Here Again

Well time certainly seems to get away from me.  Here it is the last of September.  Fall is definitely in the air - pumpkins are everywhere and the honey crisp apples are ready for eating.  The shop has been busy.  We were up at Sault Ste. Maire MI this past weekend vending at a quilt show and the quilts were beautiful.  I am always in awe with the amount of creativity and talent that surrounds us.

Last night our Moda salesperson - Mark - was here to show us the new fabrics coming after the first of the year and there are some great ones.  One line in particular that I liked - and those that were with me - was the "Stitch In Color" line.  It is bright and fresh looking - really some different designs in the fabrics - just really great looking.  This is a picture of the panel or "cheater" fabric.  Mark actually had a large tote made out of it and it was cute!

There were lots of other lines that caught my attention too - Minick and Simpson are bringing out Prairie Paisley II - lots of nice fabrics there!  I was trying hard not to over spend and to some extent I did okay but probably ordered more that I thought I was going to - but that just means there will be more for everyone to oogle over. 

We are doing some fun things at the shop over the next few weeks - a Mystery Weekend, October 7, 8 and 9, our 4th Anniversary celebration, October 14 and 15, Demo Daze, December 1, 2, and 3 and lots in between as well.  We have lots of classes - Chenille Applique, our Bag of the month, Spicy Spiral Table Runner - something for everyone.

Well guess that is it for now.  Take care and Happy Quilting!

Beautiful days, cool nights!

Wow have we been having beautiful weather or what?  The days have been absolutely wonderful and the nights have been cool making it really good sleeping!  However the days are getting shorter which only means one thing - fall is just around the corner and the really good quilting time is upon us!  It is time to get down to business and get those quilts going.

I am going to make some peach jam this week with the last of the peaches.  Haven't they been good this year?  And the apples - they are so crispy and good.  I love this time of the year.

We are starting two new Blocks of the Month this fall.  One of them is Aunt Grace's Garden Party.  It is so fresh and pretty.  It's a row quilt and is just a six month program.  Has some piecing and some applique - so something for everyone.

The other one is General's Wives.  This is a beautiful quilt - lots of blues - just gorgeous.  This is a 12 month program and will begin in November.  Mostly piecing - just a little applique (or not).  We are expecting the fabric anytime - can't wait to get it.

Hope your days are filled with fabric and quilting and aromas of fresh apple pies!

Shop Hop and more

Well here it is August 20th and I am just getting back to my blog.  We have been going 24/7 first trying to get ready for shop hop and then actually "doing" shop hop.  Today is the last day and we have had a lot of fun at the shop.  We have seen lots of quilters and have had some enjoyable conversations with them. We only do shop hop once a year which is probably a good thing because when the last Saturday rolls around we are all ready to sit with our feet up and relax for just a bit and this is that Saturday!

When a little one comes into the shop for the first time, we try to remember to give that future quilter a fat quarter to start their stash.  Here are two of those future quilters - aren't they cute?

Well guess I better head down to the shop.  Looking forward to seeing the shop hoppers!



Fun Time

We've been having a great time at Hearts To Holly.  This past week we had "Fright Night" and several of our quilters came in costume to give us all a little entertainment.  We had balloons that contained either a trick or a treat and each quilter got to choose a balloon, break it and find out if they were tricked or treated.  Those that were tricked were really good sports - some had to sing a song before getting their % discount, others had to skip thru the shop.  It was a really fun time.  Thanks to everyone who participated.  Pictures coming soon!

We are also getting ready for Shop Hop and that always means a good time.  We get treats provided by Vivian as well as we get to see lots of our quilters.  We have some really good demos planned too.  And then the best is that we get to see our Wisconsin friends.  Nicci and Roxanne will be joining us this Thursday.  They help us with samples and just some really great ideas!   Can't wait to see them!

Beautiful Place

It's the beginning of August and here in Charlevoix it is an absolutely perfect place to be.  We are surrounded by water and beaches and the weather although a little hot and sticky has been giving us blue sky and lots of sun and beautiful sunsets!

This past week Shelly, one of our four daughters and one of two that lives in Las Vegas, has been visiting us and she went to Lavender Hill Farms to check it out.  Lavender Hill is just a couple of miles from us and is just beautiful right now.  They have lots of lavender varieties and make some really interesting things from the lavender - cookies, lemonade, soap, sachets, etc.  It is a great place to visit.

Things are really getting busy at the shop.  We are preparing for our annual Shop Hop which we do with five other quilt shops and it is getting close - less than two weeks away - and so much to do but we will get it done - I know I can I know I can!  Demos, quilts, new fabrics, new patterns and books - so much fun - can't wait!

So take care and happy quilting!

Long time away-----

It seems like forever since I've been here and when I look at the calendar it has been a long time.  My apoligies.  I could make all kinds of excuses like we have been really busy, I had a bug, we had company visiting - all of it true but I still need to make a commitment and be here!  So I am making that commitment - you are going to hear from me lots and much more frequently!

The shop has been busy, lots of new people in and it is so great to see the enthusiasm that is so evident in quilters.  Have you noticed that quilters are happy, enthusiastic people?  They (we) just love what we do and enjoy sharing with others too.

The new Quiltmania just arrived at the shop and it has Minick and Simpson featured in it with their Chippewa Nine Patch quilt.  This is a beautiful quilt and is done with the Charlevoix line of fabric.  Hearts To Holly just happens to have kits for this quilt too.  Minick and Simpson do such a good job - we just love their fabrics.

We also have some great new lines of fabric in - we are bursting at the seams!  But we just love new fabric!

Okay so with promises made - I will be back soon -

Happy Quilting!

Whew -

I feel like I have been on a treadmill that just keeps going faster!  Graduation, grandson leaving for Marine bootcamp, surprise birthday parties, visitors from NV,  PA, Phoenix and downstate MI and then there is the quilt shop.  Good thing I have great hard working staff that keep things going at Hearts To Holly - I don't know what I would do without them!  Hearts To Holly will be vending at the Little Traverse Bay Quilt Show Friday and Saturday this week.  It sounds like they have some great quilts for us to see.  I can't wait to see the creativity and workmanship.  I think we have some of the best quilters here in northern Michigan but then I guess I am a little biased!

We are also getting ready for our shop hop - August 13 through the 20th.  We had Island Batik design a special batik for us (six shops that are part of the shop hop) and it is really pretty.  Our theme this year is fall and I think the quilt blocks and quilts will be beautiful.

Well just wanted to let you know that everything is good here at Hearts To Holly - just busy!  So happy quilting and I hope to be back again soon with more updates!