Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Quilting at the Castle with Jenny Doan (Warning--LONG post, lots of photos!)

This is the place--an event venue in our valley called "The Castle" (okay, technically it is named Castle Manor, but we just refer to it as The Castle).  My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe brought Jenny Doan of  Missouri Star Quilt Company to town and sponsored a 2 day event here.
On Friday there were two half day workshops where we were taught the finer points of the Disappearing Hourglass. There were 50-60 women in each session and I was in the evening group.

This is Jenny's Disappearing Hourglass quilt. It is very pretty and I was glad to try out this pattern.


















These are the blocks I got finished. Some women made more, some made less. It all depended on how well you could focus in a room full of chatting quilters!

Jenny is just as genuine and friendly in person as she seems in her tutorials. I observed over the two
days that she never appeared weary of the endless signing of books, bags and anything else that would accept a Sharpie Marker. She never seemed impatient to be done and always responded with kindness to each request. She has a perpetual smile, a ready laugh, and an endless supply of entertaining stories.
Sarah, Jenny, Me, Natalie






Her daughters are cut from the same cloth, and were a delightful addition to the experience.
None of them ever complained about the endless photos they were asked to pose for--many of them by me.
These are talented, gracious women who are involved in a business that I can't even begin to comprehend--brick and mortar stores, a website, online tutorials, magazines, email newsletters, etc. My head swims at the thought of keeping all of that going, but they do it with a smile--and travel besides.





Saturday morning we were greeted by shop owner Kris (on the left), and her twin sister Kim (of Kimberbell Designs), two more remarkable women. Aren't they cute? They are pretty sweet, too. And if you can't tell them apart, they will each answer to the other's name, so you won't feel stupid. : )












Well over 300 women were there to enjoy the trunk show, lunch, and workshops. This is looking down from the mezzanine at just a part of the crowd.

The shop had put out a call a couple of weeks before the event, asking for quilts made from Jenny's patterns, to be on display. They were draped all around the railings on the mezzanine level. This is also where the shopping area was set up, and Jenny's daughters were demoing some products. So you could shop, enjoy the quilt show, and catch the demos. Doesn't it look fun? I made the loop several times!
Yes,  that is a Primitive Gatherings quilt on the railing at the right side of the photo. They had kits available for it in the shop, so it was on display. It is a gorgeous quilt named "Words to Live By",  I believe.
Here you can see my little Disappearing Pinwheel Part 2 quilt in the display.
I got my little quilt finished just in time to be turned in late. Does that make any sense? They asked for the quilts to be in by Tuesday, but I had just started it Monday. I called and was told that they could take it as late as Thursday night. As I walked in the store that evening to turn it in, I was surprised to see Jenny, Natalie and Sarah sitting there, visiting. Jenny had Sarah take this shot of us with the quilt.

Of course, I had to make some ornaments, but you probably already knew that. I reduced the 3" churndash/pinwheel blocks a little more and these ended up 2 1/4", before the borders. So the finished ornaments are 2 3/4"--just a little larger than I usually make, but I wasn't sure I could go smaller with the pinwheels. Now I want to see if I can.
I labeled the backs with the name of the event and date and gave one to Jenny and one to each daughter (didn't get a photo of the last one).












The trunk show was delightful. We saw a lovely collection of quilts, were taught with some "in person" tutorials, were entertained with funny happenings (like when she broke her leg making her first video for her shop--well, maybe that isn't funny, but it was the way she told it), and moved by stories of the people who have written with their thanks for what they have been able to learn and accomplish without ever leaving their homes. These letters have come from new quilters that don't know where to learn what they need to know, young mothers who can't get out to shops easily, people with handicaps who really cannot leave home, even a woman in a war torn country who said Jenny had added color to her life.





 We laughed, oohed and aaahed--and some even cried, as Jenny kept us hanging on every word.





In the afternoon we rotated through 5 stations. We did a service project for breast cancer awareness, had a chance to try the new Baby Lock embroidery machines while working on a cute Christmas mug rug from new Kimberbell software, had a class on Christmas gift ideas to sew, had time to shop and watch demos, and attended a meet and greet in the outdoor gazebo where Jenny continued to sign anything and everything, and we were able to get even more photos taken.

My daughter, Aimee, Jenny, and me, in the gazebo.
After we finished at The Castle, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe was opened up for us to shop, have refreshments, win door prizes and visit one last time with Jenny and her daughters.

 It was an amazing weekend, made possible by some amazing people--the shop owners, Kris and Mike Thurgood, their incredible staff, Jenny, and her daughters.
Jenny, Kris, Sarah, Natalie


























I am glad that I got to share Saturday with DD#2 and I wish DD#1 could have joined us, but NH is a long way from Utah.
Until next time,
Janet O.


75 comments:

  1. Wow! What an amazing adventure you had! :0)

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  2. Wow, it looks like it was even better than I thought it would be. How lucky you were to have been able to attend!

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  3. The venue is stunning! How lucky you are to meet and play with them...and all those new friends too! I love her videos and hearing she is a sweetheart like what we see online is good to know too. Thank you for sharing!

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  4. What fun! I'm not sure I could have completed as much quilting as you did. Will this one be a big quilt?

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  5. Wow....great fun for lucky you! I was just asked to do a demo at our quilt show next month and thought about the disappearing hourglass. That block is so neat. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Looks like fun was had by all! Happy Quilting!

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  7. Wow! how fun is all that? I love quilty days and this one looks like it was amazing. The Castle is very cool, and the quilts had such a great display on the railing!
    Your ornaments and little quilt are wonderful (as always). It was fun to see a photo of you with your beautiful daughter.
    thanks for sharing you day

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  8. Looked and sounded like an amazing time!

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  9. I am pea green with envy! The event sounds great! I am a huge fan of Jenny and the Missouri Star Tutorials--she knows her stuff

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  10. Wow Janet!!! I am SO wishing I could have joined in all that fun! The day looks like it couldn't have been more perfect! Love, Love, Love the pics of you with Jenny :) And your little quilt turned out so sweet. But I'm betting Jenny and her daughters ooohhh-d and aaahhh-d over the ornaments you made for them - so thoughtful of you, as always!!!! Thanks for sharing the day with us :)

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  11. NEVER Too many Pictures! I love that you got the chance to meet and greet there and take so many. Itty Bitty pinwheel ornaments-Crazy girl!!

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  12. Wow! What an awesome retreat. Thanks for taking me along. I wish to some day go to Missouri and visit Jenny's quilt shop and retreat center.

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  13. Fun, fun, fun! I've never heard of this place before, so I googled Logan Castle and found the facebook page of a guy named 'Logan Castle' - LOL - so I still no nothing about it. Must be a reception center/conference center? Anyway, looks like you had a great time. Those Girlfriends sure now how to throw a party, huh? Glad you were able to spend quality time with your daughter too.

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  14. Wow, what a great weekend, sounds like a wonderful time. The photos are all great! Good on you with your last minute little quilt - such a cutie and the little tiny blocks you made up as gifts are just lovely and very thoughtful. I wonder how small you can get...?!

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  15. Thanks for taking us along! I'm so glad that you took lots of pictures. I love the new little ornaments. I agree with Teresa about Jenny and her daughters oohing and aahing over them; how could they not? Are you going to be selling any? Put me on the top of the list! I really like the Disappearing Hourglass; I'll have to look up that tutorial.

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  16. Such a fun day Mom! Thanks for letting me join you. It was a joy :)

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  17. Oh my goodness...sounds like Christmas with all those wonderful people, quilts, classes, and Jenny with her family. I would have loved to be there! Thanks for the wonderful description and those excellent pictures. How lucky you had your daughter join you for such a fun time!

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  18. What an opportunity to get all jazzed up with quilting ideas. You all looked great together. Thanks for sharing so many pictures. There was so much to look at! I bet you got lots of compliments about your mini version.

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  19. Wow, that was a big event! So much to see and do. Thank,you for taking us along with all your pictures. Your little quilt and ornaments are very sweet. So nice your DD could attend and the other can maybe next time. Have a great week!!

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  20. How fun! I'm glad you got to go. Where is the "castle" located. Congrats on your win over at Humble quilts.

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  21. What an amazing place! So much to see and do AND make! fabulous to see your quilts there too. I loved seeing the photo of you, your daughter and Jenny, you are a beautiful person. From watching some of jenny's Youtube video's you get the impression she would be a laugh a minute! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  22. Oh, how much fun does this weekend look!! Where the heck is the Castle?? And I love, love, love that disappearing hourglass!! How cute Aimee looks, same smile as Mom! :-))

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  23. What fun and what a great venue! Thanks for sharing. Glad Aimee got to go along too.

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  24. What a fun time together! Wonderful pictures and post, thanks for sharing quilt. Love your little quilt, too!!!!

    :) Carolyn

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  25. I love a long post about quilts, quilting, family, and fun! Your weekend sounds energizing and fabulous. Glad you took the opportunity. Thanks for sharing it all :)

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  26. Wow! It looks like quite an outing. What fun to be a part of it!!

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  27. What fun to work and play with Jenny and her daughters! Her designs are so clever and her personality makes you want her for your own best friend!

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  28. That must have been a great time! I love the quilts that Jenny shows on Missouri Star Quilt Co. Your quilts are wonderful!

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  29. Looks like you had a Great Time. MSQ people are the best, along with all their sharing with the world. I wished I could have been there.

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  30. I am so jealous, what a great time. I just love Jenny & her family & all they have done to help the quilt community. I have made a few quilts from their store & have a lot more waiting to be made.
    Thank you for the lovely story & all the pics. Almost seemed like I was there as well.

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  31. Looks like a great time! Jealous! ;-)

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  32. Wow! Quilting in a castle with the queen of precuts! Sounds like a fabulous time. Thanks for sharing!

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  33. What a great blog post!! And, looks like a fun time was had by ALL!!

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  34. Wow what an awesome experience! Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a dream weekend :-)

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  35. what a lucky duck.....don't you love retreats and the unexpected pleasure of more than you bargained for!!!

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  36. I was there with my friends for the Saturday event...was a wonderful time! Jenny & her daughters are amazing. So are Kris & Kim. Everyone was smiling all day! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful write up!

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  37. What a fabulous weekend you had. I would love to go to one of Jenny;s workshops, but as I live in England, unless Jenny was to come here the chances of me doing that is very slim.

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  38. Wow! Wish I could have been there, it sounds like you all had a fabulous time!

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  39. Thank you for you wonderful account of what was obviously a great week end. It was great seeing all the pictures, and reliving your wonderful time.

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  40. I wish I could have been there-it looks amazing, and this is under my husbands name, but it is from me. I am not too computer savvy, so it will do.

    Sue

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  41. Thank you for sharing this post. I loved all the pictures and your descriptions made me feel like I had a visit with all of you!

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  42. So jealous, what an amazing weekend that had to be. MSQC and Jenny's tutorials made me believe I could quilt even though, at age 50, I had never sewn a stitch! Your description of the weekend was well done! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. Loved reading about your adventure. I got to meet Jenny and her husband at a show last May. They are delightful people. Anita from Ohio

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  44. I loved reading about your adventures with Jennie and daughters. love MSQ and their tutorials and Daily specials! So jealous I wasn't there!

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  45. Oh my goodness. I wish I could have been there. I love Missouri Star Quilts and all the fun people who work there. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  46. What a fun weekend you had with the Doan gals! Loved all the pics you shared as well!
    Lola

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  47. Joan of the three pics you have posted fron Jenny's trunk show, do you know the name of the top one? Is there a pattern or tutorial? I think it.'s just half-square triangle squares from layer cakes? Thanks for the great blog post!

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  48. Sounds like you had a great time.
    great pictures, great write-up

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  49. What a great post! Thank you for sharing. I would have loved to be there! I wish we would have something like that here in Colorado! I will keep wishing, wishing, wishing . . . . .:)

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  50. Thanks for sharing your wonderful weekend and all the great pics - enjoyed! I wish we could have something like that in Louisiana

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  51. Looks like it was a great event. Makes me want to bring my girlfriends to it in the future.

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  52. It looks like a WONDERFUL retreat. Wish I could have been there!

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  53. What a wonderful weekend! Thank you for sharing. Your post has made me smile! A lot!

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  54. Looks like you all had a great time. I would love to have a workshop with Jenny if she ever comes to the Philadelphia, PA area.

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  55. Sounds like a special treat to attend.

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  56. Janet - it was so much fun seeing you again. I enjoyed spending the two days with quilting friends. I have not quite completed my quilt yet but will enjoy the memories of that day each time I look at it.

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  57. What a wonderful blog post! It looked like so much fun!!

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  58. I would give a lot to attend a retreat like this. I can tell everyone had a ball!

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  59. Thank you for sharing. I was so lucky to get to spend time with Jenny at the Panguitch Quilt Walk this past June. She was so much fun! Your photos are wonderful.

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  60. What a great time you all had! I'm glad we Missourians could loan them out for awhile.

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  61. Wow! It must have been such a fun weekend.

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  62. Looks like it was an awesome weekend!

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  63. What a great blog post!! I love the Missouri Quilt Co. and Jenny's tutorials have been great to make for "out of the box" thinking about sewing a quilt. What an amazing experience for you and the others at the Castle.

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  64. Wow Janet, what an amazing fun time.
    I wish Jenny would come to Australia.....not so easy, but I would buy the first ticket for sure.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Julia

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  65. What a wonderful event! It is so inspiring to go to one of those workshops!

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  66. Just like Julie, I also wish Jenny would come to Australia and I would be in line right behind her to buy a ticket. It looks like you all had a simply awesome time and got to meet some wonderful new quilting friends. LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY...Thank you so much for all the photos and fabulous descriptions of your great experience.

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  67. Wowser! Your post was so entertaining that I could feel the fun of this retreat! Great job of recording all of the fun for us to share, thank you!

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  68. Fabulous post! I feel as though I was right there with you. What fun, Janet; thanks for sharing!

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  69. Wow, you did a fantastic job sharing all the fun and excitement of that day thru all your pictures. You are a busy bee to do this blog. Love it. Anymore pics to share? Love the pics of you--your lovely daughter and Jenny. How lucky you were to be able to attend. Looks like a fabulous day. You did your blog so well. Love it. Love the mini quilts and so sweet of you to think of them for a gift. What a wonderful person you are. Hugs and blessings.

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  70. Janet, I so enjoyed reading your blog, I didn't want it to end. I could tell from the day I starting reading and listening to Jenny that she was a true, friendly and down to earth lady. I a so jealous of all the fun and and doing with Jenny. I have only made one quilt "The Zipper Quilt" and now working on "The Bow Tie Party" from Jenny's Block Book and tutorials. I am glad that you got to have a photo of you and Jenny. You are a very lovely lady with so much talent. I hope she enjoyed your work as I do.

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  71. Thank you for sharing your weekend experience with all of us not able to be there! May we all be blessed to share in such an event as you experienced. God bless all of you, Jenny, the daughters and the shop owners that presented this workshop.

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  72. Love this post Janet! Jenny Doan visited my little town in May and I was able to attend her trunk show and Disappearing Pinwheel class. It was at my class that the Disappearing Hourglass was discovered. The famous Glenna belongs to my guild! So fun to see the photos of your day - love your little quilt! Jenny and her daughters will treasure their little ornaments...you're always so thoughtful!

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  73. What am amazing experience you must have had. Jenny does have an infectious smile doesn’t she ?

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  74. Just saw this today. This sounds like it was the retreat of the year! Your disappearing Pinwheel ornaments are divine! Will be plodding along and looking around the rest of your blog now. Loved your writing style.
    ~Lisa A. Adams

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