Stitchin’ Heaven Howdy

Hot Flash e-newsletter April 30, 2007

Howdy from Stitchin’ Heaven located in beautiful Quitman, TX population 2030. We’re getting plenty of April Showers here, so we thought we would shower you with some great new fabrics!

***NEW FROM MODA! CELEBRATE SPRING FABRICS!***
Celebrate Spring with these fun fabrics by Moda and Sandy Gervais. Bright, crisp colors add the aire of Spring to any project and lighten your mood. Check out these great fabrics, and get yours today.

***CELEBRATE SPRING PANEL QUILT KIT***
Add some Spring to your home with this adorable panel quilt. It will brighten any room and bring a smile to your face. Measuring 44″ x 58″, it makes a perfect throw for any room. Each kit includes the fabrics and pattern needed to finish the quilt top. Get Started!

***JUST IN! CHELSEA BOUTIQUE BY MODA!***

Chelsea Boutique is a beautiful fabric line by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics. In addition to the signature cross stitch print, warm colors in a variety of scales make these fabrics perfect for your next project. Pick your favorites and put in your order today .

***THE PILLOWCASE KIT***

In classic pink and brown florals, this beautiful pillowcase kit using Moda’s Chelsea Boutique fabrics will add that little bit of elegance to any room. Each kit includes the fabric and pattern needed to make one standard-size pillowcase. Order now.

*** NEW! ASIAN CHARM QUILT KIT***

This striking Oriental quilt will take your breath away! Designed by Denise McKenna, Asian Charm is guaranteed to earn you all those ooh’s and aaah’s without all the hard work. The kit includes all the fabrics needed to complete the quilt top and the pattern. The finished quilt is a queen size measuring 96″ x 87″. Order your kit today.

***ATTENTION GRANDMAS! THE LITTLE BOX OF BABY QUILTS***

Welcome little ones to the world with the things they love best—bright colors, fuzzy textures, and wonderfully whimsical quilts! Use these portable project cards to whip up adorable designs in time for the baby shower. Twenty quilts use quick piecing, simple appliqué, and frayed-edge techniques. Designs for boys and girls feature frogs, hearts, trucks, caterpillars, and more, plus a patchwork “I Love Mama” quilt. Project cards include step-by-step directions, full-color illustrations, and templates; a bonus card walks beginners through basic techniques. Order now, and get started.

***GET GRANDMA’S SECRET SPOT REMOVER!***

Just a drop removes oil, grease, ink, tar, make-up, baby foods, grass, blood, paint, coffe, rust, spaghetti sauce…any kind of STAIN. It Works! “Take It Anywhere and Use It On The Spot.” Get your bottle today !

***A GREAT LITTLE GIFT: FINGERNAIL FILES!***

Let us pick one of these great nail files for you! They measure approx. 7″ x 3/4″, and make a great little gift for yourself or a fellow quilter. Put in your order.

***MACHINE QUILTING SOLUTIONS BY CHRISTINE MARACCINI***

Did you know that your tops can tell you exactly how to quilt them? It’s true! Expert machine quilter, Christine Maraccini guides you through every step, taking cues from the intended use of the quilt and the shapes and patterns created by your piecing and applique. Discover no-mark-motifs that fit each space and learn the techniques to apply them to your own unique quilt. Learn to ‘decode’ your quilts to complete your quilt top and freehand 49 topstitching designs that can be used time and time again with no marking! Order today!

***CABINS IN BLOOM PATTERN***

This is an absolutely beautiful quilt pattern by Briar Rose. Made using Log Cabin and Patchwork blocks, the finished quilt measures 98″ x 98″. Get your pattern today.

***COMING IN AUGUST: BOTANIKA***

Botanika is a beautiful quilt designed by Robyn Pandolph. Its’ delicate flowers, vases, butterflies and bows have a Folk Art look that’s not only calming, but a little whimsical. The detail in the blocks is wonderfully accented with a simple pieced border. Each of the 12 blocks are appliquéd using any method you choose; Robyn’s preferred method is needleturned. The finished quilt measures 70″ x 90″. During this 13-month Block of the Month program, you will receive the patterns and fabrics needed to complete the quilt top. There is a $25 non-refundable start-up fee, then only $19.95 per month plus shipping and handling for each kit. Don’t miss out, Sign up today!

***WEEKLY WOWSY! MARY ENGLEBREIT TINS***

Pick one of these 3 great tins designed by Mary Engelbreit. Perfect for carrying those little sewing notions to class, or just organizing your sewing room. They also make great gift ideas! Let us know in the Comments Section of your order which tin you would like.

Regular Price:$10.95
This week: $3.00
Limit 1 tin per customer with $25 purchase.
Offer is good while supplies last April 26-May 3. Order your tin today!

Patchwork Party is quickly coming to an end!
We want to remind everyone that our Patchwork Party will be coming to an end on May 31. Be sure to visit www.patchworkparty2007.com and start making your final decision on your finishing kit if you have not done so yet and gather up all the blocks you have not yet purchased.

Our finishing option is “My Sister’s Sanctuary” and is a beautiful blended quilt featuring applique that can be done on an embroidery machine or by hand as well as a unique log cabin border. While finishing kits will continue to be available after May 31, the individual blocks will not. Invite your friends to join the Party – it’s not too late!

Have you enjoyed the Party so far? We would love to hear from you! Email your feedback to deb@stitchinheaven.com…and HAVE FUN!

It’s A New Day! Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims have joined to bring you an exciting new concept: Television on the Internet! Stitchin’ Heaven is proud to be a part of this great new venture offering a wide range of quilting sensations. Go to www.thequiltshow.com. Stop in, take a tour, and join this fun new Quilting Community!Visit us for featured products on our website, and in our store. Contact us if there is EVER anything special you need!

***STITCHIN’ HEAVEN PRESENTS…JUDY NIEMEYER!***

Judy Niemeyer is an international instructor known for her foundation paper piecing techniques and quilt patterns. Her company, Judy Niemeyer Quilting Inc., has published 40 foundation paper pieced quilt patterns over the last 10 years. Her quilts and patterns have become well-known both nationally and internationally among quilters and quilt shop owners. The patterns include many sewing techniques commonly referred to as foundation paper piecing, traditional piecing, curved piecing, strip piecing, and appliqué.This wonderful retreat will be held at the Brookhaven Christian Retreat in Hawkins, TX, an absolutely gorgeous retreat right here in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas. Click for more information.

***ON THE LIGHTER SIDE…***

Three sons left home and prospered in life. When getting back together they discussed their success and the great gifts they were able to buy their elderly mother.“The first son said, “I sent mom a Mercedes.” The second son said, “I bought mom a mansion.” The third son smirked and said, “I’ve got you both BEAT! Remember how mom liked reading the Bible when we were young? And you know she can’t see very well anymore?… Well, I sent her an AMAZING parrot that recites the ENTIRE Bible! It took elders in the church 12 years to teach this parrot. He’s one of a kind!! Mom now just has to name the verse and BAM… the parrot recites it!”

Soon after this meeting of the sons, mom sent out her thank you letters.

“Andy,” she wrote, “the house you built is so big and even though I live in one room, I still have to clean the whole house.”

“John,” she wrote, “I am too old to travel and spend most of my time at home, so I never use the Mercedes.

“Mark,” she wrote to her third son, “You are my favorite son. You have such good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was simply delicious!!”

Until we meet again may your days be “pieceful”,
Deb, Linda and Sandra

Over the past months Stitchin’ Heaven has become known as your “Block of the Month Headquarters”. This is a title we proudly accept because we believe we are just that. We are experienced with block of the month handling and have learned what it takes to be really good at it. So, I wanted to take a minute and just tell you a few of the things we do to insure your BOM program is satisfying and rewarding.

Why should you want to participate in a monthly quilt program at Stitchin’ Heaven? There are eight great reasons:

1. Pride. You would be surprised at the hours and hours the gals at Stitchin’ Heaven spend finding just the right fabric for each block. It is a daunting task and one they take very seriously. The result is a monthly program with no surprises – you don’t get fabric packets with products in them that were not chosen carefully. You get a beautifully coordinated packet of fabric every single month
2. Scheduling. All of the programs at Stitchin’ Heaven are put on a charge out/mail out schedule so you will know when to expect your packet each month and (more importantly) you will know when to expect a charge on your card. You can check this on our Block of the Month Calendar.
3. Convenience. Need to update your billing information? We have a place for you to do that on-line. Simply go here and enter your new card information!
4. Selection. Stitchin’ Heaven has a great selection of all different varieties of BOM programs so you will surely find just the right one for YOU!
5. Quality. We only use the best materials – period. We don’t try to sluff off old merchandise to you just so we can get rid of it – that’s the stuff that goes in our 1/2 off clearance room! You can depend on wonderful fabrics and wonderful patterns.
6. The little things that matter. We have been doing this a long time and we have learned what a really great program is that is easy to follow. Because of our experience we have put little things in each program that amount to big results for you. An example of this is our fabric swatch chart – a feature we have added in the past couple of months. In each packet you will now find a card with a scan of each fabric and a explanation of where that piece of fabric is to be used. Another example of a little thing that means a lot: Do you ever mis-cut a piece of fabric? Obviously we cannot send enough of every piece for you to have an “oops”. But when you do, call and let us know. We will put a replacement piece in the mail to you right away – no charge! You can count on us to take care of you!
7. Confidence. You can trust us and you can believe that we will do what we say we will do. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If something is not the way it should be, all you need to do is let us know so we can fix it. Learn more…
8. Price. Are we the cheapest? Of course not. With all the benefits and extras we give to you we will not ever be the cheapest. Are we the best value for your money? You bet we are! Actually, most people who have been customers of ours for years ask how we can provide so much for so little.

Want a testimonial? Penny Sanford is a friend that I have made over the past months because she discovered our Red and Green Quilt through our block of the month program. She is journaling her progress on her blog and has interesting facts and helpful hints as she moves along. Be sure and look in the archives for additional posts on the project. There are also many comments from happy customers that can be found throughout our website.

So find a BOM program and join in today! They are great fun and a great way to make a project. Quilters love these programs because they can accomplish a piece of it each month, have a way to pay it out over a year, and they have a wonderful quilt at the end of it all. We make great friends with each of you also…and that is a definite plus! We would love to hear from those of you who are currently in our BOM programs or from those who have completed a project (or two…or three) with us. Please leave us a comment!

OK. Let’s say your a baby boomer. Your kids are grown and (hopefully) out on their own. Theoretically you should now have extra discretionary cash lying around. What do you spend it on?

According to the experts, most of us are spending it on our pets. Once you’ve created that study/office/hobby room that you’ve always wanted, you may still have extra bedrooms left over. Pet owners are turning those spare rooms into play areas for Fido/Fluffy. And we’re doing it to the tune of billions of dollars. That’s right, BILLIONS. So-called “pet accessories” are generating more than $30 billion in annual sales and the market just keeps growing.

If you don’t believe me, check out the Elizabeth Canopy bed ($1,099) at at Funny Fur, the pet party kits at the Pawshop, the Georgian Four Poster Pavilion Bed ($23,380 plus shipping and handling) at the Quintessential Pet, or the Stairway to Heaven modular cat playground (only $249.95) at CatsPlay.com. Obviously money is no object when it comes to our furry friends.

Seriously, however, there are some more sensible places for you to pamper your pooch. Penny Sanford has just posted on her blog a series of adorable collar slipcovers with free patterns. She gives a wonderful step-by-step tutorial on her blog to help you along while making your own creation. Penny has two adorable Westies named Annie and Mackie that you will enjoy getting to know through her blogging. Not only does Penny have incredible photos on her blog (with the help of Gordon – her DH), she is a wonderful writer with interesting and intriguing stories. You should sign up for a subscription to her site when you visit.
Another option is the “Sewing Patterns for Dummies” route. This sewing pattern includes detailed instructions and tissue pattern to sew EASY “Sewing for Dummies” Dog/Cat/Pet accessories, including Beds in 4 styles/sizes, Hat and Coats in 3 LARGE DOG sizes (body length from 16″ to 26″). This is an Easy-to-Sew pattern suggested for beginner sewers. Find it at Simplicity On-line

If you are a knitter or crochet, you should consider making a sweater for Bowser. He might hate it but he would be so cute and he would stay really warm when he takes his walks in nature. There are many sites available to help you with such project. Simply Google “knitting puppy sweater” and you will find many resources.

Want to make a great and inexpensive bed for your pooch? A pillowcase makes a fantastic bed for a small to medium size dog or any size cat. Simply stuff the pillowcase with foam pieces, cotton, mismatched socks or purchase pillow stuffing at the store. After it’s properly stuffed sew the open end shut. You can still make a pillowcase bed for a larger dog by cutting two pillowcases down the sides. Pin the pillowcases together and stitch shut, leaving the ends open for stuffing. One seam is all you have to make to accomplish this project. After stuffing simply sew the end shut. You can find a variety of pillowcase kits already coordinated for Rover and Cinderella and ready to sew on our website

So what is your favorite pattern for your little furry friend? I would love to know about it and about your pet. Post the information in our comments section so I can read all about it!

deb

As quilters, we love to take classes. Why is that? That is because we love to learn new things. We love to be in a room with others who share our love of sewing. We love to make beautiful treasures. We love achievement and we love to accomplish our goals. And, we love to giggle, and gossip (yes, gossip), and go goo-goo over the UPS man when he delivers the new boxes full of fabric to the shop while we are there. Some of us go goo-goo over the UPS man – some of us go goo-goo over the fabric – some of us do both.

As a person responsible for this very important part of quilt shop life, I need your help. Over the past years we have brought some amazing teachers to Quitman, TX: Eleanor Burns has been here twice, Marianne Fons has been here twice, Judy Niemeyer, Becky Goldsmith, John Flynn, Billie Lauder (twice), Marti Michell (three times), and on and on. We’ve hosted some big names! I am the one who needs to be sure the classes we offer are exactly what you want. So, let me hear from you! I am not a mind reader so I need you to tell me:

1) What was your most memorable class ever. Who was the teacher and why was it memorable.

2) What kind of classes do you enjoy taking?

3) Do you like to take classes in a retreat setting or do you prefer to come to the store, take the class, and go home?

4) Tell me what it takes to “wow” you. The sky is the limit – this is like the dream room. Don’t hold back no matter how ridiculous you think it might sound. I really want to know.

You see, at Stitchin’ Heaven we are out to not just meet your expectation but to exceed it. In order to do that, I need to know what you expect! So, shout out! Let me hear from you!

Ms. Deb

Queen of Quitman