Greetings Quilters!

Summer time is racing by. A couple weeks ago I had a fun loving quilt group from California join us at Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's for an all day workshop. While the heat was burning up the outside, we were in the shop laughing and cutting, sewing and learning new techniques. The "Twisted Threads" gals had requested a class making my Christmas Gingerbread Houses. Of course, I had to make a new sample, and add more stuff to it. The result was better than the first and we had a wonderful day stitching and talking, and eating.

Gary & I just returned from a beautiful weekend in Eureka, Montana. It was our first time being vendors at the Eureka Outdoor Quilt Show. What an awe inspiring setting! We were impressed by the beauty AND the incredible organization AND of course, the quilts. We met a bunch of new quilting friends. We found out that among quilters there is a universal love of batik fabrics and the convience of quilt kits. Our "Company at the Cabin" table runner and placemat kits were going like hotcakes! Fortunately, I had Wanda cutting more while we were gone, so we have kits aplenty.

We still have a few weeks before beginning to think of frosty mornings and dreary weather. Enjoy the outdoors and plan what you want to make this fall. Stop by for inspiration. We have lots of new fabric.

By George, I think I've Got it!

Just a reminder that we are in the midst of our month long anniversary celebration. Take advantage of your personal sale day this month only.Come in and sign up for our mailing list with your mailing and e-mail addresses and walk thru the shop with your list and save on your entire purchase. One personal sale day per person.

I just finished quilting the Hospice Raffle quilt for 2010. The quilt was pieced by members of the Valley Piecemakers of St. Maries/Benewah county. It is a beautiful scrappy quilt in reds and ecrus. While I am not yet where I want to be with my long arm quilting ability, I am getting better and better. I confess that I am quite pleased with the results on this quilt. Take a look at the photos and judge for yourself.

We still have room in the Shadow Applique Calendar class with Becky Clark. The class will be May 15 at 10 AM. Come in and look at the samples. And don't forget the "Learn to Sew" class starting May 12. We now have sewing machines available for use in our classes, so don't let the dread of packing up your own machine stop you from coming and taking a class. I'm afraid the Double Wedding Ring quilt class with Dana Kinder is now full. If you had your heart set on taking that class and just haven't gotten around to signing up, then please call & let me know and I will put you down on a list & try and get another class scheduled soon.

There has been a big demand for the kits from the "California Dreamin'" quilt featured in Fabric Trends Spring 2010 issue. I have fabric back ordered for more kits. There are still kits available for the "Animals on Parade" quilt featured in the same magazine and for the "How Much is That Doggie in the Window." Purchase either of those kits, and receive a free issue of the Fabric Trends Spring 2010 magazine.

New fabrics are due in again in the next couple weeks. Be looking for "Sweet Liberty" designed by Pat Sloan for P & B Textiles. I have a new table runner designed for use with that fabric. Who doesn't need a new patriotic themed table runner for the summer months?

That is all for now--Have a wonderful mother's day, whether or not you have children, we all have mothers!

Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's 10th Anniversary

Can you believe that May marks the 10 year mark since Nona and Gary started Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's Quilt Shop? We can hardly grasp that ourselves. How exhilarating to reach such a milestone. We are grateful for all the people, fabric, ideas and stories that have come through our doors in that time.
May 1st kicks off our month long anniversary celebration.
Firstly, bring in your Top Ten List of reasons to shop at Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's Quilt Shop and put them in the drawing for a basket full of quilting goodies, to be drawn on May 29.
The next thing is "Pick Your Own Sale Day." Choose any regular business day in May and come in and SAVE. You will have the option to shop at your leisure and enjoy 10% off storewide, or pick up a quick 10 fat quarters for $10.00. If you enjoy making quilts with the jelly rolls, or 2 1/2 inch wide strips, pick up scrappy jelly rolls for $10.00 each. Select flannels will be 50% off. Packaged batting is 15% off. This is just the beginning. Here is what you need to do:

1. Come to Mrs. Sew-n-Sew's Quilt Shop during regular business hours.
2. Sign in with your mailing address and email (if you have one).
3. Pick up the printed flyer outlining all the sale prices.
4. Shop and Save!
(One shopping sale day per customer, this lasts from May 1 through May 29, 2010. Of course the best selection will be early in the month.)

Next up are CLASSES! May 1 is Long Arm Demo Day on the APQS Millenium machine. If you are undecided about taking the long arm class, this is the day to come in and "test drive" the machine. I have a little more experience under my belt now (about 75 quilts so far!) and I am a bit more confident in showing off what "Millie" can do. I will have her loaded up with muslin so you can try your hand at long arm quilting.
If you think you would like to quilt your own quilts, you will have an opportunity to learn how to use the long arm machine on May 8. Long Arm Machine Quilting Class is $50.Be sure to take advantage of this! Long arm quilting takes practice, so take the class then bring your charity quilts, comfort quilts, Quilts of Valor and quilt them for only $5.00 per hour during May (3 hour minimum rental.)
If you aren't even quilting yet, or know a young person that would like to learn to sew, there will be a two session, "I Can't Believe I am Sewing" class, May 12 and May 19. I will have three sewing machines available for use. The class is $30.00 and includes a book. We will begin at the very beginning, learning about how to properly use and maintain a sewing machine. The second session we will make a pillow case. Kits will be available for purchase at a discount for class members. Students must be at least 12 years old.
Have you been in and looked at the Shadow Applique Calendar Holders that Becky Clark made? If not, come on in and take a peek at the samples. Becky will be teaching a class on how to make the calendar holder on May 15. Class fee is $20 if you have a copy of the Quiltmaker Magazine from Jan/Feb 2010. If you have that issue, be sure to bring it with you. The fee is $25.00 if you do not have a copy of the magazine.
I know how you all love the Double Wedding Ring quilt design. A customer came in and showed me one she was making from a class at "A Heart Like Yours Quilt Shoppe" in Spokane Valley. The arcs are made and machine appliqued onto the blocks--NO CURVED SEAMS needed! I was impressed and got the name of the teacher, Dana Kinder, and she has agreed to come teach the class on May 22. The class size is limited to six. Fee for the class is $30. and you must also purchase the acrylic template set, which is $15.00. I already have two signed up, so call or email me soon to take advantage of this class. I will also be getting names of those interested in Dana coming back to teach a Lone Star Christmas tree skirt class later in the summer.
If you haven't noticed, we have a quilt in the window from Spring 2010 Fabric Trends magazine. I designed the quilt using Jim Shore's Animals on Parade fabric line from Quilting Treasures. I still have a few kits left and will discount them 10% from now until May 29, and include the magazine free! That is a savings of $15.98! Don't spend too much time thinking about that one!
Enjoy the lovely spring weather. The longer hours of daylight mean more evening sewing time.

A is For Apron, B is for Bag

Have you felt the nip in the air once the sun goes down? And rain--it poured at our house Labor Day. The tops of the cottonwood trees are changing color and kids are back in school, all indications that sewing season is in full swing. Watching kids walk past the shop window with their new backpacks made me wonder if they were learning "A is for Apron, and B is for Bag." That is what I am thinking with all the lovely new fabrics and patterns. Aprons and bags have been especially popular this summer. The "retro" look is definately in fashion, both in fabrics and the design of aprons. Big and "funky" probably best describes some of the bag patterns. Whatever your personal style, we likely have a pattern to suit. For those of you looking ahead to Christmas, aprons and bags make much appreciated gifts.

I hope the majority of you made it to the Valley Piecemakers' Quilt show this past weekend. What a lot of magnificent projects! I wasn't on the Quilt Show committee this year, but I did see a lot of customers and field some phone calls. If you were able to make it to the quilt show, chances are you noticed Barb Mayfield demonstrating her APQS Millennium long arm machine. Want to know a secret? Gary and I are working on the logistics of purchasing one of those machines! It is our hope that within 4-6 weeks we will have one set up and a schedule of classes to teach people how to use it. Gary and I both plan on learning long arm quilting and eventually offering our services, as well as having the machine available to rent here in the shop. Details will be forthcoming, as soon as I know them! In the meantime, let me know if you would be interested in taking a class and learning how to quilt your own projects.

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