2011 Hoffman Challenge fabric is here

This year the Hoffman Challenge is celebrating its 23rd Anniversary! The Challenge started with 94 enthusiastic quilters, but the number of entries has grown to more than 700. In addition to the three quilt categories (pieced, appliqué and mixed technique), new categories include clothing (wearable art), accessories, and dolls. While the majority of the entries come from the United States, a wide variety of international entries are received. Each year, the top entries are grouped into traveling collections and visit quilt and fiber shows, seminars, quilt shops and quilt- and doll-makers guilds nationwide and in Canada.
For entry forms, rules, and more information, check the website:
Hoffman Challenge
You can see 2010 winners here:
2010 winners What amazing work!
We have some beautiful coordinates from the Hanami Collection to enhance your piece. Check them out in our web store. www.calicomermaid.com
Are you inspired yet? The fabric is gorgeous - let your imagination run wild! Anything goes.
Let me know what you come up with, whether you enter the Challenge or not, then email photos of your project to me. I'd love to see!

Moda has my UPS man hopping!

The latest boxes on my porch from Moda included Chrysalis by Sanae. She travels through the cities of her native Japan to find inspiration. Sanae can never predict where her inspiration will come from but it yields beautiful results every time. Both natural and modern, this stunning collection is sure to take flight.

Big news!
We finally have a lease in our hands.
Our new address will be 122 N. Main Street, Porterville, CA.
For many years, this location was the Porterville Hardware Store, which closed up around ten years ago. It was divided down the middle. One side was the old fashioned hardware store, while the other was china & gifts.
I'll have the china shop side on the south side of the building.
We're really excited about this location. The front entrance will be changed to match the north side, the ceiling will be lowered, air conditioning & restroom will be added.
One of the best features is the back entrance. Downtown parking can be a challenge sometimes, but we have a nice, level, well lit back parking lot.
There will even be plenty of space for a classroom area.
And, of course, lovely front windows so the mermaid herself will have a nice place to be on display!
We can hardly wait for construction to be complete. The fabric is really stacking up around here. We came home yesterday to 17 boxes from Moda!

We're drowning in new fabric!

Boxes of fabric & patterns are being delivered daily! We're finding it a little frantic around here. My techno wizard/stock boy/bookkeeper is staying very busy, I'm learning so much about the merchandise my head is spinning! The delivery guys arrive with a big smile because I always meet them at the door with a squeal of delight. I have to tear into the boxes as quickly as they can carry them in.
There's so much fabric on the website we divided it according to price. Notice there's New Fabric & Sale Fabric now.
This is a pretty collection, Flight of Fancy by Spectrix. I love border stripes & panel prints. You'll find this group at a great price under Sale Fabric.











Keep checking the website,
www.calicomermaid.com for new additions. We're posting it as fast as we can!

Who's thinking about Spring?

These pretties are Elizabeth Anne from P & B Textiles. It's been mentioned that I don't select very many blues, so here's my answer to that accusation!
Don't they just whisper, "Spring is right around the corner?"
My goodness. I don't even have my Christmas decor all taken down yet, & it's time to start thinking about & planning spring projects!
We're anticipating several shipments this week, so watch the website for new fabric & patterns. We'll process everything just as fast as we can.
But Christmas can stay a little longer. It's really okay.

Free Shipping Friday!

Just to say thanks for a great beginning, we're offering free shipping again this Friday!
We have thoroughly enjoyed this new adventure, and we're looking forward to all the excitement the new year will undoubtedly bring.
We hope you are reveling in the aftermath of an amazing Christmas, and are ready to kick off a terrific new year!

Merry Christmas!

We're wishing each & every one of our crafty sewing friends - old & new - a safe, happy weekend full of love & fun. May you enjoy this Christmas with those who are most important to you, & find joy in whatever you choose to do.

Hoffman Batiks are on the way!

There's a whole box of these amazing Bali Handpaint samples sitting under my tree right now! There's something for every color palette here. I'm anxious for the bolts to arrive.

Beads!

Look at these beauties.
Whether you're using them to embellish your quilted pieces or stringing them for something special to wear, these bead assortments are spectacular!
Check out these colors.

Are you feeling Christmasy too?

I thought I'd take a little break & show you some of my favorite Christmas decorations. The tree is up & I'm slowly getting the rest of the house ready for the season.

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These fragile plastic whirligigs have been in the family for at least 3 generations. The tin pinwheels inside spin when placed over a light on the tree.I love this little Santa from my childhood.
Some of these glass beads are losing their paint, but that's okay.
I love these. They are plastic, but look metallic. I remember when Mom bought them at a dime store. My sister surprised me a few years ago by giving me hers that match!
I made & sold a zillion of these when I was about 12. Check out the Mary Tyler Moore do!