Friday, December 28, 2018

A New Year, A New Look

KT Quilt Shop Expansion

We started something new this year with our Winter Hours - open Thursday & Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm from Thanksgiving to March 1st. It would have been more accurate to say "Closed Sundays thru Wednesdays to allow Robert to make a mess and and have time to clean up". Have you ever started a new construction project that resulted in several other smaller renovations, much like a row of dominoes falling, one after the other? Well, we're in the middle of that here at KTQ.

The wonderful news is, I'm finally building my dream studio out in the country where we live so I'll have everything in one space - computer, sewing machine, fabric, design supplies, antique quilts and so much more that is now spread over three areas. That means, I can clean out the office and studio at the store to make room for other things, like a larger space to display quilts in the KT Quilt Shop.

The dominoes don't always fall in any specific order, though, as shown with this project. Now is the when Robert has the time to remodel the store, but I don't have a studio to move everything into, so we're making do.

 Over Thanksgiving weekend, a couple of grankids, Aleece and Rowan, carried all the boxes and piles of quilts upstairs (37 trips up 26 steps - not that they were keeping track or anything) from my old office to my old studio, which is now overflowing with piles and more piles. In a couple months, I'll sort through it all and decide what goes into the new space and what might be giveaways. You won't want to miss that!



Here's a look at the wall that was the outside my small office (10'x12') right inside the front door of the quilt shop. (You can see just a sliver of the door frame to the office on the far left.)



This is how it looked the next weekend when Robert quit after spending two days tearing off all the sheetrock. A little helper came in that evening and cleared the rest for us. Thanks again, Rowan.


Demo complete. Now it's time to clean up and make it pretty.


Here we are for now. We still have some finishing to do - moving lights/wires and painting the ceiling - and I'm sure we'll rearrange again at least a few times before I'm totally satisfied, but it's all coming together nicely. I'm delighted with the big impact this small change has made to create a sense of openness throughout the entire store.


I hope you'll stop in and see our progress this winter. I can't wait to fill up the extra space with lots of goodies for you!

Giveaway

Let's start the New Year with a giveaway! I'm sure I can a box of flannel scraps in the piles upstairs. Anyone interested?

72 comments:

  1. Your remodel looks great. The extra space will be so nice. I could use your flannel scraps. Thanks.

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  2. I have been so blessed to be able to visit your wonderful shop several times! It was a quilter’s dream already!! I can’t wait to see it when you’re done! Meanwhile, I would love some flannel as it’s cold here in Colorado right now❄️☃️❄️

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  3. I wish I lived close enough to visit your shop. Someday we would like to travel to your part of the country and I would make sure to stop. We are in Upstate New York.

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  4. Enjoy your new sewing studio. It will fill up quickly. So to help, I'd take any scraps that you'd like to get rid of as they are all so very beautiful and easy to work with.

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  5. Wow, I love the “after” photo! I completely understand what a mess you had to deal with to remove those walls because I gutted my brick colonial home and removed a couple walls too.
    I’m up for a New Years Giveaway and would be happy to give your scrap flannels a new home in an applique quilt!

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  6. Very nice - we did the same in 2009 and now I am still out of room - so watch out later down the road! LOL

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  7. I understand the "domino effect" when it comes to remodeling. What started here was a transformation of bathtub into a walk-in shower ended up also with new flooring and paint job! It's all good in the end but the process can be overwhelming. Happy New Year!

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  8. Wow. This wil look amazing when you are all done. Thanks. I wold love some flannel scraps!!

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  9. Remodeling is always exciting and chaotic at the same time. Your new space will be beautiful.

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  10. Very nice!! Living through remodeling is a challenge but when finished it is well worth it. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. I have been saving flannel scraps to make a new flannel quilt.

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  11. Yes, please. I organized my sewing room this year. It took me 9 days to complete it. I had withdrawals from not being able to create. I set my room by stations. Sewing station, cutting station and Cricut maker station. I love it and I am able keep it organized.

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  12. That would be wonderful!!! love all the acorn, oak, pumpkin patterns!! Always a favorite of mine! Loving your new room...always makes your heart sing...

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  13. Absolutely beautiful...as always! Wonderful job Robert! You both do magnificent craftsmanship with your own types of tools!!! The wind sure has been blowing the past few days here in Kansas...I blame it on the kids bringing it in from Northern Illinois. It isn't often that my son gets time away to take leave from the Navy...but soon will be done for good in February. Then will look for his medical career in civilian life. Would love to have some flannel scraps to incorporate into a quilt to keep him warm. He has actually started to take on quilting as a hobby as well.

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  14. I love your flannels....it would be fun to put them to good use!! Thanks for a chance to get some :)
    As with most projects, the end results are well worth the mess and hard work you put into them...looks great!

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  15. You two sure are ambitious! And how nice to have grandchildren willing to help : ) Thank you for offering some of your fabulous fabric!

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  16. Wow, what a great job Robert did! You will love having everything within easy reach. And so wonderful that the grandkids are part of the process, even though it may have been a little work for them at this time, but they will look back fondly on how they helped their grandparents!
    Would love to win any of your scraps, totally love your fabric!!

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  17. I love your fabrics and would love to create something with your flannel fabrics! I also am wondering if you still have your fabric club going yet? Where we purchased a sample size of your new line of fabrics coming out with a pattern. I thought I signed up but I only got it once. If you are still doing that, what do I need to do to get it. Thanks, Shelly

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  18. Your new Expansion looks great! I would love a box of flannel scraps! Happy New Year!

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  19. Construction projects are hard, but well worth it in the end. I made three flannel rag quilts for Christmas gifts and thought I should be making one for myself. Would love to win your flannel scraps!

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  20. Isn't it wonderful to have more space! You do a great job at merchandising! What a perfect give-away for winter!

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  21. I am interested in your flannels. I want to make my grandson a flannel quilt. For Christmas I gave him a Kansas Troubles throw and after he opened it, he stopped opening presents and wrapped himself in it. Eventually he did open the rest of his presents.

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  22. I always enjoy your fabric

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  23. I'd love some scraps of flannel! Been wanting to make a flannel scrap quilt for a while!!!

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  24. Thank you for sharing the remodel; would so love to visit your store but unfortunately I live too far away! Your fabric is a favorite and I am especially fond of flannel!

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  25. More than interested....hopeful! I love flannel! Your new look is looking great. Happy New Year!

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  26. we have been sort of putting things away only to mess it up again here as I am getting a sewing room and removing things from a storage locker-the hard way to do things. I like the use of the bed! the display area looks great! It will feel like chaos for awhile but wow, it will be nice to have all your tools and creativity in one spot! I would love some flannel strips.

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  27. Remodeling is such a headache but the fantastic end results, as shown in these photos, are always worth all the aches and pains. Robert does wonderful work. Is he for hire?:-) It would be wonderful to win some of your beautiful flannel to create a cozy quilt to snuggle under with the grand kids? Happy New Year!

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  28. WOW! Thanks for the peek at your project! January 2 we start a similar project in two guest rooms. In your spare time will you contract out as a design/decorating consultant? HA! Your spaces always look so cozy and inviting. Keep up the great work with your fabric design, my stash would be half the size without your collections. Have a great 2019! Pam in NC

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  29. Isn’t it great to have your own carpenter so close & young legs to run up & down the steps? Purging & reorganization is a huge job & only one you understand. But you’ll feel so great after all is done & great timing on this project as the New Year is here. You are ahead of the “experts” on refreshing for the New Year.

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  30. So excited for you, congratulations, and I love that you had helpers.

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  31. It looks great! A visit to your shop is on my bucket list. And I'd love some flannel scraps!

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  32. I love your fabrics, but don't have much flannel. Would enjoy playing with KT flannels in 2019!

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  33. Your flannel is so wonderful to work with. Anytime :) Thanks!

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  34. Stay focused and FINISH... good advice for quilting projects AND remodeling! I do have few flannel quilts and would love to make a couple more. Scraps would be perfect as it is my preferred style. Have a great day!

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  35. I can identify with the "one step leads to another" during a remodel. We recently redesigned our kitchen to make it more open to the rest of the house. I love our finished project and we all will benefit from yours when shopping at the store. Happy New Year to the Kansas Troubles staff! clara-chandler@att.net

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  36. Love the remodel. Now to see what your imagination does with the extra space.

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  37. Love what you are doing with the remodel. Always fun and a lot of work to see how an area can be transformed. And a box of your scraps would be a welcome addition to my stash. Thanks

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  38. I love the shop ... Maybe a LONG road trip is in my future. Have a LOT of your fabric in my stash and scheduled to be used in 2019 ... no flannel though. Hmmm ... Congrats on the remodel.

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  39. Our new kitchen cabinets ended up being a kitchen and 2 bath remodel with the addition of a laundry room and new flooring on the entire main floor. And to make life even more interesting during the week we were finalizing plans and going to sign contracts; hubby received 3 job offers. So instead of packing up the kitchen, we just packed the entire house and moved. At the not-quite 6 month mark, I do have all the fabric (mostly) in one room. Sure, I need more fabric!

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  40. Can I move in? This is the dream of so many of us - ambience, material, quilt art and room to move around in our sewing / creation space. Congratulations and best wishes.

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  41. I'd love to help reduce your flannel scrap inventory!

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  42. Great start to a New Year. just finished 2 Huggable quilts,so I really need to fatten up the stash of flannel

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  43. Looks like a spring car pool is in order. Flannel is so snuggly,the best for baby quilts.

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  44. Cindy Berry cmberry@lsu.eduDecember 28, 2018 at 1:28 PM

    We are doing a partial kitchen remodel so I can sympathize... I have been cleaning out too.

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  45. Wow! That will be a really nice new place for you! Love that pumpkin quilt on the bed... I just got that pattern recently! Such inspiration in those pictures!!

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  46. How very exciting! I love the end result of remodeling,not always the interim. And realizing dreams is such a blessing. Congrats and best wishes for a most enjoyable year.

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  47. Love the new space! We are planning a trip this spring that includes a stop at your shop! I can't wait. And a chance to win some flannel scraps is awesome!
    Thanks for all you do to keep our projects so exciting!
    Nancy
    eddnancy@msn.com

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  48. Oh wow, it's looking great! I would love to have some new scraps to work with after getting my arm out of a cast and being able to sew again.

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  49. Good luck on getting it all sorted! I moved a year ago, and promptly broke my hip, so my quilting studio still looks very much like the above pictures. It was my goal to get it organized over the holidays but work happened. Maybe over the next few weeks! I have plenty of room for flannels, which I am planning to use for 2019 Christmas Presents. Thanks so much and Happy New Year!

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  50. Interested in flannel scraps you ask -- oh yes!!
    Good luck with all the remodeling, so exciting!

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  51. How exciting 😜. Beautiful finish so far

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  52. Yikes, what an undertaking! Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway-flannels are always to sew in the winter.

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  53. What a great thing that Robert is able to do these construction projects! So great to have a talented husband! Happy New Year to all of you. And yes, I could use those flannel scraps, LOL.

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  54. someones scraps are someone elses treasures.....and your scraps are treasures to start with hahahaha....thank you for the wonderful chance to win. good luck with the construction you are very brave....wishing everyone a very happy and most of all HEALTHY new year. janet jecagain@gmail.com

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  55. WOW that's a big change! But having your studio just the way you want it will be well worth it in the long run! I would love to win some of your "scraps"

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  56. That looks like a fun project! I hope your husband gets it done faster than the project my husband is working on - 10.5 years and the end is nowhere in sight! I piece quilts to keep a little order in my life! LOL :)

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  57. Since 4 of us Nebraska gals visited your shop in September, I can actually "see" your project in my mind. We were on our way to a conference in Salina and visited quilt shops along the way. Love, love, love your products and projects!

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  58. That's so great Robert can do the work himself. I'm sure the new space will be wonderful.
    Happy New Year!

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  59. I LOVE your flannels. I am currently under one quilt made from one of your lines. Would love some scraps! Love the remodeling; hope to visit one day...bucket list.

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  60. Despite the mess, I'm sure you're glad to be tackling this project.

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  61. Im such a fan of your fabric lines....blockhead 1 is almost done with a mix of several of your lines...still working on the fresh cut flower bom...cant wait till i get it done...have a great new year

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  62. My scraps go into a rubbermaid tub and are used for making charity quilts. I have a passion for flannel and would love to be the proud owner of your flannel scraps.

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  63. I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year than creating a new sewing/quilting space. Happy New Year!

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  64. Some flannels would be wonderful. Your fabric is so nice. dorthac at aol.com

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  65. We need all the warmth we can get in Pocatello Idaho.

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  66. Everything is coming together, so happy for you. I love flannel quilts, they are so cozy.

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  67. Ooh! Im short on flannels. This would be great!

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  68. Love the pictures! They help me to not feel as bad about the state of my quilting/sewing room even though I'm not in the midst of a remodel. I would gladly accept some flannel scraps. I love yours.

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  69. How exciting to have more space in your store and a fresh new start for your studio. I am a newbie with your fabrics and style, attended a retreat in San Diego with you. I would love to add some more of your beautiful fabric to my stash!

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  70. We are under construction also....so stressful but well worth it! Love to have extra flannel - thanks

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