Sweet Home Quilt Co.

As 2012 winds down, I just wanted to take a few minutes to say thanks…for your business, your love and support, and your encouraging words along the way. It was a great year at the shop, beginning with the phone call in January telling me that Sweet Home had been selected as a Top Ten Shop for Quilt Sampler magazine, followed by weeks of frantic preparation for the photo shoot in early March, and then the agonizing wait until May when the official announcement was made at Quilt Market. There were times I thought I’d burst with the news, but we managed to keep it quiet. The outpouring of love and congratulatory messages received from all of you when the announcement was made were both humbling and heartwarming, and served as proof that Sweet Home is as loved by you as it is by us! We’ve met so many wonderful new friends from all over the U.S. and several other countries as a result of the magazine article, and I never tire of hearing “what a wonderful shop!”, which always makes me smile…it makes every effort worthwhile!

In the midst of preparing for the Quilt Sampler photo shoot, we welcomed Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs for a workshop in February. Sixty-five quilters spent two fun-filled days working with Terry testing a quilt pattern from her then soon-to-be-released book, Graphic Mixx, which has proven to be another hit for her! Every single time I look at the Graphic Mixx book I think to myself “we had a part in that!” Today, almost a year later, I still hear comments about how much fun that weekend was, and when can we do it again?

So many special moments from throughout the year … I could write a book! But I won’t since you’re probably getting ready for champagne and fireworks! I do especially want to thank everyone who has helped support our charitable efforts this year. Thanks to you, more than 500 pillowcases have been donated to ConKerr Cancer, and over 100 pet beds went to the local animal shelter. When Hurricane Sandy devastated the Northeast, you were quick to answer my call for help, contributing nearly 100 quilts and blankets and money to help with shipping costs. I really think we made a difference in a lot of ways this year, and I’m so proud to have the support of such giving hearts! You lift me up every single day in ways I never could have imagined!

Tomorrow brings a new year. I’m excited about this one. Good things are planned. Good things are happening. I’m ready.

Wishing you happiness,
Wishing you health,
Wishing you blessings …

Happy New Year!

~Melisa

I think I’ve forgotten how to blog it’s been so long! I’ve been spending every spare moment planning our workshop with Terry Atkinson and working on new samples and displays for the shop and everything else has taken a back seat…shame on me! We’re in the home stretch now, though, with the workshop (sadly) behind us, and just about everything ready for the two quilt shows where we’ll be vending in March (you DO have the Heart of Georgia Quilt Guild’s Festival of Quilts and the Lake Oconee Quilt Guild’s Quilt-Fest on your calendar, right?) Preparations for Shop Hop are coming along so perhaps things will begin to get back to normal (whatever that is!) around here. I’m slowly, but surely getting caught up and I thank you for your patience!

We’ve had beautiful quilts brought in recently to share and I have been very remiss in getting these accolades posted…we enjoy seeing your projects so much, and just because I’m a lazy blogger, please don’t stop with the sharing!

Ann made this cheery scrap quilt from her Batik scraps…the strips finish at 1”!!!

Carolyn has been busy! Love the two-color baskets quilt (I am itching to make a two-color quilt!), and those flying geese? Be still my heart! Wish I had a better picture of this quilt…it is gorgeous!

I’m sure many of you remember Claire, who worked in the shop for a short while (until her husband up and whisked her off to Macon for a job transfer!). When Claire started working with us, she knew how to sew but did not quilt. In less than three months, she made her first quilt (on the left) using our Beginner’s Quilting program, and quickly moved on to her second quilt (on the right) which she made using a vintage fabric that had been gifted to her. She even modified the pattern to take best advantage of the fabric print! Smart girl…we sure miss her at Sweet Home!

Leiann whipped out a Texas Two Step baby quilt for a gift in between finishing up her PhD projects!

Ruthanne finished her 2011 First Sunday Block Party Thangles BOM…you can finish quickly when you keep up with making the blocks each month…who knew? I love how this color selection turned out…it is the batik version and I wasn’t sure about it when I first picked out the fabrics, but I love how the dark block background makes those stars shine!

That’s all for this post. There is a lot going on around here, but some things I can’t share right now. I have pictures from the workshop with Terry, but since we were testing a new pattern for her I can’t post those yet. Teaser…you’re going to love her new design! And if you missed her workshop, we had a fantastic time…just sayin’!

Melisa

We are excited to host Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs for a two-day workshop featuring her latest quilt design scheduled for release in May 2012. You’ll be the first test group to see the design and you’ll have the opportunity to learn Terry’s special tips and techniques while making what promises to be another winning design! Terry will also teach a bonus fat quarter mystery project after dinner on the first day. Don’t miss this opportunity to work with one of the quilting industry’s favorite designers!

When: Thursday & Friday, February 23-24, 2012

Charlie Elliott Conference Center
543 Elliott Trail
Mansfield, Georgia
(Located 30 miles east of Conyers)

The workshop will begin promptly at 9AM both days, and will end Friday at 5PM. Options are available for both overnight and day only participation. The Charlie Elliott Conference Center is a large, well-appointed space that is perfect for workshops.

Accommodations:
Stay in a spacious hotel style room. No one shares a bed and no one sleeps on the top bunk! All rooms are double occupancy; if you come alone we can arrange a roommate. Smoke free rooms; smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the buildings. No pets or alcohol permitted.

Cost:
Workshop fees are $175 per person with overnight accommodations, or $125 per person with no overnight accommodations.

This fee includes:
*Two day workshop with Terry featuring two unreleased Atkinson Designs projects
*Four meals and snacks

Food:
Traditional style buffet meals included:
*Thursday (Lunch & Dinner)
*Friday (Breakfast & Lunch)
*Plus snacks and beverages

Project:
Participants will make two unreleased Atkinson Designs projects – a quilt and a smaller mystery project. A complete Supply List will be made available to participants by February 1, 2012.

NOTE: These are NOT beginner level projects. Participants must have advanced beginner to intermediate quilting experience, and be familiar with quilting terminology, tools and techniques.

REGISTER TODAY! SPACE IS LIMITED…

$75 deposit is due at registration.
Balance is due by January 15, 2012.

Refund Policy: No refunds after January 15, 2012 unless we can find someone to take your place. If you find yourself unable to attend, feel free to find a replacement for your reservation. (Sometimes we have a waiting list, so please let us know.)

Download registration form

Be sure to set your reminders for the Fall-O-Ween Quilt Designer Blog Hop which kicks off next week. Last year’s Christmas blog hop with this group was fabulous, so I’m sure Fall-O-Ween will be even more so! Here’s the daily line-up:

Sept. 27 Gudrun: http://www.gudrun.typepad.com/

Sept. 28 Sandy: http://www.piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com/

Sept. 29 Roseann: http://www.rosebudscottage.typepad.com/

Sept. 30 Kari: www.newleafstitches.com/blog

Oct. 1 Terry: http://www.terryatkinson.typepad.com/

Oct. 2 Heather: http://www.ankastreasures.wordpress.com/

Oct. 3 Terri: http://www.whimsicals.typepad.com/

Oct. 4 Carrie: http://www.lavieenrosie.typepad.com/

Oct. 5 Linda: http://www.lindalumdebono.blogspot.com/

Oct. 6 Pat: http://www.patsloan.typepad.com/

Help spread the word and then head over to Terry’s blog where she’s giving away a complete set of her zippers to one lucky person who leaves a comment telling her how you’ve shared the blog hop news.

I shamelessly poached this picture from Terry’s blog to show you what you could win! Look at those luscious fall colored zippers!!! And if you happen not to be the winner, don’t worry, we have these zippers in stock, too…36 colors and just 89 cents each.

So, here’s your assignment:

• Mark your calendar with the Fall-O-Ween Blog Hop dates so you don’t forget
• Visit each designer’s blog each day for fun Fall ideas and projects
• Spread the word about the Fall-O-Ween blog hop on your blog or emails or word of mouth
• Visit Terry’s blog and leave her a comment for a chance to win a complete set of zippers

See you there!

Melisa

…but occasionally surprises can be fun and exciting. Earlier this week Roseann asked if I planned to be at the shop Friday. My first thought was that she was coming down for a visit, but no such luck as she’s vending at the Minnesota State Fair for two weeks. She said some people she knew were going to be in the area and she’d asked them to check out Sweet Home Quilt Co. and she wanted to be sure I would be there when they came. She didn’t offer any other explanation and so I just assumed it was probably some of her customers. Luckily, we were really sprucing up the shop all week long in preparation for the Party on the Porch and our Birthday Bash Weekend…you know the drill…heavy duty cleaning, rearranging, new displays, etc.

So who were the mystery guests? Imagine my surprise when I looked out my office window Friday afternoon to see a very familiar face getting out of the car…

It was Terry Atkinson and her husband, Kirk! They had been on vacation to Tybee Island and were spending the night in Atlanta before flying back home to Minnesota on Saturday. It never crossed my mind that they might be our mystery visitors! And the funny thing is, Terry and I had exchanged emails earlier in the week and she had mentioned that they were on vacation, but she didn’t say where and I didn’t ask…I can just see her giggling to herself about her plans and knowing that I didn’t know! I know Roseann was reveling in the secret!

It was so great having them visit and getting the chance to share Sweet Home Quilt Co. with them! Terry is my absolute favorite pattern designer (there’s a surprise for ya!) and she has become a good friend over the past couple of years since I’ve been going to her shop owner’s retreat in Wisconsin.

I’m still not a lover of surprises so nobody get any big ideas, ok… but in this case it was probably a really good thing that I didn’t know Terry was dropping by…I would have driven everyone crazy for sure! As it was, not knowing meant I could really enjoy having Terry in the house!!!

Melisa