Is it Spring yet?

Did you feel how warm it was outside yesterday? It made me imagine leaves on the trees, sunshine, daffodils--oh, never mind. We still have a couple months of rain, snow and winter. Well, at least we can still sew. And that is what I have been doing. I have a head full of new pattern ideas and lots of luscious new fabrics that I "see" in this pattern or that, or as a bag, or a jacket, or... Trouble is finding the time to make all the fun projects I can imagine. I have been spending quality time at the long arm machine quilting on client quilts and practicing on my new Valentine "Love You" wall hanging. Talk about quick and easy and gets right to the point. Make for the upcoming February holiday, or to hang in a child's room or over the bed of your own true love. Pattern will be available next week.

I have been working hard getting ready for the "SUPER BOLT" sale coming up on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6. Look for a bunch of new fat quarters, half yard pieces and precuts, such as 2 1/2" strips and 6 1/2" squares. Plan on buying a few grab bags or stuff some scrappy sacks to spice up your stash. The challenge for me is simple being willing to part with all the fabric I would like to keep for "some day."

If you are thinking about doing the "Pie in the Sky" class on February 5, let me know. So far I have a lot of "I'd like to" and "maybe" but no definate sign ups. Just finished unpacking more of the Kim Diehl Simple Graces book if you would like to stop in and look at the proposed pattern.

New fabrics have been arriving the past couple of weeks. I have a few that make you think of easter eggs and baby chicks, just the right spring colors. And we are still adding to our batik collection.

Stop in soon and reacquaint yourself with all the reasons you are a quilter. Don't forget to plan on stopping in on Super Bowl Sunday. I will have surprise specials that day only. See you then!

Talk about a Quilting Revelation!

Last week was a Quilting Revelation for me. Gary and I traveled to southern Oregon so that I could take two classes from Karen McTavish. Friday, I excitedly joined 5 other women in a lovely quilting studio and learned the secrets of making Victorian Feathers (tall and skinny, tall and skinny!) After an evening strolling through a chilly Ashland to view the "First Friday" art exhibits (including aerial silk dancers at the Black Sheep Pub!) I arose on Saturday morning eager to join in the McTavishing class. It was eye opening for me to get to talk with women who approach "quilting" from the long arm artists point of view, rather from a quilt shop owner/piecing teacher point of view. The short cut lessons and "hands on" instruction are immeasurably better than reading about how to do a technique. Being certified to teach these techniques is an added bonus. Of course, I am practicing up a bit before I offer any classes.

Don't forget that Tuesday, January 18 I will make Step 2 of the mystery quilt available. Just stop by to pick up your copy. The first Valley Piecemaker's Quilt Show planning meeting will be 2 PM on January 20, here at Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's Quilt Shop. All club members are welcome to take part in the meeting. We encourage everyone to volunteer for some aspect of the quilt show and make it the best one ever--and that would be an accomplishment, since they have been great shows. Theresa Plank and I are the co-chairs this year, and since we both have businesses to run, we need all the help we can get!

Wanda finshed piecing my "Critters in the Corner" quilt while I was gone last week. It is pretty cute! Don't have time to quilt it just yet, but hope to get it done before the January 22 class. Let me know if you want to take the class. It is a quick, easy, beginner level quilt.

The "Pie in the Sky" class from Kim Diehl's latest book is scheduled for February 5. Lunch is going to be soup and pie, so plan on a full day. I need to know soon so that I can order books, if you are planning to attend. Remember, you can use fabric from your stash to create this scrappy quilt. February 6, Super BOLT Sunday, we open at 10 AM for our big sale. Mark your calendars.

Stay warm and dry, set aside time to quilt!

In Stitches,

Nona

Happy New Year!

I hope you are recovered from the overload of Christmas cookies, fudge, company, last minute shopping and late night sewing. As much fun as preparing for Christmas is, January and February are favorite months of mine precisely because Christmas is one again far, far off and I am free to sew projects I want to make for myself. Maybe I will make a bag or even a jacket with some of the rich new batik fabrics, or possibly I will design something using florals and pastels in anticipation of spring. There are still plenty of the Timeless Treasures batik "Stripteeze" sets of (40) 2 1/2" strips and a plethora of new children novelty fabrics, not to mention fishing and hunting fabrics. (BTW, if no one happened to "gift" you with one of the beautiful rayon batik scarves that arrived just before Christmas, we still have a few left. An inexpensive way to add spirit lifting color!) Wherever your sewing imagination is yearning to go, now is the time to explore!

I am beginning to feel like I know my way around on the long arm quilting machine. That is fortunate, because I am headed to Central Point, Oregon to take two classes from long arm quilting "rock star," Karen McTavish http://www.designerquilts.com/. I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am. Not only will I get to take the classes, (Victorian Feathers and McTavishing), I will also get to visit with our daughter, Eva and her fiance, Dustin. Gary and I leave January 5 and will be back to open on January 11.The shop will be in Wanda's capable hands, and will be open during regular hours. Stop in while I am gone and pick up Step 1 of my new Mystery Quilt pattern. This is a quilt I have designed, so no use trying to find it on line. There are nine steps and I will release them every other week, starting January 4. There will be a small design wall in the front of the shop that will display each step as the instructions are released. The quilt is called, "Indian Summer," and the directions are for two different sizes.

If you just want to get out of the house and make a fast and fun quilt, maybe for a grandchild birthday or new baby, come take my "Critters in the Corner" class on January 22 (9AM, $15.00 class fee, $5.00 to cut fabrics with die cutter) Store sample will be on display soon, but here is a sneak peak at four of the blocks together, featuring the hilarious jungle animals from Blank Textiles. All the block components can be cut on the shop die cutter, to minimize cutting time and maximize accuracy. Of course, this pattern works just as well for any other style of fabric, including batiks for a classy, modern look, or florals for something feminine and pretty.(Pattern will be available for purchase by January 22)

Each year, along with vowing to lose weight, exercise more and be nice to people that try our patience, most of us resolve to make quilts using only our stash. Well, if you mean it, gather your fat quarters and join me in a class for "Pie in the Sky." This pattern is on the cover of Kim Diehl's latest book, Simple Graces. http://www.kimdiehl.com/books.php It is the ultimate in scrappy quilts. Class meets February 5, starting at 9AM. Lunch (with pie, naturally) will be served. Purchase of this wonderful book is required for the class, so let me know ASAP if you want to attend. I only have a couple books in stock. Class fee is $25, book and materials 15% off if paid when you sign up.

Don't forget to circle February 6, Super BOLT Sunday, on your calendar. This is our 10th annual biggest sale of the year. I promise deep discounts on selected books and thread. Be on the look out for great buys on fabric for stash or backings. I am in the mood to clean out, so there will be over stuffed grab bags filled with fabric and other surprises. Mark downs will be store wide and include kits and pre-cuts. We will even have prices on some store samples, too. Plan on being here! (10 AM til 4 PM)

Maybe on of your resolutions is to learn Needle Turn Applique--well, you are in luck! Star Brown, recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, has agreed to teach a beginner class of needle turn applique on February 12. Just show up 10 AM and prepare to learn from a truly accomplished applique artist. Star will spend time enlightening you on needles, thread, thimbles and technique. Class is $20. Star will provide materials for small practice project.

It is time for another Beginner Quilt Class. The beginner class runs from 6-8 PM every Thursday eveing for 6 weeks. The first class will be February 24. Cost is $50 with a 10% discount on any supplies for the class.

Stay warm and dry, enjoy the season of "nesting." drive safely and stop by the quilt shop to see what is in STORE!