'Log Cabin Quilting by Mary' now open

Quilter Mary Keppers, owner of 'Log Cabin Quilting' in rural Motley, holds up a wall hanging from one of her favorite quilt patterns, "Chicken Date." The spacious lower level of the Keppers' log cabin home is set up for quilters; and comes equipped with a Phaff Grand Quilter 18.8 (longarm machine). A skilled quilter, Mary is also available to teach classes; and to assist others with their quilting projects. "Log Cabin Quilting by Mary" is up and running in rural Motley; and the public is invited to an open house Thursday, July 9, from 3 - 7 p.m.

Owned and operated by Mary Keppers, Log Cabin Quilting offers a wide range of services centered around a professional, stitch-regulated Phaff Grand Quilter quilting machine.

"I had been teaching classes in Pine River, which I loved doing; but they didn't have the quilting machine I really felt was necessary," Mary said.

About a month ago, she decided it was time to purchase a machine on her own...something that not only she could use; but one that others could rent to do their quilting projects.

Shortly after that, 'Log Cabin Quilting by Mary' was born.

Nestled in a wooded area on Crooked Lake, just a few miles northeast of Leader, Log Cabin Quilting is the perfect get-away place for quilters of all skill levels to work on their projects.

Bring your own quilting materials; or purchase some from Mary, who has a wide variety of patterns and enhancements to choose from. Classes are also available for beginners.

Can't find the time to work on your quilt? Hire Mary, who's passionate about quilting, to finish it for you.

"I love quilting; and I've found this to be such a peaceful, inspiring environment to create in," Mary said.

Her new business, as well as the log cabin home she shares with her husband,

Dave Keppers, Mary

considers a gift from God. "I want to share it with others,"

she said.

The Keppers began building their log home last September; and moved in around Christmastime.

"We had lived in a hunting shack without water for

about a year while this was

being built," Mary laughed. "This is definitely a dream

come true."

Another dream come true, for Mary, is having her own quilting business, complete with her new state of the art quilting machine.

She's been passionate about quilting since she was a child, Mary said.

"Both of my grandmothers - Grandma Kaufman and Grandma Regan - were very creative, hard working, social and ambitious," Mary said. "They were the first ones to teach me about quilting."

The spacious lower level of the Keppers' log cabin is the perfect set-up for working on large quilts and for teaching classes, Mary said.

During the summer

months, Mary also offers "Stitch, Bitch & Chocolate

Day Retreats," for groups of at least four.

Sew lake-side with friends; and be served salad and a sinful chocolate dessert, says a brochure about Log Cabin Quilting.

The open house July 9, Mary said, will be a wonderful opportunity for people to see her business; ask questions; enjoy some snacks; and win door prizes.

"I'm so excited about this new venture; and I hope all of my friends from the Motley and Staples areas will stop by and celebrate with me," Mary said.

Log Cabin Quilting is located at 6440 59th Ave. SW in rural Motley; across the road from the Foothill Forest. Directions: Hwy 64 from Motley, 6 miles east on 24th Street, south on 59th Avenue.

For more information call 218-568-4903; or email mlkeppers@tds.net.