Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Let's talk about this New Year

So 2014 is just about over. 
It's been a busy one - 
joyful 
frantic 
fun 
stressful
creative 
surprising
Our sweet new grandbaby & lots of time with his parents made the year a really memorable one.


But now I'm ready to start thinking about this New Year coming up in a few hours.
I don't want it to mow me down like 2014 tried.
So this year I'm planning a little better.
We have some amazing classes coming up at the shop.
 It's been wonderful to meet quilt designers & authors who teach all over the world & say, "Sure. I'll come to your little shop in Porterville & teach." They just want to share their love of quilting with everyone! I can hardly wait. Watch your email for details & information soon.


I'm also planning in some time for me.
Last year I learned a lot - stretched myself a lot & accomplished some things I never expected to even attempt. 
But the opportunities caught me by surprise & this year I'm going to be ready to grab them!
I find having time to create feels so good!
Whether it's creating with fabric, crafting or in my home,  garden, classroom, or shop - it just feels great to make stuff happen.
 And I'm going to plan to make stuff happen this new year!

How about you?
Got plans?
Are you going to learn something new?
Try something different?
Stretch yourself a little?
Grow a bit?
Relax more?
Enjoy more? 

 Here's to a Creative Happy New Year!




Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas!

Open Christmas Eve 10-2 for your last minute gifts!
Closed Christmas Day
Merry Christmas!
Open December 26 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. for our big Clearance Sale!
8:00-11 a.m.  $8/yard
11:01-2          $6/yard
2:01-4            $5/yard
4:01-6            $4/yard
Photo: Open Christmas Eve 10-2 for your last minute gifts!
Closed Christmas Day
Merry Christmas!
Open December 26   8 a.m.- 6 p.m. for our big 
Clearance Sale!
8:00-11   $8/yard
11:01-2   $6/yard
2:01-4   $5/yard
4:01-6   $4/yard

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Christmas Ideas!

Splash My Stocking was a HUGE success - so now we're on the serious countdown to Christmas!

We have lots of small gift-exchange & stocking stuffer ideas, all ready to grab & go to the party.
Whether you're looking for books, patterns, tools, or pre cut fabric, we can help you find something in every price range.

                                                                       We have puzzles for all ages. 





Whether you're looking for
rippers
markers
pins                                                   
clips
needles
thread
threaders
thimbles
scissors
shears
rulers
mats
cutters
blades
Best Press
spray adhesives
 We have it all ready for you!










Sunday, December 14, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 12!


Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 11!



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 10!




Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 9!



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 8



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 7



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 6!



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 5



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 4



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 5, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 3


Splash My Stocking Day 3

Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 2


Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Splash My Stocking Day 1



Remember - this special price is only good today from 7 p.m. until tomorrow at 7 p.m!
Call 559 793 2510 to order or email us at mermaids@calicomermaid.com
Please leave your name, phone number, & the number you want splashed into your stocking.
We'll call you for your billing information on December 15. 
Your stocking stuffers can be picked up or we'll ship on December 16.
Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Coming soon - Splash My Stocking!


It's almost time to Splash your Stocking!
Beginning this Wednesday at 7 p.m. watch your email, check our Face Book Page, blog, or website for that day's specially priced stocking stuffer!
Wait till you see what we've chosen for you!
You have 24 hours to call the shop at 559 793 2510 to order your items.
Maybe you need a Secret Pal gift or just want to make sure your OWN stocking is stuffed with a few of your favorite things!
We'll call you at the end of 12 days for your payment information. You can pick up your items on December 16, (or send in YOUR Santa) or we'll mail them for you.
Free domestic shipping if you order all 12 days!
If you aren't on our email list, just drop us an email NOW to make sure you see your Splash video as soon as it's out!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Thank you to all our quilty friends, old & new. 
We appreciate you all. 
Thank you for choosing Calico Mermaid & sharing our vision for promoting creativity & making the world a more beautiful place.
We're thankful for having you in our lives.


Saturday, November 22, 2014

Shop Small Weekend at Calico Mermaid!


-->
Shop Small Weekend at 
Calico Mermaid!
November 28-29-30

double punches!

20% off Christmas Fabric

25% off selected books & patterns

30% off flannel & laminates

40% off fall prints & Christmas Stocking kits

50% off Halloween

(some restrictions apply - in shop only)

Start collecting one Christmas Clam for each $10 you spend until December 14…

then spend just like cash December 17-24!

Free Shop Small Reusable Bag with $50 purchase while supplies last!





















 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

We're so excited about our 12 Days of Christmas Mermaid Splash My Stocking!


Monday, November 10, 2014

Giving Thanks



We have so much to be thankful for - and this is that special time of year to show it.
I didn't realize it before we opened the shop, but quilters & crafters are especially generous & giving. I'm loving that!
I love being around people who care about others & aren't afraid to show it in.
We all show our thankfulness for each other in different ways, but crafters & quilters express their creativity in very personal, heartfelt ways. 
Our projects often come from deep inside us. 
Some stretch us outside our little box - but they all are a reflection of our gifts we enjoy. 
Some projects may be creating an experience for our loved ones, some might be a way to provide comfort when we can't be close - or maybe just a reminder that the special someone is in our thoughts.
No matter what our level of expertise might be, crafters give from their hearts.
I'm very thankful for all our quilty friends - old & new. 
It seems those we've met or become better acquainted with through the shop have greatly enriched our lives.
Thank you all!





Sunday, October 26, 2014

Loving this fall weather!

I'm loving this lovely mild weather...but my long-awaited fall has turned into a frenzy! 
How did that happen? It's me, maybe. 
Probably.
I seem to keep thinking up cool ideas with no time in between to relax between finishes.
At school, I've taken on several big projects that turned out to be more time consuming than I remembered. Or maybe I made them more time-intensive than they needed to be...
But it's so much fun...
Some I volunteered for myself, others are regular duties that I just have to 
squeeze in & get over it. 
I enjoy them all - I just didn't expect them to pile up like all the fall leaves in the driveway!


But now let's talk about the shop.
At Calico Mermaid, we have some amazing plans for the rest of 2014! 

We're especially excited about our guest teachers coming soon. 

Terry Waldron will be here in a couple of weeks.
I can open up two more seats if you'd like to join us. 
Call the shop soon if you want those spots!
559 793 2510

Lynne Pillus will be at Calico Mermaid teaching her amazing techniques on January 10!
Save the date!




We also have some great holiday plans - on Halloween, we'll have some 
special Trick or Treat Fun for you. 


After Thanksgiving, we'll have our traditional Shop Small Weekend. You won't want to miss it!

 In December, you can earn Crabby Cash again this year - and spend it like cash!


And just wait till you hear about our 12 Days of Splash Your Stocking! 
The Mermaids have 12 days of special deals just for you!


We'll also be hosting a FINtastic Mini Winter Retreat again this year:
January 3-4-5            8 a.m. - 10p.m. at Calico Mermaid     7 meals included
Fun - Games - Prizes - Food - Friends
Start the New Year off right with time for yourself to finish up all your projects ...
OR get a jump start on something wonderful for 2015!

Check our Newsletter for our most recent 
Class Calendars!



Sunday, October 12, 2014

Baking & Kitchen Fun

I love to cook.
I love to cook for fun.
I love to try new recipes.
I love to cook for people who like to eat.
I love to express myself through food.
That's why I bake for our shop parties. 


We just had a big weekend Harvest Shop Hop & someone asked why I don't just run to the grocery store & pick up cookies. 
Why go to all the trouble to bake for strangers when we have a shop event?

First of all, our customers don't seem like strangers. And I like to add a personal touch to our shop parties if I possibly can. My cooking may not be so fancy or perfect looking, but it's real food & it's a way I can connect with my quilty friends & do something special for them. 
Those who share my interest in cooking know.


My mom could make anything. She could cook, bake, sew, or craft anything anyone could dream up. When I use her recipes & utensils, I reconnect with her just a little.
I love to use these little baby loaf pans that belonged to my husband's grandmother. 
She would be so surprised to know they are being used to make refreshments in a quilt store!


This apple peeler was given to me by my dear friend Lisa who watched me peel apples by hand with my elementary school students for probably 10 years of Johnny Appleseed's Birthday Pies before I started borrowing her crank peeler. 
Then she gave me one of my own. 
She's right. 
As usual. 
It really is more fun to use.


 This recipe is delicious, & I was able to bake & freeze the little loaves last week & leave my evenings open the week before the Harvest Hop weekend.
They fit perfectly into Mom's Tupperware.


Then I take them out of the foil to slice & serve at the shop when it's party time. 
They are moist & yummy.

 I know everyone doesn't enjoy working in the kitchen as much as I do, & that's okay.
We all do what works for us. We need to do more of what brings us joy.
Cooking isn't a huge amount of trouble for me, & I like to do it.
As long as I'm able, I'm going to continue to express myself through my cooking. 
It's just another creative outlet, & I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

Here's my recipe for Pumpkin Apple Bread. 
Pumpkin isn't my favorite, so the apples pull it back from the dark side for me. ;)
I started with a Libby's Pumpkin Bread Recipe & then made a few adjustments.
(FYI: I keep most of my favorite shop recipes on my Pinterest Boards.)

Pumpkin Apple Bread
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 can (15 ounces) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice 
  •  2 peeled, chopped apples
  • optional - chopped nuts
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Foil & spray five 4 X 6-inch loaf pans.

COMBINE flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large mixer bowl; beat until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in apples. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans.

BAKE for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Leave them wrapped in foil to freeze in an air tight container.

FOR FIVE OR SIX 4 X 6-INCH MINI-LOAF PANS:
PREPARE
as above. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. 

Bigger pans need to bake longer.


Monday, September 29, 2014

Free shipping this week!

In celebration of Fall, & relief from our 4 months-long heat wave (it seems like that long)
let's have free shipping!
Check out our website: www.CalicoMermaid.com

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Come renew your love for art!


Terry Waldron


We are so honored to have Terry Waldron - talented quilt fabric artist, teacher, & author at Calico Mermaid on November 15!

 

Sharing her love of art & empowering others to create is very important to Terry. She says, "Because I was a long-time, successful high school art teacher, this is a subject that is very close to my heart. Remember the fun you had making art when you were in kindergarten? 
Where did that joy go?"

    

Ms. Waldron's work has been included in the invitational Dinner@8 Exhibition every year since it's inception. This juried, traveling show features only 30 pieces from artists from all over the world.


The class has already started to fill up, so if you're interested, come in to reserve your space soon.
You can read more about her here:

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Kits! Step right up & get your kits right here!

This seems to be Kit Season at Calico Mermaid.
If you love kits, you'll love these!


This beauty is 12 Days of Baltimore Christmas 
by Pearl Pereira for RJR Fabrics.
Gorgeous!
The applique pieces are entirely pre-cut & fusible is already applied - ready to iron on!


This Christmas Cactus is a pre-cut kit from RJR Fabrics. 
Linda Matthews will be teaching the class in September. 
Check the Class Calendar for details.


Parallel Universe is another pre-cut kit from RJR Fabrics. 
Jen teaches this class - perfect for beginners.


Trellis uses Alex Anderson's beautiful Flutter Collection for RJR Fabrics.
Such soft, pretty colors.
 

Postcards From the Farm Kit features Summerland by Skipping Stones Studio for Clothworks.
 This lovely small lap quilt goes together quickly & easily.
Bordered Rows Block of the Month is a gorgeous quilt designed by Marti Michell.
It is also available in a complete kit.


We have some great events planned for you...
watch for updates!