basket blocks you'll be collecting.
The shop hop is May 3-5.  Thursday and Friday, we'll be open from 9am - 9pm.  Saturday hours are 9am - 5pm.
Hope to see you there.
 

The mystery is revealed

Members of our Scrap Tamers Club have been working on a mystery quilt since September, getting a clue each month.  It's finally revealed.  Those who bring it to the last session of Scrap Tamers in May will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate.  It will be great fun to see this quilt made up in many different fabric selections.  I have a feeling there will be lots of show and tell.

Men who quilt

We went to the Minnesota Quilters meeting on Saturday. The topic for both April meetings was "Men Who Quilt". One of the featured speakers was our very own Nathan Carter. He did a terrific job and showed at least 20 of his quilts accompanied by much applause. He has a great sense of color and showed some wonderful quilts, many of which were from Glad Creation patterns. I know everyone there enjoyed his presentation. We are very pleased that he is a member of our staff.

The other speaker was Doug Leko. He has been designing his own line of patterns for several years now, even though he is only 18 years old. He showed many of the quilts that he has designed, some from his newest book.

Thanks for a great presentation by both of these men. We and I'm sure the rest of the Minnesota Quilters enjoyed a fun and inspiring meeting.

2012 Twin Cities ShopHop

It's almost time for the 2012 Twin Cities Shop Hop. Dates are May 3-5. We're getting our kits packed, picking our $200 gift basket, finding some fun door prizes and getting new samples on display. It's always a fun shop hop with great prizes. Stop at each of the 9 shops and pick up a free pattern for a basket block. Each of the shops will have a quilt made using those basket blocks and will have their layout pattern and kits available for purchase. We picked a purple and green group of daisy fabrics called Simple Pleasures for our quilt. It has such a fresh spring time look. Get your card stamped at all 9 shops to be eligible for a drawing for some great prizes.
We'll also be doing some fun demos on both Thursday and Friday. We just got in the new Tessellating Windmill template by Marti Michell and have made a couple samples using it. It's really fun and pretty addicting! We will be demonstrating it from 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00 both Thursday and Friday.
Hope to see you during the shop hop!