Big News!

Wow, another blog post, what's happening?? Actually all sorts of things are happening and have happened, so it's time to get you caught up on the fun.

Paula and I had a great time at the retreat last week. We sewed, we made a bowl out of clothesline, we ate some fabulous meals, we enjoyed happy hour with a great group of ladies and we relaxed.  Paula is off on another retreat this week - yup, 2 in a row.  She's with Deb Luttrell and some friends that cruise with Stitchin' Heaven and they are at Mary's Cimarron Ranch retreat in Marble Falls. Beautiful house and History Quilts, a quilt store chock full of 1880's reproduction fabric.  I can't wait to see what "surprises" Paula is bringing me back from there. Now I mentioned making a bowl out of clothesline at the last retreat and if you follow Stitchin' Heaven on Facebook, Deb did a Facebook Live this afternoon with Paula demo-ing one of the clothesline bowls.  This is Paula's new fun craft and the bowls are fabulous.  The FB Live shows some of the bowls she's already made and one in progress.

This is clothesline she is using.  

It is only available at Walmart (it's a Walmart product) and you want the Hyper Tough - it makes the bowls/baskets stiffer so they will stand up.  Regular clothesline is too soft. It's absolutely impossible to find this in the store, but if you go online and order it you can do a store pickup (apparently they know right where to go). In the FB Live, you will see some bowls with color, she's dyed these using Rit dye in a bucket. Follow Paula's demo and you shouldn't have a problem making one or more of these. Trust me, they are addicting.

Big news - Book #2 will arrive in Spring 2019!! Step Back in Time will feature new large and smaller projects in reproduction fabrics. Martingale just sent us the book cover and we can share it with you. We just worked on editing, so we got to see what the book will actually look like and again the wonderful people at Martingale have done a fabulous job.  We're so excited. 

More news - Last time I mentioned that we were going to do another Block of the Week this year and it is time to share some of the details. We will begin in mid-August and it will run for 10 weeks. The quilt showcases Paula's Bristle Creek Farmhouse fabric collection and will use one of our patterns. We will have a limited number of kits available. Paula is coming here next week for another retreat, yes another retreat, and our plan is to do some video recordings for the program and we will share a picture of the quilt and the details for ordering kits.

Last, but not least, our very own retreat:

Red Crinoline Quilts and Olde Green Cupboard Designs

November 13-19, 2018

Primitive Gatherings Retreat House

Menasha, WI

visits to: Primitive Gatherings Christmas Open House

JJ Stitches Quilt Shop

 Country Sampler Quilt Shop

2 new Paula Barnes quilt designs

day of demos

Olde Green Cupboard Designs.com - registration form and info

Limited spaces still available.  We would love to spend some time with you. Personally, I'll be looking forward to some cooler weather!

The list of new quilts and re-do's is growing, so I should have plenty to work on at the retreat. I always plan to just work, work, work, put time with friends leads to laughing, joking and relaxing, so I never achieve quite as much as I hoped!

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen

What's Happening at RCQ

Yes indeed it's time for another Red Crinoline Quilts blog post and yes I know it's been months since the last one, but trust me we've both been busy - traveling, teaching, designing, sewing, planning and relaxing. We've done a lot of planning lately and it involves new quilts, new fabrics, new programs, new events; so now it's time to share some of the stuff we've been planning.

Head's Up, a new Block of the Week!  Everyone enjoyed our last BOW and requested we do another one, so we are. We will be sharing more info at the end of this week, so watch for our next blog post. We may even include a picture!

Next: a new event! Red Crinoline Quilts and Olde Green Cupboard Designs are hosting a retreat at Lisa Bongean's Retreat house in Menasha, WI.  Paula will be teaching classes featuring 2 new small quilt designs (kits will be provided at no additional cost) and Mary Ellen will be demo-ing fun tools. In addition, we've planned shopping time at Primitive Gatherings Christmas Open House and a day trip for more retail therapy to Country Sampler Quilt Shop and JJ's Stitches Quilt Shop. Mark your calendars for November 13-19, 2018. We hope you can join us!!!  We promise it will be a lot of fun! For more information, details and the all important registration form, please click on this link:

Red Crinoline Quilts Wisconsin Retreat

Next: we've been working on all sorts of new and re-do quilts.  Watch the website for a mini version of Lincoln's Watch, a new color variation of Lydia and quilts featuring Paula's new collection Baltimore House.

Finally: we're getting in some much needed recharging time, so we're heading out tomorrow for a retreat. This time I traveled to Paula's and we're going to a retreat in TX. The projects have been selected, the snacks have been purchased and the car is packed. 

Until next time, happy quilting,
Mary Ellen

We're Traveling

Did you ever have one of those days when you just didn't feel like doing much of anything? Well, today was that day for me. My house is totally quiet - which is kind of strange because last week we had a houseful! Son, daughters, spouses, grandchildren and dogs - 10 people and 2 dogs - and now they are all gone! That's probably why I'm feeling a little out of sorts, but the mail just came and it has all changed and it's thanks to a box from Country Sampler of Spring Green, WI.  What's in the box you ask?  Why fabric, of course!

Let me take the story back a little bit and also explain the title of today's post - We're Traveling! Paula is teaching at Country Sampler's Grand Olde Flag event in May and I'm going with her!  Teaching assistant, quilt holder, needle threader, you name it, I'm it. There is no way I'm missing out on a trip to Jeanne's place! (Look out UPS - you're going to have some big boxes to ship in May!)

First some details on the event: click on the link and it will take you to the Coming Events section on Country Sampler's website.  Page down until you come to the section on Grand Olde Flag for more info. Call to sign up.  We'd love to have you join us!

  Grand Olde Flag

May 7-11, 2018

Country Sampler, Spring Green, WI

Teachers: Paula Barnes and Carol Hopkins

608 588-2510

The color theme for this year is Indigo and Gray and that's why I'm so excited now.  Paula will be teaching two of her newest designs: Indigo Star and Irish Chain (RCQ Favs #5) and we are redoing them in indigo and gray fabrics that Jeanne has selected and I get to make the new samples!! These are the fabrics that you will receive in your kits, if you sign up.

How about some details on the quilts:
  Indigo Stars is 24"x24" and originally featured fabrics from Paula's Indigo Blue collection.

These are the fabrics that will be used in Indigo Stars for the Grand Olde Flag event

 Irish Chain is 35"x35" and it is one of three patterns on RCQ Favs #5 and it was originally pieced in fabrics from Paula's Bristle Creek Farmhouse collection.

These are the fabrics for the new version of Irish Chain

It's been a busy month or so around here.  In addition to having a houseful of company last week, I just got back from 5 weeks in Australia and New Zealand! Absolutely fabulous trip and I'll probably need to go back some time and visit all the places we didn't get too! I'm looking forward to spending some time with my old friends, my Bernina 440 and my TV (I have a lot of DVR'd shows I need to catch up on)!  These two new quilts fit that bill perfectly and can we say yummy fabrics!!

If you can't come to Wisconsin, but would love to make these quilts, we have kits available in the original fabrics.  Click on these links for patterns and kits for both quilts:

    Indigo Stars 

   

    Irish Chain (RCQ Favs #5)

Hope we get to see some of you in Wisconsin.  If you've never been to Country Sampler, it's time you checked it out.  It's like being in Quilter Paradise! I'm still working my way through the kits I purchased the last time we were there!  Definitely boosted the Wisconsin economy on that trip!

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen 

 

Paula's on the Road

Happy New Year!!!  It's certainly been a long time since I last posted and so much has happened since then.  We've been through International Quilt Market and Festival (both a huge success), one case of the flu, Thanksgiving, one move (Paula), Christmas, New Year's, cold weather for warm places (Mary Ellen and Paula), the introduction of our Bristle Creek Farmhouse BOM program (another huge success), and the writing of a new book - whew, I'm exhausted reading all of that!! We're looking forward to a great 2018!

We have so many things planned for this year and I will try to keep you better informed about them, but first up, Paula is on the road and you can find her in Jefferson, TX at the Jefferson Quilt Show, "Quilts on the Bayou". This is the 15th anniversary of this wonderful quilt show and Paula is the guest lecturer. The show is Friday - Sunday, January 26-28 at the Jefferson Institute in Jefferson, TX. Paula's lecture and trunk show will be Saturday, January 27th at noon and her topic is: "History from the 1800"s".  You'll have the chance to see some of our favorite quilts up close and personal.

Jefferson, TX sits on the banks of the Big Cypress Bayou and is known as the Belle of the Bayou. Offering a look back into 19th century Texas, Jefferson's brick paved streets and antebellum homes carry guests back to a time past. It's numerous attractions, beautiful overnight accommodations and great restaurants have earned it a new nickname, the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas. We were vendors at the quilt show for a number of years and always enjoyed what Jefferson has to offer - great restaurants, beautiful B and B's and fun things to do.  If you go, be sure to check out the great antique shops and the Gone With the Wind Museum.

We traveled all over the US for quilt shows and have eaten in many great and unique restaurants, but probably one at the top of our list is right there in Jefferson, Kitt's Kornbread Sandwich and Pie Bar! Sandwiches served on cornbread! Can we just say yummy?? My favorite is the ham and cheese on broccoli cornbread.  We liked this place so much that if we were going to be passing through the area, we would make sure it was lunch time! 

My favorite - ham and cheese on broccoli cornbread

So, if you're in the area, check out Jefferson and the Quilts on the Bayou Quilt Show. Stop by and see Paula's trunk show and here the history of some of our quilts, check out an antique shop or two, visit a museum and grab a cornbread sandwich.  It will be well worth your time!

If you haven't had a chance, visit our website and check out our newest patterns and quilts.  Red Crinoline Quilts. Now, while Paula is dazzling them in Jefferson, I'll be hanging with my peeps at our retreat at Camp Blanding in Starke, FL. Time to plan my projects and start packing!

Until next time, happy quilting, 
Mary Ellen

It's Big Sale Time

Did you know that there is a website that lists all of the "special" days for each month - National Cookie Day, National Shoe Day, Columbus Day, etc? Paula found it and would you believe that October 15th is "I Love Lucy Day"? So in honor of I Love Lucy Day, we are going to have a BIG SALE!!

Monday, October 9th - Sunday, October 15th, 

 20% off your entire order

 www.redcrinolinequilts.com

  Enter the code: I Love Lucy

Planning this sale got us thinking about that show and some of Lucy's greatest adventures: the chocolate on the conveyor belt and the grape stomping to name just a couple.  She certainly had a knack for getting herself in some trouble. There were times when we were on the road traveling to and from quilt shows that we were channeling our inner Lucy and Ethel.  

Paula has no problem backing up the trailer into just about any space and I usually just act as a guide - someone to aim for! (Some day I am going to get the vest and those flashlights that they use at airports!) On one trip we decided to do a little sightseeing up this nice country road.  Well needless to say, we realized halfway up this hill that this probably wasn't a very good idea. We had no clue where this road was going to lead us - someone's driveway -  so we decided to turn around and get back on the main road.  You don't just turn around a truck and trailer on a narrow country road with ditches on each side; instead you back down the road and turn your tail end to the right so you can pull forward and go in the opposite direction, to that main road you decided to leave!  For some reason the trailer was not cooperating and all my "Paula you need to go to the right" screams weren't helping, in fact they were just making Paula more upset. I had visions of the trailer ending up in one of those ditches.  Finally Paula decided she just had to let the trailer go the left and we would go down this road in the opposite direction of where we planned.  We had no clue what was at the end of the road and if we would finally be able to turn the trailer around. Well as luck would have it, the road dead ended in someone's farm!!  We pulled in, smiled our sweetest smiles to the whole family that had come out to see who had come for a visit (remember Paula is a Southern gal, so she has some real skills in this department) and graciously asked them if we could turn around in their front yard!! The gentlemen assisted in directing us and we were out of there and back on the road in a matter of minutes. Lucy and Ethel for sure!!  After that we decided to just stick with the Garmin - no more adventures! I swear sometimes we are doing a standup comedy routine!

Remember, it's 20% off your entire order!!  That includes Patterns, Notions and Kits. Check out some of the kits you'll find there.

Hampton Ridge BOM complete kit

Hampton kit

Hampton close up

Hampton Close up

Banks Retreat - featuring Paula's Heritage Reds collection

Kennesaw Mountain

Kennesaw Mountain close up

Kennesaw Mountain close up

If it's on the website, it's 20 % off. Shop early, shop often!! Some quantities are limited.

Until next time, happy quilting,

Mary Ellen 

Harvey Update and Other News

 

First up - We want to thank all of you for your concern about Paula and Hurricane Harvey. As many of you know, Red Crinoline Quilts is based in Houston and both Paula and I lived in Katy, TX at one point, but now I'm in St.Petersburg, FL and Paula is outside of Houston in Richmond. I don't know about you, but I've spent the last 5 days glued to the TV as I watched Harvey destroy Houston and its surrounding towns.  I felt totally helpless. I had so many friends over there and all I could do was watch and worry.  I've been in constant contact with Paula and our friends and fortunately the majority of them made it through the storm unscathed. Next up is to see how our warehouse survived!!  Keep your fingers crossed on that one for us. -UPDATE: Paula checked the warehouse and it is dry!!!! You can uncross your fingers now!

Houston was hit with a crushing blow and it will take a long time for it to recover from this, but Houstonians are strong and they will bring it back - bigger and better - it's a Texas thing!! If you are wondering what you can do, may I suggest making a donation to one of the numerous charities that are there to help them. 

Next up - have you seen Martingale Publishing's newest book - The Big Book of Civil War Quilts?  It was just released and features 58 patterns for reproduction fabric lovers; patterns that have been in previously published books. I quickly browsed through when my copy arrived and there are some great quilts in here!! We are very lucky to have 2 of our quilts from Tributes and Treasures in this book. Wheatland is on page 36 and Plantation Road is on page 144. It's always so exciting to see our quilts in print.  Guess I'll have to visit my local JoAnn's and have my silent moment of celebrity.  Maybe I'll take my niece with me; she's very good with the whole: "Aunt ME are you in this book?  Is this one of your quilts?"  You just have to train them right!!

Wheatland

Plantation Road

Reminder - Paula is teaching 3 classes at Stitchin' Heaven in Mineola, TX.  Space is still available, so sign you!  I guarantee you'll have a great time AND make a beautiful quilt or three!
  

    September 21 - Heritage Stars - Blue

   September 22 - Lizzie's Scrap Bag

September 23 - Old City Gate 

Last up - Our newest BOM - Bristle Creek Farmhouse!  This will be coming to your local and online quilt stores very soon.  The quilt is done and now I'm preparing the shop kits for shipment next week.  Quilt stores will be sharing pictures and starting signups.  The program will begin in January 2018. Hope you will join us for this beauty!

Bristle Creek Farmhouse BOM - 95"x95"

Time to head to my sewing machine!!

Until next time, happy quilting,
Mary Ellen

We've Been Busy

So, I just sat down to write a new blog post and thought I should probably go back and reread my last post and I was just a little shocked that it was from March 7, 2017!  Wow, where has the time gone and just what have I accomplished in the past 4 months.  Honestly, quite a lot - visits with family, a new BOM, book quilts, business quilts, 3 weeks in Paris and London, quilt retreats with friends, AND a new grandson!!! I'll share details on all of this in just a moment, but I want to share an upcoming event for you to add to your calendar.

Paula will be teaching at Stitchin' Heaven Quilt Shop in Mineola, TX in September, 2017. Many of you have joined us on Deb's quilt cruises, but this time Paula will be teaching on land!! September 21-23, 2017 and for all you Texans, it's right in your backyard! Each day will be a different quilt and kits are available from Stitchin' Heaven.  What more could you want!! Check out these dates and the quilts. To sign up for classes and order a kit, click on the highlighted quilt name for a link to the Stitchin' Heaven website page.

Heritage Stars - Blue 

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Lizzie's Scrap Bag

Friday, September 22, 2017

Old City Gates

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Class space is limited, so sign up quickly!  Take one class, or sign up for all three!!

So just what have we been doing since March, apparently a whole lot.  Business-wise, Paula has designed a new fabric collection that will be featured in our new BOM program that will begin in January, 2018.  The collection and BOM are both called Bristle Creek Farmhouse and the Marcus Fabrics' sales reps are already introducing them to your local quilt shop owners.  So far the response has been fantastic.  Shops that are participating in the BOM program will receive their shop kits in September, so you will start seeing posters and sample blocks very soon after that. The first quilt is done, so here are a couple of pictures to whet your appetite!

Fortunately Paula was able to come to Florida in April so we could work on the BOM quilt. My bin of business quilts was slightly depleted before this visit, but it's back up to full capacity again. There are quilts for book #2 in there and some inventory quilts as well. Also in the design stage are some additional quilts featuring the Bristle Creek Farmhouse collection.  Watch for these at Fall Festival in Houston.

Peter and I traveled in May and June this year with a 3 week trip to London and Paris - 1 week in London, 1 week in Paris and 1 week on an Avalon River cruise on the Seine. I honestly think we walked all over London and Paris!!  My Fitbit was in overdrive.  We had a fantastic time, but were eager to get home for the arrival of our 3rd grandchild, but 1st grandson.  Adam Christopher arrived on June 16.  All 8 lbs, 2 oz and 21 1/2" of him.  This boy is long and has some big feet and definitely takes after his daddy.  Mommy, Daddy and Adam are all doing well.  I arrived in Louisville in time for his arrival and was able to spend 10 days with them.  Boy, do I miss my little man!! 

Well, it's time to hit the sewing machine!!

Until next time, happy quilting!

Mary Ellen