And now we return to our regular programming.

This custom quilt gave me a chuckle when I first saw it and I bet it will give you one, too!

There is a good reason quilters and gardens go together, and this custom quilt from Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's October 2011 show in Rolla, Missouri is a perfect example.

Mary Wilkerson combined custom embroidery with applique, even finishing this quilt on a home quilting machine.

Now that's quite an accomplishment!

This custom quilt designed to be a quilted wall hanging easily brings a garden into any room, as well as representing the best determination of a quilter.

By the way, have you found the "garden visitor"?

Happy New Year and thank you for your continued 
interest, and support, of Bluebird Gardens Quilts 
and Gifts. 

During the 14 years we've been in business, you have 
helped guide what we've made and offered, and I
personally appreciate hearing from each one of you!

In response to your requests, in 2012 we are making and 
offering more US-made baby quilts, such as 
Ninepatch Teddy Bears baby quilts, with patterns on both
sides including flannel.

We are also making more quilts with environmentally-friendly 
bamboo fill instead of cotton. If you haven't touched bamboo 
fill, it feels like cashmere and unlike cotton, is easily grown,
farmed and yes, it can also be easily washed. It costs a little
more than cotton but if more quilt manufacturers start using it, 
prices should come down.

Some of our new, bamboo-filled baby quilts are your 
personal favorite themes like Winnie the Pooh. (photo)

One of your favorite all-time  gifts is back, our 
quilter's goodies bags, now offered either as a 
quilted bag and or Hello Kitty bag.

It's been fun hearing from some of you who were 
counting on Santa getting your Missouri 
2012 Natural Events Calendars. 

Although Missouri Department of Conservation 
is sold out, we  still have some in stock.

Howard Furniture Care has added a wonderful 
new lemon-based furniture polish to their 
product line which doesn't leave a hazy build-up
 like other, spray products with a lemon scent. 
Still trying to  decide which one I like best, 
the orange oil or the new lemon oil!

If you're in mid-Missouri, stop by the new 11,000-square foot antique and art store
Route 66 Antiques and Art off I-44 exit 189. Antique primitives, art work and
our retail shop is there - plenty of space for vendors if you want to join us!
Call Martha Willy at 573-426-3300.

Poinsettias are a personal favorite but don't make it past the holidays. If you were
 given a Poinsettia, here are some tips on after-holiday care.

Thanks again for your support, emails and friendship, and here's to an exciting 2012!


 

 

As a business owner interested in keeping my customers happy, the following are my top 10 suggestions on how to smoothly manage your gift returns:

1. Keep the item in its original packaging including box, plastic sleeve and information cardboard.

2. Go to the company's website and follow the company's return policy. If it says return with 10 days of purchase and you're not sure when it was paid for, write the company that this was a Christmas gift. Most companies will give you the benefit of the doubt.

3. Before shipping, take a photo of the item in it's original packaging so you have a record of the condition of the item before it was shipped. In our case, we photograph all items before they are shipped from our end so we know the condition of the item before it leaves here.

4. Include your name, address, email and phone number on a slip of paper inside the box asking for either a credit or exchange for the item.

5. Ship the item with a tracking number so you can confirm the item was safely received.

6. Some companies require a "return authorization" number prior to you sending the item back. Again, check the company's return policy and if you need to call them for the return authorization number before you ship, please do so. I also keep a record of the number and the date when I ship the item.

7. After you confirm receipt of the item, call the company to finalize how you want the return processed. Some companies only credit the original credit card; others will only give you merchandise credit so check their return policy before calling.

8. If this was a gift from a family member, send a written thank you note and explain if the size was off, etc. If you just didn't like it, thank them anyway and don't say anything else. In this case, it is the thought that counts.

9. Please don't "temporarily use" an item, return it after the return period and then demand a full credit. Most items show wear and most companies, especially small businesses, want to keep a good relationship with customers but this approach is basically fraud.

10. As you make your purchases, if you're not sure the gift will fit or may otherwise need to be traded, ask about the return policy and add that to the gift card. That way the return can be managed smoothly!

Christmas is only a few days away and you still don't know what to get?

The following are five Christmas gift ideas that take very little but will keep on giving all year:

1. Give coupons outlining your time helping someone: an evening of babysitting; a promise to mow the lawn; take grandma on a picnic; give Dad a hand finishing that house remodeling project. Make one coupon for every gift, or give a week of doing something.

2. Like to cook? Put together dry ingredients to one of your signature dishes and give with a card saying you'll cook it when the recipient wants a home-cooked meal.

3. Have a lot of kids in the family? Be creative and recycle. Make a "go fish" card game out of family photo prints glued to an old deck of cards.

4. Have to take an ornament to an office party? Print a photo on cardboard; hole punch the top and add a ribbon. Make it a fun photo and get the party started!

5. No time to shop or getting to the Christmas party late? Give a coupon to take the special person shopping in after Christmas sales. Make a day of it with a breakfast or lunch.

Only you can give of yourself, and isn't that one of the gifts of this season?







Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
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Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill

I have a soft spot for owls - all birds, really - so this custom quilt was quick to catch my eye.

Katie's Chi Omega custom quilt has charming custom owls reflecting the personality of sorority members. What a great way to celebrate a sisterhood!

This charming custom quilt was featured at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's October 2011 quilt show in Rolla, Missouri.

Actually this custom quilt was made by Bobbie Wedge, who I've associated with quilts almost ever since I met her!

One of the things I like most about this custom quilt is that it was on her "to do" list for many years - how many of us have our lists??

And yet here the custom quilt is, finally finished - hand appliqued, which is almost a lost art form.

I feel inspired to finish projects on my to do list every time I see this custom quilt!

Then sometimes you just make a custom quilt just because you like it.

I know I'm very lucky to work with a group of very talented ladies but every once in awhile, they will do something that leaves me in wonder.

Making custom baby quilts from printed panels is relatively easy. In this custom Teddy Bear Fun baby quilt, the quilter used both her talent as an outline quilter and in her meandering quilting to give this custom baby quilt an extra richness and dimension.

Look at every panel block and notice how the quilting changes the look.

Here's another custom quilt that made me smile at Piece and Plenty's Quilt Guild Show October 2011 in Rolla, Missouri.

One of my favorite gifts to give is a cat quilt because there's little a cat loves more than napping on a brand new quilt, and little a cat lover loves more than to see their cat happy.

This time I'm going to share the story of this charming custom cat quilt first because reading it, just imagine grandmother quilter working with grand daughter on this charming custom quilt!

What a lovely idea to make a custom quilt for someone for their anniversary!

Even though I make and design custom quilts myself, I'm always interested in seeing what other wonderful quilters are doing - and knowing Lois Marler only made this custom anniversary quilt even that more special!

This lovely floral custom quilt was another entry in Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's October 2011 quilt show.