Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Here comes the Holidays

Every single year the holidays come up and surprise me. I KNOW they are coming, I look forward to them coming, I start ordering holiday fabrics in May and yet I'm surprised every time.

Sue created a fun eco-friendly shopping bag this summer, Market to Market. It got such a great response we asked her to keep going. She has created Christmas and birthday versions. They are so fun that the Quilter Magazine picked up the Christmas version for their Holiday Edition.




We also are going to have our Holiday Gift Workshops again. You can purchase a kit and if you want, use our classroom space and help to complete it. We have not scheduled the days and times yet, but you can see the kits online.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Cast of Characters

The sign over our door might say Quilt Basket, but it is our employees, customers, friends and family that make this a business. This is a short bio on each one of us:

First there is Cathy, owner and chief bottle washer. She got into quilting over 30 years ago and has never looked back. She is talented, tireless, and helping plan her daughters wedding. We just try and stay out of her way.








Then there is Allan, Cathy's husband and Handi Quilter guru. He is man who is not afraid to stitch.

Sue is very talented and Cathy's right hand woman. She is mostly focused on Home Decor, and quilts. You can see her grandkids influence in patterns she creates. She also is constantly rearranging the store, which is great for the customers, but has the rest of the staff tripping until we get used to it.

Sue's quilts have been published in Fabric Trends and The Quilter.


Denise is Cathy's other right hand woman, equally talented and has a fashion to die for. She favors Asian fabrics, darker colors and more complex patterns. She is a marathon runner and has just sent her oldest off to college.

Denise's quilts have also been published in Fabric Trends and The Quilter Magazine.



Elaine is our sewing machine maven. She embroideries like nobody's business.

Linda has a taste for the detailed, putting her talent to use on Lone Stars, clothing and quilts with such meticulous instructions we are in awe.

Anne does the books. She knows her numbers and she knows if she makes a mistake Cathy will tell their dad!

Debby is an incredibly gifted teacher, quilter, writer and friend. We have published two of her books and look forward to the next one. Debby runs our very popular retreats and is always coming up with new ideas and projects.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Book Signing

The multi-talented Debby Brown held a book signing last week for her second book, Borders and Beyond. We had Mexican themed foods and a great turn out. Her first book, Beyond the Lines, was such a hit we knew a second book couldn't be far behind.

Signing for a fan
There are already some whispers of what her third book will focus on, but we're not telling... yet!
Young customer tasting the dip.

Debby's Book
The designer, the author, and the publisher

Getting Ready for Cooler Weather

The Autumnal Equinox is this week and we are having lots of fun getting ready for the cooler nights. Moda's Let It Snow line offers a great pattern for a quilt that will keep you toasty all winter long.

A simple 9 patch turned into a great winter quilt. I even put wool batting in to make the quilt extra toasty warm!