Free shipping!

Free shipping this weekend!
Find your last minute inspiration &
fill those stockings!
www.calicomermaid.com

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!

Free shipping this weekend!

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.

Veteran's Day

New fabric! New books! New patterns! New classes!
Come on down to the Mermaid.
We'll be open after the parade - ready with coffee & cookies.
20% off all in shop purchases for
Veterans & their families on Friday
(excluding classes)
Double punches all weekend!

This is Betty's Quilt of Valor. We'll ship any Quilt Of Valor you make with our fabric.
Find details on the Quilts of Valor website: http://qovf.org/
Call us for more information 559 793 2510