Handi Quilter Tech Training

Posted in Art and Stitch, HandiQuilter on August 19th 2011
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I just got back from three days of tech training for the Handi Quilters.  Taking the machine apart, lubing, adjusting, setting the timing, putting it back together.  I expected to get dirty, but except for dirt under my fingernails, I stayed pretty clean.  Spent quite a bit of time with the Pro-Stitcher.   Lots of fun.  It uses Art and Stitch software.  The possibilities are endless.  I have an Avante on a Studio frame and a Sweet Sixteen with a sit-down table in the shop.  Next I’ll have to figure out where to put a Fusion with a Pro-Stitcher .  I’ll never get any paper work done.

I meant to take pictures of us with our machines apart.  But I forgot–I was way too fascinated by the insides of the machines.  So as I was leaving, I got a picture of my car parked next to the Handi Quilter Truck.  I’m posting it below.  Extra note:  I took my Avante from the shop to work on.  I have it set up again in the shop and it still runs perfectly.  Good training, guys!

Handi Quilter truck next to Char's car

We’ll have to get that truck to come over here sometime.

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Washington County Fair

Posted in Calendar, Charlotte's Quilting Web, Events, Quilt Minnesota on August 7th 2011
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Went to the fair.  Had a great time admiring all of the quilts, wall hangings, needlework, and every other kind of hand work.  Congratulations to all of those who participated.  Special congratulations to Helen, Karen, Serena, Judy, Sue, Roberta, and Bonnie, who won the gift certificate prizes that we sponsor for the Wall Hangings.  Wonderful work!

The Minnesota State Fair is only a few weeks away.  More quilts and needlework to admire.  Through0ut the fall, there are lots of local shows.  So many beautiful quilts, so little time to see them all.  Thinking of shows–here’s a photo of my quilt guild’s raffle quilt.  Most of us embroidered or pieced at least one block.  Becky Ketelson quilted it.  We are the Evening Stars in Mahtomedi, MN.  The show is on October 21 and 22.  I’ll work on getting details about all these shows onto the schedule page above.

Evening Stars in the Garden Raffle Quilt

Evening Stars in the Garden Raffle Quilt

One more week of Quilt Minnesota.  Keep on hopping!  We love seeing all of you.

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Handi Quilter Special–Free Shipping!

Posted in Charlotte's Quilting Web, HandiQuilter on July 6th 2011
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Handi Quilter and I are celebrating the 4th July by declaring freedom from shipping charges.  Order any Handi Quilter machine, frame, table or machine package with a retail value of $1800 or more and get free shipping.  Offer expires on August 8–so hurry in to order a machine now.

Have you stopped in yet to see our Handi Quilters?  We have the Sweet Sixteen setup for sit down use.  We also have the Avante 18″ with a Studio frame.  The frame can be 12 feet wide, but for demo purposes, we have only a four foot section set up.  Come in and take a test drive–it’s lots of fun!

 

Avante 18 with 4 feet portion of frame

Handi Quilter Avante 18" set up with 4 feet of frame

 

HQ Machines Fireworks

Somebody must have had fun making this picture.

Somebody must have had fun making this picture.

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Handi Quilter Avante is here!

Posted in Charlotte's Quilting Web, Golden Threads, HandiQuilter, Moda fabrics on June 7th 2011
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The Handi Quilter 18″ Avante is here and set up.  For the moment, it’s set up with a 4 foot frame and it’s in the classroom.   We could set it up with 12 feet of frame–but this will work for demos.  We’ll move it out to the “front room” eventually.  It’s fun fun fun.  I’m having a blast–playing with rulers, pantos, free hand, and just plain scribbling.  Why didn’t I do this sooner?  Here’s a photo of the set up.

Avante-w-4ft-frame in the classroom

Avante in the classroom

I’ve also got instructional DVDs, Golden Thread products, needles, pins, scissors, and a variety of accessories.  We’ve got some of the DVDs on the webstore.  We can also order in for you just about everything Handi Quilter and Golden Threads makes.

For Memorial Day I made a quilt top.  (Yes, Char actually does get to do something besides paperwork–occasionally.)  I’ve been dying to do something with the Hullabaloo line by Urban Chicks for Moda.  Lots of big bold prints, bright colors and really cute tossed animals–llamas, camels, cool stuff.  The perfect pattern–”Equal Rights” by Swirly Girl Designs.  Nice big blocks to showcase those big prints.  A Creative Grid ruler to tame the 60 degree triangles.  A stunning quilt in a weekend.  Great for a retreat or just me “me time.”  Here’s a photo.

Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo made with Swirly Girls Equal Rights pattern

Now I’ll have to think about quilting it.  Hmm, I’m going to have to set that Avante up on an 8 foot frame.  I confess my geekiness–that sounds like fun.  We’ll see if I can find the space.

Next I’ll have to figure out what to make with those Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hoey for Moda.  Fun prints with young girls on tree swings and scooters.

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HandiQuilter Avante on way

Posted in Charlotte's Quilting Web, Golden Threads, HandiQuilter, Quilt Market on May 19th 2011
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I am back from Quilt Market and Handi Quilter training. Somehow, I managed to fall? jump? into the deep end of the pool and I ordered a Handi Quilter Avante to demo in the shop.  It’s an 18″ stitch regulated machine with a 12 foot table.  Now I have to figure out where to put it.

I also ordered lots of rulers, gadgets, videos, and accessories for the Handi Quilter machines.  All of these should show up soon.

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Handi Quilter Training

Posted in Charlotte's Quilting Web, HandiQuilter on May 11th 2011
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First day of Handi Quilter rep training.    The company, machines–Sweet 16, Avante, Fusion.  Needles, bobbins, threads and tension.  Rulers, pantos, groovy boards.  Tomorrow it’s day two–lots of time with the Pro Stitcher.

This place is full of gorgeous quilts and great sayings.  “Blessed are a quilter’s children, for they shall inherit quilts.”

Another is “The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and worthy.  The pursuit of perfection is frustating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time. “

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Road Trip!

Posted in HandiQuilter, Quilt Market on May 9th 2011
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I’m on my way to Salt Lake City!  First it will two days of Handi Quilter Training.  Then Quilt Market.  After that, a special treat–heading to Colorado to visit my son and his wife.

I waited out this morning’s thunderstorms, headed south to Des Moines and then west through Nebraska.  Now I’m in North Platte.  It was 100 degrees most of the way from Des Moines to Kearney!  And to think that I made sure I had my winter coat with me–just in case of snow.  Maybe there will be some in Colorado.

I’m putting a picture of Nellie car at a rest stop on the shop’s facebook page–Charlottes Quilting Web.  I’m going to try a question on facebook also–who is your favorite designer?  It can be fabric or designer.  I’ll try to seek out some of them at Market and get pictures.

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It’s Here!

Posted in Charlotte's Quilting Web, HandiQuilter on April 20th 2011
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The HandiQuilter Sweet Sixteen with the sit down table has arrived.  It’s fun to play with.  What this gives you is a machine with a 16″ throat and a nice flat table to work with.  The fabric is not on a frame and you move the fabric, not the sewing machine.  It’s quiet, compact and can work well in a space where you don’t have a lot of room and don’t want a lot of noise.

Char at the Sweet Sixteen

Char at the Sweet Sixteen

Training is in Mid-May, so by then I’ll be able to answer all your questions and show you fun rulers that go with it.

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New Kit! Minnesota Summers

Posted in Kits, Moda fabrics on March 30th 2011
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If you are a fan of Holly Taylor or Terry Atkinson, you’ll be excited about this combination.  We used Holly Taylor’s new line–Dragonfly Summer from Moda and Atkinson Design’s “All Around Minnesota” pattern.  It’s gorgeous.  We kitted it in lap, twin and king sizes.  Come into the shop or visit our online store to see it.  If you are nearby–come in–the photos don’t do it justice.

Minnesota Summer Close Up

Close Up of Minnesota Summer

 

Minnesota Summers

Minnesota Summers (Lap Sized)

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Crazy for Crazy Eights

Posted in Charlotte's Quilting Web, Childrens Fabric, Kits on March 9th 2011
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We went CRAZY for Crazy Eights!  We love those quick little patterns “Crazy Eight” from Bits N Pieces.  They use 8 fat quarters and in no time at all you have a 36″ x 48″ perfectly sized baby quilt or toddler play quilt.  The cost is reasonable and we have a variety of fabric combinations to pick from–trucks, dinos, lambs, vintage….. A selection is show below.     Note that as kits sell out and new fabrics come in, we will make new kits, so our selection is always changing.  The kits include pattern, fat quarters, binding and backing.

Hop on into the store or visit the Web store and buy one now!

Crazy Eight Kits

Crazy Eight 

Crazy Eight featuring “Dear Dorothy”

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