If you left your t-shirt remnants with me for recycling after your t-shirt quilt was done, I wanted to let you know that they will be heading to Habitat for Humanity. The remnants are those parts left over that didn’t make it into the quilt. In waiting to identify a charity source, I have amassed quite a collection of t-shirt parts that can be used as rags! Thanks new customer Chris H. for your work with Habitat and for helping those in need. The remnants are heading your way. Oh yes, here’s another picture with more of the bags mentioned in the post below.
A t-shirt quilt ! If you need a big bag like this for whatever, you can get them at Marshalls and TJ Maxx retail stores. The bag hanging on the door knob with the colorful squares — my favorite — even looks like it was made with a quilt-type pattern on it. I had to abandon the idea of my own custom quilt bags, once I realized that I didn’t need quite the volume at the price that was affordable to me. Sigh! Don’t quite need 10,000 yet thank you very much. These work just fine!
Should you need to carry a t-shirt quilt from Point A to Point B, they come in a variety of prints and are big enough to hold a king-sized quilt. They’re reuseable. They’re waterproof. If it’s raining, you can just fold the top down. Ok they have the store name on them; but, is the price is right — they’re around $1-$2. One is included if you are picking up your t-shirt quilt from JTSQ in person. It makes it just a little easier to get to your car particularly if you’re already toting a purse or a child.
Zip Lock now also has some really big XL heavy duty plastic bags that can fit a small quilt, and a really large one called a reuseable tote that can fit a larger quilt. Target had some but the XXL3-4 size I had to order online. They’re great for storage. If I am mailing your t-shirt quilt. It will be mailed in one of these. BTW this is not a paid commercial (wouldn’t that be nice!) Just sharing my affection for all of these bags! LOL
Happy New Year! I hope you are having a good one so far. A few site changes: in case you came looking for it, that the “Store” has been retired. This was necessary as all of the fleecewear that was there was sold out over the holidays and there are no plans to replenish it at this point. Another change is that visitors can no longer post comments to the Blog. This was because that even with a filter on, a lot of comments being posted ended up being spam disguised as legitimate feedback and it became way too time consuming to manage this. Comments are always appreciated and can also be submitted via the contact form. These come via email which is checked regularly so you can expect a quick response. Feel free to visit Facebook for real customer reviews, feedback and friend interaction as well as some galleries that are different than the ones here.
Personally, I’m back to playing tennis after 1 year off from knee surgery because of it. After a lot of conditioning and rehabilitation, It’s great to compete and play again and I won my first match – yea!
Thanks for stopping by. Many thanks to current customers for your business and much appreciated referrals. Looking forward to a great 2013 and wishing the same for you ! Best – Kyle
Start your holiday shopping early. After all, there are now only 42 days left until X-Mas. Sprayberry High School in Marietta is having a Craft Show this Saturday and Sunday and we’ll be there. How about a gift certificate for that someone special! Bring your t-shirts and questions. Let’s get started! Hours and more info here http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/20828323/article-Crafters-gear-up-for-show–Weekend-event-to-feature-175-vendors-at-Sprayberry-?instance=secondary_story_left_column
Be thankful for your friends. Let them know they’re special. I found myself immersed in reminders of this as I became part of a mission to create a very special Twilight t-shirt quilt. Erika found me on the internet. Tonya became the local liaison. Suddenly I became connected to a worldwide “cult” of Twilight fans. This was interesting as I’ve never seen any of the movies! Yet, here I was chosen by this global army of caring fans to create a special present for their fellow ailing American “Twi Mama”.
The global call for t-shirts was answered. Packages were shipped to Tonya from around the world and ended up in my possession—Twilight t-shirts to go into the quilt from as far away as Ireland. Raw materials check. Use fabric I have to save time – check. Make it fast – check!
I don’t even know her; but, I was moved, jumped in with both feet and completed the quilt in record time. I don’t know what happened after Tonya picked it up. I don’t know what she said. I only know what I know. I would have cried.
As a loner. I started feeling sorry for myself. Who’s going to care for me. Who’s going to chip in around the world, no–around the neighborhood– when I get sick. I don’t know. I can only hope to be so lucky. If nothing else, the memories will carry me.
Be thankful for your friends. Let them know they’re special.
Update 10/31/12: the young lady this was made for was battling cancer. Heard from Tonya and Erika today that she received the quilt last Saturday . The hurricane hit. She had to be evacuated. Unfortunately, she passed today — with her quilt.
Operation Sandbox is dedicated to supporting America’s troops through the sending of care packages. This daughter of a Korean and Viet Nam vet will have a booth at this event that is in support of our troops. If you have a bike come and ride for the troops or just come out and show some love. Stop by and say hi and get some ideas on ways to turn your Harley t-shirts into quilts. Picture and link below for more details. http://www.operationsandboxga.com/about/about.php
There’s a fun neighborhood family festival this Saturday in Marietta, Georgia, and we’ll be there. This is the 17th annual East Cobber Parade and Festival. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at Olde Town Shopping Center. It’s a venue for local civic groups and nonprofits, local merchants, and will feature entertainment, arts, crafts and carnival games. If you’re thinking about a t-shirt quilt for the holidays, bring your t-shirts and let’s get started. We have bandwidth to do it now and have it ready in time for you. 101 days until X-Mas! http://www.xmasclock.com/
Should I sign up for a Beer Festival? Yes. No. Maybe. What’s beer got to do with t-shirt quilts? Plus, it’s supposed to rain. I finally rationalized that it was a good idea and to try it, so I did. I sent in my registration fee. It ended up being a good decision.
The Great Atlanta Beer Festival took place this past Saturday 9/8/2012. This was one of several that they host throughout the year. I was mentally prepared for the worst: people getting sloppy drunk and spilling beer on my quilts. Having graduated from high school in Munich–Home of the Octoberfest–Germany I knew what THAT looked like! Boy was I way off base.
First you had to have the $40 to get in–$45 if you hadn’t brought a ticket in advance. At German Octoberfest there was no admission fee. Second, security was everywhere to keep folks in check. Yes, I do recall the presence of polizei and EMT’s in Munich. Third the sample cups were only 4 oz. Enough to taste–though you could go back as often as you wanted. Munich — the beer came in liters; you could drink as much as you wanted; you could drink when you were 16.
The Great Atlanta Beer Fest at Turner Field wasn’t really an Octoberfest. It was a gathering of intelligent people from all walks of life that just wanted to come out on a Saturday and have fun, socialize, and try different beers. Most were probably under the age of 30. There were a lot of students and young couples. There were a handful of people in their 40’s or 50’s. Not too many people much older than that. There were a bunch of college Florida “gators” dancing in front of the band that looked like students. Perhaps they were in town for a reunion or game.
Not being a beer vendor I caught a lot of curious eyes but then got into some very creative conversations. A lot were curious about the process of making a t-shirt quilt. Many had a “collection” that they were wondering what to do with. Some had already considered it but just not gone that extra step and were happy to meet someone who could make it. That made it all worthwhile! And oh yes, the beer ice cream — delicious! There were also a few wine vendors. Food on the other hand was limited to expensive baseball stadium concession food: hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fries etc.
All in all it was fun and worthwhile. I also didn’t have any trouble finding guys to help with the set up, take down, and heavy lifting. Imagine that!
If you’re in Atlanta or visiting and like beer — see if this group has anything coming up at atlantabeerfestivals.com You’ll like it.
I sold one of the “Beer for Breakfast” bottle opener hats. I think they’re cool but plenty left over for next time!
Rain was forecasted and rain it did. At the beginning heavy. Then it stopped, cleared, and more people came out. I did try to shoot 2 baskets at the Hawks Hoop. Missed both – oh well, it’s been awhile!
A Beer Festival? Sometimes… you just have to try something different!
I’m thrilled to have two wonderful women — Betty and Susan — now working side by side with me to measure, cut, sew, iron, quilt and do whatever it takes to create your t-shirt quilt masterpiece. Betty is new to Atlanta from Miami where she had her own custom sewing business. She has excellent sewing skills and great attention to detail. Susan is “in the hood” and an experience quilter. Susan is methodical and analytical and both are a joy to be around. They answered the call and are now part of the awesome t-shirt quilt team. Many thanks also to Jill, Leanne, and Marvin who have helped when needed with non-sewing database work and t-shirt prep. Allow me to inject my favorite quote – “When others said it couldn’t be done, what they meant was, they couldn’t do it. We can !
Looking for experienced sewer to help prepare quilt tops and other sewing projects. Mostly straight sewing. Flexible hours, part-time hourly in my Marietta, GA, home studio but will consider contract work for right person. Please email sewing resume describing your interest with pay expectations to kyle@justtshirtquilts.com.
