Saturday, December 15, 2012

January and February Class Schedule



1983 Drew Street, Clearwater, FL 33765

727-461-4171   ~  Store Hours:  Monday through Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00



A Christmas Message from Marilyn…

If you listen closely, you can almost hear those jingle bells.  Santa and all his helpers are busy, busy, busy getting everything ready for the Big Day!  And so it is that all of us here at Country Quilts and Bears want to wish you a wonderful Holiday and thank you for your continued support here at the store.

Looking ahead and into 2013 we pray for peace among nations, prosperity for our families and individual health for us all.  

God bless you all in 2013!    
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Christmas Ideas

How are you doing with your Christmas shopping?  Need some suggestions?

Gift Certificates from Country Quilts and Bears make wonderful gifts!  These never expire and are redeemable not only for fabric but for classes, kits, books, and notions as well. 

Have you seen the 2013 Hoffman Challenge?  It is very elegant with golds and turquoise colors.  This would make a wonderful gift for any of your quilting friends. 

Don’t wait too long to shop since we are closing December 24th to help Santa. 

Holiday hours are:

For Christmas we are closed December 24th, 25th and 26th.

To welcome in the New Year we are closed December 31st and January 1st. 
Watch for our January pattern sale….

Carol Clarke’s Beginning and Intermediate Applique

This course is designed to teach and refine your needle turn applique techniques. Both beginners and intermediates are welcome. You can choose your own patterns and or use the class samples. This is an ongoing class.

The fee is $20 per class. Class held the second Saturday of each month, from 10—2:00, beginning Saturday, January 12th. The second class will be meeting Saturday, February 9th. 


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Hand Quilting with Diane Hosman

Saturday, January 12th   10-2:00  $30
The domestic art of hand quilting is back in vogue and in full swing. More and more people are expressing a desire to finish off their pieced and appliquéd quilt tops with beautiful hand stitches. Join us in small classes where you learn the values of fabric, needles, thread, hoops, and thimbles.

You’ll also learn how to avoid carpel tunnel syndrome while quilting.

One of the many pleasures of hand quilting is the peacefulness that takes over when the fingers begin to move in a quiet rhythm. Come join us in the resurrection of this gentle art. If you have had any doubts about this hand-craft, please remember we all started with big, uneven stitches, but we had to start somewhere! Saturday, January 12th, 10:00-2:00. $30.00. Supply list available at the shop.
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English Country Garden with Diane Hosman

Saturday, January 19th  10-2:00   $35 + kits available or bring fabric of your choice

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
This is an old technique make new again!  Great raw edge table topper – ideal for a charm pack.  Easy to make in a day! 
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Strips and Ladders with Carol Clarke
Saturday, January 26th  10:00-4:00  $30

 This quilt is easy and fun. It is made using just 2 types of blocks – a square and a rectangle.

If you cut your strips in advance, you will be able to finish your top in class. This is good for beginners and can be great for experienced quilters who want to relax and have a good time.

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Argyle 4-Patch with Pam Evans

An Unusual Setting

Saturday, February 2nd and 9th  10-4:00   $45


What a great way to use lots of your leftover bits of fabrics.  Set on point, these unusual triple 4-patch blocks are a snap to make.  The floating border is …shush … don’t tell anyone … Super Simple!  During the first session you will learn the block construction and then work on the floating border in week two. 

Grab your favorite scraps or get rid of those not so loved bits.  It’s amazing how the beautiful mix so well with the very ugly when they are cut into bits.  Pam used some of everything and she’s thrilled with the outcome.  You will be too! 

Woolen Sheep Block of the Month with Becky Madasz

A seven month program that will run on the first Monday of each month, beginning February 4th.  For the February class you will have two teachers, for the price of one!  Francy Gordon will be lending her expertise to help make the sheep.  In the first month you will make the sheep that the blankets rest on.  Then each month after that we will make two of the 8” x 8” blankets.  When finished you will have a blanket that corresponds to the theme of each particular month.

Begins February 4th,  10-1:00

Second class March 4th, 10-1:00

The sheep finishes at 20" x 10" and the blankets finish at 7.75" x 7.5"

Class fee:  $12 per class

Pattern required, Kit available upon request or you may use your own wool.

Beginning Quilting
with Becky Madasz or Roni Hunt

This class will take you from fabric selection to binding your projects with the beautiful sample below.

Becky’s class will run on Wednesdays for 4 weeks in March. 

Book Required.

Roni’s class will also run Saturdays in March for 4 weeks.  The dates will be announced in February.  10-2:00.  $40.

   Call to be placed on the March class roster.  Book Required.

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Paper Piecing with Lynn Woods

Saturday, January 12th, 10-2:00  $20

Lynn will be teaching paper piecing techniques using the Valentine pattern shown above or any pattern of your choosing from the required book.
For the February 2nd class, Lynn will be teaching the March block from the required book.  The February class will run from 10-2:00 and cost $20 as well. 

Learn to quilt with absolute accuracy from a master paper piecer!     

Call today to hold your spot!

Book required.

Vintage Rouge Block of the Month Finishing Class


This is just a reminder from Becky that we will be meeting Tuesday, January 21st  from 10:00 to 2:00. 
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It’s A Wrap Basket Class  with Susan Freebery

Wrap, wind, and sew fabric strips into fantastic containers, place mats, rugs or trivets.  Create all those things using cotton clothesline and strips of fabric from your stash or yardage that you cut into strips.  This is a fun, easy and rewarding class and you will leave with a basket you are proud to call your own using fabrics you already have in your stash!    

How about making one from that left over fabric from a baby quilt and it can then be used to hold loose items in the nursery.  Or how about starting early to prepare for Christmas 2013?  These baskets make marvelous gifts when given, full or empty! 
Saturday, February 9th. 10:00-3:00  $25
Supply list available at store

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Little Scrappy Shoo-Fly Quilt  with Linda Simons

February 20th  10:00-3:00    $30

No pattern required!


Make this fun quilt any size from table runner to full sized quilt,  sew till you run out of fabric!

Learn Linda's quick techniques to make this great quilt go together easily...

No pinning
No marking diagonals
No triangle papers
No pressing little seams open
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Yard Birds with Lynda Weingart

Saturday, February 23rd  10-3:00  $30


YARD BIRD SEWING KIT:  How can you resist this adorable sewing kit?

If you are a quilter, you know you have to have it!  This cute wool piece was designed by Joyce Weeks of Geoff's Mom Pattern Company and

you can make it in a day.   The outside features a family of yard

birds: a rooster, a hen and five cute little chicks made of felted wool, stitched and embellished with simple embroidery stitches.  The inside has two roomy zipped pockets, a fried egg pin cushion, a wool needle keeper and a pocket for your pencils or scissors.  All your hand sewing supplies can be neatly fitted into this adorable sewing kit. 


Scrap Busting String Quilt Class 

Saturday, March 16th 10-3:00  $25 
We are going to offer a class on Saturday, March 16th to teach string block assembly.  This class does not require a book or pattern but we are sure that when you complete your first string block quilt, you will be hungry as can be for more patterns and inspiration to use up your stash.  It’s a fun and easy project that is as simple and economical as can be.  The quilt you make can be as big as you want, or as small as you would like it to be.  The fabric you use can be brights, civil war, batiks, patriotics, a combination of all, or whatever suits your mood and stash.   Below is a baby floor quilt using brights (Great baby shower gift!) and a bed quilt using civil war scraps–both used up a tremendous amount of scraps from Susan’s stash!  Susan will also be showing samples of many different projects you can make using your newly acquired string block skills.  Many of these samples won’t even need a pattern for you to create them.      
Call today to reserve a spot for this Scrap Busting String Quilt Class!

Saturday, March 16th   10 – 3:00     $25

Supply list available at store or request via email. 

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Coming Soon…. Francy’s Felting Frolic

Francy would like to share a new skill she has learned using our wonderful wools.  Watch for announcements and class samples using hand techniques.  and machine wool felting

Sunday, December 9, 2012

A Christmas Message From Marilyn

If you listen closely, you can almost hear those jingle bells.  Santa and all his helpers are busy, busy, busy getting everything ready for the Big Day!  And so it is that all of us here at Country Quilts and Bears want to wish you a wonderful Holiday and thank you for your continued support here at the store.

Looking ahead and into 2013 we pray for peace among nations, prosperity for our families and individual health for us all.  
God bless you all in 2013.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Christmas Mystery Classes and Turkey Trot Bulletin

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!
Those Country Quilt Gobblers are warming up for the 5K Wingding at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.  It was such a delight last year that we want to continue our new tradition - even though Marilyn has broken a few turkey bones!  However, not to be deterred, a wheelchair will do just fine. We need volunteers to do the Power Pushing for Marilyn in the wheelchair.  The road is smooth and shouldn't be an obstacle.  Call the shop and sign up for the Turkey Trot/Power Push today!  And just so you know, Marilyn is already warning Susan about her personal speed limits and to that Susan said, "Get a seat belt."
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Christmas Mystery Round-About
Christmas is right around the corner and Marilyn has a little message for all of you:
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout.
She's telling you why
The Christmas Mystery is coming to town
She's making a list
And checking it twice;
She's gonna find out
who's naughty and nice
The Christmas Mystery is coming to town...
It's time we seriously begin to think about our most popular event of the year, the Christmas Mystery Class.  Marilyn's checking our list, and checking it twice, because she wants to be sure who's coming and who is not able to attend.  She has a short waiting list started and if you want to be added to it, let us know.  We can't promise you a seat but we will fit in as many as possible. 
Sooooooo..... if you have already signed up, please call the shop to confirm your reservation.  Also, please note that this year we are not having a night class.  Both classes will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday , December 6th and Saturday, December 8th.  
Class fee $35 + kit fee of $50 for a total of $85 plus tax.
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Kim Diehls new book, Homestyle Quilts is in!
Simple Quilts and Savory Recipes
Co-Authored with Laurie Baker, this inviting book includes a baker's dozen of simply sewn patchwork and applique quilts, along with a gathering of Kim and Laurie's favorite quick-to-fix and slow cooker recipes.  Come in and get your copy today!  

Thursday, November 1, 2012

And the winner is........

Below you will see the 14 entries for our shop challenge.  We appreciate all those who participated this year.  The entries were diverse and very interesting.  It's amazing what people can do with the same four fabrics!  We are very happy to announce our winners at the bottom of this post.  Each entry is labeled underneath it's photo.  
Above:  Cathy Blanchard - entry #1
Above:  Martina Kupitz - entry #2
Above:  Waleska Villalobos - entry #3
Above:  Sue Weiland - entry #4
Above:  Julie Duddy - entry #5
Above:  Mary Grace Rogers - #6
Above:  Mary Sue Reinhart and Clarisse Cramer - entry #7
Above:  Christine Gruskin - entry #8
Above:  Joy Martin - entry #9
Above:  Judy Phetteplace - entry #10
Above:  Barbara Leonard - entry #11
Above:  Cindy Stanton - entry #12 
Above:  Renita Sullivan - entry #13
Above:  Diane Friedman - entry #14

And the winners are
1st Place:  Barbara Leonard - entry #11
2nd Place:  Waleska Villalobos - entry #3
3rd Place:  Cathy Blanchard - entry #1

Congratulations! 
We were very happy to see Marilyn in the store on Thursday.  Her first job was counting the ballots and informing the winners of our Shop Challenge.  It really was nice to have her back, even if it was only for a short while today!  


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

End of Month, End of Bolt and 40% off all Halloween!


Memo from Marilyn…
I’m back!  Maybe not 100% but enough to get around with a walker.  Everyone has been so thoughtful sending cards, gifts, and flowers.  Again, how do I say thank you to so many people?  John and I hope to be in the store this Saturday, November 3rd.  Please come by the shop and say hello and come in and take advantage of the extended “End of the Month, End of the Bolt” sale as well as 40% off all Halloween fabric and kits.       
Please note the store will be closed Wednesday, November 21st through Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your holiday!
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End of the Month, End of the Bolt
It’s that time again - end of the month, end of the bolt sale.
This month it’s Wednesday, October 31st through Saturday, November 3rd!
Stop in and purchase the remaining fabric on a bolt and receive 30% off!
We just got more than 60 bolts of fabric in and we need room to put them!
 also
it’s the Halloween Fabric Blow OUT Sale!
ALL Halloween fabric AND kits in the store are 40% OFF!!! 
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A Little Something Jacket Class

Taught by Alison O’Grady, 
Master Seamstress

Breeze into the season in this carefree layer of pure casual elegance!  The jacket has a slightly flared ¾ length sleeve or full length sleeve and is designed to move easily from work to weekend.  Whether 22½” or 25½” finished length, this feminine silhouette is as comfortable as it is stylish!  It’s a wonderful jacket for our newly cool weather!    
Saturday, November 10th, from 10:00 to 4:00,  $40
Pattern required. 
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Carol’s Clutch Class
Saturday, November 10th, 10:00 to 2:00.  $20
With holidays fast approaching wouldn't these wonderful clutches make a marvelous gift? 
Carol Hemmingsen is teaching this fabulous class.  Stop in today for the (short) supply list!
They are as easy to make as they are fashionable.
No pattern required.  Book your class today!
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Lynn Woods Paper Piecing Class
Saturday, November 10th, 10:00 to 2:00.  $20

Lynn is teaching the turkey or the snowman block this month.  You choose which one is right for you! 
Stop in the shop for the supply list!  Book required.  
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Hand-Print Quilting Projects

With the holidays fast approaching, and family visits just weeks away, why not grab a few supplies and get ready to make something your family or you will cherish forever!       

 Stop in the shop and see the handprint wall hanging samples that we have made up illustrating a few of the options available to create a unique and personalized wall hanging or quilt using the hands and feet of your grandchildren or little family members.  We used the Marcia Layton book, Calendar Kids, as our inspiration.  Using a little fabric paint, some muslin and a bit of the scrap fabric we all have hanging around the house you can make up a delightful and inexpensive gift.   Get the handprints while the wee ones are nearby and make the quick, easy project when the company goes home!  There may even be a January class to help you put the blocks together…. Stay tuned and get those prints!         






Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Note From Marilyn, Our Fearless Leader

I've heard it said many times that the words "thank you" can be so inadequate.  I understand this now.  Your get-well wishes and cards continue and I love each one of them.  They are such a special part of my day.  There are so many to thank.  How in the world do I thank those who drove up to Jacksonville to help work our booth while I was having surgery?  Or those who took time from their Quilt Retreat to help Francy and Susan in the booth until the reinforcements arrived?  Finding the  right words to thank everyone will be near impossible, but I want you all to know that I am eternally grateful.  Thank you all, so very much, for all that you have done.  It hasn't gone unnoticed and it means the world to me.

As you probably know by now, I fell in the rain and broke my left hip.  I've kidded around about my Little Mice and how they need watching while the Cat's away.  I have to tell you all that right now, in my mind, they are all wearing gold crowns!  They have done an amazing job in my absence and I couldn't be more pleased.  Oh, and if you want to sneak me a report or two, I'm OK with that, too!  This rehab can get a bit boring.  Wink wink...

Mine will be a long rehab, but with God's help I will be walking again in no time at all!  Thank you all, again, and I will see you soon!

Note from Becky and Susan:  The Shop Challenge Quilts are hung and the voting has begun.  Come by the shop and cast your vote for the winner.  They are beautiful and we couldn't be more pleased with the pieces the participants have created.   Stop in and exercise your Local Quilt Shop Civic Duty and vote for your favorite!  Also, we have tons of new bolts of fabric we are anxious to share with you - you know what they say, "While the cat's away, the mice will play."  Well, a salesman or two has stopped by and we couldn't help ourselves... come see what we got!  Shhhh..... don't tell the cat, though!