Good morning!  Just a quick note this morning - we (H2H) vended at the Gaylord quilt guild's quilt show this past weekend at TreeTops resort in Gaylord.  It was a beautiful show - filled with great quilts, wonderful quilters, vendors and beautiful colors - indoors and out.  I just want to say thank you to all of the guild members.  This guild does so much for others - food pantry, new moms and babies - just to name a couple of things - but it just proves what I have thought for a long time - that quilters are sooooo very generous and giving.  Always willing to reach out to others and comfort them with the warmth of some beautiful quilts.  Keep up the good work quilters!  And thanks for inviting us to participate.

Good morning all!  We - (Hearts To Holly aka Mike and Sue) went to the UP of Michigan this past weekend and it was like taking a step back and taking in some absolutely beautiful scenery.  We were actually supposed to be working - vending at a quilt retreat co-hosted by Carolyn Hubbard and Sandy Carruthers.  There were about 60 quilters for the weekend.  They came in on Friday afternoon/evening and most departed Monday morning after brunch although some had to leave on Sunday because of work, etc.  The retreat was held just east of Cedarville at Cedar Campus in a beautiful lodge surrounded by Lake Huron on one side and woods on the other.  Cabins of various sizes decorated the landscape surrounding the lodge.  The mornings were crisp and the days filled with warming sunshine that bounced off the beautiful red and yellow leaves and sparkled like diamonds on the water.  Evenings were lit with the glowing moon and candles floating on the water.  The creativity of the quilters, the sharing that took place and the feeling of community spread in and around the entire facility and kept smiles on faces 24/7.  So was it work - I don't think I could call it that by any stretch of the imagination! 

Sunday evening we all went down to the lake and sent off candles in their own little "boats" that carried our thoughts, our hopes, our prayers on the subtle waves of Lake Huron with the full moon watching from its perch over the trees.

My wish for each of you is that you all get to experience a retreat such as this at least once but once a year would be even better!

Happy Quilting!

Good morning! A few weeks back Hearts To Holly vended at the AQS show in Grand Rapids.  What a great show - the quilts in all of the different exhibits were beautiful!  We saw one quilt (pictured) from the Japanese exhibit that had over 6000 tiny yoyos - it was beautiful but I can't believe the time that took!








We got lots of compliments on our booth, had lots of visitors and really enjoyed seeing everyone.  There were so many good things to see and I know that by the end of the day everyone was really tired.  If you missed the show this year the good news is that it will be back next year August 14 through the 17 at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids so mark your calendar now.





We are vending this weekend at Cedar Campus in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It is an absolutely beautiful place - right on Lake Huron.  We can't wait to spend the weekend there with 60+ quilters.  Should be a relaxing and inspiring weekend.  Will post some pictures next week.

It's July!  Hope everyone has celebration in their plans for the 4th!  There should be some great parades, some loud fireworks and some really delicious picnics too!  Hearts To Holly is going to be closed on the 4th so we can enjoy all of those but we are celebrating the 4th early and late at the shop - on the 3rd and the 5th, if you buy three items, the 4th is Free - item of equal or lesser value will be the free one.  So get all of the same thing or mix and match and enjoy the 4th with us!

Here are two of our youngest quilters.  They purchased their fabric last summer and brought the completed quilt tops back today to show us!  What great work they did!  They are 7 and 10 years of age and the 7 year old is now doing some hand quilting - they are so proud and they should be!  And just like seasoned quilters, they brought their projects along on vacation.  I think quilting is going to be in good hands!  Their mom is their quilting instructor and obviously she is doing a fantastic job. 

They are looking for some fabric now to do a bag - don't you just love it?


Have fun, enjoy the holiday and happy quilting!

Good morning - been a long time I know but I need your help - please see information below and if you can I sure would appreciate you taking a few minutes to vote for us - thanks and I will be back - sooner rather than later - thanks in advance!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES LIKE US!

Thanks to a program sponsored by Chase and LivingSocial called Mission: Small Business, your support could translate into a $250,000 grant. But we need at least 250 votes to qualify.

We just started our campaign yesterday because we just heard about this amazing opportunity and we need to reach 250 votes by THIS Saturday, June 30th to qualify.   I know this doesn't give you much notice or time  but we are asking for your help to reach our goal!

Here is HOW:

• go to www.missionsmallbusiness.com and click "Support"
• Find our business, Hearts To Holly Quilt and Gift Shop, LLC in the local listings and vote for us!  If you have trouble finding us, just search state of Michigan - City of Charlevoix and look for us.
  
• Please ask your friends to vote too.
  

You must have a facebook account to vote as that is the only way to login. If you are not on facebook...Join us!

Thank you all for being loyal customers. We value your business and thank you for all your support for the last 4 years. This grant would directly benefit you and our community, by helping us expand our horizons!

Don't delay...Vote Today! Deadline is Saturday!

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day - maybe a little warm - in the 90's - but a nice breeze and in the shade having a celebration with family and friends it was a perfect "summer" day.   We were celebrating the First Communion and Confirmation of our great niece, Kadience.  My sister Viv - who some of you know as the "best treat provider ever" at our Friday morning  Chatter Time  hosted the picnic for her granddaughter.  We had great food - no surprise there - good company and just a relaxing day.  For dessert we had an assortment of cupcakes and I could not resist taking a picture of Kaidence's sister, Addison enjoying one of her Grandma's treats.  This week should be a great week - lots going on - always something happening - take time to enjoy the little things!  Happy Quilting!

May Day

Happy May Day!  I was thinking back to last year's May Day and was remembering how giddy we were with excitement - the Quilt Sampler magazine had just arrived and we were in it and on the cover - who would have thought?  We are still so thrilled that we had that great opportunity and all because we have such great customers that support us in our ever challenging endeavors!  Thank you!  We just received the Quilt Sampler Spring 2012 and know that those 10 shops that are in this issue are flying high and hope they enjoy the ride - it is great!
                                                                    







There are lots of things going on at the shop - we will be doing our fabric challenge soon, we are vending at a quilt show at the Roseville Recreation Center down state this weekend and getting ready for Quilter's Cruizine May 14.  Our days seem to fly by but they are good days!  We have been fortunate to be able to take some time to see some of our granddaughter's softball games and even help her celebrate her 16th birthday.  It just keeps getting better!

Have fun, enjoy your stitching tme and be sure to enjoy the spring flowers!

Well Spring was here....

Living in northern Michigan certainly does pose a challenge when thinking about how to dress each morning - yesterday going in to work it was so nice and warm - I wore a light shirt - no jacket and was comfortable.  Last night leaving work I was shivvering because the temperature was down about 30 degrees from the morning and the wind - oh the wind made it feel so much colder!  Today I think I will be wearing a sweater and loving it!  Supposed to be a bit chilly today but we know that Spring will be back soon so don't lose hope - those beautiful blossoming trees and flowers are a sure sign that good things are coming!

A few days ago at the shop, we had a young lady come in with a project she had finished.  Maddy is enjoying sewing and being mentored by her "adopted" grandma who is a beautiful quilter and just all around good person.   What a great idea to take a young person under your wing and introduce them to a wonderful and satisfying craft/hobby.  You could be the inspiration that is needed for the next great quilter, fabric designer, author - who knows -- but with your help it is possible!

Happy Quilting!  

Spring is here

April 13 - anyone superstitious?  For me it is a great day - the sun is shinning, the trees are blooming - everything looks fresh and new.  Spring is arriving here in Charlevoix and it is about 2 - 3 weeks earlier than usual!  Yea!  There is absolutely nothing prettier than spring - well maybe summer with the green, or fall with the beautiful colors or a winter night with snow glistening - we live in a great world!


Last night at our local guild meeting, Laurie Simpson of Minick and Simpson, spoke and did a trunk show of her beautiful quilts.  What a treat that was.  Laurie is such a wonderful quilter - she has been quilting for 40 years - and the experience shows!  It was a great evening.  Laurie will be doing some classes for us in July and we are all looking forward to it.






Hearts To Holly (along with three other shops) is gearing up for the annual quilt cruizine - what a fun time that is - ride on a comfortable bus and get driven around beautiful northern Michigan to some great quilt shops, get fed some scrumptious meals and see some wonderful demos and trunk shows.  It's a quilter's dream!  Our staff is preparing and is sure to provide a great time!

Have a great weekend - take time to enjoy Spring!