AQS...Des Moines...Great to see you!!

Hi Friends,
It was great to see all of you at AQS in Des Moines, many were old friends that we caught up with, and many of you are new friends we certainly treasure.  Thanks for stopping by, Kaytlyn and I had so much fun.  We can't tell you how much we appreciate your business and your kind words.  Please keep us posted on what you like and what you are looking for.  We try to keep designing new all the time, so if there is something you want and we don't have it, let us know.  The following are pictures we took at the show, we sure pack a lot in a small space.  

Had to put a picture in of the little man...I love having him with me in the shop, but he's a little more mobile now and not so easy to keep out of things!!

Kaytlyn and I loved seeing all of you!!

Our front door shows our A "Door" A Doodle...loved having all of you take one of them home!!

 

Cherish Today!

I just spoke with a very dear friend from High School who recently lost her husband in a tragic car accident.  My heart goes out to her in so many ways.  I know we aren't to know why things happen when they do sometimes, but I do know this...in talking with her, it reminds me to "Cherish Today" what I may not have tomorrow.  I want to hug my kids, call my mom, do something nice for a stranger and tell my husband I love him.  I know that each day is a gift, but there are many days I don't think about that.  What do we take from tragic things that happen around us...learn from them and grow.  Grow closer to God, to our family and to our friends.  For I know that if my dear friend Ginny had one more day with her husband, there would be so much she would want to say to him.  Friends, live each day as if it were your last.  
Have a Wonderful Blessed Day!!

What a Joy!!

Hi Friends,
Just a quick note to say hi and to be watching for our new website.  We are launching the site next week...www.thewholecountrycaboodle.com.  We are so excited to have this almost done...it's been a lot of work, but thanks to Kaytlyn and Juli, the web director, we're almost there, and it's been a long time coming.  We hope you enjoy it!
I wanted to send a few pictures of little Toby, our grandson.  He is loving life on the boat and in grandma's shop...oh how he loves to be outside.  I pray you all have a wonderful weekend and that this little man will put a smile on your face!
Blessings,
Leanne

Patchwork & Primitives!!

Hi Friends,
We are so excited to tell you about our new retail store...coming SOON!!!  My daughters, daughter-in-law and I are starting a small "Occasional Store" opened one weekend a month starting Labor Day Weekend.  The name..."Patchwork & Primitives."  What will we have? We will be selling The Whole Country Caboodle fabric, kits and patterns...come check them out for yourself!!  Along with this, I have to explain that my girls and I are what my husband calls "American Pickers 2."  We love to junk and we have been collecting for the past few months.  We will be selling primitive furniture, accessories, lotions and so much more.  It's our intent to provide a fun spot to come and shop, relax and simply enjoy. Below is a quick glimpse of what we have been collecting for the store.  We have been busy with a power washing, painting, and just simple fun spicing up the old treasures for you to enjoy.  Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 1-3 to come and have some fun.  Keep watching for more details to come on the blog and our new website www.thewholecountrycaboodle.com launching Monday, July 11. 

New Patterns!!!

It's a beautiful day here at the Caboodle and we want to show you a few more of our newest patterns.  The Messenger (#335) was inspired by my youngest daughter, she is always sporting such cute bags I thought I should add one to her collection.  We've added a new twist to the bag, creating an interchangeable flap so you can change the look of the bag without having to construct an entire new bag.  The flaps include "Grandma's Brag Bag"  "Pocket Flap"  and "Star or Flower Applique."  It's simple to make and great to create as a gift.

Interchangeable flaps

"Happily Ever After" (#332) has a pre-printed panel included in the pattern.  It features 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13.  This is a great piece of scripture for those upcoming weddings you might have.  The pattern includes the entire alphabet so you can add whatever name you want.
Finished size of the quilt is 28" X 43".


"God's Greatest Gift" (#331) features another pre-printed panel included in the pattern.  This pattern is one that I am very partial to.  It is a prayer that I wrote for my grandson, but is appropriate for any parent or grandparent to their special child.  The prayer reads:
As I lay you down to sleep,
I pray my little one to guard and keep.
I pray that you won't grow up to fast,
For this precious time will have to last.
I pray for safety when away from me,
When riding your bike or climbing a tree.
I pray you'll know I loved you from the start,
You stole my breath and jump-started my heart.
I can't wait to teach you your ABC's,
I look forward to talking about the birds and the bees.
When I first saw your precious little face,
I prayed your life would be touched by grace.
As parent with child, each day I knew, My mind would be filled with thoughts of you.
I pray you'll know how much you are loved,
You truly are God's gift from above.

"Sister's Garden" (#329) was created by my daughters as a gift to their sister-in-law.  They wanted to show her that she was another sister in the family.  This pattern can be purchased as either a kit or a pattern.  The kit (ASQ 13) comes packaged in a tin enamel mug.  The kit includes the pattern, instructions, all of the fabrics and binding.  The only supplies you need are the batting and backing and buttons to your choice on the yo-yo flowers.  Finished size of the table topper is 25" X 25".  It's so fun and easy!!


Give us a call if we can send you any of our newest patterns...we pray you have a wonderful day!


  Blessings,
Leanne

Highlights of Quilt Market 2011!

Kaytlyn & I started our 18 hr. journey to Salt Lake City at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. With little room to spare we were off!

Audio books soon became our friend and helped make the time fly by.  We spent the night in Laramie, WY, and the next morning woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground!  People probably thought we were crazy with our flip flops and light jackets!

We drove white knuckled for a few hours, praying that we would drive out of the terrible weather.  After a shopping stop to stretch our legs, it was non stop to Salt Lake City!  We had a wonderful week catching up with old friends and seeing so much fun and creative stuff!  Set up went well, it's always a challenge to get so much packed into a 10'X10' space, but we were successful in doing so.  The picture shows myself, Kaytlyn, my youngest daughter and newest TWCC employee, and Lisa Loessel, the design director that I work with at Henry Glass....love, love, love her, she does amazing things with my designs.  

The fabric and new patterns were very well received, we will be posting more later to show you all of the new things.  Great to be back!!
Blessings,
Leanne and Kaytlyn

To Market...To Market We Go!!

Hey Friends,
Wanted to give you a sneak peak of what we will be showing at Market in Salt Lake City.  Kaytlyn and I are getting ready to leave tomorrow morning.  We are so excited with what we have to show and what we've gotten done.  "Baby and Me" and The Great "I Am" are the two newest fabric collections that we have new projects and patterns for.  Timely enough, my new little grandson "Toby" is the focus of a few of the patterns.  "To Grandmother's House We Will Go" is a great collection of what you will need to take your little one to visit grandpa and grandma.  The tote bag, changing pad, diaper holder and binky holder are the projects you will find in this pattern.  "Toby's" Treasures has the crib quilt, bumper pads and book pocket holder...so much fun using the "Baby and Me" collection.  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!!  We will be in touch as soon as we get home with the rest of our new things!!

Blessings,
Leanne