All the presents have been opened and some returned, the eating has probably slowed down a bit, and the thoughts of New Year Resolutions interrupt ones thoughts. A great way to start the New Year is at our biggest sale of the year. We always like to start things off with a bang and there really will be a lot to get you off to a wonderful start for 2007.

All fabric will be marked down 30% off. All books, patterns and notions will be marked down 25% off. In addition, the back room with be full of 50% off items. So much to look forward to and then, so much to do.

Don't let the rest of the week and the few wee hours left in 2006 pass you by without signing up and joining at least one of our great clubs. The reason to do this right now---you don't want to get the news that the club is full. Join now and give yourself a gift all year long.

I am going away for the New Year celebration and will post the blog on Monday night. Until then, Happy New Year and I wish each a prosperous and happy 2007. Barbara

I don't know about you, but I'm quite glad it was somewhat colder today. 60+ degrees is not my idea of Christmas weather. The bustle is almost over and we are very excited about the new year and all that is is in store for Nutmeg Lodge. I really am hoping that this will be our best year ever. Every Club project that will be coming next year is going to be the best ever. I am sure that once we get started that everyone will be wishing they were doing all of them. And that really is possible. But if for some reason you haven't signed up for a club yet, there is still time. I checked today with Antoinette and there are spaces available in all clubs. We have also added the extra color way to Thimbleberries. If you have not done this club before and would like to know more about it, come in and someone on staff will be able to explain all the great projects lined up for this year. It is going to be a really fun year---the big quilt that will be kitted monthly is a wonderful project with a delightful house in the center. The program is designed with two different color ways. Each color way was wonderful and we have decided to do both. That means that club members can choose their color way or you can do both. More to come on each other club offered. Stay tuned.

I will not post on Sunday as that is Christmas Eve and will wait until next Wednesday to give you another update.

I wish each and everyone and blessed Christmas and hope that all your wishes come true. Barbara

HO, HO, HO!!!! Just a few more days---are you ready? Don't forget, there is still plenty of time to get a Nutmeg Lodge Gift Certificate. And, we also have plenty of items to fill lots of stockings.

The "classroom" is really taking on a new air. There is now a whole wall of fat quarters and it looks quite scrumptious. The batik corner is sporting a whole bevy of fat quarters and the cubby up front is full of homespun fat quarters. In addition we have loads of bundles to choose from as well. All of this work is in preparation for 2007. Beginning in January, all Birthday fat quarters will be picked from existing cut fat quarters. In other words, we will cut not $1.00 fat quarters. When it is your birthday, you can choose 50 fat quarters from a large supply of existing fat quarters and from bundles. All "cut" fat quarters will be $2.50. I hope this is not too confusing. We still look forward to celebrating the birthday of each valued customer. Staff automatically cuts fat quarters from new stock when it comes in and the new cabinets will make it quite simple to keep the stock well up to speed.

Posted on the web site is the complete lineup of Clubs with their projects for 2007 and the price for each. If you still haven't joined a club(s) as yet, don't delay because all of these clubs generally fill up.

Coming in the next few days will be a schedule for upcoming classes, stay tuned. See you soon--Barbara

Tick Tock---sometimes I have trouble listening to my own words, the time really is slipping up on me. I finally got some shopping done today and I guess none too soon. Oh well, there still is a week and half left.

The shop has really been humming with anticipation of the fat quarter wall that is being created in the back. You really won't belief the whole effect. We could become fat quarter central. I think that each of you will find it a fascinating experience to shop from this wall of total beauty.

So many of you have signed up for clubs, and that is a good thing. There are still spots open but don't wait too long before you decide what fun you will give yourself for 2007.

Also, there are still plenty of opportunities for everyone shopping for you to come in and get a gift certificates. Remember there are no penalties for not using your Nutmeg Lodge gift certificate right away. Of course, it is hard to imagine anyone not using it right away.

Enjoy this wonderful weather--see you soon, Barbara

Just 15 more days, are you ready? If you are like me, there are still a number of names that have not been checked off, and it is possible that your name has not been checked off a few lists as well. Don't forget to tell all of your Santa's that Nutmeg Lodge can satisfy all your dreams. We have gift certificates, and a variety of items in all price ranges. Everyone one staff is always eager to help put together a package to satisfy all budgets.

New fabric is still arriving almost daily. A wonderful, small group that arrived last week has a wine motif and a panel that will make great gift bags. Marcy also thought the panel would make a great table runner or place mats. This is a quick and easy project and you still have plenty of time to sew up one of these "one of a kind" bags for a perfect hostess gift. A simple bottle of wine and your will be the apple of any hostess's eye.

Sign up has begun in earnest for 2007 clubs. Don't be left out of the fun. Come in or call to register and pay for your club membership soon. We are also taking names for those of you who plan to join Saturday Sampler and/or our block of the month, Classic Nutcrackers. Also, if you were unable to make Saturday Sampler, we have our block set and are taking order for the setting pattern. In addition, we have the fabric used for our setting available. Stop by soon and order your pattern and get your fabric. The Summer Joy quilt is also finished and there are complete sets available if you did not join this group this year but would like to have it now that you can see a finished quilt.

So much to do---see you soon--Barbara

It is December 6, Pearl Harbor day and the day that my dear husband's ashes were laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery. After a long and sometimes difficult journey, I am now on a new path. It is good to have all of the services, memorials, etc. done and with this time of year of renewal and promise, what better time to rededicate one's life to a purpose of earnest endeavor. We are in the process of decorating the store for the holiday and look forward to sharing our time and energies with everyone.

New to the shop is a wonderful collection from Red Rooster called Margarita. 29 pieces of lovely pink, blues and greens. I am working on a project that will use all of the pieces and will make a wonderful bed quilt. Also a great new collection from Robyn Pandolph and her final collection from South Seas called Sweet Dreams. You really must see this one, the pinks are so reminiscent of Folk Art Wedding. We had received Country Roads several weeks ago while Robyn was visiting. We were both so disappointed in the quality of the fabric. I sent it back, called the president of South Seas and expressed my displeasure and Robyn reminded me that that is why she left South Seas. I really could not sell this fabric with any enthusiasm and don't think that you missed much.

The girls in the shop are really working hard getting things ready for a "new look" for 2007 at Nutmeg Lodge. We will be starting a few new things and everything for a new year is looking bright and shiny.

With the rising gas prices, I want to remind everyone that we do a great online business and phone business. If you feel you can't make the trip to the shop, then by all means, email from the web site and/or call the shop and we will process your order right away.

This week begins our Christmas celebrations with each of our Clubs. If you belong to one or more, we look forward to seeing you . If you don't belong to a club, now is the time to choose and signup. Happy Quilting--Barbara

With December finally here it is time to remind everyone about club membership and gift certificates!!!

Clubs will be reforming in January with wonderful new projects that I talked about about few blogs back. There are very few changes in cost of clubs so membership is still very affordable. The only consideration to be made is space availability. We must limit membership due to the space we have in classrooms and the number of chairs that we have. We are now accepting payment for 2007 club memberships. If you are currently in a club, don't let membership pass you buy. If there is a club you would like to add to your schedule, now is the time to get in on the fun. Also, we have a number of "mail order club members". Even though the fun of clubs is so often what happens at meetings, there are those who want to get in on the fun of all the projects---if you are reading this blog from afar, we welcome your membership as well. Antoinette is very proficient at getting the club projects off to out-of-town members right after the meeting is held. If we are offering a kit or other fabric options, she lets you know to get in on the fun. We also keep your punch card on file and utilize the benefits when they come into play.

The same goes for gift certificates---if you are gifted or purchase a gift certificate or gift card from most retail establishments, there are penalties if not used within a certain period of time. Gift certificates at Nutmeg Lodge have no such limitations. Gift certificates are good on everything in the shop, even classes and club membership. Also, gift certificates are another great option for out-of-town shoppers.

I have put together Summer Joy and Saturday Sampler--they are both wonderful quilts and I can't wait to show them off. Come in soon and check them out. See you soon--Barbara