2023 Crimson Tate’s Big Old Hug We Call Small Business Saturday

November 24, 2023Leave a comment

Awwww yeahhhh. Welcome to the 2023 Small Business Saturday Extravaganza we call The Big Hug. It always feels like a homecoming, SBS, at Crimson Tate. Like the ruckus and fun energy that nieces and nephews bring, we are doing the same!!! We feel the big old hug you give to us as we kick off the holiday season and we reciprocate that hug right back with wide open arms in the form of giveaways, hoopla, merriment, discounts, and fun. We’re so glad to be in this community with you and we see you and your outpouring of love and fun and we’re giving it right back.

At 9:00 AM our doors will open on Small Business Saturday where we’ll be giving away 10 swag bags filled with goods from our other local business friends including our longtime bestie Silver in the City, Decorate Indy, and Boomerang BTQ. We are also excited about our new friends and local bookshop Tomorrow Bookstore and chocolatier The Best Chocolate in Town who both have opened their storefronts on the Ave in our block!!! And more!!! We’re excited about all the fun contained in these swag bags!!!

Every year there is a group of diehard Crimson Tate superfans that line up outside the store to be the first in line. What a fun tradition and every year I think surely they won’t be there when I roll up and for the past 10 years, they’ve proved me wrong. They show up. I see you. I love you. I thank you. We are all honored by your outpouring of support. Look at this fun right here.

…but wait…there’s more…

Every hour (on the hour-ish) we’ll be giving away one of SEVEN amazing Crimson Tate swag bags filled with some of our favorite patterns, fabrics, books, notions and love. For every $20 you spend, you’ll receive a ticket that will go into the drawing. No need to be present to win. That means, if you’re shopping from home, you’ll have a chance to win!!! We’ll ship you your prize. WHAT?!

…but wait…there’s more…

We are GIVING AWAY AMAZING PRIZES ALL DAY AND SOME SUPER GRAND PRIZES AT THE END!!!! We employ something we like to call The Big Barrel of Fun. We’re gonna put your name in our Big Barrel of Fun and draw for prizes all day long at the top of the hour.

…but wait…there’s more…

This year we’re doing it again!!! We are including a philanthropic opportunity to support our buddies at Indiana Comfort Quilts. Crimson Tate will give you multiple opportunities to win stuff. Win-win-win, right?!

Help support the efforts of IU Health Comfort Quilts.

I’d like to invite you to support the efforts of local IU Health Comfort Care Quilt group, spearheaded by Crimson Tate customer and friend, trauma surgeon Dr. Ashely Meagher. The group creates quilts for trauma patients who are at the end of their treatment and are receiving only palliative care. What this means is that their conditions are terminal and nothing more can be done. This is where Ashley’s love and compassion for her patients, and her passion for quilting kicks in. She has created a network of quilters who make quilts for these patients to use in their final days. What a beautiful, tangible way to express care and love for local families who are faced with sobering realities. Those quilts will be passed on to the families of the patients. Ashley from the beginning has made a conscience effort to create a partnership with Crimson Tate for which I am incredibly grateful and hope that you, too. She has made a commitment to procure and source as much as she can from local, independently owned fabric stores.

How can you help?! Can you create a small lap quilt for her cause?

There are a number of ways you can help:

1) Make a quilt – ~40″ x 50-60″ which will fit on a hospital bed. Please, no religious, holiday, or children’s themes

2) Make a quilt top – these will be used during quilting parties to make “sandwich and tie quilts”

3) Donate fabric, batting, thread, notions. We’ve created a product on our website that goes directly to Comfort Care Quilts. We don’t take any administrative fees for this product. You donate $50, Indiana Comfort Care Quilts receives $50. You’ll find the donation product here.

If you’ve got the time, you’ve got some stash, I’d love to invite you to create a Comfort Quilt for the patients of the trauma unit at IU Health.

Quilts approximately 40″ x 50-60″ are needed!

Don’t have time to quilt?! Wanna give supplies needed? For every batting you purchase specifically for Comfort Care Quilts, Crimson Tate will match your purchase. You purchase one batting we donate one batting. You purchase 12 battings for Comfort Care Quilts, Crimson Tate will donate 12 battings yielding 24 battings for their important cause. The batting donation product is here. We’re going to give you FIVE tickets for every batting you purchase to donate to Comfort Care Quilts. FIVE!!! YEAHHH. That’s a great big hug all around.

That’s right, for every package of batting that you purchase for Indiana Comfort Quilts, Crimson Tate will match your donation. You buy one, we buy one. And, we’re gonna give you five tickets to be entered into the pool of two grand prizes.

Bless your lil’ heart and thank you for using your talents and resources for good. We love you!!

Please note this product will be given to the Indiana Comfort Quilting group and nothing will be sent via mail to you. You will only receive good wishes and big big thank yous and all kinds of love from us to you. Let us know if you have questions. Purchase your donation batting here. We’re gonna give you 5 tickets automatically for being so awesome.

All of us here at Crimson Tate thank you for donating to their project. Imagine being able to use your talents and know-how to provide compassion and care to someone who is at the end of their life. Amazing. What an amazing gift.

…but wait…there’s more…

Let’s pretend that you don’t win an hourly drawing. I know. I know. What a bunch of hooey. No fear, we’re going to take your ticket and add it to the end of the day drawings for three grand prizes!!! Let’s take a look at Grand Prize Number One!

We’re giving away a Crimson Tate Countdown to Fun box!!! WHAT?!?! That’s right. One lucky winner will receive a box of fun in the mail!! There’s still time (and boxes available) to ship one to your mom, your bestie, your partner, anyone who would love receiving fabric every day of the advent season!!! You’ll find boxes counting 8, 24, and 31 days here. That’s totally happy.

…but wait…there’s more…

Grand Prize Number Two is a Hidden Agenda quilt kit featuring Anna Maria Horner and FreeSpirit solid fabrics!! WHATTTT?! This dudie is a stunner and a fan favorite. What a beautiful palette and those jewel toned fabrics? TOTAL LOVE. Find your own Hidden Agenda Quilt kit here. I mean, if you can’t wait to find out if you’ve won or not. 😉

…but wait…there’s more…

Grand Prize Number Three is a Sally Kelly bundle of Atlantis. 30 pc bundle is YOURS!! Whatttt?! That’s awesome. And fun. And such a happy group of fabric. Find your own Sally Kelly inspirations here.

…but wait…there’s more…

Other noteworthy things you should be aware of. We’ve got a SUPER ROBUST CLEARANCE section. Like, super robust. The you’re gonna flip your lid kind of robust. Here are the links to our mega sale section that we add to all the time.

Fabric by the Yard (sold in one yard increments) Sale Section

Bundles and Kits Sale Section

…but wait…there’s more…

The Crew of Crimson Tate is excited to see you! What you need to know before you head down:

Crimson Tate will swing open the doors at 9:00 AM. Crimson Tate super fans have historically gotten in line hours before we open, so early bird gets the worm is true in this scenario!!!
We are happy to take phone orders if you’d like to call us, but know that you might have to wait a lil’ bit. Of course, online shopping at crimsontate.com is superbly easy and you’ll still be entered to win.
When shopping online there’s a place to send well wishes, and we like that, too. So please don’t hesitate to send your stories along. We love knowing you.
We’ll be LIVE on Facebook every hour on the hour-ish. Join us there to experience the big barrel of fun every hour!!! Here’s a link to our Facebook page.
We close at 4:00 PM and will host the grand prize drawings after the store closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Crimson Tate,

I live in the far far reaches of the world and won’t be able to make it to Crimson Tate on Small Business Saturday. Is there anyway I can participate by purchasing items online to be entered to win? How’s that gonna work? Sincerely, Lover from the Far Reaches

Dear Precious Lil’ Lover from Yonder Town,

Don’t fear! We’ve got you. On Small Business Saturday we’re going to enter you into the hourly drawings! That’s right. For every $20 you spend we’ll generate tickets for you and add you to the drawing. Wooooot! And we will add all the tickets to the big barrel of fun until end of day on Saturday (4:00 PM EST) Don’t sweat it, we’ll add you to the larger drawing, too. So go for it!!

Dear Tate de Crimson,

I’m an international customer. Am I eligible to win the bundles or hourly tote bag giveaways? I’m tres excited to know. Sincerely, La International Customer

Dear International Friend,

Yessss!!! Part of the reason we switched our online game was so that we could offer international shipping!!! We hope you’ll be our customer, too! We’d love to enter you into the hourly drawings. As far as the bundles go, we’re going to offer it to you, too. Get in there and buy some stuff. Best of luck!

Dear Crimson Tate,

I am a mega mega fan! How many times can I shop at your store and be eligible to win? I’m so excited to play and I’m super competitive. Sincerely, I NEED TO WIN

Dear Needy,

Seriously! Let’s do this. Get yourself to crimsontate.com – you can shop everyday multiple times a day. All of your purchases will be eligible for our many giveaways! And thank you for being a mega fan. We’re so honored.

Dear Crimson Tate,

I’ve been considering becoming a VIP. If I become a VIP, can I get tickets for that? Also, I was thinking about buying myself a gift certificate and then I want to use that gift certificate to buy my VIP membership. Will I get tickets for the purchase of the gift certificate and then also when I use the gift certificate to get my awesome VIP tote bag and pin as a charter member? Sincerely, Double Dipper

Dear Dipper,

You are so cute. Here’s the deal, D. Every gift card purchase made on Small Business Saturday will be awarded tickets! Yayayyyyy. However, if you redeem that gift card during this time period, you won’t get double tickets, boooo. That just makes more admin work for us and we’re not so into that. If you’ve got a gift card you bought yourself before the game begins, it will be eligible for tickets. We’ll give you tickets for all your purchases, just not doublely. Bless your little heart. I see you.

Dear Crimson Tate,

Girl! I’m VIP. Are there any VIP perks for me?! And do I still accrue points during this time period? You know I love you and I love being at Crimson Tate. Lemme know, ok? Sincerely, VIP Charter Member

Dear VIP,

YES! You still get points! Just by your beautiful nature of already pledging your love of Ms. Alizarin Crimson Tate (you know that her first name is really Alizarin, right?) as a VIP member, we’re going to enter you into the large drawing, and you’ll receive tickets at a faster rate per the email sent yesterday. Bam. You’re important to us. Don’t you forget it. We love you. Being VIP is awesome!

Dear Crimson Tate,

I want to contribute to IU Health Comfort Quilts how do I do that?! Sincerely, The Giver

Dear Giver,

Awwwww. Thank you. Definitely feel free to mail us your finished quilt. We will pass it along to the folks at Comfort Quilts. If you aren’t able to create a quilt, we will have more opportunities to help. Don’t fret. We can put your kindness to work and we thank you for being willing. Please note that we cannot accept fabrics, notions, and battings at this time from your home. All goods that pass through Crimson Tate for Comfort Care are either finished quilts, quilt tops, donation batting purchased at Crimson Tate, or gift cards directly donated to CCQ. Thanks for understanding.

LOVE YOU!!! Like, a lot.

ANNOUNCING ALL KINDS of giveaways on top of more giveaways, fun plus let’s chat about Small Business Saturday, 2022 Funtime @ Crimson Tate!

November 25, 20221 Comment

Have you ever been to Crimson Tate on Small Business Saturday?! So much is happening on the street that it’s best I tell you about it in bullet point format. That’s serious you guys. I rarely employ the bullet point system unless it’s critical. Here goes!

The first 10 people through the door will receive an amazing swag bag from Crimson Tate with all kinds of Crimson Tate goodies. Those bags will also be stuffed with goods and giveaways from 14 participating stores such as our best friends at Silver in the City, Decorate, Homespun, Leviathan Bakehouse, and more!!

…but wait…there’s more…

Every hour (on the hour-ish) we’ll be giving away one of EIGHT amazing Crimson Tate swag bags filled with some of our favorite patterns, fabrics, books, notions and love. For every $20 you spend, you’ll receive a ticket that will go into the drawing. No need to be present to win. That means, if you’re shopping from home, you’ll have a chance to win!!! We’ll ship you your prize. WHAT?!

…but wait…there’s more…

t’s one of the best days of the year around here. We are so honored and elated by all of the support and friendship displayed on this day. We are GIVING AWAY AMAZING PRIZES ALL DAY AND SOME SUPER GRAND PRIZES AT THE END!!!! We employ something we like to call The Big Barrel of Fun. We’re gonna put your name in our Big Barrel of Fun and draw for prizes all day long at the top of the hour.

…but wait…there’s more…

The Fireside Quilt by Suzy Quilts made from Tula Pink fabrics is another grand prize!!!! Love it and need it now? Can’t wait for the drawing to see if you win? Find it here.

…but wait…there’s more…

31-day Countdown to Fun is the grand grand prize!!! One lucky winner is gonna be gifted this awesome box. Love this buddy?! We have a few you can purchase RIGHT NOW! It’s almost time to start opening these lil’ buddies. Find them here.

…but wait…there’s more…

Any purchase you make between November 26 – November 30, you’ll receive tickets for every $20 that will go into the GINORMOUS BARREL OF FUN where we’re gonna draw for a WINNER OF ALL WINNERS SUPER GRAND PRIZE which is a kit for the Traverse Block of the Month HAPPENING NOW!!!!!

Choose between Gemstone and Sandstone. Wanna jump in and buy one now?! Find it here.

This year we’re bringing back an oldie but a goodie, we are including a philanthropic opportunity to support our buddies at Indiana Comfort Quilts. Crimson Tate will give you multiple opportunities to win stuff. Win-win-win, right?!

Help support the efforts of IU Health Comfort Quilts.

How can you help?! Can you create a small lap quilt for her cause?

There are a number of ways you can help:

1) Make a quilt – ~40″ x 50-60″ which will fit on a hospital bed. Please, no religious, holiday, or children’s themes

2) Make a quilt top – these will be used during quilting parties to make “sandwich and tie quilts”

3) Donate fabric, batting, thread, notionsIf you’ve got the time, you’ve got some stash, I’d love to invite you to create a Comfort Quilt for the patients of the trauma unit at IU Health.

Quilts approximately 40″ x 50-60″ are needed!

This is a big old hug to Indiana Comfort Quilting group who is making quilts for IU Health Trauma for local patients who are in palliative care. Sweet bippy. You are a goodie. Thank you for donating batting to the group! Crimson Tate is honored to help support our local friends doing good deeds.

For every package of batting that you purchase for Indiana Comfort Quilts, Crimson Tate will match your donation. You buy one, we buy one. And added to the fun, you will be entered into a fun lil’ drawing we are doing at Crimson Tate at the end of the day on Small Business Saturday. We’re gonna give you five tickets to be entered into the pool of two grand prizes.

Bless your lil’ heart and thank you for using your talents and resources for good. We love you!!

…but wait…there’s more…

The Crew of Crimson Tate is excited to see you! What you need to know before you head down:

Crimson Tate will swing open the doors at 9:00 AM. Crimson Tate super fans have historically gotten in line hours before we open, so early bird gets the worm is true in this scenario!!!
We are happy to take phone orders if you’d like to call us, but know that you might have to wait a lil’ bit. Of course, online shopping at crimsontate.com is superbly easy and you’ll still be entered to win..
Shopping online there’s a place to send well wishes, and we like that, too. So please don’t hesitate to send your stories along.
We’ll be LIVE on Facebook every hour on the hour-ish. Join us there to experience the big barrel of fun.
We close at 4:00 PM and will host the grand prize drawings after the store closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Crimson Tate,

Dear Precious Lil’ Lover from Yonder Town,

Don’t fear! We’ve got you. On Small Business Saturday we’re going to enter you into the hourly drawings! That’s right. For every $20 you spend we’ll generate tickets for you and add you to the drawing. Wooooot! And we will add all the tickets to the big barrel of fun until end of day on Saturday (4:00 PM EST) we’ll add you to the larger drawing, too. So go for it!!

Dear Tate de Crimson,

I’m an international customer. Am I eligible to win the bundles or hourly tote bag giveaways? I’m tres excited to know. Sincerely, La International Customer

Dear International Friend,

Dear Crimson Tate,

I am a mega mega fan! How many times can I shop at your store and be eligible to win? I’m so excited to play and I’m super competitive. Sincerely, I NEED TO WIN

Dear Needy,

Seriously! Let’s do this. Get on crimsontate.com – you can shop everyday multiple times a day. All of your purchases will be eligible for our many giveaways! And thank you for being a mega fan. We’re so honored.

Dear Crimson Tate,

Dear Dipper,

You are so cute. Here’s the deal, D. Every gift card purchase made on Small Business Saturday will be awarded tickets! Yayayyyyy. However, if you redeem that gift card during this time period, you won’t get double tickets. That just makes more admin work for us and we’re not so into that. If you’ve got a gift card you bought yourself before the game begins, it will be eligible for tickets. We’ll give you tickets for all your purchases, just not doublely. Bless your little heart.

Dear Crimson Tate,

Dear VIP,

YES! You still get points! Just by your beautiful nature of already pledging your love of Ms. Alizarin Crimson Tate (you know that her first name is really Alizarin, right?) as a VIP member, we’re going to enter you into the large drawing. We threw an artisanal handwritten ticket into the barrel of possibilities with your name on it. Bam. You’re important to us. Don’t you forget it. We love you. Being VIP is awesome!

Dear Crimson Tate,

I want to contribute to IU Health Comfort Quilts how do I do that?! Sincerely, The Giver

Dear Giver,

Wrap Those Prezzies in Fabric

December 21, 2021December 21, 20211 Comment

It’s that time of year but then again to deck the halls and whatnot. Good news is that present giving is a year round job! Enjoy this quick and easy tutorial on how to sew your own fabric wrapping paper errrrrr fabric wrapping fabric. LOLLZZZ. Reusable again and again! Obviously, you can make these wraps in any size you’d like. I say start with this general size that will easily wrap 20 yards of fabric. (I wrapped Anna Maria Horner’s Made My Day 1-yard bundle in that bottom wrap.)

Step 1: Choose your fabric

I chose Dylan Mierzwinski or you might know her as Dylan M. She’s a Windham Fabrics designer and this is her latest collection called Fancy. The florals and gems seem perfect for gift giving. Her drawings feel like the type of wallpaper I’d like to have in my home.

Step 2: Cut your fabric

Cut (1) 29″ x 38″

Cut (1) 2″ x 40″

Cut (1) 2″ x 20″

Step 3: Hem that big rectangle

Begin by folding a short edge 1/2″ inch, wrong sides together. Hit it with the iron and then move along to long edge. Repeat on all four sides. To reduce bulk, at this stage I clipped the corners at 45⁰ so that I could miter the corners more easily. You don’t have to get fancy. This is a low stress project. I use oodles of steam when hemming. It just makes it go wayyyyyy faster. Next, fold again 1/2″ making an aggressive press all the way around.

Sew around the the entire folded edge, making sure to pin as you go, pay a little attention the corners. Maybe try to make it neat.

Step 4: Time to make the ties

The illustration below will help understand how to make double fold tape.

Start by folding the raw edges to the center of the fabric and press the Dickens out of it. Don’t hold back on that steam.
Next fold the tie in half and hit it with the iron again. The first ties I made I didn’t use a bias tape maker or the old fashioned needle attached to your ironing board method (I’ve made my fair share of plastic bag holders). But if you’re gonna make a lot of these, I would recommend investing in a bias tape maker/folder. It’s relatively inexpensive and you don’t have to cut your fabric on the bias to use it. I used it when I started my third wrap and was super glad that I did.
After all of your ironing is complete, sew along the open edge.

Once sewn, you’ll need to cut the shorter tie in half, creating (2) ties measuring 1/2″ x 10″. It’s easier to work with a long tie than it is to work with short ones when ironing and sewing. I tried to save my fingers from melting under the iron by cutting it in half after ironing / sewing is done.

Step 5: Attach the short ties to the short sides

Let’s find the center of the short side. I did this by folding my fabric in half and finger pressing where the middle was. I carefully seam ripped a little bigger than 1/2″ of my hem at that spot and inserted the raw edge of my tie. Repeat on the other short edge.

Be sure to PIN it in place and then hit it with the sewing machine, securing the tie under the hem. Here’s a real photograph to make this process a lil’ easier. Be sure to backstitch on both sides.

Now it’s time to flip out! And by flip out I mean flip the ties out and sew them down again. Check out the illustrations. Be sure to super secure the tie by backstitching at the beginning and end.

Step 6: Attach the long tie to the center

This whole time we’ve been looking at the back of our project. Now it’s time to flip it over to the right side, the super pretty side. You’ll first need to find the center of your fabric. I did this by folding in half both on the short edge and the long edge.

Once you’ve found the center, it’s time to pin the center of the long tie to the center of the hemmed fabric. It’s gonna look a little like this.

Sew 5″ of the tie to the center of the fabric. Again, backstitch. Don’t sew the entire tie top to bottom; only sew a 5″ rectangle in the center of your tie and fabric. Leaving the tie unattached will allow you to wrap various sizes of objects more easily. Here’s a look at how I pinned the tie to the center and marked with pins where I was to begin and end my sewing. Notice the ruler and that I’ve marked only 5″ of the middle and will sew on both sides of the tie.

Step 7: Trim all those loose threads

When I first learned to quilt, my teacher said to me “The difference between an amateur and a professional are the number of loose threads.” So here you have it! Pretty wraps for present giving and you’re professional.

Here are a list of supplies and links to Crimson Tate’s website where I source my goods.

FABRIC – Dylan M. (you need a yard) Any fabric will work, including Echino cotton linens, lawn, etc.

Iron – I used the Oliso Pro. I love love love that iron!

Magic Pins – easy to grip and don’t melt under your iron.

Aurifil Thread – sometimes you might want to match the fabric, sometimes you might see it as an opportunity to do something with higher contrast. I recommend 40wt thread since it’s gonna be seen and it’ll be super pretty.

1″ Bias Tape Maker – again, remember you don’t have to cut bias fabric to use this.

Quilter’s Ruler

Cutting Mat

Happy Holidays, friends!

🙂 HEATHER

Easy Quilt Pattern Where Flannel is the Star

December 19, 2021December 20, 202110 Comments

Belly Up to the Flannel Bar!

We’ve got THE FUNNEST idea. Kids. It’s gettin’ late in December and ya need to make another present. What’ll you do?! Let’s make a scrappy quilt that showcases our beautiful flannel fabrics! Nothing says cold weather better than flannel! No tiny piecing here but enough visual interest to make it fun. Sometimes when you make flannel quilts, they turn to visual mush if there are too many pieces or the scale of the blocks are too small. Boy Howdy (as my MIL says) do we have a solution! Let me introduce you to our Flannel Bar.

We created a selection of flannels that exist in oodles of combinations of colors and scale. We even have SOLID flannels. WHAT?!?!? We’ve sourced flannel from all over the earth. Okay, maybe not from the whole earth, but from a variety of manufacturers and we’ve created a quick pattern that’ll let you take those flannel fat quarters and make an easy, beginner friendly quilt! Honestly, if you’re dreaming of creating a present, this is the one to throw together. The block size finishes at 15″ which means you’ll showcase those flannel pieces and sew it together FAST! Like Paul Bunyon fast. I mean, you know that Paul Bunyon and Babe are total flannel connoisseurs. Mix it up. Make it wacky. The final result will be a snuggly warm and super scrappy quilt. Of course you’ll need flannel for the back (just like Mrs. Dufek). We’ve included a chart down below fabric requirements for binding and backing, too.We even made BIG bundles already coordinated if you don’t wanna choose from the flannel bar. You’ll find those big bundles here.

I started with 16 fat quarters and followed this pattern we created to showcase our flannels. After a lot of debate on what to call it (the working title has been “A Quilt Pattern in Four Post-It Notes” because I wrote it in four post-its, including illustration.) Lolllzzzz. But of course, once I settled on Grandpa’s Easy Flannel Quilt Pattern I kinda wanna call it Scrappy Pappy’s Flannel Quilt Pattern just because it’s funnier. All I know is that I’m going back to the drawing board and I’m going to use this same pattern to make an Echino Japanese cotton linen quilt, too. If you wanna get lost in inspiration, look at them here!

You choose the size. Then you choose your fat quarters and GO! Here are images of the pattern. If you want to download the PDF, scroll to the end.

Here’s my progression in real life. I used this bundle:

Which became this quilt top:

And because it was so fast to construct, I decided to make another one. I chose this bundle:

And it became this quilt top:

My advice?! Pair fabrics that are beautiful next to each other together within the block. And when laying it out, don’t worry too much if the same fabric touches the same fabric. In this scrappy pattern, it’s kinda nice. Be free and don’t stress. This duder is gonna come together fast!!

Download it here and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram and Facebook. @crimsontate #GrandpasEasyFlannelQuilt #ScrappyPappyFlannelQuilt #CrimsonTate #IBelliedUpToTheFlannelBar #FlannelBar lolllzzzzzzzz

scrappygrampyeasyflannelquiltpattern Download

Next on the agenda, let’s chat about Small Business Saturday.

November 26, 2021November 26, 2021Leave a comment

The first 10 people through the door will receive an amazing swag bag from Crimson Tate with all kinds of Crimson Tate goodies. Those bags will also be stuffed with goods and giveaways from over 20 participating stores such as our best friends at Silver in the City, Decorate, Homespun, Leviathan Bakehouse, and more!!

…but wait…there’s more…

Every hour (on the hour-ish) we’ll be giving away one of TEN amazing Crimson Tate swag bags filled with some of our favorite patterns, fabrics, books, notions and love. For every $25 you spend, you’ll receive a ticket that will go into the drawing. No need to be present to win. That means, if you’re shopping from home, you’ll have a chance to win!!! We’ll ship you your prize. WHAT?!

…but wait…there’s more…

It’s one of the best days of the year around here. We are so honored and elated by all of the support and friendship displayed on this day. We are GIVING AWAY SEVERAL GRAND PRIZES AT THE END!!!! Like this pretty lady! It’s Modern Handcraft’s Asterisks quilt fashioned with Windham Fabrics artisan shot cottons. Can you even imagine?! I just got light headed from all of the excitement.

All of the tickets collected throughout the day will be added to the gigantic barrel of holiday happiness and one super lucky winner will be taking home this quilt kit! This kit is going to be one of MULTIPLE grand prizes at the end of the day. Check out other versions of this quilt here.

…but wait…there’s more…

Tula Pink’s Daydreamer collection, new on the scene is another grand prize!!!! Love it and need it now? Can’t wait for the drawing to see if you win? Find it here.

…but wait…there’s more…

…but wait…there’s more…

Help support the efforts of IU Health Comfort Quilts.

How can you help?! Can you create a small lap quilt for her cause?

There are a number of ways you can help:

1) Make a quilt – ~40″ x 50-60″ which will fit on a hospital bed. Please, no religious, holiday, or children’s themes

2) Make a quilt top – these will be used during quilting parties to make “sandwich and tie quilts”

3) Donate fabric, batting, thread, notionsIf you’ve got the time, you’ve got some stash, I’d love to invite you to create a Comfort Quilt for the patients of the trauma unit at IU Health.

Quilts approximately 40″ x 50-60″ are needed!

Don’t have time to quilt?! Wanna give supplies needed? For every batting you purchase specifically for Comfort Care Quilts, Crimson Tate will match your purchase. You purchase one batting we donate one batting. You purchase 12 battings for Comfort Care Quilts, Crimson Tate will donate 12 battings yielding 24 battings for their important cause.

Bless your lil’ heart and thank you for using your talents and resources for good. We love you!!

…but wait…there’s more…

The Crew of Crimson Tate is excited to see you! What you need to know before you head down:

Crimson Tate will swing open the doors at 9:00 AM. 15-ish customers will be allowed in the store at a time.
Masks on this day are mandatory. Our staff will encounter more people than the average bear, so we ask that you come donning your best holiday apparel including a MASK that fits securely over your mouth and nose.
We are happy to take phone orders if you’d like to call us. Of course, online shopping at crimsontate.com is superbly easy.
Shopping online there’s a place to send well wishes, and we like that, too. So please don’t hesitate to send your stories along.
We’ll be LIVE on Facebook every hour on the hour-ish. Join us there to experience the big barrel of fun.
We close at 5:00 PM and will host the grand prize drawings after the store closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Crimson Tate,

Dear Precious Lil’ Lover from Yonder Town,

Don’t fear! We’ve got you. On Small Business Saturday we’re going to enter you into the hourly drawings! That’s right. For every $25 you spend we’ll generate tickets for you and add you to the drawing. Wooooot! And starting now until end of day on Saturday (6:00 PM EST) we’ll add you to the larger drawing, too. So go for it!!

Dear Tate de Crimson,

I’m an international customer. Am I eligible to win the bundles or hourly tote bag giveaways? I’m tres excited to know. Sincerely, La International Customer

Dear International Friend,

Dear Crimson Tate,

I am a mega mega fan! How many times can I shop at your store and be eligible to win? I’m so excited to play and I’m super competitive. Sincerely, I NEED TO WIN

Dear Needy,

Dear Crimson Tate,

Dear Dipper,

You are so cute. Here’s the deal, D. Every gift card purchase made on Small Business Saturday will be awarded tickets! Yayayyyyy. However, if you redeem that gift card during this time period, you won’t get double tickets. That just makes more admin work for us and we’re not so into that. If you’ve got a gift card you bought yourself before the game begins, it will be eligible for tickets. We’ll give you tickets for all your purchases, just not doublely. Bless your little heart.

Dear Crimson Tate,

Dear VIP,

YES! You still get points! Just by your beautiful nature of already pledging your love of Ms. Alizarin Crimson Tate (you know that her first name is really Alizarin, right?) as a VIP member, we’re going to enter you into the large drawing. We threw an artisanal handwritten ticket into the barrel of possibilities with your name on it. Bam. You’re important to us. Don’t you forget it. We love you. Being VIP is awesome!

Dear Crimson Tate,

I want to contribute to IU Health Comfort Quilts how do I do that?! Sincerely, The Giver

Dear Giver,

QuiltCon Together 2021 with Crimson Tate and the #CTCHAMPIONRACE

February 17, 20219 Comments

Welcome to QuiltCon 2021! We’re embarking on a virtual tour of Crimson Tate and all the fun we have in store for you!! We are so super sad to not be together and high five, and laugh, and bang gongs, and tell stories, and relive the olden days. QuiltCon is like homecoming for us and we’re sad to not be doing this thing together. We love sharing our energies with your energies and god knows, we could all use a boost in spirit about right now.

So to kick off the fun, we’re introducing a special QuiltCon 2021 Crimson Tate Champion Race.

Let the race begin! Everyone is welcome to play!! We’re giving out QuiltCon 2021 Champion Quilter medals in celebration of #quiltcontogether #quiltcontogether2021. We’ll miss hugging you in person, but this time we’re gonna give you a hug via USPS. Games begin now. Claim your prize starting Thursday!! #ctchampionrace #quiltcontogether #withcrimsontate #championmedal #forgoodhumans #shiningbright @themqg #heyquiltconnie #quiltconnie #detailsinstories #tellyourbuddies #sharewithafriend

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Share this with your friends. That would be great! We have TONS of medals to give away and want all our friends and their friends and their friends to play along. We also have swag to share and amazing stickers. You know you can always come to Crimson Tate for a good time.

Thanks for using the following hashtags when posting on social media:

#ctchampionrace #quiltcontogether #withcrimsontate #championmedal #quiltcon2021 #quiltcontogether2021 #crimsontate #iamachampion #championquilter

12 Days of Holidays :: In the Year 2020

December 22, 20202 Comments

**12 Days of Holidays** @ Crimson Tate all codes/specials valid until Dec 24, 2020 @ 1:00 PM EST

FreeSpirit solids are a dream!

I’m setting us all up for a slam dunk on Day One! FreeSpirit Solids are boss. In a heafty range that coordinate beautifully with FreeSpirit designer fabrics such as Tula Pink, Kaffe Fasset, and Anna Maria Horner, these solids have been our go-to for YEARS! For the first time ever, we are offering the current color card showcasing 80 beautiful swatches of fabric in all the vibrant colors FreeSpirit offers. Included in the card are the signature Tula Pink solids as well as FreeSpirit Essential solids so you can make decisions concerning your next project at home! Thanks for entertaining me and for being entertained. I wanna kick off the first day with a coupon of fun. Take 15% off FreeSpirit Solids with the code TOOTLES in honor of Gertrude’s 15th birthday. I’m giggling as I write. That is the silliest thing but yet again, I love it.

Bag Making Made Easy

I already know you’re going to love this. You’re going to love making and gifting this. So, as a part of the 12 Days of Holidays at Crimson Tate, when you purchase three bag handles and the pattern booklet, you’ll recevie 10% off the Miayko bag supplies.Please note! The pattern booklet is written with centimeters as the measurments. So if that is gonna make you mad, I advise not purchasing it! It was helpful me me to look at the images but it, too is very simple. It helped me understand how to work. And I googled how big 110 CM is. Does anyone know without googling it?! It’s 43″. So, a 1-1/4 yard is an efficient measurement to make these bags.Please also note, the discount code FUROSHIKI will reduce the price of Miyako bag supplies only.

***Please note, free charm pack offer has expired***

Small Business Saturday @ Crimson Tate – 2020 Style

November 27, 20201 Comment

Ahhhh!!! It’s time. It’s time! It’s time to celebrate our community! Small Business Saturday is HERE. And this year, we’re celebrating 2020-style.

WE WILL BE ALL ONLINE ALL THE TIME on SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY. Plan ahead for you and your family and please note that we are not accepting walk-ins or appointments November 28 or 29.

Don’t be bummed!!! We’ve got fun planned. So what are we doing instead?!!? We are pretty much gonna be having tons of fun on Facebook Live all day November 28, giving stuff away and chattin’ with the crew of Crimson Tate. So join us there! The first 135 ONLINE ORDERS (whether we ship them or you pick them up at our Curbside Sunday Event) will receive at least one fat quarter of Sally Kelly’s newest collection Solstice free! *note, we just counted the number of Sally Kelly fat quarters we have ready to go and the number was 135, so we’re sticking to it and dreaming big that we’ll have so many online orders!!! But wait!!!! There’s more. We’ll host the same hourly giveaways we have had in the past and will be drawing for two grand prizes!!!

Throughout the day at the top of the hour 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on CRIMSON TATE’S FACEBOOK Live we will show you around the store, be entertained by the crew at Crimson Tate, and will host DRAWINGS EACH HOUR for some amazing prizes! So, come peek into the creative minds of Crimson Tate employees, tune in EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR via our FACEBOOK to tune into our sessions. You can ask all kinds of questions!! Pop-up giveaways will be involved!

You know how every year we give out swag bags full of goodies from merchants on the street?! And Crimson Tate stuffs them full to the gills with fabrics, notions, books, and fun?!?! And oodles of little lovers hang out in front of the store before we open? Sometimes showing up at 6:00AM?

We CANNOT do that this year. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 And I cannot tell you how sad I am about this. I, like more than ever before, would love to see your faces, give hugs, catch up. Breathe a collective sigh of joy and happiness. But tomorrow isn’t the day for this.

Our desire is to keep everyone safe, customers and employees. So this year, we aren’t gonna have the same frenzy and furry at the start of the day. And we’re asking you to shop at CRIMSONTATE.COM in lieu of coming down. So instead, we are translating our fun to ONLINE!!

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THOSE DRAWINGS!! How do you get into the drawing? For every $20 you spend, we’ll add your name to the Tumbler of Fun for prizes. What are the prizes you may ask?!?! We’re giving away fat quarter bundles, fat quarters, swag, notions, patterns, joy, a jar of pickles, and more! We are giving away a fat quarter bundle of Tula Pink LINEWORK and a fat quarter bundle of Tamra Kate, not yet released into the world.

And then, by 2:00 PM on Sunday, we will have your online order ready for Curbside Pickup Sunday! Locals can come through a “drive-thru” of picking up at the Art Bank parking lot! So now all of your local pickups can be retrieved in one spot at one time. Welcome to the big dance!

Curbside Pickup Sunday November 29th 2-5PM

Celebrate Small Business Saturday safely by making your purchases online, then come to our drive thru curbside pickup event on Sunday and pickup all your Mass Ave orders without ever leaving your car! Bonus: There will be swag bags for the first 100 cars coming to pickup orders! Pick up will be in the Art Bank Parking lot at the corner of Mass and St. Clair, enter from St. Clair (just east of College) drive thru and pick up your orders from each business (trunk of treat style), then exit onto Mass Ave. Participating stores and websites:

Silver in the City – https://silverinthecity.com

Crimson Tate – https://www.crimsontate.com/

Homespun – https://shop.homespunindy.com/

Boomerang BTQ – https://www.boomerangboutique.com/

Decorate – http://www.decorateindy.com

Nestle Inn – https://nestleindy.com/

Stouts Footwear – https://shoestores.com/

We’ll see you in the parking lot! The FIRST 100 CARS get a Mass Ave / AMEX shopping bag filled with gifts, coupons, and more! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Can’t wait to chat with you LIVE tomorrow!! See you ONLINE!

xoxo

Heather

12 Days of Holidays Gift Giving Guide for Quilters, Sewers, and Crafty McCraftersons

December 19, 20191 Comment

Follow along and see what we’re up to during the 12 Days of Holidays. You’ll find that most photos have links to help you find what you’re for! This is a list of gift ideas as well as rambling thoughts from yours truly.Get ready. Let’s talk gifts for sewers and quilters.

First Day!!

You guys! It’s that time of year again when I email you to tell you stories, and showcase ideas for gift giving and receiving! I imagine that you could easily forward this email along to one of your best gift givers and they’d get the hint that you’d love this for yourself, or others, this holiday season.

To start Day One of 12 Days Of Holidays, I’m not gonna be too long winded. I imagine if artist Julia Rothman and Heather Givans (hey, that’s me, so weird) were real life friends, this Writer Celebration Kit would be their collaboration. Typewriters, clip boards, paper clips, and an assortment of papers, together they write and doodle and giggle and play. The Julia Rothman fabrics in this fat quarter bundle are from the archive and are in limited quantity. Welcome to day one of gift-giving idea funtime. ✏️📖📃📎

The top photo makes me giggle. I took it last week and I thought OH MY WORD. It looks like an Olan Mills photograph. Do they still exist? I kinda want to go get my holiday photos taken there. It’s probably too late for a profesh photo this year, huh? Bonus points if you got or are getting family portraits done. In all seriousness, it’s so special later in life to look back on those memories.

# crimsontate # juliarothman # heathergivans # projectstarters #bundles # NaNoWriMo

Day 2 Stocking Stuffer

What!?! This is so much fun. We’ve built our own notions stocking stuffer filled with incredibly useful, functional, but awesome stuff. Here’s what you’re gonna get:

Gold retractable tape measure
Rainbow Unicorn Snips
(10) Wonder Clips
(20) size 9 Bohin betweens needles
Dritz Hummingbird Needle Threader
Bobbin Holder
Tulip Bobbin Clamp
Thread Peel

So, there are some interesting things happening in this box. Perhaps you’ve never heard of a Hummingbird Needle Threader? Or the line-up of bobbin holders, clamps and thread peels? These little buddies are a great way to keep your thread and bobbin organized. And we will send a cute little box to house it all in along with Crimson Tate tissue and fabric ribbon. Gift ready to be given!

Gertrude Turns 14 Today!

Ummmm. December 11 is a super special day. It’s the day at my house that we celebrate my teeny-tiny rat terrier Gertrude’s birthday. We’ve had Grandma Gertrude for a long time and quite honestly, she might be the most mild, sweetest dog ever. She has moved with me from Lafayette, IN to Duluth, MN, back to Indianapolis back to Duluth and then back to Indianapolis occupying two houses in the past 14 years. Shewwwww. That’s a lot to think about. It’s funny how we tell time.

Way back when dear friend Kristin Kohn opened a second location of Silver in the City in Lafayette, IN, I helped manage the store and played there for a few years where while my partner Jamie was working on her doctorate at Purdue University. Gertrude became FAMOUS as a puppy working and sleeping in the window. She was even showcased in a local magazine. Too-tee-dooo. So happiest of birthdays sweet Gertie. I always thought I’d have kids and as it turns out, this little girl became my heart. God I love her so much. (And Olive, too.) What a sweet reflection for the day. I’d love to see your little fur critters, too. Or your human ones.

Sending so much love from here.

xoxo,

Heather

Day 3 – Paintchip Basics

It’s day THREE! 12 Days of Holiday Gift Giving ideas is here. Today contains these beautiful FreeSpirit solids put into collections we call Paintchip Basics. Each color story is a range of value and intensity to inspire new color choices or to round out projects. Cherries Jubilee, Rayo de Sol, Grasshopper, Mermaid, Bluebird, Spirited Jacaranda, and Macaron are all value priced right now! The Pride – IYG pack is a fundraiser we do for Indiana Youth Group so the purchase of that little buddy is going good in our community so thank you for that. Let’s collect ‘em all!!

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Image from colorfactory.co

Color Factory

While I was in Houston, TX at the International Quilt Market and Show this past October, I made time in my schedule to go to the newly open Color Factory in Houston. I always try, when I can, to involve some type of museum or local culture when I’m traveling around teaching and speaking at guilds. You. Guys. The Color Factory was so cool. If you have the chance, I highly recommend it. The exhibits I witnessed weren’t sophisticated but they were inspiring. I mean, COLOR, right?! And my takeaway was that the artist instillations were fascinating but what made it even more spectacular were the people. The employees were spirited and excited and thrilled to introduce you to all of the amazing color and wonder found within the space. My friends that I went with were excited and in awe. We came to the reality that, you got out of it what you put into it. I’ve held on to that lesson. And I love that the employees of Crimson Tate embody that same spirit. This has always been important to me. And that so many of you found your way to Crimson Tate because you see positivity and happiness as a daily practice. Some days it’s easier than others.

This year has been a big year of change in finding new ways of working and figuring out how to work differently. Crimson Tate, as you know, is always going in a gazillion directions. This is exactly how I work (oh yeah, I’m the architect of this ship). I’ve always gone in a lot of directions and I can remember being sad one time when someone called me a divergent thinker. I don’t know why that made me sad, but now, I embrace it and see it as one of my better qualities. I’ve organized my life so that I’m constantly going in a lot of directions from the workings of fabric store operations to creating fabric designs, coming up with and creating new patterns, wholesale opportunities, headband creations, blah blah. etc, I’m always moving. My perspective has been, even if I have to convince myself from time to time, that change encourages creativity. New ways of working and figuring out new methods for best practices can be exhausting but it also can allow for reflection, refinement, growth and it can encourage fresh perspectives if you allow it to. I’m all about self-reflection and awareness.

I see these Paintchip Boxes as a metaphor for this idea. Sometimes, you need a range of colors, opportunities, ways of working, to round out what you’re working on. And truth is, these boxes are super beautiful. It can be that simple. And our lives and purpose can be that simple, too. Thanks for being in the big old beautiful and diverse community together. We’re like living in one big Paintchip box. I like the idea of that.

xoxo and lots of love and more tomorrow, maybe not so rambley,

Heather

Day 4: Dresden Plate Ornament / Pin Cushion

It’s a two-fer!!! Is it a pin cushion? Is it an ornament? Pin cushion? Ornament? Either way, this dual purpose gift screams “I’m CRAFTY and FESTIVE.” That is a total win/win in my book.

Since it’s a two-fer I’m including these luxurious Bohin pins in the mix. We carry 12 different colors and it’s sure to please. With this pin cushion you can keep all the colors in rainbow order or if you’re a free spirit, you can stick ’em wherever you want.

I love how sharp Bohin needles are. That and they’re from France so they seem fancy just by the nature of their travels.

Happy Day 4 of 12 Days of Holidays!!! And thank you for all the emails I got yesterday concerning my rambling on Day 3. Sorry about the spelling errors but thanks for knowing and realizing what I was trying to get at. Someone please add “needs spell checker” to the list of next employees. 🙂

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Two Years Ago

On this very weekend two years ago, I trekked up to Camp Tecumseh to take photographs of my soon to be announced Night Hike fabric collection. Inspired by summer camp, the night sky, the Aurora Borealis (the Northern lights) and a sweet little love letter to my Grandma Mac (Lois as many of you know her) in the form of boundary water lake maps, this collection is very personal to me. It’s hard to believe that the fabrics are almost gone. We only have three fat quarter bundles left. Shewwwwww. I can’t believe it.

That weekend was the coldest we’d had all season as it was single digit temperatures. We played outside pretended it was warm but we were FREEZING. I love looking back on these memories and spending that weekend with Jamie and my buddy Eric, who took the look book photographs. Here’s a photo montage of our tropical adventure.

Ummmm. Tomorrow should be AMAZING if Mr. FedEx comes through for us today. Catch you on Day 5!

xoxo,

Heather

Day 5 – Charley Harper!! OH BOY!

Day 5 brings us the most lovely fabric!!! Charley Harper Winter Wonderlandis here. I cannot believe it! This lil’ 8-piece collection is the sweetest. Screen printed on organic poplin, you’re gonna love the hand of this fabric. I’m so glad Nat the FedEx dude found this box. It was supposed to arrive earlier in the week and I’m so thrilled the time is now!!!

From cardinals to nuthatches to chipmunks to deer. There’s a lil’ woodland critter for us all. If you’re a birder, you gotta have this collection. We have made fat quarter, half yard, and full yard bundles and we’ve got some yardage, too. If you’re dreaming of quilts, napkins, pillowcases, and stockings, this lil’ collection is one to consider.

Tell your people! This one is a major keeper.

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Day 6 of 12 Days of Holidays is TODAY!

Day Six!!! Hoooray. The beautiful African Wax Block Print Half Square Triangle quilt kit is a fantastic choice for holiday gift giving!! The kit is comprised of two (42-pc) 5” packs of African wax block prints and 1.75 yards of Essex linen in espresso. Tied with a ribbon and with a quick guide on how to construct HST. If you really want to win, pair this lovely with a 4.5” HST Bloc_Loc ruler and you’ll be set! All the links are stories. Also, recipes for building your own! We have 20 different Essex linens and Manchester fabrics to choose from. Build your own kit!!! Ohhhh yes!

Photo from hawkridge.org

Hawk Ridge in Duluth, MN

With the advent of the new Charley Harper Winter Wonderland fabric, I couldn’t help think about all the birders I know. For decades friends have gone to Hawk Ridge in Duluth, MN and participated in the raptor migration count. It blew my mind when I learned about how and why so many raptors would migrate through the western tip of Lake Superior, right where Duluth is located. But why? Why do they fly through the eastern part of Duluth?

From www.hawkridge.org

One of nature’s remarkable spectacles can be witnessed each fall at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Migrating raptors, originating from summer breeding areas as far north as the Arctic and with wintering destinations as far south as points in South America, concentrate in impressive numbers at the western tip of Lake Superior.

Most raptors are reluctant to cross large bodies of water. When they migrate south and encounter Lake Superior, the birds naturally veer southwest along the lakeshore. They concentrate in impressive numbers on the bluffs overlooking East Duluth and can be easily seen from the overlook at Hawk Ridge. Of the 20 species of raptors and vultures that have been seen at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, the peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon are among the rarest. Whether species are common or rare, they are all thrilling to watch as they traverse the ridge, often at or below eye level.

WHAT?!?! I could witness this happening through an upstairs window of my house in Duluth and it was fascinating. Definitely check out hawkridge.org and let me know if you’re planning a trip to Duluth. You can go visit Gram Mac or my in-laws or that spirited Karen McTavish Studio. 😉

xoxoxo and hoping for snow,

Heather (below, me and my favorite raptor)

Day 7: Fetching Holiday Fabrics

Day 7 of 12 Days of Holidays brings a petite sale. All Lewis & Irene, Waku Waku, Rae Ritchie holiday fabrics, and Elf on the Shelf accessory panels are on sale! 20% off yardage, panels, and bundles.

You guys, I have so much fun taking the photos for all of these emails but I have to admit, the ideas and mischief that I was going to make Stuart, our Elf on the Shelf, get into just never transpired. So, really, I’ll I’ve got for him are some nice Olan Mills shots and a hope that next year, I’ll build some wrongdoing for him to execute. In the mean time, you can create your own accessories for your elf or take advantage of the beautiful Lewis & Irene fabrics. Did you know that the brand Lewis & Irene is British designed and manufactured? That’s kinda cool. And I love the fairy tale aspects of their art. Check out more below!

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Traditions!!

I remember being a kid and getting to call the Santa Hotline where there was a recording on the other end and it was Santa laughing and giving well wishes. And as a kid, that was powerful. I wondered if anything like this still exists and yesterday I stumbled upon Dial-A-Carol.

Dial-A-Carol is a student-run holiday program at the University of Illinois. Each year the students of Snyder Hall, a University Housing residence hall, host the holiday program Dial-A-Carol. It started in December 1960 by Betty Gordon, an area office secretary, and the residents of Snyder Hall who wanted to spread some holiday cheer around campus.

The idea behind the program is quite simple. Anyone from anywhere can call them and request a holiday tune to be sung over the telephone. The program runs 24 hours a day for seven days and is held each year during finals week of the first semester.

You guys. I called them yesterday. It is AWESOME! You need to gather your friends, coworkers, family, pets, whomever! Gather them around the phone and request a holiday tune. The college kids on the other end of the line were enthusiastic and fun. It made me cry a little to think about the opportunity to live in that dorm and participate in that tradition. CALL THEM! It will only last a few more days!! According to their facebook page, they’ve hit 3000 callers and have had one researcher from Antarctica call two days ago. So. Much. Fun. You’ll find them at: (217) 332-1882.

More tomorrow.

xoxo,

Heather

Day 8: Stocking Kits!!

Hootie hoo!!! Day 8 of 12 brings Stocking Kits! We have been teaching holiday stocking making since the very beginning of time. Well, for eight years! And the cool thing is that ya kinda always need another stocking. For the new baby, the neighbors who just moved in, for the distraught friend whose stocking got accidentally thrown away. What!? You know what I mean. Stockings are welcoming and a totally accomplishable craft in hectic holiday moments. Each kit comes with fabric for boot, cuff, interior lining, fusible fleece and a pattern. I even wrote a blog post about elusive step six in the pattern. Here’s the link if you wanna check it out.

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Mail Carrier Approved!

Hoooray! According to our mail carrier Shawn, we’ve still got a little time to throw some packages at her so that she can throw them at you. She’s the best. The USPS says we can still mail packages up until the 20th and not have to worry. Of course, we can send them after that but that is when we all start to sweat if you’re trying to make it Christmas. So get your gift givers involved. We can ship it to you easy peezy and because we try to be swift, we typically get your order out the door if you place it before 2:00 PM EST. We’re like Amazon except there are four employees at Crimson Tate. And we don’t have millions of products. And we don’t have a warehouse. OK. We’re nothing like Amazon except we will ship stuff to you. That’s fun, right?!

I’m sure some of you have heard the story that when I was in college, I worked at summer camp almost every summer. But one summer, my sister got married and I couldn’t spend the summer at camp so I spent the summer writing letters to my buddies at camp.

Every day I would send out oodles of pieces of mail, envelopes decorated. I’d use a 1000 stamps to send them because, well, it’s more fun!! My big artistic break came when my mail carrier knocked on the door and asked if I was the one sending all of the mail. She asked me decorate her wedding invitations! She said she’d pay me real money to do so!! That was the first moment I realized that people got PAID to address envelopes? To doodle and draw? Like, that could be your JOB?! Count me in. I spent hours and hours and hours of my life decorating those envelopes. And sometimes I think if I wasn’t hanging out at Crimson Tate I’d make a path decorating envelopes.

Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow!!!

XO,

Heather

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Day 9: Sally Kelly!! So Good.

I am predicting that this bundle right here is going to WIN all gift giving situations this holiday season. The Hallmark of Hanukah. The Champion of Christmas. The Great Success of Solstice. Feast your eyes on Sally Kelly’s Fantasy collection and get ready for total joy. All those colors. I am a big fan. So let it snow and let it be. Here’s Day 9 of 12 Days of Holidays Gift Giving Ideas for Quilters or for Yourself.

I must highlight that while this is a 28-piece collection of quilting weight cottons, there are also four more fabrics that are printed on lawn! Check out the lawn fabrics here. Amy, cat whisperer at Crimson Tate, recently made a pair of pants from the lawn. To. Die. For. The next time you’re in the store, you need to feel these fabrics.

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Duluth News Tribune

So, I subscribe to the electronic version of the Duluth News Tribune even though I live in Indianapolis, IN. I like to know what is going on in the northland and often don’t make it past the front page but you guys, TODAY the front page of the the DNT did not disappoint. It is all about the local Aquarium taking their skunks for a walk. First, the aquarium has skunks? Second, they get put on leashes and taken outside for a walk? As an aside, the temperature in Duluth is -13 today! That’s crazy. And I really love it. I can’t wait to call or text with Grandma Mac later today to discuss Snacks and Snoops, the skunks, and chat about their daily outdoor adventures. I know that probably a lot of small town newspapers have human interest stories as front page news but of course, for me, Duluth News Tribune is ultimate. Just you wait until there’s a sled dog story or how the lift bridge got frozen shut prohibiting the ore ships from setting sail, you better believe I’m going to email you to let you know.

Make it a great day, kids! See you tomorrow.

xoxo,

Heather

Day 10 is HERE!

OK. I’m not gonna lie. I have SO MANY ideas of what would make good gifts, I had a hard time deciding what today would highlight. But I landed on one concept, tools. And the two tools that are the most excellent gifts we’ve got.

First up is a pair of Gingher scissors. These are lifetime scissors. In fact, they probably will be passed along to the next generation, too. Razor sharp right out of the box, you can keep them that way with a little care and occasionally having them sharpened. Snippy Jim comes to Crimson Tate from time to time; he’s our scissor sharpening dude. So investing in an awesome pair of sharpenable scissors is wise. You need those dudes to remain sharp!

Second choice of the day is below. Hand-turned seam ripper / stiletto combos. They are fancy and fun. One end is a seam ripper. One end is a stiletto. Made by local artist Everly Coleman, we are pleased to offer these for the first time this holiday season.

Left Handedness & Scissors

In kindergarten, I broke my left arm in a bouncy-house situation right when we were learning to use scissors and I was forced to learn with my right hand. And as a leftie whose outer left hand was covered constantly in pencil smears, learning to use scissors with my right hand was a challenge. But imagine my five year old self cast on one arm, scissors in the other, I was determined but I typically moved at my own pace which was turtle speed. I’ve always been a bit pokey. And by pokey, I mean slow. And by slow, I mean in school, I was usually the last person to complete an assigned task. I lost endless recesses because I couldn’t master my mathematical times tables in the prescribed time. I knew how to do it. I had them memorized. I just didn’t have the swiftness to get the information onto the paper in the “right” amount of time. Good news is that I really liked my teacher so I didn’t mind sitting at my desk and working on math problems if it meant I got to hang out with her, even if it was during recess. I didn’t hate math. I loved it (and still do). I didn’t like time. I think I’m still that way. I definitely get lost in what I’m doing and lose track of time and that’s when time becomes an issue.

I’m pictured above, lower left. This is a photo of my Grandma I call Maw Maw and my siblings and cousins at New Years. I started thinking about offering left-handed scissors at Crimson Tate and the woes I’ve heard from left-handed customers who can’t find what they are looking for. And that request sent me down a path of thinking about why I’m left-handed and use right-handed scissors and then the broken arm and all roads point back to childhood where copious amounts of time were spent with my grandparents.

I’ve been thinking lately about how as a kid I’d get lost in the smallest of details like counting the yarns on the quilt Maw Maw gave me. Or burying treasures in the yard and making maps to find them again. I want to spend more time doing things like that. Making maps, observing nature, learning to do things with my opposite hand. And you know what that takes? Time. And sometimes that comes at a turtle pace. And curiosity. And permission to not be the best or the fastest, or to give yourself grace if “all of your points don’t line up.”

And as we race toward the holidays, which promises the opportunity to slow down, I am trying to make the time and space now to get lost in what is right in front of me. Find beauty in objects, sentiments, mistakes, inconveniences, and learning something new. It all takes time.

Only two more days of the 12 Days of Holidays!

See you tomorrow.

xoxo,

Heather

Quick Stocking Tute

December 13, 2019December 13, 20194 Comments

It’s Holiday Funtime and many of you are building stockings using a quickie pattern we put together for our stocking kits. Here’s a brief photo explanation of the the Greek written in step six!

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Here’s what the finished stockings looks like. The step-out photos are of the cool frog stocking on the right:

Stocking5

Have you:

Sewn exterior right sides together, clipped the curves, turned right sides out and ironed nicely?
Sewn interior right sides together, left a small gap in the arch of the boot? (No need to clip curves or turn WST because it will always live RST)
Sewn hanging tab using double fold and top stitch to hold together?
Sewn cuff along short edge and folded wrong sides together with raw edge facing up? Meaning the fold is down the raw edge is up?

If you answered yes to all four questions then here is how to proceed.

Place cuff on top of exterior fabric with all raw edges up. I like to align the seam of the cuff with the seam of the boot along the calf edge, just to make a nicer finish. See next photo.

Pin in two places with pin heads facing out of the top of the stocking.

Stocking

Pin hanging tab to the calf edge of the boot with raw edges up (loop facing down).

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Closer view of tab

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Next, on the exterior boot, roll the toe making it easier to shove into the boot lining.

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Shove the exterior boot with pinned cuff and tab into the interior boot lining.

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Wrangle the interior boot and the exterior boot/cuff to align the raw edges, pin together in four places making sure you don’t lose your tab! Be mindful of the tab remaining pinned in place.

Stocking3

Sew around upper edges securing all the layers: lining, exterior, cuff, and tab. Once sewn, pull exterior through the arch of the lining.

Yayyyyy!!!!! You did it. I’ll continue to add more detailed instruction. Yell if you have questions!