The Borne Quilter: Newsletters in September 2010

Newsletters in September 2010

Ask And You Shall Receive

1507 Kaliste Saloom Road

Suite A

Lafayette, Louisiana

337-408-3730

www.thebornequilter.com

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE

Well, folks, several of you (oh, okay, maybe just a couple of you) were in the shop this past Saturday expressing your collective disappointment over my neglecting the women in my life. You see, it seems that at least some of you (I'll define "some" as the vast majority, if you don't mind) anxiously log on to your e-mail accounts, I am sure, on an hourly basis, hoping to find the latest version of my sometimes mindless ramblings. My apologies for leaving you with such an empty feeling over the past few weeks. So, since you asked, here it is...

In This Issue:

DISCLAIMER
PAY NOW! (a/k/a Festival Bus Trip Update)
CLASS OFFERINGS--INCLUDING BY RENEE, HERSELF, FINALLY!!
LONG ARM TRAINING
SIT 'N SEW
MORNING STAR QUILT MONTHLY VISIT
STORE CLOSING WARNING
ON A PERSONAL NOTE

DISCLAIMER

I just added several "newbies" to the newsletter, so this is their first rodeo, so to speak (we are now up to almost 1300 subscribers!!). All I ask of them is to just bear with me, please. As the charter members of my fan club will most certainly attest to, after a while, you'll get used to me--well, at least maybe learn how to tolerate me.

PAY NOW! (or else.....)

I realize that the International Quilt Festival bus trip is still right at 6 weeks away---November 5-6, 2010. However, if this bus trip gig is going to happen, we need all of those who have signed up to take that last step and "pay the freight" by October 1, which is next Friday, folks. If everyone who has signed up has paid by October 1, then the trip is a go.

If we do not have the minimum number paid by that date, October 1, 2010, all bets are off, as the bus will need to be canceled by the next day and all payments made will be refunded. I love all of you, I am sure, but I am only willing to lose money on my wife!! (Don't worry, Renee, you have been worth every single penny--notice I limited it to the pennies.)

So, if you have signed up for the trip but not yet paid, take a break from cutting/piecing/quilting (or whatever else you are doing in your sewing room) and either call with your credit card number, mail your check or come see one of the ladies at the shop. Personally, if I were you I'd do the latter, as that way you'll get to see the new stuff which is arriving on a regular basis.

For those of you who are still thinking about it---yes, there is still "beaucoup" (lots of) room left, even if all of those who have signed up close the deal by ponying up to the bar. If you need a reminder of the specifics of the trip, go to the web site http://www.thebornequilter.com/newsletter/; click on the Previous Newsletters link on the bottom of that page; look at the previous newsletter titled "From Shop to Festival"; and start scrolling down.

One last thing---for those of you who are east, south and north of Lafayette and want to go on the trip but don't want to drive back to your home towns on Saturday night after the bus drops you off, there are two hotels very close to the shop that you can make reservations at that night---Holiday Inn Express and CandleWood Suites. For those of you west of us, I think I've convinced the bus driver to slow down to 45 mph on I-10 so you can hop on. Seriously, arrangements will be made to stop in the Lake Charles/Sulphur area for hitchhikers.

NEW CLASS OFFERINGS

Beginning Sewing:

Don't know how to sew (I know, if you are getting this, you probably do) or know someone who wants to learn? Well, back by popular demand is Renee's very own Beginner's Sewing Class. Yes, since it is Renee's very own, she'll be the teacher.

For only $75 a total of 15 hours of class instruction will be offered on the following dates and times:
- October 9 (2:00-5:00)
- October 16 (2:00-5:00)
- October 23 (2:00-5:00)
- November 13 (2:00-5:00)
- November 20 (have you figured this out yet---2:00-5:00)
Call the shop to reserve your spot.

Machine Applique and Quilting:

Once again, Renee is earning her keep and teaching this class. There will be 2 separate classes offered (you only take one, in other words). The dates and times are:

November 9 (10:30-4:00)
December 4 (10:30-4:00)

The cost is $25.00.

Hand Applique':

Not to be outdone by Renee, Diane Redfearn is offering her Hand Applique' class on October 20, 2010 from 10:00-1:00. This has been a very popular class in the past and is back by popular demand. The cost is $25 per person. It's right before market/festival, as you can see, so you'll be able to know what to do with all of that new fabric which will be hitting the market.

Yea, you guessed it---call the shop!

HANDI QUILTER LONG ARM TRAINING

This Handi Quilter thing is really taking off. Renee is still offering training on the long arm machine that we have at the shop, which then allows you to rent it by the hour ($15 per hour). The training is offered for $45 and lasts 2.5 hours. The dates for the upcoming classes are:

October 13 (10:00-12:30)
October 13 (2:00-4:30)
October 16 (10:00-12:30)
October 16 (2:00-4:30)

You know the drill---call the shop.

SIT 'N SEW

Okay, here's the best I can do on this subject, as it was only this evening when I arrived at the shop that I was told to include this in this newsletter.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2010, right after Diane's Hand Applique' class, there will be a SIT 'N SEW from 2:00-9:00 at the shop. When I first heard about sit 'n sews I really was not impressed and told Renee that sounded pretty boring to me---come on, sitting around with a group of people without watching a football game?. Well, while I have not participated in any of these in the past, those that I have stuck my head in have been, shall we say, interesting.

Anyway, Diane tells me that you can drop in the shop whenever you want on October 20 from 2:00-9:00 and stay as long as you like, to share in comradarie, piecing/quilting techniques, oogling, assisting, gossiping.... She'll also be available to assist in whatever she can help with, including, but not limited to (sorry, it's the lawyer in me) the back basting method of applique'---whatever the heck that is---as several of you have asked about it. You really ought to take her up on this, as even though she is not one of us-she came to us via North Carolina and Texas-she really knows what she is talking about (please don't repeat this to her).

MORNING STAR QUILTED CREATIONS MONTHLY VISIT

Jessie Comeaux, with Morning Star Quilted Creations, will be making her monthly visit to the shop on October 23. She usually gets there right after lunch and stays until close to closing time. It seems that there is a pretty good interest in her long arm quilting services and she is being very well received. You might want to keep her in mind for your future long arm quilting needs.

STORE CLOSING WARNING

For those of you who got nervous when you read this caption at the beginning of this newsletter, no, we are not shutting down. We are, however, going to market the last weekend of October (October 28-November 1) and, therefore, the shop will be closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (October 28-30).

Renee tried to convince me to "man" (get it?) the shop by myself. However, remember the stories from last year when I tried to do this? Actually, if the truth be known, she has forbidden me to open it in light of those stories. Not trusting me, however, she has convinced/commanded me to go to market with the ladies in my life.

If you think I'm kidding, I've actually signed up for a class on becoming certified on that "rolly thing" I periodically talk about. I guess, once I become certified, I'll have to learn its real name! Ah, transferable skills---look out, as I'll be really hard to deal with then!! I'm already dreaming about the newsletter announcing my certification!!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Well, I suppose that there is disappointment in Mudville (remember Casey at the bat who struck out?), as this newsletter really has left me sort of feeling like I let my fan club down. Maybe it's because there were so many "newbies" and I was intimidated--NOT! Oh, well, maybe next time it'll be more like old times - then again, maybe that's not a good thing.

However, I suspect I'll be in a better mood by then, as our daughter Claire is coming in next weekend for a baby shower that Renee and Claire's aunts are giving. So, I'll have my "Claire fix" by then. Until then----

Later, lots of later--

SEW + QUILT = CREATE!

KEITH

From Shop Hop to Festival

logo2 1507 Kaliste Saloom Road Suite A

Lafayette, Louisiana 70508

337-408-3730

www.thebornequilter.com

From Shop Hop to Festival

(and things in between.)

IN THIS ISSUE:

o Shop Hop Is Over!

o International Quilt Festival Is Coming

o Block of the Month Update

o Handi Quilter Long Arm Quilting Update

o Morning Star Quilts

o Guild and Show Information

o Lagnaippe

o A Future Quilter....

SHOP HOP/SHOP HOP BUS TOUR REPORT

From 32 howling and cackling women getting on a bus on Friday morning to travel all over south Louisiana visiting 6 quilt shops; to 32 still howling and cackling women getting off the bus on Saturday evening; and to everyone in between who visited The Borne Quilter and the other 5 shops during the three day shop hop in the middle of August - WOW!! Other than the air conditioner at the shop going on the blink, it looked and sounded like all of you who participated in the shop hop had a great time.

Even the air conditioning problem had a bright side, however, as I got to write a letter to the landlord to get things off my chest (just think about some of my previous newsletters and you'll probably know what a great time I had writing it). The good news is that we have a new air conditioner. The bad news is that it works so well that I am thinking about suggesting to Renee that we close down the shop and go into the meat hanging business! Of course, she'll have to hang the meat. Care to place any wagers on the likelihood of "Borne's Meat Hanging Shop" coming to fruition?

Seriously, thanks to everyone who participated in the shop hop. Fun was had by all and before you know it, next year will be here.

INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL (HOUSTON) BUS TRIP UPDATE---November 5-6, 2010 (that should be a Friday and Saturday if you have the same calendar as I have)

Folks, so much fun was had by those 32 cackling ladies who were on the Shop Hop Bus Tour that many of them were asking about when the International Quilt Festival trip was taking place even before their luggage was unloaded from the bus. I really think that had I said just to stay on the bus they would have done so. They even requested the same bus driver for the Houston trip!

Well, the bus is reserved for Houston, as is the hotel. The bus company is the same as it was for the shop hop--CALCO--I am requesting the same driver, but who knows, over the past 2 weeks maybe he has received better offers from other cackling women. The hotel is the Residence Inn near the medical center and it must be more than acceptable, as Renee specifically requested it.

Anyway, here's the tentative schedule, which will probably not change very much, if at all:

Friday, November 5, 2010, leave Lafayette at the crack of dawn (probably no later than 6:00 a.m.). Yes, for you Lake Charles folks who choose to join us, we'll slow down on the interstate to let you hop on the bus;
Stop at the Painted Pony Quilt Shop in Baytown, Texas, which is a favorite of Renee's, who, by the way, will be the "bus mom" on the trip (Terry Graham, our bus mom for the shop hop bus tour - don't worry, she will not be able to out do you, my friend);
Arrive in Houston by noon for attendance at the quilt festival for the rest of the day. Festival hours are from 10:00-7:00;
Return to festival on Saturday morning and stay until 6:00, then return to Lafayette.

The total cost for the trip, which will include the bus ride to/from/around Houston, 1 night at the Residence Inn in Houston (double occupancy), breakfast and tickets to enter the festival on both days, will be $200. I know that I originally told you that the cost would probably be $150 (Renee was telling everyone $180-200 and I hate it when she is right!). The bus is a little more than I anticipated, as is the hotel. Also, we now are including in the price festival tickets for both days. So, when you get off the bus in Houston, you'll have your tickets already.

We'll have snacks on the bus, but all meals will be dutch treat, with the exception of breakfast on Saturday, which is included in the price. Lunch on Friday and Saturday will be at the festival, which has a food court. Dinner on Friday will be at a local eatery - Renee is leaning toward Mexican right now.

We need to meet our minimum number of paid commitments by October 1. Right now, if everyone who has already told us they are on board are really on board, we are very close to that minimum number. I am very optimistic that this trip will be a go. So, if you are interested in going, it is time to sign up.

Regarding payment, we will handle it the same way we handled the shop hop bus tour. You can either come by the shop and pay in person, call with a credit card number, or mail a check. Whatever you choose to do, you need to be paid in full by October 1 in order for us to reserve your spot. If we do not meet the minimum number of folks by October 1 the trip will be canceled and you will receive a full refund.

Please note that the cost of the trip is nonrefundable, unless the trip has to be canceled because of our inability to meet the minimum number by October 1, in which case a full refund will be given.

So, even for those of you who have already signed up, now's the time to commit. Remember, October 1 is the drop dead date, so to speak.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH UPDATE

The ladies at the shop tell me that there is 1 space left in "My Whimiscal Garden" block of the month. In case you don't remember what it looks like, here it is:

The cost for this BOM is $20.00 per month for eleven months. Each kit contains the materials for two blocks. The pattern – My Whimsical Quilt Garden by Piece O’Cake Designs - is sold separately for $20.00.

I am also informed that there are still spaces available in "Holidays at Home". Here's a reminder of what it looks like:

Holidays at Home (300x300)

The cost is $26.90 per month for six months. For this price you receive the patterns and all of the fabric for the quilt top and binding.

Yes, the blocks for both BOMs can be mailed to you.

HANDI QUILTER UPDATE

Training/Rental:

Upcoming training classes, which must be taken before the shop machine can be rented, have the following openings:

September 11 (Saturday) from 2-4:30----1 spot
September 14 (Tuesday) from 10-12:30--2 spots
September 18 (Saturday) from 10-12:30-3 spots

Purchase:

If you have been thinking about purchasing a long arm quilting machine and have been looking at the Handi Quilter 18" Avante', now's the time to think a little harder in light of a promotion being run by Handi Quilter, which we received notice of yesterday. Here the Sale Announcement which we received:

If you are interested in taking advantage of this promotion, give Renee a call at the shop (337-408-3730).

By the way, we recently took a trip to Salt Lake City to get full training on the HQ 18 Avante'. Much was learned and before you know it, maybe you'll see the HQ Truck below in person (yes, that's our fearless leader next to the truck):

HQ Truck

JESSIE COMEAUX a/k/a MORNING STAR QUILTS

Our "resident" long arm quilter, Jessie Comeaux with Morning Star Quilts, will be in the shop on September 18 from 1:00-4:00 to discuss your quilting needs and what she can do for you. If you have the need to outsource your quilting, Jessie can help, so why not plan to pay her a visit at the shop.

A NEW QUILTING QUILD AND SHOWS!

"Newbies"-----A new quilting guild has recently been formed in Cottonport, Louisiana (more or less central Louisiana located in Avoyelles Parish). It is called the Cotton Quilter's Guild and is getting off to a fast start. They obviously have great ideas, as they invited Renee to speak at their guild meeting this coming weekend (she is getting tougher and tougher to live with!)

We recently learned through that guild of a "Festival of Quilts" being held on October 2-3, 2010 to benefit the Cottonport Museum. I am attaching to this newsletter, assuming I did it right, a flyer regarding the particulars of the event, and also information regarding entering quilts into the competition. Please consider supporting this event. A warning, however, as I understand Janie and Renee are 2 of the 3 judges!

"Veterans"-----We have also been told that there is another quilt show in Hattiesburg, Ms., the following weekend, put on by the Pine Belt Quilters. It is the Fiber Art and Quilt Show, October 8-10, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center. I am also attaching a flyer dealing with that show.

LAGNIAPPE!!

Halloween Sample (225x300) I could not resist putting this in here.

In one of the most recent newsletters I showed you some pictures of our "Boo-ti-ful" Halloween fabric. Well, after getting back from Salt Lake City this sample, made from some of that fabric, was hanging in the shop, thanks to Diane. It's always amazing, to me at least, how the fabric just rolled up on bolts does not do it justice.

The pattern which Diane used was "Buggy Barn Crazies", in case you are interested.

A FUTURE QUILTER

While waiting for Renee to finish doing what she does best on Sunday mornings (sleeping late), I read an article in the September 5 edition of the Lafayette Sunday Advertiser which I thought might interest you folks. Titled "Quilting weaves together more than fabric", it's written by Jan Risher, whose stories I enjoy every Sunday, and is about her youngest daughter and fabric/quilting. For obvious reasons, it peaked my interest. I suspect that there are a lot of other young folks out there whose creative juices just need to be lovingly squeezed a bit to get them flowing. Anyway, I am attaching that article to this e-mail, also. If you have not read it, it's pretty good.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE AND IN CONCLUSION

Okay, enough rambling for tonight. One last thing, however, just to share a little family information. After our trip to Salt Lake City we continued out to California to visit our daughter and son in law, Claire and Joey. Some of you may already know that she is pregnant for her first child and our first grandchild. Well, we no longer need to call the little booger "he/she/it". We attended a "gender reveal party" while we were out there. He/she/it now has a name---Elise Joy Walker. Renee is besides herself.

As for me, I'm tired and am going to bed.

"Sew + Quilt = Create!

Keith

Attachments

Previous Newsletters

1507 Kaliste Saloom Suite A, Lafayette, La.

337-408-3730

10am - 5pm

Newsletters in September 2010