I hope everyone had great holidays. On one hand, it is always a bit of a downer when they are over but on the other hand it is good to start fresh  and get back into a normal (whatever that is) routine.

I am almost done with the Celebration Sampler I posted about a few months ago. I have a little bit more applique on one block, 3 pieced blocks, and the side triangles to get done! Considering that there are 25 blocks in this quilt, some pieced, some appliqued and some pieced and appliqued, I feel like I am accomplishing something.. and it is going to be beautiful! We have kits for it now out of the Williams Inn by Nancy Halvorsen.

Mom has finished her blackwork quilt and it is now on the quilt machine. I am doing highly detailed work on it so it will take a while to get done. We hope to show it at the Palouse Patchers show in April.

I promise I will do better in posting. In the meantime keep checking the website. I can't wait for you all to see the new one!!!

The woman is my mother at age 21. That would have been 1946. Her hair was an auburn color. I love this picture.

I just set up a new page on the blog site called Threedles and Neds. This page is about what makes us laugh, both at ourselves (a constant source of humour for me!) and with the outside world. Feel free to add new topics and respond to topics listed. I would especially like you all to list your favorite quilting tip on the site.

Be sure and fill out the poll under "What do you think". It really helps me build this site to a useable, fun area that you'll want to return to for a daily fix.

Colleen

I've debated whether to bring this topic to the blog site. I don't want my loyal customers to feel like I don't trust them because I absolutely do.

We had a theft last week at Quilt Something! Somebody stole 2 bolts of batik from our store. How do we know? Because we found the empty bolts tucked away in the batik section and our inventory showed that they had yardage on them. This technique is used by people who steal fabric, it is not new.

I guess I am sharing this with you because I need to talk about it. I felt so betrayed by this.  Don't people understand how much this hurts a small business owner. I not only incur the cost of those bolts, but now need to sell 4 bolts just to get to the breakeven point on them. Maybe people think we won't notice, but we do and we are hurt by it both financially and mentally.

Please don't get me wrong. I love my customers and think I have the best crew in the world. It only takes one bad apple as they say. But if you notice some changes at the store and wonder why we did that, now you will know why.

I just posted a new recipe for date cookies. This is my moms recipe and are they ever good! Much better than Fig Newtons. The brown sugar dough bakes up to a golden caramelly soft yummy goodness. Try them, you'll see.

Thanks Marilyn for asking seams question in CHAT. Everyone should check out chat. Ask a question and I promise to get it answered, if I can. Remember, this is not a live chat but I do check it often.

When this happens, I find myself cocooning a little. I want to cook, preserve, keep a hot meal on. And I want to sew. I have been dying to sew lately and can't seem to get to it. Of course the quilt machine is humming daily but I really want to sit down at my trusty PFAFF and work. Here is a sneak peek at my current project.. It is called Celebration Sampler. We are going to use it as a block of the month program at Quilt Something! using a fabulous new fabric line from Nancy Halverson. Look for it at the new year.

Quilt Something! has been really busy lately and we love it! Lots of new fabric, projects and inspiration to entice everyone.  

It is county fair time here on the Palouse. The quilts are beautiful, and so are the pigs and chickens. Preserves, pies, 4H projects... I LOVE THE FAIR.  I was a 4Her as a kid but since I was a townie I didn't have animals. I did pies, cakes, plants, sewing, cats ( ok that 's an animal.) . How many of you remember the 4H Pledge? Here we go

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking

My HEART to greater loyalty

My HANDS to larger service

My HEALTH to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.

Wow, I'ts amazing what you pull out of the dark recesses of your mind!

I hope all of you have a county fair nearby. Go take a big breath of elephant ears, corn dogs, cotton candy and all the rest of of it. Take it all in .

The new Fall Class lineup can be viewed and printed at www.quiltsomething.com. Click on the sillhouette in the upper left hand corner to open a PDF file of our current newsletter.

We've added a new feature this year called the Quilt Something! Season Pass. It costs $70 and allows you free admission to any of our classes through Feb 29, 2008. It's a great value and might just be the push you need to take a few of those classes you've been wanting to.

The montly mini kits are very popular! We've just increased our order again to keep up with the demand. If you haven't seen these yet, pop into the store or view them at www.quiltsomething.com and click on the online catalog. Here is a peek at October and November kits.