8. October 2009 by admin.

They are only $1. per ticket.

the drawing is October 28th at our quilt guild meeting at the Davison/Richfield Senior Center.

Come join us.  All are welcome.  Good Luck!

Contact me for tickets 810-375-2220

see the lovely quilt at:  www.bluemoonquilts.net

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8. October 2009 by admin.

Well, I must say, I certainly enjoyed summer this year.  My garden was alot of work but I will enjoy it’s bounty in mied winter.  Looking forward to starting some new projects. 

My customers are flocking in with quilt tops they’d like finished for the various quilt shows. 

Some are simple with requests for simple inexpensive quilting.

Others require a more drawn out thought process and tight or very filling quilting on them.

The “micro” quilting is very pretty and great for giving texture and bringing the surface to life.  I’m looking forward to it and being in my studio as the snow flies by.  I have not started any projects for myself as of yet.  But, the nice weather won’t be beconning me to come out and play. 

I’d like to have a class or two soon.  I had my first Long Arm Quilting student and I feel it went real well.  The half day I offered her, she said was more than enough to take in and was extremely helpful to her.

She had purchased a quilting machine and really needed help and was down about how it was going.  I have been there.  She was not alone.  It can be quite daunting to make that decision and move forward with it once your machine is delivered and it’s just you and the reality sets in. 

 It takes time.  Lots of time and practice and  someone to let you know, it will be alright.  you are not going crazy and you really can do it.  I enjoyed her company, and teaching and I hope building confidence.  I know, that if I can do it, she can too. 

There will be designs and style she will acheive and pass other people up in her abilities.

There will be others that will be a thorn in her side.  some were and still are for me.  I may never do them, let alone master them.  I thought I’d never be able to do Freehand Feathers.

I had a fear of them.  I got mad enough, and didn’t give up and today I love them!

I am looking forward to more students, more classes more happy customers.

If you think you need help with your LONG ARM QUILING MACHINE, contact me and come take a class.  It’s only a half day commmitment and if you need accomodations, we can do that too.

I have a lovely spare bedroom with vintage quilts, tea cups, teddy bears just waiting for you or choose one of my other rooms with serene atmosphere and a comfy bed.  There are some good places to eat nearby.  My place is close to I-69 and Van Dyke ( M53 ) and easy to get to.

There are great antique shops  and quilt shops too if you’d like to make a day or two of it.

Go to www.bluemoonquilts.net   for more info  click on classes.

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29. July 2009 by admin.

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29. July 2009 by admin.

Good morning everyone.

Me and Judy will be at the Blueberry Festival in downtown Imlay City selling tickets for this years’ RAFFLE QUILT.  It is modern, fresh and lively.  The background is white and the quilt blocks are in every color immaginable of Batiks.   Batiks are costly and labor intense.

The dyeing methods go way back in time and are still used today.  They are often copied but never dupplicated in depth and vibrancy of color and quality.  Most come from Indonesia.

Your generous support is so greatly appreciated.  You help us to help others.

We give back charitably to our community.  Not only through the promotion of the quilting arts and education, but to charities like SAFEHOUSE.  A battered womens shelter in Flint.

The women and children came come in with nothing but the clothes on their back. 

Last year alone we made over 100 quilts just for them.  As a group and individually we piece together quilts with love.  Our sit and sews are a blast.  You need not be a member to join.

There is another one coming up in September.  We also have a “chinese auction” in the works.

Our raffle quilt is our biggest fund raiser. 

Both this year and next years’ 2010 can be seen on my site.   2010 is the red/green FRENCH BRAID.  Go to Long Arm quilting gallery on my site.

www.bluemoonquilts.net   

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stop by our booth and say hello.

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1. July 2009 by admin.

Today we had a sit and sew, stitch and bitch about whatever is on your mind.   They are always a blast and great to get together with people I like.  We worked on our disappearing 9 patch kits that I had made up awhile back.  Mostly of toiles and florals with gentle Victorian “wallpaper” stripes with the colors being pulled from one feature fabric, usually a large floral with cabbage roses.   I know I picked the fabrics well at the time, because I was able to utilize them in so many other kits.  The first one I made had the large cabbage roses in peaches and corals with pinks and burgandy and of course green foliage.  The background color was a gold with green undertones.

 The next set of kits had cherry pinks and reds, and the next one was yellows with peach and golden greens.  All kits contained the “infamous” Bird Toiles from IN THE BEGINNING fabrics.

Talk about to die for.  I’m so glad I share their time on this planet.  I “get” them and their brand of beautiful!  I too am crazy about the blending of prints and “Blended” look of the quilts.

I usually stay with the same tones and colors but mix up those prints all together.

If your confused, just look on your selvage.  See the colorway?  The little color dots tell you exactly what color dyes are in that fabric.  You can pull your companion fabrics from here.

I have always been lucky enough or confident enough to trust my eye.  Some people stress about choosing their fabrics, I’m obsessed with it, hence the reason kits are such hot sellers. 

I was asked how I can part with these beautiful fabrics to put in their kits.

Answer: I don’t have to, I chop off so many yards for me.  But I must confess, there are some, I’m sure I will take to my grave.  I want my mummy!

I love helping my customers who are also my friends put stuff together.  Some days they just need to get out of the house and we have some good old fashioned girl bonding. 

Life is good!  Thanks for looking in.

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16. June 2009 by admin.

This is the first year ever I can remember taking time off from quilting and sewing.

I am still finishing other quilts for my customers and friends, but have not been inspired to start a new project or work on anything of my own.  The garden has won!

Thought I’d never say that.  I go with my feelings. 

I know I’ll get back to it sooner or later.  I must need a change of pace.   Having a stash that STILL looks like a quilt shop, I have a long way to go and alot of projects in my future.

I’m always happy to see what everyone else is working on.  Maybe I need a class.   Most of my quilting friends do not live very close.  They don’t pop in too often.

I’m satisfied to play in the dirt for awhile, flowers and all kinds of green things popping up.

I marked my seedlings, and then, the sharpie marker ink….ran!

I have no idea what is coming up. 

So I guess my garden theme is “summer surprize”.

Sounds like fun.  I’ll get back with you when I’m re-inspired. 

Keep your projects coming, call and stop by and visit me. 

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3. June 2009 by admin.

The best advice I can give you is ask your friends.  Who do they use and why.

Are you in a hurry?  Do you want an all over design or custom?

Have you seen anybodys work that you have liked?

There is the key.  Visiting quilt shows. I feel IS the number one best way to find a Long Arm Quilter.  I myself used them before I got my own machine.  Their work is right there for you to see and touch ( with a white glove of course).  Are their desgins getting you excited?  Do they have good control? Are the sizes of the design consistant?  Do you like the thread choices?

Are the areas filled in nicely? Are they creative or just ordinary?

Alot of Long Arm quilters assist their customers with their choices.  I know I do.  It is always their final decision.  You however are the one who sees quilts day in and day out and can give very helpful advice and show many samples of what different desings and thread may actually look like.  Sometimes they are surprized and very glad they took your advice.  Other times they only wish they had.   This builds trust.  While I add new customers all the time, a high percent is repeat business.  They like “my style” and know what to expect from me. 

They also are comfortable with my pricing.  This is an important match too.  Someone who is always beating you up for a bragain, just is not worth keeping on in the long run. 

Some ladies really have a hard time expressing their thoughts and ideas.  I like to hand them some doodling paper.  Wow, Now I get it!

I encourage them also to take a class from me.  Long Arm Quilting may just be for them.  Or not.

It is much cheaper to find out this way.  Machines are expensive!

Sometimes you can get lucky and find someone close to you.  If you really like someone and she is not near, it can still be worth the drive.  Her style and strokes of thread will be unique to her.

Maybe your personalities just are compatable.  Good for you both.

I have heard of ladies sending their quilts off for a great bargain. Yikes!

You really do get what you pay for.  Don’t be cheap. 

Try out some quilters and save yourself some time.  Don’t bring your best stuff until you feel comfortable, or until you’ve seen first hand what she is capable of.  Communication is key, and get it in writing!  She is not a mind reader.  Be specific. 

Decide if you are willing to give her creative control and to what degree. 

Sometimes, customers standing over your shoulder with every stitch you make is just frustrating and inhibits their creativity.  It is just a way a putting it and not them actually being there watching, but you get the idea.  Your hands feel tied!  Talk about stressful!

These ladies may consider getting their own machine. 

Some quilts stump me.  Others I know immediately what to do on them.   I could just look at them for days and weeks.  Then I will come to me.  If I try out new designs, I may need practice time to get the strokes how I want them.  Putting on a practice piece is what I do, before I get to your top.

This is a little insight on the day to day business of LONG ARM QUILTING

if you have any questions or concerns before you bring anything to me, feel free to contact me at:

www.bluemoonquilts.net    or 810-375-2220

Suzie Berberich

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31. May 2009 by admin.

I was sidetracked this week with a terrible cold/flu.

Nothing I hate worse than being practically bedridden while life goes by.

I had the worst earache and swollen glands….no fun.

I’m feeling better and will be back to my beloved fabrics and quilting tomorrow.  I’m finishing up my little brother John’s quilt.  The FRENCH BRAID by Jane Hardy Miller.                            

I’m ready to throw on a practice piece real soon as well.  I doodle quite a bit.  That’s how I learn new shapes and designs.  I hoard these pages and scraps of paper but have to remember to visit them, brwose and relive with delight my creations. 

If you ever thought about playing, and drawing with thread, come take a class with me and find out if LONG ARM MACHINE QUILTING is for you.  Don’t buy that machine…YET!

Try mine and spend the day, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere with one on one or two at a time.

Make and take a project to call your own.  I keep mine and turn them into great pillows!

What are you waiting for?  Reasonably priced half day classes are available.

go to:    www.bluemoonquilts.net   I’m close by and I’ll provide everything you need,

I’ll put on the coffee, and you put on your comfy-est clothes.

Thanks for stopping by.

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26. May 2009 by admin.

Well, the break I took has left me refreshed and wanting to get back to projects I laid down and left for the weekend.  We went for a visit to a friend up in mid-Michigan.

Several walks in the woods to discover beautiful foliage is always relaxing and inspiring for me.

If you have never seen a “pitcher plant” also known as JACK in the PULPIT, it is so lovely.

It is easy to miss, along creeks and wetlands.  Tall and elegant green and brown.

I enjoy seeing this protected flower and have been lucky enough to spy them on my own property here in Dryden Michigan.  I can look out my walk out window while I’m quilting here in the country.  It makes my work space more pleasant.  I own a GAMMILL LONG ARM QUILTING MACHINE.  I draw with thread.  My specialty is freehand and I love custom work.  I am constantly coming up with new leaves, vines and flowers.  I can add these and many more creative shapes and designs to finish your lovely quilt.  I invite you to come to my spacious studio and see and touch beautiful samples, and browse through  photos of my work.

Mother Nature is always inspiring me. 

Our friend had the most beautful forest of ferns on his property.  I made one of them my desktop background.  I looked down into it with my camera, it’s leaves so fresh and brightly colored green, with just the right sunlight hitting down the center.   I think he will be on my list to receive a quilt.

I know he would appreciate it, now for the hunt for just the right fabrics…..like me, he is a plant and animal lover. 

www.bluemoonquilts.net

www.suziesstuff.etsy.com

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19. May 2009 by admin.

I offer Long Arm Quilting service right here in Dryden  in southern most Lapeer County.

With over 6 years under my belt, I am experienced, affordable and fast.

My GAMMILL quilting machine is NOT computer programed.  That would take away all the fun and creativity.  That’s why I wanted it to begin with.  Drawing with thread is exactly what I do.

From simple baby quilts to heirlooms to be cherished and hopefully passed down, to charity quilts, I can work with you and have your vision come to life on fabric.  This year I did alot of T-SHIRT quilts.  I am convinced I need one now.  I have the shirts saved.  I can see my husband wanting one too.  I couldn’t make it fast enough, anything to cut up those old beat up shirts, saving just the best centers.  Comfy and no worries about ruining it.

 Hope your summer is starting off well.  Make time to quilt.  I do.  Alot of ladies slow down or stop completely for summer, I can’t,  I’m too addicted.

I say that like it’s a good thing!

Indeed it is.

Visit my gallery www.bluemoonquilts.net

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