From winter to spring…

Calico Gals hosts an annual Quilt Camp in February at Christ the King Retreat House. 50 gals joined us this year for the Farm Gals retreat. Everyone went home with a handful of flower seeds and the challenge to “grow their own discount” for the Reunion Party on May 2nd. The rules were: “Bring in flowers for a 20% discount, just stalks – 10%, no green thumb – 5%. Creative cheating welcome!” Many people took advantage of the “creative cheating” clause.

Kathy K. was flower gal for the day. Of course she earned 20% off!

There were two REAL green thumbs in the group who actually grew flowers!

Congratulations Mildred and Ruth! You did it!

After lunch and show-and-tell of camp quilts, the party members received tickets to the Plank Road quilt show, so they took off for Clay and more quilts, laughs and shopping. Thanks to Calico Gal, Lynn, for a great party. Keep watching, she has many more fun events planned for the summer.

A little color adds a lot of wow!

Remember the photo of that striped wall in the Harborview store? Here it is after just one coat of beautiful blue (LaFonda Deep Blue 4011-7 to be exact).

Wow! Big improvement! Love that color!

I didn’t crop out the ceiling and lights because they are new and also look wonderful. Looking front, you can see more ceiling, lights and color. This time we brought in the same green from the Syracuse store (Prairie Bush 6003-4B, in case you wondered).

Fresh paint, but more work to be done.

So what is up with that floor? It is getting a total re-do of course! New carpet in the store and polished hardwood on the store-front window floors are scheduled for installation this week. The electrician has added more outlets for sewing machines. Before long, we’ll be moving in!

In the meantime…

It’s time to Fling! Spring Fling, of course! The third annual mini shop hop is happening this weekend – Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Grab a friend or two and head out to Calico Gals, Mission Rose Quiltery and Patchwork Plus Quilt Shop. You can pick up the $15 passport at any store. Your rewards will be refreshments, demos, pattern and fabric for springy projects and chances to win prizes! Make a purchase in each shop and receive a bonus clip-on zipper notion bag and flowery fat quarter. I had fun choosing the clipart and designing the ad this year. My inspiration comes from pccrafter.

Do you recognize Mary, Judy and me?

Just because:

This beautiful project was done by Candy Tucker, a local Calico Gal.

A tribute to a special grandmother

Candy describes her creative process: “I was looking for a way to display my grandmother’s beautiful pin, so it wouldn’t languish in a drawer for years and years. When I saw the pink Fairy Frost fabric, I knew it was the one for this project.  She loved the color pink (as do my mother and I).  I printed the photo on fabric (Printed Treasures)and sewed it on, then added the pin with a bow made of pink velvet ribbon. I dyed the lace the right color by soaking it in a pot of coffee (which my grandmother drank all day, every day).  Then I added a pink tinge with a water soluable crayon. After lots of free motion quilting (on a Babylock!) and hand beading, the piece was ready for a backing. I chose an ecru fabric with roses on it because she loved roses and always had a big flower bed full of them by her front door. My grandmother was a special woman who appreciated my creative nature even when no one else did. I hope that somehow she can see this piece and feel that I did justice to her memory.”

Thanks, Candy. We enjoy and appreciate your creativity, too.