Nov 2007

Fall/Winter Hours:
Mon-Fri  10-5
Sat: 10-2
or by appointment anytime – not a problem to open earlier or stay later-just call and let me know when.

This is our 3rd newsletter using e-mail…..I didn’t go through a provider so I could keep your e-mails from people I don’t know.  However, it has been pointed out to me that your group lists all those e-mails and I don’t know how you block them out, so if any of you know how to do that please stop in or e-mail me with how I do that.  I am using Word and I have AOL as my e-mail provider.  I’m not too computer literate so you need to tell me step by step.  Since you have the e-mail addresses from your group (there are 2 groups) I am trusting that you will not give those out to anyone else and not use them yourself to solicit anything.  Thank you for your cooperation while I work out these bugs.

Directions to the Country School House Quilt Shop 
(1) Coming N or Hwy 2/53.  See McDonald’s & Culver’s—turn left, 3 blocks to stop sign.  That is E. 5^th St.  Look diagonally across street.  I’m in the DeSmet Insurance building—has a big insurance sign in the parking lot.  My sign is on the building next to the door. 
(2) From Mn—take Blatnik Bridge.  Follow the Hwy 53 South markers which goes under the bridge.  Going along the lake, past Perkins, Fairlawn Museum.  At Culver’s turn right.  Go 3 blocks to stop sign which is E. 5^th St.  Look diagonally across street.  I’m in the De Smet Insurance building – has a big insurance sign in the parking lot.  My sign is on building next to door.
(3) Coming N on Hwy 35 (Tower Ave).  Turn right on N. 28^th St (Mall Drive)—go past mall and over railroad tracks.  Turn right at the stop lights on E. 5th St.  Go 3 blocks and I am on the right side at 21^st Ave E in the DeSmet Insurance Building.  It has a big sign in the parking lot.  Remember, I am only 3 blocks from Lake Superior.  So if you find the lake, turn 3 blocks away from it and that is E. 5^th Street.  I am on the corner of 21^st Ave E and E. 5^th Street.

Club Notes: 
All of our clubs started in Oct. except for Thimbleberries 2008.

Nickel Club meets the 2^nd Monday of the month at 5 p.m and will meet for 6 months except for the month of Dec.  Moda Madness meets the 4^th Monday at 5:30 p.m. and will meet every other month starting in Jan.  We will meet in Nov. Thangles Buck-A-Block started in Sept. and is in the 3^rd month.

Thimbleberries clubs have this month and next month meetings and then they are done.  We will have our big auction for both clubs on Nov. 10th (Saturday) from 2-4.  I had said it was on the 17^th in the last newsletter and I’m sure we corrected it to the 10^th—didn’t we?

Our Birthday Event will be  November 12^h (Mon)to Nov. 17^th (Sat).. We are 4 years old now, seems like just yesterday, we were moving bolts into our new space and having those opening day jitters.  Now we’re looking for more places to put our bolts and that’s causing our jitters!  During the week we will be giving out kisses—candy ones, that is—with discounts on them.  Of course, you don’t get a kiss until you are ready to check out!

The discounts will range from 10% - 40% and we will do 70 kisses worth using the bell shaped curve distribution (teachers will know about this one!)  You may use 1 kiss a day for your shopping spree…we will also have other goodies each day that will be on special, but you’ll have to stop in to see what they are…..did I mention that we will also be having birthday treats that week too?  I wonder what kind of birthday gifts we’ll get??

The Holidays are coming, and we have some of the perfect gifts.  This would be the perfect time to put a new sewing machine on your list—we have the perfect quilting machines---Baby Lock “Quilter’s Dream Series.”  Who wouldn’t want one of those cute small machines for traveling and classes? Or how about a great all around machine like the Quilter’s Choice 2, the Espire, or the Quilter’s Professional?  And those of you who like the wool felt and embellishing that—we have the Embellisher.  What about that wonderful Serger that threads itself!  We have it all….Stop and try one out.  We also  have Gift Certificates – what could be easier!  Of course, you could drop a hint about one of our cute kits…or that special notion you won’t buy for yourself.  We can also order Ott Lights, sewing machine totes, etc.  The Side Winder is now here—winds bobbins for you-I’m trying it out this weekend.  Sells for $29.95-great Christmas gift.

 Thimbleberries 2008 --  I will have the pictures of both lines Lodge and Lake on the bulletin board with the 5” samples of the fabrics.  You can do one large quilt in either line or 4 smaller projects in just one line or a combination of both lines.  This makes it all the more fun.  We will start the clubs in January.  You can sign up any time.  The cost is $25 and includes a 5”pack of either Lake or Lodge.  We will be doing the Thimbleberries Bucks again and I have more fun games planned again for next year, we are also looking into a bus trip to Hutchinson to see Lynette Jensen, I’ll continue trying new recipes for you to taste and yes, we’ll have another auction.  Sign up individually or sign up as a group—we’ll do as many clubs as we have people signed up for—limit is 14 per club.  Shall we have 3 clubs this year?

Classes: 
We don’t have any planned for this month, but are looking at some quick table runner patterns for some of the beginner quilters;  and if you’d like to take the BB Bag class and didn’t have a chance last time, let us know as Mary said she would teach it again. Mo said she would also teach her Paperback Book Tote again if there is enough interest….these make such cute Christmas gifts for your friends.  Talk to us and let us know your wishes or e-mail me.  The beginner quilt would be Lehman’s Easy Table Runner or the Sew Easy Table Runner.  Cost for BB Bag is $35 (all cut and fused for you), Paperback Book Tote is $22.50, and Lehman Table Runner is $20.  Let us know soon so we can work out a date and time.

New Items: 
Aurifil thread I ordered is now in.  Some new books have come in and new patterns.  New line from Marcus Brothers that is really pretty with a gorgeous floral on brown that makes a great border.  Also got a small collection called Oak Leaves from Moda and the Christmas Quilt in flannel from Nancy Halvorson is up and kits are made.  Look and Learn from Moda is a darling kids quilt made from 5” squares, background and a stripe—30’s look.  Woodsy is back for those who didn’t get a chance to see this quilt and matching book in July, I got the last 2 bolts in the factory.  It was a huge sell-out at the Hayward Quilt Show so many of you never saw it.  We made 2 quilts from Holly Taylor’s kids line and they are darling!  All of these would make great Christmas gifts.

Also now have Timtex, fusible fleece and Quilter’s Dream batting.  We do have embroidery thread and serger thread—it is in the room with the sewing machines.  Also have wool roving, felting needles and felted wool from Moda in 7 colors for those penny rug people.  I’m trying to carry what you are asking for so please stop in to purchase.

I ordered a pattern called “It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Tumbling Block” for someone, but didn’t write down your name—it came and I put it behind the counter so come and claim it….

New Issue of Quilts and More just came in 2 days ago—this time I got 15 copies.  Has some cute, quick projects that would be great gifts.  I also have a couple copies of the fall Quilt Sampler left.

Our November Table Runner is really a table topper.  It is called Moonlit Star and is in the winter metallic types of fabrics.  I have kits to go with it.  I also have a sample of Lehman’s newest table runner done in Christmas fabrics—it’s two fabrics and very cute with little tiny wrapped up presents as one of the fabrics.

Since this is the month of Thanksgiving—want to take time to tell you how thankful we are for all of you who stop in our shop and brighten our days.  I also want to thank you for telling your friends, coworkers, and other quilters about our shop.  Take time this month to remember all the things we have to be thankful for…..