HenandChicks

Closed Memorial Day

2012-05-27T18:20:26Z

Hen & Chicks Studio will be closed Monday, May 28 to celebrate Memorial Day. Enjoy spending the day with your family!

It's going to be a Lazy Afternoon

2012-05-24T19:13:14Z

Let's kick off the holiday weekend by sewing--nothing could be better! And, we are making it easy by using From Marti templates. The Lazy Afternoon pattern features three traditional blocks. Here's a snapshot of my version.

Still time to sign up and join us! Call Hen & Chicks Studio at 641-366-3336!

Play with Color

2012-05-20T11:22:47Z

One of my favorite parts of the quiltmaking process is playing with colors. When I look at a design, I immediately start thinking about "what if?" What if we changed the color palette to a dark background? What if we made a two-color quilt scrappy? What if? The selection of fabrics that are available to us today allow us to be so creative. There really is no color combination that can't be found. In a recent class at Hen & Chicks Studio we used Terry Atkinson's Slide Show pattern.

Jen made this quilt for her 7-year-old daughter, who picked out the fabrics!

And, my version in my favorite cherry motif!

Quick, Easy and Fun!

2012-05-19T12:47:59Z

Sometimes we need those quilts that are heirloom piecing and take days to make. But last week we taught a class at Hen & Chicks Studio that was all about getting it done quick and easy! And, it was so much fun. The project was from Pat Sloan--Chelsea's Summer Garden.

Here is what was created in class.

Wendy

Becky

Barb

and Heidi

Check out our classes and come join us for some fun in the future!

Boo!!

2012-05-08T18:45:56Z

Halloween fabrics have started to arrive at Hen & Chicks Studio. I just had to show you this cute print in orange, black and green.

Let the ghosts and goblins come out!

Join in the fun!

2012-04-28T15:40:41Z

Lots of fun things are happening at Hen & Chicks Studio and we want you to join in the fun. On Tuesday, May 1, Red Bag Club members get a free May Day gift for just stopping in. No purchase required. The store hours will be extended from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then Friday, May 4, we are kicking off the Sit and Sew with coffee and rolls from GNB--we are the lucky winners of their drawing this week.

Are you looking for some time to finish graduation gifts? Or get some of those projects wrapped up before you are busy in the garden? Then come play with me!

Check out this cute book that you can make in class with Megan. Just bring photos!

8.

2012-04-27T12:53:13Z

The month of April is always busy at our house. Spring calving, field work, and lots of birthdays. The girls turned 5 earlier this month and Henry turned 8 last weekend. He's such a grown up little man. We had such a fun birthday, supper with grandparents and family. Bull riding with his pals.

My favorite moment of his birthday came at 5:30 a.m. when we found him at the dining room table working on his new legos. I tried taking some pictures and at one point said, "Henry give me a smile." And the reply was "Mom, I'm trying to work on m legos."

He's my styling little man, always looking his best!

Celebrate May Day at Hen & Chicks Studio

2012-04-27T02:38:39Z

This and That

2012-04-26T01:55:22Z

This afternoon I got a call from two gals that sounded like they were in the car conspiring to be creative! It made me smile thinking about roadtrips I've been on with girlfriends and co-workers...were we hit all the good quilt shops, a few antique shops, and, of course, some good food. Maybe even some cheese curds that sweak. Oh the memories.

The topic of the call was about the project Lazy Afternoon we are teaching in May at Hen & Chicks Studio. This project was designed by Marti Michell. Marti has created wonderful templates that make assemblying this quilt easy! I've been making a store sample and here is one of my blocks.

So, while I was taking photos, I had to share a few more...

Megan Bergman created this canvas sample...So simple...such a treasure. This is a kit and is SO simple.

Janet stitched this Modern Relish pattern and Kelly machine-quilted it to make a charming baby quilt.

Lots of new fabrics in the store including this stunning red, white, and blue collection.

The book Urban Country Quilts from Jeanne and Shelley has so many great patterns, including these two projects Janet made.

There are so many great gift ideas and non-quilting items in the store, including original watercolors by Carolyn Reeder, a long-time family friend. I just love these.

Stop by Hen & Chicks Studio and check out all these things and more!

Starting the Week Inspired

2012-04-16T21:12:54Z

This past weekend Hen & Chicks Studio hosted Janet Brandt.

Janet Brandt showing us a new stitch.

It was two days of blissful stitching. She gave us great tips and tricks for successful embroidery. She taught us different stitches. Here are a few shots of my work. I am naming my angel, the Princess of Creativity. (We are stitching on wool, using a product called Transfer Eze to get our design on to the wool.)

Hen & Chicks Studio is now carrying three of her books, including these two.

And, we're already planning for Janet to teach next year at Hen & Chicks Studio. Watch for the date to be announced soon! Thanks for an awesome weekend, Janet.

Heidi and Janet

5.

2012-04-10T10:43:25Z

Today the girls turn 5. Five. Both girls had to have the 5 on their slice of cake when we celebrated on Sunday. Goldie ate around it, leaving it for last.

Just yesterday I could hold them both.

Today, they are little girls. Full of energy. Full of spirit. And, they fill me with love.

Virginia. The comedian. The take-charge girl.

Goldie. The soft-hearted. The helper.

We are blessed. Happy Birthday sweethearts!

Get crackin'

2012-04-06T12:44:26Z

Make Quilting Easier!

2012-03-16T02:15:33Z

Let us show you how to use Marti Michell templates and patterns to make your next quilting project easier! Join us at Hen & Chicks Studio for Your Lucky Day two-day event.

Lots to show you, including these two great projects! Kits available.

Bali Breezes

Seven Sisters

Note our extended store hours for the two days!

Have fun at Hen & Chicks Studio

2012-03-02T14:16:16Z

There are so many things going on at Hen & Chicks Studio and we want you to join in the fun! Check out all of these great things to do. Find the one (or more!) that work best for you and call us to reserve a spot for you!

Come to Hen & Chicks Studio and let us help you be creative!

Combining Arts and Passions

2012-03-01T03:09:38Z

When you walk through the door of Hen & Chicks Studio one of my goals is to help you be creative. Whether that is through fabric, paper, thread, or something else! What is so fun about liking all things creative, is that you can cross over from one passion to another and often combine them into new creative objects.

One of my passions is taking photographs. And, especially taking photographs of my favorite people! So, as the story goes, I was showing my photos to my sales team one night at dinner after a quilt show. One thing leads to another and quilt artist JoAnn Hoffman suggests I print the photos on silk and quilt them. Of course, I quickly responded, sure I could print them on silk, but would she quilt them? And, she said yes!

Wow! This is a quilter who has taken many awards for her work on her APQS quilting system. Check out this quilt. She took a great prize at this show, too. I knew if she quilted my photos, the end result would be a treasure. And, was I right. Check out these heirlooms. JoAnn's quilting is amazing.

Henry and Megan

Virginia and Goldie

I hope that Hen & Chicks Studio can help you turn your passions into heirlooms!

Done and Delighted!

2012-02-25T14:49:54Z

Over the last few weeks you may have seen glimpses of my Iowa block quilt that I was making for the NPPC auction next week. Well, the binding is on and its done! And, I'm delighted!!!! Hen & Chicks Studio's long-arm quilter Kelly Van Vliet made the quilt sparkle with her quilting. The texture is amazing. The finished quilt measures 96" inches square. The main fabrics are Kim Diehl's Walk in the Park fabric line. We used an 80/20 batting.

The sun was shining brightly this morning and it just made the quilt shine!

Just delighted.

Go For It!

2012-02-23T11:42:26Z

Have you ever wondered what a door would look like painted like a checkerboard?

Well, don't wonder anymore--

Isn't this awesome? My Mom is so creative! And, my dad is a really good helper. LOVE THE DOOR MOM!!!

Ok, our challenge for the day--go out and do something creative. Be bold. Try something new. What's the worst that can happen? All Mom would have been out is a little paint and time. But, she is ending up with a funky, cool new door in her kitchen.

Groovy Kids

2012-02-22T01:45:18Z

Terry Atkinson has inspired many of us at Hen & Chicks Studio to make bags and "groovy" stuff in her Groovy Girl Club. We decided to add a Groovy Kids Club to the schedule, too. And, it's not just for girls!

Monday was a no-school day, so we made draw-string bags! Each kid got to pick out two fat quarters for the class. Then it was off to the cutting table, where we emphasized my rule of retracting the blade when not cutting. Critical!!! We do not include time in class for making emergency trips to the hospital to repair cut off fingers! Next, it was to the sewing machines.

Henry is concentrating so hard!

Leah is having fun.

Lauren gives me a smile, while working hard.

Finished bags for Leah and Lauren.

Henry is proud of his new bag.

Thanks for the fun day kids! Can't wait to make another project with you.

Farmer's Wife Workshop

2012-02-17T19:15:06Z

Once a month at Hen & Chicks Studio, quilters are gathering to work on their Farmer's Wife quilts.

It is so much fun seeing how quilters organize their fabrics.

Their blocks are coming along wonderfully.

Are you working on this quilt and want to join in the fun? Call Hen & Chicks Studio and sign up!

Wool Crazy Happiness

2012-02-16T14:22:11Z

In January we started a Wednesday Wool club at Hen & Chicks Studio using JoAnn Mullaly Wool Crazy book as the basis for our club. JoAnn's quilt is so inspiring and is a great jumping off point for doing this project. Our club met last night and it was SO inspiring to see what had gotten done! Check out these photos for their creative endeavors in the last month. We decided that seeing each other's work is great motivation to try different stitches and appliques.

I'm already looking forward to next month's gathering.