Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is spending a wonderful Holiday with family and friends. The weather certainly didn't help if you were traveling, but better to stay home and be safe if you had to.

I am home today with the flu. It started on Tuesday, and is still here. I opened the shop yesterday at 10:00, but only made it til 11:15 and I had to close. I apologize to the three husbands that I think I let down. I waited as long as I could.

Jeff is at my Mother's having dinner. I felt bad leaving her alone last night, and now not being with them to eat. She's 81 and the last thing she needs is to get the flu. She understands, but still it's hard to be alone on any holiday.

Hard to believe that 2009 is almost over. My Granmother use to say that the older you get the faster time flys, how right she was.

I am not a person who makes New Years resolutions, for me it doesn't work. I am just going to try to make 2010 a better year at the shop and find new ways to make quilting fun and exciting.

We are putting together some classes that we think will be fun, some old favorites will be offered again as well. Always looking for the "different" one.

Lola is working on some fantastic samples and patterns. Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods, let us hang some of her wonderful quilts. Patterns available for all of them. She is one talented and extremely nice lady. Stop in to see them while their on display.

That's all for today, I hope you had a great holiday and look forward to seeing you soon. We will be open on New Years Day from noon - 4:00. HUGE Sale..... don't miss it.

Patti

Snow Flake Sale in progress

Our 2 nd Annual "Snowflake Sale" is in progress. Time to clear out some of the older bolts and make room for the new ones - they'll start arriving in late January and continue.

Yesterday was a little crazy, we have about 250 bolts left with the flakes on them, as promised, we'll be adding more as the days go by. The 60% off bolts are dwindling down. I must have cut 150 yards yesterday.

I also want to say Thank you to Mary E. for her donation to our Birthday Buddies toy drive. She was kind enough to stop in for the sale and drop off 7 different toys - Checkers, Candy Land, Chess/Checkers combos a card game and yahtzee. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

For her donation, Mary got her name entered into our drawing for the Tutto Tote and Goodies.... she now has 7 entries.

Please stop in and take advantage of our "Snowflake Sale" and drop off a toy for a child who otherwise may not receive a gift on their birthday.

That's it for tonight... going home to relax, been a crazy week since the sale started.

Keep warm - it's only 18 degrees out there. BRRRR
Patti

Birthday Buddies Toy Drive

As many of you know, Birthday Buddies is a non-profit organization started by my Sister and myself in 2006. We provide birthday parties in a bag for families in need. (http://www.birthdaybuddiesmn.com/)


With the economy in the shape it's in, the demand for our help has grown.


Fabric Town and Bear Patch Quilt shop in White Bear Lake are hosting a toy drive to help collect the much needed toys.


For each NEW - unwrapped toy you donate, your name will go into the drawing for this Quilter's Tutto Tote bag. The bag is full of notions, fabrics, thread, kits and more. There are two bags, one at each shop.


The drawing is on Saturday, February 13, 2010. What a great Valentine's day gift to give yourself... or someone you love.


Monique's School of Dance in Apple Valley is also hosting a toy drive for us, they are going to draw for a quilt.

Please stop in today and drop off your donations. Help us give a child their "Special Day" .
(all donations are tax deductible)

Patti

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

There's something warm and wonderful about Holiday Decorations.

Sunday, we took out the tree and set it in it's place of honor - the front window.

Red and Gold ornaments and small red - sheer bows. Nothing fancy, just cozy and inviting. Next to it is the antique rocker that I purchased from a friend and a quilt given to me by one of my employees. (click on the photo)

Between the warmth of the lights and Bing singing in the background,

makes you feel kind of nostalgic.

I went to the mall to walk the other morning. I love the way some of the shops decorate.

What I really dislike are the signs that say "Gifts make Christmas Merry".

That's a pretty sad statement. What ever happened to "Family" makes the Holidays special.

My favorite holiday has always been Thanksgiving. It bothers me to put the Christmas decorations up before then but I guess when you're in retail - it's expected. (the Christmas fabrics start arriving in May) This year we're having our Snowflake Sale start the day after Thanksgiving - we usually wait til after Christmas. It was requested numerous times so we'll give it a whirl.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Be safe always, but especially if you're traveling.

Patti

Congratulations to Shirley Prindle!!!

She is the lucky winner of the Radiant Star Lottey Blocks.

13 blocks were returned. This is a perfect number to make a wonderful Holiday Quilt or several tablerunners for friends and family.

We will be starting our Spring Lottery Block soon.

Don't miss your chance to take home a Quilt top for $3.50.

Thank you, to all who entered.

Patti

Camp Lebanon.... close to Heaven.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be in "Quilter's Heaven", I can tell you.


Camp Lebanon, Upsalsa, MN. You have to come here to understand. First there's Lisa, she is in charge of the camp and is one of the sweetest ladies you can imagine. Then there's the facility in general.... a spacious camp full of well lit, cozy cottages and buildings to house all the Quilter's and Scrapbookers. And what do Quilter's like as much as quilting?? Eating!!!!!
Jim is the chef. If he were to go on the "Top Chef" tv show, he would win - hands down.
The meals are delicious and plentiful. If you leave the table hungry, it's your own fault. It is guaranteed that there is something for everyone.

The camp overlooks Cedar Lake. From the wrap around deck you can stand and watch the coots dive under the water for food. They even have a Zip line for those looking for adventure. (I am not one of those people).

Fabric Town was asked to come and teach and vend for a week. Not knowing what to expect, I packed the truck full of kits, fat quarters etc. I set up a mini shop in the game room. Also my sewing machine and sewing areas for Becky and Kim. All of us are scheduled to teach a class during our stay.

To make this short... the quilter's here are the friendliest ladies. They made me feel very welcome and appreciated all I brought with me. If the shop looks a little empty and naked for awhile, blame it on them.

I will try to take a few photo's and share them with you on my next post.

Patti

Gotta love her...

I have had the flu for a few days so I'm scrambling to catch up on the things I have to do to get ready for our 3rd "Boo Bash"
for Birthday Buddies. It's this coming Saturday and I'm a little behind.


I'm responsible for making up the baskets for the silent auction. So far, these will include a Java Lover's, Chocolate Lover's, Wine Sampler and Pamper Yourself Basket.

While I was setting up the items on the table to see exactly what I had for each, I set the empty baskets on the floor.

I guess from the looks of it we will have to add "Lily Basket" to our list. The description will read something like this:


Basket Contains "Lily Jane" 1 1/2 year old Medium Hair Tabby. Comes complete with hours of non-stop Naughtyness, Curiosity and playfulness. As an added bonus you will get hours of unconditional love and purring. (Warning: sleeps on your head or feet) We usually give you an estimate of the value of the basket... in this case "Priceless".


That furry little bundle makes Jeff's and my world go round.