October 2021

Hi all,

I just returned from Oklahoma where my first granddaughter, Devenie, married her soldier boy, Austin. The wedding was perfect. There’s something to be said for small, intimate weddings. So much less to go wrong.

Our one and only show for 2021 is the Quilt, Craft and Sew Festival, November 18-20 at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup. Here’s a $2 off coupon. We will be in booths 817-818.

Because more and more counties are eliminating single use bags, I want to encourage you to pull out all those beautiful scraps and make your own shopping bags.

Don’t forget the Quilted Trillium is looking for new ownership. We’ve had 15 years of fun making it the successful business that it has become. We will give lots of training to whoever is ready for a new adventure.

That’s it for now. Keep stitchin, 

Dee and Robin

September 2021

 Hi all!

  This has felt like the longest summer ever. Here in the Pacific Northwest we had lovely, warm (sometimes too hot) weather and not quite enough rain.  We totally sympathize with those effected by the storms, hurricanes and fires.

  I taught a small retreat for the Fabric of Faith guild at Frog Creek Lodge, a lovely retreat center near LakeBay, Wa. Such a funny, sassy bunch, had a great time.

  As mentioned last month, the Quilted Trillium is going to be sold. It's not on the market yet so you have plenty of time to buy all the patterns and yarn keepers you might have been thinking about. I'm really hoping one of you loyal followers will decide to purchase the business. All the bugs have been ironed out over the years.  So, give me a call and we can talk about.

  On a more personal note, you might remember my Granddaughter, Devenie. She started helping in the booth when she was 10 or 11. She is now 24 and going to be married next month to Sergeant Austin Strawder. I'm so excited for her. Here she is in the booth with my 2nd daughter, Mandey. Then with her mom, 1st daughter, Natana, and then with Austin. Yep, proud mama and grandma.

  

Our next show isn't until November in Puyallup, Wa.  SEW EXPO!

Take care everyone, enjoy the changing seasons.

Keep Stitchin,  Dee

August 2021

 Somehow I managed to miss the last 5 months of blogging. It's not that I didn't have the time. You know how they say...busy people get more done?  Well, non busy people, get lazier I guess. 

It seems like we're just getting back to a closer to normal life and now we could be taking a giant step backwards with the huge increase in covid cases.

The world of quilting is trying to get a fresh start. Show promoters are claiming the crowds are back and business is good. Have any of you attended and what are your feelings?

Our first show, if they don't cancel, will be Fiber Fusion NW here in Monroe, Wa October 16-17. They are waiting for the county's final decision. I hope they don't cancel as I made this special WOOL project for them. It might just be a sign for the booth but I'll probably make a few patterns also. It's mostly wool and mostly hand sewn. But the background is cotton and I machine blanket stitched around the outside. 

Then we'll be at Rusty Barn (also known as Quilt, Craft & Sew) at Puyallup Fairgrounds Nov 18-20.

One last thing. Next summer, 2022, I will be selling the Quilted Trillium. As I get older, things get heavier and it takes longer to set up and take down the booth. I am working with consultants to determine the value of my business and hope that someone out there is ready to take over this fun and profitable venture. I will be mentioning the sale in every newsletter to find the right buyer. If it could be you, please email me.

Robin and I hope you are all doing well and and look forward to seeing you soon.  Take care and keep stitchin,  

Dee and Robin

February 2021

Hi everyone,

I finished quilting 2020. It is now in the web store listed under categories Nostalgia and Not sure. Or you can type 2020 in the search bar. For my newsletter friends only...You can save 20% using coupon code 2020 between Feb 6-16

Below is my Quilted Trillium pattern done by Connie. Love the blue background. This was her first attempt with this technique and says she's going to make several more.  She was a little confused with the finishing instructions so, I edited #4 & #6 on instruction page.

Another customer, June, had some trouble with the Pattern Night Camp. I added a page of instruction that supplies a list of the fabrics and exactly which pattern pieces go with each. I also updated the back of pattern cover to give a more specific list of fabrics required. If you have this pattern and would like these new pages, let me know by email and I'll send a PDF.

I hope you're all getting...or tying to get your vaccines.  I'm still trying.

Keep stitchin'

Dee

January 2021

 We did it. We made it to the end of a very challenging 2020. It's certainly not going to be all downhill from here but I want to believe it will be better somehow. I may be overly optimistic, but hey, it's my first pandemic.

 Here is my 2020 project I spoke of last month. Some of the pieces aren't even ironed on as I'm not sure they're all working together and of course I haven't done any of the threadwork details. But I should have it done before February. I remember how my deadlines used to be next week or even tomorrow. It would push me to stay focused. How times have changed.

  I don't have much else to share. Oh, I did crochet a blanket for my husband. It was to replace one I made him in 1971. You can imagine what condition that was in. Somehow it took me over a frickin year to make this one and now I'm tossing my crochet hooks and knitting needles. Just kidding Robin.

  Road to California's Virtual Show runs Jan 20-23. It might be too late to register for classes but you can still enjoy some high quality quilts and 119 vendors.  

Stay safe everyone. Don't be a spreader. Wear your mask, please. What can it hurt? Keep a positive attitude. If anyone has a good, unoffensive Covid story, feel free to share.

 Keep Stitchin'

Dee and Robin

December 2020

 

I can't believe we're almost half way through December! 

 Being the year that it is, I've been dealing with a lot of anxiety like so many people these days. My doctor put me on something that pretty much made me a bed ridden, weak and woozy zombie. It's taken the last week to get it out of my system so we can try something that can take the edge off but let me still be me. I hope she figures it out.

I belong to several Facebook quilting groups and I love seeing how productive people have been. I still need to quilt Toni Whitneys Carousel Horse and do some more work on my newest project..."2020". It's similar to my "States series" and includes some of the things we've all been doing during the pandemic. It's not particularly uplifting but it will be something to look back on.  I'm just now auditioning fabric and will start construction soon and send some pics.

Everyone, please stay safe and healthy,

Keep Stitchin' Dee and Robin

November 2020

 Quilted Trillium participated in our first virtual show last weekend. It was Mancuso's Pacific International Quilt Festival. It's a show I've been wanting to do for years (live of course) but it usually conflicts with our Spokane Show. So I thought this might be a way to get my foot in the door with the show managers. I still want to do their live show but the virtual show was sooo disappointing. I have nothing to compare it to so I really don't know what went wrong.

  What are your feelings about virtual shows? Have you done any? Do you go just to see the quilts? Do you look at the vendors or even shop with them?  Do you want the virtual vendors to stay a part of shows even after they become live again?

This is a quilt done by customer Jan. I may have already shown you this, (I've lost access to my old posts). Anyway, a clever way to use lots of beautiful, vintage hankies.

  I hope you all managed to vote in time to be counted and that we can be gracious to whoever wins.  (Or is it whomever?) This country needs some serious healing even without the virus. That's as political as I'm going to get. You can comment, just don't pick sides. 

  I appreciate you all.  Keep stitchin'

Dee and Robin