RE: What a Diehl...

The photo shown is NOT the project we will be working on.

Kim's new book "Simple Charm" is coming out in May and we'll be working on a project from that book. She is sending me a photo to post soon.

What a Diehl!!!

Fabric Town Presents

A Workshop with Kim Diehl

Friday, August 24 - Saturday, August 25, 2012

Fabric Town is excited to be hosting Kim Diehl, nationally known quilt designer, author and teacher.  Kim will be teaching two workshops and presenting a trunk show as well.

Workshop 1:

Friday, August 24, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cost:  $75.00 includes book, “Simple Charm”*

or

Workshop 2:

Saturday, August 25, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m .

Cost: $75.00 includes book, “Simple Charm”*

*If you purchase the book prior to class, the cost of the book will be deducted from your fee and you will receive a store credit.

Receive 15% off your supplies.

 We aren’t sure what the project will be at this time

 so keep watching for more information. 

www.fabrictown.com

You can also find us on Facebook:  Fabric Town – Apple Valley, MN

Class space is limited so call or stop in to reserve your spot .

 952-432-1827

ALSO!!!!!!

A "Simple" Trunk Show

Friday, August 24, 2012 – 6:00 p.m.

An informal and light-hearted presentation featuring quilts from Kim’s "Simple" series of books (approximately 30 quilts!)  Hear stories of her successes (and mistakes) as she was learning to quilt, including how she made the leap from self-taught novice quilter to published designer with just her fourth quilt.  

 Kim will also be giving us a sneak peak of some of the projects in her new book, “Homestyle Quilts” due out in September 2012.

Cost:  $10.00

Traditional Threads

Eagan High School's  17th Annual

Women's History Month Quilt Exhibit

Are you planning on going to the quilt show and lecture?

Celine Perkins of "Perkins Dry Goods" will be the guest speaker.

We will be vending along with several other shops.

As always, we will be displaying our newest Civil War Quilts and a few of Celine Perkins lovely samples. We will also have her newest tool available for purchase.

As our way of saying "Thank You" for stopping by the show, 

we will have a discount coupon for you to use at the shop.

Hope to see you there......

                                                                               Patti

New Web Site in the making.

It's time for a change.... "Other Patti" (OP) and her daughter Ruth have been working on freshening up our web site. I'm not normally a person that likes changes but after 3 years of looking at the same home page, its time to do some up dating.

Here's what I asked the ladies to do for me.

1. I would like to get rid of the logo and just have the name. The logo will remain on everything else just not the website.

2. I want a crisp clean look. Nothing too busy or hard to read.
3. Would like a slide show of the shop on the front page as the main feature.
4. I like columns or boxes - breaking down the contents.

So far I have seen what they've been working on and I LOVE it. They plan on going live with it soon. I hope you'll like it as much as I do.

I also want to mention that we have our Facebook page -www.Facebook.com/fabrictown  be sure to "Like"  us to receive FB specials. These are periodic deals for only our Facebook followers. Here's an example - On February 29th we have a Leap Year special.  29% off one yard of fabric.  All you have to do is  "Like"  us and we'll know you're a FB fan. Easy enough way to save money.

Well, I better go get ready, I work at the shop today. I just wanted to let you know about our up coming changes. I'm excited, OP and Ruth are very creative and always amaze me. Anxious for you to see how nice it looks.

Have a good weekend.
Patti

Leap Year Special

"Leap Year Special"

Wednesday, February 29th

Receive 29% off any ONE yard of fabric.

 

Batiks are back

2 years ago we decided to stop carrying Batiks. With Civil War and 1930's being our main focus, we decided to concentrate in those areas. After hearing your requests for us to re-think that decision, we have started to bring the Batiks back.

 Yesterday, Scott from UPS, brought us 3 big boxes containing our first shipment. 39 wonderfully vibrant bolts. That was the first of several shipments that we expect to arrive in the next couple of weeks.

 Here are just a few snapshots of what arrived. I hope you find them as Yummy as I do. The funny thing is I have only made one quilt using Batiks, I always went for the Thimbleberries or Kansas Troubles look. Well, I have a quilt in mind that I would like to make..... it's one of my all time favorites. Can you guess?

 "Lucky Stars" by Atkinson Designs. That pattern has been out for quite a while, but is still on the top of my favorites list. I think the reason is that I can actually make it and not lose the points of my stars. That's thanks to Terry's block that floats the stars.

 I do hope you like the selection and we will continue to build our wall. As always, if there is something you would like to see us carry - let us know.  I do listen to your requests.

My Tussie Mussie Tote

It may not be fancy, but it's very Functional.

Newest Spring Wall hanging.

Welcome... Spring!  We just finished getting the kits cut and the sample hung.  I changed the pattern a little. It had daffodils and Easter eggs in the basket. I thought that it would be able to hang a little longer if it didn't have the eggs. So, I added 2 more flowers and leaves, embroidered some stems and put pink glass beads on the stems. Stop in soon and pick up a kit, you'll have it done and ready to hang when Spring arrives.

Tussie Mussie has arrived

UPS made a great delivery on Friday. Tussie Mussie from In the Beginning Fabrics. Hand made buttons in flower shapes and wonderful circles to match the funky prints

I have about 3 different ideas of things I would like to make. I wish you could order "Time" when you ordered the fabrics. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to get it all done.

I guess I'll just have to leave it to You  to make something fun. When you're done, stop in and give us a "Show & Tell".

Happy Valentines Day to all our Friends

The 11th Quilt Sewcial has begun.

This is the start of our 11th Quilt Sewcial. The ladies are getting all set up at their tables

Beautiful bright sunny day, lots of light streaming in the windows.

Looks Like Nancy and Sharron have lots to work on.

Jennifer, Pam and Barb are already getting down to business.

I Love the Blue and Yellow project Sharron is working on. That's one combination of colors that just make you smile. Susan, Dawn and Julie C. are hard at work getting things done.

Diane, Becky, Jennifer and Theresa all check out Sandy D

's work.

This table is constantly laughing and fooling around. Donna, Joyce, Julie and Shannon, fun ladies to be around.

Miss Evelyn and Sandra brought two friends, Mary Ellen and Dotty. Very lovely ladies. Glad they could attend.

Sandi S., Janet T, Judy K, Julie K. and Lorraine shared this table. Another group that is constantly laughing and teasing. They are part of our  Wednesday group... you never know what to expect.

Sandra P. taking a sip of her "Fat Free Smoothie" one of the gifts they received during the day. It was made up of two fat quarters. From the color I'd say she had a Strawberry Lemonade. Glad you enjoyed it Sandra.

Quick shot of the lunch buffet. Homemade Chili with all the toppings a hearty Chicken Noodle soup. Two kinds of salad, lettuce and a pasta salad, and a basket full of croissants, bread and several other kinds of rolls and butter. The day progressed from here, Steve came and did massages and we had a great dinner buffet as well. More gifts and more fun. We are planning our next Sewcial...hope you can attend.

Today is the "Sewcial"

Today is our 11th Quilt Sewcial. We are expecting a full house. I just wanted you to see all the little gifts "Other Patti" and I have been working on. This is what we like to call "Fat Free Smoothies" They consist of two fat quarters and each has a fun name. The Red one is called Cherries Jubilee, the green is a Raspberry Kiwi.

This is called and Peaches and Cream and is my favorite.

Each Sewcial, "Other Patti" and I try to come up with something handmade.  This time we decided to make Lemon Sugar Scrub in cute cloth pouches.  Working with fabric and sewing in general, makes your hands dry. I found that  this is the best remedy.  It's 100% natural, no preservatives or additives. Pure Cane Sugar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and lemon oil. I've been using it every night and sometimes in the day, for the past week. My hands feel like velvet and my cuticles are no longer dry.

I went to IKEA and picked up some really cute little jars to put it in but they leaked, so we changed gears and went with a ball jar. Tiny spoons for scooping. The color looks a little darker than it is- it's more yellow.

There's the finished product. I sure hope the ladies enjoy it.

Since It's the weekend before Valentines Day we decided to go with that theme. I put together a little Valentine bag for each of the "Sewcialites". In the bag they'll find a 1" x 4" "Fabric Town" plexi ruler, tiny plastic case for putting small items in, chocolate kisses and either a spool of thread or pack of  sewing machine needles.

This is what they look like. Who wouldn't like to get a little bag full of goodies????

This is just a basket of half of them, we have 33 ladies coming to Laugh, Eat and Sew. It's one of my favorite events, I look forward to the fun.

PLASTIC vs PAPER

Being the owner of a small business, I've learned that at every turn there's an expense. You expect rent, utilities and insurances but you never really think about the Credit Card fees - until the statement comes.


Every time you use your credit card or debit card the retailer pays a fee. The fees are determined by the type of card and the amount of sale. The debit card is charged the least percentage. If you use a card that offers "Miles" the fees are higher. The small business is really paying for your flight in the long run.  American Express is the worse, and we do not take their card for this reason.


With the rising cost of every thing it would be nice to cut expenses and be able to pass the savings on to you, the consumer. To help cut this expense, effective today, if you use cash or check instead of a credit or debit card your name will go into a drawing for a $20 Fabric Town Gift Certificate.


We will have drawings every other month on the first. (April, June, August, October & December)

I hope you will consider this the next time you're in. We will gladly take your cards, but if possible, please write us a check.

Patti

Guests from New HampshireToday

Today we had the pleasure of a visit from Sully and Bob. They were in town from Rochester, New Hampshire for Sullys  Mother's 80th birthday. I've met Sully before, awhile ago. One of our favorite customers, Mary Martin is her sister. We also had a chance to see Rick, Mary's husband, his sense of humor is great.  The part of the visit that was the frosting on the cake, was when I look over and there's Bob sitting in a chair with a purse on his lap.  He was a good sport, we teased him that he coordinated it to his shoes.  Thanks for coming in it's always fun to see you. Give your Mother, Mary Haig, a hug for me and tell her that I said Happy Birthday and may she have many more.

Getting ready for our 11th Quilt Sewcial.

Next Saturday, February 11th we have our "Quilt Sewcial".  If you haven't attended any of them, you're missing a nice time.  A day that revolves around YOU. Some quality "Me" time.

We set it up at Old Chicago in Apple Valley. They have a nice Conference Center. Since it's Valentines week we'll be doing it in that theme. Red lace table cloth, hearts, chocolates and more.

We usually have between 33 and 36 attendees. At 9:00 AM they all start to arrive. Everyone is excited to see friends again and to get down to serious sewing. This is our 11th event, many of the ladies haven't missed any and a few have only missed one. That to me is a compliment  to the guests as well as the effort we put forth. My goal is to make sure each and every quilter has a good time.

There are snacks, fruit, rolls and donuts in the morning. You can nibble all day if you like. At noon, Old Chicago caters our lunch. The menu consists of homemade chili and chicken soup, rolls and crackers. Two kinds of salad - one pasta and one green leafy. Along with that there's a meat and cheese tray to make your own sandwiches. Very nicely set up and stocked. Our dinner is a Buffet Pizza Party. It consists of  5 different kinds of pizza, salads and breadsticks & rolls. I have wanted to change it, thinking it was getting old after 10 times. NO... everyone wanted it to remain the same. They said why change a good thing. So, I leave it the same each time and everyone's happy.

During the day, we have massages going on by "Steve Wilson".... known to all of us as "Stevie Wonderhands"  Not only is he good at massages, he's a genuinely nice person and very good looking. This adds to the appeal. Steve does some massages and then breaks to have lunch with us. The ladies really look forward to seeing him. After lunch he continues massaging. This event wouldn't be complete with out Steve.

When the meal is done, Carrie our hostess from Old Chicago clears the tables and we get back to sewing, talking, laughing and having fun. Projects get completed, started or just thought about.

We have show and tell, prizes and wonderful gifts. The gifts are usually hand made by Patti H and I.

The nicest part of our "Sewcial" is the friendships that are made and strengthened. An entire room full of quilters doing what they love and sharing it with others.

I am really looking forward to next weekend. It's a chance to just have fun with friends.

I will post photo's of our day. 

Qua visits the shop

Here's the little guy checking out the quilt Becky made. Notice how he's not being naughty. Very rare occasion

Just resting on Heide's fancy chair. They're real buddies so she won't mind.

Got there right in time for lunch. Miss Evelyn had a tasty looking sandwich.

Theresa shared her fried rice from Lee Ann Chins with him. Now she has a friend for life.