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!

Luscious Batiks & New Products

Are we in the "dog days"of summer yet? Feels like it here. Very hot days give us a good excuse to go sew. Put a couple lemon or lime wedges in a glass of ice water and head to the sewing room. Be sure to aim a fan straight at your chair. Crank up the tunes, or put a book on CD into the machine and you will while away the hot hours without breaking a sweat.

If you are in need of some inspiration, I just received some very luscious batiks from Princess Mirah Bali Batiks. Don't have a camera handy today, but stop by to see for yourself. We all know that buying fabric from the internet isn't nearly as satisfying as petting it in person first.

We now have a good stock of polyester fiberfill. This past Saturday we had our "Hope You Can Make It For Christmas" class. What fun! This class was on constructing pillows or pillow covers (for sofa or floor pillows you already have.) In honor of "Christmas in July" we made winter pillows with a cheery "Ho, ho, ho" on them. Some of us are making wall hangings with the same motif. Naturally, we also thought of other people that would like our pillows and needed more fiberfill, so, I ordered it, and it is now here.

Seems that no matter what time of year it is, we have to do laundry!

I have recently stocked a couple of items to make that chore easier. In stock is Retayne that stops dye from bleeding, Magic Wand and Grandma's Secret Spot Remover for stubborn spots and Dye Grabber Cloths, which grabs & absorbs loose dye in your wash.

Speaking of laundry--which is only fun if you are washing new fabric--have you tried the Mary Ellen's Best Press spray starch? I have to say I am sold on this product. I only had to try it a few times to see how it smooths fabric, doesn't leave flakes, and makes cutting and piecing on the bias so much easier. I now have smaller bottles of this product, the price is easier on the pocketbook.

Gary and I are heading to Eureka, Montana tomorrow. The quilt show is on Saturday, and I plan on wandering through all the quilts, stopping when I want, and reading all the papers on each one. I don't get to do that when we are vendors at shows. Usually, I only see the quilts on the way to the restroom! We will take photos and I will write my impressions next week.

In Stitches,

Nona

Mrs. Sew~n~Sew

Sizzlin' Summer Sunday Sew-In

I just opened an order I received from one of my distributors. It is like Christmas each day when I get those kinds of deliveries. This particular box contained the "goodies" for the bags for each of the participants in the Sizzlin' Summer Sunday Sew-In.

In case you haven't been keeping up with the blog--I am doing a class on August 9 from 1 PM until 9 PM. You choose one of four different projects from my book, Top This! and come prepared to be pampered.

Not only will we have a blast sewing & chatting, we'll also have a fancy catered dinner and a 10 minute neck massage by Lauren Manfull of Bodyworks Therapeutic.

Each person receives a "goodie bag" worth more than the cost of the class! To help you decide I am including a few snapshots of the possible projects.

Remember, feel free to change the suggested colors in your project. You don't have to make it look like mine! For example, I am planning on making another version of the "August Sunshine," only this time, I am making the flower into a daisy, with a yellow center & maybe a light batik or white on cream for the petals. I have a cute fabric with small daisies I could use for the background. Or, how about a purple coneflower, or any color you choose for the flower. You can forget about the checkerboard borders if you want, and use a border stripe. The possibilities are endless.

I have also thought about making "Jack the Runner" without Jack's face. Maybe you could applique a pumpkin vine & a couple leaves, and have a perfect table runner for the whole fall.

Don't forget the Christmas in July fabric sale this Saturday, July 25.

Come on in & see what is happening at Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's!

In Stitches!

Nona

Mrs. Sew~n~Sew