Notes from the Patch

New Fabric & my first give away!

 

Today was a really big day. First you need to understand how much I adore Sandi Henderson and Heather Bailey, so to get fabric from BOTH of them in the same day was huge for me.

I've been anticipating the arrival of these two collections for weeks, even called NY to see what was tak'n so darned long. Yesterday I cleared off four shelves so I'd be ready when they came - even put the collections up on  the website just in case they came. Talk about anxious!!

I need to explain why Sandi & Heather are so important to me. These two ladies are the reason I blog. Right before we went to Quilt Market in May I started reading their blogs. Never really read anyones blog on a regular basis (gosh, a year ago I didn't even know what a blog was LOL), but I quickly got caught up in this whole blog thing; looking forward to hearing from my new friends in cyberspace every day or so.

They were sharing their preparations for their market booths and hinting about the new lines that they would be previewing there. So by the time I got to market I felt like I was sharing the excitement of a really big debut with my two new BFF.

Anyway, it was at Quilt Market that I signed up for my own blog site and stayed up all night trying to figure out how this whole thing worked.

It's because of these two ladies that I now carry a camera where ever I go, look for photo opps in everyday things and have taken photo editing classes and photography classes with the ever talented Candra George. 

And it's through this blog that I feel so connected to you my dear customers and friends. I've come to understand how much a comment means and how important the support of a friend is. Through your comments I know you're there, reading my words and getting what I'm trying to convey.

So I just want to say "thank you" for visiting me on my blog by having a drawing for Pop Garden and Farmers Market. I've bundled up third yard cuts from both collections (nearly 7 yards of fabric) and will have a random drawing on Sunday, August 10th from the names left in my comment box.

Just my way to send you some love and to bribe you into commenting. LOL

Suzanne

Photo Nine Patch

Hadn't planned to write you guys today, but my friend Cindy no blog sent me this tutorial for a cool technique and I had to try it. So I was off to the farmers market and whipped up a nine patch quilt of sorts with my photos.

If you have Photoshop Elements this is really a quick and easy way to group like photos on a page (or blog).

Just wanted to share. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

XO Suzanne

Dirty Little Secrets

  Ladies, can we talk about a slightly sensitive subject?...

              (ah hum)...Sewing Machine Hygiene.

Our most magnificent sewing machine service tech, TJ, called me into his workroom Wednesday to show me what he got out of the machine he was servicing.

Actually this was only part of what he got out of it. I honestly don't know how that poor baby was able to run at all with all that gunk embedded in her parts!

Now, we love it when we see that our customers are using their machines and sergers, but please show your babies some love by giving them an occasional good brushing and a drop of oil now and then, alright?

And for those of you whose machine hygiene practices are, shall we say, lacking; rest assured that your dirty little secrets are safe with us. LOL

XO Suzanne

Neat and Pretty

Seems every quilter west of the Rockies is converging on Long Beach this weekend for the International Quilt Festival and lucky for us the road to Long Beach runs right past Strawberry Patches.

We've spent the last few days tidying up the store cause we're having company!

                          We've been spiff'n up our displays

                                      making kits

                                       straightening the fabric

   

                           and just makin everything neat and pretty.

Thursday we have the privilege of serving lunch to 37 traveling quilters from Northern California and making some new friends.

                                 It should be so much fun!

XO Suzanne

The Green, Green Grass of Home

We're home from Kansas and are spending a relaxing 36 hours in Ventura before returning to work on Monday. This morning I took a long walk on the beach and noticed this along the way...

                        

                                        and this...

                 ... it all reminded me of this

                                and this

                        

                                and this

While we were in Kansas I slipped away from Bernina University for an hour of retail therapy in Pottery Barn and was taken with their color forecast for fall. They called it "Black, White and Bold". I think I know where they got their inspiration!

It's good to be home!

XO Suzanne

To Good to be True

Hello:

Reporting in from Kansas City where the forecast is, in a word ...

                                                 AMAZING!

Becky and I have just completed day two at Bernina University where the excitement over the new Bernina 8 series is through the roof! Dealers from across the country and Canada have converged on Kansas City to be first in the world to see this totally new machine that promises to set a new standard in sewing. Over six years in the making, Bernina asked what we wanted and boy did they not only listen but they delivered!

Here's a check list of just some of the fabulous features of the all new Bernina 830:

1. Larger size - 12 inches of lighted space under the needle. 50% bigger than anyone the industry
2. Speed - 1100 stitches per minute while sewing and 1000 SPM in embroidery. Fastest in the industry
3. Jumbo bobbin - holds 40% more thread than the competitors and you can control how full you fill that bobbin. Largest in the industry
4. Total stitch and embroidery control - you can customize the way you sew
5. Responsive, huge centrally located color HD screen
6. Dual Feed (BDF) our own patented system
7. Auto Threading - no more fiddling with the needle threader. Now it's totally automatic
8. Built in thread delivery system - a built in thread rack that holds multiple spools
9. Drag and drop designing feature

Alex is here fielding questions from the press. The Jersey Boys serenaded us. Ricky Timms, Libby Lehman and other dignitaries are here and can not wait to get their hands on this revolutionary machine.

You can choose your wallpaper so you don't have to have a Swiss cow on the screen unless you want it. LOL

Look at the size of that hoop! 10" x 16"  - yup, again largest in the industry and look at the new clamp in the lower right hand corner! EASY!

There is even a digital clock with an alarm to remind you to stop the fun and cook dinner. ROFLOL Note to Bernina -needs speed dial for take-out!!

Yes, we are taking deposits and have started our waiting list. Want to be added to the list? Just call us. We'll add your name (right below ours).

1. Suzanne

2. Becky

3.

Don't forget to register to be apart of the web cast on July 21.

We're off to see the Wizard!

 

                Just a quick hello to say

        as Becky, Bill and I fly off to Kansas City.

               Are we off to see the wizard?

Well, no not exactly - we're off to meet the newest member of the Bernina family... Madame 830.

I must admit that I'm excited and just a wee bit nervous. What will she be like? I hear she is quite beautiful and magical and even just a tad regal. Will she be uppity? Friendly and approachable? Dependable and loyal?

I understand that she is, how do I put this kindly, a rather big girl. I mean you've gotta have a pretty broad bottom to accommodate a king size quilt (if you know what I mean). Can't wait to meet her!! If you would like to see what all the excitement is about you can join the Bernina web cast on July 21 by registering here.

You can bet that I'll have my camera in hand and will share my impressions and all the festivities as they unfold.

And guess where we get to stay?? Yup, with Sarah and Michael and their mommy and daddy in nearby Overland Park! Whoo Hoo!! Can't wait to get a squeeze from those two.

      There's no place like home! That's for sure!

Till I return. Will miss you guys!

XO Suzanne

 

Wedding bells are a ringing!

As promised, here is a peek of what I've been working on...

Amanda is getting married in September and I'm throwing her a bridal shower; inviting our staff and some of her BFF.

           Making these invitations was such fun!

            I even got to sew on the envelopes...

and put a little "Bernina Magic" on them using my ruffler to make the wedding dress.

I love combining scrapbook and sewing techniques. Thank you Cindy, my special very talented friend, for helping me with the printing.

I wish I could invite everyone that loves Amanda as I do, but there isn't a room big enough to hold us all so we are honoring her on September, 10th &11th with a shower of sorts. Please drop by the store if you can during regular business hours. We'll have cake and iced tea and you can bring a card or gift if you'd like or just a hug and your best wishes.

Our Amanda is getting MARRIED!! We're all so excited!!

XO Suzanne 

Welcome to my world

Don't ask what possessed me to take you here...

but up these stairs lurks something so menacing and sinister that the faint of heart need turn away NOW.

CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED! 

               

(Cue scary, hacker-horror movie type music here)

Welcome to my world; the first place I visit in the morning (right after the bathroom) and the last place I visit at night. This is my studio, my sewing room, my office.

                  

Here you see my cutting table littered with unfinished projects

and my ironing board holding up books and recent purchases to organize my stuff. LOL

And my "trash can" overflowing with the remnants of past projects and  empty  drug containers Starbucks cups.

What do you suppose I was looking for here? Humm...

And then there are the grommets and Big Bite Setter that Genel and I got into. (Note to self - I need to put those away).

Here are a few of my favorite things...

Here we have my Webkins (Tinkerbell & Nibbles), the fuzzy owl my oldest gave his nana in the 70's, that awesome gift from Michael, and in the little fuzzy green turtle box...

...my Mother's Day gift from eight year old Jake! He's into turtles right now and knew I would love this necklace that he bought with his own money. Such a brilliant boy!

My neatly stacked and labeled bins with everything oh, so tidy. The only thing that's really organized and it's behind the closet door where no one can see it. Do you think I need therapy?

And of course my Bernina ready and eagerly awaiting our next project.

Now, if I could just find where I put it!...

XO Suzanne

Hurray for the Red White & Blue!

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope your day is filled with family and friends.

We spent the morning at the Ventura Street Fair and watching the Pushem - Pullem Parade.

There were about 50,000 people there. It was crazy!

This afternoon I'm putting the finishing touches on a special project and just hang'n with my "hairy" goof ball hubby. Tonight it's pizza on the grill then rita's and Scrabble.

Hope you all have a bang-up, good 4th!

XO Suzanne