Don't you love this weather--it really is Spring but one day it seems like the throws of winter and the next thing you know, IT'S SUMMER!!!! Just wait a minute and things will change. One thing that never changes is all the excitement at Nutmeg Lodge. Judy came in today and she, Cathy and Antoinette really worked miracles. There was still so much to get ready for the QU Show, all the Market Review to clean up, cutting the BOMs and Sat. Sampler blocks and, then there is a new cash register to program. The "NUTS" at Nutmeg Lodge really are the best and everything got done and we are ready to go.

Things continue to arrive from Market. We got the Thimbleberries Christmas to Go book. This is a wonderful series of Christmas projects that really will get you well along to gifts and decorating ideas. We have ordered all the fabric in the line to go with this great book and will be doing some great programs later this Summer using this book. Get involved in the fun early. We also got our shipment of Lickity Grip. If you don't know what this is, come in for a demo and pick up one of the hottest new items to make your quilting go so much faster and easier.

We hope to see all of you at the QU Show. See you there--Barbara

Boy did we have fun on Friday night!!! Market Review really was awesome. I still love everything that I brought back--and I really brought back a lot. Even with all that shopping that went on, we still have the tables full. It will still be out on Tuesday morning, so if you couldn't make Friday, come in early on Tuesday and have a look. We will begin packing it all up in the afternoon because we have to get ready for the QU show. We go to set up on Thursday and Willing Hands will be meeting on Wednesday. I know, everything seems up-side-down. Willing Hands will meet on Wednesday, May 31 because we will set up the QU show on Thursday, June 1. The show runs Friday, Saturday Sunday on June 2, 3, and 4. Don't forget the put all of this on your calendar.

We have received a bunch of new fabric--a lot of blenders and the Noah's Arc panel from Jane Wecker/Fresh from South Seas. All you gramms's need to check out this wonderful panel--it goes perfectly with the Hungry Animals book and quilt fabric. A great look for a redo for a todler.

We are still taking sighups for Camp Thimbleberries. This is going to be two great fun-filled Sundays in June so don't miss out on the fun. Call or come in to sign up this week. See you soon, Barbara

I am still trying to get back on schedule and have been complicated by a terrible cold. The girls at the shop have been wonderful to send me home to recuperate and I can report that I am beginning to feel better. I will be in fine fettle on Friday night for our much anticipated MARKET REVIEW. I really did bring back some great things and I look forward to sharing with everyone the treasures as well as all the news from the Market floor.

I picked up a great many new books and the new patterns I got are all exciting. There were some new designers and that is always a lot of fun to find someone new. Of course, one of the big things at Market is the fabric and I am happy to report that Elly's two new lines are absolutely fantastic. I ordered all of the 68 pieces and doubled up on several. I also saw her galley copy of her new book!!!, also fantastic. Both the book and the fabric will arrive in September and that really is something for us all to look forward to. We will be taking advance orders on the book as well as fat quarter and half yard bundles of the fabric. You may call the shop to get more details. 304-262-6633. We will be posting swatches of the fabric and a blurb on the book as well.

Next week we will set up our booth at the QU Show in Chantilly. This is an absolutely fantastic show and one you really don't want to miss. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 2, 3, and 4. If you need directions, we have fliers at the shop. Put this on your schedule--60 + vendors and a wonderful array of quilts.

Don't forget Friday, 5:30 p.m. at the shop--fun, food, door prizes and all the new merchandise direct from Minneapolis. See you then, Barbara

I'M BACK!!!!! I am back from Market and bursting with ideas and enthusiasm. My bags are bursting with goodies from the Market floor. It was four days packed so full and I will probably be talking about it for months so get prepared. I bought so much stuff I was at the FedEx office early this morning to ship home 55 pounds of merchandise and my bags still just barely came in one the mark, in fact I had to rearrange so that each bag was 50 pounds, whew!!!! I made it and everything has arrived safe and sound with me. Don't forget our big Market Review Party on Friday night. 5:30 with lots of food, fun and fantastic things. New books, new patterns, new designers, new gadgets, new fun and wonderful things to make your quilting even more fun and, of course, lots of stories. Since I traveled alone this time, I really had to scramble to stay on top of everything and I relied on several of my friends with whom I traded ideas and insights. It really was a great Market and I really do want to share each and every detail with all of you. See you on Friday, don't forget!!!!! Barbara

BIG NEWS!!BIG NEWS!!!BIG NEWS!!!BIG NEWS!!!BIG NEWS!!!

I have so much to tell everyone!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy mother's Day to each of you, I hope you have had a lovely day.

The newsletter and class schedule are on line and samples are in the shop. The class book is ready to go and there are at least two things on the schedule for everyone. Come in soon and sign up or mail your registration along with your payment so that you won't miss out on the great time at Nutmeg Lodge.

Take special note of the CAMP THIMBLEBERRIES event. This is going to be almost as good as retreat but you don't have to arrange to get away for three days in a row, you just need to reserve two Sunday's. This is a complete program designed by Lynette Jensen but is not restricted to Club members. For two great days you will receive a Parade Day book complete with patterns, a fabric kit for the large project, food, fun, door prizes. At the end of Camp you will have completed your top. We will also have kits available for purchase for all of the other patterns you will receive. The cost is $130.00 and a great deal. Sundays, June 11 and 25. Want to see the project? I am waiting for my kit to make sample but we do have the fabric kit and book for you to inspect.

Renee Hilliard is in charge of a bus trip to the QU show. If you would like to attend this great show but don't want to drive, call the shop for Renee's telephone number and give her a call to sign on for a great opportunity.

Now for the really BIG NEWS!!!!!!! last night (Saturday) my daughter and I had to stop by the shop to pick up something, it was about 7:00 p.m. and the phone rang. Who could be calling this time of the evening????? Of course I answered and to my great surprise it was the owner of the QUILT ODYSSEY SHOW!!!!!! It seems there has been a cancellation and they have a booth for.........NUTMEG LODGE!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and pleased to have finally gotten an opportunity to do this show. I have talked with Missy on a number of occasions and she had assured me that the first opening she had I would get and, finally it has happened. This show is July 27, 28, 29 and 30 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I will have more information on this later. Got to go, I have work to do---plus I am off to Market and will check in as soon as I get back. Talk to everyone later, Barbara

Hi Everyone!!! Well tonight was the most fun--we had the class with Christine from Austria. There were twelve of us and we just had the best time and the class with Christine was wonderful. She kept saying her English was not too good, but everyone understood exactly what she was saying and her instructions were great. She told me later that if she had any idea so many people would be interested in her technique, she would have had better instructions. I assured her that her instructions were fine. Her friend and mine, Martina See too pictures and we will have them on the web site soon. Christine is interested in trying to come back some time and have another class. I told her we needed a lot of advance notice because everyone would want to get on that.

Kathy is busy pulling the newsletter together and it will be available to everyone on Friday. Ann's samples are hanging, Gina's will be ready soon and mine will be coming. We have a wonderful Summer lineup and I hope that you will want to take at least two of the offerings. Ann, Gina and I have given a lot of thought into bringing things that are new and fun. Come in and check them out.

I will be sending you a post on Sunday and then on Wednesday I leave for Minneapolis to attend Spring Quilt Market. If I cannot find a computer to use, I will not be able to post to the blog next Wed. and the following Sunday. Don't despair, as soon as I return I will give you a big update on Monday, May 22. Then on Friday, May 26 you will be able to see and hear about everything that occurred at Market. This is all listed in the newsletter, mark your calendars.

Enjoy the weather!!! Barbara

Another busy week and I am sure that you have enjoyed this weather as much as I have. There is a lot to do at this time of year and it really is a dilemma as to whether to spend time in the garden or the sewing room. There really is time for both you know.

I have a lot of information to share.

First, for all of you who have mourned the passing of Simply Quilts, there is an alternative--www.QNNtv.com. this is television on the internet. Check it out!
Remember that nothing beats a class taken in person where you can learn at the hand of a real live instructor, someone who can show you up close and personal new skills and can answer questions on the spot.

Second, I received a brochure from one of our distributors this week with a lot of interesting information. For all of you who own Featherweight machines. There are quilting feet available, i.e., 1/4 inch foot, walking foot, darning foot for your Featherweight also a cover plate for free motion sewing. Let us know if you would like any of these items. There are also cases and bobbins as well.

Third, in this same brochure was ordering and pricing information on REPRODUCTION FEATHERWEIGHTS WITH AUTHENTIC LOOKING CASES. I can order one of these for anyone who would like this type of machine--The price is $500.00.
The most important thing about this is that there are now reproduction machines out there that I am sure will be passed off as antique to some unsuspecting buyers. I urge you to take caution in the future when purchasing this kind of machine. The price for a reproduction is not too different from a good quality antique but the buyer really should know if you are buying a reproduction. If you would like more information regarding this, stop by the shop, call or email me.

I continue to work on the newsletter. All teachers have gotten their schedules finalized and now it is a matter of me getting it into a finished product and getting it to Kathy. I should have good news for you on Wednesday.

We have a number of new fabric pieces in, stop by and check them out. See you, Barbara

We are easing ourselves into May--Kathy has been busy unpacking all the crates from the shows and putting things back in order, Antoinette has been equally busy getting orders pulled together to replenish empty holes, and I have been just busy. I am excited that we still have all of the Yard Long samples and patterns from Joined at The Hip. If you did not see them at our shows, come by soon to catch a glimpse and pick up several for your future plans. These lovely little quilts make a most wonderful gift and also will look great in a corner or on a table top in your own home. Plus, they are so nice and easy in fabric selection that a stack of fat quarters and a pattern is a fabulous gift for a secret sister or special quilting friend. These samples and patterns will be until after Mothers' Day.

The other fun thing that I have been working on is an impromptu class next week. We have a very good friend to the shop, Martina See and Martina has a very good friend from Austria who is the Austrian national rep for Phaff and a well known quilter in Austria. Her name is Christine and she is visiting Martina and would like to share some techniques with Nutmeg Lodge. She will be teaching a class called Creative Bullseye next Wednesday from 5:30-8:30. This is going to be a fabulous opportunity to learn several techniques to make a wonderfully creative piece and I know that whoever gets into this class will talk about it forever about the fun time and fabulous quilt that was made. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity. As I mentioned in my last blog, this is the kind of class that one would expect at a big show like Houston and here it is right in Martinsburg. Cost is a mere $20.00. Space is somewhat limited because you will be bringing your sewing machines but because it is in the evening we can set up machines throughout the shop.

The newsletter is still working, I am trying to pull together some fun and different learning opportunities for the summer--stay tuned!!!!

Barbara