BoxArtists “Art with Heart” Open Studios

Stop by 100 Boxart St., Saturday, February 10, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. for a building-wide open house event. At Quilting with Margaret, Studio 265, make a fabric postcard for your favorite Valentine. These postcards can be mailed just like a regular postcards through the US Postal Service. I also have a selection of pre-made fabric postcards for purchase.

If you missed our Holiday Open House, this is a chance to stop by 100 Boxart St. and see what all of the BoxArtists are up to. Walk the building and visit the new studios of artists from all mediums. We won’t be having another building-wide open house until May 2024.

At Studio 265, Quilting with Margaret, in addition to the make-it-take-it Valentines Postcards, you will find Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day fabric pins and fabric wine bags. Or check out a selection of themed patterns for runners and quilts to celebrate the holidays. If you would rather not make a runner and prefer to buy a ready-made Valentines Day runner, I have those too.

Also, look through an assortment of fun gifts for your Valentine, like a pinup oven mitt, potholder, eyeglass case, key tag, purse, runner or quilt.

And, the Big Winter Fabric Sale continues through Saturday, February 10. A selection of fabrics regularly priced $8 - $10/yard are on sale for a limited time at $6 - $7.50/yard (or 25% off). This includes approximately half the fabric in the studio. I need room for new fabrics arriving soon! Studio 265 will be open Wednesday - Saturday this week from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day.

Stop by and see me. Shop small and support your local artists.

BoxArtists First “Holiday Open House”

November 18 & 19, 11am - 3 pm, one of Rochester’s newest art colonies will be having our first annual “Holiday Open House.” There will be food, guest artists, live music and lots of holiday gifts. Come see all of the new studio spaces, many who have recently opened.

We are located at 100 Boxart St. in Charlotte. Just turn off Lake Ave. at the light at Boxart St. and go to the bottom of the hill. At the stop sign, drive straight into the parking lot. There is lots of parking, especially on the weekends when other businesses in the building are closed.

I will be open both days of the weekend, with guest artist Monica Simpson who has created gorgeous string lights and night lights from empty beer cans. These lights are absolutely gorgeous and not just for holiday decorating. They would make a nice accent on you front porch, deck or backyard patio.

I have lots of new potholders, the perfect gift for everyone. Who doesn’t need a new potholder to replace the dirty burned ones? And new this year are artist potholders: Frida, Van Gogh, Monet and Da Vinci. Also, lots of different RBG designs, pot leaves and gummy bears. Of course, I still have the popular pinup oven mitts. And lots of table runners, lap quilts and quilted holiday stockings.

If you are making your own holiday gifts this year, I just got in tons of new fabrics including 28 bolts of Tula Pinks’ Besties, Pom Pom and Tiny Dots lines. And Clothworks line Cheers! which is wine glasses, wine bottles, wine drops, grapes and corks. If you haven’t checked out my fabrics lately, I have about twice as much as I had at the Hungerford. Also, I have what I call D.I.Y. kits to make cork purses, embellished tea towels, wine gift bags, oilcloth tote bags and placemats.

So if you are out and about this weekend, stop by 100 Boxart St. and visit all of the new artists studios. Shop locally handmade this year! Keep art alive in Rochester.

Cocktails & Crafts

Saturday, November 4, join us 1 - 3 p.m. for a cocktail while making a craft at the Mansion, 3456 State Rt. 54A, Keuka Park (in the former Esparanza). A $40 ticket gets you a cocktail, a snack and a craft kit. You can watch the demo and make the craft or take it home to complete. Ticket sales end October 28th. Call (315) 239-4800 or stop by the Mansion to get your ticket.

I will be showing two crafts, a fabric wine bag and an embellished tea towel. One ticket will get you a kit for both of my projects. Sewing machines and irons will be available for your use.

The wine bag features a ribbon tie and a matching gift card. Learn how to do a French seam to hide your raw edges.

The pre-made cotton tea towel has a hanging loop in the corner. Embellish it with your choice of cotton themed prints.

Both projects are quick and easy to make. You can pick one kit for each project with your admission ticket.

Other craft projects to choose from include a loop yarn wreath, a yarn tree and a wood project which will be taught by other crafters. Call (315) 239-4800 today to get your ticket!

Additional kits and crafts will be available for purchase.

Kick off your holiday season at the Mansion by attending this fun event!

Invasion of the Amazons

Every day, all day long, delivery vans go up and down our street. Some neighbors get several deliveries a day. And Quilting with Margaret has jumped on the cyber bandwagon as well, with a virtual shop online.

Even though I don’t have a Quilting with Margaret van to deliver last minute gifts, yet, I am offering free, touchless pickup. Place an order at QuiltingWithMargaret.com and it will be ready for pickup within 2 hours (with exception to facemasks which are made-to-order and need 24 hours).

So if you are looking for some last-minute Christmas gifts that are handmade, and you want to shop local, check out my shop here.

I just added a bunch of new potholders, the perfect holiday gift. And only $9 each until Christmas during Potholderpalooza. They are lightweight and easy to send through the mail with a card. The loop fits easily around a bottle of Christmas cheer as a bonus gift. They fit well into Christmas stockings. And who can’t use a nice new and clean potholder without burn marks?

Choose from new happy hour designs, Buffalo Bills and other Rochester-themed designs, and some new Pop Culture designs including David from Schitt’s Creek. In my newly added potholder category “Speak Out” you will find designs featuring Dr. Fauci, several RBG designs, Biden phrases like, “Will you shut up man!”, and a couple of Nasty Woman designs.   

It’s only 5 days till Christmas. Hope you have a merry one and enjoy the intimacy of this year’s holiday. Stay safe and let’s get ready to celebrate the New Year and all of the promises of a better normal it brings.