Sew Inspired "Snips & Pieces"

What does Super Bowl Sunday mean to you?  As a quilter who spent a few of her formative years in Pittsburgh, if Super Bowl Sunday doesn't include the Pittsburgh Steelers, it doesn't mean much.  As this is one of those years (sorry Steelers - we'll get 'em next year!) I'm looking for some other way to pass the day.  And I think I've found it.  Sew Inspired is hosting a Sew-perbowl Party!  This coming Sunday, February 7, we are hosting a sew-in.

American Patchwork & Quilting is doing a year-long challenge: can we as sewers create and donate 1,000,000 to local charities.  I certainly hope so.  The count is currently at 17,024.  You can see we as a community have a way to go.  The pillowcases will be donated to a local charity where it will give comfort and cheer to its recipient.  And we as the pillowcase creators get the pleasure of sewing a fun, quick project.  What could be better?  Here's the details:

• Date: Super Bowl Sunday, February 7th, 2010
• Time: 12:00 - 4:00
• Bring: your sewing maching, fabric (or purchase some when you get to the shop), some snacks to share, and some enthusiasm

Sew Inspired will provide drinks, some addtional snacks, and DOOR PRIZES!

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Well, the gauntlet has been thrown, fellow quilters.  The 2010 Hoffman Challenge fabric is now in the shop, and it is beautiful.  Why would you not want to spend some time at your design station thinking up wonderful ways to use this fabric?  I certainly don't know.

Let's start from the beginning.  Every year, Hoffman hosts a fabric challenge.  They pick a certain fabric, and challenge quilters, doll clothiers, and accessory designers to use the fabric in an original design.  The winners of the challenge get their pieces included in a traveling show that goes across the United States and Canada and includes several hundred stops, including shops, museums, and textile shows.  So, ladies and gents, get those creativity muscles moving, and see what you can do with this wonderful fabric. 

We have the challenge fabric in the shop as we speak, along with the coordinating fabric.  To make things easier for you, we have also bundled a half yard of the challege fabric with fat quarters of the coordinates.  The official website for the challenge is here.

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THIS:  We had a very successful kick off to our new Saturday Sampler program.  Everyone picked up their first block fabric and patterns (choosing between batik and reproduction) and learned tons of new stuff about needles from Heidi and Viv.  While almost everyone knows that needles have eyes, I didn't know that they have butts as well and also scarves (hmm...I wonder if the scarves keep them warm in the winter?).  If you missed the fun this past weekend, it's not too late!  There is still time to join!

THAT:  You may have also noticed us folding fat quarters the past few times you've been in the shop.  It seems the second the holidays are over we need to start getting ready for Fat Tuesday.  In fact, we're going to start handing out beads in just a week or so, so start getting ready!  If this isn't completely clear to you at this point, don't fear, all will be revealed in plently of time...

THE OTHER THING: Are you getting geared up for Super Bowl Sunday?  If you are, great!  I'm happy for you.  If however, football isn't your thing (I could go either way on any given Sunday), then think about joining us on Feb 7th for our One Million Pillowcase sewing event.  The details in my crystal ball aren't 100% clear yet, but if it involves sewing, helping kids, and more sewing, I'm pretty sure I'll be excited about it!  Check it out as the big day gets closer...

One more thing: as this is being typed there is some sort of precipitation falling from the sky.  I'm not sure if it's rain or snow or something in between, but remember ladies - if you have a class scheduled and the weather's looking a little iffy, please give the shop a call to make sure everything is a go before you trek outside and clean off the car!

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There's nothing I love more than the smell of fabric in the morning!  So, what's a better way to start off your year than getting in a full day of sewing?  I certainly can't think of anything, how about you?  It's been six months since we started the sixth series of the Thangles Buck-A-Block program, and we're extending you an invitation to come to our Catch Up Retreat.  Are you behind in making your blocks?  If so, come on down and start those sewing machines humming.  Are you caught up with your blocks, but want to get a jump on your finishing kits?  Well, bring those bags of fabric with you.  Here are the details:

• Date: Saturday, January 23rd
• Time: 10 - 5
• Admission: $10
• Yummies: Bring something tasty to share with your fellow quilters
• Beverages: Provided by your hosts
• Please RSVP to the shop: 860-651-8885

There will be someone from Sew Inspired on hand to answer any questions you might have, so bring any and all problems along with your fabric and sewing machines!

Also, we don't discriminate here at Sew Inspired, so if you're working on a different block of the month (Marie Antoinette, Greenpiece, Civil War Tribute) you are MORE than welcome to bring your blocks with you and sew along with us.  The more the merrier!

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Well, more than a thousand, but you get the idea.  And, since we all know that a picture is worth a thousand words, how about several thousand words worth of pictures?  Because there is no better way to show you all the wonderful fabric that is going to be arriving at the shop in the next few weeks.  So let's get rolling!

"Illuminating Spring" from Wilmington.

"Chasing Rainbows" by Kaufman

"Dancing Horses" by Laurel Birch for Clothworks

"Nana's Garden" by Red Rooster

"Peonies" by South Seas

In addition to these wonderful fabrics, we are getting in a few novelty lines that are part of the One Million Pillowcase Challenge.  You can read about the challenge here.

As always wonderful quilters, we getting new fabrics in almost everyday, so be sure to swing by and check things out!

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