Cute for kids!

This Riley Blake Design collection is perfect for that little cowpoke - or maybe that big one! It's even called "Wanna Be a Cowboy." How cute is that?!

Riley Blake Designs Feeling Groovy!

Wouldn't these be cute for bags or dresses? How about a special pillow case for sleepovers?
I think they'd be great for a whole bedroom!

In fact, they sort of remind me of my bedroom a few years back!

Or maybe it was a LOT of years ago, but anyway ... don't you love them?!

Free Shipping Monday!

We've spent our week checking in new fabric, pre cuts, batting, & cutting up panels ... then this morning meeting with the contractor who is doing an amazing job ... so we thought we'd have a Free Shipping Day on Monday, February 21.
I know - that's random - but it sounds like a good idea.
Our plans are right on schedule & we expect to move in the last week of March! It's getting closer. The building is looking great. The new windows are ordered, the framing, electrical & plumbing complete - just waiting for inspection. There are even a bunch of extra outlets for the classroom.
The shop computer arrived yesterday, less than 24 hours after the order was placed. Now we're waiting for the checkout peripherals.
So we have our To Do List while the construction workers buzz away ...
in the meantime ...
Free Shipping this Monday!
Enjoy!

Moda Sunkissed

Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics is just a fresh breath of spring around the corner! I'm picturing ruffledy sundresses & pinafores ... aprons & new kitchen curtains. Maybe a new throw pillow for the bed.
How about you?



Check the website for more cool summery prints.
www.calicomermaid.com

Fairy Frost!

Michael Miller's Fairy Frosts are in now. Boxes & boxes of luscious frosted colors, perfect for blending with your favorite prints or combining together. There are darks & lights, pastels & deep, rich tones. All have that silvery dust that makes them absolutely sparkle!

Camelot

Camelot, designed by Jason Yenter for In the Beginning Fabrics, has rich, deep colors & patterns. There are beautiful shades of blue, green, & red. Don't these remind you of kaleidoscopes?
With 27 different prints in the collection, the possibilities are endless.

Cool New Tools

We have some great new tools to make your quilting & crafting easier!


Pinmoors are perfect if you usually pin baste, but safety pins are hard on your fingers. Use them with your favorite straight pin & see how quickly & pain-free that chore can be! Use them to top off your needles in the pincushion so you can locate them among the pins.






Cling Onz are wearable magnetic holders that come in lots of colors & attach easily to your clothing to keep pins, scissors & small tools handy.
Great for any crafter, teacher, or your favorite fix-it man! They are surprisingly strong, yet light weight. Use them to hold nails, screws, thumbtacks, paper clips, needles, or seam ripper close by. How many times have you spent a lot of valuable time backtracking to see where you last placed a small item like that?




These tools & many others are available now on our shop website:
www.calicomermaid.com

300 Books & Patterns

How many boxes does it take to ship 300 books & patterns?

Here are just a handful of the new books - but then there are a bushel of patterns, too. I tried to choose all the newest designs as well as some tried & true favorite authors. There are some for beginners & some to offer new challenges or techniques.
There are new designs & experienced authors.

And ........ the answer is...
7!!!!!!!

There are seven boxes bursting with patterns for everything from aprons & wall hangings to checkbook covers, pretty little dresses & wheelchair bags...all waiting for me to get off the computer, stop rummaging through the box & get them inventoried & organized. But every time I start, I have to stop to admire all the cool new ideas.

OK
Back to work.

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.