Drum Roll Please......

And the Country Quilts and Bears Shop Challenge winner, 2015, is......Doris Drown.

Second place went to Janet Ward and third place went to Robin VanScoy.  Thank you so much, everyone, for participating.  Every single project that was submitted deserved applause.  Well done, all of you!

EoB Sale and Intermediate Machine Quilting Class

Click Here!

to see our latest Newsletter along with information on the Elizabeth Dackson Intermediate

Machine Quilting Class as well as the End of the Month, End of the Bolt Sale.

Here Comes Summer!

Click here for our most recent newsletter!

Click here!

Welcome Spring!

Welcome Spring!   Click the link below to see our most recent newsletter:

CLICK HERE!

Are You Ready For The Shop Challenge?

Click the link below to see our most recent newsletter and the details about our newest shop challenge!

Click Here!

I need to insert a photo of something on this post because photos add interest.  

I know it should be quilt related but all I have been thinking about all day are cupcakes.... 

so here you go!  

YUM!  

Country Quilts Shop Challenge 2013

Stop by the shop today to vote on your favorite entry!  

Don't forget, today is Wednesday and we are open until 6:00 p.m.  

Fall Frolic, Batik Blowout and A Nod to the Pumpkin

We've had a few days to settle down and catch our breath after the Jacksonville Quilt Fest and now it's time to move on to the next project - our Fall Frolic!!  On Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th we will be celebrating fall and hopefully some cooler temperatures and less humidity!  All our batiks in the store will be 30% off!!  Yes, you read that correctly, 30% off!  In addition to that marvelous discount, we are celebrating all things Pumpkin!  If you find a non-batik fabric you like that has orange or rust in it, you will get 30% off that, too!  We are calling that our "Nod to the Pumpkin" sale.    

Marilyn is hosting Thanksgiving for her family this year and she has decided to enlist her customers to help!  No, you don't have to go stuff her turkey, but she would like it if you brought in a copy of your favorite pumpkin recipe.  If she selects your recipe to prepare for her family on Thanksgiving Day, you will get to choose TWO free yards of fabric! 

In addition to all this fun, there will be fresh doughnuts and apple cider

 So, lets's recap:

~~ Batik Blowout - 30% off all batiks in the store!

~~Nod to the Pumpkin Sale - 30% off all fabric containing orange or rust!

~~Pumpkin Recipe Search - bring in your favorite pumpkin recipe and if it wins, you get 2 yards of fabric of your choice, free!

~~Fun, Fall, Frolic, Cider and Doughnuts!  What more could you ask for?

Click HERE to see what other fun we have planned to ring in the fall!

Fall Classes, Labor Day Hours and a Sale!

Above is Linda Simon's new class, Bow Ties.  

It's a beautiful thing!

We've just posted our newest class schedule and a few other things so click the link to see what's happening at Country Quilts and Bears!  See you there!  

Our New Friend

Messages From Marilyn

Here's a photo from my vacation that started in Vancouver, Canada, where I could already feel the Alaskan breezes. That lightweight jacket would soon disappear... 

We have a new friend in the shop!  He's come all the way from Alaska!  He's settled down now and found his favorite location where he greets new friends with a big smile.  However, he needs your help.  The poor guy doesn't have a name.  So we're asking you all to please come by, meet our new friend and help us give him the proper name he so deserves.  On September 18th, I'll go over all the entries and choose the winning submission.  The lucky person will receive two free yards of fabric of his or her choosing.  Oh, and let's not forget bragging rights...

Labor Day weekend hours - we will be closed Saturday, August 31st and Monday, September 2nd so we can enjoy time with our families and maybe even gets some yard work done.

Have you studied the beautiful fabrics which make up the 2013 Shop Challenge?  We're getting some very interesting, varied entries.  These are not you ordinary little quilt!  Stretch your imagination and come out of your comfortable box.  Over the years we've noticed that originality counts and only a few kits remain for your choosing.  Come play with this project and surprise yourself and others!      

The weeks pass so fast and before we know it the big Jacksonville Quilt Fest will be upon us.  Thursday, September 26th through Saturday, September 28th.  This is the larges quilt show in the state with over 400 quilts and 74 vendors.  It has always been well worth your time and effort to attend this event.  It is always an exciting weekend!  Or triple booth is number 404, the exact spot we've been for years!  Please come on by and say "hello".    

The Cat's Away!

A Message From Marilyn:

John and I will not be in the shop for awhile as we take some vacation time with family.  We haven't even gone and already I'm hearing rumors around here... Last year's "When the Cat's Away - The Mice Will Play" events were so popular that I'm sure Becky and Susan are planning on recreating similar hi-jinks.  I am sure that they are in the planning stages because every time I look at them, they have their heads together and the calendar out.  Whenever possible please come by the shop to keep an eye on my Mice.  I'm certain that you'll enjoy their mischief, as well!  

A Message From The Mice:

You better believe we have hi-jinks planned!!  Watch our blog and facebook page for hints and notifications letting you know what is going on here in the Mice Den!  We promise some great fun and fabulous sales and mabe even a squeek or two.
Squeek... squeek!  

Click here for our newest newletter and the announcement regarding our Shop Challenge 2013!  

End of Bolt Sale, Summer Classes and 4th of July Hours

Our newest newsletter is available by clicking HERE
.  Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Stay tuned.... it's time for our shop challenge.  We have created the kits and we will officially announce it on or around the 5th of July...  

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!  

Disabled List Update and End of the Month, End of the Bolt Sale!!!!

First, and foremost, Marilyn wants to remind you all that the End of the Month, End of the Bolt sale is this Saturday, September 29th. 

Yes, it’s that time again - end of month, end of bolt sale! 

Stop in and purchase the remaining fabric on a bolt and receive 30% off!

Marilyn is now in Clearwater and beginning her rehab.  She needs about a week to get on her feet and then she will be open to evening visits after Friday, October 5th.  As you can imagine, she is working very hard to get up and running again!  It's hard to keep a good woman down. 

~~Also, don't forget that the Shop Challenge is due Monday, October 1st.  Bring those Challenge projects in - we can't wait to hang them!~~

Country Quilts and Bears September and October Newsletter

Remember, if you are having problems viewing the document below, you can click on the button at the bottom right hand corner OF THIS POST and that will enlarge it to a "full screen" pdf file. CQB's Newsletter September October 2012

July and August 2012 Newsletter and Class List

Remember, if you are having problems viewing the document below, you can click on the button at the bottom right hand corner OF THIS POST and that will enlarge it to a "full screen" pdf file. Newsletter July August 2012

Shop Challenge!!!

OK, all of you talented ladies - it's time again for our shop challenge.  After a short hiatus we've decided to hop back in and see what the incredibly talented quilters who hang out at our shop create for the competition.  We've chosen four exciting new Bali fabrics to stir your imagination.  Using the Balis we've chosen for the challenge, you may use a published pattern or create your very own design to complete your entry.  The kit consists of four half yard cuts of beautiful Hoffman Balis and can be purchased for $19.95.  We can't wait to see what you create.  The fabrics are shown below: 

Country Quilts and Bears Challenge Rules

1.  Must use some of the four challenge fabrics.

2.  Can include up to four more fabrics.

3.  Please create smaller items.  No large quilts.

4.  Must have personal quilting either hand or machine.  No professional longarm quilting.

5.  Embellishments allowed.

6.  Your entry must be returned to Country Quilts by October 1, 2012.

7.  Entries will be on display so customers can vote for their favorite during the month of October.

8.  Winners will be announced and prizes awarded the 1st week of November.

1st Place:    $75.00 Gift Certificate

2nd Place:  $50.00 Gift Certificate

3rd Place:  $25.00 Gift Certificate