The 13th Day

We are thrilled with all of the fun we have been having with our 12 Days of Christmas event!  We have concluded our special days, and now the sorting and packing of goodies begins.  If you ordered anything, you can pick it up starting Wednesday, 12/19.  If you would like to call a credit card number to us, we will run the total and pick-up will be quick and easy.

Remember, we are CLOSED December 24, 25 and 26.  Then we re-open for our annual sale, lasting 3 days.  You will receive 25% off fabric (1/2 yd. minimum cut), books and patterns (in-stock only).  Plus fat quarters and Bear Cubs are buy 2, get 1 free.  This is the time to plan for backings and borders, plus any items you want to add to your library and stash.  Hours are 9-9 on Thursday 12/27, 9-5 on Friday and Saturday 12/28-29.  Then we are CLOSED Dec. 30, 31 and Jan. 1 for our inventory and makeover as we hang all new samples for classes.  Class sign-up is 1/5.

Just for some fun, let's learn about the humble candy cane that is such a frequent part of our holiday celebrations.

Candy Cane Facts

• The original candy cane had a shape different then the modern day design. It was straight, all white, and hard.
• A candy cane turned upside down reveals the letter J, which many believe represents Jesus.
• National candy cane day is celebrates on December 26 in the United States.
• The first candy cane was made over 350 years ago.
• The first historical reference in America to the candy cane dates back to 1847. A German immigrant from Wooster, Ohio decorated his Christmas tree with candy canes.
• The red and white striped candy canes were first made around 1900.
• The traditional candy cane flavor is peppermint, however, it is also made in a variety of other flavors and colored stripes.
• Over 1.76 billion candy canes are made each year.
• The biggest candy cane ever made was 36 feet 7 inches.
• Candy canes are sometimes as a topping for foods such as ice cream or as an additive to drinks such as hot chocolate. They are hung as decorations on Christmas Trees.
• Nearly 2 billion candy canes will be sold in the four weeks before Christmas and Hanukkah.

Merry Christmas to all of our wonderful 

customers and friends!

Day 12 - Dome Needlecase

The 12 Days of Christmas

Day 12

Clover Dome Needlecase $7.13, regularly $9.50

We all need to do a little hand stitching from time to time.  And we are always looking for a way to make the process easier and more enjoyable.  Whether it is applique, embroidery, English paper piecing or just plain old binding, we have a helpful notion for you to use.  This little gizmo will store up to 10 threaded needles neatly in a covered case.  The needle points are each tucked into an individual parking spot and the thread is channeled into a neat little nest.  Any of the needles can be easily removed for use.  You can load up a whole batch of one color for a binding session, or 10 different colors for a sweet little embroidery project.  If you are doing English paper piecing, you might want to do half and half -- threaded basting needles and threaded piecing needles.  Are you an applique artist?  Match your thread colors to the project and have them all ready to go for the next opportunity to sit and sew.

Here is a short video from Clover that demonstrates how the Dome Needlecase is used.  (If you have trouble viewing this video here, go to YouTube to find it.)

So, how full is your stocking???  Have you enjoyed this chance to shop for your own Christmas presents?  We have loved hearing from all of you, and now that we have reached Day 12 it is time for the elves to get busy sorting and packing and preparing your goodies!  
We blew through yesterday's Charming Strip Stashbuster Rulers, I hope that means a lot of you will be tackling the stash reduction project for 2013!
Starting Wednesday, December 19, you can come in to pick up.  Since we know some of you will be gone for a few days over the holidays, we can certainly hold your bag if needed.  Just don't forget!  And remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26 and then again December 30, 31 and January 1.  Our hours are listed below.

The Important Stuff

The first order for the 12 Days of Christmas requires your name, 

phone number and credit card number,

which we will hold and charge with the total amount 

at the conclusion of the 12 Days.

DO NOT email your credit card number.

Call us or we will call you.

Orders can be placed via email, phone (651-429-1039)

or in-person at the store during regular business hours.

Mon-Thurs 9-9,  Fri and Sat 9-5,  Sun 12-4.

Pick-up begins December 19 and ends December 23.  

No items may be picked up before 12/19.

Remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26.

Items can be shipped for the additional amount of postage.

No handling fee is charged.

Liquid and/or oversized items will not be shipped.

The items offered are in limited supply, so requests

are filled in the order received while supplies last.

Sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook or come back here to our blog

to get up-to-date information every day.  If you are on the email list you will also enjoy a recipe each day!

Day 11 - Charming Strip Stashbuster ruler

The 12 Days of Christmas

Day 11

Creative Grids Charming Strip Stashbuster Ruler

$15.97 (regularly $25.95)

This ruler was designed to simplify cutting for patterns using 2 1/2" strips or 5" Charm squares.  There are no extra measuring lines or numbers to distract you, and the extra-large gripper dots hold fabric firmly to prevent slipping while rotary cutting.

The center line cuts 2 1/2" strips.

The end lines cut 2 1/2" and 5" squares.

The diagonal line squares up a half-square triangle.

So, you might ask, why do I want this ruler added to my stocking?  Here's a good example of the value of this product.  I have been actively working to "cull the herd" with my collection of fabric that has accumulated over quite a few years of sewing and quilting.  Of course, working at a quilt shop doesn't help put the brakes on the collecting!  But I have made progress in keeping within the limits of the storage space that I have for fabric.  In order to do this, I routinely pull out fabrics that are no longer on the top of my "desirable" list, and I cut 1or 2 strips and several 5" squares from the yardage.  Then I put the remainder in a big plastic bag attached to my cutting table and when it gets toward full it is passed on to another person who makes good use of those pieces.  The boxes in the picture above are all full of 2 1/2" strips and 5" squares that are ready for a rainy day.  Might need a monsoon to get through all of them!  But my point is, this Stashbuster ruler is just the ticket for making the job easier.  And I get to hold onto some neatly organized pieces of fabrics that were once near and dear to my heart, but I don't have to store the whole hunk any longer!  Give it a try--it's a good thing!

The Important Stuff

The first order for the 12 Days of Christmas requires your name, 

phone number and credit card number,

which we will hold and charge with the total amount 

at the conclusion of the 12 Days.

DO NOT email your credit card number.

Call us or we will call you.

Orders can be placed via email, phone (651-429-1039)

or in-person at the store during regular business hours.

Mon-Thurs 9-9,  Fri and Sat 9-5,  Sun 12-4.

Pick-up begins December 19 and ends December 23.  

No items may be picked up before 12/19.

Remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26.

Items can be shipped for the additional amount of postage.

No handling fee is charged.

Liquid and/or oversized items will not be shipped.

The items offered are in limited supply, so requests

are filled in the order received while supplies last.

Sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook or come back here to our blog

to get up-to-date information every day.  If you are on the email list you will also enjoy a recipe each day!

Stay tuned for Day 12!

Pam

Day 10 -- Best Press

The 12 Days of Christmas

Day 10

Best Press starch alternative--
buy the 16.9 oz. spray bottle for $7.95,

 get the 6 oz. spray bottle free ($3.99 value)

Best Press is a clear, crisp spray starch alternative with a lovely scent that makes ironing more enjoyable. It’s in a non-aerosol can, so it’s environmentally friendly and you can see how much is left, too.

With Best Press, there’s no flaking, clogging, or white residue on dark fabrics. A special stain shield protects fabrics, and the product helps resist wrinkles. Best of all, it’s more effective than any starch you’ve ever used. Try Best Press today- you will never go back to ironing with spray starch!

Did you know that Mary Ellen Pinkham, the developer of this product and many others, is a Minnesotan?  She has created a nice little empire being the lady who has tips for everything.

Click here to learn more fun facts about Mary Ellen!

Just in case your ironing bores you, take a cue from these extreme ironing experts!

Makes my ironing look a whole lot safer!

The Important Stuff

The first order for the 12 Days of Christmas requires your name, 

phone number and credit card number,

which we will hold and charge with the total amount at 

the conclusion of the 12 Days.

DO NOT email your credit card number.

Call us or we will call you.

Orders can be placed via email, phone (651-429-1039)

or in-person at the store during regular business hours.

Mon-Thurs 9-9,  Fri and Sat 9-5,  Sun 12-4.

Pick-up begins December 19 and ends December 23.  

No items may be picked up before 12/19.

Remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26.

Items can be shipped for the additional amount of postage.

No handling fee is charged.

Liquid and/or oversized items will not be shipped.

The items offered are in limited supply, so requests

are filled in the order received while supplies last.

Sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook or come back here to our blog

to get up-to-date information every day.  If you are on the email list you will also enjoy a recipe each day!

Stay tuned for Day 11!

Pam

Day 9 - Aurifil Thread

The 12 Days of Christmas

Day 9

Aurifil cotton thread -- buy 2 spools for $11.95 each, get 1 free!

This is what many of you have been waiting for!  Our little Aurifil offer for the 12 Days of 2011 was perhaps the most popular of the year!  Of course, it did help that Mr. Aurifil, Alex Vironelli, gave us a shout-out to help spread the word!

This is the same hot-hot-hot deal as last year.  We have stockpiled oodles of our favorite neutral colors of 50 wt. cotton thread.  These are the big spools (1422 yds), no puny little spools for you!  Trust us to pick 3 of the best neutral shades for all your sewing needs.

If you haven't yet used Aurifil thread, this is the time to start!  It is the thread of choice for not only myself, but for anyone who tries it!  It just seems to be the finest quality cotton thread available to us.  There is plenty of good info on the Aurifil website to explain all of the specifics, and some really helpful video tutorials.

Please remember that the purchase of this deal does not apply toward stamps on your Aurifil Thread Club Card.  If you don't have a Thread Club Card, please ask about it the next time you purchase Aurifil so you can participate.

The Important Stuff

The first order for the 12 Days of Christmas requires your name, 

phone number and credit card number,

which we will hold and charge with the total amount 

at the conclusion of the 12 Days.

DO NOT email your credit card number.

Call us or we will call you.

Orders can be placed via email, phone (651-429-1039)

or in-person at the store during regular business hours.

Mon-Thurs 9-9,  Fri and Sat 9-5,  Sun 12-4.

Pick-up begins December 19 and ends December 23.  

No items may be picked up before 12/19.

Remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26.

Items can be shipped for the additional amount of postage.

No handling fee is charged.

Liquid and/or oversized items will not be shipped.

The items offered are in limited supply, so requests

are filled in the order received while supplies last.

Sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook or come back here to our blog

to get up-to-date information every day.  If you are on the email list you will also enjoy a recipe each day!

Stay tuned for Day 10!

Pam

Day 8 - Flower Head Pins

12 Days of Christmas

Day 8

Flower Head Pins by Collins $5.90 (regularly $8.49)

What could be better to start the new year than a good batch of excellent pins?!  I have become kind of picky about my pins, I hate to grab one from the pincushion that is bent or dull.  So now I keep an little tin box (empty Altoids tin) by my machine and that is where I deposit any pin that doesn't meet my expectations.  Here are the vital statistics on these pins:

multi-color flat flower heads

no melt plastic

2" long

100 count

These popular pins are ideal for a variety of uses. The brightly colored heads are easy to see and grasp and may be ironed over safely. Quilters like them for holding stacks of fabric together when rotary cutting. The pins lay flat under an acrylic ruler and keep the fabric layers from shifting. Sewers find the 2 inch length convenient when working with polar fleece and decorator fabric - and for conventional sewing and serging. The heads will not slip through openings in lace and loosely woven knits - and also work well for pin weaving.

If you really want to be a pin geek, just pop over to the Dritz website for a complete review of all kinds of pin info.

The Important Stuff

The first order for the 12 Days of Christmas requires your name, 

phone number and credit card number,

which we will hold and charge with the total amount 

at the conclusion of the 12 Days.

DO NOT email your credit card number.

Call us or we will call you.

Orders can be placed via email, phone (651-429-1039)

or in-person at the store during regular business hours.

Mon-Thurs 9-9,  Fri and Sat 9-5,  Sun 12-4.

Pick-up begins December 19 and ends December 23.  

No items may be picked up before 12/19.

Remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26.

Items can be shipped for the additional amount of postage.

No handling fee is charged.

Liquid and/or oversized items will not be shipped.

The items offered are in limited supply, so requests

are filled in the order received while supplies last.

Sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook or come back here to our blog

to get up-to-date information every day.  If you are on the email list you will also enjoy a recipe each day!

Stay tuned for Day 9!

Pam

Day 7-- Chaco Liner

The 12 Days of Christmas

Day 7

Purchase a white Chaco Liner at the regular price of $9.50, get a refill for free ($4.75 value)

Pen Style Chaco Liner's fine point permits accurate drawing of both straight lines and free hand curves. The fine point makes lines and marks more visible and is easy to use with a straight edge ruler. The barrel of the chaco liner holds the fine white chalk and is removable when emptied.  Then you just have to attach the refill portion and you are good to go with many more miles of marking!

This has become an indispensable tool for my sewing, I use it in many ways.  You can mark very lightly, or more heavily depending on what you want.  I prefer it over a pencil because there is no drag as sometimes happens with the movement of the pencil lead.  

Don't be a drag!  Get the Chaco Liner!

The Important Stuff

The first order for the 12 Days of Christmas requires your name, 

phone number and credit card number,

which we will hold and charge with the total amount 

at the conclusion of the 12 Days.

DO NOT email your credit card number.

Call us or we will call you.

Orders can be placed via email, phone (651-429-1039)

or in-person at the store during regular business hours.

Mon-Thurs 9-9,  Fri and Sat 9-5,  Sun 12-4.

Pick-up begins December 19 and ends December 23.  

No items may be picked up before 12/19.

Remember, we are closed December 24, 25 and 26.

Items can be shipped for the additional amount of postage.

No handling fee is charged.

Liquid and/or oversized items will not be shipped.

The items offered are in limited supply, so requests

are filled in the order received while supplies last.

Sign up for our email list, follow us on Facebook or come back here to our blog

to get up-to-date information every day.  If you are on the email list you will also enjoy a recipe each day!

STAY TUNED FOR DAY 8---

PAM