Hi All,

Hope you all had an enjoyable Father’s Day. My husband accepted homage from all his children and then I let him buy me lunch and a new pair of sunglasses. Yes, I know he’s spoiled.

Don’t forget Pat Knoechel on Tues. at 1:00 pm at the Holiday Inn. Please register. Actually, you must register so we’ll have enough chairs!! Also, bring cash or checks–no credit or debit cards. We are going to have so much fun!!!

A few upcoming classes have openings. American Beauty, which can be seen hanging in the classroom, and Stack-and-Whack; both have openings. Stack and Whack sounds like something you’d do to wood not fabric, but its a fun way to put a quilt together. Nobody can make just one. Call the store for details.

The surprise we talked about last week should be here by the time of Pat K.’s visit so stop in and check it out. Christmas fabric is arriving daily, the corn is growing tall and the lightening bugs are glowing. All this is by way of saying that there’s something new every day so don’t stand still, but get hopping for the holidays and for the pure enjoyment of doing something new!

Come see us soon,

ttfn

Mary

Hi Guys!

Ok, I think everyone will agree that the weather is awful!! It’s sticky, hot and my hair is on permanent frizz cycle. “Outside” is what you endure on the way to the car. Could someone invent a giant de-humifier for Indiana? Please?! Anyway, its a great time to stay inside and sew! Christmas fabrics are arriving everyday and some Halloween too. I know its early but they are cute, cute, cute. The new MODA Northern Botanical is just plain pretty. If you sew now, while its hot, you won’t have to worry about sewing for Christmas when that lovely warm, humidityless (I’m sure thats a word) air comes in. That, by the way, is a 20 minute window sometime in October on years ending in odd numbers.

Get ready for a surprise coming to the store sometime in the next two weeks. That’s all I’m telling you, except that I’m really excited and looking forward to it. Oh frabjous day!!!

We still have some MODA fabrics priced at $5.00. If there’s a project in the works that you need to finish, you’d best check it out and a) make sure you have enough to finish borders and b) this is a cheap way to make a summer quilt. Check it out!

Pat Knoechel is coming on June 22nd as I’m sure you all know. I’m not sure that you all realize that you need to sign up in advance. The room will only hold so many people and we really do need to know how many will be attending. Pat will bring lots of “stuff” for you to buy, but you will need to bring cash. Pat will accept a check, but realize, Quilt in a Day receives the money for the things Pat brings, not the Stitching Nook. She has no way run credit cards while she is on the road. She will sign any books you buy that day and is always gracious about answering questions.

Ok, that about wraps it up, and I think I hear iced tea calling me. Have a great week and we’ll talk later!

TTFN

Mary

P.S. That surprise is really cool and will even impact our fall classes—–interested yet?

Hi Everyone,

Well, we’ve had a big week at the Nook. We hung new models last Sat. and this week we unpacked several new lines of fabric from the back room. We now have out “Wrapped Paisley” from MODA and “Tidings” from Nancy Halvorsen courtesy of Benartex. We also put out a new fall/Halloween line from Red Rooster. Oh, and of course, my favorite, Nature’s Botanicals from Holly Taylor of MODA. The elves will be busy over the next few weeks but stop in and check out the fabrics. By the way, the Art to Heart bolts are only 10 yards and we sold several yards over the weekend! Just a “heads up” to the fans.

New patterns and books have also been arriving. We have new purses as well as a new Jelly-roll friendly pattern from Eleanor Burns. It features pinwheels and is really cute. There is a new “Batting Buddy” “Fun and Done” pattern as well. For the embroidery buffs, we have some Sue Hausmann designs in stock, one of them comes with all the threads and another has a thread pack available. We are just the place to come for new ideas! Now if we could just put a few more hours in the day!

You know, to be able to put out all that new fabric, we have to make a little room. Therefore, we have a rack toward the back of the store that has a selection of MODA fabrics that are priced to move at $5.00. There is nothing wrong with the fabrics, they are just the end of lines or we’ve grown tired of them. All the more reason to give them a loving home where they can be with more of their own kind. I personally run a half-way house for many lovely fabrics, but I am full up at the moment ( I specialize in fat quarter packs as you know) so a little help in this area would be appreciated. Snide remarks about adding on storage space are beginning to be commonplace around here. So come take advantage of our temporary overstock.

I think that’s all for now, so have a happy and we hope somewhat cooler and drier week. When you finish mowing, come in and get inspired—-Christmas is coming!

TTFN

Mary

Hello all,

Hope you are all enjoying this Memorial Day weekend. As I was driving around, I saw lots of family get-togethers and lots of lawn activities. I always think Memorial Day signals the start of Summer and yet the holiday is tinged with pride and sadness as we remember the sacrifices that have been made so that we can enjoy these long summer days. Hug a veteran, I know I did!

There are lots of new quilts hanging at the Nook right now. The Stars over Indiana shop hop quilt is now hanging in the window. Lyndsay did her usual fantastic job. Pam has a new baby quilt in the shop and there are some new purses as well. Range Rider is a new “cowboy” quilt that deserves a look and is very easy to make.

The ink-jet-printed fusible web sheets were used for all the star and boot appliques on the Range Rider quilt and really saved a ton of time. These fusible web sheets are the same size as your printer paper and can be used in any ink-jet printer. You can’t use them in laser printers because of the heat. The sheets work really well, and eliminate all the tedious tracing. I’m always up for easy!

I tried my Steady Betty pressing board the other day and I love it. It really does help keep the half-square triangle blocks from stretching and holds things in place. Everyone asks me if the foamy stuff melts under a hot iron. The answer is, “No!!!!! It Does Not!! As the Christmas fabric keeps rolling in, it’ll will have many more field tests and I expect success.

Well, enough for now. Rub on lots of sun-block and drink lots of iced tea??!!

TTFN

Mary

Hello sunshine lovers!

Sounds like its finally going to happen this week. Warm weather, some sunshine, humidity, frizzy hair, and get out the sunblock lotion and floppy hats. I hope you’re happy!!

As you can see by the pictures, (yes, my photographer (Diana) is finally back on duty) new holiday panels are starting to arrive. The deer panel isn’t really holiday, it’s just cool. The accompanying quilt pattern is really easy and can be made in a day. It’s a nice lap size and would be a great “guy” quilt.

 The Halloween panel would be great to quickly decorate some kid’s sweatshirts or a “treat” bag. The Christmas panel is part of the line that our Stars Over Indiana shop hop is using although the panel will not be featured in the quilt. I really like this Benartex line and I can see some cute stuff the panel could be used for. Of course I won’t be sharing these thoughts unless I can get them made!

We promised you some new purses and Diana has lived up to her word with the new “Two Hour Tulip Bag” I haven’t heard yet exactly how long it took her to make it, but it can be made in several sizes and it is just too cute. I’m sure a class will be in the offing. I have finished a new Lazy Girl purse called “Margo” with a zipper closure. Really neat and easy to make. It was not yet available for pictures….maybe next time.

If you’ve been thinking that a new Viking is what you need to start your summer off, but don’t want to spend your tanning oil money on a new one, we have several gently used machines starting at $250.00. When the weather is hot and sticky and no one who isn’t a closet masochist wants to be outside, it’s a good time to start sewing for fall or Christmas. A new machine would make this simpler and would be more fun. Think embroidery, or a longer arm to make quilting easier. We have them all for you, come take a look.

A final thought, Frances Kinder who has worked with us for several years, has moved to the East Coast to be close to family. We will miss her a lot (especially me) and I know your good wishes for a happy life go with her, as do ours.

Turn on the air, fire up the grills, brew some iced tea and pick out a new quilt or purse pattern!!

TTFN,

Mary