Connecting People with the Joy of Quilting

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Hello, my Quilters in Paradise!

With the holidays tucked away, it's time to head out and see what's new in 2010! Coming up is the first quilt run of the year: Row Quilt Run from Saturday, Feburary 6th through Sunday, February 14th. Shake winter off as "Spring Fling" is the theme of this run!

Speaking of spring, although it may be winter outside, it's spring for the spirit with internationally known designer Nancy Halvorsen's brand new Spring 2010 collection Garden Song. We have the entire nearly 40-bolt line that features her trademark whimsical design theme and includes panels and coordinates in willow green, water blue, almond cream, daffodil yellow, petal pink and more!

Valentine's Day is coming up soon and we have a couple of laser-cut kit treats for you! First is the simple, yet elegant February's Every Month Table Runner kit. If you'd like a little help getting it done (along with some food, friends and fun), come join us this Friday, January 15th for Pizza Night. Next is the adorable Heart Trio wall hanging kit that's just right for hanging just about anywhere. And we had a lot of fun designing and cutting these cute Snapplique shapes perfect for adorning towels, pillowcases, quilts, wall hangings, and what not.

I am real excited to tell you about a monthly "event" and associated class that we'll be having at our shop starting in February. The genesis is the challenge and sometimes frustration we face in trying to get our projects done in a timely fashion - or at all. I can't tell you how many times I've heard so many quilters talk about all their UFO's (UnFinished Objects), lack of time to get a quilt done, or wishing they knew some tool, technique or trick that would make things go faster. Well, help is on the way! In collaboration with Wendy Mathson, we're introducing a series of monthly project-oriented demos and workshops called Finish It Today, or simply FIT. Rather than have a "fit" tackling your next project, come on out to the shop, have some fun and, best of all, get your project done (that is, get FIT!). I won't go into all the details here (you'll find them for the description for Finish It Today), but on the first Saturday of each month from 8:30 - 9:30, there'll be a free demo of that month's project. Each attendee at the demo will receive a free acrylic template set related to that month's project - and will get 15% off all non-sale merchandise in the shop for purchases on that day. The demo will showcase samples depicting one or more blocks from that month's project along with helpful how to's, techniques and notions. The class for that month's project will be on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10 - 4. But, what's the secret to getting a project done quickly and easily? Simple ... in addition to Wendy's expert tips and insights, Quilter's Paradise will offer laser-cut kits for that month's project saving you tons of time and effort! Or, if you prefer to do your own cutting or want to pick your own fabric, then the acrylic templates will sure come in handy. Remember, you have to show up at the demo to get the acrylic templates for free and to get first crack at signing up for the class.

We've just updated our calendar which is chock full of many interesting and useful classes. I mentioned in my previous newsletter that Palomar College teachers Wendy Mathson, Karen Cunagin and Janet Haas would be having new classes at the shop given the cutbacks made by Palomar College. Well, here they are!