BLOG.CROOKEDNICKEL.COM

Road to CA, Glendale and Chicago Winners

2010-04-24T20:36:39Z

Hello to all of you,

After being out of my home state for 6 + months I am back in Montana for the spring and summer.
I have many winners to annouce as I packed the slips from Road to CA and couldn't find them until I unpacked here in MT.
So I look at it as a Spring Surprise!! We will contact all the winners via their email addresses.
Hope all you winners enjoy the kits, and the rest of you make sure you always sign-up at our Booth at the shows.

We have lots of fun things to share, I attended a 3 day "Retreat" in St. George, UT put on by Superior Threads. It was the School of Threadology, I now have a Ph.D in Threadology! I learned so much and now will be able to share that with all of you. I also will be adding it to my presentations, the high points that everyone would be interested in.

We will be writing 3 new patterns this summer and they will be ready in the fall if not before! You will be happy to hear that 2 of them aren't quilts! Didn't think I would step out of my quilt patterns but the requests were too great, so here it comes.

Thank you to all of you for your purchases and interest in our company.
I love my job and am blessed by meeting so many of you. All the kind words are music to my heart.
Thank you
Lisa

Winners:
Road to California
Grace Rogers--Tablerunner
Pat Burgess--Table Topper
Mary Dettmers--Dress Scarf

Glendale Quilt Show
Becca Gore--Dresser Scarf
Kim Crawford--Dresser Scarf
Elizabeth Moherman--Dresser Scarf

Chicago Quilt Festival
Barb Murphy--Dresser Scarf
Laura Chiomiento--Dresser Scarf
Linda Ray---Dresser Scarf

Houston Winners

2009-11-07T03:00:00Z

Here are the winners for the drawings at International Quilt Festival...
We have contacted them through their email addresses.

Letha Baze
Magdalena Van Hook
Carol Watson

Thank you all for signing up and we will have a newletter out soon.

Great Thanks to Be Given

2009-11-07T02:42:00Z

I am sending a warm and happy thank you to all of you for visiting our booth in Houston at the International Quilt Festival.
We had a very successful and fun filled time there. For the 57 of you that participated in the Make It and Take It right there in our booth I thank you for helping do MY JOB! You all do such a great job behind the demo table!

The new pattern "A Simple Point" has been a home run for that quick gift-giving project. Its never too late to whip up one of those great looking simple dresser scarfs or wall hangings.

I am just finishing up a Full/ Double size quilt and I did have some of the pieces fall off the grid before I got them all sewn. So a quick tip.... iron over the entire quilt top once all the fabric is on the grid without the applique pressing sheet and light steam. Also if you flip the quilt top over and iron once from the backside of the Pellon can really help. Just remember to turn down the iron so you don't melt the Pellon, but don't use the applique pressing sheet. You will get the heat directed through the glue on the backside, not having to go through the fabric piece.

We have had a wonderful response to the PBS show "America Sews with Sue Hausmann" showing the "Memories to a T" T-shirt quilt. She told me that there was a great need for it and now I believe her!!
Episode 2902. Set your DVR!!

Watch the class schedule and presentations as I will be showing up in places I haven't been before...
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Lisa

Long Beach Kit Winners!

2009-08-08T18:10:00Z

We had a great time returning to Long Beach this summer. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth. We would like to congratulate our winners from the email newsletter sign-up.
Linda Kramer has won a Table Topper Kit, Julie Hahn has won a Table Runner Kit, and Dorothy ? has won a Dresser Scarf Kit.
The winners have been notified by email. We hope to hear from you soon!

Summer Fun!

2009-08-08T17:45:00Z

It has been a wild and crazy summer. I have been everywhere from Denver to Long Beach and many places in between. Driving through Death Valley is not something I would recommend. Especially when you are alone and it is 114 degrees. It seemed like everywhere we went it was HOT, HOT, HOT!

While I have been touring the country so has my TV debut. Last winter I taped an episode of America Sews with Sue Hausemann. This summer it has started to air, so check your local listing. Look for Series 2800, episode 2812.
I had such a good time that I have already taped a second show. Look for Series 2900 to air this fall.

This summer we decided to try Make It and Take It right in our booth. We had a great time helping over 75 women and children experience success in less than an hour. If you have been to our booth in the past you know that Lisa has always done the demos, but now you can see a new face. As students work on their project they give the demo. They do a wonderful job of explaining the technique. It is very enjoyable for us to see the excitement they show. Thank you to everyone who has participated. As you can see from the smiles, everyone leaves happy!

My fall schedule starts in Bozeman, MT and takes me to Texas, Arizona, and California. Be sure to check out the schedule posted on the website. If you belong to any quilting group or quilt guild I am always looking for an excited group of women to give my presentation to or hold a workshop with. If this fits you and your quilting friends call to discuss my schedule and yours.

I will again be spending the winter in Arizona. In the past I have enjoyed the response from the quilt groups at retirement / RV parks. I am looking forward to working with these quilters again. Feel free to call and see if your group's schedule works with mine.

I hope everyone enjoys the last days of summer. I look forward to seeing everyone at a quilt show soon!
~Lisa

PP&R (Paducah, Pittsburgh, and Reno)

2009-06-04T14:37:00Z

Paducah
May started off with a trip to Paducah, for the annual American's Quilter's Society Quilt Show and Contest. It was beautiful once again with the dogwoods blooming and summer surely on its way. See my "Dogwood" kits that were inspired by the amazing beauty of Kentucky's state flower (tree).

We,myself,Marge and Mary as always had loads of fun in the booth. Marge and Mary working the sales floor and my demos inspiring new Crooked Nickel fans.

We introduced two new patterns in Paducah, "A Simple Point" an adorable dresser scarf that only takes one hour to complete and "Points of Interest", a bed scarf and pillows that is perfect for warm climates where a full bed quilt isn't necessary.

The kits we put together for "A Simple Point" were a smash, we had 17 different kits available!

All those who visited the booth could enter a drawing for three different kits. I am pleased to announce the winners from Paducah are:

"A Simple Point" dresser scarf: Janet Burns

"A Few Pointers" octagon table topper: Rowena Hillock

"Point Setta" table runner: Sandy Moutray
We will contact you through the email address you signed in the drawing with.

Pittsburgh
Then it was off to Pittsburgh for International Quilt Market. It was a beautiful week and fun to show off my things to the East Coast shop owners. The food was outstanding on the Strip District and Teresa and I had lots of fun. I picked out some great fabrics from Benartex, Blank Quilting and Michael Miller for upcoming kits. Pellon® had a booth at Market introducing their new brand name Legacy® which will be on the #821 label as well as new products in the batting division. I am excited for all the new changes and look that you will now see with the Pellon® and Legacy® brand.

Reno
Now across the country to Reno, NV for the Creative Girlfriends Expo at the Grand Sierra Resort.

We tried something new in the booth at this show. We had a "Make It and Take It" right in the booth. Two students at a time for a hour finished their dresser scarf kits. The only cost was to buy the kit, $15.95. We had 27 successful students and it was so much fun to see their excitement and take my place at the demo table. They were asked lots of questions and it wasn't long and they all could have worked in the booth. The experience will certainly make me look into continuing this at the other shows when possible. Inter action with the customer was a hit to say the least.

Sue Hausmann was the guest speaker, sponsored by Sierra Sewing Center. We went to her presentation on Friday night and if you have the opportunity to attend one of her talks you will be entertained and feel as though she is speaking directly to you. She energized the room with her spirit and smile.

She is very supportive of Crooked Nickel Quilt Designs and sees the need for innovated and creative ideas that will make quilting more accessible to new generations. To have someone of her status and creditability is a feather in our hats.

For all of you that signed up for our E- Newsletter you were put in the drawing for 3 Quilt Kits and these are the winners.

A Simple Point –Dresser Scarf Kit—Carol Spoelstra
A Few Pointers- Tabletopper Kit- Tamara Knight
Point Setta- Table Runner Kit- Sandy Weber

We will contact the winners through their email address.

Thank you all for signing up for the newsletter.

Watch the website info for the next show we will be attending and stop and say hi.

Have a great summer and safe travels.
Lisa

Roses, Lilacs and Dogwood OH MY!

2009-04-08T15:42:00Z

We have our new fabrics in and making kits like crazy.
Flower Mart 2 by Benartex, Lovely Lilac by Michael Miller and Dogwood Bliss by Blank Quilting.

The NEW pattern "A Simple Point" just came off the press and will be for sale on the website asap.
This is a small project with 7-5" squares. A Beautiful Dresser Scarf or wall hanging 8"x 36".
You can't make just one...
A perfect price point also, $6.50. Detailed instructions and once again "No Experience Required"

We will look for you in Paducah.........
Happy Spring

Spring is around the corner

2009-03-10T23:39:00Z

We are still having winter here in Montana, but we are working with all of our new spring fabrics in the studio. Be sure to check out the store page were we have added lots of kits and there will be more to come! We are working on two new patterns. You will be the first to know when they come out. I had the first spring class last weekend and it was exciting for all the ladies. They had a good time and were all successful. I have four more classes before I head for Paducah.

Stay warm and think Spring!

Quilt Show Spectacular

2009-03-10T20:02:00Z

The first Crooked Nickel Designs quilt show was a success! We had 48 lap and queen quilts hanging and about 50 small items displayed as well. I hope you were able to stop by. But if you didn't make it, here is a sample of what you missed.





We hope to see you next time!

Quilt Show and Classes

2009-02-08T22:55:00Z

Give yourself a treat this week even if you need to buy your own box of favorite chocolates!
Whenever we discuss the day at the end of a quilt show or class we are always refering to our customers as "Sweethearts", so if you are ever in doubt if you are one...and you were visiting with us at Crooked Nickel Quilts, we called you a sweetheart!
What a wonderful network of quilters we surround ourselves with! Thank You

I am sponsoring my first quilt show this weekend and it just happens to be on Valentine's Day. It is being held at the Ursuline Retreat and Conference Centre in Great Falls, MT, 11am-4pm. I am also donating one of my Queen Size quilts "Point Taken" done in Willowberry Winter Whites. Raffle tickets are $5.00 ea, or 5 for $20.00. All the money will go to the fundraiser for the PBS Transmitter Tower for Great Falls so that PBS will be a local channel, not just for cable purchase.

I also just had shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and a frayed biscep muscle. All went very well and will start PT this next week. Therefore I have decided to teach here in MT this winter and spring. I will give you the answer now to all the questions that lead up to the decisions as to whether or not to take the class and what is involved.

Class Sign-up questions::
How much does it cost?
$45.00
How long is the class?
Usually 9am-4pm, I ask you to bring a sack lunch.
What supplies do I need to bring?
You need to bring an iron, if yours is 1400 watts that is the best, your sewing machine and general sewing supplies,(thread, pins, needles, tape measure, etc.)
What do I need to purchase?
Must have: Crooked Nickel Quilt Pattern, ($10.00) I allow any pattern at class except the queen size quilts.
                    On Point fusible grid according to yardage on the pattern($4.50 yard)
                     Applique Pressing Sheet ($21.00),flexible sheet of teflon for ironing on the fusible grid
Project Fabric:
                    The fabric for your project must be pre-cut to move the class schedule moving at a good pace.
Bonus:
             If you purchase one of our quilt kits, you will get the pattern, fusible grid and pre-cut fabrics. The only extra purchase will be the applique pressing sheet and you are ready for class.
Check out the shopping page to see what kits we have available to make your life simple.

I certainly hope that if you are in the neighborhood you sign up for a class, you will have a very good time and finish or get very close to finishing your project.

Thank you to all you Sweethearts.
Lisa

Kit Winners from Road To California

2009-01-25T22:56:00Z

Congratulations to our kit winners from Road To California!!
Cindy Word has won a Latte' Lap Quilt Kit, Elizabeth Van Eyck has won an Ivory by Blank Table-runner kit, and Patti Cook has won a Willowberry Winter Whites Table-topper kit.
We can't wait to hear from you and get your prizes in the mail.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth! It was great to meet all of you.

" Roadies" at the Road 2 California

2009-01-22T14:12:00Z

Ontario ,California was another successful show hosting the Road to California Quilt Show. Thank you all for visiting the booth and attending the lecture. My worker bees certainly earned their keep. Once again it was one of our favorite shows.
We will be adding kits to the website as we go through the inventory from the show.
I will be having rotator cuff surgery on the 26th to repair an old injury that has been aggravated by folding all these quilts that I haul around. I have been told by many "Follow directions from the doctor", so that will be my plan.

Therefore my schedule will be sticking close to home and teaching classes with the help of Amanda.
I also will be doing a fundraiser for the PBS Transmitter Tower for my hometown of Great Falls, MT. The fundraiser will include a quilt show with 50 of my finished quilts and a raffle of the queen size quilt, Point Taken in Willowberry Winter Whites. The event will take place at the Ursuline Retreat and Conference Centre on February 14th.

Photos will be posted.

Thank you for visiting.
Lisa

Cleveland Rocks with Taping of Show

2008-12-24T20:42:00Z

This is the update on the taping of America Sews and Quilts with Sue Hausmann. Sue has the show down to a science and everything runs very smoothly. We did only one take and I had all my project samples ready for the t.v. magic as they call it on the set.
It was great fun and I'm anixous for the show to air in April. You will need to check your local PBS stations as to when they air the quilt shows. I know in my area they air every weekday at 1:30pm. America Sews and Quilts airs on Tuesdays at 1:30, check your PBS station guide. Our weather here in Montana has been very cold and we certainly will have a white Christmas.
Hope all your Holiday wishes come true and my wish to you is a happy, healthy and safe New Year.
Lisa

Cross Country Classes

2008-12-07T01:01:00Z

From Florida to Montana I find the same wonderful students in all my classes. I have been in both states this week. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I was in Florida where I gave a Quilt Guild Presentation and then taught classes for the next two days. I had students who had been long time quilters and very experienced to brand new quilters who had just bought sewing machines. In both cases it warmed my heart to see all the success. Attending the Winter Haven Quilt Guild Christmas Party was a pleasure, and I appreciated their acceptance of my nontraditional technique. Thank You ladies for the wonderful afternoon. I also want to thank the students who attended the classes. It was great to see women of all ages open to trying new ideas. I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Classes like yours are what keep me up beat and excited to teach at all levels.

I was lucky to be able to teach a class in my hometown today! I had 5 wonderful ladies, most of who bought their kits at my booth at the local "What Women Want Expo". They came eager to learn something new. It was great to work with them and see all their success as well. We will be having another Great Falls class in January. Some of the ladies had so much fun they said they would be back in January.

More good news, I leave in the morning for Cleveland to tape America Sews and Quilts with Sue Hausmann. I'll be sure to let you know how it went when I get back to Montana.

Keep up the sewing...
Lisa

It's Personal

2008-11-18T15:44:00Z

Hello and Thank You for visiting our new website.
I'm so excited to have this new venue to share my personal thoughts with you.

I only hope that you will find it enjoyable to hear about my experiences and to share your experiences with me.

First and foremost I would like to apologize to you if you have sent me an email from the last website. We had technical problems with the contact page and the send button has been stuck since December. A problem that is out of your control is hard to fix and hard to find someone to fix the problem. Now that has been taken care of and we can only go forward and enjoy what we have now working and fabulous. Thank you for your patience.

I am amazed when I'm at a show or going to a presentation and there are always remarks from the attendees that they had already checked me out on the website. You are all so well versed and such little techees.

So let's get down to business.
Whenever I sell a pattern, a kit or even a yard of Pellon® Quilter's Grid On Point, I want that person to be successful and proud of the project they are doing with my technique. I have tried to make the patterns clear and easy to follow. However, I have learned a lot, and I take it personal when someone is having a problem with the technique.
That is the reason why I'm doing this page on the website.
I will be giving advice that I think is worthwhile.
I also will answer questions that are common in the classroom, and at my demo table. I will share the bloopers in class and the wonderful and delightful experiences I receive from the students and of course the customers.

First and most important: Purchase a pattern.
If you have watched me at a show or presentation I can show the technique in about 3 minutes, however remembering and understanding what you saw once you leave the demo table is very difficult and I don't give it all away during the demo. I always say; "If it was that simple, someone would have written a pattern long before I did." Please respect the copyright laws, time and efforts to have them published.

Second most important:
Make sure that you have purchased Pellon® #821 Quilter's Grid On Point™. You should make sure that the piece of Pellon® does not have a stretch in the interfacing base product. You can do the stretch test by just giving a light pull in both directions, if the Pellon® stretches you need to replace it with a piece from us. Two years ago the Pellon® Company printed the fusible grid products on a stretch base. It was pulled from the warehouse as a mistake however; some of the product did get on the open market. What happens when you use that product is when it is heated it will stretch and then the fusible glue bleeds through to the other side. This causes all kinds of problems. All is corrected now. Very important to check.

Now the rest is all fun.
Choosing your fabrics, enjoying the thought of who this gift is going to be given to, and starting a technique that you have never used before are the adventure in your future. You will experience instant gratification with your first seam and continue that feeling as the technique proceeds.
Fast, Simple and Perfect is what we are all about.

Crooked Nickel Quilt Design

2008-10-31T05:09:00Z

Welcome to our new site and new blog! Thanks for visiting.