What's New At PSQ As of 4-14-11

Hi all! On my way to Elgin each day, I often pass a business along Kirk road that puts up funny sayings on their sign. Last week’s sign was too funny (and thought provoking) not to share. Here’s what it said:

Save the Earth…It’s the only planet with chocolate!

Now THAT is something to think about! And on that note, here’s what’s new at PSQ this week!

Garden of Ideas Shop Hop April 28—May 1

This unique hop (formerly known as the Basketful of Ideas Hop) not only features prizes in hand-made woven baskets but we’re also giving away a Bernina Activa 210 Sewing Machine valued at $999 as the Grand Prize. There are several shops on this hop you may never have visited so get hopping. Passports are available at the shop or you can pick them up at your first stop. We will be offering $2 pre-cut fat quarters all hop long!

Participating Shops include:

Basketcases Unlimited, Inc.—Clare; Judy’s Quilt ‘n’ Sew—Hampshire; Pieceful Gathering Quilt Shop—Fox River Grove; Prairie Shop Quilts—Batavia; Prairie Stitches Quilt Shoppe—Oswego; Quilt in Joy—Huntley; Quilters Heart—Sandwich; Sew Generously—St. Charles; Tammy Tadd Designs—Sycamore

I’ve designed our free block and am working on a cute table runner which we will kit and sell throughout the hop (and after) so plan on hopping, have fun, get cheap fat quarters AND get free patterns at each shop. 

Best Selling Author Sandra Dallas is coming to Batavia in May

We are thrilled to partner with the Batavia Public Library to welcome best selling author Sandra Dallas to Batavia. On May 21, Sandra Dallas will give a presentation on her latest book, The Bride’s House, with a book signing to follow. The event will take place at 3 pm at the Batavia Public Library. Tickets are available now at both the Batavia Public Library and PSQ at no cost. Tickets for the book talk are free, but if you would like to meet the author and have a book signed, you must purchase a copy of The Bride's House from us. With each purchase of the new book, you will be entitled to bring up to two additional books to get signed as well. Please note, The Bride's House will not be published until April 28th - but order early! Numbers will be given out with each purchase which will reserve your place in the signing line, so the earlier you buy your book, the shorter your wait for getting it signed will be. The books must be paid for in advance in order to secure a signing number, and we can either bring the book to the event or you can pick it up at the shop after 4/28. If you're not sure about whether you can make it, no need to fear. Books will be available for purchase at the library on the day of the event as well.

After the book talk and beginning at 6 pm, Prairie Shop Quilts will host an Author’s Meet and Greet Reception at the shop. Tickets for the reception are available for $10 each and can be purchased at PSQ. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Sandra Dallas and have their books signed in a small, intimate environment. The reception will also feature another one of the fabulous cakes from Good Gracious Cakes and beverages as well.

Oh, and everyone who purchases a copy of the book thru PSQ, will receive a coupon for the shop, too!

Magazines

Quilts and More Summer 2011 – This always fabulous magazine never fails to provide a TON of great patterns and project ideas. In fact, according to the cover, there are 26 Quick Projects for just $6.99! There is an adorable (and roomy) purse, a fun watermelon table runner and a yummy and useful ice cream cone pin cushion. There is a super easy quilt called “Soft and Simple” that would be perfect to use the new and colorful Kaffe fabric. And another quilt called “Baby Steps” that would be so cute in whites and 30’s fabrics. OR check out the so fun coaster set with matching basket. That would be a great and much appreciated hostess gift I’m sure. My copy of Quilts and More is already dog eared and I have lots of plans (if only I could find the time). Yahoo!

Kits/Samples

Calendar Quilts – Mr. Pumpkin – I LOVE these adorable wall hangings that celebrate each of the twelve months of the year. Mr. Pumpkin marks the halfway point – we’ve made up and kitted six out of the 12 projects in the fun and easy to follow Calendar Quilt book by Kim Diehl. Just think of it, you could have your Halloween wall hanging done EARLY! Start now and finish fast! I’ll have a photo of the sample up on the blog soon!

Fabric

Batik Essentials – Feast your eyes on 38 bolts of the most beautiful batik prints in all kinds of colors and patterns that just arrived at PSQ. As so it begins…yesterday we got our first of four shipments of the Island Batik Essentials which includes 38 gorgeous fabrics (with nearly 100 more on the way). These bolts weren’t even out of the box before customers who were lucky enough to be at the shop when Frank the Fabric Fairy brought this lovely gift. The colors include bright oranges, pinks and golds, luscious and deep blues and greens. There is a fantastic black with hints of orange, gold, red and more. Unfortunately my camera was at home when they arrived but I’ll get some pictures of them up on the blog asap or just stop in and enjoy them in person. And remember…there is more on the way!!!

Classes

T-Shirt Quilt – There’s still room left! Learn to make a memory quilt – GREAT GRADUATION GIFT!

Saturdays, April 16 from 2—4 pm and May 7 from 1 pm to 4 pm

T-shirt quilts are so fun to make and a wonderful way to chronicle someone’s life in a quilt. This two-part class will teach students how to stabilize the t-shirts and prepare them for piecing. In the second session students will learn options for layout and how to piece it all together.

Class Fee: $35

Instructor: Elvira Illig

Level: Beginner

Binding 101 – There’s still room left in this GREAT and MUST HAVE class

Sunday, April 17 from 12 pm to 3 pm

Your top is pieced, the borders added, the quilt is quilted… now what? We will cover the basics of binding in this three hour class. We will cover how to trim a quilt for binding, how to make straight grain and bias binding and how to attach the binding to the quilt with perfect mitered corners. Extras include that wonderful flange of fabric under the binding that adds so much punch. We are hoping that after this class, binding may be your favorite part of the quilt making process!

Class Fee: $24

Instructor: Connie Pomering

Level: Beginner

This weekend is supposed to be cold and rainy so why not take a class! The T-shirt class is so much fun and EVERYBODY has a ton of t-shirts. Make a memory! How about learning how to bind to make sure that your gorgeous quilt has a Happy Ending! Or just stop in and say hi! You can check out our awesome array of batiks, see the Kaffe Fassett fabric in all its beautiful glory or see all that’s new at PSQ this week! See you soon!

Bonita