Posted on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010, by Janet - Calico Gals store owner, gabby gal, newsletter editor, occasional piecer
Orange – the only fall color in Syracuse
Here in Central New York, you can’t say “football” without saying “Syracuse!” When my sons were growing up, they had jobs selling special edition newspapers to the fans at the SU football games. They did well making tips and sometimes got tickets to the games. All three boys are grown, but still huge fans. When Jared broke his arm a few weeks back, he used his cast as another way to show his loyalty to his team. Thanks to Mike at Biographix Tattoo for the cool airbrushing.
Yes - that's the Syracuse city skyline!
My husband, Karl and I met Jared at a recent game to celebrate his 26th birthday. I came right after leaving Calico Gals and must have been the only person in the Carrier Dome who wasn’t wearing orange! Jared couldn’t let happen to his mother!
The nametag given to me said "I usually only wear a quilt!"
Shop Hop – the other CNY fall tradition
And they’re off! Last weekend’s shop hop was a blast for shoppers and shops alike. Each of the 10 stores chose a different state and theme for the weekend. We chose New York and celebrated the beauty of the Adirondack mountains. What fun we had turning our store into a lodge. The gals came lugging all kinds of fun accessories: chairs, boots, bears, ducks. Lynn topped everyone when she unloaded a kayak!
Kayaking bears love to buy fabric. Check out their QLTR sticker!
Lots of guys joined their gals on the shop hop this year. They were very interested in my Accuquilt Go cutter demo. (It is a fun tool!) Many of the guys had “official” titles like Shop Hop Taxi Driver. They enjoyed our mountain environment while the gals enjoyed a few additional fabric shopping moments.
Tim O, Jane's official Shop Hop Caddy does a little networking on the patio.
It may take a few weeks for us to move out of the Adirondacks, so visitors may find traces throughout the store.
It's getting deep in here.
More to come
The first weekend in October is just another excuse for a good time at Calico Gals. The Super Bolt Party and Barbecue is Sunday, October 3rd. The whole deal is being catered by guys who roll in those big cookers and go to town with great food! There are still tickets available. Join us for a good time!
Sharon H sports her nametags from all the Calico Gals trips she took this summer.
See you Sunday!
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Posted on Monday, May 3rd, 2010, by Janet - Calico Gals store owner, gabby gal, newsletter editor, occasional piecer
From winter to spring…
Calico Gals hosts an annual Quilt Camp in February at Christ the King Retreat House. 50 gals joined us this year for the Farm Gals retreat. Everyone went home with a handful of flower seeds and the challenge to “grow their own discount” for the Reunion Party on May 2nd. The rules were: “Bring in flowers for a 20% discount, just stalks – 10%, no green thumb – 5%. Creative cheating welcome!” Many people took advantage of the “creative cheating” clause.
Kathy K. was flower gal for the day. Of course she earned 20% off!
There were two REAL green thumbs in the group who actually grew flowers!
Congratulations Mildred and Ruth! You did it!
After lunch and show-and-tell of camp quilts, the party members received tickets to the Plank Road quilt show, so they took off for Clay and more quilts, laughs and shopping. Thanks to Calico Gal, Lynn, for a great party. Keep watching, she has many more fun events planned for the summer.
A little color adds a lot of wow!
Remember the photo of that striped wall in the Harborview store? Here it is after just one coat of beautiful blue (LaFonda Deep Blue 4011-7 to be exact).
Wow! Big improvement! Love that color!
I didn’t crop out the ceiling and lights because they are new and also look wonderful. Looking front, you can see more ceiling, lights and color. This time we brought in the same green from the Syracuse store (Prairie Bush 6003-4B, in case you wondered).
Fresh paint, but more work to be done.
So what is up with that floor? It is getting a total re-do of course! New carpet in the store and polished hardwood on the store-front window floors are scheduled for installation this week. The electrician has added more outlets for sewing machines. Before long, we’ll be moving in!
In the meantime…
It’s time to Fling! Spring Fling, of course! The third annual mini shop hop is happening this weekend – Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Grab a friend or two and head out to Calico Gals, Mission Rose Quiltery and Patchwork Plus Quilt Shop. You can pick up the $15 passport at any store. Your rewards will be refreshments, demos, pattern and fabric for springy projects and chances to win prizes! Make a purchase in each shop and receive a bonus clip-on zipper notion bag and flowery fat quarter. I had fun choosing the clipart and designing the ad this year. My inspiration comes from pccrafter.
Do you recognize Mary, Judy and me?
Just because:
This beautiful project was done by Candy Tucker, a local Calico Gal.
A tribute to a special grandmother
Candy describes her creative process: “I was looking for a way to display my grandmother’s beautiful pin, so it wouldn’t languish in a drawer for years and years. When I saw the pink Fairy Frost fabric, I knew it was the one for this project. She loved the color pink (as do my mother and I). I printed the photo on fabric (Printed Treasures)and sewed it on, then added the pin with a bow made of pink velvet ribbon. I dyed the lace the right color by soaking it in a pot of coffee (which my grandmother drank all day, every day). Then I added a pink tinge with a water soluable crayon. After lots of free motion quilting (on a Babylock!) and hand beading, the piece was ready for a backing. I chose an ecru fabric with roses on it because she loved roses and always had a big flower bed full of them by her front door. My grandmother was a special woman who appreciated my creative nature even when no one else did. I hope that somehow she can see this piece and feel that I did justice to her memory.”
Thanks, Candy. We enjoy and appreciate your creativity, too.
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
