I just got back from visiting my quilts at the Sun Prairie Heritage Quilters Quilt Show! It was really fun to see my work hanging for everyone to admire (or not...). Here are some pictures from the show...

***NOTE!*** Registration is OPEN for the 2012 Dyeing Workshop: http://www.quiltsbybarb.com/2011handdyeingworkshop.htm*** Yup! It's time to get ready for the 2009 Summer Dyeing Workshop Sponsored by Quilts By Barb!

Once again it will be held a Lapacek's Orchard in Poynette, WI. Hopefully we will have a wonderful and gorgeous day for dyeing and will be able to do it out in the sun and on the lawn...otherwise we'll be in the spacious shed.

All of the details on the dying day can be found at: http://merr.com/users/lapacek/dyeing_day.htm or just go to http://www.lapaceksorchard.com/ and click on the '2009 summer dyeing workshop' link.

I'm going to use this blog to tell you a little bit about how the day actually goes, show you examples of things you can accomplish in one day, post pictures of quilts we have made from our hand-dyed fabrics, give you ideas for clothing dyeing options, and hopefully we'll hear from some people that have attended the workshop in the past!

Today I'll tell you about what you can expect in the morning (I'm hoping Diane will comment to let me know if I am accurate or forgetting something).

When you arrive at the orchard you will sign in and pick up your 'kit' for the day. We will have a small 'shop' set up with more pfd fabric, articles of clothing, dyeing supplies for you to take home, etc, that you will be able to look through as you eat your muffin or donut (not sure what we'll have just yet...I'll keep you posted).

Yesterday was the first day for the hoedown and it went spectacularly. We saw lots of familiar and new faces which is always wonderful. We had a little bit of a lull in the afternoon time and during dinner, but overall it was fairly steady. That being said, we still have TONS and TONS of really neat hand-crafted items.

One of our biggest hits yesterday were the recycled sweater felted mittens....people just love them! Luckily, Karol made a lot of them so there's still variety for you to choose your favorite pair today.

I also wanted to note for anyone who likes to knit or crochet, we have hand-spun yarns by Kitty Grrlz (http://www.kittygrrlz.com/) for sale (she's from the Milwaukee area). She does an absolutely beautiful job and I hope you stop by to check them out. (My favorite are the bamboo yarns!)

This year, I was lucky enough to get some of my Aunt Ellen's rosemauled items for our sale. A few Christmas's again, she was chosen to have her ornament hung on the White House Christmas Tree. She has written two books (Rosemauling with Ellen, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2) and just paints gorgeous items. My mother's family is very large (we will have around 100 people there this year) and instead of doing gifts, we all make ornaments to decorate the tree with (we rent a hall...too big for anyone's actual house). At the end of the Christmas Party, we all draw a name and whoever's name you draw you give them your ornament. Every year we all hope that our Aunt Ellen draws our name :)

I could go on and on about other crafters/artists that are at our sale, but I really hope you decide to just come and see for yourself!

Well, I just returned from my day spent at the quilt retreat in the Wisconsin Dells taught by my aunt-in-law, Barb, and of course, my mother-in-law, Diane. The project this year was a log cabin, but I just didn't have time to prepare for that so I just went up for the day to work on some things (I didn't want to leave my husband overnight with the girls just yet). I made lots of oragami bags and I did the mini-project and made an awesome appliqued wall hanging. I can't wait to quilt it!

Since, I just spent the day with Barb I decided to make her my featured artist for the craft sale! Barb has gorgeous hand-dyed linens, adorable purses, some hand-dyed clothing, and of course, quilts! Barb does an excellent job in all of her craft projects. She's not afraid to try something different and has a joy for teaching others her craft. All of the machine quilting on the quilts (Barb's, Diane's, Karma's and mine) was done by Barb. To find out more about Barb and about the quilting retreat for 2009 please check out her website: www.quiltsbybarb.com!

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that I am in the process of listing some of my winter/holiday hand-dyed onesies on my website (www.kimscraftyapple.etsy.com). These would be perfect christmas gifts for any little one you know! I hope you check them out!

I always jokingly brag that I am the best salesperson in the family. I may have prooved that true the other day when I litterally sold the sweatshirt that I was wearing. A fairly regular customer came in and was checking out all the hand-dye hooded sweatshirts we have for sale. She kept commenting on how much she liked the one I was wearing, then would look at the others, comment again. Finally, I told her that the one that I was wearing was for sale...I had just gotten cold the other day, had no sweatshirt, and had taken it down and put it on. Like that, a sale was made! When you come into our store make sure to look up when entering the back room. We have quite a selection of hand-dyed hooded sweatshirts hanging near the cieling.

I grudgingly got out of my warm bed early this morning to get suited up for the Sun Prairie Farmer's Market. I put on many layers...including my long underwear and had Jared heat me up some hot cider for the thermos. It was quite chilly when I left. Once I got to the market and started to set up I warmed up quickly. I was able to strip off a few layers to cool off a bit. I have a hard time keeping track of the time at the market in the morning, but it wasn't too long before it really became nice and I was just down to a long sleeve tee under a regular t-shirt. It really changed into a beautiful day quickly. I picked up some delicious shrimp for my in-laws from the seafood guy, Wally, and I picked up some scallops for myself. I am going to try one more time to cook them properly. I absolutely LOVE scallops when I get them at restaurants but have been unable to replicate them in my own kitchen....we'll see what happens...

Another beautiful day at the orchard. I wasn't there this morning (I was at the Sun Prairie Farmer's Market) but I heard that lots of people decided today was the day to visit the orchard. Surprisingly, the frost did not damage our raspberry crop too badly. There were still pickers out that found some beautiful, tasty berries. Our pumpkin patch also recieved some visitors. We really need to get some better signs up showing how to get there (side note for myself) so don't be afraid to ask us if you want to pick-your-0wn pumpkin. Squash have also been flowing out of the store smoothly. If you are worried that there is too much squash in what you pick out I must tell you, it freezes wonderfully! We will freeze enough (hopefully) that my girls will be able to eat it until we have squash again next year.

Limited Edition 'Mixed Nut' caramel apples have thus far been a hit. We are currently making the second batch of them. I hope you decide to try one out when you stop because they won't be around long!

Take care!

Hello All! It was a rainy day at the orchard. Not a lot of customers but we got a lot of those little things done before we get super busy. The rain was also really needed so that makes not being able to pick a bit easier to handle. I brought some new jewelry to the store today...these funky chunky necklaces that I've been making. I've heard MANY requests for more necklaces so I've been trying to fulfill that request. I also hung up labels for the new hoodies that we dyed. They are hanging up high in the 'craft & veggie' room so don't be afraid to look up when you walk in.

One of the things we've been working on lately is to try and get our apples out and into the local schools. Waunakee bought our apples for the entire fall semester last year and they reported that twice as many apples were being eaten and that they were seeing less in the garbages. We are continuing to provide apples to them this year. Rio picked up a delivery for some apples today and we will be delivering some to Poynette on Monday. I have a call into DeForest to see if they are interested as well. It's nice to be able to support our LOCAL schools with food that can be produced in there area. Hopefully this works out for everyone!

Enjoy the rest of this wonderfully rainy day!

Well, it's been a busy day for me. I was only at the store for a little while this afternoon. I'm trying to let my girls live a some what normal life until we get really busy for apple season. That being said, I went to the store between nap times which turned into only a few hours. I got very little done at the store, but I got quite a bit done during afternoon nap time. I was able to create some funky new earrings and a really cool, first of it's kind chunky beaded necklace. I personally think it's super cool. I'm currently in the middle of a multi-strand necklace. I hope to try to finish after I finish this post, but we'll see, it's already 10:30. Capri helped me label some of our cool new hand-dyed tableclothes, doiley's, and cloth napkins. They're super cool and will add an unique touch to someone's house.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be an almost every night occurence to make caramel apples, but we did an extra large batch tonight so we possibly will have tomorrow night off...we'll see. The girls helped us for a little while, but then I put them to bed when they had enough.

Also, keep an eye on the store in the next few weeks for some neat new planters and kitchen decoratiosn. I just made an order and hope to recieve them soon.

Hello everyone! Well, I spent a bit of time today working at the apple store. Diane took the girls to Subway and I was able to get a few things done. We're still working on getting the store a bit more organized and still coming up with more ideas for the season. The hand-dyes are up and organized...for now anyway. We have quite the selection and we may find it a bit challenging to find space for the hoodies we just dyed...I'm sure we'll manage though. Cedi and Grandma picked some green peppers and cabbages (is that the proper plural or is it just cabbage...hmmm). Frank was up at the produce auction and brought home some glads and some yummy red pototoes. The glads won't be there long so make sure to stop by and pick some of the beautiful flowers up.

Cedi started to get a bit cranky around 2 so we headed home for naps. I actually have them both asleep and it's been almost an hour and a half...yes, I know I am amazing :). So, I have been doing some research on "green" cleaning since I seem to be allergic to standard cleaning supplies (I know it sounds like just an excuse, but I swear it's true). I started to clean my windows with a vinegar/water/dishsoap solution to get the waxy coat left over from Windex. The next time I clean them all I should need is a bottle of vinegar and a rag. I'll keep you posted on whether or not this works or if I find any more neat "green" cleaning tips out.