Retreat fun

We're having a great time at the retreat. Here are a few photos of our fabric in action!
It's so cool to see where our materials go & how much fun they have after they leave the shop.
These Peonies are all gone now - they've magically become pillowcases!Here is Sheri with our tea cups. I can't believe how many projects she finished this weekend!
This T shirt quilt needed just the perfect piece to border each block...
Here is the Camelot collection... it's just about gone now, but didn't it turn out nicely?
One of the last Avignon Layer Cakes has become a Twister.
And look at this pretty block!
This has been a lot of fun. Many of these retreat participants have been in our shop, but some haven't, so we're making new friends. We're enjoying getting to know them all better. There's so much creativity & talent here this weekend!

Retreating!

We're packing up & planning to go to a retreat this weekend. It's exciting to select the right tools & supplies to take for the retreaters. We're sneaking in some kits & patterns & fabric, just in case someone needs an emergency project.

Just a little Serenity ...

This pretty Serenity collection from red Rooster is one of my favorites this spring. And goodness knows, I need a little Serenity before the wild ride begins!

We have a retreat at Wonder Valley next weekend, then a booth at Springtime in the Valley on March 24 & 25. It will be our first time at the show, so come out & see us. I'm excited to see all the quilt inspiration.

After that, we'll be throwing ourselves our First Birthday Party! Watch for details & plan to join us March 31 & April 1. You know we never miss an opportunity to party! ;)
After Easter, we'll have a booth at Best of the Valley Quilt Show, too. It's always a fabulous show. You'll love it! We'll be giving out coupons to use in the shop all week.
It was our first show last year. We'd been open only a week, & everything was all new to us. McDermont Field House in Lindsay is a great place to have the show!
On Saturday, April 28, Downtown P'ville will be hosting the Iris Festival. Many of our customers are finishing up an Iris Challenge wall hanging for the Festival. If you weren't able to participate this year, come down anyway & check out the entries. I've had a sneak peek at some already, & they are truly fabulous! The Chamber of Commerce will be judging & the winner receives a $50 gift card to use at the Mermaid.

Then on May 4, 5, 6, we'll be joining Totally Tina's Fabrics in our own

After all that, I think a nap might be in order, but not until after some long-awaited family time.
It's crazy busy, but then that's the way we like it.

Feeling wimpy

As our one year anniversary sneaks up, I'm feeling a little wimpy ... it's been quite a wild ride, with an unbelievable learning curve. I mist up every time I think about how far we've come - that's just me.
But last year at this time, we had over 1000 bolts of fabric packed into our house in boxes. Almost every room was full of merchandise & supplies for the shop. The shelving was all in the garage, the boxes of books & patterns were in the spare bath, the batting in the spare bedroom. The mermaid was finished & presiding over the front living room. No one dared come to visit! There was no place to sleep except our bed, & no place to sit...just a path through the house.
My Spring Break last year was spent stickering stock & trying to get it all organized.

So many of our Mermaid Teachers were just acquaintances a year ago - some I hadn't even met yet. Their encouragement & talent just overwhelm me on a regular basis.
Our Mermaid Crew were just nervous visionaries - willing to take a job with inexperienced employers, at a shop with an uncertain future, & very little direction. We all just muddled through nicely, thank you very much. I so appreciate our girls taking a chance on us & helping us through all the rough spots. It was a learning experience for us all. Dion frequently calmed me by saying, "It's okay. We got this." Then they'd all just jump in & get everything done. They're amazing.
So that explains the misty eyes around here. I'm so grateful for all our new quilty friends. Everyone has been so supportive & helpful. I love having a place to come after school where everyone is busy, creative, & ready for a challenge.
It's better than I could have imagined a year ago.
sniff ... there I go again!
And, by the way...watch for our First Birthday Sale coming up soon!

Project Linus Workshop

Today we had a Project Linus Workshop. Volunteers, called "Blanketeers" worked on fleece, flannel, & quilts for children in local hospitals.
Our Mermaid Crew & Mermaid Teachers led the Blanketeers in their work, donating fabric & supplies.


Blanketeers found lots of work to be done. Some brought projects or supplies, others helped in the assembly line process. Some were cutting, sewing, tying or clipping.

Teresa presents a completed quilt to Michele from Project Linus.

Beginning Quilt Class

Becky's Beginning Quilt Class is full of color & inspiration these days! Here's a little sample peek at what they've been working on lately ... Helen shows off her completed top in the January 18 post. Stop in some Tuesday between 4 & 6 to see for yourself.

March will be a busy month!

Happy Hour Specials Saturday, February 25, 4-6 p.m.

25% off Kona Cottons & Moda Solids - 2 hours only!

Watch for new discounts & double punches the last Saturday of each month!

Leap Day Fun!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

29% off all regularly priced yardage + extra 6% off if you finish a bolt!

March is here!

Look what we have ready for you this month!

Count On It

taught by Sheri March 7 5-8 $15 + book

Each month come & meet to make the following month's block.

Beginning Quilting Every Tuesday 4-6

$10/session + book

Let Becky teach you all you need to know when you begin to quilt, from choosing

fabric & colors, to the beautiful finished product.

Project Linus Workshop.

Come join us Saturday afternoon, March 3. (no charge)

Project Linus provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers." No experience necessary. Bring a project or we'll provide one for you! All quilts & blankets are given to children in our local area. For more information & guidelines: http://www.projectlinusbakersfield.com/Home_Page.html

Every Wednesday is WIP Wednesday.

Come use our space to sew, relax, & get away from it all! No charge - just come & enjoy.

Anita's Arrowhead March 8 4-7 $20

Let Sheri teach you this amazingly easy technique from Anita Grossman Solomon.

Great beginner's class.

Friday Night Free Sew - the first Friday each month, 5 - midnight.

Bring a potluck dish & a project to work on. Stay as late as you want.

Kids' Bag Class

Saturday, March 10 10-1 $10 includes directions

Jenny will help children make this great take along bag, perfect for packing games, special toys, or books.

Children must be able to bring & operate a sewing machine.

Quilting Fun on the Internet

March 13 1-3 no charge

Georgia will share some favorite tips for finding

internet sites with tutorials for special techniques

& free patterns. Bring your laptop or smart phone.

Kids' Color Your Own Pillowcase March 14 10-12

$10 includes kit - bring your best crayons. No sewing!

Reserve your spot early!

Flannel Rag Quilt

March 16 10-2 $20 includes directions

Judy will show you how to make one of these easy, cuddly quilts.

Use your favorite flannels for anyone - babies to the wheelchair set.

Working With Wool March 18 1-4

Purchase a kit, complete with pattern, wool, needle, & thread. All you need to bring is scissors & be ready for some fun. Lynette will teach you how much fun wool work can be.

Bargello Landscape or Floral March 20 10-3 $30 includes directions

Priscilla will show you how to use large scale landscape prints & large florals in a fabulous bargello wall hanging.

Clothesline Rope Bowl Class

March 22 10-1 $25 includes directions

Linda's back & teaching us how to make beautiful bowls from fabric strips & clothesline rope.

Friday Night Big Block Panel March 30 5-9

$30 includes directions

Priscilla will show you how to make this quick & easy pattern using

panels with big blocks & large scale prints.

Avante or Sweet Sixteen Lessons & machine rental.

Make your reservations with Richard 559 793 2510

Avante lessons $10/hour rental $10/hour

Sweet Sixteen $5/hour

Reserve your class early so we can plan for you!

Spring is right around the corner!

Here in P'ville, it's feeling like spring has just about sprung!
We have some delicious new fabric in already - new kits, Charm Packs, Fat Eighth Bundle Kits, & of course, more bolts. Again.
Look at these olives!
You'll have to stop in & see what's new.


Some of these will make great aprons. Rodeo season is coming up soon, so check out our Native American inspired pieces & our cowboy prints. There's even some new pink for your favorite cowgirl!
Does your Barbeque King need a new apron? Or maybe a tablecloth?

Presidents' Day Sale!

Big markdowns - discounts throughout the shop!

President's Day Weekend Sale
February 17-19
Selected Honeybuns & Dessert Rolls $16.95

20% OFF selected kits
20% OFF Accuquilt supplies
20%-25% OFF selected fabric
25% OFF wide backs
EXTRA 5% OFF if you finish off any bolt!
In shop only - while supplies last!
Open 10-6 Friday & Saturday 1-5 Sunday

Free shipping Friday - Monday for all web orders
www.calicomermaid.com