March 24, 2013

Hi Friends!
Brrrrr....... Can you believe the weather? I think everyone I know is simply sick-to-death of this everlasting winter. I must admit however, as much as I crave some balmy, sunshine, this winter weather that has unapologetically overstayed its welcome forces me to stay inside where I am happily stitching 8 new patterns in my cozy sewing studio.

 I'm having an excellent weekend despite (or perhaps because of) the weather. To put the icing on this chilly, sleety cake, it was sweet little Sam's first birthday, sew we had a fun party for our little man!

The shelves for our two front fabric rooms have been finished and should be painted this week. If our painter can get us on his schedule (his wife just had a stroke) the plan is to start painting those 2 rooms right after Easter. We are sew excited....but trying really hard to be patient with the mess of our ongoing remodel

Several great classes are on the schedule and coming up during the next 2-3 weeks. You can study the calendar on our website, but I'll give you a recap right here!

This coming Tuesday, March 26 Carolyn is teaching Quilting For the Clueless from

1-4. This is the perfect introduction to the obsession of quilting! $25

Tuesday evening from 5-9 is the very popular Sit 'n Sew for the Working Girl. (Be SURE to check with the shop if the weather looks inclement ~ (740)775-1957.

On Thursday, March 28 from 10-4, Linda will be teaching the darling Zig Zag Placemats class. Six 2/3 cuts of fabric complete 6 placemats, including backing and binding! $40

 Friday is our fun, energetic, FREE Sit 'n Sew from 10-5. Hope you can come!

 Saturday, March 30 from 10-5 Charlotte is teaching ANY braid quilt pattern you like! She's made several and will make the patterns easy for you! $40

 We have a bunch of new classes coming in April....here are just a few:

*Quilting for the Clueless ~ April 13 10-1

*Intro to Handquilting ~ April 16 1-4

*Woolie-Bullies ~ April 20 10-1

Watch our calendar for pictures and updates!

Here is a picture of the Next $5 Class (Saturday, April 6). Hope you can join us for the fun!! (ps. I'm cookin'!)

*Summer's End ~ (3-session class)This stunning quilt is made using hand-dyed

fabrics from a kit by Starr Fabric Designs. This is not a difficult quilt, but it will take

sewing time. It finishes as a large queen. If you would rather use other fabrics, we

sell just the pattern and can help you choose the combination of fabrics that best suit

your needs. Kit for extended queen as shown on facebook  is $199.00

 Sat, April 13 (remaining classes to be determined by students) Class Fee $60

Our class policy is as follows: We require a minimum of $10 (non-refundable) to hold your place in the class. If you pay in-full at the time of registration and are unable to attend the class, $10 is non-refundable but we will give you the balance of what you deposited on a gift card from our shop or will transfer the entire amount to another class.

The March Special is 50% Off all Sticker-Dot Books! (we have hundreds!!) This week's Hot Stuff is Gypsy Sip 'n Snip ~ 30% Off!

Our Sit 'n Sew events are FREE and all shopping during the Sit 'n Sews is 10% off for all in attendance. Sit 'n Sew is all day (10-5) on Fridays and 5-9 on Tuesdays. Since we're here on Tuesday evenings the store is OPEN. [Be sure to call us if you are coming to shop on Tuesday night from any distance, because with the unpredictable Ohio winter weather, as well as our equally-unpredictable re-model schedule, check to be sure we're open]

It's time to start planning for the 2013 Creations SewClever Quilt Aways!! This year, due to a conflict in my schedule, we'll only be having TWO of these awesome-fun events. Registrations are held with a $50 non-refundable deposit and the dates fill fast!! Weekend cost is $295 per person for single or double room occupancy. For 3 or 4 to a 2-queen room, price is $225. If a non-sewing/eating spouse accompanies you and shares your room, the cost for that person is $155. Meals are $15 for evening and $10 for lunch. The weekend includes the following:

·  Your comfy hotel room (single or double)

·  3 whole days of uninterrupted sewing

·  Private, discounted after-hours shopping at Creations

·  Catered (dee-licious!) meals

·  Quilter/masseuse and nail tech available all weekend (cost extra)

·  Your choice of anything you'd like to work on during the event (even knitting or reading.....or nothing!). We go to any length to make sure you have a fabulous, stress-free time! This year due to popular request we are offering the option of adding Thursday to each Quilt Away. I don't think we'll be able to afford the hotel conference room for sewing unless we have quite a few people sign up for the Thursday option, but we can sew at Creations all day Thursday and into the evening. Price for Quilt Away to include Thursday is $385 and Thursday meals are NOT included.

·  Quilt Away Dates 2013:

·  April 18, 19, 20 & 21

·  September 19, 20, 21 & 22 The Christopher Inn has a wonderful, clean, bright conference room. There is a sparkling indoor pool and hot tub! We alsew invite a quilter/masseuse friend to offer massages throughout the fun weekend and a nail tech to pamper our tootsies and nails! We are all geared up for another fun Quilt Spree Year with discounts and adventures for all our Friends Card holders! You can purchase your Friend Card now ($15) on-line at www.MyQuiltSpree.com or in our shop. These cards entitle you to: * May "Friends" Month ~ Super Saturday is May 4 - Demo Day for Friends
* Free 2013 Packet of Quilt Patterns ~ 8 quilt patterns designed especially for you Theme to be announced/Available early summer
* Summer Shop Hop Passport A fun event everyone looks forward to each year. Details to be announced in March!
* Free entry to Holiday Fest shopping area Shopping, Sew-In, Round Robin, Quilter's
Desserts, Classes ~ Something for every quilter!
* PLUS... BONUS EVENTS & SPECIALS at quilt shops during the year

JEFF CLUB NOTES: Linda is back in the saddle again, and gearing up for a fun year of Janome Embroidery Friends projects! Watch our calendar and my emails for days and times. If you have ANY Janome embroidery machine you are welcome to join us! If you have the Janome 200e, or any other small-format embroidery machine, please know you will be very limited in what you are able to participate in. If you have an embroidery machine other than a Janome, you are alsew welcome. However, you must be able to use your machine and keep up with the class.

 We have a customer who is hoping to sell a Viking Designer I computerized sewing and embroidery machine with all the accessories and workbooks. The machine has 1 hour of sewing and 2 hours of embroidery on it, sew basically it is NEW. Customer is asking $1250.00/OBO for all. Although I'm not familiar with it, I have a customer/friend who would be willing to give lessons on it. Please call Tim Schiller if you have any questions about the machine: 937-981-4407

Be sure to stop by the shop if you are out and about this week. It may still be winter outside, but it's always sunny and 70* in our place! How about a couple new recipes?

CHICKEN PICATA
4 - 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 lemon, zest and juice
1 cup chicken stock
6 Tbsp. capers
1 (14-oz.) can quartered artichoke hearts, packed in water, drained
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag. Add flour + salt and pepper and seal. Shake to coat chicken. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken. Cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until browned. Add garlic, onions, celery and mushrooms; cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Add lemon juice and zest, broth, capers, and artichoke hearts; cook, turning chicken halfway through, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle. Serve with rice, quinoa or pasta.

SUPER-EASY SMOKED SAUSAGE SOUP
1 lb sleeve of Polish sausage, smoked sausage, kielbasa, or cooked sausage of your choice. Chop into bite-size pieces
1 lg can Veg-All veggies for stew, drained
2 -15oz can beef or chicken broth
15oz can stewed or diced tomatoes (undrained)
3 onions, rough-chopped
1 small head of cabbage, peeled, cored and chunked
In large stock-pot, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer all day. Serve with crusty bread.

EASY PEACH DUMPLING
1 can peach pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
1 - 4oz can crushed pineapple
½ cup melted butter
In 9x13 casserole dish, layer peach pie filling, cake mix, crushed pineapple and drizzle melted butter over all. Bake at 350* 25 min, or until golden. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

"The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month." ~ Henry Van Dyke

Wishing you a lazy Sunday afternoon in your favorite sunbeam. From the Fishel Farm ~

Your friend in running stitches, Rita

PS. Please "like" us on facebook!~ When we top 500 'likes' I'll draw 2 names and each will receive a signed copy of one of my books!