QUILTER'S COMFORT RELEASES NEW HERBAL TEAS - DOWNSTREAM, STRAWBERRY 15 AND STRAWBERRY LOVE

   

 

 

 Herbal Blessings!

                       

Holiday Events, Jellies, Jellies and Chef Collaboration

 

May this note find all well and your hearts full of joy, and that Quilter’s Comfort will be some part of your celebrations and your day to day life.

For many of us, this may be a very hectic time.  If you are on the mailing list, you know that Quilter’s Comfort participated in Holiday House and thank all who came out to support the event and my herbal business in particular.

The Quilter’s Comfort website has been updated, well mostly.  There is still work to be done and pages to link, so please bare with me as I juggle the work.  Bloomington folks please note purchase arrangements available to avoid shipping cost!

Now, I am preparing for this year’s Krista Detour Holiday Show, Market and CD Release.  Each year Krista hosts a benefit for a local non-profit.  This year it is for VIPS, Visually Impaired Preschoolers and takes place Friday, December 18, 7:00 pm in the Unitarian Universalist Church.  Visit her website at http://www.kristadetour.com for details.

I plan to offer herbal teas, seasonings and this year have some new packaging options and gift sets. 

I also have an assortment of jellies- local beer, local coffee, herbal and some fruit jellies - Cranberry Orange and Apple Jam.  I also have some very decadently delicious Chocolate Raspberry Stout (certified organic) jam and Rose Delight (made from certified organic coconut sugar and local honey!  As you know, all are made in small batches, so are available while supplies last, or by special order.

Over the last month, just from a chance meeting, I have been exploring UPLAND Brewery’s Wheat Ale to be used by Executive Chef Padraig Cullen.  I am very excited about this collaboration and getting the details worked out to both our liking.  I love having the staff referring to me as their beer jelly lady!  So much fun and appreciation all around!  There are a few other collaborations brewing and depending on the details will unfold in 2016.

Speaking of 2016, we have the name for our new tea!  Visit our website tea page to see the name! Click Here

MAKEVENTION SURPRISE FOR QUILTER'S COMFORT

Hello,

It is now weeks since MAKEVENTION, a convention of makers sponsored by Bloominglabs here in Bloomington, IN.  I recall the evening before the event, leaving the tea cave, Ursula, and wondering why I was still in town.  Finally as I was about to turn onto the road out of town, there before me in the right lane was a maker rig just pulling into town.  I knew where they were headed and found them the next day to offer a welcome and hello.

Here Yuko and BJ at my booth.  She is demonstrating her Otedama made of repurposed kimono silk from Japan.  See the plate with crumbs above the sign?  That is what remains of my delicious bread offered as a base for those sampling my jelly.

The jellies went over beautifully and to my surprise and delight, so did my first ever bake from my sour dough culture!

My daughters and I are taking a Sourdough Bread Baking class online through a platform called Craftsy.  It is my first such experience taking a class via the web.This is something I am able to share with my daughters, though we explore on different schedules from different locations.    I am having such a great time learning a lot and finding so many people passionate about sourdough.

This thing  with the living yeast goes deep.  There is someone with a starter that has a 100 year lineage!   Since beginning this class, I have made a few quick breads, crackers with the Chocolate Seasoning that are a huge hit, baguettes, boules and now ready to begin incorporating my jelly and other herbal blends! 

 Boules!  Yum Yum.

 At this time, I am considering having some of my sourdough creations at Winter Fair in November in the Bloomington Convention Center.  That will depend on my energy levels and planning.

I always enjoy hearing the different descriptions people offer for my jellies, books, and other artistic maker works.  I am still amazed with the flexagon book structures and do delight in sharing them.  Most of the folks here are techie, sharing collections, such as the IU Puzzle Collection guy or the Creative Anachronistic.

If I had given it thought, I might have imagined there to be a puzzle collection, and now I have had a glimpse into the holdings at IU.  Maybe a perfect adventure  on  a cold winters day.  When I go, perhaps, I will take with me an example of the puzzles I make special from time to time.

In the booth beside me was an amazing group of women with fiber, one with a drop spindle, others waving knitting needles and crochet hooks and all surrounded with wonderful soft woven shawls and other objects!

Since then, I continue my updating journey through the website and other abandoned web resources.  Why do I do this?  Because,  I choose to earn my living with something that I enjoy and want to put energy into creating the opportunity for you to purchase, enjoy and appreciate as well.

And this is how I joyfully create resources to craft a sustainable lively hood that allows me to honor my financial commitments as I share some of what I love.

Quilter’s Comfort is about piecing together natures herbal goodness one amazing plant at a time.

Blessings and thank you for this opportunity to enjoy and share this amazing journey with you!

PC

Hello Dear Reader,

Things are moving along with Quilter's Comfort and I expect to finally get some promotion and follow up information out this next week.  

Quilter's Comfort will be at the 3rd Annual MAKEVENTION this Saturday, August 29th, 10am to 4pm in the Bloomington Convention Center.  For more information about MAKEVENTION visit the website.

L.A.O.’s Certified Organic Seasonings and Dips will be available in shaker jars, and as samplers!

-         Seasoning Blend

-         Curry Seasoning

-         EVERYTHING Plus Popcorn

-         Garam Masala

-         Burger Bliss

        

          

This is Rose Hip Jelly made with certified organic rose hips, certified organic sugar, filtered water, pectin and citric acid.  CLICK here to read about rose hips

Rose Mint tea combined with Elderberries to create a delicious herbal jelly!

I will have a number of teas, samplers; L.A.O. Seasonings and Dip mixes, Rose Hip Jelly, Coffee Jam and Elderberry Rose Mint jelly!

I will also be demonstrating through out the day a flexagon book structure!

Back to labeling.

Enjoy the day.

Patricia

Quilter's Comfort Visits Indianapolis

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Quilter’s Comfort Seasonings in Indianapolis

  This morning, I set out on an adventure with my friend Donna who consented to be my driver to Indianapolis so that I could approach businesses about my wonderful herbal seasonings. 

She arrived, just as I was stuffing a few GMO free corn chips from my local Coop into my mouth.   This morning’s on the go breakfast, a random selection of yogurt, corn chips and locally produced cheese. 

My intention set to have a wonderful day, our journey began with me excited and a little nervous of meeting what I hoped would be a delicious assortment of people.  I was not disappointed.  We were met with openness and interest in my L.A.O. No Nightshades products, even excitement and enthusiasm from some.  Each shop visited played out a specific note, each beckoning me to reflect upon my hearts true joy.  In the food business, many people are already aware of the role nightshade may play in some types of arthritis.  Considering the aging population and the numbers of people with inflammatory conditions, some chefs are already at work developing recipes to entice and please all their foodie clients.

In a week, The Wellness Arts Café and Quilter’s Comfort will be moving from my current studio office.   This at a time when there are aspects in my life in contrast.  I would really love to land all in one place yet what my reality is to be is still unfolding.  This uncertainty puts the logistics of my food business up in the air.  Still, I move forward with trust that things will resolve and all will be fine.  I know what I would really like my picture to look like.  

Quilter’s Comfort has everything to do with local food and those who use my products tell me that they love them! It is about sustainability, personal and otherwise.  It is about desires, wants and needs held since my earliest days.  I have always enjoyed playing with food.  

My adventure to Indianapolis showed me so many possibilities await me and my creations out in the world beyond Bloomington.  I returned from Indianapolis refreshed!

It is a very good thing to go away from where you are to reflect on the journey ahead.

Yes, I feel refreshed, still don’t know how the story will read beginning in August, but I feel deeply feed by the people and experiences!

The people I met in Indy contributed to my feeling energized and uplifted because they seemed to be where they belonged and they knew it!  I was energized like an evening at the Players Pub dancing to music that really connects with me to the point where I stop thinking about anything but being present, only following the music; and every time that happens, something really amazing happens inside me, and I am more than I imagine.  I am being my joy!


 

First stop was Ruth’s Keystone Café where we enjoyed great service and I ate a delicious turkey sandwich accompanied by a satisfying side salad  Donna had vegan black bean vegi soup and I forget what else, I was so caught up in looking at the place, the people and even speaking with the staff.  I enjoyed every bite of food and the place.

From there, we traveled over to Artisano’s with its clear containers of all types of herbs spices, seasonings, salts and stainless decanters filled with plain and infused olive oils.  The staff was liberal with their time and information.

 

 It was after 3:00 pm when Donna and I arrived at 3 Sisters.  By this time, I thought I was finally remembering how to relax on these types of business visits.   Waiting to meet the owner, I overheard a team member announcing to the owner that she had a visitor; to which she replied softly.  “I am not supposed to be here”.   Then she glanced at me, and immediately came out to introduce herself.  She told me that she knew she should speak with me the moment she saw my hat!”
  

I pulled out my sampler book, and the aroma of the herbs wafted up from my box.  Moira Sommers took the book and carefully looked over the information.   She told me that she liked the book form.  Donna had asked that I show people my journal book I was traveling with.  It is one of Hedi Kyles forms with a cover of my bees waxed, rice paste paper.   I think it amazing that I have had found a lover of book arts forms and the second shop keeper that had attended Heron!  So many blessings in one day! Soon after we were sharing hugs!  Though I did not mention this, I really wanted her to taste my éclairs!  I felt that she would really appreciate them.

Moira open heartedly offered me so much concrete advice.  In my finalizing details this morning, I did not heed the many times; I thought to pack my wares in one of my lovely baskets.  She told me to get to the nearest Goodwill and purchase suitable basket.  I was laughing inside.  Her advice also included resources to connect with on the web and in the local community!  I may write more about that later.  It was wonderful hearing the positive interest in my herbal and arts work, and the pleasure of all the hugs and ease and general support!  

Before leaving, we took a picture in front of her first business sign, one she painted herself.  A young woman was there, maybe her daughter, I don’t know and I did not note her name, so someone reading this please let me know so I can correct that.  She was asked to join our conversation and she took this picture for us and told me if I needed the picture tweaked, send it back to her and she would improve it as necessary!  So much easy generosity!  I said something to the young woman, about my appreciation of the hugs and the general positive attitudes and her reply was, “Its all about family”.  

Moira told us how she likes to support local products and gave me an idea of how she will use my seasonings in a culinary display and then made sure we could continue to stay in touch.  I later told friends, that being there was like meeting friends that you did not know, but once meeting them, you feel like they are old friends!

 Here I am with my new seasoning display basket!  

From there, with both Donna and I feeling very energized from our 3 Sisters experience, we headed over to Massachusetts Ave, to again experience more delicious conversation and locally owned shops.  Feeling very thirsty, we ventured over to Natural Born Juices where we both enjoyed delicious Black Raspberry vegan smoothies before beginning our journey back to Bloomington.  I mentioned to maker that one of my most beloved herbal tisanes carries that same name!

Sometime, I will write more about Massachusetts Ave, visiting Homespun, and the fact that there is a block totally dedicated to locally owned businesses and locally crafted products in downtown Indianapolis!  Just as we were leaving the juice bar, we realize that it was after 5pm, and the street here seemed to be coming alive with pedestrians!  

Inspired, even, as I am to begin transition into the void; I am excited and thinking of the delicious possibilities before me.  I am also thinking about getting into the commercial kitchen and producing some Black Ruby jelly for my new markets! 
   

I am also thinking about my herbal and book display for Makevention on August 29^th 2015 in the Bloomington Convention Center.  If you want more information about the Black Ruby, you will have to visit me at Makevention!

The world I live in is full of loving; generous and amazing people each making an effort to allow their true heart to be reflected in the way they embrace every moment whether in work or play.  Confident, expressive, joy filled people called to mind the teachings of Toltec Don Miguel Ruiz simply saying, “Mind your own story”.   I will be among the first to admit, it is easy to stay clear when surrounded by so much visible love in action and really delicious food.  

We will be visiting Indy again, very soon, just to soak up more of the great feelings, make new connections and definitely to begin an exploration of the 3 Sisters menu!  

Until next time,

Abundance of great food! 

This article is also published to Local Food Bloomington's Blog 
                                     and     Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe and Quilter's Comfort Teas

Still Landing

The temperature is really on a down hill slide today.  I can hear a slight roar coming up through the valley.  The stainless kettle is just ready to sing on the stove top and I feel like I am still floating down to earth. Still landing since the move from Kirkwood Avenue.

Partially I feel this way as I am adjusting from having regular association with so many different people and now, that type of interaction is really gone and I am spending more time with managing the virtual world where, I am considering offering regulars store hours available via facetime.

I am enjoying the new location and the way it is perfect for the fiber design work that I am doing at the moment. 

I will have an ad for Quilter's Comfort in forthcoming Well Being Journals.  I am very excited about that and that is a huge motivator in getting the website really functional.

So, back to work behind the scenes.

Hope you are enjoying delicious tea and seasonings.

Regards,

Patricia

Quilter's Comfort and the Wellness Arts Cafe on the MOVE!

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Dear Readers,

Quilter's Comfort and the Wellness Arts Cafe are on the move!

Thank you for being part of the Wellness Arts Café Community on Kirkwood!  It has been both a pleasure and honor to meet with you and to share my creations and those of other local artist and craftspeople visiting 725 West Kirkwood Avenue. 

Our last day to be open at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue will be Saturday, July 26^th, 2014.

The Café page at www.hartrock.net/cafe.htm will in time change to reflect new link connections.

Work is being done to streamline the Quilter’s Comfort website so when complete, it will make purchasing on line easier.  The web changes may not be evident until after the move. 

As you can imagine this is an exciting and extremely busy time, as are most endings and beginnings.  It is a time of many transitions unfolding within my life and the lives of around me.  Fortunately there is much JOY and BIRTHING WILD energy gathering, rising and moving through as all blessing work expands.

We will keep in touch so you will know what is birthing out of this move.

Again, thank you, your support and presence will always be a delicious part of my community memories.

Blessings of wellness to you and yours,

Patricia

Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe & Quilter's Comfort Moving!

Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe & Quilter's Comfort will be moving from its cozy home at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue at the end of July.  Though there are a few possibilities being explored as to where we will end up, we really do not know.  We do not yet know what the Wellness Arts Cafe will look like in the future.  I see it continuing in another form; don't know what that is.  It is exciting and scary, so many possibilities and an equal amount of unknowns.  

At the top of the to do list is get the website in shape to handle the increase in retail I want to enjoy.  Put a pot of water on; begin my list ( of what may be many) for how to transition into a functional virtual office., for how to bring as much  face to face energy to the web customers as I can.

Patricia

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TEA SALE

 Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe business turns two years old!  The "Cafe" is home to Quilter's Comfort products!

To celebrate the "Cafe is hosting a 2^nd Anniversary Exhibit - "PAPER FOLDED PAINTINGS and PARABOLAS by Patricia C. Coleman.  Reception is Friday, October 4^th, 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

The evening will feature paper folding demonstrations, musical performance by Janiece Jaffe and Curtis Cantwell Jackson, the Herbal Table, sale on all herbal teas and jellies, gift basket drawing, discount on holiday gift certificates and more.  The evening will feature a variety of delicious herbal treats.  
 

On Friday, October 18th join us for Artist Talk and Paper Folding Demonstration with Patricia 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the Wellness Arts Gallery, located in Patricia’s Wellness Arts Café, 725 West Kirkwood Avenue.  The Exhibit runs October 4th through October 31st, 2013.  

All Quilter's Comfort herbal teas, jellies, body care,  wellness services and gift certificate purchases will be on sale for the entire month of October!  If you are an early shopper this is the perfect time to purchase gifts for tea and jelly lovers.  Favorites are our coffee jelly made using coffee from the Runcible Spoon, Bloomington, Indiana's oldest coffee roaster; wine jelly made with wine from Butler Winery and beer jelly a blend of one of Quilter's Comfort HipHop blends and locally crafted beer.  At the moment we have Ruby Amber HipHop on the shelf.

Happy Fall

Patricia