Auntie's Attic Quilt Shop: Chatty Chicks

Announcing Hop for a Cause

2012-02-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hop For A Cause
March 7th-10th, 2012*
A Shop Hop and Charity benefit.
Nine western NY quilt shops will hold a Shop Hop with a twist
to raise money for local cancer charities.

Hopper’s commitment:
· Visit each of the 9 shops between March 7th – 10th.
· Have each shop validate your shop hop passport.
· Donate $1.00 at each shop.
The total donation is $9.00/hopper unless you choose to donate more.
The more you donate, the better your chances at winning a prize.

Shop’s commitment:
· In lieu of giving "goody bags" to hoppers, each shop will match
the donations collected at their shop.
· For each $1.00 donated, the hopper will receive a raffle ticket.
· Each $1.00 collected and matched will be donated to local cancer charities.

27 Prizes to be awarded
Each shop will give out:
· 1st place Raffle prize - $100 (or more) of non-quilting related items
(ex: electronics, restaurant gift cards, etc.)
· 2nd place Raffle prize - $25.00 gas card.
· Passport prize: $50.00 gift certificate to that shop.

Participating Shops:
Auntie's Attic
2043 Military Rd
Niagara Falls 14304
716.297-3636

Chestnut Bay Quilting
262 North St
Caledonia 14423
585.538-4420

Country Treasures
61 Main St
Brockport 14420
585.637-5148

Creekside Fabrics & Quilts
237 Main St
Arcade 14009
585.492-4226

Eden Sewing Center
8386 N. Main St
Eden 14057
716.992-4364

Mt. Pleasant Quilting Company
2877 Mt. Pleasant Rd
York 14592
(GPS-use “Piffard”)
585.243-0767

Patchwork Garden
6281 Transit Rd
E. Amherst 14051
716.810-9088

The Quilt Farm
5623 Feddick Rd
Boston 14025
716.914-3140

The Quilter's Daughter
2817 St. Rt 246
Perry Center 14530
585.770-4926

*Hop hours: Wednesday-Friday (March 7-8-9), 10am-8pm; Saturday (March 10), 9am-5pm

Happy Belated New Year! Is your Sewing Room ready to tackle 2012?

2012-01-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, we have been so busy with getting down the last of the holiday decorations and putting it all away, that thinking about getting into our sewing area for cleaning it up, might not be too high on the list of "to do's". But, as soon as you can find a half hour to tackle it, you will feel so much better, and can get in there to start on your projects! First things first though, start off by taking a realistic stock of any UFO's or WIP's (for those unfamiliar UFO = Unfinished Objects, WIP = Work in Progress). Are you really going to finish them? If not, find someone who will... How about that stack of remnants? Are you going to put them in a project finally this year or will they still be there at the end of 2012? Take them to your guild, a local school, a group who does charity sewing...there is someone out there who would be truly grateful for them. What about your sewing machine/serger? Was is over worked getting those holiday projects done? Now, is the time to get it in for it's yearly cleaning, oiling & adjusting (BTW, our shop will have the guys in on the 21st of Jan. for same day service at a really great price on your sewing machine service, just have it in by 2 PM.) Look at your regularly used notions...any need replacing? Make a list, so next time you are in the shop, pick up one or two. Also makes a great list for your family when they don't know what to get for those special holidays, birthday, anniversary, etc. Valentine's is just around the corner...leave a copy where they will find it. How 'bout on the fridge?
Happy Quilting & Creating!

Shop makeover!

2012-01-03T10:28:00.000-08:00

We were really busy last week, moving everything in the shop that wasn't nailed down or couldn't be moved around. Everyone who has been had commented that it feels so much more airy now. And we are loving it! It's taking all of us sometime to get familiar with where we put things though. Come on in and check it out.

Quilt Shows for 2011 have ended....

2011-11-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

Whew...it's been a great year for our local and regional Quilt Shows, but we are looking forward to a well needed break until they start up again around April of 2012. We just returned from the Kenan Show, where one of favorite teachers, Linda Davis, was their featured quilter. For those of you who attended, several of her displayed quilts, will be on our class lists for next year. So, be on the look-out for which ones you will be taking. Now, it's time to get moving on my holiday sewing. It's approching so fast, even though the weather outside my windows, sure doesn't look like it. I've got lots of projects on my lists to get to. I bet you do, too! If you are looking for inspiration, stop by and take a look at all the samples we've got hanging in the shop. Or time to sew, give the shop a call to see when the classroom is available for open sewing! And book that time for YOU! You know that you deserve it....

It's been a while...

2011-10-17T04:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, it sure has been awhile since I've posted, but so much has gone on this summer, time just flew by. My grand daughters were in for 3 months, without Mom & Dad and they did keep us really busy. But now they've all gone home to Iowa and back to school, so things are slowly returning to "normal" what ever that it....

Feeling those Fall temps. makes me ready to snuggle in with creating, cooking and baking. One of my favorite things to cook is soup. Any kind and I just put one together for dinner tonight! I received this recipe from the great gals at the Twin City Quilt Guild and had to share it with all of you. It's easy, cooks in a slow cooker all day and is just so good. Gives you lots of time to sew and have a hot meal at the end of the day.

Slow Cooker Potato Chowder

8 cups diced, peeled potatoes
1/3 cup chopped onion
3 cans chicken broth (or one large) - I use stock that I keep frozen
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 t. pepper
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/2# cooked, crumbled bacon
1 can corn

In slow cooker combine the first five ingredients. Cover & cook 8 - 10 hours. Add cream cheese and corn (I, also added chopped carrots), stir until well blended. Garnish with bacon and green onions.

Nancy will be doing a Book signing!

2011-05-06T04:10:00.000-07:00

I've been in touch with Nancy Lee Murty and she will be coming to our shop on Sat. June 25th for a trunk show and book signing on her new book! Mark your calendar now....

I'm so excited!

2011-05-04T10:10:00.001-07:00

I'm really excited this afternoon! Nancy Lee (Davis) Murty's new book "Sisterhood - A Quilting Traditon" just arrived!! It's so cool to see our beloved Linda's, daughter's book with her quilts, words and all that special "stuff". Just in time for our 2nd annual Dash 4 Stash shop hop, too. Plus knowing those who helped Nancy put it together and to see their names and work...just gives me goosebumps. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, get in soon to pick yours up.

It's the beginning of the year in our sewing studio!

2011-01-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Now, that we have finished with the shopping, baking, gift giving and receiving and celebrating, it's time to do something special for ourselves. And what a better way that to get our sewing space ready to take us into the new year more productive and subsequently more creative and happier! Start out with 3 containers: a trash can, container for anything recyclable to "share" and one for those homeless items you will come across. I know you hate to throw anything away, but you need to toss what ever scraps that you can't recycle or easily use. Get real with yourself and toss 'em now, so that don't take up space in your head or sewing area. If someone you know can use them, then pass them on, otherwise it truly is TRASH! Anything you come across that is part of a current project, choose a way to keep it ALL together, zip-loc bags, bins, boxes and put everything needed in it. Book or pattern & fabric and be sure to label it. Tackle the larger pieces of fabric, by measuring them and use some type of marking system to indicate what size the piece is. Organize by color or style, which ever is best for you. Other useable fabric, such as 2 1/2" strips, 5" squares, should also be sorted into a container to be labeled for future projects. If you never make scrappy quilts, why keep the scraps? Give them to someone who does, that is what your recycling bin is for. Take it to your next guild or sewing circle meeting.
Now, that you have it some what organized, I'm sure you have come across a project or two (or 3), that you keep shoving back into the back of the closet or drawer, believe me I have. It's time to force yourself to decide if it's a project that you just need help in finishing, as you don't have all the skills or there is a problem with it or you just don't feel the motivation any longer. If that is the case, time to add it to the recycling bin to pass along to someone who will love it. Keeping it isn't going to help you get that motivation back and now it's off your to do list.
Time to clean up all those empty coffee cups, soda cans, water bottles that have migrated to under shelves or rolled under the cutting table. Shelve your books & patterns, hang your rulers or figure out a good place to keep them. Mine are in a file folder rack, sorted by size, so when I need one, I can find it. All thread and bobbins need to be rewound and put away in a rack or box. You will feel better when you can find what you need and save time and money knowing what you have! While you are doing all this, make a list of basic colors that you need to replenish, put any extra spool of your favorite piecing color on that list, so you never need to run out at the last minute. Do the same with other notions!
Start the new year with a fresh rotary cutter blade. Put in a new machine needle. Treat yourself to a package of your favorite hand needles and a new box of pins. They do dull and wear out and you deserve to start fresh. Now is the time to make sure that your machine is good to go for this year, by bringing it in for it's annual cleaning. Decide where the homeless items belong and either add them to the recycle box or find a permanent home for them. Make this your best year doing what you love in a space that you love! Happy Creating & Quilting!!

It's been so long...

2010-12-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

I can't beleive that it is December, although I should with all the snow that we have had out there the past few days. Felt so long in coming, but now everything is white. Have been so busy getting everything done in time for the Christmas holidays. PLUS getting the newsletter written and ready to be sent out via e-mail. I am so excited on some of our classes that are on the schedule for 2011...wow, that sure felt weird....been doing lots of sewing too. Getting gifts done for my grand girls and other "little" members of the family. Keep sewing and creating, while we enjoy the scene outside of our window.

Back to Normal?

2010-10-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I do believe that my life might just get back to "normal", what ever that really is....The DH's nephew has gone back home for the winter. Maria and our granddaughters were here for a week! I do miss them so much when they are gone home to Iowa. And all the fall Quilt Shows are now completed. So, things will return to "normal" again.

Have received so much NEW fabric during the past crazy couple of weeks that it excites me so much, I don't know where to start sewing first or what to make! I've got a great tote bag to do, plus a new apron for the shop and lots of other projects planned.

Bet you are wondering what we got....well you just have to stop in to see...!
Nancy Davis Murty's (Linda's daughter) new line just got here..Blackbird Acres and it's a really country looking group! Plus a new Red Rooster Oriental line with a great panel called Kiymoi. And a line from Benatex called Mayfair! Even some more of those great Border stripes...2 from Jinny Beyer. Can you tell I'm excited????

All Wrapped Up!

2010-09-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

We have wrapped up the 4th Annual Quilter's Quest Shop Hop this morning, and I sure can tell you that everyone that worked it is exhausted! But, a good kind of exhausted...all ready started planning for the 5th one! The weekend after Labor Day, 2011, so mark your calendars now. AAQS is all back together and lots of things were reordered. This week I'll be teaching at the Amherst Seminar, my first year teaching there and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll let you all know how it goes. Plus we are getting ready for lots of Quilt Shows at the end of this month and the beginning of next. Maria and our "grandgirls" will be in the last week of September and I can't wait to see them all. Maddie turns 4 on the 15th. They are all growing so quickly and they are so far away in Iowa, that I miss them all each and every day. With having the DH's nephew here we will sure have a full house soon!

Getting ready....

2010-09-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

We have been really busy getting ready for the 4th annual Quilter's Quest shop hop. Although I think we are totally prepared! Yeah! Has been a bit of a challenge this year, with being gone for nearly 2 weeks, taking care of family business...and we have my DH's nephew staying with us know. It's nice to have a "young" person with us though. I know that even with the extra work, I'm really enjoying him! Make sure to stop in during the hop, I'de love to see you.

QFL National Winners from our Team for July!

2010-08-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

We have had a few more National Winners from our Team for July! I'm so happy for them. Shirley from Lancaster won one of the July prizes and Millie from Youngstown won the Block Lotto! Be ready to join for 2011 at our kick off party in March and you too could be a winner!

Happy Dance! Finishing those projects....

2010-08-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Dance! I finished the American Pie Quilt for the Amherst Seminar and it is now hung in the shop. We have the patterns for you to purchase, too! You ask how to get those projects done? I set myself a deadline when I "want/need" to get something finished. Is it written in stone...no, not really, but once I have commited to getting it done I truly push myself to work on it on a regular basis. This way I don't have loads of UFO's floating around. If I decide not to finish something, I find a place to donate what ever I have. Be it part of a project, the fabric, cross stich or what ever it is. This way I don't have a lot of stuff in my studio staring at me and saying that I need to get done. It is gone and off my plate. Gives makes me feel like I have "my" permission to move on to new things, buy more and try something else...Maybe you could set up yourself a deadline, find a place that would appreciate those UFO's you don't want and clean it out of your mental to do list.

Christmas in July....

2010-07-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy with our Christmas in July Sale this week! I'm exhausted, but really happy that so many of you have taken advantage of the great fabric, book and pattern sales. It will free up space to bring in lots of new stuff. No, it isn't just Christmas fabric either, it's all overstocks. I'm STILL working on my American Pie quilt but am determined to get in done by the end of the month, so it can be sent to the longarmer to be quilted. Plus I have to get a baby one done, for our nephew's wife is expecting. Such fun, planning and sewing!!!!!

2010-07-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

We have had our first winner from the monthly drawings for the QFL! Rosemary of G.I. has won a prize for the June drawings! I'm so excited for her and all our QFL members...the more they stop in to visit or shop the more chances to win a prize! It's so hot out there lately, the best place to be is inside sewing up a storm, that is what I've been doing. Getting my American Pie quilt done and working on new samples for the store.

Not sure on how this all works...

2010-07-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! Decided that we needed a blog, but be patient, since we are all learning how this works, thought it would be a good idea...