It might be in the 80’s in Virginia Beach, but it’s Christmas at What’s Your Stitch ‘n Stuff! Our annual Christmas in July Event starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday, July 12th. We will have all kinds of new kits, patterns, books and models for you to check out at the shop. Our theme this year is “Gifts for Christmas”, not necessarily Christmas fabrics or patterns, (though we have plenty of those too).

You’re all invited to Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, July 11th 10am-Noon. This is the “Real” Santa; he’ll be dressed for the beach, as he is on vacation in Virginia Beach and graciously agreed to come for breakfast and sing some Christmas Carols for us. You don’t want to miss him. Check out the link in the sidebar to Santa’s website.

See you at the shop or here in blogland.

Sue G

 

 

Thank a Veteran for your Independence today. Have a safe and Happy 4th.

Heidi-Idy & the Girls

 

 

I have been remiss in posting the photos from Cathy Porter’s farewell party; I thought I’d accidently deleted the photos from my camera, searched the files on the shop computer and my home computer and couldn’t find them. Light bulb moment, the photos were on Holly’s camera, big duh

Cathy stopped by the shop weekend before last for a visit and to update us on the goings on in her life. She was actually taking a beading class at the new bead shop next door. She is loving her new job! We miss her here at the shop, but are glad she’s enjoying her new job.

Without further ado, here are a couple of photos of Cathy from the party.

Yum, cake!

 

Cathy and Holly with her farewell quilt.

 

Stay tuned for a Tasty Travels update. See you at the shop or here in blogland.

Sue G

Here are some photos from the Farewell Party for Sandra. The Fraenkels leave for Blacksburg, VA today.   We’ll miss them, but wish them all the best. Sandra will be visiting every month or so  (she has to keep up with Aunt Pitty Pat!). Thank you to every one who helped with the farewell quilt.

 

 

 

Holly presenting Sandra with her farewell gift

 

Sandra with her Farewell Quilt

 

Holly & Sandra with the quilt

 

Sandra and the girls, including Bella, the youngest quilter present

 

The Cake

Sandra cutting the cake

 

There are 2 new photos in the Gallery. One from Sue Troyan’s Disappearing 9 patch class, be sure to give them a look.

Heidi-Idy

 

 

It is always hard to say goodbye; when you live in a military area it seems that happens all too frequently. This Friday we will be saying farewell to Sandra and her family as they transfer to Blacksburg, VA. Sandra has been a great asset to the shop, a terrific friend and we will miss her. We have prevailed upon her to visit often and to continue to make samples for us. [We do make it hard to get away from us completely!! ].  We wish them all the best in their new adventure.

We will be having a get together at the shop on Friday, June 5th between 10 and 3, so if you can, stop in and say your goodbyes. We will have munchies, cake and of course, a quilt to sign. 

Fair Winds and Following Seas…

Heidi-Idy, Holly, Irene, Bobbi, Carol, Carole Anne, Debbie,

Dottie, Karen, Kathie, Kim, Joan, Pat, Sue G., & Susi

Arlington National Cemetary

 

While you are enjoying your holiday, be sure to remember the day is to honor U. S. men and women who gave their lives serving our country. Pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by thanking those currently serving in our military; invite an active duty service member or a veteran to your picnic, make a contribution to the USO, any of the Military Relief Societies, or Quilts of Valor (link in the sidebar), best of all teach your children the reason for the holiday and why they should always remember.

Have a safe holiday.

Never Forget

Heidi-Idy & The Girls

 

Those intrepid travelers and their fabulous tour guide, Lisa, took off for the Land of Pharaohs this past Saturday. The Queen of Denial made an appearance, with a lovely feta, cucumber dip and pita wedges for all. The quilt pattern for this trip … One Thousand Pyramids with color choices of:  The Nile – blues & greens, King Tut – golds & pinks, and Valley of the Kings – tans & browns. I, for one, cannot wait to see these quilts completed. There were 24 different fabrics plus borders chosen for each of these colorways. They are going to be beautiful.

The Queen of Denial & Heidi-Idy

 

Martha brought in a beautiful tote from Egypt

 

There is a new Tasty Travels quilt photo posted in the International Gallery, be sure to take a look. The next stop on this whirlwind tour is in the planning stages, stop back and find out where they head next!

There is a new photo in the Gallery, of a “substitute teacher”!

Until next trip,

Senebti,

Heidi-Idy

May Retreat was Casino Night; the high rollers arrived ready to do battle and get some quilting done. Judy and Kristie made a wonderful dinner, an awesome breakfast casserole and planned fun, fun, fun for the whole weekend. We played blackout WYSNS (bingo) over the entire weekend, had poker chip prize drawings, and made Card Trick Blocks for the block drawing. Judy made some beautiful pincushions, wine coasters, & photo frames for our prizes. The girls came prepared for the weekend as you’ll see from the photos. There was some mighty late night sewing (3am) by a group of maniacs (or maybe I should say manic quilters).

 

 

A couple of high rollers

 

Lisa "Bugsy" Burgess

 

Great Decorations!

 

Jeanette with her sewn shut purse

 

After that seam Jeanette is awarded the Royal "L"

 

Rosemary Skinner with her baby quilt

 

Kristie Watson's sewing girls wall hanging

Lynn Smith with her shells strip quilt

Karen Fisher's folded flowers wall hanging

 

Close up of Karen's folded flowers

more folded flowers

Jeanette Shaw's pineapple mat

Queen Lisa with her rail fence quilt

Her Royal Highness with her (what else??) yellow brick road!!

Sandra with her Emma wall hanging at her last retreat before her move

The Royal Hair Twirl

Queen Lisa snipping New Person Jeanette

 

Royal Duties complete it’s time for retreat to close. The next retreat is scheduled for August and is By the Sea…hmmm, water sports? Nah! Spray tans for everyone!!

Those Tasty Travels girls meet this weekend, be sure to look for the post and photos next week. The shop’s 19th birthday party is coming up at the end of the month. Our spring class schedule is loaded with fun classes, they are filling fast so click the link in the sidebar, check them out, & stop by the shop and sign up for some “Me” time. Check the gallery for a new photo…

Until next time,

Happy Quilting,

Heidi-Idy

Does it seem to you that people always equate cold winter weather to staying inside and quilting? Well, I think 90° and humid (normal Virginia Beach weather from April to October!!!!), is the perfect time to stay inside and quilt. May gets here and my neighbors say, “See you in October, Sue”. I just don’t like the heat and humidity, and it doesn’t like me either. I also have the added bonus of my own “personal summers”!

So……it’s time to get my stash organized and get some of my many, many, projects finished this summer. I am also attending Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA in July, it’s a great show. There is a new link in the sidebar to their site. What do you have on your quilting agenda for the summer months?

We have lots of things planned for the next few months at the shop. The shop’s 19th birthday celebration comes up at the end of May. We are starting the Scrap Therapy program at the end of May. Christmas in July with the Real Singing Santa is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th. ShopHopFun has the Summer Shop Hop scheduled for July 20-26. See the sidebar for a new link to their site. We are going to be busy, busy, busy and invite you to join us!! If you are visiting our area, be sure to make time to stop in and see us and all the great things we have in the shop.

See you at the shop or here in blogland, (but NOT at the beach)!

Sue G

Lisa and the girls hopped across the pond for an adventure in Jolly Old England. A wonderful shepherd’s pie was on the menu and the police were in attendance; luckily, not the “Quilt Police”, just our own personal Bobby, Lisa. The quilt this month is Rail Fence, with the color choices of: Beefeater’s — reds, Crown Jewels — jewel tones, and A Proper Tea — blue and white.

Lisa the Bobby and Heidi-Idy

 

The girls working on the rail fence

 

The girls were working hard and playing hard…if you haven’t been on one of Lisa’s “trips” yet, you ought to treat yourself. There is one spot left each month, you could take the “coach” version of Tasty Travels. Stop by the shop for the details.

I posted a new quilt photo in the International Mystery Gallery, be sure to take a look. Where are they headed next????

Cherrio,

Heidi-Idy