To pre-wash or not to pre-wash? That is the question.

Don't forget...our Parish Academy 2 class starts one week from today on April 12th.  This three part class meets the next three Tuesdays from 6:00pm-9:00pm.  Call or come into the shop to sign up.  You don't want to miss out on this fun class with an amazing teacher.

Here is a fun topic that all quilters have an opinion about.

Do you wash your fabric before starting a project?

When I began quilting, my first project was a baby quilt made from a fat quarter pattern.  I washed all of my fat quarters and when I took them out of the dryer, they had shrunk so much that I had to go back to the quilt shop and purchase another fat quarter of every fabric.  Ever since then, I have not pre-washed my fabric.

My mom, on the other hand, pre-washes her fabric.  The exceptions being, if it came in a kit, or is a specialty cut like a fat quarter.  She prefers to have her fabric shrink before she puts it into a quilt and she also likes to wash out any excess dye.  She does not want fabric from a kit to shrink because it may shrink too much and leave her without enough fabric to finish her project.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Do you pre-wash or not?

Spring is Here! ...Right?

The sun is starting to peek its way through the clouds and the flowers are starting to push their buds above the soil! As of March 21st, Spring is here! Well, it's supposed to be here. In my opinion, I think springtime should be warm and sunny, with occasional rain. But it's just my luck that I live in Northwestern Washington where it rains all the time!

But there is one perk to living in this area. And that is this wonderful quilt shop! We have some fun classes coming up that have a few seats available! 

This Friday, March 25th we have Quilt Til You Wilt! It only costs $10, so bring the project you're working on and your comfortable clothes, because you'll have six hours of non-stop quilting! 

And this Saturday, March 26th we have our "Thread Painting" and "Woven Quilts" class! This class costs $40 and will teach you the most beautiful techniques! From 10:30 am - 3:30 pm Judy Irish will guide you through the steps, tips, and tricks to creating these beautiful projects. 

And now for some exciting news! I am anxiously awaiting the birth of my niece! Okay, so my sister isn't due until late June, but I'm still very excited! So I looked through the bin of scraps I have at home and found some cute, bright, and PINK (yes, she's having a girl!) fabrics that I could use to create a burp cloth and matching blanket. Here are some pictures of the embroidery that I have accomplished so far:

They are naming their little girl Jayden. I am so excited to have my niece Jayden Carson here!

Fabric and Feedback!

Well, I'm back! It's been two weeks since my last post, and I apologize profusely for the absence. We were just so busy here at the shop with the Fat Tuesday sale that I was pulled upstairs to help out and didn't have time to write! The past few weeks have been both busy and fun. I would like to thank all of you that came out to visit us during the Fat Tuesday sale. We loved seeing you! It was fun to see the fat quarters you picked and hear about what they were destined to become! One customer walked out with quite a few bags full of fat quarters and as I was helping her to her car she said, "That was the most fun I've had all week!" So thank you to all that came, we always love seeing your smiling faces.

I have been busily working on something, and it is now up to date! We are selling fabric on the online store! Yay! You can now find not only kits, pre-cut fabrics, gift certificates, classes, and clubs online, but recent fabric lines as well! Click here to visit our online store and shop!

Okay ladies, that last part told you about the "fabric". Now, for the feedback! I was asked a few weeks ago to sing in a friend's wedding. I was very excited and instantly started preparing my piece. The reception was this last Saturday, and as I was introduced and handed the microphone I started walking to the piano. I had the microphone by my side and as I passed the speaker this BLARING noise shot out. Feedback. I was embarrassed, but quickly apologized and played my piece. While this story is slightly entertaining, I am going to tell you about a different kind of feedback.

YOUR FEEDBACK!

I am going to post a poll on the blog. When you visit The Parish Piece within the next two weeks you will see two questions in the upper right hand corner. If you will respond to them I would really appreciate it! I am always striving to make this a place for you to get some updates on the shop and to enjoy some fun writing. And, if we got over 100 responses on each question, then there might be a surprise in store so spread the word! Get all your friends to visit this blog and respond to the questions!
If the text on the options for the poll is too small to read, simply click on a blank spot on the web page, then hold down the "Ctrl" button and press the "+" until the text is big enough to read.

Thank you for being your wonderful selves! I hope this post finds you happy, well, and quilting.

May your bobbin always be full!

-Taylor

Peanut Butter Pie & Mardi Gras!

I hope you all had a marvelous month of February. I know I did! The month ended with a delicious Hershey's Peanut Butter and Chocolate pie. My sister gave me a Hershey's Dessert Book for my bridal shower, and this is one of the many desserts that caught my eye! It was a perfect way to end February.

And now, on to the marvelous month of March!

This month, we are having our

MARDI GRAS FAT TUESDAY EVENT!!

On Tuesday, March 8th come into the shop where all of our pre-cut fat quarters will be just ONE DOLLER A PIECE!

With our fat quarters regularly $3.00 a piece, this is a steal! Minimum purchase of 25 required.

In light of this event, I have been doing some research that I am going to share with you now!

Mardi Gras began long before the Europeans set foot in the New World. Back in Ancient Rome they used to celebrate in mid-February with a circus called Lupercalia. This was somewhat like a carnival, and is very similar to the Mardi Gras celebration later seen in New Orleans.

When the Romans embraced Christianity, the Carnival became a period of abandonment and merriment that preceded Lent.

In 1699 the French explorer Iberville brought Mardi Gras to America. Mardi Gras was celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages and March 3rd was their day of celebration. On March 3rd 1699, Iberville set up camp along the banks of the Mississippi and named the site Point du Mardi Gras.

The celebrations we see today are filled with parades, masked marchers, and the colors purple, gold, and green. Those colors became the official colors of Mardi Gras in 1872, when The Krewe of Rex, an organization created to entertain the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia, chose those colors in the Duke's honor. From that point on they have been the official colors of Mardi Gras.

I just thought I'd share with you some interesting information that I did not know until I did a little research. I think in life we all need a few periods of "abandonment and merriment." We can't always focus on our stresses and worries. If we did then life would be a drag. We need to take time to look around us and be grateful for all that we do have, and celebrate it!

I hope this finds you all happy, well and quilting.

May your bobbin always be full!

-Taylor

Thread Painting

I came into work yesterday and was listening to the talk about how much fun it has been to see everyone that has come in to shop our Spring Cleaning sale! The discounts are incredible, the selection is great, and the people are fun and friendly! If you haven't had your chance to get into the shop yet, don't worry. The sale ends on Sunday, February 27th, so you have time! This is a great opportunity. Just yesterday I got a couple books I have been looking at for a while, and am so glad I did!

As a newlywed couple, my husband and I are living at home and saving money while we get ready to go back to school. So I have been very excited and looking forward to moving into our own apartment and decorating it! Projects of every kind have floated into my head, most of them inspired by what I see around me here at Parkland Parish Quilt Co.

Well, this week we have some wonderful classes coming up. This Friday is Quilt Til You Wilt!

This class is so much fun! For only $10 you come to the shop, bring a project, and sew, sew sew until 11pm!! With employees from the shop there to help you if you need it and good company, this class is a fun one!

This Saturday we have our Thread Painting

class with Judy Irish. The technique of thread

painting is a beautiful one, and in this class you

will learn tips and tricks to help you master this craft. This picture is just an example of the beautiful things that can be accomplished with thread painting! The class is $40 and is from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm, here on February 26th. Call the shop, or sign up online!

Well, I don't think I have much else to share with you all today. Except, there is this one thought that has been on my mind lately. It's a quote said by Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh, and ever since I heard it while babysitting it has stuck with me.

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

With all of our imperfections it can be easy to get down on ourselves for not being as brave, or smart, or strong as we may think we need to be. But none of us need to be perfect; and we are always stronger, smarter, and braver than we think we are.

I hope this post finds you happy, well, and quilting!

May your bobbin always be full.

-Taylor

Spring Cleaning!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! When I went home from work yesterday I found rose petals scattered all over my bed, a long-stemmed red rose, a candle, and a home-made card from my husband. So sweet! It was a wonderful day, and I hope that you all took the time to show those that you love just how much you love them.

With all the rain we have been getting lately, I've been staying inside my house, reading books, and watching good movies. But sometimes, that can get a little tiring and I start itching to do something. And most of the time, I end up cleaning! And that is precisely what we have decided

to do here at Parkland Parish Quilt Co. We have been going stir crazy around here, so we've been doing some early spring cleaning and we're doing it for you!

The Spring Cleaning event starts on Saturday, February 19th and ends on Sunday, February 27th. Come into the shop to receive GREAT discounts on kits, fabric, books, and more!

Selected Kits & Pre-cuts – up to 50% off!

Selected fabrics - 50-70% off!

Books – starting at just $5.00!

Selected Magazine – just $1.00!

We cannot wait for this event to start, and we hope that you will make it in to take advantage of these never before seen discounts!

I don't have much more to share with you except to tell you there are a few spots remaining in some upcoming classes.

First we have "The Inside Secrets of Binding" class with Ann Sawin. It's on Tuesday, February 22nd from 6 - 9 pm. This class is only $20, and with the great "inside secrets" you'll learn, this is a great opportunity! Call the shop today or sign up online.

Next we have "Thread Painting: Plain and Fancy" class with Judy Irish. It's on Saturday, February 26th from 10:30am - 3:30pm. This class is $40 to sign up and is sure to be fun! The technique you will learn is absolutely beautiful, so hurry and sign up! You can call the shop or register online.

Don't forget! You get an additional 15% off on your purchase when you shop the online store and enter the coupon code "parkland parish". So go shop today!!

And that's all I have to share with you all today. I hope this blog post finds you all happy, well, and quilting!

May your bobbin always be full!

-Taylor

Valentine's Day Anyone?

As Valentine's Day approaches we are all inclined to let our minds linger a little more on thoughts of love, friendship, and romance. Chocolate, candy, and hearts are all over the place in grocery stores, the mall, and restaurants. It is in our nature as humans to make connections with people; to form meaningful relationships with loved ones.

So as this holiday comes closer, start thinking about a gift that would mean the most to those that you love. Whether it's a hand-made card, that cute pair of boots that she's been drooling over for weeks, or just 30 minutes of catching up with a good friend and some tea, do something for those that have meaning in your life this Valentine's Day. I know that I will.

And even though Parkland Parish Quilt Co. is a quilt shop we still want to help you celebrate this holiday! We have some adorable "chocolate" fabrics that arrived in the shop. To see a couple samples, click here.

We also got in a fun Lakehouse line that features polka dots, cakes, and TEA CUPS! These tea cups are absolutely adorable! To see more of this line that would be absolutely perfect for Valentine's day, click here.

THERE IS STILL ROOM IN UPCOMING CLASSES!

We have two wonderful classes quickly approaching that have spots left. I recommend you sign up quickly, before you miss your chance! This Saturday, February 12th is the English Sewing Box class. It is not only a cute box, but it is great for storing whatever quilting supplies you need to stay in one place!

We also have our Fabulous Floor Mat class meeting on Valentines day! From 10 am - 3:30 pm get instruction from Kathy McKenna on how to create your own beautiful floor mat! Call the shop today to sign up!

I hope this blog post finds all of you happy, warm, and quilting. May your bobbin always be full!!

-Taylor

February Classes!

Okay, so this past week has been a little crazy with the Super Bowl Sample Sale and all other sorts of madness, so my blogging has been a bit... irregular. The shop has been super busy!!

But this will be the last not-posted-on-Tuesday blog.

We have some classes coming up very soon that you won't want to miss out on!

Our Fabulous Floor Mat class is on Monday, Februray 14th and the last day to sign up is TOMORROW! So hurry! Call the shop today to reserve your spot in this wonderful class taught by our very own Kathy McKenna!

Also on the list for the next upcoming class is the English Sewing Box Class. It is this Saturday, February 12th from 10am - 4pm. This project is a fun, cute, and useful one! Call the shop today to sign up for this class, or you can register online.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and that you are enjoying every minute of every day.

May your bobbin always be full! -Taylor

Are You Ready for some Football?

I know that it's Friday and not Tuesday... and I know that I usually post a blog every week on Tuesday. (Don't worry, just because I'm posting today doesn't mean that I won't post on Tuesday.) But I just had to give you all one more reminder about the

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY SAMPLE SALE

going on this Sunday, February 6th here at Parkland Parish Quilt Co.! Not only are we going to have all of our beautiful samples on a GREAT sale, but we are going to be playing a fun game of football! To see a flier with information and instructions on how we're going to be playing our game, click here.

The doors open at Noon so come to the shop and get ready for some fun! The classroom will be open for some free sewing time and there will be snacks provided!

This is going to be a sale that you won't want to miss!!!

Treats!

I don't know about all of you, but for the past few days I have been absolutely freezing! Waking up in the morning to a frost covered car is not my ideal scenario. At that moment I feel like putting my sweat pants back on, making a nice cup of hot cocoa, and curling up on the couch with a blanket and my favorite movie on the TV. But since days where we are free from responsibility don't come around too often, I just go outside and scrape the ice off of my car and drive to work.

However, it is always good to be prepared in case a day where you have no

responsibility comes around. I found this amazing recipe for hot cocoa online the

other day, and I just have to share it!

It's called Cookie Dough Cocoa (just the title makes my mouth water.) If you'd like to see this recipe or print it out, click here.

I think the

only adjustment I would make to this would be to make homemade chocolate chip cookies instead of using Cookie Crisp cereal. That's just my opinion because I am not the biggest fan of Cookie Crisp.

Anyways, while you're all enjoying that recipe, lets get on to the quilting treats I have in store for today!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY SAMPLE SALE

In your email blasts last week you were filled in on how our football game is going to work, how you earn points, and just how much fun it's going to be! But so far I have neglected to mention all of the amazing, incredible, quilt samples that will be on an incredible

SALE!

All of our quilts are already hanging up in the shop, so come in early and scope out the samples. They will be priced at rates that will knock your socks off! Hurry to Parkland Parish Quilt Co. and see what we have to offer, and don't forget to come join us on Sunday,

February 6th for a day of games, fun, and great deals!

THE ROMANCE CONTINUES - SATURDAY BOM

Our Saturday BOM class has been filling up quickly! There are very

few spots left and the last day to register for this class is Saturday, February 5th! You can register online, in the shop, or by phone.

And last but not least go to our online store to see all of the REDUCED KITS AND PRE-CUT FABRICS

that have now been added! With the majority of our online merchandise on sale, you won't want to pass up this opportunity!

Well, all of this talk about treats makes me want my own cup of hot chocolate. I'm going to go make myself some.I hope this blog post has found you all doing well and very happy.

May your bobbin always be full! -Taylor

P.S. Keep yours eyes and ears open because there's an extra-exciting

treat coming your way... (check your emails... *cough cough*)

I wonder what it could be...