Friday, May 14, 2010

May 24 Monday

is the day we will say bon voyage to Leslie Kiger. She is moving out of state and will be sorely missed by all of us at Bright Hopes Quilting.

If you would like to stop by and send her off, (or be like me and try to chain to a tree right here so she can't leave) (really, I could use the help) she'll be at the shop from 10:00 - 1:00 pm.

Mark Your Calendar- July 20

and stop by the shop to ask for your charm squares. Bright Hopes Quilting is giving to participants a selection of charms to be used in a small quilt of your own design. Why?

Because July 20 is Lollipop Day. Really! National Lollipop Day. Well, who knew?

History

The idea of a hard candy on a stick is fairly simple, and it is probable that the lollipop has been invented and reinvented numerous times. The word "lolly-pop" dates to 1784, but initially referred to soft, rather than hard candy. The term probably derived from the term "lolly" (tongue) and "pop" (slap). The first references to the lollipop in its modern context date to the 1920s.

The first confectioneries that closely resemble what we call lollipops date to the Middle Ages, when the nobility would often eat boiled sugar with the aid of sticks or handles. The invention of the modern lollipop is still something of a mystery, but a number of American companies in the early 20th century have laid claim to it.


Well, okay, don't take MY word for it. You can go here to read more about the holiday and get inspired to join the fun. Pearl is going to hang the mini-quilts in celebration of National Lollipop Day July 20, 2010.

We'll up-date on the blog and our newsletter the return date but as supplies are limited and distributed on a First Come basis, don't wait too long to get your charms!

Monday, May 10, 2010

We Have A Winner!!!

Pearl pulled the first name from the pail. Irene Plaisance is April's winner of a $25.00 Gift Certificate.

Congratulations, Irene!

Don't forget to fill out a form when you checkout. We'll have a new winner at the end of each month.

Monday, May 3, 2010

lollipop lollipop

oohhh lalalalollipops!


WhatEVER can this mean?


hmmmmmm

things that make you go........

Sunday, May 2, 2010

GSQA Heads UP!

For anyone out there who has intentions of submitting a quilt to the Gulf States Quilting Association show, "Treasures of the Gulf States"......... Tueday, May 4 is the deadline for your entries to be postmarked. If you need an entry form, we have them at the shop or you can download them and find out all the information at the GSQA website.

The show runs from Jun 18-20 at the Oak Harbor Center in Slidell, Louisiana.

See you at the show!

A Rundown of Upcoming Classes

Here's a reminder of 3 NEW classes coming up in the Month of May!

Celeste Chabert has the X-Block under construction with these sweet soft pastels and applique
(Click on the photo for a close-up)


This class in Thursday, May 6












Mary Gerardi has made this close-up of batik beauty, Emerald Forest, and is teaching the class Monday May 10













The Snowball is a "fun and done" quilt as you go class on Tuesday, May 25.





















Finally, no class as of yet but for your viewing pleasure, here's a beautiful quilt made of Asian fabrics called Conundrum.

Eleanor Burns Has Done It Again!


Those of you who know me will also know that the subject of Eleanor Burns' new book, Quilt Blocks on American Barns combines two of my "favorite things", quilts and farmlife.

We have just received a shipment of this wonderful book (and yes, I made off with one!) and I can't wait to start on my next quilt.
As you can see from the cover, there are lots (16) of blocks and what you can't see is many more projects to incorporate the blocks in, whether it's a wall-hanging size of full bed quilt.

There are photos of the barns that have inspired the book, as well and history of the naming of certain blocks and her trademark plethora of photographic step-by-step techniques. That makes for a wonderful tutorial for quilters of all skill levels and Ms Burns has blocks here from easy up to challenging. There's even a recipe for blackberry cobbler. (OKAY! and I just picked a small cup's worth of blackberries yesterday. Maybe not enough yet for the cobbler but they're out there ripening!)

The book is overflowing with finished projects to inspire anyone with a yen for sewing up the country life to make a real homespun quilt. $29.99