Good morning and welcome to create with Heidi. I'm Heidi Kaisand, owner of hen and chicks studio in Conrad, Iowa, and lover of all things creative. Each week here on create with Heidi, we like to cover topics that educate and inspire you about how people are being creative, whether it's quilting, scrapbooking, food wall, or just hanging out with others who seem to have their creative Mojo groove in in all the right directions. We are excited to share these things with you. Each week, I love to share a quote, this one's a bit longer. But it is creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it. They just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they've had more experiences than other people. And that is Steve Jobs. And I just found that quote, so interesting. And it to me connected to quilting. And this morning, my guest is fellow hen and chicks studios staff, Jami. Well, it's good morning, Jami, how are you doing today?
Connecting to Creativity
SPEAKERS
Heidi (72%), Jami (28%)
Heidi Kaisand
Jami Willett
Good morning, Heidi. I'm doing well.
Heidi Kaisand
I think that one of the things that we're working so hard at Hen and Chicks studio to do is to do use that word connection. And that we're connecting people to creativity and to creative things. I think I don't you feel like that's something like every day, it's like there's, we could use that word over and over that we're connecting people, sometimes we're connecting them to the fabric. Sometimes we're connecting them to information.
Jami Willett
Oh, absolutely. And sometimes we're connecting them to other people too. And yeah, just the camaraderie that's formed or the ideas, it is all about the connections that you make.
Heidi Kaisand
Yes. And, and one of the things that we in January. So almost a month and a half ago, we had our first Facebook Live, virtual class. And it happened to be about needles, sewing machine needles, with Rhonda Pierce of schmetz needles. And it was truly a connection that we made for our customers. So like it, you know, so that they could learn all about sewing machine needles. And boy, it was an interesting class, wasn't it?
Jami Willett
Yeah, who? I think it was said several times who knew what you didn't know.
Heidi Kaisand
That's exactly right. I even had a customer tell us that she was, as Rhonda was talking about the groove in your needle, she was saying to herself, there's no groove in my needle, I don't have a groove in my needle. And literally, she went over to the sewing machine, took her needle out and was of course, surprised when there was a groove in her needle.
Jami Willett
And she said, I didn't even know what I didn't know about my needle. And Heidi, as you're saying that I can just imagine right now, even if they're not someone that knows, even the maybe husband or males that have a sewing machine in their house, they're wanting to go and check out right now and see if there is actually a group and they know
Heidi Kaisand
you know it, you know it, they're there, you know, so yeah, don't leave, don't leave the radio show yet. Come back and listen to the whole thing, and then go check out and see if you have a groove in your needle. But that class is, it was really a kickstart for us that there is such a desire for those for our customers to be connected to people who have information, like Rhonda had information about needles. So we created we've been using the in the beginning of 2021, we started using the phrase henhouse happy hour, as we were talking about some of our Facebook Live Events, specifically talking about products. And we said, You know what, it's really hen house happy hour connections. And a class like this needle class fits into that.
Jami Willett
Absolutely.
Heidi Kaisand
And so, so from that, we, you know, everything that we're talking about here this morning, is all on our website. That's the other beauty of sort of the virtual part of this. And what we can do is that it's all recorded. So even if you were not there on January 28, when we had this class and you're listening today, in March, you can still watch that class and get all the benefits from it because it's for free on Our website.
Jami Willett
Absolutely, yes. And so if anybody has anything that they're ever interested in, not is, as you said, the beauty of these events that we're hosting that are free, that are getting connections and getting information to people, even if you're not available at that time. It's still there for you later.
Heidi Kaisand
That's right. That's right. And so from that again, you know, it was one of those things. I think you said to me, Heidi, what else? What other classes? You know, could we do like this? And I went off and did something and came back with the Hey, Jamie, guess what? Here's, you know, yes. Here's some people that we could start calling, and thus was formed our headhouse Happy Hour connections classes. And we've, we've had so much fun with those classes that we've already had, so, and everything, like I said, everything is free, and available on our website after the fact. But it's all streaming live on Facebook. So you can of course, go to our Facebook page and find them there. And do we have any suggestions for them? Let's see, what do they need to do when they're they go to our Facebook page, they need to, like us. And oh, set notifications? Correct.
Jami Willett
Right. So that every time we go live, they can be notified of it. And again, we realized that you may note that we're hosting those events. But that you can get that notification when you if you go to our website and actually sign up for the class for that free class, you can get the notification, and then come back and watch it later.
Heidi Kaisand
Absolutely. Well, we're going to take a quick commercial break. And we'll be back right after this to talk about some of our other connection classes. Welcome back to create with Heidi, this is Heidi Kaisand from Hen and chicks studio. And today, I have fellow staff member, Jami Willett, with us. And we're talking about our hen house, happy hour connection classes. These are all virtual and online and they're on Facebook, we have it set up so that you can register for those classes on our website for free. So that we can send you a reminder email and some insider information. So they you don't have to do that. But of course, there's a little extra help in reminding you to that when the class is going to be in of course, we also send you a follow up email with the link to the replay that we're talking about. So that you if you couldn't watch it exactly live that we've we've got it. Now, Jamie, our February guest was Celine Perkins, and you had a lot of fun with with the projects and how we were doing that. So why don't we you talk a little bit about the patterns. And what we were doing in that in that February class?
Jami Willett
Well, in February, it was so interesting. Once again, like you said, we're making these connections because it may sound like a very dull subject, but that quarter inch seam allowance, excuse me, that quarter inch is so vitally important when you are quoting. And so it may not sound like much, but it certainly is. And so we hosted Coleen Perkins and that's exactly what she talked about the importance of that quarter inch seam allowances and lots of tips and information that of course, you can go back as Heidi has mentioned, and and rewatch, and re Listen, even if you did one time, the second time through, you might pick up on other things that you didn't catch the first time through. But it would that she had some product that she offered to us at the seaming how to get the little ruler so you can make sure you're getting it set correctly and some things like that. But we have three many patterns that came from her. Super fun, super cute,
Heidi Kaisand
because because you have to perfect once you once you figure out how to do a good quarter inch seam allowance you need to practice practice makes perfect.
Jami Willett
Absolutely. And of course we want to practice but again, you don't have to take on a ginormous quilt to be creative or to practice or to feel successful. And so these little mini projects that she sent with us very, very fun, easily doable within a weekend or a few nights if you are working. But definitely was a lot of fun to put together each one of them and those are on that page to see you can see if you wanted to get ideas but it was very helpful then to actually go and practice and it makes such a difference. matching up your scenes when you do have that perfect quarter inch.
Heidi Kaisand
Absolutely. And I think it's so interesting as you were playing with fabrics, strawberry tart. is one of the patterns and you created a beautiful, it's a table topper kind of size 30, I think 30 to 33 inches. And it, it has, you used a collection called Blue meadow, and you made it with a tan border. And it's got a, it wasn't it read, maybe inner border. And there's some blues and blues and tans it's really, really pretty. And what was interesting Even then, was that, as we were looking at kits, and you know, creating kits and stuff, you pulled out another piece in that collection, which was a darker blue. And you said, Hey, I think this would work as the border as well. And so we actually have two options, one with the tan border and one with the blue border. And boy, it made such a difference in how the exact same center of the quilt could look different.
Jami Willett
Absolutely. And that is kind of the fun of any of these projects. And and one more getting out these ideas to you is that we're just throwing some ideas at you so to speak, but giving you this creative opportunity to run with what you think or the color palette that you like. So again, yes, that that one turned out really well. And then to see the options, just by changing one fabric in it. So much fun to see.
Heidi Kaisand
Oh, it is. And you know, as we're talking about all the henhouse happy hour events. On March 1, we did our product showcase. And we really had a lot of fun doing exactly that with showing fat quarter bundles, and how we could put together fabrics and how you can mix and match different prints to do different patterns. And I think that is always so inspiring. We hear a lot of times that customers have a hard time putting together fabrics.
Jami Willett
Yes, and Heidi, I guess, if anybody's come into the store, or if they haven't, just know, we love to help them, create what they you know, help them come together, pull those pieces, the connecting of the fabrics all together into whatever pattern or idea or project they're trying to make.
Heidi Kaisand
Oh, yes. And yes, sometimes I love to pull that bolts out, because I think you have to audition them all the time. And some customers feel bad. And they'll say, oh, you're pulling you know, we don't mean to make you know, we don't make any trouble. And I'm like, Oh my gosh, this is not troubled. This is exactly why we're here is to pull out the fabric and to see, you know what, what goes best with what? Well, okay, so we've talked about so Celine Perkins was our February, perfect your quarter of an inch seam. And that was a great show. And then in March, actually, just yesterday, we had Gudrun erla who was talking all about her strip ology rulers. And you you love using the apology rulers don't
Jami Willett
you? I do and and I guess Hey, let's back up a little bit. Because when you say sir apology, that means so little to people. Yeah, and in fact, just a few months, it meant so little to me. But basically what she's doing is she's making your cutting a lot easier. And if you cut much fabric, you know, you're cutting a lot of strips and pieces. And such as, as you're creating your projects. And her system that she has created makes it so you don't have to move constantly be moving your ruler along, cut your strips. And so the system and her rulers that she has come up with are actually just fascinating to learn about. But since I've started using them, absolutely. I combine them with other rulers from different because you know, having all the tools in place helps you you can accomplish the job with one tool. But when you have, you know, a couple different rulers, you can accomplish it a little bit faster and perhaps even a little bit more accurate when you put all those pieces from the quarter inch theme thing and to this topology rulers getting a nice your cuts exact, getting it squared, all those things can help your project be
Heidi Kaisand
more successful, it is so true because it if you are off on your cutting, if your cutting is not accurate, then you're it doesn't matter even if you do have a perfect quarter of an inch seam. Because if you're cuttings off, you know that's going to further get it off. And so there's a lot of a lot of math involved as we as we do quilting, but a ruler like this topology ruler helps simplify that and helps keep everything you know easily organized and she's got lots of markings and all sorts of things that that make it easy. And I think hearing directly from Gudrun, you know just solidifies that that it is cutting is an important part of the process. Just like Just like having that seam allowance and and all of that. And so when you know we've just are having so much fun again, goons class is available online, free on our website. If you go to the inspiration tab under henhouse happy hour, we have all of these programs that we're talking about listed there. We're going to take a quick break, and we'll be back right after this. Welcome back to create with Heidi, this is Heidi Kaisand. And I'm talking with Jami Willett, who is one of our staff members. And at Hen and chicks studio, and she you many of you are getting to know Jami, as she does our take home Tuesday, Facebook Live every Tuesday at Two. And we have a lot of fun with that as well, don't we, Jami?
Jami Willett
Oh my gosh, we have so much fun. Heidi, it's just it's such a pleasure to come in and to work here and to work with our customers. And, you know, sometimes they don't know what they're going to get when they're watching.
Heidi Kaisand
They don't they don't because, you know, we all when you're doing live, anything live, anything can happen. And and sometimes anything happens, right. And we're learning that more and more. But at the same time, you know people love, love getting to see people right now. And I think that's you know, back to this whole connection thing that in the theme of of our you know, hen house happy hour Connections is that people are wanting connections with with others. So to be able to do some of these Facebook Live Events, and they're all free. And so you can just simply come to our Facebook page, and show up at the designated time and enjoy. But at the same time, if you want to sign up on our website so that we send you a friendly reminder, as well as afterwards, we send you the link and any of the offers, we definitely encourage you to do that so that you don't don't forget about it. Because sometimes it's easy to say oh yeah, I'm going to sign up for that event on April eighth. But that's that's a long ways away. So it is yes. And April 8 is our next connections class. And it will is with Terry Atkinson of Atkinson designs. And I've had Terry on the radio show before because we have a whole section in the store of patterns from Atkinson designs, because I feel strongly that she writes good instructions and has designs that could be very versatile. And we love We love Terry. And so we invited her to come. And when I asked her what topic she would like, immediately, she responded and said, the most asked often asked question of her is how to finish table runners. So her program is 10 tips for finishing table runners. And that is going to be April 8, at 10am.
Jami Willett
So I know that we have when we're when we're doing these. Remember, if you're listening out there, a lot of the projects you're doing can be smaller, such as table runners, and so even what you're learning, and we're so excited to have that event coming because what you're learning in that and those tips, as you see we're kind of building this program around helping you be successful and connecting and getting that whole project completed on your own even. And so it's going to be exciting to hear her tips, but those tips can be applied. Not just the table runners, I'm sure I'm sure if you if you have a quilt or anything else like that, so always good and who can't, everyday you get the opportunity to learn something.
Heidi Kaisand
Yes, and and table runners are a great gift. You know, quilting can get involved and can you know take time and so sometimes people don't want to I'll say invest a lot in a month into a quilt that they want to gift to somebody. But table runners are a great way not only to you know change up the decoration on your kitchen table or in your on your coffee table, but but also they make great gifts for people that might be friends or neighbors that you want to share your creativity with.
Jami Willett
Absolutely holidays, weddings, birthdays, any of those things where there's just a fun quick gift that you can give yes and no to the heart.
Heidi Kaisand
Yes. And and it can be customized to so many, you know so many different things. And I know we have a lot of table runners that that you've been making and that we've been showing at the store. And what are the I think the next goals is to show how easy they can be finished on a long arm quilting machine too. We're so lucky at hen and chicks studio to have a an AP class long arm quilting machine, that we teach a certification class so that you can rent it and finish your own projects. And next week happens to be a week that we've got several classes on the schedule, if that is something that you're interested in. And it can be so rewarding to finish your own quilts can't it?
Jami Willett
Yeah, there's, there's this this little bit of satisfaction that comes with saying, Hey, I did all that from A to B to Z, I got it done.
Heidi Kaisand
And when you're doing table runners, the way the long arm can be set up, you can actually knock out multiple table runners pretty darn quick. If If you depending on how you play on it and set it up to do that, but it can be a really good way to to use the longer because sometimes professional long armors have a minimum charge. Because of course it takes time to load a small quilt just like it takes time to load a big quilt. So sometimes they have a minimum charge. And so renting the long arm can