Happy New Year!

Hey Everyone, Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that a new year is starting! I am really looking forward to a new year, a new start, a new time and renewed effort to get my sewing room cleaned up and organized and to get some quality quilting done. Wish me luck in my endeavors!

My Christmas and New Years was lovely! This was the first year I wasn't running around like my head was chopped off. Not sure why, but I liked it! I ate myself silly and had fun with my friends and family. I am a huge sports fan and very much a Buckeye fan so I enjoyed the game on New Years Day. I also enjoy the NFL and am looking forward to the playoff games.

At the shop we are very excited about 2010. In March we are having our first offsite retreat. It is going to be at the Drury Inn on Stringtown Road. For those of you who are not familiar with the area it is right down the street about a mile. We have a lot of things planned for the weekend and it should really be fun! Spaces are filling up quickly, so be sure to come in with your deposit to hold your spot. Total is due by February 1!

We have lots of new fabrics, patterns and books coming in over the next few weeks. We have a handful of new classes and clubs and a number of "blocks of the months" starting this month. Below, from left is the BOM in black, cream and caramel; BOM in pastel batiks; and the "I Believe" series by Nancy Halvorsen.

Check out (below) books that will be coming in soon!

Spectacular Rectangles

12 Quilts from a Simple Shape

by Ilene Bartos

Here's a book of traditional quilting ideas—with a twist! You'll find Log Cabin blocks, chevrons, stacked Chinese Coins, and more, yet they don't look like the same old patterns. By focusing on rectangular blocks, Ilene Bartos has created 12 refreshing designs. Easy enough for confident beginners, these quilts offer plenty of appeal for advanced quilters as well.

Another Season of Beautiful Blooms

Appliquéd Quilts and Cushions

by Susan Taylor Propst

Inspired by the breathtaking gardens and countryside of England and Europe, this book brings fresh floral designs to appliqué enthusiasts. Susan Taylor Propst has outdone herself with the variety of color combinations in this follow-up to her top-selling Beautiful Blooms.

Each of nine designs includes a full-sized block pattern and instructions for both a pillow and a wall-hanging--in two different colorways--providing 18 projects in all. The projects are manageable in size, and the cushions fit commonly available pillow forms. Featuring petunias, tulips, lilies, and more, every artistic design stands on its own.

More Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy

by Jo Parrott

Jo Parrott gives quilters what they love: old-time favorites! Her no-template solution makes traditional quilt designs a snap.

• Choose from seven impressive projects plus two bonus projects; designs include A Storm at Sea, Broken Star, Geese in Flight, and more


• Find rotary-cutting and piecing shortcuts you can't live without


• Create the appeal of established patterns at the speed of modern techniques
  

Tile Quilt Revival
Reinventing a Forgotten Form
Authors: Bobbi Finley, Carol Gilham Jones

Versatile Appliqué Quilts Inspired by 19th Century Tile Quilts

• A contemporary take on a charming quilting tradition

• Use your favorite appliqué technique-needle turn, machine appliqué, or fused

• 6 projects teach you about designing and constructing various styles of tile quilts, from traditional to contemporary.

• Includes a fascinating history of tile quilts, plus photo galleries of both historic and contemporary quilts

• Big blocks of 10" x 10" or even 15" x 15" are great for bold contemporary fabrics

• Easy "grouted" designs let you show off curves and irregular shapes

• Great way to use many different fabrics, scraps too!

• Choose solid or pieced backgrounds to enhance your "tiles"Inspired by nineteenth-century tile quilts, these projects work beautifully with today's colorful, contemporary fabrics, but they retain that folk-art style that makes them so much fun to sew and show off.

Fabric to Dye For
Create 72 Hand-Dyed Colors for Your Stash • 5 Fused Quilt Projects
Author: Frieda Anderson

Create A Rainbow Of Color From Just 4 Basic Dyes

• Step-by-step instructions for everything from preparing your work area, to mixing the dyes, to washing and drying your hand-dyed fabrics

• Create a rainbow of colors using 4 basic dyes: red, blue, yellow, and black

• 5 easy-to-follow charts for dyes, colors, and gradations

• Easy-to-implement dye formulas use standard measurements like cups and spoonfuls instead of grams and ounces

• 5 bonus fused quilt projects

• Learn to create resist patterns on newly dyed fabric

• Discover how to thicken dye to create interesting and creative effects and painted designs

• Get thrifty and save even more money by producing mystery fabric with left-over dye

• Create small batches or large batches-the choice is yours

• Hand-dyed fabric is friendly on the budget since it costs less than pre-dyed fabric

Tired of going to the fabric store only to discover the colors you need aren't in stock? Always wanted to try hand dyeing your own fabric but found it too intimidating? Now you can put those worries aside and create beautiful colors to fit your every whim. And the best part is there are no confusing, complicated formulas to follow.

Quilter's Favorites—Pieced Points & Stars
A Collection of 19 Radiant Projects for All Skill Levels

Enjoy a Spectacular Variety of Pieced Patterns from Your Favorite C&T Authors.

• 19 projects that feature points, peaks or spikes

• Second volume in our Editors' Pick series of popular quilt designs

• Contains both traditional and paper-piecing patterns-something for all skill levels

• Includes some out of print projects that you can't get anywhere else

So many projects to choose from! Enjoy a spectacular variety of pieced patterns from your favorite C&T authors, including Alex Anderson, Piece O' Cake Designs, Jean Wells, and Carol Doak. Whether you like One-Block Quilts, Mariner's Compass Stars, or New York Beauties, this book is sure to peak your curiosity!

Jane Dávila's Surface Design Essentials
Explore Paints, Mediums, Inks & Pencils • 15 Techniques for Fabrics & More
Author: Jane Davila

The Must-Have Reference Tool For Surface Design Success

• Create your own hand-painted designs on fabrics, paper, and more

• Expert advice from popular art quilter and surface design teacher Jane Dávila

• Learn the basics of mixing paints and see how easy it is to create your own effects

• Includes 7 projects and an inspirational fiber art gallery

• Discover the secrets of using mediums

• Create fun designs with found objects

• Lay-flat format makes referencing instructions easy

• Add new dimension to your quilts and fiber art

This is your license to play! Whether you're a quilter, a textile artist, or you dabble in mixed media, you're going to love this tool. When you can't find the exact fabric you need, make it yourself!

Stop in and say Hello! Stay warm!

Mary