Newsletter

Looking at my design wall with squinted eyes, I struggle to find just the right placement for 12 large basket blocks and 24 cute little ones. I stand back as far as possible to gain some perspective, walking away and turning for a casual look. It’s not as easy as non-quilters might assume. Inadequacy, humiliation, and fear ring in my ears. Get a grip! It is only a quilt! There are many other important decisions to be made this month that will have a far greater effect affect on my life and those around me. Like does the Mother of the Bride wear a hat in an outdoor wedding even if no one else does, or what shade of white do we paint our bedroom?

This has been a very busy year at A Quilted Heart. As we look back on all the strides that were made, we are dizzy with exhaustion and excitement. We started the year with a failing roof and rain damage throughout the store. We sprang forward with a 3 day remodeling, 3 shop hops, 3 quilt shows, 4 different block of the months, 10 Sew and Suppers, 12 Sit and Sews, a library presentation, a Quilts of Valor workshop, and we partnered with Binky Patrol as a Quilts for Tsunami Relief drop off point. We were also a part of 3 charity events that raised more than $20,000.

When A Quilted Heart started 7 years ago inadequacy, humiliation, and fear rang in our ears. Now it’s just the phone! We are so grateful for the friends we have made and the help and encouragement that we have received through the years. Thank you for being partners in our passion for quilting and life.

Inventory Reduction Sale!

Our inventory date is just around the corner and you can help us clear out some of our merchandise before we have to count it. Come in December 26 - 31 and take advantage of this opportunity to save!

50% off Christmas fabrics

25 % off Christmas items such as books, patterns and Jim Shore figurines

Finish the bolt on any of our regular priced fabrics and receive 20% off

Block of the Month: A Sampler of Friends

It's friendship, friendship, just the perfect blendship.

When other friendships are soon forgot, ours will still be hot.

Friendship, friendship, just the perfect blendship

Another year to have some fun, with a Sample of my Friends!

Sew so so so so so much fun

If you ever stand in line… I'll be behind,

If you ever pay the fine… please pay mine,

If you ever forget your block…then pay 5 bucks!

Friendship, friendship, just the perfect blendship

Another year to have some fun, with a Sample of my Friends!

(Inspired by Cole Porter's song, "Friendship.")

We will begin to take signups on January 7th for participants who wish to join us in making the Amish with a Twist sampler quilt each month. Membership is limited to 45 and the signup fee is $30. The first gathering for our friends will be on February 11th. For those of you “Bom Boms” who are unable to get in to our Saturday meeting of our Block of the Month, we will be offering a special membership. You can be a part of the Bom Bom group by paying the $30 sign up fee and $5 each month to receive the block pattern and fabric kit. You can pick up your monthly kit, at your convenience, anytime after the 2nd Saturday of the month.

It’s our Birthday! February 11-13

Put 7 candles on our Birthday Cake,

We're going to have a Birthday Cake,

Put the 7th candle on our Birthday Cake,

We're another year old next month!

We’ll have a party with a great Big Sale,

Door prizes and some Birthday Cake,

Put on a heart and see the discount you get,

On a book or notion of your choice.

We'll blow out the candles on our Birthday Cake.

And when we do a wish we'll make,

That all our friends could join us as we celebrate,

We're 7 years old next month!

(Inspired by Sheriff John's song:

"Put Another Candle on My Birthday Cake")

Quilt Backing Sale

For each month that gives us an extra Saturday, we are giving you extra savings! Bring in all of your completed quilt tops and get a whopping savings of 25% off your backing fabric. It’s that simple! We look forward to seeing you on March 31st with your next bundle of quilt tops.

Quilt Rush Shop Hop

A tisket a tasket let’s rush to get a basket!

Visit 15 wonderful shops during the Northern California Quilt Rush! This year’s event will be April 18-22. The Grand Prize is a $100 gift certificate from each shop; 2nd Prize is a basket of quilting goodies valued at over $500. There will be 15 3rd Prize gifts of a basket of quilting goodies valued at over $250 each. Sign up for the chartered bus to cruise from shop to shop on Saturday and Sunday. Pick up a flyer in our shop or visit www.quiltrush.org to get all the information you need to plan your trip!

A Baby Quilt A Month

Take the stress out of what to do before the baby is due! Join Cathy Thomas each month as she teaches a new fun and easy baby quilt pattern. Beginning in February, the class will meet on the first Thursday of the month from 6-9pm. $25 each month pays for the class and the pattern. Join Cathy each month, or just once, and start building a stash of baby quilts.

12 Days of Christmas Stitchery

All levels of stitchers are welcome to join Tracy Souza in this new club exclusive to A Quilted Heart! Twelve delightful stitcheries make up this whimsical Plumcute Designs project. A variety of stitches will be taught to create each month’s block, as well as some tips for better embroidery results! The signup fee is $20 for this 11-month club and $15 for each month’s class. Meetings are the fourth Friday of the month from 6:30 - 9:00.

McKenna Ryan Club- Bella Garden

Join Kathy for this eight-month club while you make a tranquil quilt using McKenna Ryan’s newest set of patterns, “Bella Garden”. Kathy will guide you through the process as you trace, cut and sew this beautiful art quilt. Beginning in March, the group will meet on the fourth Thursday evening of the month from 6:00 - 9:00.

Bug Brigade Hand Appliqué

Join Michelle for a relaxing evening of needle turn appliqué. Fun and friendly bugs are the focus of this quilt that can be used as a wall hanging or small child’s quilt. The signup fee is $35 for this 7 month club and $15 for each month’s class. Meetings are the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:00 - 9:00.

Special Store Hours:

Closed: Jan. 1 & 2

Modified Hours: New Years Ever 10:00 - 2:00

2011 Quilter's Quest Quilt:

The Quilter's Quest Shop Hop was a huge success with over 400 quilters visiting our store. Each shop created a quilt for the event and we are thrilled to announce that our quilt was voted the favorite of the shop hop! Our quilt was designed and pieced by Connie Ward with quilting by Laurie Grant. Thank you both for your hard work on the winning quilt.

2011 Tickled Pink Quilt Raffle

In October 2010, a wonderful gathering of quilters met for our third annual Tickled Pink event. They stitched all night to raise awareness about breast cancer and to raise funds to support local programs through the American Cancer Society. The quilt raffle was a huge success! A big heartfelt thanks to all who had a hand in sewing the many blocks. More than 800 tickets were sold and over $3,000 was donated to the American Cancer Society. The winner of this year’s beautiful quilt is Karen Olson.