A Few More Projects

There were 10 of us at the staff retreat so it takes awhile to share all the projects!

Anna made this one using the pattern "Buttons and Blooms".

This is Carol L.'s. It wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination but wasn't it worth it?! It was a favorite of all of us. It's from the book "Eye-Catching Quilts".

Kathy D. is always making great quilts for family members. This football themed one is for a nephew. It's from the book "Man Cave Quilts". 

These books and patterns are all available on our website: Quilting In The Country. We haven't made kits of them but we'd be happy to by special request. Just call the shop! 406-587-8216.

Staff Retreat Continued-The Projects!

Yesterday, Kathy and I told you a bit about the our staff retreat we went on in February. Here's a picture of the quilting crew!

 Amongst all the talking and laughing and eating, we also got a lot of quilting done! If you’ve been in the shop lately, you may have noticed some of the projects we worked on that weekend. We had gotten several new books and patterns in the shop and Jane asked us each to choose a project we liked and make it. Below are pictures of many along with information about the patterns or books we used. 

Several of us loved the book "Modern Basics II" and chose projects from there. 

To be continued... 

Staff Retreat

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “when the cat is away, the mouse will play”.  Well, that’s what is happening with your blog today! Jane and Bill decided to extend their visit to CO and have asked Kathy and I (Kristin) to write a post.

Kathy and I thought a fun thing to share with you would be the wonderful retreat Jane took the staff on back in February. For several years now our Christmas gift from Jane has been a retreat together. It is always such a wonderful time for all of us. Many of us only work one day a week and some folks only on Saturdays, so months can go by without seeing each other. We love spending time together so a whole weekend full of quilting and eating and catching up is just heaven!

In past years we've had retreats in Butte and Virginia City but this year we went to the G-Bar-M ranch just north of Bozeman. Jane’s retreats have been held here last few years and we had heard about what a terrific location it is. We all agreed it's by far the best place we've gone! We stayed in the ranch house, which easily slept all 10 of us. If you can work Jane's September 6-8th retreat into your schedule you really should. You won't regret it!

Quilts grace all the beds so we felt quite at home.

Diane's bed was fit for a princess! 
We'll share our fun projects in the next blog entry.
We're closed today (Memorial Day) but our website is always open! Quilting In The Country

Flat Collin comes for a Visit

Collin, our grand nephew in Iowa, sent us a flattened version of himself. At the request of Collin’s Iowa grade school teacher, we were asked to take Flat Collin around our area, take photos, and share them with Collin. I thought you might be interested in the places we choose to share with Collin and his classmates. We are hoping Collin and his family come for a visit after seeing all the fun places Flat Collin got to visit!

At the Bozeman Airport

Hanging out with "Mike" the T-rex outside the Museum of the Rockies

Quilting in the Country Website

Teaching at Montana State University

I recently taught a Fundamental Quilting Class at MSU. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much pressure in planning a class. I’ve taught 1000’s of beginning students. Why was this so challenging? Usually I can add a few hours of instruction if necessary, extend the class another session, and if the project doesn’t get finished—well, that’s another story. However, I couldn’t fudge on the timing of these college classes. The MSU students had to complete their small table runner, have it graded and take the final on time.  

There were 21 students of vastly different skill levels. I prepared hand-outs so that the students could use them when they teach quilting classes after graduation. I loved having the opportunity to teach fabric selection in a exercise I call, Visual Texture for your Quilt. It was fun to share some of the history of quiltmaking and just general tidbits to be used when MSU students are the teachers. When the semester ended, I realized how rewarding the opportunity to share my passion for quilting to others, who will pass on the tradition to their future students, had been for me.

Teaching fabric selection

Quilting in the Country Website

Pioneer Museum Art Quilt Show

Lately I have been spending quite a bit of time in the Pioneer Museum but focus on the Barn event prevented me from looking at the quilts on display in the “Last Best Thread”  contemporary fiber and quilting arts exhibit. Last Saturday I gave myself the gift of going to the Pioneer Museum and really taking a good long look at the show. I find that taking photos to share with you also helps me really focus on the quilts. I'd like to share a couple with you here. 

The display continues until August 31st so even if you don't live here, maybe a trip to Bozeman could fit into your summer plans! Pioneer Museum Website

Pioneer Museum Barn Tour

Some of you attended the Barn events sponsored by the Pioneer Museum May 3rd and 4th. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the photos from that day. Unfortunately I didn’t get photos from the  presentation on Montana Barns or the Wine and Cheese Reception. It was great fun!  We loved the local cheese. Did you know that the Heap family is back in the cheese making business?  Among other places, Vintage Cheese Company of Montana is available at Town and Country Grocery in Bozeman.

The Barns of Gallatin Valley event for the Pioneer Museum was a big hit. We’re planning the second annual Barn Tour! 

The Big Yellow Barn-available for weddings, reunions,
 and large group gatherings.

Inside the Big Yellow Barn-what a fun place for a wedding reception!

Let's Blog!

Welcome to the Quilting in the Country Blog! We are a quilt shop located in Bozeman, MT. We'd love to have you visit us in person some time but for now you can subscribe to our blog and visit our website (www.quiltinginthecountry.com).

We'll post fun happenings around the shop and grounds. And occasional recipes! Stay tuned...