Memories of Visiting the KQ Shop

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

Kathie at the KQ Shop, 1998

Here’s an excerpt of a lovely letter we received from a customer, with some photos of Kathie, who worked at the retail shop back in 1998:

Dear Management,

Some years ago, my husband and I visited our son and family in Connecticut for a truly lovely holiday.

One of the highlights was my visit to “Keepsake.” I have been a patcher for 25 yrs and my visit to you is still as fresh as ever.

On entering we were greeted by a lovely young lady who said, “my name is Kathy and if I can help you just ask.” It was like being greeted with a friend.

Kathie greeting customers at the KQ Shop

My husband was given permission to take photos and as you can see enclosed we took home with us the memory of a lovely day and would love it if you could pass the photos on to a lady remembered with pleasure.

–Nora from England

Kathie began working at the quilt shop 14 years ago, shortly before Nora came to visit. Since that time, Kathie has been promoted to our cutting-room supervisor. We captured her at work in the cutting room this week while she was preparing fabrics for a Bali email special. Rosemary, our fabric expert in merchandising, gives her “cut sheets” or fabric samples that show which fabrics to select and how much to cut for kits, Medleys of the Month, and Blocks of the Month.

To find out about the Bali special and our other great deals and announcements, sign up for our emails on our homepage.

Posted in At the Shop, Employee Spotlight | 1 Comment

Common Threads No More!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

By Alison Dea Bolt

Quilters have always had a love affair with fabric. We easily succumb to its lush colors and infinite patterns, but thread? Not so much. For ages we kept it in the background; reliable cotton in basic colors, working hard, totally unnoticed—like Cinderella serving indifferent step-sisters. Not once did it demand attention or say, “Hey, without me, you’d be securing your quilt sandwich with Gorilla Glue!” Well, look around. Suddenly, we have a dizzying number of brands, fibers, and vibrant colors to prod our creativity, and we’re seeing thread in a whole new light (and sometimes in the dark). The last time I visited Keepsake, I counted more than 40 shades of blue cotton in one display, not to mention lustrous blues in rayon, silk, poly, and nylon that caught my eye. Looks like Cinderella’s finally the belle of the ball!

The rub is that, while thread options abound, they also confound, giving me even more things to remember! Don’t use a vacuum to pick up metallics. Not finding the right tension greatly increases your own tension. Never lick cut thread ends. (So why am I buying organic thread if I can’t put it in my mouth?!) I’ve even resorted to mnemonics to keep things straight: CAKE (Cut And Knot End before threading); and, “The crow feeds off the top” (CROssWound thread must “feed off the top” of the spool). Adding to the confusion is the need to mate your thread with the perfect needle, which would be a whole lot easier if I could actually see my needle! And, yes, I know size matters, but what genius decided that high numbers should designate fat needles and thin thread? Probably the same male who decides where the paper goods are placed in women’s restrooms…

Nevertheless, all that’s a small price to pay for the design adrenaline these irresistible new threads afford. Besides, there are a ton of new gadgets to make thread skirmishes easier, and I’m a gadget groupie. How can I resist Bobbin Buddies, Deelybobs, and Little Genie Magic Bobbin Washers? Last Christmas, when my husband asked for gift ideas, I suggested a zippy little bobbin winder and a sculpted metal thread holder. He replied, “Doesn’t that expensive machine of yours do that for free?” Ouch! This year I’ll be smarter and ask for KQ’s Super Satchel storage system. It protects 864 spools from light and dust, keeps the threads from tangling like a new perm after the first washing, and can be wheeled around my studio. Even he knows my Bernina can’t do that!

It’ll take some combat shopping to fill my new thread palace, but I’m a veteran and up to the challenge. Whenever I go to KQ, just like with Jell-O, there’s always room in my tote for a few spools I can’t live without—use to be determined later. (Sound familiar?) I must confess though, I don’t always use the “right” thread for my projects. If I’m blown away by the color, I follow Tim Gunn’s advice and “just make it work”! That’s how I justify using bright orange thread instead of dark grey to piece my latest quilt. I couldn’t help myself, I just got carried away by a beautiful pumpkin—and I know Cinderella would approve of that!

   Alison Bolt lives in Littleton, New Hampshire

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Recipe from the KQ Cookbook: Peaches and Cream Pie

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

How do we describe this yummy concoction? It’s a bit like cheesecake, but not as rich. It’s fruity, creamy and “cakey” all at the same time. One thing’s for certain— it’s sure to be a hit as a Mother’s Day dessert or anytime you want to serve a special treat that’s easy to do.

The recipe is from the out-of-print Keepsake Quilting Cookbook published as a charitable fund-raiser in 2001.

 

Peaches and Cream Pie
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (4 oz.) package vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
3 T. margarine, softened
1 egg, beaten		 1/2 cup milk
1 (15 oz.) can sliced peaches
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
Cinnamon sugar to taste

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and pudding mix in a mixing bowl. Add the margarine, egg and milk and beat until well blended. Spread the mixture over the bottom and up the side of a greased 9 inch pie plate. Drain the peaches, reserving the juice. Arrange the peach slices in a decorative pattern in the prepared pie plate. Combine the cream cheese, sugar and 3 tablespoons of the reserved peach juice in a small mixing bowl and beat for 2 minutes or until smooth. Spoon over the peaches to within 1 inch of the edge. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Yield: 6 servings

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Just 35 Days to the Summer Sale!

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

We’re counting down the days to the Summer Sale!

There are just 35 days until you can save on quilting fabrics, quilting patterns, kits, notions, tools and more!

 

Libby and Heather are hard at work in the super secret warehouse where we build our Summer Sale pile of goodies. Here's Heather with some of the fabric scraps for our much-loved Scrap Bags!

We’d love for you join us for our Summer Sale! This year it will be held on June 1st and 2nd. Find information and lots of photos of the fun from last year’s sale here. More information to help you plan your trip is available on our website.

Keepsake Quilting Summer Sale

We hope to see you there!

 

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Things we like | Leave a comment

Fabric Quality Matters!

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

By Alison Dea Bolt

Love those good goods!

I’ve heard that “love is blind;” so’s the love of fabric. In both cases, finding what’s right for you can be frustrating and labor intensive. When I was looking for love, I knew exactly what I wanted: someone gentle, strong, and attractive—someone whose integrity I could count on. Oddly, those are exactly the qualities I now demand in quilting fabric. Unfortunately, like my dates, I’ve had to “kiss a few frogs” on my way to a cotton compatibility.

As a new quilter, I had serious “stash envy.” I raced to amass an arsenal of fabric, buying at chain stores with low prices. I’d used their material to make holiday decorations for years. Cotton was cotton, right? Wrong! I had no clue about low thread counts, excess dye, or substandard runs of the ever-unpronounceable greige goods, so I loaded up on yardage. Just like my dates, I knew I’d made a horrible mistake as soon as I took them home. When washed, my treasures became limp, terminally wrinkled, and frayed. Many had weak spots and bled more profusely than my college fencing partner. I tried ignoring the odor of finishing chemicals and sewed some unwashed fabric. I needed a hammer to flatten the seams. When I finally pieced some blocks, they were stiff and rough. I never put my baby in sandpaper diapers, and I sure wasn’t willing to cover her with a perpetually exfoliating quilt. I quickly discovered “cheap” wasn’t a “bargain” if it meant wasting time and fabric. Although chains now tout better lines, I’m no gambler. With each bolt I pick up, I still ask myself: Are there slubs? Is the weave so loose I can read through it? Does it stretch more than my gym shorts? No thanks….

Visiting a premier quilt shop like Keepsake Quilting can be a real eye-opener. When you fondle their fabric, you immediately feel the difference. Because it’s manufactured on top quality cotton with a high thread count, the fabric is soft, durable, and colorfast. Better still, it comes in a dizzying array of colors, and designs created by famous names in the quilting world. What I value most, though, is its dependability. Any of Keepsake’s thousands of bolts will give me the desired outcome. All I ever worry about is choosing what will work best in my project and remembering where in the store I left my tote. Everything I need to succeed is at my fingertips, including salespeople who know their stuff and eagerly weigh in on color or technique questions. I’ll take that to standing alone, juggling questionable bolts in a warehouse any day.

In this economy, saving matters, and quilt shops are doing their part. Keepsake always has lots of bargain bolts, not to mention Medley™ packs, die-cut shape collections, and stash builders—all designed to save fabric and cash. Scrap lovers can buy scrap bags or wrestle their friends for the best bits in the scrap barrel to pull a quilt together for 1/3 of the cost. There’s something perfect for everyone’s fabric taste and budget, and you never have to sacrifice quality to get it. The good news is that when you take it home, it doesn’t grab the remote or ask you to cook for it…

Alison Bolt lives in Littleton, New Hampshire

Posted in Informational, Things we like | 8 Comments

Cheryl’s Favorites

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

We’ve been tempted to feature an “Our Favorites” category in the catalog and on our website for some time now but realize just about everything would be included!  When I was asked to write a blog post about a favorite product of mine, I had serious trouble deciding which one.  Do I go with the Natural Inspiration Leaf Bowls Pattern or Desert Nine-Patch Kit or Quilt Wall?

I’ve decided Happiness is… Peanuts Medley™ is my favorite new product for a couple of reasons.  First, this is the only time I’ve seen a quilt-shop-exclusive Peanuts fabric collection.  I believe chain stores have carried something similar before, but this is the first time a collection has been offered to independent quilt shops only.  You won’t find this fabric in Walmart or other chains.  Secondly, Peanuts, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and anything Charles Shultz created brings back so many happy childhood memories for me.  From as far back as I can remember, the day after Thanksgiving has always been “Snoopy Jerry Day” to me.  My family would visit a close family friend (Jerry) the day after Thanksgiving and start decorating his Christmas tree.  This was not any ordinary Christmas tree mind you. Jerry, you see, was a collector of all things Charlie Brown.  His entire home was a shrine to the Peanuts gang and his Christmas tree was no different.  There was not a branch ungarnished with Linus, Lucy and Snoopy.  From dishes and towels to bed linens and deck chairs, Jerry’s house was filled with THOUSANDS of these wonderful collectibles.  My family started this tree-decorating tradition when my sister and I were in kindergarten, and it continued with new families and children long after we graduated college.  Sadly, Jerry passed away a few years back, but the families with young children continue to carry on this tradition every year, gathering to decorate a “Snoopy Tree” in honor of Jerry at a favorite local restaurant of his.
Isn’t it amazing that just one Peanuts fabric Medley™ can bring back so many memories for me.  As you browse through the fabrics and quilt kits in our newest spring newsletter, you, too may be reminded of happy memories.  If so, we’d love to have you share your story with us.

Happy Quilting!  Cheryl and all your friends at Keepsake Quilting.

Posted in Things we like | 1 Comment

Recipe from the KQ Cookbook: Onion Tart

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

Serve this onion tart warm or cool. It would be wonderful for a springtime brunch or as a party appetizer when cut into bite-size pieces. There are lots of onions, so be sure to use a large skillet.

The recipe is from the out-of-print Keepsake Quilting Cookbook published as a charitable fund-raiser in 2001.

Onion Tart
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
5 large Spanish or Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces puff pastry, thawed		 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup heavy cream

Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the onions and stir gently to coat. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 25 minutes or until the onions are tender and light golden brown, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

Roll the puff pastry to a 1/8-inch thickness and fit into an 11-inch tart pan. Place foil over the pastry and place pie weights or dried beans evenly over the foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove the foil with the weights.

Spread the mustard over the baked pastry. Beat the egg yolks with the cream in a large bowl. Add the onions and mix well. Pour the onion mixture into the tart shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until set. Garnish with chopped chives and cut into wedges.

Yield: 8 – 12 servings

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Staff Judging – Hip Hip Hurray Challenge

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

Yesterday was a very special day here at Keepsake Quilting. A day many of the employees look forward to all year. You see, yesterday was Staff Judging Day! We’ve been receiving challenge quilts for the past few weeks, and we have been eagerly waiting for the time when we get to see them all. Every year, the entries are so very different from the previous year’s quilts, and it is so interesting and fun to walk around and see each and every one!

This year’s challenge was the Hip Hip Hurray Challenge. Quilts were to be celebratory in nature, and should express pride and joy. Each entry had to use at least four of the six provided fabrics, and could add up to two other fabrics of the quilter’s choice. It was such a surprise to see how each quilter interpreted this challenge theme! View more information for this challenge here: Hip Hip Hurray Challenge

View the entries in last year’s Botanical Challenge here: Botanical Challenge Slideshow

View the entries in the Log Cabin Challenge, Landscape Challenge and Beautiful Bali Challenge here: Challenge Slideshows

Thank you to all of our entrants! Winners have been notified; you can look forward to reading about them in our upcoming Newsletter.

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Things we like | 5 Comments

Recipe from the KQ Cookbook: Hoosier Chicken Gumbo

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting


Here’s a mild version of Louisiana gumbo. This easy, everyday version is excellent reheated, so it can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated. However, it is the filé powder that causes the soup to thicken, so it should be added just before serving. If you don’t use filé powder, you may wish to add more roux for thickening.

The recipe is from the out-of-print Keepsake Quilting Cookbook published as a charitable fund-raiser in 2001.

Hoosier Chicken Gumbo
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 slices bacon, chopped
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper		 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
4 cups stewed tomatoes
3 pounds chicken breasts
4 cups water
1 (10-ounce) package frozen sliced okra
2 teaspoons filé powder (optional)
Hot cooked rice

Mix the oil and flour in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook until the flour is golden brown, stirring constantly. Add the bacon to the roux and cook until brown, stirring frequently. Add the onion, garlic and green pepper and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and tomatoes and mix well. Add the chicken and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Remove the chicken from the soup. Discard the skin and bones and cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Skim the soup, return to a boil, add the okra and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and filé powder and mix well. Heat to serving temperature. Serve in soup bowls over hot cooked rice.

Yield: 10 servings

Posted in Hungry Quilter Recipe, Things we like | 4 Comments

Recipe from the KQ Cookbook: Black Bottom Cupcakes

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Keepsake Quilting

If you want a Valentine’s Day that’s extra sweet, bake up a batch of these super-yummy cupcakes. When Kali made our samples, she used reduced-fat cream cheese and whole-wheat flour, and they were still over-the-top delicious. Whether you make these for the kindergarten party or for your sweetheart, you’re guaranteed to get rave reviews.

The recipe is from the out-of-print Keepsake Quilting Cookbook published as a charitable fund-raiser in 2001.

Black Bottom Cupcakes
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/4 cup sugar
1 – 1/2 cups flour		 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Stir in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips and set aside. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips, the nuts and 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl, mix well and set aside. Sift the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, baking soda, 1 cup sugar and baking cocoa into a mixing bowl. Add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla and beat until well blended.

Divide the batter among 18 greased muffin cups or paper-lined muffin cups. Add a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture to each and top with the nut mixture. Bake at 350°  for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the centers comes out clean.

Yield: 18 muffins

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