The Wild & Wacky Beach Party was a Hit!

To those of you who came to the Beach Party, THANK YOU for joining us!  It was truly a lot of fun!  Everyone brought great Show & Tell items and we all learned something new.  It was great to welcome Eleanor Burns and Sue Bouchard back to Marion for the 2014 Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration. Eleanor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.  Eleanor shared some of her newest quilts and patterns and we even got to place orders for her upcoming book!  Sue also shared new patterns and ideas that she is working on and we loved have some 'sneak peaks' of those quilts.  It's always fun when quilters get together, but this was over the top FUN!

Yup!  Eleanor loves a party and she joined us at the beach! 

And here is Sue!

We had great fun sharing during the Show & Tell.

And the show continues! 
This Cathedral Window Quilt had over 2000 'windows'.  It was shown by Linda Nicholson.  The quilt was made for her by her mother, Bernice Reel-Heiny, who also attended the party. 
(I hope that I have all of the facts correct.  If not, please let me know!)

And ... we had a Wild & Wacky Challenge.  Each attendee was asked to bring something from their sewing/craft room that they were saving but they didn't know why.  They were told that they would not bet the items back because they would be used in a project.  The group was divided up into teams of 6 and given the following:

• A sewing machine
• 4  -  1 yd. cuts of fabric
• 45 minutes of time
• access to a work table that had cutting mats, rulers, cutters, scissors, irons, general sewing supplies, glue guns, crepe paper, curling ribbon, newspapers and a bunch of other things!
• a bag of rather 'odd' items that had to also be used in the creation
• a large umbrella

They worked as a team to create some INTERESTING UMBRELLAS!  Here are some of the photos that were captured.

And the 2nd Place Award went to the team that made the umbrella 

decorated with a variety of Flip Flops!

And the WINNER!  The Cabana Umbrella!

A picture of all of the Party Girls!

 

Great People!  Great Party!  Great PFun!

Thanks for coming!

July 1st is almost here!

Tomorrow is July 1st and the beginning of Row By Row Experience!  This is going to be so much fun this summer.  For complete details, click here.  Also take time to read my previous Blog Post.  I promised you a picture of our row when we had it made into a finished sample.  Well here it is! 

I LOVE it!  Well after all it is Red and White and Hearts so what's not to love?  So even if you do not want to make it into the Row by Row Quilt, you can pick up the pattern and kit and have a beautiful table runner.  The kit includes the pre-cut fabrics for the center section.  The piano key borders are something that you can add if you choose.  Get your route planned out and be sure to stop at SEW BIZ as you go ROW BY ROW this summer!  Visit our website.

Summertime Fun!

We have sew many exciting things happening this summer at SEW BIZ, I don't know how I am going to be able to keep up with them all!  Seriously, I have people say to me "I bet things are really slow in your business right now, huh?"  REALLY?  Come hang out with us for a day.  No way!  We are having trouble getting time to even get our class schedule nailed down and June is almost gone!  Every.Single.Day the FedEx truck and the UPS truck drop off more beautiful fabric.  It is now overflowing and I don't have a clue where we are going to put the beautiful border print oriental fabric that arrived today.

We have ROW by ROW Experience that begins Tuesday, July 1 and runs through Sept. 2nd.  Read about it at our website.  This is going to be great fun.  It is a nation wide shop hop of sorts. Here is a picture or our Row.  It is a FREE Pattern that is available when you stop in the store and there is also a Kit available for the row.  As soon as we have our Row made into a table runner and quilted, I will share that with you!

Fun for everyone.  Most of the participating stores also have Fabric Plates with creative quilt related sayings.  Stop in to get your fabric plate from SEW BIZ and begin collecting them on your summer outings.  We love our plate!  What do you think? 

And ... just because we have the great opportunity of participating in the CELEBRATION of the Quilters Hall of FAME, we have a very special fabric plate that will be available July 14 - 19th during the Annual Celebration!  Here it is...complete with Fireworks in honor of the month of July Celebration.

Don't miss CELEBRATION!  We will have lots going on in our store July 14 -19th and did I mention a FABRIC SALE???

To kick off the Celebration week, we are hosting Eleanor Burns (2012 QHF Inductee) and Sue Bouchard for a Wild and Wacky Beach Party.  Here are the details.  You must join us for this Fun Event!  I would say "No Swim Suit Required" but that could get us into some real trouble.  It is going to be sew much fun, laughs galore and I would love to tell you more but we have a MYSTERY ACTIVITY planned that you are sure to love and I can't spoil it!

Have a great week-end and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Donelle

Are you seeing RED? Red Glasses are for anyone who sews or quilts!

 

• Every quilter, seamstress, fabric artist, and designer needs this tool to perfect the most important design element - Contrast!
• Simplest way to determine color value of fabrics.
• Enables you to see fabrics in a grey scale.
• Organize fabrics by dark, medium & light value.
• See contrasting values to help create vibrancy and interest in your design.

Order yours today and save $4.00!  Call 765-674-6001 to take advantage of this great price!

 

To Market, To Market! Quilt Market ... that is!

Linda and I will soon be headed to 2014 Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, PA!.  We are always excited to see the new lines of fabrics, patterns, trends and 'stuff' that are introduced to quilt store owners.  The displays are beautiful, the samples of the new patterns are made up in every flavor imaginable and the choices are many!  This makes it very difficult to determine which ones are "just right" for you - our customers!  We try to get rested up and be in our best frame of mind but oh my ... it is still difficult.  We will do our very best to bring back great patterns, fabrics, and ideas to keep you inspired and excited to turn fabric into beautiful projects.

I (Donelle) will be teaching a Business Class to other store owners, managers and quilt teachers about what else --- Teaching Classes!  Here's where you come in.  I have a section of my class totally devoted to sewing hints and tips.  Many of you have been taking classes from us for 30 years and have learned many little tricks from us, as well as other sources.  SEW (pun intended) if you would please share 1 or more of those with me, I would love to have a list of 100 or more hints & tips that I can pass on to my class attendees.  Send them to my email address here and don't forget to add your name and town.  I will be sharing these with all of you in future blog posts so that everyone benefits!  Thanks for taking a few minutes today to share those with me.  I will need them by Saturday, May 10th so that I can put them in the handout.  Thanks, girls!

I will be back here again soon with more fun information!  Don't forget to stay tuned to your email and be sure to LIKE us on FACEBOOK.  We will be posting information there while we are at Quilt Market.

Oh, I almost forgot!  We have a HUGE Indoor SIDEWALK Sale beginning on Thursday, May 8th!  We have tons of things a greatly reduced prices.  Some up to 75% OFF.  Many are items are in very limited supply and we are trying to make room for the new merchandise that will be arriving shortly after we return from Market!  See our FACEBOOK Post for May 6th for a list of some of the items.  I am in a SPRING CLEANING MODE and will be adding items all week-end long!

See you at the SIDEWALK SALE!  Whew...we need to clear out many nooks and crannies before we leave next Wednesday!  Pittsburgh here we come!

Donelle

Blogin, Blogin, Blogin!

Here we go again!  I know that I need to keep up with this but somehow, I seem to get behind.  I had something happen this morning while working on a project, so I thought I would share my experience with you.  And maybe, just maybe, I will get back into the habit on meeting you here on my blog more frequently.

As I was working on this quilt...

I experienced all kinds of problems with fusing down the pieces of the giraffe.  So I learned some lessons and here is my helpful tip for today...

Just a word of caution!  When using Heat ‘n Bond, Wonder Under or any type of fusible web – FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!  We have experienced problems ourselves by failing to read the directions.  They all work perfectly for their intended purposes WHEN YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.  Ask me how I know!  I found out the hard way this morning and I am passing this information on to you so that you do not have to experience that same frustration.  If you have any questions, please contact us.  I know that many times you do not save the directions and you have fusible that you have no clue how to use.  Here are some organizing hints.

1.      When purchasing the fusible, keep the label/wrapper so that you know which type it is.

2.      Label a zip-lock type bag for each type and weight of fusible.  Use a Sharpie Marker to label the bag.  Keep a set of instructions for each type in the bag that is specific for that weight and brand.  (I would put the instructions in a page protector cut down to convenient size and keep that in the bag.)

3.      Return scraps that you have left over to the proper bag.  You never know when a small piece of fusible will be just the right size.

4.      Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the corner of the bag.

5.      Arrange the bags on a key ring to keep them organized and handy.

This same type of organization will work well for interfacings.

A little work now will keep you organized and make your life in the sewing room so much easier!

Until next time...and I hope that is soon, remember to make time for the things that you enjoy!

Donelle

Day 12 STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ

 

It is DAY 12 of STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ!

The last day of Stuff My Stocking 2013!  

We are so thankful that you  joined in on our 12 Days of Stuff My Stocking Specials!  Our entire staff joins me in wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Blessings in the New Year.  

 

And NOW for the DAY 12 SPECIAL

  

If you have been participating during the first 11 days of Stuff My Stocking at SEW BIZ, you now have a very SPECIAL opportunity for Day 12.

You can purchase

up to 4

$25.00 SEW BIZ Gift Certificates

for $20 each!

 

Certificates are good for any

regular priced merchandise in the store.  However, you must use the entire certificate on one purchase - no change back.   

The Gift Certificates are valid Jan. 4th through April 29th, 2014. 

This special offer for DAY 12 will be available until midnight, Tuesday, Dec. 17th.  All emails must be time stamped by midnight 12/17/13.

Well that's it for us, friends. 

The stockings are filling up and we are wrapping up more items!

 

We will get your gift certificates added and they will be ready for pick-up beginning Thursday, Dec. 19th.  If you need to have your stocking loot shipped, please give us a call (765-674-6001)  So that we can get  those arrangements made prior to Christmas.

     

If you would like to order Gift Certificates, just 

  

Click Here

 

and in the SUBJECT LINE of the email tell us to

"Stuff My Stocking with Day 12"  

and be sure to let us know the number of Gift Certificates
that you would like ( 1, 2, 3, or 4)
and included your

NAME

PHONE NUMBER

Merry Christmas, Everyone! 

 

  

Don't forget - we have a great selection of additional gift items in our

WRAPPED & READY

Department! 

All of these items have special discounted prices & they are all
WRAPPED & READY! 

• Irons
• Sewing Tables
• Rulers
• Cutting Mats
• Purse Kits
• T-Square rulers
• and lots more!

Tell Santa to be sure and check out these items at great prices! 

 

DAY 11 STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ

It is DAY 11 of STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ!

The next to the last day!  

 Is everyone 'IN' that wants to be included?

I am asking today because the DAY 12 Special Item will only be available for those that have been participating! 

If you have not been participating or keeping up and think that you may want some of the items,  our BLOG  has all of the Daily Specials. 

Now, don't mess with SANTA's List.  If you have already replied and you reply again - GUESS WHAT? - You are going to get a duplicate!  Santa is stuffing those stockings right now and he doesn't take time to look and see if you already have an item in your stocking!

 

And here are the RULES by which we play!

This is the eleventh of 12 special offers - one each day from now until  

December 16th for a special discounted item

(does not include Wednesdays or Sundays).

To take advantage of the special price, all you need to do is

Click Here

and tell us to

"STUFF MY STOCKING with DAY #_____!"

Be sure to include your FULL NAME and phone number.

We will be sending a new email each day with the special item of the day. Feel free to purchase only the items that you would like to have. The special deal for each of the items is only available until midnight of the following day

so be sure to check your email each day!

Beginning December 19th, stop in the store to pick up your loot

or better yet...send a SANTA!

If you want to participate but live a distance away, we will

be happy to ship the items to you (we will add the shipping charges).

***

This is the perfect way to get what YOU want for Christmas and save $$$, too!

You know that your family wants you to have just what you want so...

COME ON...JOIN THE FUN

and tell your family you are doing the shopping for them!

Your SANTA will also LOVE this idea!   

 

And NOW for the DAY 11 SPECIAL 

  

It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas - inside and outside
 of SEW BIZ  -- aka  SANTA's WORKSHOP!

Stockings are filling up and we are wrapping up more items!

We know that you are going to LOVE this Special for Day 11.

 

 

 

by

Martingale & Co.  

 

 

This brand new book includes 25 unique patterns and offers lots of choice and loads of value. Projects include a pencil case, knitting needle case, makeup bag, aprons, pin cushions, pillows, and more. Homemade gift ideas abound from a host of talented designers. Published Oct-2013

  

SEW GIFTS will be the book used for a NEW

Gift of the Month Class  

that will start in January at SEW BIZ!  

 

And a BONUS to you!  When you purchase the DAY 11 Special Item, you will also receive a COUPON that will be good for your 10th GIFT OF THE MONTH class fee.  (Value $12.00)   

That's right!  Come to 9 of the GOM classes and your 10th will be FREE! 

Here are a few of the projects in the book!

 

 

 

 

Today's Special    

  Reg. Price    $26.95       

  

  

SPECIAL Day 11 Value    $22.95 

 

Click Here

 

and in the SUBJECT LINE of the email tell us to

"Stuff My Stocking with Day 11"  

and be sure to give us your

NAME

 
PHONE NUMBER

We will be back on Monday with the last special item for Day 12. 

And it will be very special!

 

 

Day 2 STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ

It is DAY 2 of STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ!

 

This is the second of 12 special offers - one each day from now until December 16th for a special discounted item

(does not include Wednesdays or Sundays).

To take advantage of the special price, all you need to do is

Click Here

and tell us to

 

"STUFF MY STOCKING with DAY 2!"

 

Be sure to include your FULL NAME and phone number.

(Remember: We have more than 1 Janet!)

We will be sending a new email each day with the special item of the day. Feel free to purchase only the items that you would like to have. The special deal for each of the items is only available until midnight of the following day

so be sure to check your email each day!

Beginning December 19th, stop in the store to pick up your loot

or better yet...send a SANTA!

If you want to participate but live a distance away, we will

be happy to ship the items to you (we will add the shipping charges).

***

We had a great time with this the last 5 years and the idea is being used all

around the country this Christmas.

This is the perfect way to get what YOU want for Christmas and save $$$, too!

You know that your family wants you to have just what you want so...

COME ON...JOIN THE FUN

and tell your family you are doing the shopping for them!

Your SANTA will also LOVE this idea!   

 

DAY 2

 

Jumbo   (GREEN)   Small  (RED)

WONDER CLIPS  

 

The name says it all!  You will WONDER what you ever did without these great sewing room accessories.  Great for bindings, holding fabric in place for items that straight pins will not go through, making work quick & convenient!  Since Santa spoke with Mrs. Claus and she informed him that many of the ladies that shop at SEW BIZ may already have one size or the other, Santa decided it would be best to offer them individually.  However, if you want to purchase both, that would be fine, too!     

 

Jumbo Clips  Reg. Price    $25.95

SPECIAL Day 2 Value    $19.95

 

Small Clips  Reg. Price    $7.95

SPECIAL Day 2 Value    $5.95

 

Buy Both sizes & you will be saving $7.00! 

 

 

 

Click Here

 

and in the Subject line of the email tell us to

"Stuff My Stocking with Day 2 - Jumbo, Small or BOTH" 

and be sure to give us your

NAME

PHONE NUMBER

Day 10 STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ

It is DAY 10 of STUFF MY STOCKING at SEW BIZ!

It's not too late to join the fun!
 

And here are the RULES by which we play!

This is the eighth of 12 special offers - one each day from now until  

December 16th for a special discounted item

(does not include Wednesdays or Sundays).

To take advantage of the special price, all you need to do is

Click Here

and tell us to

"STUFF MY STOCKING with DAY 10!"

Be sure to include your FULL NAME and phone number.

We will be sending a new email each day with the special item of the day. Feel free to purchase only the items that you would like to have. The special deal for each of the items is only available until midnight of the following day

so be sure to check your email each day!

Beginning December 19th, stop in the store to pick up your loot

or better yet...send a SANTA!

If you want to participate but live a distance away, we will

be happy to ship the items to you (we will add the shipping charges).

***

This is the perfect way to get what YOU want for Christmas and save $$$, too!

You know that your family wants you to have just what you want so...

COME ON...JOIN THE FUN

and tell your family you are doing the shopping for them!

Your SANTA will also LOVE this idea!   

DAY 10

  

Ho! Ho! Ho!
From the weather report, it sounds like we might all be doing a little dance while we are out and about - "a slippin' and a slidein' - slippin' and a slidein'!"  Everyone be exta careful in this snow that is supposed to be headed our way.
 

But hey, we have something to keep your rulers from a slippin' and a slidein'!

Yes, we do!

The 1/4" wide STEADY BETTY STRIPS 

 

They come 10 in a package and they are great for putting on the backs of your rulers and acrylic templates to keep them from shifting.  They are adhesive backed so very simple to attached.  Keep a package on hand - you never know when you are going to need them!

 

  

Today's Special    

  Reg. Price    $5.95       

  

SPECIAL Day 10 Value    $4.95

AND...

to add a fun to your sewing area, select 1, 2 or all 3 of these cute little wooden sewing signs.  At $4.95 each, they are priced just right for gift giving, too!  Give them to your sewing and quilting friends.    

These signs do a great job of describing this crazy Elf!  

What about you and your friends? 

Sign 1

 

Sign 2

   

Sign 3 

Click Here

and in the SUBJECT LINE of the email tell us to

"Stuff My Stocking with Day 10 & which

sign or signs you would like"  

and be sure to give us your

NAME

 
PHONE NUMBER

We will be back on Sunday with another special item for Day 11.