it's all about MN

The past 2 weeks (or so) have been all about Minnesota as far as my work and sewing and quilting go. August 2nd is the kick off for the statewide quilt shop hop.  This is a coordinated effort by many (~90?) quilt shops to promote the idea for customers to get out and visit old fave stores and new treasures.  There is an official passport that is stamped at each store, and depending on the extent of your travels you are eligible for prizes and gifts.  At Bear Patch, we invest a lot of time and effort into making it a special event for the 17 days.  We give out little freebies to each person, prizes to qualifying quilters, and treats!  Debbie has a direct link to the Pearson's candy factory, and buys cases of their mints and mini salted nut rolls to give away.

We also have cases and cases of the special edition Minnesota fabrics on hand, and we create as many samples of neat projects for inspiration as our little fingers can manage!  I have 2 new patterns designed and 1 makeover of a previous pattern in the works.  I really thought I was way ahead of my planning and would not feel rushed and hurried to get them finished on time.  That was about a month ago, and then life happened!  I was gone for a family trip followed immediately by back surgery (planned) for Bob, which really required a lot more from both of us than I had ever anticipated.  No, I didn't have to go under the knife myself, but being the helpmate is a job of its own.  Bob's limitations continue for several more weeks--no lifting (over 5 lbs), no bending, no twisting, no housework, no yardwork, etc.  So I am trying to cram a lot into my days.

Out of the cramming has emerged this--

Slug Bug

 and this--

Wound Around

The first quilt is not nearly as yellow as it looks in the picture, I still have to put on the binding and then I will take a "real" picture to show you.  It feels good to get this far!  I have been putting up frequent posts on the Bear Patch Blog highlighting the Minnesota projects at the store, so hop on over there if you have an interest.

On a side note, I tried out a new thread (new to me) on the Slug Bug quilt for my longarm machine quilting.  This was a polyester 40 wt. variegated thread from Aurifil.  When I was at the Portland Quilt Market we (Debbie and I) did a little shopping and visiting in their booth.  We love their 40 and 50 wt. cotton threads and have a big supply at the store.  I am always interested in new threads that are appropriate for my quilting so I have what my customers want.  This turned out to be just the right color combo for my Slug Bug quilt.  I photographed it in a lovely natural surrounding to capture a great still life!  Other longarm quilters will appreciate the beauty, I am sure.  It ran pretty well in my machine, it did get a little twisty a couple times but that could have been partially due to the fact that I was running faster than usual.  It has a nice bit of sheen to the fibers.  Now I just have to figure out how to get more of it!

Aurifil 40 wt. polyester thread color 5512

Now it's off to work at the store, a day of moving and sorting and lifting and pulling to get merchandise ready for the 3 day annual summer sale that starts tomorrow!  It will be an ibuprofen cocktail at bedtime tonight!