WOW Wednesday V

I'm so proud of myself - I remembered it was Wednesday AND I have a couple of different wow's to share with you! Just remembering is also a WOW!!  Gotta love old age!

First WOW to share is our Gettysburg quilt.  We have had 2 versions of this quilt. As you know, when we sell out of a kit, we will often remake the quilt in new fabrics.  This always depends upon whether Paula finds (or designs) a collection of fabrics that she feels will work with the quilt design.  The first Gettysburg featured Paula's Tavern Blues collection (oh how I loved that collection). The kits sold out pretty quickly too.  We were working on our Latimer Farms BOM quilt and Paula decided that the Latimer Farms collection would be a good match for the Gettysburg quilt. We like to offer a second option with a BOM fabric collection.  Not everyone wants to participate in a BOM program, but they like the fabrics and want to use them in another quilt.  

The second WOW for the Gettysburg kit is:  IT"S ON SALE! 25% OFF! Here's the link to the website:

         Gettysburg Kit - Sale  

Gettysburg is a square quilt and measures 72"x72", a perfect throw quilt size.  The Latimer Farms version features that yummy olivey green color as the sashing and uses the stripe as the inner border.  It was quilted by Sharon Dixon.  Here are some up close pictures to show off the blocks, the beautiful colors and gorgeous quilting.

WOW #3 is not quilt related.  I'm in upstate NY (Saratoga area) visiting my son, my dil and 2 beautiful granddaughters and we've had some time to check out the scenery.  I can honestly say that the colors are not as beautiful as they usually are at this time of year, but they've had some warm weather and you need cold nights to bring out the gorgeous reds and oranges that are the hallmark of Fall.  We took the girls to Lake George on Monday and Cohoes Falls on Wednesday (school holidays). Luckily the past 3 days have been absolutely beautiful - blue skies and temps in the 60's.  The photos of Lake George are from the top of Prospect Mountain. We had hoped to ride the Minnie Ha Ha again, but that didn't work out.  It was pretty cool on Monday, so I think it was probably a little too cold for a boat ride.

Cohoes Falls is actually very close to where they live, so it's a regular spot for us to visit.  Today was the first time that I read one of the informational signs and discovered that the big factory-like buildings that are now apartments were originally Harmony Mills. Built in 1872 on the bank of the Mohawk River, the mill complex (4 mills, office, powerhouse, picking building, dam, gatehouse by the falls and blocks of workers' housing) was the largest textile mill in the US and perhaps the world. Cohoes became known as the "Spindle City." I googled Harmony Mills when we got back to the house and the history was pretty interesting.  Who knew?? It wasn't a part of the New York State History that I learned, but then I'm not from this area of NY.

Cohoes Falls - the river is definitely low for this time of year.

WOW #4 - yes it is big day!  We have 10 kits on sale this week, so check them out:

   Kennesaw Mountain kit, Sophie kit, Cumberland Valley kit, Hampton kit, Soldier's  Waltz kit, New Market kit, Union Tents kit, Cabin Creek kit, and James River Red kit.

The sale runs through Saturday, October 16, so be sure to shop early for the best selection. Quantities are limited.

We're heading home tomorrow and rumor has it that the weather in St.Pete has cooled off a little.  I sure hope so.  I've enjoyed the much cooler weather here and want to enjoy some more of that. Next week I leave for Houston - pre-Market and Festival preparation. I think we're ready, but there's always something that pops up at the last minute.

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen

 

Fall Mystery BOW Week 6/Block 6

Yes folks, it's time for Week 6/Block 6!  We are flying right through this program! We want to thank everyone that has shared their blocks with us.  I can't wait to see your quilts; they are going to be beautiful!

Fall Mystery Block of the Week Week 6/Block 6 

To all of our customers/followers in the path of the storm: our thoughts are with you as you deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.  We hope you are all safe and sound in your homes and are just having to deal with debris in the yard.  Stay safe everyone.

Peter and I left St. Pete (no hurricane issues on the West Coast of Florida) on Friday morning and arrived in upstate NY to a beautiful sunny, 70's day.  I am loving this cooler weather and looking forward to getting the granddaughters out on Monday for a road trip to Lake George.  The best fall colors will be in the Adirondacks and what a better way to see them then on the Minne-Ha-Ha steamboat tour of Lake George! Quick visit to Cooperstown and some apple picking will round out the week!

If you aren't on our email list, then you haven't received our email about our Pre-Festival Inventory Reduction Sale. 25% off on select kits! The sale started Sunday, October 9th and will run through Saturday, October 16th.  Check it out!

                                                Red Crinoline Quilts

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen 

 

WOW Wednesday IV

Last week and it's crazies are finally over and we've moved on to a new week.  At least I'm managing to write the WOW Wednesday blog post.  I was heading to bed last Wednesday night when I realized I had forgotten to write our blog post!  It's still a little crazy around here, but I'm working on the last quilt we need for Market and Festival. It should be done tonight and in the mail to our quilter tomorrow. Finishing it required outer border fabric and backing fabric; both of which were in a box that Paula shipped to me on Saturday. We tracked the package and sure enough it was stuck in the North Houston postal center. It was on track to be delivered today, but mail isn't delivered to my home until late afternoon. I was so desperate to get it and get the quilt finished that I drove around my neighborhood until I found my postal woman!! Little did I know that my neighborhood is big enough to have at least 5 different postal routes and how do I know this you ask - I met at least 4 of the drivers today!

Let's get to today's WOW Wednesday feature - RCQ's Favorites #3.  For the past 3 years, we have introduced an RCQ's Favorites pattern at Fall Festival in Houston. It's 1 pattern that contains the directions for 3 small/mini quilts. We also make kits for each of these small quilts.  Patterns are available for RCQ's Fav's 1 and RCQ's Fav's 2, but today I'm focusing on RCQ's Fav's 3 and it's kits.

 Red Crinoline's Favorites Collection No. 3 pattern

Spinning Star Wall Quilt measures 25" x 39" and is shown in navy and brown - 2 of my favorite colors! The backing is also included in this kit.
                                                Spinning Star Wall Quilt kit

Friendship Star Quilt measures 49" x 49" and this lovely French Country styled quilt features fabrics from Paula's Companions collection  -  country blue and gray.

Friendship Star Quilt kit

Leftover Stars Quilt measures 28" x 28" and is probably my favorite. The fabrics are the light browns and blacks from Paula's Davenport Gardens collection (also one of of my favorite collections). Backing is included in the kit.

Leftover Stars Quilt kit

Our dear friend Pat and I pieced these quilts and the beautiful quilting was done by Cathy and Pat.  We call on Gloria's daughter Heather for the photography and staging for these little quilts.  I think most of the staging is actually done at Gloria's house with her treasure trove of antiques and vintage items.

I've finished the 3 quilts that will be RCQ's Favs #4, Pat has quilted them and Heather has photographed them, so be sure to watch for RCQ's Favorites #4 on our website in November.  You're going to love these little quilts too.

You're probably wondering why I had to finish that quilt by tomorrow when there's still a couple of weeks before Market - well, we're leaving for NY on Friday and will be there for a week. It's time for some family time and hopefully some cooler Fall weather and colors!

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen

Fall Mystery BOW Week 5/Block 5

Here we are with Week 5/Block 5 of the Fall Mystery Block of the Week.  It's hard to believe it's halfway over. Are you thinking about how we're going to arrange these blocks or are you planning to do a design of your own? I'm looking forward to seeing your reaction to our setting and also your designs.  Here's Week 5/Block 5:

Fall Mystery BOW Week 5/Block 5

I've enjoyed reading your comments and it looks like we'll plan on doing something like this again. We usually do such big quilts, that it was really nice to do something a little smaller.  That doesn't eliminate the chance of a big quilt though.  We'll have to see what Paula is moved to do next!

I thought I would share some more blocks from people using their own fabrics. Please feel free to send us your photos.  Not everyone is using 1800's reproduction fabrics, so I love to see everyone's color and fabric choices.

I love Catherine's color choices and background selections.

I'm guessing that Cindy is leaning towards a Christmas quilt. Love her colors!

We've had a few comments about the size of the squares we have you cut when you are making HST's.  Yes, these squares are larger (3 1/4") than what many other designers may have you cut, but we like to give you enough fabric to insure you end up with a perfect HST. This size allows for variations in cutting and seam allowance and provides a good amount for trimming off. We've also provided enough fabric in your kits, so you are not in jeopardy of running out of fabric.

I have another busy week to look forward to and then it's off to NY for the weekend to see family.  Hopefully we'll have some beautiful fall weather.  I'm dreaming about fall colors, apple picking, apple cider and cool crisp days! 

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen

 

Crazy Week

Last week was an absolutely crazy week for both Paula and I.  We each had great weekends - retreat for me, Georgia football for Paula (yes, they lost, but she had a great time anyway), but then it went a little south from there. We're on so many deadlines: Market, Festival, book, etc. that any little glitch throws us into a dizzy. At one point last week, Paula couldn't send or receive email, the post office had lost a small quilt, I miscut one of the fabrics for a re-do quilt, I forgot to write the WOW Wednesday post and that's just the top 4 issues! But all is right in RCQ world again.  Paula has email, the little quilt was found, I found more of the fabric I had miscut and the quilt will be done in time and all of you survived without WOW Wednesday!

The topic for last week for the Marcus Designers was: your favorite quote, and here's what Paula has to say:
  My Granny Waller was a quilter.  She died before I started quilting, but I often wish I could ask her questions and share the love of making something with our hands that can be passed on to the next generation.
  She quilted with a group of ladies from her tiny country church.  They set up a frame in one room of the church and set around this square frame quilting, telling stories and I'm sure, settling the problems of the world as they saw it. I have a short 5 minute video from one of these meetings and I treasure that little glimpse into her life.
  My granny was very down to earth and generous to a fault. Everyone in her small community, from the oldest to the youngest, knew who she was. (ME here: Paula has told me wonderful stories of how her granny cooked a big meal every Sunday and anyone from the community was welcome to come and eat).
  I remember, when I was a little girl, asking her if I was pretty. She told me, "Pretty is, as pretty does." I've always remembered that quote and tried to live by it.  The lesson I learned from that is to be kind to others and that it's what's inside you that counts and not your physical appearance that matters the most.
   I sure do miss her and think of her often when I am working on a quilt.

Thank you Granny Waller for those wonderful words to live by. 

Here's to a calmer week for this week!  Monday is Fall Mystery BOW Week 5/Block 5; I will try to remember to actually post on WOW Wednesday; and now that I have the fabric I will actually be able to finish the re-do of New Market!

Until next time, happy quilting,
Mary Ellen

Fall Mystery Block of the Week 4/Block 4

Our title Fall Mystery Block of the Week is now official!!  Fall is here!! Are you seeing any signs?  I live in Florida, so trust me, there's no signs of Fall here.  According to weather statistics, we are having a hotter summer than previous years!  Who knows when cooler weather will ever get here!  I'll stop my whining now and without further adieu, here is Week 4/Block 4 and check it out - no pinwheels!!

Fall Mystery Block of the Week - Week 4/ Block 4

I usually write the post for the Fall BOW on Sunday and schedule it to post on Monday morning, but this one required a lot of pre-planning between Paula and I. Paula has to provide me with the link and then post it on the website. I will be at our retreat in Camp Blanding this weekend and I didn't want to have to worry about WiFi service and time away from friends and sewing.  Paula is going to be at the Ole Miss/Georgia football game in Oxford and didn't want to have to worry about bringing her computer and of course, missing any of the game or other festivities. It's all a matter of priorities! You should all be very impressed that this all came together before we headed out for our respective trips.  Sometimes things actually work the way you plan them! 

Thank you for all of your kind comments about this BOW.  Have you enjoyed this?  Would you like us to do it again? We would appreciate hearing from you.

Well, time to finish packing and get ready for the retreat.  Phyllis is on her way and then we will pack the car, get some lunch and get on the road.  Sonny's for dinner tonight!!

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen

Paula's Pets

This week's topic for the Marcus Designers is Pets and Paula has some adorable ones. When Paula's daughter Amy decided she wanted a dog, she did her research and convinced her parents that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were the dogs for them and they were a perfect match for the Barnes' family.

Personally I love their coloring and their beautiful eyes!  Lucy was the first Cavalier to make her home with Paula.

Lucy had 2 litters while at Paula's house. Teddy, the only other male in the Barnes's household besides JR, was first.  JR always said that Teddy upped the "manliness" factor. Teddy was also the only Cavalier that wasn't black and white.  This picture was taken in Paula's sewing room.  Teddy would sit in that chair while she sewed and if she got up to get something, he would have to get up and follow her.

Katie was from litter #2 and earned the title of "Paula's favorite".  She was the sweetest dog and at times thought she was human.

Claire is the last of the Cavaliers and she came to Paula as a mature dog.  This picture with Paula's granddaughter Sophie is very accurate because according to Paula, Claire thinks she is a princess!

It was our daughter Megan that led us to owning a dog.  She was deathly afraid of dogs, so we thought owning a dog would help with that and it worked.  Our breed was Keeshonds and we owned 4 of them, but it's my daughter Caitlin's dog that I'm going to share.  Each of my kids have adopted rescue dogs, but Copper wins for handsomest. His reddish color is a true show stopper.  Caitlin has even had women stop and ask for a snippet of his fur to take to their hair colorist!  We joke because he is also a perfect Florida dog because he likes to sun himself!

If you've seen any of our quilts in person, you would have noticed that they come with some dog fur! That's just the way it is when you have pets! I'm sure many of you understand!

Until next time, happy quilting,
Mary Ellen