notes from Terry Ann

I've escaped to Wisconsin

Timing is everything - and on Monday I came to Bridge Creek Cottage in Wisconsin for my summer Shopowner seminar. I'm three days late posting the winner of the Big Bags Little Bags book and Tag Along Tote pattern. Yikes! So how about three winners instead . . . contact me with your mailing address and I'll send your prize!!

To get to the retreat center, I took Interstate 94 to Hwy 53 and then continued on Hwy 12. So I'll choose these three numbers for three lucky bag ladies. 

#94 Patty from Shoofly Quilts and other Musings

#53 Joyce from Quilt Friends Forever

#12 Jan Richards

Thank you all so much for visiting during the blog hop! And in the next few days I'll share pictures from Wisconsin!

Mary, Mary, how does your garden grow?

In Minnesota, we have more than 100 quilt shops and I am lucky enough to live just ten minutes from one of the best ones, Quilted Treasures in Rogers, MN. Here's Mary Wilberg, the owner, with her display of "Neutral Territory", my new fabric line from Red Rooster. As you can see in the background, there are lots of fun quilts on display everywhere you look. It always amazes me because as often as I am in the shop, there is always something new that I haven't seen!

Mary has a really good eye for color and design - she does a great job putting together kits and she also designs quilts! Mary is the featured designer today in the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop! Hop over to Mary's blog and learn everything you need to know about grommets - she has a great pillow pattern for you! Be sure to leave her a comment so you are eligible for the giveaway!

Last night we got together at Quilted Treasures and tested a new Holiday table topper pattern - and everyone finished their project! Yay! What a great group. Thank you testers!

Remember to check back on Monday to see if you have won the bag books or one of the three grand prizes from the blog hop! See you then!

Where is the Elk River?

It sure seems like the Elk River is not in Elk River. We have the mighty Mississippi instead. I know the Elk River is a tributary of the Mississippi, but that doesn't really explain where it is! It certainly isn't downtown. Here is a view of the river as it runs past downtown Elk River.

If I stay in the same spot and turn around, This is what I see - a mural of the river. We seem to be surrounded by water. So which one is the Elk River??
 

We also have elk living in our town. Here is one of our most prominent citizens. In fact, this elk lives pretty close to Jamie Kalvestran, who is the featured designer today in the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop. Jamie has a background in product design and she brings this experience to her fabric and pattern designs. Stop over to Scrapbags - Jamie is "dying" to share a technique with you today! Remember to leave her a comment so that you are eligible for one of the grand prizes.

What fun feedback!

Thanks to everyone who visited yesterday - what fun to hear from so many of you! I loved hearing all of your ideas for using the Sock Sack - now I'll have to make a few more for myself! And I've had a fun time clicking and visiting some of you - I definitely need a longer day! After the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop is over, I'll post the winner of the book and pattern, so be sure to stop back and check to see if you are the winner!
 
Here's Nancy's bag - she made it yesterday lickety split and sent a picture - plus she already has plans for a red and white one. I think it took me longer to choose fabric to match my zipper than it did for Nancy to sew the whole bag. If anyone else has finished a bag I'd love to see it! Just send me an email at terry@atkinsondesigns.com

Cheryl has been busy making samples for the classes she is teaching for her local quilt shop's Minnesota Road Show. She just finished this Farmer's Market Tote from our Let's Do Lunch book.Way to go Cheryl!

Today Shelly from Cedar Canyon Textiles will share "Easy Pantstiks Placemats" with you - hop over to her blog and enjoy meeting her and learning a really fun technique. Remember to comment each designer so that you will be eligible to win one of the three grand prizes. See you again tomorrow!