September 11, 2017

Dear Friends, We haven't added to the blog in a very long time. Today's date brings back so many memories, I thought today is a day of remembering..... The attack on our country on September 11, 2001....and how quilters respond!
At Little Quilts, we have been blessed over the years to make friends with quilters not only in the USA but across the globe. It was most evident what an impact friendships have, when sixteen years ago, on Sept. 13, 2001, we sent an email to the then 500 names on our email newsletter list. We asked quilters to make a small red, white and blue quilt not larger than 24" on a side, send it to us and we would forward them to the families of the police and  firefighters who were lost in the attacks on 9/11. Amazingly that email was forwarded to other quilters and their friends, and within 1 month, we received over 2300 small quilts! We were so touched by this outpouring .... that we laid them out on plastic drop cloths in the parking lot of the shop. 
The Marietta Fire Department came with the bucket truck with ladders to raise up high enough for a photo. Even I went up the ladder to see them! (That's me, standing in the bottom left corner!) Shown here, is what the generosity of quilters around the world sent! This picture was even shown on the Today Show; the maker of the quilt with the big red heart, on the bottom right side, called us and said she could see her quilt on the TV, so she knew we received it! Some quilts arrived with letter of thanks for giving quilters and opportunity to express their feelings of the tragedy and gratefulness of the first responders. With the help of our staff and many friends, we mailed the small quilts to recipients, and moved on; knowing that we had extended the hand of friendship through these small quilts. 
The terrorist attacks against the USA had a profound effect on everyone, and the making of these small quilts, hopefully brought comfort and love to the families of firefighters, police officers, and emergency workers. Today we remember the tragedy, and also share this photo of quilters reaching out to help and comfort others.
Little Quilts started as a wholesale pattern business in 1986, writing books, and evolved into a retail store from 1998-2015; when I retired and closed the store. The online business, littlequilts.com remains today, as a source for Little Quilts books, patterns, and fabric. This quilt project with the 2300 small quilts, is probably our proudest accomplishments, thanks to many generous quilters around the world.
The country is now in the midst of dealing with the recovery of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. I know quilters from all over will help wherever they can by monetary donations, and volunteering wherever we're needed. Quilters are the best!

Shown here is one of the pages from our book "Patriotic Little Quilts" published by Martingale & Company. We were writing this book before the attacks of 9/11. Shown here are a few of the quilts that appear in the 'Gallery of American Tribute Quilts'. Five pages in the book show some of the quilts we received. 

I know we all have memories of where we were that fateful day 16 years ago. Our country continues to prosper and grow. May God continue to bless all of you, and God Bless America.
Mary Ellen Von Holt 

"What will she be when she grows up?"

Although Mary Ellen has retired and closed the Little Quilts retail store…it should be called semi-retirement. She’s been busy redoing her sewing room at home and her rug hooking studio; and has been available for area quilt guild programs. 

Thursday, February 25th she’ll be at the Cherokee Rose Quilt Guild at 7pm with the program “Color Plan your Quilts”. She’ll share how to make beautiful scrap quilts with the addition of ‘Magic Fabrics’.  She’ll bring a trunk show with many Little Quilts, plus LQ books and patterns will be available for sale. They’re also on the website at www.littlequilts.com 

See the link below with info about the guild. Note the name has been changed on the meeting place to the Ike Owens Community Center, formerly Hunter Park Community Center.

http://www.cherokeerosequiltguild.com/ 

Send a comment with a tip on how you arranged your fabric in your sewing room, and we’ll randomly select one to receive  an autographed copy of “Little Memories” and a fat 1/4th of Roswell Mill, the latest of our designs for Henry Glass Fabrics. 

Follow the Henry Glass blog too at www.henryglassfabrics.com for great ideas and see the newest fabric line coming in August “Savannah Garden.".

Little Quilts 2015 Second Saturday Sampler Finale and last day as a retail store

Calling this year's Saturday Sampler participants:

Last Saturday we had our final 2015 Saturday Sampler gathering. We gave out the fabric packets for December and January along with the finishing directions for ALL the quilts.

Queen Wanda H. did a beautiful job on the "Special Memories" quilt. Directions are included for the 6" sampler in a chain like setting. 

Tricia made hers with batiks and one beautiful fabric for the setting triangles and border. 

Princess Wanda C did the neutral alternate and called hers "Kick it in Neutral" with fused cattails in a strippy setting. Her husband Mickey loves it and is claiming it.

Jackie is working on a beautiful red and white quilt with an Irish Chain style setting block.

If you were unable to attend, please come by before 5pm today 12/19/15) as that's when the Little Quilts retail store will be closing our doors after 17 years. If you cannot attend, please call 770-578-6727, give us your credit card information and we'll mail your goodies right out. It's been a fun year, finished with spectacular quilts made by an outstanding staff. If you did not participate but would like the pattern set, check the website for ordering information.

Be blessed as we have been. Thank you for your friendships and support.  

Stack and Whack in Black and White

Karen came in to help celebrate during our Wall To Wall Retirement Sale. For " Show & Tell", which we love....she brought in a pink and black and white Stack & Whack quilt. Karen loves black and white fabrics with an accent color! She recently purchased a long arm quilting machine and is enjoying learning how to use it, by finishing projects and starting new ones.

Red and White

Dena has made a traditional block in reds and whites. How perfect for the Christmas season.

Wool hooked show and tell

Is it a rug or a purse?  It is a gorgeous wool hooked purse.  We are impressed with this creation by Chris.

Enjoy your quilts...and ours too...

Grace from North Georgia sent us this picture of her Nativity set displayed on the Log Cabin Table Runner from Little Memories. She purchased from one of our offers in a past email newsletter featuring some of our models we are offering for sale.

 Mary Ellen doesn't want to keep them all on a shelf at home...she loves sharing them with so many of you. Grace is a knitter and knitted that darling set.

Watch the email newsletter for more models being offered this week and next.

Hooked Rugs For Sale

Little Quilts has always been a haven for rug hooking in the Atlanta area.  Not only did we sell beautiful wool, but we have had classes in the art of rug hooking and wool dyeing as well as actively supporting the local Rug Hooking Guild.

We currently have three rugs in the shop that are available for sale from one of the local rug hooking artists in our community.  They are absolutely spectacular!   All are 100% wool and beautifully bound.

This rug, 5'8" x 2'5" is currently priced at $1000 (was $2000) 

 

Wouldn't these Santas be a perfect addition to your Christmas decorating?  At 2'9" x 1'9" it's perfect as a small rug or a wall hanging.  $400

This folk-art style cat is one of our favorites!  It's 3' x 2" and currently priced at $350 (was $900).

If you're interested in purchasing, call the shop (770-578-6727)!

You're Invited

We hope you'll join us tomorrow evening

December 10, 2015

from 4pm - 6pm

for  wine punch and cheese while you shop!

We have special prices on everything in the shop that we know you're going to like!

Join us!

Sampler of Memories

Ann gathered up parts for the past 20 quilts she's made and made one special memory quilt. It's what she calls an  'interesting quilt' quilt not especially 'pretty'. It's almost 100" square.

Quilt as you sew show and tell

During our "wall to wall retirement" ... We've enjoyed the well wishes from everyone... A customer brought in this great quilt . Shown is the front and the back....she liked the back best!

LQ goes international

Wendy in New Zealand just sent a picture of her Women of the Bible Quilt. She has the center finished. It's been so much fun to see however everyone has made their own version of this fun project we offered last year. If you're interested in this pattern set, contact Stitchin' Tree at www.stitchintree.com

It sure has been fun visiting with friends who stop in to wish us well with the store closing, and Mary Ellen's retirement.

Patchwork of the Crosses

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Little Quilts!  We're so thankful for all of you!  We hope you'll enjoy this day with your family.

This will be the final Lucy Boston - Patchwork of the Crosses blog.  I've enjoyed making the blocks, but most of all I've loved your enthusiasm and excitement over the quilt and the blocks! Thank you all so much for following the blog over the past two years - I hope to see a lot of finished Lucy quilts in the near future.

Remember!  You can continue to order paper piecing supplies to finish your quilt through Dec. 1. There are three variation pieces for finishing the outer edge of the quilt to make it rectangular.  This is what the variation pieces look like...

You will need at least one package of each variation (Variation 1, Variation 2, and Variation 3). You can order them on the website or call the shop (770-578-6727), but all orders must be in by Dec. 1.

I hope you've enjoyed the Lucy Boston journey as much as I have.  I will continue to present Lucy Boston/Patchwork of the Crosses lectures for quilt guilds that are interested.  I will also continue to teach English Paper Piecing classes, 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Patchwork of the Crosses

Another new block:

This is the stripe fabric I used:

The light blue corner honeycombs came from my stash.  It's an old Jo Morton fabric.

This is another fun stripe to work with.  There are so many different things you can do with a great stripe!  Experiment and see what you come up with. 

I'm using some of the scraps from this fabric to make a corner unit.  I haven't stitched it together yet, but you can get the idea...

Finishing the outer edges of your quilt will require some very odd shaped paper pieces (see below) to make the quilt rectangular. . .  

Finishing papers are sold as Variation 1, Variation 2 and Variation 3 and you will need all three shapes.

We have the finishing paper pieces available - you will need at least one package of  all three shapes.

We are trying to make sure all of you get the paper pieces supplies you need before the shop closes.. You must have your order in by Dec. 1 to be assured of getting the supplies.  Order from the  website or call the shop to order.

If you're lacking enough blocks to finish your quilt, check our Pinterest Board for ideas and then go to your stash and make use of some of the great fabrics you'll find hiding there! 

Completed Dear Jane!!!!

We are always amazed when we see another Dear Jane quilt come in for Show & Tell. With the Wall To wall Retirement Sale at Little Quilts going on now, good friends and customers come in daily to wish Mary Ellen well.  Gretchen shared  her Dear Jane Quilt completed, with us...hand quilted ... and even the triangle sections for the borders. Great job Gretchen... wonder what her next master piece will be!

Wool applique table runner

Carolyn loves wool applique.  Here is her newest table runner.

Patchwork of the Crosses

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As most of you have probably heard,  Mary Ellen is retiring and Little Quilts is closing.  The last Lucy Boston fabric packs will be shipped out on Nov. 17 and the last blog post will be on Nov. 29. It's been so much fun making the Lucy blocks - I hope you've enjoyed the journey with us.  I know you will have a lovely quilt when you're finished!

If you still need to order paper pieces to finish your quilt, call us soon - we will make sure you get what you need to finish.  Don't forget we have the papers for finishing the outer edges available - it takes three different paper variations for the outside edge.  You will want to order at least one package of each of the variations.  You can still order all the paper pieces supplies on the website.

I wish I had a picture of my quilt all finished to show you, but I'm not quite there yet.  I've got a start...

but still a lot of work ahead of me.  Now that the shop is closing I should have lots of extra time to finish it.  Watch for it in the next quilt show!

Thanks for all your support, for sending pictures for the Pinterest Board, and, most of all, for your enthusiasm with paper piecing!  Finish your Lucy Quilts and then start a new paper piecing project!

Bird Parade

Wool applique is hot, hot, hot. No wonder. Look at this adorable project. Diane made a variation of Bonnie Sullivan original design called "The Gathering".

Bright scraps turned into Lollipop Trees

Sarah is working on this beautiful Lollipop Trees by Kim McLean.  The blocks are 18" square and Sarah is doing it all in batiks. She is planning for 16 blocks. Everyone here at the store wants to start one now!

She brought her blocks in the neat tote she made from selvages also shown here. Sarah has also made a Lucy Boston Quilt! Way to go Sarah!

Second Saturday Sampler Show and Tell

Carol Ann's been getting lots of quilts made...both starting and finishing UFO's. She brought this to Saturday Sampler for our monthly outdoor 'Show and Tell'.  It's never too late to join Saturday Sampler -the 2nd Saturday of the month. We're in the 9th month...but you can catch up with past months patterns easily!