HenandChicks

Love Color

It's so much fun seeing how customers pull together fabrics at Hen & Chicks Studio--Love the colors!

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 2/15/2012 7:22 AM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

Here a Pig, there a Pig, every where a Pig!

This is the third year that I've designed and made a quilt to donate to the AASV auction. Each quilt has been very different. There was Pigs in a Blanket in 2010 and Homeward Bound in 2011. 2012 brings a wall hanging, featuring a traditional Irish Chain block with a animal fabric that featured various farm animals and traditional quilt blocks. The finished quilt measures about 58 inches square. It was machine-quilted by Kelly Van Vliet, our long-arm quilter at Hen & Chicks Studio.

I hope it strikes someone's fancy!

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 2/8/2012 9:05 AM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Fab Fabrics Everywhere!

Every time a new shipment of fabric arrives at Hen & Chicks Studio, it's like Christmas. I open the box as quickly as possible to see what wonderful colors the box is holding. And, I always love the fabrics inside! Of course this makes me chuckle, because I'm the one who selected them...so I better like them, right? There's always that feeling if I'm as excited about it the second time I see it, then it must be really great fabric.

Case in point are these soft corduroy fabrics. Most people don't even realize they are corduroy until they touch the bolt.

This rail fence block was put together by Janet using 1/4 yard of each of three prints. It will make a sweet baby gift. Can't wait to see how our resident longarm quilter decides to quilt it.

Two different Hen & Chick Studio customers made cute jumpers for granddaughters out of the pink print.

And, it's always fun to work with fabric by a designer you know! Sue Penn is from Iowa and I met her years ago. This particular line is bright and happy. I made this table mat as a free pattern for Red Bag Club members. Kelly quilted with a swirl that mimics the fountains of color.

Wonder what delightful colors and patterns will arrive at Hen & Chicks Studio this week? Come in and see!

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 2/5/2012 6:47 PM | Add Comment

A Walk in the Park

Kim Diehl's newest fabric line--A Walk in the Park--is just wonderful. When we got it in at Hen & Chicks Studio, I knew I'd have to make something with it. The same day it arrived, I was asked to make a quilt for the NPPC auction in March. Wanting an Iowa theme, I selected the Iowa block as the design. This is one block and it measures 48 inches square. I'll make four blocks and rotate the blocks so all the green corners come together in the center. A border will probably be necessary, but I will figure that out when the blocks get done.

The colors in her fabric line are so rich. Just yummy to work with. Another few hours of piecing and I'll have this done! Keep designing these great fabrics, Kim!

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 2/4/2012 6:55 PM | Add Comment

Pictures of The Nest

It's been so fun to have quilters and scrapbookers utilizing The Nest. I want to share a few photos for you all to get a feel of what it's like. I must point out that the beautiful painted doors that help divide the space were painted by Jo Myers-Walker--a wonderful artist. (I'll write more on her another time.)

If your group would like to book a private retreat, just call Hen & Chicks Studio at 641-366-3336 or e-mail Heidi@heidikaisand.com.

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 1/31/2012 9:33 AM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

You'll Learn So Much

Last year I wrote two posts (one and two) about a wonderful artist--Janet Brandt. Well, I'm so excited to tell you that almost exactly a year since seeing her, Janet is coming to Hen & Chicks Studio on April 14 and 15 for a two-day surface embroidery class. She is amazing with a needle and thread and will inspire you to be creative! Check out her web site for just a sampling of what she's working on right now.

The class project is going to be this incredible piece featuring an angel.

You'll have to stop by the store and see this in person--it's beautiful. Reserve your spot now for this opportunity to expand your embroidery stitches beyond a back stitch and buttonhole stitch!

Class will be Saturday, 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4 p.m. The class fee of $80 includes the workshop and the kit for making this piece. Accommodations on Saturday night in The Nest will be available for $60.

Call Hen & Chicks Studio at 641-366-3336 or e-mail me at heidi@heidikaisand.com to sign up or learn more.

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 1/22/2012 2:55 PM | Add Comment

Let it Snow! Because we're going to be having fun!

Pack your bags and head to Conrad, Iowa! We'll take good care of you while you have fun.

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 1/15/2012 6:12 PM | Add Comment

Playing with Paper!

You're Invited!

What: Click, Crop and Be Inspired!
Where: Hen & Chicks Studio
When: Saturday, January 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who: You! Are you needing inspiration for your next project? Are you wondering what to do with all of those pictures you took over the holidays? Do you already own Memory Manager or Storybook Creator Plus and you need help? Do you need 5 hours of dedicated scrapbooking?

If you answered YES to any of these questions,
then this day is for you!

If you want to reserve a spot for working from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. call Heidi at 641-366-3336 and reserve a spot. $8 fee covers your lunch and beverages for the day. (Join our Click/Crop Club, meeting once every other month, for 1 year for $35 and save money!)

If you just want to stop in and see what's happening, please do! I'll look forward to hearing about your scrapbooking projects.

Let's make 2012 the year to turn your photos into wonderful finished albums, projects and gifts!

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 1/10/2012 6:35 AM | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

Go ISU Cyclones!

You could say I was born an ISU Cyclone (that's the college in Ames, Iowa)...my father was finishing his degree at ISU. We lived in Pammel Court.

Bit of History about Pammel Court from ISU Web site.

"Family housing came to Iowa State at the conclusion of World War II. Many men took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled in higher education institutions. Iowa State experienced a wave of new students and responded to another shortage of housing by constructing University Married Housing in 1946. Pammel Court, a series of trailers and demountable houses, Quonset houses, and metal barracks, had a mayor and four council members. By the fall 1968, it was apparent that Pammel Court’s infrastructure was unable to meet a growing student body. Three years earlier, Iowa State purchased land north and east of Pammel Drive. Development of the land into university-owned apartments ensued, and University Village was born."

My brother Matt (a two-time graduate of University of Iowa) pulling me through Pammel Court. I don't think I look very happy.

I've been told that my color choices in quilts are very red and yellow.

We travel in style.

When we play, we think about our favorite team.

We are proud when we receive ISU gifts from Santa and friends.

We love our Cyclones.

GO CYCLONES!!!

Posted by Heidi Kaisand at 12/30/2011 9:29 AM | View Comments (5) | Add Comment

The Nest

The Nest--This is the name that I gave the second floor retreat center at Hen & Chicks Studio. The space is ready to be used by quilters, scrapbookers or any crafter that simply wants space to be creative. There are lots of details about the retreat center to share, but today, I have to show you what is now proudly hanging in the stairwell.

This wonderful wool wall hanging was given to me for Christmas by my incredible mother! The colors, the texture, the design...it is perfect. We had discussed needing something in a particular spot and I knew she was working on something, but I totally didn't expect it for Christmas. She's amazing.

We'd love to have you join us at an upcoming retreat. Check out these two opportunities.