Paducah for the first visit

Today was fantastic in both weather and happenings. We were up and out earlier than expected because we are excited. The hotel was fantastic and we fell in love rugs and their coloration.  The rugs that were all over. A quilt is building in our minds and here is a snapshot....what do you think???

The hotel was so cheerful that we just kept admiring the decor.  Judie and I also enjoyed an addition that was on our bed.  I am sure you will be seeing and hearing about it.  We are calling it a bed runner.

Breakfast was good and we headed out on I-24 to Nashville and then to Paducah.  We made a promise to ourselves yesterday that the next display of Wisteria seen, we were stopping and taking pictures.  Kathy was at the wheel and we were barreling down the mountain on a curve and low and behoild...there is a massive display of Wisteria.  We exit stage door right on to the shoulder for our pictures.  Another lesson to be learned do not stop in a curve, on the downside of a mountain with large tractor trailers on the road.  This was one of those moments when you feel like the trucks are going to lift you off the road and toss you.  The pictures are worth it or at least we think so.......

One of the trucks.........oops.......

The pretty Red Bud tree.

As Judie stated, "Well, we have survived today."  thank goodness an uneventful trip after this near miss and we arrived in Paducah all in one piece. More to follow...have to get some sleep and wash hair. 

Quilt Shows, here we come

Hi to all,

 Where do I begin.  I guess as with all good things at the beginning.  Myself and two good friend Judie and Kathy, decided to do the Spring Quilt Show in Chicago and Paducah, KY.  Now you say to yourself how do you do this...well, by car, of course.  We decided to leave on Monday and head to our first stop in Chattanooga, TN for the night.  So you would think this would be easy, well, there were a few humorous if not hysterical deviations from this plan.   It began quite simply, we pulled away from my house at 6:20am. We proceed to the Florida Turnpike and we sped down the highway.  As we left the house I said, gee, all we need to have is our wallet, credit cards and money and we are set. This would become prophetic as the morning continued.  My cell phone rang and it was Mom, alias Betty, asking if any of us were carrying a gold-yellow handbag as it was here on the kitchen table.  Immediately, I said, Judie your purse is at my house.   Of course, we had already passed the Ft Pierce exit, next place to turn around was Yeehaw Junction (always wanted to blog that one) a mere 40 or 50 miles up the road.  Quick thinking Judie called Earl, her hubby who earned big thank yous from us to meet us at the Ft Drum rest stop and bring her purse.  He graciously agreed. To say we laughed would be putting it mildly.  The tears were blurring our vision.  It got even funnier when Earl went to FT Pierce first, of course, with his cell phone left at their house, no way to verify where we were.  On the word of a rest stop worker, Earl headed to Ft Drum and the purse was given to the owner.  Now, of course, poor Judie has to tell us her purse location at every stop. 

Okay so with breakfast eaten at the Ft Drum rest stop.  No stopping at Ocee and the Perkins as planned, we were on the road again.  Florida became a dream as we crossed the Georgia border.  Gas was procured, thinking it would be less expensive in GA, that 5 cent saving was worth waiting for.  We exit I-75 and based on a now proven faulty premise we chose the Shell, thinking nice Bathroom.  Kathy can attest to that being a false hope.  The store and bathroom left lots to be desired. Outside of Atlanta, we believed again and were led down the primrose path. A word to the wise, bathrooms at gas stations are worse than exoected. Lunch at Popeye's and their cold slaw with pickles in it was a goodie.  More on that later in the trip


Two stops in the greater Atlanta area, made out arrival at the hotel at 10pm or so. The stops were well worth it. A lovely Quilt Shop and yes we found things to buy. We stopped based on a billboard.   Ran into a sales rep but we were not there as a shop owner but rather a quilter. He was surprised of our quest to hit Chicago and Paducah.  But the best stop was to visit Kristy.  Big hugs abounded and Kathy and Kristy had a much needed hug.  We got to see her work place.  Quite impressive printing equipment and her boss, Sterling, was so gracious in making us feel welcome.  We went to downtown Roswell and had drinks and chips (also, known as dinner.)  New drinks have been tested and are a find - Mango Mojitios.  Thiis stop could not go without a bit of driving with a Garman fun.  A word to the wise, "Never believe that when someone has on her blinker that it means she is turning.  You need to yell, turn."  But have no fear, we did a Stuart U-turn in front of all the gracious Atlanta drivers and laughed until we cried again.  When the crew wakes up, we are headed to Paducah, to see the Museum sans crowds, then to Springfield to visit Judie's daughter and Thursday eta CHICAGO.  Bye for now...pictures tomorrow. 

Martinique Arrives at the JaM Patch

Now some exciting news, we have finally received in Martinique by Three Sisters for Moda and it is wonderful.  It is perfect for our area of the country.

  http://www.unitednotions.com/fcc_Martinique.pdf  

 Imagine a romantic island retreat with lush tropical flora, cool island breezes, warm sunny beaches, and beautiful fabrics surrounding and covering comfortable rattan, Old World furnishing in deep dark mahogany, and cool patio furnishing. Now doesn't that sound like where we live and enjoy life. The hand of the fabric is great. The colors make you feel like a Caribbean retreat on the par with Tommy Bahama. It is the fabric line for us. The have a fabulous feature floral and an outstanding passiflora sundress fabric pattern in a category all its own as it boasts sophisticated botanical toile feature. There are coral branches that dance across the fabric. The tone on tone beauties with a vine pattern make for quite a unique fabric line. Earlier we received the pre-cuts and still have them available in jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm packs. We have cut fat quarters from the twenty-six bolts of fabric. We also have pintucks, chenille and a multi patchwork fabric that match the luscious colors. We have the Martinique Project sheet where one regal flower blooms in a field of muted color. The pattern is included for free with the purchase of the fabric. The quilt is 80" x 90".

Also, there is a pattern appear in the new McCall's Quilting magazine there is also a beautiful triangle quilt by Lissa Alexander of Moda using the line. That is pictured right below on a wrought iron bed. Are we excited or what!!!!

Out of Africa at the Patch

This is the company that always make us stop and stare.  It is Bigfork Bay Cotton Company with their exquisite realistic looking wall hangings.  We have carried them in the store for going on to three years and each year we think how can they out do last year and they do.  Well, this year is no exception.  we are lucky enough to have Tracey get us another wonderful Trunk Show and so they are here LIVE.  Here are some of the pieces that we have in the store for you to see the actual work.

His ears and trunks are separate from the background which makes him look more alive.  His ears feel so cool being seperate from the backgrounds.

 

 

 

Everyone loves this one.  What Mother doesn’t understand this look.  On this piece the leaves are lifted off the background.  This technique adds such a unique look to the piece.

 

Now I feel like I should say lions, tigers and bears, oh my.  Except I should be saying and zebras.

He is regal looking yet you can see him sitting on the Serengeti and look over all that he rules.  He has a knowing look as to his position – King of the Jungle.

 

His colors are so beautiful and the look in his eyes are like “dinner is being served.” 

 

 

 

His stripes make you want to but stripes.  But the piece we are drawn to as Americans is the Eagle called Spirit.  Don’t you agree he is something to behold. 

One Million Pillowcase Challenge – Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

 

Okay, this past five days we have been in the midst of our fourth birthday celebration and we decided that the happiest things to do is to help others, so we set up our first sewing day for the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge for Saturday, January 23rd at 11 am to 4 pm.  We thought it would be great if we completed 100 pillowcases but the volunteers were sewing wizards and completed 245.  Here are some shots of all the activities. 

 

Here is the store at the beginning of the day with a few pillowcases out for display.

 

The Classroom Annex was full with sewers and pillow cases were flying. 

 

There were pressers.

 

 

There were cutters and runners, oh my!

 

 

Here is the formal shot of most of the workers…what a great group.   We are so lucky to call them customers!

 

The shop really looked quite festive with all the pillow cases flapping in the breeze.   

There were other activities here at the shop for our Birthday.  A few shared projects they had done here at the store during the year.  Here are some to share. We hope you enjoy them.

 

 

 

 

And they came in many ways to the Birthday celebration.  Wheelchair and crutches didn’t stop her. 

But could we have had a birthday party without…….

Thank you for reading.  We are now beginning our fabulous FIVE!!!!!!!!

Our website is UP or LIVE as they say

Well, it took awhile….but we have a new, fresh and alive website.  We are so excited to be able to list our schedule and show you pictures of the various classes we offer.  This is the address www.jampatch.com.  Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think.  I know each and every blog needs pictures and so here are some of the samples we are taking to the Crazy Quilt Show in Port Saint Lucie on February 5th and 6th.  There are purses,  panels and kits, oh my!!!! Oops it is missing it’s button but you get the jest…it is a Newport bag using Mary Englbreit fabric. 

  This quilt makes us happy so we have it by the register.  It is a Buggy Barn pattern but done in bright Florida water colors.  Oh we wish we were sailing today.  It is glorious!!!!!

One of our favorite classes from 2009 is “Bling” and here is one on the wall before it was sewed together.  Well, bye for now. 

What’s New at the Patch

Happy New Year!  Can you believe it is already 2010.  What a cold wave we are undergoing and it feels wonderful.  We are trying something new….we are putting our class schedule here.  We hope this will be convenient for you.  We will soon be making an important announcement.

Schedule of classes and events:

JANUARY 2010

1 & 2 Closed for the New Year                                  4 Mon 9 – 12 Civil War Tribute BOM (1 of 12)           5 Tues 10 – 3 Open Sewing                                       6 Wed  10 – 3 Open Sewing                                      7 Thur 10 – 3 Beginner Machine  Quilting with Kathy  $40                                              8 Fri 10 – 3 Beginner Free Motion Quilting with Kathy $40                                                                         9 Sat 9:30 Patches Monthly Sampler                        9 11 – 4 Northern Lights Bargello with Nancy Smith VISITING TEACHER $75 (1 of 2)                         11 Mon 10 – 3 Machine Quilting Background Fillers with Kathy $40                                                        12 Tues 9 – 3 One Block Wonder with Margy $45 (1 of 2)                                                                       4 – 7 Minnesota Road Show Open House - free                                                                           13 Wed 9 – 12 Patches Monthly Sampler            

1 – 5 Minnesota Road Show Open House -free

5:30 – 8pm Beginning Piecing with Jackie (1 of 3) $50                                                                           14 Thur 9:30 – 12 Beginning Piecing with Jackie (1 of 3)   $50                                                                     15 Fri 10 – 2 Thimbleberries Club                           16 Sat 10 – 2 Thimbleberries Club                          18 Mon 10 – 3 Machine Quilting FEATHERS with Kathy  $40                                                             19 Tues 1 – 4 Americana Modern (1 of 8)                20 Wed 5:30 – 8 Beginning Piecing with Jackie (2 of 3)

21, 22 and 23 Celebrate the JAM PATCH BIRTHDAY

21 Thur 9:30 – 12 Beginning Piecing with Jackie (2 of 3)                                                                          22 Fri 9 – 3 Study the Masters with Michele CEZANNE $30 plus $5

23 Sat 9:30 Saturday Sampler

11 – 4 Join our Pajama Party “Pillow Case Challenge”

25 Mon 1pm Saturday Sampler 2010 repeated 

27 Wed 9 – 3 Memory Quilts with Michele (1 of 3) $120

5:30 – 8pm Beginning Piecing with Jackie (3 of 3)

28 Thur 9:30 – 12 Beginning Piecing with Jackie (3 of 3)

29 Fri 9 – 3 Flower in Vase with Michele $30

30 Sat Green Bag Day