We're back and it was really fun!!!! Robyn and I had the best time. It was a great show, a lot of people and many new customers. It was fun to watch the reaction of people to being introduced to "Robyn Pandolph". There were a few that had a hard time believing that "THE" Robyn Pandolph was actually sitting in a booth signing labels. Missy Milano was delighted to have her there and they are planning on Robyn teaching at Quilt Odyssey next year. Stay tuned for more information on that.

Even though we had a lot of sales we did come back with merchandise, which I was counting on. And that means that we have a ton of new things in the shop. If you were not at the show then you are in for a treat with all the new samples and kits we have for some really great projects. And, like most everything we do, made from fat quarters and really simple to make. Great Christmas gifts and, I have been saying for some time, now is the time to get started people.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi!!! For those of you who shopped in the booth you know that you got a gift certificate to spend at the shop. Don't hesitate to take advantage of your little blue card. Even though it doesn't expire, some of the great kits that we have won't last forever.

Come in and see us soon. Barbara

PS. With all this heat, after you visit us, stay inside where it is cool and get started on all those fall and winter projects.

The blog is early this Wednesday because Robyn and I are off the Hershey in just a little while to set up for Quilt Odyssey. The van is loaded and we are ready to roll. She arrived yesterday and it has been so great to get a chance to catch up on everything. The girls from the shop came for dinner last night and we had a great time sitting around the dining room table sharing stories. Don't even ask what all we talked about, we covered a range of topics but very little about quilting--imagine that!!!

Don't forget, if you are coming the Hershey stop by the booth, we will have surprises for those of you who normally come to the shop and everyone else as well.

Also, if you are thinking about preordering Ellie's new book, which is fabulous--call the shop to place your order. Remember the Code is 1234 for $5.00 off the purchase price of $29.95. The phone number is 304-262-6633.

I will be back late on Sunday so I might not post the blog until Monday but I will have a lot to tell you so check in for that one. See you at the Show!!! Barbara

The most prepared for week has arrived and we are totally prepared!! Everyone has worked so hard to get kits cut, folded, packaged, etc. Judy, Cathy and Kelly have toiled tirelessly to see that everything is assembled, printed and laminated. Gina came back from vacation and threw herself into copying and printing. I can't say enough thank you's and kudos for all, they really have made this a lot easier. If I have failed to mention what I refer to, why it is Quilt Odyssey of course. The show starts on Thursday. Tomorrow I will check Nelson into Respite Care, On Tuesday I will pick up Robyn and load the van and then on Wednesday morning we will head for Hershey, PA and set up the booth. I am so excited about the number of new projects that we will have for you to see. Kits galore and a few surprises. If you are a Robyn Pandolph fan, (and who isn't?) stop by and say hello. If you are a Nutmeg Lodge fan, (and who isn't) stop by and say hello. I have a special something for all of you who shop in the booth. Of course, in addition to being excited about my first booth at this wonderful show, I am doubly excited about spending time with my wonderful friend. Robyn and I have done so many booths together over the years and around the country. It will, however, be the first time that she will be going with me to do a show for my business, in the past I was accompanying her for her business. She is not only coming to help me in the booth but to celebrate her birthday. It has been several years that I have been with her to celebrate and I am even more pleased. Her wonderful husband, John gave the trip to her for her present from him. Thank you John!!!

Come see us in Hershey at the Hershey Convention Center. Or stop by the shop and enjoy all the great Christmas fabric. See you soon, Barbara

I just realized that this is the 100th posting on the blog. Since I do this twice a week, I guess this blog is about one year old. I also hope that each of you have enjoyed reading these little updates twice a week. I have found that it has been a great way to let everyone know what is going on and keeping all of you up-to-date on new arrivals and special deals. Thanks for your interest!!!

Work is at a fevered pitch getting everything ready for next week. Of course, as usual, new arrivals have precipitated extra work in the way of getting new kits ready and a sample to go along with them. The girls at the shop have been wonderful getting everything cut, folded and packaged in a most beautiful manner. If you can't make the show, we should have extra stock to put on the shelves when we get back. We really do have some great kits that are not only beautiful but quick and easy and will make great gifts.

We have had some new Christmas fabric arrive this week. For some reason this year it seems to have arrived later than usual but I do believe that it is all finally here. Please remember that this doesn't last forever and it you have projects in mind, don't put off purchasing too long. This has begun to really dwindle by September.

Come in and enjoy the cool and friendly atmosphere and check out the new arrivals. See you then, Barbara

Is it hot enough for everyone? Well it is July and to think, we still have August. AHHH, what a perfect time to get all the lovely Christmas fabric for all the gift projects and crank up the AC and get a jump start on the holiday season. We really do have a great selection and your Christmas dollars are good on each and every one plus the Christmas fat quarters.

Only once week left to get things finished up for the booth at Quilt Odyssey. I know that a lot of you are planning on making the trip and you will be delighted when you visit Nutmeg Lodge's booth. We have so many new projects with kits available. And we have a lot of them, so many in fact that I'm not sure how I am going to get it all the the booth. Well, you know how I love my nooks and crannies, it should be a shoppers feast with so much going on in one booth. If you are still wanting to go and have not made plans, there is a bus going from this area on Friday, July 28. We have information in the shop. Or, if you would like to find someone to ride/drive with, let us know and we will try and hook you up.

We completely sold out of batting during the Anniversary Sale, but a new shipment has arrived so if you need batting, stop by and load up.

See you soon, Barbara

Merry Christmas!! That is the phrase we used today. As promised, all of the Christmas fabric is out and apparently there were a lot of you itching to get started on Christmas projects. A word of caution, this fabric won't last long so don't delay in coming in and seeing all the beautiful stuff and get ready to start your Christmas projects. I have been busy working on samples from the Thimbleberries book with all of that great fabric that we have. These are about the easiest and best projects that I have seen in a long time. Really, the first project in the book took less than 1/2 hour and I already have it quilted to boot. You can make a whole bunch of these and be ready to wrap before the kids are back in school. If you are in need of inspiration, I know that everyone working the floor will be able to give you tons of ideas.

Kathy and I are working on getting the shopping page ready. In the meantime, anyone wishing to preorder Elly's book, Baltimore Elegance, you may preorder until the end of July and using the Code 1234, you will receive a $5.00 credit. The price of the book is $29.95 plus s/h for out-of-town orders. As I have mentioned earlier, I saw Elly 's galley copy and it is maybe the best book she has done. Every Baltimore appliquer needs this book. You may email me or call the shop to place your order.

Come in and see us and let us get you started on all those great gifts. Barbara

Thanks to all who stopped by this week to say Happy Anniversary and to stock up on so many great buys!! We really did have a lot of fun. There is one more day to enjoy all the bargains so if you didn't make it in last week or if there is something you forgot on your list you have Tuesday to get in on all the good stuff at 25% off and then there are still some great buys in the back room. We will be doing door prizes and will have the lemonade and cookies out as well.

Then on Wednesday it will be all the Christmas fabric in great abundance. As I have said before, there is so much stuffed back into the recesses of the store that I have quite forgotten everything that we ordered. We will be getting things organized to focus on the new Thimbleberries line that goes with the Christmas To Go book. This is an outstanding group of projects and the fabrics are wonderful. Stay tuned for more info on this one. Of course, all your Christmas Dollars on good on these purchases until the end of August.

We are getting very close to opening the shopping page complete with PayPal and you can then order from home in your PJs if that is easier. Another great event to stay tuned for. At the same time we will start taking orders for Elly's new book as well as fat quarter bundles of her new fabric line.

Our friend Carol Gruber was in on Saturday and was shopping for fabric for a "car quilt". Now is that not the neatest thing you ever heard of. Yes, she is making a quilt for her car. After all, when it is chilly or down right cold, a little quilt to put over your knees is just the best thing ever. If you need ideas for your car quilt, let me know and I will lend my advice. I can't wait to get started on mine. See you all soon, Barbara

After the long weekend and holiday, it was good to get back to work. It was even better because so many of you stopped by to enjoy the first day of the Anniversary Sale. I love it when people come in with their lists. What fun to find everything on the list and then a couple of extras. Yes, it is our Fifth Anniversary Sale, and everything in the store is marked down 25%. Plus, we have some great buys in the back room. Come in while the good stuff lasts. And an extra bonus, we have door prize drawings every hour and a really fun anniversary game to play. Answer 10 questions right and you get two fat quarters. There are cookies and lemonade to keep your spirits up and an extra surprise when you arrive. A new look out front is sure to put a smile on your face.

Oh, and I almost forgot about the Christmas Dollars. For every ten dollars on the register, you receive a Christmas Dollar. Christmas Dollars will be good on Christmas fabric purchases beginning next Wednesday through August 31. We are extending the Anniversary Sale through next Tuesday and then on Wednesday, we will deck the halls and roll out all the great Christmas fabric that has been arriving over the last few months. Sometimes it is hard to remember exactly everything that we have because we have been hoarding it for so long. And, quite frankly, we are beginning to run out of storage space. It will be nice to get it out on the shelves.

Don't let the week pass by without coming in and sharing this special anniversary and picking up a few bargains.

See you soon---Barbara

I am feeling so nostalgic. Can it really be five years since I first opened the doors to Nutmeg Lodge and began welcoming you in? Can it really be five years since this amazing journey began? I have been trying to picture what we looked like five years ago. We really had received only a small portion of the fabric that was ordered. The checkout counter was still under construction. And the old cutting table was the center of attraction. I remember how many of you came that first week to offer encouragement and congratulations. I know that these five years have been a wonderful experience. I feel so blessed to have made friends with so many of you. I feel doubly blessed to have had your support and participation in all aspects of what goes on at Nutmeg Lodge.

To begin the celebration--on Wednesday, the doors will swing open and we will be holding our annual Anniversary Sale. Everything in the store is marked down 25%. This will be a great time to get backs for projects finished or near finishing. Battings, threads, quilting supplies, etc. Needles, pins, cutters, mats and rulers. You name it, it is marked down. Stock up on panels and quick items for fun and easy gifts for Christmas and other events in your life that need a gift. Plus, in the classroom, we will have a variety of special sale items marked down to 50%.

In addition to all of these great bargains, we will be playing games, and drawing for some great door prizes. I really want this to be a big celebration but we can't celebrate without each of you. After all, YOU ARE WHAT MAKES NUTMEG LODGE.

I send each of you a special invitation to stop in this week and help celebrate our big event. And, I also say THANK YOU to each and everyone that has helped make Nutmeg Lodge such a big success.

Barbara

PS--Have a great 4th of July !!!! We are closed on Tuesday and we will see you bright and early on Wednesday.