Mermaid's FINtastic Winter Mini Retreat

We had a great time at the mini retreat this weekend! We spent Saturday, Sunday, & Monday at the shop with our retreaty friends - eating - laughing - sewing - quilting.

Everyone is starting off the new year with a lot fewer unfinished projects & a bunch more friends!

Here are some of the projects they completed. Everyone is so talented.
I tried to take a lot of pictures, but everything was going so quickly & I messed up a lot of the shots....here are a few to show what a good time we had.

We even played some games & won some prizes. Guess who won the word search?

The Handi Quilter Avante stayed pretty busy all weekend. Rae Lynne quilted tops, Jenny quilted table runners, & Vicki quilted her beautiful jelly roll quilt.

Here's Shirley working hard!

Summer Sizzler!
Friday & Saturday August 10 & 11 noon to 6

Come & see the newest features & upgrades for summer 2012

Handi Quilter demos - class technique demos

coupons - special pricing & financing
Here's your chance to try out the newest HQ mid-arm and long arm
quilting machines & accessories!

Sweet Sixteeen with all new TruStitch regulator

Avante Pro Stitcher/Art & Stitch - Groovy Boards - pantographs -
rulers - templates

Road trip to Handi Quilter!

We just returned home from our first visit to Handi Quilter headquarters in Salt Lake City. Here are a few highlights from our trip:

 You know you're in Vegas when Elvis makes a quick stop by your hotel.

 My favorite place in Vegas is the garden at the Bellagio.

 Isn't it just a flowery wonderland? I love it!

  

 The Cosmopolitan has a store with this amazing sewing machine display in the windows.

How cool is that?!

 
 Here we are at Handi Quilter! This sign greets everyone as they drive up.It pretty much sums up everyone's attitude inside the building.

It was interesting to see where the machines are assembled.Every machine is assembled by one person, then test run before packing & shipping.

 Here's our classroom with Avantes, Fusions, & Sweet Sixteens just ready & waiting to get 

 to work. We gave them quite a workout.

While I was learning about all the HQ products & operation, Richard was learning to be a HQ technician.

He is now qualified to service Handi Quilter machines. We can provide routine maintanence (annually) & upgrade your machines with the latest technology. 

The first lesson was about thread & needles.

Remember - there are no Quilt Police! Here you see they've surrendered their helmets since they are no longer in service.

There are beautiful inspirational quilts all over HQ. Every wall-every office-every hallway is lined with these gorgeous pieces.

 
Everyone was so kind & helpful (& patient!) We thoroughly enjoyed meeting the creative engineers & educators & everyone else who make Handi Quilter such an awesome place. We're happy to be part of this bunch.

We made a quick stop at the Mad Greek in Baker on our way home. It's my first time!

Here's my chicken gyro - before I tried to pick it up & it spilled all over.

I've always loved Calico Ghost Town. hmmm...do we see a Calico pattern here...?


 Now we're home & ready to uprade our machines & show off all the new tricks we've learned! Watch for a special shindig next month!

Here's a great deal!

Call the shop for details & appointments. 559 793 2510

MLK Weekend Thoughts

Last week in my classroom we spent some time discussing how Martin Luther King, Jr. wanted the world to be a better place, so he took the risk & did what he thought was right. He wasn't always popular, but that didn't stop him from doing what he knew in his heart was important.
Usually this weekend is a time for regrouping, planning, & creating at our house. The Christmas festivities leave us craving a little quiet time. There's always some left over holiday debris to deal with - whether extra laundry, decorations or a tree that still needs to be disposed of. School has been back in session long enough for us to appreciate 3 lazy quiet mornings & time to do what's important.
Many years ago I started my first real quilt on this weekend in January, after buying all my fabric on sale after Christmas.
Another year, on this weekend my sister in law brought her sewing machine & some gorgeous fabric she'd bought in Maui. We planned & created a whole bedroom set that weekend, complete with duvet cover, dust ruffle, pillowcases, & extra throw pillows. It's beautiful & I get to sleep under it when I visit her.
Today I actually FINALLY found time to sew a little. It felt so good! My confidence was a little weak, but I knew I needed to try. Since the shop opened I've developed some lousy habits. Like spending all my time making sure everyone else has all they need to create, & not making time for me to be creative.
This is the Sonora collection from Benartex. I have to tell you-as much as I love bright colors, this collection is pretty cool. Serendipity is a free quick pattern from Benartex. Even with all these dorky little pieces, it's going together quickly. I think I might just put some kits together.

I feel like I had a breakthrough today. It was important for me to step out of this boring little box I've made for myself & break through some bad habits. Now to convince Richard to quilt the piece for me this week quick before someone comes in to rent the Handi Quilter!

August Classes

We have a wonderful bunch of new classes this month.

All our teachers are patient & thorough, committed to your success!

For all classes you're welcome to brown bag it, or potluck it, order in or explore downtown's restaurants. We have several menus to check out before you decide.
Call for more info, or come down to the shop to see the class samples. 793 2510

WIP Wednesdays - Come & sew in the A/C every Wednesday.

Ask Sheri - no charge (Bring your quilty questions!)
Aug. 3 4-6

Machine Quilting Basics - $25
Aug. 5 10-3

Beginning Quilting $10/session
every Tuesday 4-6

Zippy Strippy Bag - $15
Aug. 10 6-8

Beginner's 4 Patch Stack n Whack - $20
Aug. 11 10-2

Spruce It Up! Wallhanging - $30
Aug. 12 10-2 & Aug. 19 10-2

Judy Niemeyer foundation piecing patterns taught by Cat Wilson - $40/day
Aug 13 & 14

Four Applique Techniques- $20
Aug. 17 6-8
Aug. 26 10-3

Fabric & Thread Painting Pizzazz! - $20
Aug. 19 4-7

BQ2 - $20
Aug. 28 1-5

Handi Quilter Demo - no charge
Aug. 20 3-4
Aug. 30 5-6

The Mermaid's Mystery Treasure!
Aug. 21 2-3
Pick up your $2 pattern & see Sheri's fabric choices. We'll meet once a month to see everyone's progress & enjoy some munchies...& be finished before Christmas!
You can cut & sew with Sheri or just pick up your Mystery pattern & go!

For all our classes you're welcome to brown bag it, or potluck it, order in or explore downtown's restaurants. We have several menus to check out before you decide.
Call for more info. 793 2510

Fabric everywhere!

We've been moving everything around to make room for more! We have lots of fruits & veggies, & the flannels are in now. My favorite handyman has engineered more shelves in the crib & the log bed to accommodate the orders arriving weekly.
Stop in & check out the beautiful class samples. We have classes for everyone - kids, beginners, & the experienced quilter. The Handi Quilters are up & running. Come & give them a try.