Special Guest Teacher Coming to Cherry Tree Quilts

I am very excited to announce that Susan Purney-Mark will be coming to Summerland to teach.  She is an internationally known quilter and fibre artist.  Susan has written several books, just produced her DVD – Soy Wax Inspirations and is in the current issue of Quilting Arts Magazine.

Susan will be here the first weekend in April – Saturday April 6^th and Sunday April 7^th.  I have rented the IOOF hall here in Summerland (just one block from the shop) so you will have lots of room to create your own beautiful fabric.

Here are samples of Susan’s work hanging in the shop.

 

Here are the two classes that Susan will be teaching:

Soy Wax Resists

Quilters design their own unique one-of-a-kind fabrics using simple tools, dyes and soy wax…no messy clean-up, just wash this wax away! Students will be using colour and pattern in a whole new way and then have so much fun making dynamic and exciting quilts for all to admire. Simple technique and perfect for the beginner designer!

Screen, Plate and Mono Printing

Creating print on fabric with a variety of techniques will be the focus while students are introduced to the special qualities of thickened dyes. Students will use screen for printing with a variety of stencils and masks including wax, paper and Mylar. Students will then make and use their own gelatin plates and take time for other methods of mono printing. Colour theory and colour mixing will be an important part of the workshop and students will acquire an excellent foundation of experience to continue further exploration on their own.

Check out our website for further information:  www.cherrytreequilts.ca

Visit her website for more inspiration:  http://susanpm.com/

The classes are filling so please call to reserve your spot as space is limited.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Cheers,

Barb

Classes Classes Classes

The New Year is well underway.  Beginner Sampler Classes are full, Applique club starts soon and drop in days have begun.  Meet Mary visiting from England who dropped in to last weeks sew-in day. 

She wants to learn how to quilt and made this beautiful quilted tea cosy from my cherry fabric. I hope to see Mary again soon as she comes to visit her sister quite often.

New Wool products are here!

Just received a big shipment of beautiful hand dyed wool fabric and kits from Woolylady for wool applique and fibre art! 

They will look great with the ideas from Sue Spargo in her new book and her hand dyed cotton threads from Valdani.

Grand Opening

It was a beautiful Fall day, with the sun shining outside and the butterflies in full flight inside!

Fall colours

Setting nerves aside, we gathered at the shop with a full complement of friends and family to set up refreshments  with a special surprise of `bubbly` and cake from my sister Brenda and her daughters Kara and Candace.

Congratulations!

A beautiful cake!

With customers waiting outside, we opened the doors shortly after 9:30. Things started humming right away and the store was packed within a matter of minutes with visitors from up and down  the valley from Salmon Arm, Vernon and Kelowna south to Oliver, Keremeos and Princeton! There was excitement in the air as veteran and new quilters alike expressed a warm welcome and their best wishes. 

Odessa - Customer number 1

Door greeters Rebecca (R) and friend Lisa

Quilt talk with Sam`s cousins Bev, Brenda and their friend

What a welcome to the community!  Flowers arrived throughout the day.  And Todd across the street at True Grain Bread even sent over a beautiful platter of fresh baked goodies!

Beautiful flowers

And more!

Thank you to everyone who showed up, with a special thanks to Mom, Brenda, Kara, Candace, Rebecca, Lisa and especially Marilyn for all your help yesterday and over the preceding weeks.  I couldn`t have done it without you.

We made it!

The window paper is down, the windows have been cleaned and the door is now open! After two months of hectic activity, a lot of anxiety, and long hours of help from Sam, Marilyn and Gary we opened the doors without fanfare Wednesday afternoon. And, we even had a few walk in customers.

Paper down and windows cleaned!

Windex - for those Final touches.

There is still a lot to do to get ready for our Grand Opening on Saturday Nov 10th, but we made it!

New Paint, Lights and Flooring!

Things are starting to come together.  After two long weeks of hard work, the store has a new look with a fresh coat of paint, new lighting and flooring.

New paint, lights and a floor!

Finishing the trim and moving in cabinets.

Cara assembling the cabinets 

Assembling shelves for stock

 In between final assembly and trim, and the upcoming Houston Quilt Market, we will soon be ready to start stocking the shelves.

Out of the House and on to Main Street!

Who said dreams don't come true?  For the longest time I have wanted to open a Quilt Store. Well it's finally happening.  Sometimes I just have to pinch myself!!

Last month after several months of site searches, planning and crossed fingers, things came together and we were able to sign a lease for a property on Main Street in Summerland!

Street view of the old Summerland dollar Store

Renovations started almost immediately with removal of old slat wall   Electrical and HVAC work is now done, painters are done, and flooring is scheduled for installation next week.

Interior looking to back of store

Interior view towards the street

10105-1 Main Street

There is still so much to do!  Over the last three weeks I have been meeting suppliers, ordered lots and lots of great fabric and am now lining up notions, books etc. Sam has helped coordinate the trades to prepare the space for business. I have ordered furniture and fixtures, been to Edmonton with Sam for training on the HandiQuilter  - YES!! - we are going to be carrying quilting machines. And, looking ahead, between setting up my booth at the local Penticton Quilters Guild Show (Oct 19th & 20th) and a trip to Houston for Market at the end of October to see the latest and greatest in quilts, fabrics, notions and everything else, we will be setting up the fixtures, receiving product and preparing for Grand Opening early November.

Cherry Tree Quilts (the store) will focus on Quilting, Fibre Art and Longarm sales and services.  We will be selling Quilting fabric and notions, Fil-Tec Thread and Bobbins, Fabric Art supplies and HandiQuilter Quilting Machines, with classes available on all themes.  I will still have my home studio for designing new projects and my own quilting.

Stay tuned for more information on store progress and news of our Grand Opening!  I can hardly wait to share all this with you.