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Wishing you a new year full of creativity & color!
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Life is short - do what you love.

New Year Planning

We've been working on our plans for 2012. Here's a quick preview of a few ideas for the new year. If you'd like to be on our emailing list, contact me. georg@calicomermaid.com
I won't bother you too much, because I don't have time, but once in a while we have some special events & sales you might want to know about.
All our classes & events are on our website: www.calicomermaid.com. You can even sign up online. You can register for our fabulous Block of the Month programs online, too.

Becky will be teaching Quilted Symphony from the book by Gloria Loughman this year.
Dion's Fabric Roses class from Valorie Wells' pattern.
Sheri's teaching the Count On It book every first Wednesday of the month.
Out of the Darkness Block of the Month from Pam Bono Designs
Ripples & Reflections Bock of the Month. Sheri will be teaching the class on Sunday afternoons.

Pockets A Plenty Class, taught by Jenny

Richard is now giving lessons & renting the Handi Quilter Avante by the hour. Call him for an appointment: 559 793 2510

In addition, plan on Cruisin' to P'ville in May. We're working with Totally Tina's across town to make stopping off in Porterville a lot of extra fun! We'll have prizes & food, of course!
It will be a luau you won't want to miss!

Merry Christmas!

All of us at the Mermaid are wishing you the best Christmas ever.
We hope your days are filled with people you enjoy, lots of creativity, & things to do
that make you smile.
We appreciate you & your support throughout the past year.
The new friendships we've made at the shop brighten our lives daily, & we
hope we've inspired you a little, too.
We have many exciting plans for the new year, so come back & visit often.
Let us know if there's anything you need. We'll do our best.
Merry Christmas!
Richard, Georgia, Darlene, Dion, Jennifer, Rae Lynne

Stocking Stuffer Headquarters

Send in your Santa & we'll help him find just the right stocking stuffers for you! We'll even happily gift wrap everything for him.
Gift Cards are always a great choice.
Here's my list - what's on yours?
Pre wound bobbins - what decadence!
Amazing Removeable Tape
Scissors & Shears
Itty Bitty Travel Scissors
Cling On magnetic buttons
Travel irons for classes
Pressing boards
Needles
Needle Threaders
Machine Needles
Thread
Silk thread assortments
Mug Rug Kits, complete with matching hand painted mug
Seam Rippers
Pins
Stone Strips
Moda Jelly Rolls
Moda Layer Cakes
Bali Pops
Anthology Batik 10" squares
Fat Quarters
Beaded Eyeglass Chains
Patterns
Books
Rulers
Replacement blades
Rotary Cutters
Fire Wand rhinestone applicator
Embellishments
Bead Soup Assortments
Marking Pens
Frixion Pens
Machingers Quilting Gloves
Template Plastic Sheets
Carol Doak's Keepsake Cards
Quilty Note Cards
Quilty Greeting Cards
Quilty Note Pads
Puzzles
Long Arm Quilting Templates
Red Snappers for your longarm

Hoffman Challenge Fabric 2012

The Hoffman Challenge fabric is in! The rules & requirements can be found:
here.
It's pretty & springy for this time of year, but Becky has already cut into it. She has 3 pieces in the Hoffman catalog this year, so she's already planning her projects. Our teachers are amazing!
Come in & see it. you might just be inspired!

Lynn's Post Card & Gift Tag Class was a hit!

Lynn's post card & gift tag class for kids was jumping this morning. Lots of glitter, puff paint, hot fix jewels, cookies, & hot cocoa helped make some beautiful Christmas cards & tags.

Lynn is giving Noah & Hope some glittery advice.
Faith was in her creative zone.





Such concentration!

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Find your last minute inspiration &
fill those stockings!
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Recipe!

One of the big hits Friday evening was this spinach blue cheese dip. It's wonderful served with crackers. I found the recipe here:
Spinach Blue Cheese Bacon Dip
But be advised: I didn't really measure much because I was in a rush to get to the shop & get set up for the party. It was delicious & so many requested the recipe that I thought I ought to share the source, & not just what think I remember throwing in. ;)

I used some leftovers as a sandwich spread on my grilled ham sandwich...decadent!

Christmas Open House

Downtown Porterville shops had Customer Appreciation Night tonight, so we had a Christmas Open House with teacher demos, double Sand Dollar Card punches, refreshments, prizes, & special one day discounts. We had a wonderful time. We hope you did, too.
I took a few pictures before the crowd arrived. I'll post the spinach dip recipe later. It was quite a hit.
Maggie was working on the Accuquilt.

Priscilla was showing her work with the Braid Maid.
Lynn was demonstrating holly berry applique with a self-stick paper technique using a glue stick.
Terry was showing her beadwork & hand made beads.
We drew tickets every half hour & Debbie won the first prize drawing.
Sheri was showing the Double Diamond Ruler. We might just have a class next month.
Crystal worked on some of the Accuquilt pieces.
Trish was working on her quilt on the Avante. Lessons & rental are $10 an hour.

December? Already?!

It seems December is right at the end of this week. How did that happen so quickly?
Downtown P'ville has some big plans in store for you.
Thursday evening is the annual Children's Christmas Parade. Does anyone remember when it was held on a Saturday morning & then we all got free tickets to the Porter Theater?
But I digress.
Friday our downtown stores will be open late for Customer Appreciation Night. Come & enjoy refreshments, sales, & special promotions until 6:30 p.m.
At the Mermaid, our teachers will be demonstrating some new techniques & projects. We'll have lots of prizes to give away, double punches on your Sand Dollar Card, & of course some yummy treats.
Terri will even be there showing her beadwork.
We have lots of new fabric & books to see, & some great deals on short bolts.
If you haven't started collecting your Christmas Clams, it's time to begin! Earn one for each $10 you spend starting this week, then spend them like cash from December 17-21.
It's going to be a big month. Come on in to see!

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Let's kick off the shopping season with FREE SHIPPING this weekend!
Check the website for some great bargains & gift ideas!
www.calicomermaid.com

A year ago...

Here we are, Thanksgiving time again, & I'm feeling pretty thankful. I have the most wonderful family & I can't wait to get my arms around them this weekend. I love to have everyone together. But I've been thinking about the past year.
A year ago,
I didn't know if this crazy shop idea would work...
I wasn't sure how I'd balance my classroom & run the shop...
I didn't even know the wonderful Mermaid Crew girls who work so hard helping us...
I wasn't sure if we'd even be able to afford employees...
I didn't know how to choose & order fabric...
I didn't know if anyone would like the fabric I select...
I didn't know how to run a cash register or inventory fabric...
I didn't know if Porterville could support a fabric shop...
I didn't know if we could afford a shop on Main Street...
I had no idea how quickly I'd need to reorder tools & supplies...
I couldn't imagine the positive reception we'd get from the local quilters...
I didn't know if I could talk my sweet hubby into installing the wires for hanging quilts...
I had no clue he'd be so enamored with the Handi Quilter he'd become an instructor & dealer...
I didn't know how many new friends I'd make...
I wasn't even acquainted with many of my fabulous teachers...
I didn't know how supportive & helpful they'd be...
This Thanksgiving, think about how far you've come, or how many positive changes you've made in the past year. Think about the new people in your life. Consider the changes that have come about & the lessons learned.
Be grateful for the new as well as the familiar.

Thanksgiving

We're so thankful for all our new friends we've made at the shop, & all the familiar faces we're getting to spend more time with. This Thanksgiving is especially sweet for us for lots of reasons, & we thank you for sharing the past months with us.

Have some very special time with those you love. Be thankful for every minute you have together. We're very thankful for you.

Georg.

November Hours

Wednesday, November 23 open 10-1

Thursday, November 24 CLOSED

Friday, November 25 CLOSED

Saturday, November 26 open 10-6

Sunday, November 27 open 1-5

Start earning your Christmas Clams on November 26

(earn one Christmas Clam for each $10 you spend in the shop)

Start spending them like cash on

December 17-21

Holiday Open House

Downtown Porterville's

Customer Appreciation Night

Friday, December 2 4:30-6:30 p.m.

teacher demos, prizes, goodies,

double punches on your

Sand Dollar card

Bring a friend!

We're feeling pretty jolly around here!

We have lots of holiday ideas to fill your decorating, gift giving & creative needs. I just love to show off what our amazing teachers come up with!

New fabric!

Lots of new fabric this month, just in time for your gifty projects. Flannels, fall colors, batiks & lots more. Come on in & see. The newest patterns & books are full of inspiration.