Tuesday, December 15, 2015

A Christmas thread...

We're winding down the year - how many of you are still working on Christmas quilts and other gifts?  I'm done!  Delivered the last of them on Friday.  Then had a fun birthday weekend and now I'm updating my spreadsheet (!) with projects finished for 2015 and planned for 2016.  I'm going to hunker down and QUILT until my first show in February with the Kitsap Quilters.

Thanks to all of you who shopped with me and got some great THREAD for your quilts this year.  Use it up!  And make a resolution to try some new threads in the New Year.  There are so many great products and options for quilting.  I have some ideas and some surprises for you in 2016.

And, if you're still frantic, THREAD makes a great Christmas gift for your quilting friends!  I'm here for you!

Let's have some quilting adventures!

Monday, November 2, 2015

Block Party Quilters Issaquah show - Nov. 13-14-15 at the Issaquah Community Center!

We're coming to the end of the "guild quilt show season" here in Western Washington and the very best way to wrap it up is with the Block Party Quilters in Issaquah!  They have a beautiful show planned, in a beautiful location.  The Issaquah Community Center must have been designed with quilt shows in mind!

Always a great show with TALENTED quilters, BPQ will host featured quilt artist Janet Steadman, harpist David Michael, a tea room for your snacking needs, and 20 STELLAR vendors such as - wait for it - THREADMONGERS!!

So come on down and enjoy the last guild show before your winter quilting marathon begins.  I know you are most productive during the cold months...especially leading up to Christmas!  And guess what?  You'll need THREAD! 

Bring your list of needs and any fabric you want to find that special thread for.  Many of my customers now carry a list of threads they need or threads they have in their smart phones.  There's an app for that!

BPQ members are waiting for you!  Here's the link - see you in Issaquah!

http://www.bpquilters.org/images/QS_2015_BPQ_Flyer.pdf


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Columbia River Gorge Quilters' Guild show - October 23-24! Hood River Armory.

Deep in the Columbia River Gorge, where Lewis and Clark first spotted spectacular Mount Hood, quilters on both sides of the river make spectacular quilts!

This weekend, they have prepared a wonderful quilt show for you at the Hood River Armory in Hood River, Oregon.  This is the place to be!  Fabulous fall weather, fall harvest produce, amazing views, and QUILTS!  All just a quick drive upriver from Portland and Vancouver WA. 

Right on the famous "Fruit Loop", Hood River is a great destination, anyway.  Bring your friends! 

Threadmongers will be there!  Winter is coming...you need thread!  Time to stock up!  When that snow/ice storm/torrential rain comes, and you are inside your cozy quilting space, with lots of fabric and hot coffee/tea/hot chocolate, will you have enough thread???  Don't take a chance - get the threads in colors you need NOW, at one of the last quilt shows of the year. 

Here's the link:

http://www.gorgequiltersguild.org/quiltshow.html

Be SURE to read their quilt show newsletter at the link.  So much information!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Crystal Quilters of Enumclaw - putting on their best for you! October 9-10



Tucked away in a sweet spot valley in Western Washington is the happy town of Enumclaw, which is full of quilters!  They are planning a lovely show for you this weekend at the fairgrounds.  Be sure to come and see the work of this talented group!  Lots of inspiration for quilters and quilt-appreciators alike.

Threadmongers will be there!  Winter is coming...you need thread!!

Here's the link:

http://crystalquiltersofenumclaw.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 1, 2015

La Conner Quilt Festival - October 2-3-4 - you have waited all year for this!

One of the biggest and most prestigious shows in the state of Washington begins October 2!  The La Conner Quilt Festival is a juried show, sponsored by the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum in that very scenic location. 

Threadmongers will be there!  Plus other great vendors, classes, and a whole lot of inspiration.  Are you ready? 

Winter is coming!  You need thread!!

Here's the link:

http://www.laconnerquilts.org/

Friday, September 11, 2015

Sea Pals of Ocean Shores - annual "Whale of a Quilt Show" Sept. 18-19-20!!


I'm sure there is no guild quilt show that is MORE FUN than the annual Whale of a Quilt Show in Ocean Shores!  Ok, that's probably because I don't have to do any of the work of putting on this GREAT, BIG SHOW!  I just get to enjoy the results!

Ocean Shores is an enclave of amazing quilters.  They show off their talent and productivity every fall in the Ocean Shores Convention Center.  A super, central venue for the show and so easy to find!

LOTS of vendors, lunch in the cafĂ©, and shopping at the Sea Pals' member boutique should be on your schedule in addition to viewing the quilts.  Ocean Shores is an easy and beautiful drive so come on out and immerse yourself in ocean air and QUILTS!

Threadmongers will be there!  Winter is coming...you need thread!

Here's the link:

http://www.seapalsquilters.org/pals3.htm

2014 view from my booth:

 

Top quilt:  "Catch of the Day" by Judith Rosenberg, 2014

Monday, August 17, 2015

2015 Skagit County Fair - I won ribbons!

What fun to say that the two pieces I entered in our local Skagit County Fair were well-received by a judge and won ribbons!  here they are:



This miniature pineapple is about 10 inches square and foundation pieced on paper.  I had always wanted to make a red and white quilt and to make a pineapple - so I thought that combining those two objectives was a great idea!  Well, at 61 pieces per block...it took me a LONG time to complete it!! 

The whites and reds are all scrappy.  Foundation piecing on paper for pineapples is a sew-and-flip method, but you MUST sew them in the numbered order! 

I used white Invisafil as the top thread and prewound Deco-Bob bobbins.  Invisafil is a 100 weight poly and Deco-Bob is the 80 weight poly, both from Wonderfil.  With these tiny pieces I wanted to use the thinnest thread possible to make sure I wasn't bulking up the seams with thread.  I also quilted it, minimally, with the same combination.  Judge loved it!  Best of Class. 

Here's my other winner:

 
This table runner pattern is "The Sun Bathers" by Letitia Hutchings.  I took a little artistic license with the ends, because I liked a clean finish. 
 
I had fun using lots of thread on this one!
 
Walruses are quilted and blanket stitched (by machine) with Invisafil (purple) and Bottom Line 60 weight poly (gold). The eyes are beads.  The "whiskers" are a result of fussy cutting the batik fabric. 
 
The water is quilted in ripples with a beautiful turquoise metallic thread from Hemmingworth.
 
Invisafil or Deco-Bob in the bobbin for all.
 

 
 
Finally, the tusks were the most fun - the fabric is a white Fairy Frost!  So they sparkle a little.  But wait, there's more!  I laid down Razzle Dazzle #8 weight metallic thread (Superior) in the Icicles color around the edges of the tusks.  Then couched it with a light zig zag stitch with white Invisafil.  That gives the edges of the tusks a little dimensional ridge and more sparkle. 
 
The judge mentioned the variety of thread in their comments on the piece and awarded it Reserve Best of Class! 
 
I tell people all of the time - have fun with all these great threads!!  If you're only using one thing, you're missing a lot of the creativity of quilting! 

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Yakima! Let's talk thread! August 19th!


Next up, the Yakima Valley Quilters Guild meeting on August 19th!  They have graciously invited me to come and talk about THREAD - fiber content and weight, with lots of examples and tips/tricks!

Are you confused about quilting thread?  Or just want a refresher?  Or you know a lot about thread and you just want to shop?  We have you covered!

I'll be in Yakima in plenty of time for you to stock up on your favorites and to maybe learn a "little something".  I learn things about thread every day and I have been quilting since 1976...

So come and enjoy an evening with that gracious group, the Yakima Valley Quilters Guild.  And get ready for a winter of quilting with plenty of the threads you need on hand.  I'm bringing a great selection!

Here's the link:  http://yakimavalleyquiltersguild.org/

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Lazy Daze of Summer - Shop Hop! All locations in Snohomish County! August 7-8-9

Some of your FAVORITE show and online vendors from NW Washington have collaborated to create a GREAT shop hop experience for you! 

All of the information you need is on this web site:

Lazy Daze of Summer
www.lazydazeofsummer.com

Participating vendors:

Quilter's Coop
Treasures from Treadles
Bear Paw Quilts
Back Porch Quilting
Quilter's Roost
Log Cabin Retreats
and Threadmongers!!

More good news - Threadmongers will be at the Log Cabin Retreat site.  So even tho there are seven vendors, there are only six locations!  Pack up your quilting friends and take an easy road trip!

And the weather promises to be more "moderate" August 7-8-9 instead of the heat wave we have been battling... 

Stop in and pick up your block pattern and basic kit from each participating vendor - combine them all for a sweet basket-themed quilt to remember this fun event. 

Here is the Threadmongers block:

 
Watch for more information on this site this week - including a sample quilt layout of the seven blocks, and detailed instructions with photos for the kitty in the basket block!
 





Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Covington Quilters - "Roaring Twenties" July 24-25-26!

Covington quilters has expanded their quilt show to be even bigger and better this year!  I can hardly wait.  They are an innovative group of quilters - full of fun and talent.  Are you ready for a great quilt show?  Threadmongers will be there!

Here's the link:

http://www.covingtonquilters.org/


Covington Quilters Raffle Quilt - "Easy Street" - pattern by Bonnie Hunter/Quiltville

Friday, July 17, 2015

Ten years of beautiful threads!

Today, July 17, is my 10-year anniversary in business as the Threadmonger!  THANKS to all my customers for shopping with me and for making great quilts! 

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Lazy Days of Summer Online Vendors Shop Hop! August 7-8-9

Oh, those Lazy Daze in August (read "days") are a prime time for quilting!  When I lived in North Carolina, I used to set up my machine right in front of the air conditioner and make things happen! 

This  year, I'm a participating vendor in the Lazy Daze of Summer shop hop, which is a collection of your favorite online and quilt show vendors who have planned a fun, quick, and easy hop for you!

There are seven vendors in six locations, all in Snohomish County!  Have your Travel Pass stamped in each location, pick up a free block pattern/kit, and visit all of the sites!  Then turn in your Travel Pass to be eligible for a great drawing with multiple prize baskets. 

Here's the link to the participating shops:

 http://lazydazeofsummer.com/participating-shops.html

And all of the information you'll need is on the web site. 

Come back and visit this site for a preview of the block I designed!  Hint:  Our theme this year is "baskets" and the blocks are fabulous!

 

Threadmonger's schedule for the 2nd half of 2015

Are you ready for the rest of 2015?  I'm ready - here's where I'll be:

July 17-18-19              Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club, Sequim 
                                    www.sunbonnetsuequiltclub.org

July 24-25-26              Covington Quilters "Roaring Twenties"  Covington   
                                     www.covingtonquilters.org

August 7-8-9                Lazy Daze of Summer online vendors shop hop
                                     www.lazydazeofsummer.com 
                                     Threadmongers will be at Log Cabin Retreats in Monroe, WA

August 19                    Yakima Valley Quilters Guild meeting 
                                     www.yakimavalleyquiltersguild.org

September 18-19-20     Sea Pals Ocean Shores "Whale of a Quilt Show"
                                      www.seapalsquilters.org

October 2-3-4               La Conner Quilt Festival
                                      www.laconnerquilts.org

October 9-10                Crystal Quilters of Enumclaw "Sharing our Stitches"
                                      www.crystalquiltersofenumclaw.blogspot.com

October 23-25              Columbia Gorge Quilt Show - Hood River OR
                                      www.gorgequiltersguild.org

Nov. 13-14-15               Block Party Quilters of Issaquah   
                                      www.bpquilters.org

Come on out and support these GREAT guild quilt shows. 
Bring your friends and make some new ones. 
Get inspired! 
You'll need thread!!

Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club - annual show in beautiful Sequim July 17-18-19!

Ah, that fragrance of lavender!  Sequim must be the center of the lavender universe - at least it is for me! 

The Sunbonnet Sues have their annual quilt show during lavender festival weekend, and it is an amazing place to be!  There are some extraordinary quilters in Sequim and the quilt-appreciators pour in to see it all.  You should be there!



Applique is a specialty in Sequim, as well as lots of fun art quilts!  And I always see quilts with a beach or ocean theme, from these folks who really enjoy their lives on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

So come out and see the show!  It has been a while since you have been to a quilt show, right?  At least a week!  Threadmongers will be there.  And you need thread!

Here's the link:

http://www.sunbonnetsuequiltclub.org/

Friday, June 5, 2015

Blast of Farms - Sedro-Woolley's BIG quilt show!

I'm so lucky to be living in a town full of quilters!  This is the sixth annual show for the Woolley Fiber Quilters and this year we are celebrating the Skagit farming community with the theme "Blast of Farms".  You can find out all about it at:

www.woolleyfiberquilters.blogspot.com

In the meantime, have you seen these?  They are the DELICIOUS new #8 pearl cottons from Wonderfil, designed by Sue Spargo!  Brand new in the thread world, they come in variegated and solid colors and are wound on spools instead of the little pearl cotton balls you may be used to. 
70 yards per spool.  A tight twist and wonderful smooth surfaces to help you make those intricate and beautiful Sue Spargo stitches!

The line is called "Eleganza".  So many to appreciate!!

The Threadmonger HAS THEM ALL!!  At Blast of Farms this weekend and at all upcoming shows this year.  Get ready for a new thread adventure!  Oh, I know you are already primed for this one!!

See you at Blast of Farms, June 5-6-7!!



You need thread!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Yakima quilters!

The Yakima Valley Quilters Guild is bringing you "Quilts in the City" Friday and Saturday, May 15-16!  Their show is at the Yakima Convention Center so there is LOTS of room for quilts, quilters, and parking!  This is a special show because they only have a show every other year.  So be sure to see this one!  Meet your friends and friendly quilters this weekend!

Threadmongers will be there!

Here's the link:

http://www.yakimavalleyquiltersguild.org/

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Busy Bee Quilters are getting ready for you! April 25-26!

Bee-utiful Quilts 2015 is coming up fast!  April 25-26 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.

Threadmongers will be there!! 

This year the BZB show will be in building #400.  Admission to the show is free.  Parking at the fairgrounds has a fee.  All the more reason to carpool!

There will be vendors, charity quilt projects that invite your participation, demos, classes, and even something special for kids!

Catherine Kessel is this year's featured artist.  Stop in and say hello and admire her work!

Need more info?  Here's the link:

http://www.busybeequilters.com/#!quilt-show/clpa

Bee-utiful quilts are the best way to spend a Bee-utiful spring weekend!  See you April 25-26!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Clark County Quilters - a tradition of creativity!

Let the Clark County Quilters take you on A Journey Through Time this weekend with their annual fabulous quilt show!

Some of the most creative, innovative, and enthusiastic quilters in the Pacific Northwest belong to this BIG guild and they are ready to show what they have been doing since last April.

Come on out to the Vancouver Church of Christ - a great venue with great parking - April 9-10-11.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  See if you agree with the judges when you cast your people's choice vote!  Watch quilters ply their craft in action!  Vendors!  Demonstrations!  Light snacks!  So much fun! 

Tell them the Threadmonger sent you.  I'll be there!!

Here's the link:

www.clarkcountyquilters.org

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Tri-City Quilters - congrats on a GREAT show!

Wow!  What an amazing quilt show by the Tri-City Quilters in Kennewick this weekend!  Over 450 quilts on display and 1700+ attendees.  I talked to quilt-appreciators from Oregon, Idaho, Western Washington, and all over Eastern Washington (including an enthusiastic group from Yakima).  Thanks to the Tri-City Quilters for inviting the Threadmonger and asking me to award a "vendor's choice" ribbon.  So difficult!  How do you choose???

I selected this standout Christmas tree skirt by Jerrine Gjerdevig.  I only wish the photo did it justice.  It is covered with sparkles and has extensive use of THREAD and ACCURATE piecing.  Pattern by Judy Niemeyer.  I spoke to Jerrine and she has made two of these in different colorways; she and her daughter will swap them every so often to make sure both get used every holiday season. 

I love it when people make quilted family heirlooms that are not necessarily quilts.  This tree skirt will be a part of family Christmases for many years.

 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Tri-City Quilters are ready for the show!

The Tri-City Quilters' Guild has a lovely, BIG show planned for you this weekend!  Worth a trip to sunny Kennewick and a day of inspiration.

"The Story Begins at Home"
 Friday, March 27, 2015, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 28, 2015, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Washington
Admission:  $5.00

You'll see Threadmongers there!  After looking at all those quilts you'll have a hankering for THREAD!!


www.tcquilters.org

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Threadmongers show schedule for 2015!

Here is the list of FABULOUS quilt shows where Threadmongers will be a vendor during 2015!

This list may or may not be complete...so always check back for additional opportunities.

As always, we ENCOURAGE you to support these wonderful quilt guilds by attending their shows, admiring their hard work, appreciating their heartfelt community projects, and being inspired! 

Guild shows are the MOST FUN.  Come early, stay late.  Bring friends.  Make friends! 

And shop for thread!


Kitsap Quilters "Modern Vintage"  Feb. 20-21
Tri-City Quilters "The Story begins at Home" March 27-28
Clark County Quilters "A Journey Through Time" April 9-10-11
Busy Bee Quilters "Bee-Utiful Quilts" April 25-26
Yakima Valley Quilters Guild "Quilts in the City" May 15-16
Woolley Fiber Quilters  "Blast of Farms" June 5-6-7
Sunbonnet Sue -  Sequim  July 17-18-19
Covington Quilters "Roaring Twenties" July 24-25-26
EverGreen Quilters - Bellingham Sept. 17,18,19
Sea Pals Ocean Shores "Whale of a Quilt Show" Sept. 25-26-27
La Conner Quilt Festival October 2-3-4
Crystal Quilters of Enumclaw
"Sharing our Stitches"
October 9-10
Block Party Quilters - Issaquah Nov. 13-14-15

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Kitsap Quilters present "Modern Vintage" Feb. 20-21!

The "quilt show year" for Threadmongers and Western Washington begins this weekend in Bremerton!  The Kitsap Quilters are hosting their annual fabulous show at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, Feb. 20-21!  Gosh, I hope two days is enough to see it all!  The Kitsap Quilters seem to quilt like mad all winter long and then show up with amazing quilts in February!

Threadmongers will be there.  You know you need thread.  And inspiration!

 
Here's the link:  http://www.kitsapquilters.com/
 
See you at the quilt show!