Staff Profile: Michelle

MLXLS​​MLXLS​​SXLLM​​SXLLM​​Hi all, my name is Michelle Slomp. I am married to my sweetheart Gerald and together we have ten children. We are blessed. I grew up in Lethbridge, but now I call the Picture Butte area home. Gerald farms and there is always something going on at the farm.
As for myself, I have always had a love for all things crafty and artsy. I began quilting probably 20 or so years ago when my oldest son was just a baby. A friend of mine introduced me to this glorious hobby and I was hooked. I think my first quilt was a log cabin done in real “country colors” like the Kansas Trouble quilts. I enjoyed doing a lot of mini quilts in the beginning especially out of the book Little Quilts All Through the House, by Alice Berg, Mary Ellen Von Holt, and Sylvia Johnson. These are still some of my favourite quilts on my walls today.
Then four small boys come along and time for quilting had to be put on hold for some years. Hmmmm, I wonder why?? I would still go into quilt shops every once in a while to look and see what I was missing. Then, during these last couple years I started back up again. I pulled all my bins out and would make Christmas gifts for family or birthday presents for friends and I really missed it.
Quilting for me is so much more than sewing fabric together. It is therapy. It is relaxation. It is meditation. It is comfort. Quilting is my happy place. It is exactly where I want to be when I don't want to be anywhere else. Thankfully my family all fully support my love for quilting and they join me many times when I’m sewing. It is wonderful. I have recently purchased a long arm machine, so that is something else that is new and exciting to learn and play with. Oh the possibilities and projects ahead.
I feel blessed everyday to be able to have this creative outlet and a job that I can go to where we have a lot of fun together learning and helping others make beautiful projects. Quilting is life for so many people and we are all part of it together!
Blessing to you all.

Staff Profile: Taylor

MLXLS​​SXLLM​​Hello my name is Taylor and I live in Coaldale with my 3 other siblings. I go to school with Carrie at CCS although I am in the grade below her. We are the best of friends and every day working with her is a new adventure! My plans for after school involve attending college for therapeutic recreation because I Love interacting with elderly. Most of my free time is spent babysitting for different families in church or working around the house for my mom.
I've been working at Chicken Feed Quilts for a little over a year now and I started with very little experience. I was very overwhelmed with all the amazing fabric that Esther has all throughout the store. I started working on a weekly basis with Kayla and she acted as my quilting mentor. I learned a lot of things from her such as the importance of fabric lines, and keeping areas organized and clean. Recently I have been putting in a lot of hours at the store working mainly with Carrie and Michelle who both have amazing taste in fabric. We have all been working to keep the store clean and organized as well as updating product inventory in order to get our online shop up and running. I love cutting out kits and precuts downstairs on the Accuquilt Go cutter because i don't have to worry about cutting my fingers on the rotary cutter. It also prevents the worry of a crooked cut.
The last big job I was given was to organize and better display the pattern wall. In the beginning I did not realize that this job would take so long. After a lot of arranging and sorting I finally finished the pattern wall with all the quilt patterns on display (Seriously come give it a look :) ) The store carries hundreds of patterns for everything from bags to quilts to mini’s.
Throughout the months of working I have learned so many things and have actually made a few projects myself (How could you not want to quilt after spending time in Esther’s store!) I recently just made a table runner out of Art Gallery fabrics and I am in love.

Staff Profile: Laura

SXLLM​​MLXLS​​MLXLS​​SXLLM​​SXLLM​​SXLLM​​Hello! I’m Laura and I work the occasional Saturday at Chicken Feed Quilts. I live in Lethbridge with my two cats, Serenity and Badger. They are big fans of my quilting hobby . . . binding to attack, fabric to lay on, notions to knock off the table and play with. And then of course the final product is great for sleeping on.
Esther introduced me to quilting 5ish years ago. She wanted to share her joy of quilting and invited a few people over on Thursday nights for sewing. One of my first projects was a lap quilt out of Kansas Troubles fabric. The pattern might have been a little challenging for a beginner (so many small squares! applique!) but Esther was great at encouraging me and I was hooked. It’s such a great feeling to create something that can be used and enjoyed.
5 quick things:
1. Current favourite block – Square on Square.
2. Trim rulers are amazing.
3. Notions – I want them all.
4. Fussy cutting makes my heart happy.
5. Fluffy cuddly backings are the best.
I love finding new projects, and my list keeps growing and growing . . . especially with quilt-a-longs. They seem so innocent at first because it’s just a block at a time. And then before you know it . . . so many blocks to do! Although I’m loving how they are teaching me new skills and forcing me to go outside of my comfort zone.
In between quilts I enjoy doing small projects. Pinterest has led me down some interesting paths. I’ve made a notion box from a quilting tutorial, a table topper off of a Russian blog (google translate led to a few laughs along the way), and pincushions. It’s also a great way for me to play with my new favourite fabric without committing to a quilt. There’s always so many great new lines coming into the store! I can’t pick a favourite, I want them all.
I’m starting to get into English Paper Piecing, hand sewing is incredibly relaxing. It’s a great way to keep my hands busy and still watch/listen to a show . . . and the hexie flowers are super cute! Plus it’s going to be a great way to used up some scraps.
MLXLS​​Working at the store is such a pleasure. Seeing all the different ideas and plans is inspiring, and everyone is willing to show off their projects . . . show and tell is fun! Every project is so unique. Even if the pattern and fabric are the same, the final products are different. It’s a wonderful thing.

Staff Profile: Tammy

Hello! My name is Tammy, I live in Taber with my husband and three children. We have twin sons in grade 6 and a daughter in grade 5. As a child, I always admired my grandmother’s skills as a quilter and I was determined to be a quilter someday.SXLLM​​
I took my first class when I was 17 and have been quilting and building my stash ever since. My first project was a wall hanging with hearts appliquéd on it. From there I made many puff quilts and then I took classes on samplers that helped me understand how blocks went together. Since then I’ve taken colour classes, art quilting classes and many different techniques because as I said before...I love everything about quilting. Last year I had the pleasure of making the cow collage by Laura Heine with Esther and Kayla. I must say that technique was a long way out of the box for me when we started but by the time we finished I was hooked. I am currently working on Seawell the Turtle  and have plans to make more of her patterns.

MLXLS​​When we moved to Taber 14 years ago I got a job at Cuddles Quilt Shop and I learned a great deal from Kathy there. From there I worked at Hopscotch Quilt Shop. I taught some classes at Chicken Feed Quilts when Deane owned the store but wasn’t really in the store a lot as I had 3 very young children at home so that took up my days. Now I work at Chicken Feed for Esther and it’s so fun to be there. As I keep saying...I’m learning all the time.

I love to take classes and try new things.
Quilting is my lifeline! It is a creative outlet for me that brings me great joy! If you ask my family they would say I’m a very happy person when I’m sewing. My daughter is now getting into it. She was thrilled when Esther approached her last year to make a sample for junior row by row and will make a couple more for this year.SXLLM​​

I wish I could tell you my favourite lines and techniques but the truth is that I love it all!! If I was forced to choose a favourite type of fabric it would probably be batiks. I love to work with them because of the movement in the fabric and the rich beautiful colours. You can sew a simple pattern, make a landscape scene or an art quilt with it and it all looks beautiful!

IMLXLS​​ love to appreciate all the different things people do with fabric. Meeting people in the store and being able to talk about projects and ideas and be part of planning with them is so fun for me. Many of you have heard me say I love show and tell so feel free to bring your work in and show me anytime!
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I have taught many classes over the years and have had the pleasure of meeting so many fun creative people. It’s funny to think that I’m the one teaching people things when the truth is that I have learned something new in every class I’ve taught and with every retreat I’ve attended. My favourite thing about teaching a class is that all of us set out to make the same project but they all turn out so differently. Everyone’s personality comes out in their fabric choices and it’s really fun to accomplish something together.

I’m grateful to work at Chicken Feed Quilts! We have great staff and great fun and I’m still learning things everyday!

 

Staff Profile, Jenn

SXLLM​​MLXLS​​SXLLM​​SXLLM​​MLXLS​​Hello Everyone, I’m Jennifer Giesbrecht. I moved to Coaldale after marrying my husband almost 13 years ago. I have one son, his name is Job and he’s 7-years-old. We live on a farm a couple miles from town. I’ve been working at the quilt shop for 11 years (I was hired on when it was Hopscotch Quilt Shop). I got the job when I mentioned that I was going to have to find work if I was going to continue this hobby. Asking me if I was serious, they soon after offered me a job. I only started quilting about a half a year before starting to work at the shop. 

My Mom is a quilter, and I mentioned to her that I would love to learn how. I bought a cheaper sewing machine, and McCalls Beginner Quilting book and started sewing different kinds of blocks-if I got stuck I’d call my Mom. I wanted to start quilting because I absolutely loved an antique Double Wedding Ring Quilt that has been passed down in our family. I loved all the different pieces, the story behind why it was called a double wedding ring quilt. 

I had tried many different hobby’s cross stitch, knitting, crochet, painting, drawing, scrapbooking, card making, stain glass making, embroidery, photography, gardening but none of them excite me as much as quilting-I’m happy knowing that my quilts will be passed down from generations and they will get to hear the stories behind my quilts. I love all aspects of quilting-picking fabrics (for others, and for myself)-my favourite fabric lines come from designers ‘Bonnie & Camille’ from Moda fabrics, I’ve also loved Kansas Trouble fabrics, but more recently I’m starting to be drawn into Art Gallery fabrics (so I guess I have very eclectic taste😉)-I even have a sample to cut out today with Batiks that Esther & I picked out-which if you know me, working with batiks is a stretch out of the box.

 I also just finished making my first bag-which is hanging at the shop. I love learning new aspects of quilting, I’m not a perfectionist, but I do enjoy becoming better. I love helping people understand a new technique, I like opening up patterns and explaining it. I’ve even pattern tested for ‘Sew Kind of Wonderful’-quick curve ruler a couple of times. Other than quilting, I’ve also sewn and sold over 600 dolls for over 5 years, but I’ve recently started to slow that business down-which is why you might have seen me more at the quilt shop lately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff Profile: Carrie

SXLLM​​This weeks staff profile is all about Carrie. 

Carrie lives on a dairy farm just east of Coaldale and is the youngest of 6 kids. Carrie is currently in Grade 11 at Coaldale Christian School, and is very eager to graduate next year. Her current plans for after high school are to continue working at Chicken Feed Quilts and manage the up and coming online store. 

When Carrie is not working at the Quilt Store she can usually be found hanging out with her 4 nephews and 2 nieces. 

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The rest of her spare time is filled with sports. Carrie plays a variety of sports, hockey takes up the winter, in the spring she plays on the school badminton team, she also plays Softball in a mixed league a couple times a week during the spring and summer. But her favourite of all is Water Skiing. She's out on the lake as soon as the ice is thawed and goes until it is too cold for wetsuits. During the winter she goes on holidays to Florida where she skis with the Canadian Water Ski Coach. SXLLM​​

Carrie started quilting several years ago, and primarily used the GO Accuquilt to cut out her quilts. This gave her accurate cuts with out the scare of losing any fingers. She has made many quilts and bags, some for herself, but lots for her friends. 

Last summer she made quite a few things for school, lunch kit, binder covers and pencil cases, she loves that her school supplies are unique to her and the exact colors and styles that she wanted.

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Carrie has also been able to use her quilting knowledge for several school projects. She made a coat of arms for a social project and a quilt about her favourite things for a school fine arts show.

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Her favourite fabric is Art Gallery. She loves to work in lines of fabric, but she is very good at pulling fabrics from throughout the store. 

This weekend is Quilt Market. We are not attending this quilt market due to the fact that I have a new born, and Esther's family is quite busy on the farm at this time of the year. But it sure is fun to follow along on Social Media, there are so many pictures posted and the sneak peeks of all the upcoming fabrics and projects are super inspiring. Will you be following along as well?

Kayla

 

 

 

Staff Profile: Kayla

MLXLS​​It is time for the second post in our series of staff profiles. This week I am up.

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I am the oldest of 6 kids with two little brothers and three little sisters. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary in November. Together, as of  today we have four boys, the fourth born this morning, May 01 2018.  Our oldest will be 7 this fall and is currently finishing up Grade 1. The next is nearly five and will be starting Kindergarten in September. My third son is 3 and does everything he can to keep up with his older brothers. We live 10 minutes from Coaldale on a half acre lot that has lots of room for my boys to burn their energy, and just enough yard work to keep my husband busy without getting overwhelmed. One of my sisters lives 2 houses down from me and she watches my children while I am working.

For the past two years I have been working at Chicken Feed Quilts twice a week, but I am currently on maternity leave. Before that I worked for my dad on the farm as well as at Coaldale Nurseries for 5 or 6 years. 

I love hot weather, though I think that if lived in a climate that was always warm I would actually miss the changing seasons. There is something to be said for crisp fall mornings and changing leaves, cold, snowy winter days, and the first green leaves of spring. 

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Like most of the members of my family I love to water ski, my husband has recently learned to love it, and  3 of my boys enjoy it as well, so it is a fun activity that we can all do together. My husband and I also play softball together, though I will be watching from the sidelines this year. 

My mom taught me to to sew at a young age and I sewed mainly doll clothes. As I grew older I set sewing aside.  

I took up quilting soon after I was married but I didn’t do a lot of it until about 3 years ago. When I first started I only liked quilt patterns that were composed of squares or rectangles. Stars and triangles did not hold any appeal for me, and sampler quilts were not my thing. If you look at quilts that I have done in the past couple years though,  things have definitely changed in that department. I now love Elizabeth Hartman’s patterns and have made several large quilts and a few pillows using them. 

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One of my favourite quilts is a Block Of The Month I did by Sew Kind Of Wonderful called Urbanologie, and the other is another Block Of The Month, this one by Sherri from A Quilting Life. 

I usually will have one or two difficult or time consuming projects on the go and work on easier quilts at the same time. I love working with little pieces, but sometimes I just need a quick finish. 

Aside from quilts I enjoy making bags and have made several wallets, backpacks, zipper pouches, tote bags, purses and duffle bags. 

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I almost never make the same pattern twice and this applies to quilts, wall hangings, runners and bags. There are so many patterns out there that I love to try a new one each time. 

My favourite fabric designers are definitely Sherri and Chelsi, a mother daughter team who design for Moda. I love the colours and the prints in their lines and they have awesome low volume prints in each line that work great for scrappier backgrounds. I also love Sherri’s patterns they are so fun and are written really well. I met Sherri at Quilt Market last fall and she is so sweet and down to earth. 

I also love Art Gallery Fabrics, the quality of their fabric is incredible and it is amazing to work with. Pat Bravo and Maureen Cracknell are probably my favourite designers for this company. 

I, like Esther, work best in lines of fabric but I am getting better at putting together projects with fabric from all over the store. In fact Urbanologie is a quilt in which I pulled fabric from throughout Chicken Feed Quilts rather than sticking with a particular line or designer. 

I hope to ease back into working at the shop again this summer, but we will see how that goes. I will still pop in and out though as I can't seem to stay away and need to see all the new fabric when it comes in. I will also continue writing the blog during my leave. 

Have a fantastic week!

Kayla