Note: I have not created a blog in a really long time so hopefully this will all work….
So today a fellow shop owner shared this sentiment and it really hit home! Yes I have seen this many times over the years, but this year, 2020, more than any other has caused me to reflect on what really is my dream! It is being a quilt shop owner! Sharing my quilting knowledge with all of you and being an inspiration as best I can!
So a little back story! 1995 my friend Holly and I did a lot of crafts. We decided to sign up for a quilt class. The class was to be held at the original Thimbles & Threads in Draper, UT. It was a tiny little location with a screen door that went “whack” when it closed. Everyone was so nice and inspiring and I just knew I wanted to be a quilter! My husband ventured to this shop with me at some point and made a random comment about one day I would own a quilt shop! Seed is planted but I did not realize it at the time.
Fast forward to 2015, yes 20 years later! We have moved to Luling and are blessed beyond belief! He is chauffeuring me to one of my teaching gigs – where I will show pretty quilts I have made and hopefully inspire a few quilters to try something new! He asks if I have thought about opening a quilt shop! Well in my mind that seed that was planted 20 years prior is now a TREE! and I have permission! I start looking at properties in our town and a local quilter, who is also a building owner has just completed renovation of an old building on the main drag of town – and it is beautiful! This was our home for just over 2 years and then our wonderful building owner made it possible for us to move to one of her other locations and we now have an amazing location and a huge classroom. In June when we could finally invite quilters back to sew and we heard the giggling and visiting that occurs in a quilt classroom we knew we were back! 2020 you have been a tough one – but we are going to survive!
Thank you to each and everyone of you that follow us on Facebook, Instagram, our website and our store! We are here for you and we are grateful you are part of our dream!
Dee and the crew at HDQ – including Corey, Lindz, Liz and Michelle!
Summer has come to an end and the kiddos are back in school. Only a few more days of Row by Row and it too will end for the year. We are so appreciative of every customer that walks through our door, follows us on social media or visits our website. Without each of you we would not be here! We hope to be here a very long time!
NEW HOURS – Effective September 7th our new hours will be:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 – 3 4:00 pm
If you are traveling and think you might not make it prior to closing – just give us a call and if we are able to stay open we will! You don’t know; if you don’t ask!
To stay up to date with our goings ons – we encourage you to follow our blog -or- follow us on Facebook -or- follow us on Instagram.
We have doubled our fabric since we opened and we have more arriving almost daily!
Some of our favorite collections……
Looking for some quick Christmas gifts? We have a variety of panels to choose from…..
And we have kits galore! Here are just a few……
Classes and Events!
Below is a list of our upcoming classes and events…..
Retreats
I hope you enjoy all of this information. Your feedback is appreciated!
Going to Pieces here in Luling TX!
Denise, Lindsey, Corey and Holly (and sometimes Aunt Tara!)
Good Morning! I was searching through my blog the other day for something and realized I really miss blogging and sharing (in more depth) what I am up to these days! SEW – from now on I will be blogging more frequently to let you know what I am working, what we have new in the shop, where I am teaching etc.
First of all – thank you to all that have stopped by the shop since we opened – we are grateful. In our effort to show our gratitude we have a monthly give-a-way! July we gave away this quilt! Fear not – I have a pattern available if you did not win but would still like to have this festive quilt to show your love for the USA!
I also want to share this adorable quilt with you – the fabrics are by Cori Dantini – my new favorite fabric designer! My granddaughter is part of an acting ensemble and her very first play was “Into the Woods” and she played the granny – so of course I had to buy this fabric collection! We have this wonderful kit available for you! Call us for more information!
I have been asked to help Quiltworx complete a quilt for the new technique of the month – Vintage Rose! The color way is designed by Judel and the fabrics are from Island Batik!
Here is what I have done so far – be sure to “follow” the blog to stay up to date!
You can also keep up to date with our shenanigans on Facebook and Instagram – both under HollyDee Quilts!
Get on a boat! And sail the high seas with a bunch of fun quilters!
A special thanks to Veronica Cox of Bear Threads Designs for coordinating of our Quilters Cruise!
I would also like to acknowledge the minute of silence held on the ship to remember the reason we have Memorial Day! Several tributes were held through-out the ship during our week on board! The folks in TX were always on our mind as the state experienced un-precedented flooding over the Memorial Weekend and days that followed!
Our view as we were getting ready to leave Galveston in a drizzly rain on board The Navigator of the Seas for 7 days of fun packed sewing, sight-seeing and sipping! (Be sure to read to the end as you will not want to miss the final photo!)!
Who else sees flying geese?
Our first full day at sea was a class taught by Winnie Fleming. All of her kits were pre-cut and the students got right down to sewing! Our machines were Janome Horizon machines and were provided by Scott from Citrus Sewing Center of Ocala, FL.
The blocks and setting for the quilt Winnie chose for her class! Made with Hoffman Bali Pops, pre-cut by Winnie to the perfect size for piecing the blocks!
Another pretty one!
This photo is straight – the quilt on the design wall? Not so straight! Were the seas that rough?
Kat photo bombing!
One of 7 Linda’s hard at work!
Sara’s quilt is going to be fabulous!
The evening class was taught by Susie Seed, she is an educator for Sulky! She had a fun project called split personality and students were able to try all kinds of threads and stitches while constructing their projects.
Susie Seed – Sulky Educator! And a fun lady!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
Split Personalities – make two faces, slice them down the middle, swap them around and you have a split personality!
My day to teach did not arrive until day 5 of the cruise, after 3 port days, Cozumel, Belize and Roatan. I was worried my students would be worn-out by this point as they had had a busy several days so far. But, my fears were quickly set aside, they were all excited and ready to jump in and learn something new! Only 1 photo from my class because I was having too much fun sharing my passion for paper-piecing!
The quilt I taught on the cruise. Landscape Table Runner – The only photo I took during the class!
There is so much to do on the ship!
When we weren’t sewing or sleeping, we were sight-seeing or enjoying ship performances. I did not take photos at most of the performances, we saw an ice-skating show, a tribute broadway, karaoke, comedians and lounge acts. My favorite was when the staff performed on the promenade with a tribute to the 70’s including The Village People! If I had not been laughing so hard I might have been able to snap some photos!
On the promenade getting ready for the circus parade
One of the interior cabins, someone was peeking out to watch the parade. Hubby and I had a cabin on deck 2 (by the ice-skating rink)
Some of the circus parade performers
The camera setting was just a tad off!
Highlights from our excursion to Cozumel….
Our first port was Cozumel, I had been here a very long time ago, probably over 30 years ago. The island has really grown up. It has a community college, a Sam’s store and lots of restaurants and shopping.
We chose a short Mayan Ruins tour and scenic overview.
We chose a short Mayan Ruins tour and scenic overview.
All of the stones for the ruins were “mined” from underground tunnels! There are miles and miles of tunnels under the island where the stones used to be!
The scenic overview! This side of the island is still in its natural form except for a couple of roadside tourist shops. No resorts etc.
My handsome man!
We are back on board the ship – watching other passengers que up to board.
2 smaller carnival ships were also in port.
Our group after the 2nd formal dinner. A big thank you to my husband for being our photographer!
Our group after dinner Friday evening!
Our group after dinner Friday evening!
Our group after dinner Friday evening!
We skipped early dinner one evening which meant I got to see a sunset!
I may not have dipped my toes in the ocean or the pool BUT I did see ONE sunset!
Sipping with our 3 favorite bartenders! Thanks Alice, Elle and Juana for keeping us entertained and “hydrated!” Our favorite place on the ship was the R Bar winding down with friends!
Alice! Classic beauty and charm! And a GREAT bartender!
Elle preparing cocktails!
Shaken!
Double-Time!
Juana – the boss! After giving the girls several dark chocolate bars we were in big trouble because they stayed up til the wee morning hours!
A whole lot of shaking going on!
They know when to stir it and when to shake it!
The essence of Juana!
Winnie, Linda and Me posing in the big framed chair – time for a little unwind!
This morning I slept in – the sun was already over the mountain. We had a lot of entertainment last night and so the pillow was very welcoming. I would love to share some of the entertainment, but what happens at a Quiltworx Retreat – stays at a Quiltworx Retreat! (Well at least it won’t be printed here!) We also had a very important history lesson – we all now know why George Washington chopped down the cherry tree!
Breakfast yesterday – they removed the calories for us!
These nectarines were soooo juicy!
Pieces and parts
Judy demo’s removing the paper!
Oh – so that is how you pin that unit!
The master demos sewing tips and tricks
Peggy was the first one to get a wedge together – she was so excited! (PS – this was the one Judy used as her demo)
Marking the S Curve on the feathered star queen size
Pinning the S Curve
Sewing the S curve
Ginny is going to BACK AWAY from the quilt!
This describes Ginny’s quilt!
WOW! Ginny – we love your Captain’s Wheel!
Back Door Quilt Shoppe’s new Mariner’s Compass – Lauren is form Billings, MT
And here it is with the ropes added!
Cozy Quilts from Ontario, Canada is making this beautiful Mariner’s Compass – I wish you could see the prints on the batiks in her sails.
Quilting from the Heart in Camrose, Canada has me lusting after the Kaufman Radiance Silks!
Carol from Batiks Etcetera is working very hard – I just love her autumn colors
Sally has made so much progress – I love the purples, greens and blues
When they figured out how to work the A/C, Ardelle had to creative to stay warm!
I really haven’t been doing much so I have borrowed Judy’s table runners so you can see what the finished quilt will look like!
Pinwheels and Posies sample is simple elegance at its best! The quilters back home are going to love this one!
