Checker Newsletter

Take  Teach Sessions

Saturday

Checker Distribution Table

Saturday

9:45       Gudrun Erla – Big Blocks/Big Style

10:30    Shea Henderson – Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio

11:15      Kathy McGee – Hemma Designs

11:45      Janice Liljenquist & Marcea Owen – Abbey Lane Quilts

1:00        Janice Vaine – Applique & Embroidery Fundamentals – Landauer Publishing

1:45        Carolyn Friedlander – Paper-Piecing Demonstration

2:30        Carol Hopkins – Civil War Legacies, Martingale & Company

3:15         Debra Gabel – Quilts Around the World, C & T Publishing

4:00        Denyse Schmidt – Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration – Stewart Tabori & Chang

4:30        Karin Hellaby – Sew Simple Pinwheels Patchwork Techniques

Sunday

9:45         Swirly Girls Design – Darling Demo featuring Dill Buttons

10:45      Linda Pumphrey – A demo of the latest Accuquilt products

11:30       Nick Coman – Kandi Corp – See the deColourant process in action!

12:30      Donna Babylon – Appli-Doodle – a little bit of applique a whole lot of stitching fun

2:00        Rebecca Yaker & Patricia Hoskins – Fabric-by-Fabric One Yard Wonders  Storey Publishing

As you can see, there is never a dull moment so stop by often!

Market begins for us before the doors even open!  Checker is sponsoring several Take and Teach Sessions and participating in others that feature Creative Grids rulers as well.  Take and Teach sessions are classes that begin at 8:00 each morning.

Take and Teach Sessions – Friday

Karla Alexander will share how to use a series of Creative Grids rulers that make sewing curves simple and easy – and share the book published by Martingale that features them all!

Karen Montgomery will show you how to quick trim your way to perfect Flying Geese and never draw another line again!  The magic is in the ruler!

Creative Grids Booth

Several of the Creative Grids designers will be sharing their new rulers – and books and patterns that support the rulers…

9:30 – 11:00      P.J. Anderson

11:00 – 12:30    Karla Alexander

12:30 – 2:00     The Swirly Girls Design

2:00 – 4:00       Erin Underwood

4:00 – 6:00       Rita Fishel

Checker Demonstration Table

9:45                Cathy Wierzbicki – Triangle Genie Jr. Tool

10:30             Jill Guffy & Marny Buck – Modern Quilt Relish

11:15               Jean Ann Wright – Quilt Sashings & Settings, The Basics & Beyond, Landauer Publishing

12:00              Linda Warren – Learning Curve Ruler

1:00                 Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins – Applique with Attitude, C & T Publishing

1:45                 Jane Sassaman – Patchwork Sassaman Style

2:30                Edyta Sitar – Scrappy Firework Quilts, Landauer Publishing

3:15                 Allison Harris – Cluck Cluck Sew

4:00                Deirdre Bond-Abel & Leonie Bateman – The Quilted Crow Girls

4:30                Karla Alexander – Dynamic Quilts with Easy Curves – Martingale & Company

What a way to open the show!!!  You can still call Checker to make an appointment to meet with a sales rep at Market….there is always something going on…..

Fab Shop Dinner

As you know, the Fab Shop Dinner is the kick-off to Spring Quilt Market.  It always is scheduled the night before school houses – and is a sneak peak at what to expect at Market.

This year, the dinner will be held at the Marriott Downtown – right by the convention center.

There is still time to sign up at:  http://www.fabshopnet.com/registration-orderform.asp#Membership-Dinner

Now, I know that you all go to this dinner to socialize and share ideas with fellow shop owners all over the country.  The prizes are just a bonus – but oh, what a bonus!  Everyone receives a door prize valued at a minimum of $50 retail and has an opportunity to win additional prizes — including a $1,500.00 credit memo from Checker!  Where else do you go – and get more in prizes than the price of admission!

Checker will be sharing advances in technology – including the Checker App and Checker You.  Join us at:

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 6:00pm

Kansas City Marriott Downtown
200 West 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone: 1-816-421-6800

Second Floor, Marriott Tower: Basie Ballroom A

School Houses

Checker is sponsoring twelve school houses on Thursday, May 17.  These events are all about education and sharing ways to increase sales in your shop.  Check out this line-up:

10:40 – 10:55    Kathy Brown

Fat Quarter Quickies + Ruler = Sold Out Classes

11:00 – 11:30   Jean Ann Wright

Successful Demos = Increased Sales of Tools and Gadgets

11:35 – 12:05    Rita Fishel

Turn those Specialty Rulers into Maximum Sales

12:10 – 12:40    Karen Montgomery

Bottom Line Customer Service

12:45 – 1:15    Karla Alexander & Swirly Girls Design

What’s New with Circles???

1:20 – 1:50    Roseann Kermes & Swirly Girls Design

Get Rich Quick

1:55 – 2:10    Pam & Nicky Lintott

A New Pattern Line by the Creators of the Jelly Roll Book Series

2:15 – 2:30    Janice Pope

Jiffy Binding for All Your Customers

2:35 – 3:05    Janice Pope

Boost Add-On and Peripheral Sales

3:10 – 3:40    Checker Distributors

Time is Money – Save Time with the Latest Technology

3:45 – 4:15    Checker Distributors

Five – 5 Minute Demos that will Increase Sales and Inspire Classes

Featuring:  Karen Hellaby; In the Patches; Fiskars; Steady Betty; and Oliso Irons

4:20 – 4:50    Erin Underwood

Innovative Techniques Create Fan-Tastic Fan Work!

Come join us!  We are in the same room ALL day – so come for the day, learn from the best in the industry, and be eligible for prizes at every event!

These little monsters, by Basic Grey LLC, are intended to be gift card (or cash) holders, but I see them as so much more…

School is out next month – which means mothers will be bringing in their children while shopping.  Why not have these little guys at the register as rewards for good behavior???

Meet Gerda….

Item #BGFAB-8007  Retail $5.00

Lurp….

Item #BGFAB-8006 Retail $5.00

Rosieday….

Item #BGFAB-8005 Retail $5.00

Gazer….

Item #BGFAB-8004  Retail $5.00

As a grandmother who has five grandchildren under four, these are going to be GREAT Hide and Seek toys!  I am already collecting little treats to hide in them – Hot Wheels cars; barrettes; bubbles – you get the picture!  But, what kind of grandmother would I be if I didn’t let them keep one…..a different one at each visit?

My oldest is starting to read so she will find one of these little guys under her pillow with a special note from Grandma.

I am going to add a snap hook so they can attach them to their book bags and belt loops.

Item #SKD1005SH  Retail $4.00

Beanie Babies step aside….the monsters are arriving any day!!!

These quilter’s post cards, by Villa Rosa Designs, are glossy and the size of a postcard with a quilt on the front and instructions on the back.  At just $2.00, they are the perfect impulse buy!  I can see your customers collecting them like baseball cards…

Saratoga…

Item #VRD268352  Retail $2.00

Double Delight….

Item #VRD268369  Retail $2.00

Iced Tea…

Item #VRD268390  Retail $2.00

Starfire…

Item #VRD268437  Retail $2.00

Cathedral….

Item #VRD268482  Retail $2.00

Polka…

Item #VRD958354  Retail $2.00

There are currently 36 cards to choose from – and more coming at Market.  Order now for the best selection:  http://www.checkerdist.com/products/search?keywords=villa+rosa&relatedto=

Buttons have become a fashion accessory – but that can sometimes come with a high price tag!  That’s why I was so pleased with this new line.  The quality is there at a reasonable price!

These 1/2″ shank buttons retail for just $5.50 – which makes them the perfect counter display….

Crimson….

Item #BGFAB-8016  Retail $5.50

Seaspray…

Item #BGFAB-8017  Retail $5.50

Truffle…

Item #BGFAB-8018  Retail $5.50

Buttercup….

Item #BGFAB-8019  Retail $5.50

This series is a little larger – 11/16″.

Crimson…

Item #BGFAB-8020  Retail $5.50

Seaspray…

Item #BGFAB-8021  Retail $5.50

Truffle…

Item #BGFAB-8022  Retail $5.50

Buttercup…

Item #BGFAB-8023  Retail $5.50

Many of you are preparing for Shop Hop season – and these are great impulse buys.  These should be arriving any day – and if you order them now, they will be arriving in your shop soon as well!

Quilts of Valor is one of those programs that make every quilter proud to use that title!  I don’t know of any quilter who has not participated in this program in some way:  making quilts; donating fabric; cutting kits; and machine quilting tops.  You have to love a program that brings quilters together from all over the country for a common cause.

Marianne sent the following note – and asked us to spread the news:

And, so are most of your customers so why not put together a collection of great beach bag patterns together with fun, large prints?  These large hobo type bags are a great way to showcase large prints and stripes that are sometimes difficult to feature in smaller projects.

I check out the top 20 almost every day and today the Bailey Island Hobo hit the top 20 – so I knew summer fun is just around the corner!

I love this bag by Aunties Two!  What a great class.

Item #AT244  Retail $9.00

The Gypsy Sling Bay by Amy Butler will hold all of the towels you need…

Item #AB054GS  Retail $12.95

The Bingo Beach Bag is another example of one of these great bags.  They are all easy to make because there is not a lot of structure.  Gathers are very forgiving so any of these bags make great beginner classes.

Item #CTD22323  Retail $9.00

These bags are a little more structured so any of them would be a great series of follow up classes.  The Sun & Surf Tote provides an opportunity to teach installing grommets.

Item #MKSP021SU  $7,95

For those who love a more traditional look, this Vintage Beach Tote includes simple appliques.

Item #2011134  Retail $10.00

This Field Bag & Tote includes a set in bottom – another great learning opportunity!

Item #AB040FI  Retail $ 8.60

Why not do a sample in patriotic fabrics as well?  Just in time for those 4th of July celebrations!

If you are a fan of Nancy Halvorsen, you know she celebrated the birth of her grandchildren with the release of a fabric line and book:  Winsome Baby.

Item #ATH532  $18.00

Luckily, I had grandchildren around the same time so I have been able to incorporate her designs into gifts for my own little ones as well.  So, I was thrilled to see her newest release – due out any day - Curiosities & Mischief!

Item #ATG546B  Retail $19.00

These charming creatures are sure to brighten the lives of the little ones in your life as well!  Her coordinating fabric line is due out soon and is so bright and cheerful, it will fit perfectly into your summer display.

This line is available in 10 or 15 yard collections.  If you haven’t ordered it, do so now!  Here is the link http://www.checkerdist.com/products/fabrics/?f_l=7144&page=1&f_d=30114.    By the time everyone sees the book and samples at Market, it will be in high demand!  After all, sight unseen, who doesn’t love polka dots!

I met P.J. Anderson in Des Moines at the end of 2010.  At the time, she was demonstrating a fascinating technique that made it possible for anyone to sew diamonds quickly and easily – and make miniature quilts from the scraps.  Needless to say, she is a great demonstrator, because in less than 15 minutes she was writing a book for Landauer Publishing and doing a ruler with Creative Grids!  That book will be arriving in August.

Sweet ‘N Sassy Diamond Quilts features 12 projects that use the Sweet ‘N Sassy Rhombus Templates from Creative Grids.

Item #L11274  Retail $27.95

That’s right – all 12 projects feature this ruler…

Item #CGRPA1  Retail $17.45

These nested templates come in three sizes so the diamonds, the sashings, and the setting triangles can all be cut out of the same set!  Believe me, having a plan come together was worth the wait!

Then at Fall Market, Phyllis showed me a beautiful piece of antique fabric – I mean VERY old French fabric!  We trotted right over to Henry Glass and voile’ – a new fabric line is born – and will be shipping next month as well..Feast your eyes on “Giselle”!

This is the print that inspired the line.  It is available in a white, periwinkle, and black background.  In this day and age when a large focal floral print is impossible to find,I just love it when you find the perfect focus for a quilt!

They took the “fruit” out of the main print to create a wonderful companion…here it is in the black version…..

Then they did a coloration in neutral shades to provide a gorgeous tone on tone print….

The tone on tones in the line are gorgeous as well…

The rhombus shape in her ruler is carried through into one of the companions….

And every good line has to have a stripe or two….

To see the entire line, visit our website at: http://www.checkerdist.com/products/fabrics/?f_l=6771&page=1&limit=100&f_d=33641

Phyllis will be doing a school house and Take and Teach session for us at Fall Market as well as demonstrating in the Checker Booth.

I just love it when good things happen to good people – and P.J. is one of the best!  So here’s to you babe, and may all of your dreams come true!