Checker Newsletter

Potato Bags have become a new on-line craze.  Baking a potato in an insulated bag – in the microwave – produces a perfect baked potato in a matter of minutes.  The potatoes can be cut and fluffed with a fork.  The skin – which contains so many of the nutrients – stays moist and soft. [...]

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Feedsacks hold a special place in a quilter’s heart.  They were produced during the Great Depression and World War II – times in our history when women took charge – and behind the scenes, simply did what needed to be done.  Gloria Nixon’s new book “Feedsack Secrets” chronicles these fabrics.  She scoured magazines and newspapers and presents [...]

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What is not to love about Nancy Halvorsen?    She is the whole package – designing beautiful fabrics that combine with great patterns to create one of a kind gifts.  All of these elements come together in her new book and pattern line – Garden Song.

Item #ATH541B  Retail $18.00
And, in typical “Nancy” style, she always [...]

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I have been planning my 2010 quilt show schedule for months it seems, and now that the new year is upon us, I am revising my classes and choosing new products to put into my vendor booth. Naturally my attention is focused on Quilting Machines and the new products used with them. I have designed [...]

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Last week we talked about turning those red Christmas fabrics into Valentine Day treasures.  This week we will turn those greens into St. Paddy’s Day heirlooms….or maybe just a quick gift for a friend.  After all, in a few months, we will celebrate that drop of Irish blood in all of us.  So pull out [...]

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I know!  You’ve been so busy at the shop that you haven’t had time to decorate your own house for Christmas – and now I’m talking about Valentine’s Day!  But a little planning during the holiday lull will save you time and money next month!
The powers that be must have had quilt shops in mind [...]

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Let’s face it!  By this time of year, our customers are busy making sure everyone in their life has the perfect holiday season so they don’t have much time to sew!  They aren’t starting new projects.  They are stopping in to get thread, buttons, backings and battings to finish those projects that are almost done!
But, [...]

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Oops!!!  While we were all busy writing newsletters, teaching classes, and preparing for those fall shop hops – Thanksgiving and Christmas just snuck up on us!  AND, Thanksgiving is late this year so there is less than a month between the two holidays.
What is a quilt shop to do???  Decorate and embrace it – of [...]

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If you are a shop owner, why should you care about an International Retail show?  Because the most avid quilters attend these shows – and they are your best and most educated customers!  These are the quilters who know fabric lines by manufacturer, authors by name, and schedule their vacations around quilt shows.  These women [...]

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The wall calendars available this year are just spectacular!  The photography is better than ever – and what a way to add some inspiration to any room!  Why not consider giving a calendar to your friends – with the dates of all of the national quilt shows included.  You can even list everyone’s birthdays for [...]

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