Well, I'M BACK!!!!! and what a great time I had. Being in Texas, enjoying MUCH warmer weather, eating TEXMEX and Whataburgers, visiting so many friends plus my favorite quilt shops----well it was just the best time you can imagine. Robyn and I had a blast----her new apartment in Galveston is absolutely fabulous!!!!! I took pictures and will show them to Willing Hands tomorrow--at sometime I will have Kathy put them on the web site.

I had a great time Saturday night with Robyn and my other great friend Kathy. We had dinner and just "did the town". Too much to tell about that!!! We went to visit the Painted Pony on Monday. Spent most of the day looking at everything and reminiscing with Sherrie and Charlie. This is the shop that Robyn and I worked in together and just the best place in the world. I enjoyed every minute of it. Then on to Quakertown Quilts. Another absolute favorite. I worked in this shop before I moved to West Virginia--doing all of the ordering of books, patterns and notions. A real training ground for owning my own business. So many friends there that I had trouble looking at everything because there were so many people to talk to. On Tuesday we went to Quilts By The Bay. A lovely shop in Galveston. I ran block of the month programs for the owner when I lived in Houston. Patricia has expanded this shop since I was last there and it too is a great place to spend time. I did not buy any fabric but did pick up a few things and really loved seeing old stomping grounds.

The gals at Nutmeg Lodge have been busy with a sample quilt using Empress Woo--it is just lovely and I can't wait to get it quilted. Come in and check it out.

I am off on Friday to Valley Forge to shop for new gift items for the shop. Yet another change is coming to the floor of Nutmeg Lodge---more and exciting gift items. I will give you a lot more information on this on Sunday.

So glad to be back and looking forward to seeing everyone. Barbara

As I mentioned last blog so many things are arriving and everyday this week has been delightful. Yesterday we got the most lovely large print with coordinating paisleys from Moda. Betty Phaar was in today and went home with a huge bag of these beauties for a number of new quilt tops. Then later today came again from Moda a new panel and corresponding pieces called Abundance. This is a great panel, very unusual and will look wonderful for late winter decorating.

I can't wait to get started on making both of these collections into something fun and delightful. Come in soon to check them out.

I told you on Sunday that Dream Wool and Dream Puff were coming, well I was half right---we have more Dream Wool but it seems that Dream Puff has been so popular that they are temporarily out--we will get that as soon as it is available.

I won't be posting the blog on Sunday as I will be in Texas. I am off on Friday for a long overdue visit to see Robyn and all of my other wonderful Texas friends. I will be eating Mexican food and Whataburger's until I come home. I will be back next Wednesday and will give you can full update about all I did and everything I saw.

Stay warm--stop by and see all the new stuff--Barbara

Can you believe that Winter is finally here. The snow was so pretty today and I actually enjoyed getting out in it. But tonight I have been stitching away, happily and blissfully snuggled under a quilting project. For all who have been getting ready for this moment, I am sure that you are as happy as I am with today's gift.

More wool batting is on its way along with Dream Puff. Dream Wool and Dream Puff should make all our quilting dreams come true. I am planning to put both of these into a sample for the shop so that everyone can see exactly how they look quilted up.

We have some great pieces due to arrive any day--come or or call to check out what is happening. We did have a number of new arrivals on Thursday but right now for the life of me, I can seem to remember exactly what it all is and how to describe it. All of the new arrivals are at the end of the cutting table for you to peruse. Also, that great Valentine project and the little stack of charm squares are still here but those stacks are dwindling fast--if you want to add this to your Valentine decorating, you had better hurry.

Just another reminder---when snow comes, and I am sure we know that it probably will again, and schools are closed then Nutmeg Lodge will close that first day--on subsequent days we most likely will open. If in doubt at all times, call the shop, leave a message if we don't answer and someone will call you back to let you know that we are there and what the hours are.

Stay warm and enjoy this beautiful weather---Barbara

Well things just keep arriving and we have just been busy getting everything checked in and on the shelves.

Yesterday notions and patterns arrived and we have already sold out of a few things and need to reorder again.

Today came fabric--a couple of large florals, a blue and yellow piece and a blue and brown piece. Some pieces to go with each and then flamingos, yes flamingos, with a pink polka dot to go with it. Some great surprises for Primitive Club with some new Bound to the Prairie. If you like these dark pieces from Kansas Troubles they will be available the end of next week.

The wool batting has already gone bye bye and we will be getting more in a few days. Also we will be getting in Dream Puff which is the poly counter to the Dream Wool. A great alternative to the same loft as the wool but without the sensitivity.

The little heart table topper I told you about on Sunday is going like gangbusters. I don't want to scare you, but if you have any interest in this, stop by soon because these little stack of charm squares are selling fast.

I spent the day cleaning my office and wow what a job. By the end of the day, it looked like a new place. As I have mentioned before this year is all about changes and this really seemed like a big step to begin to clean house. Now when you come by the shop and need to stop in the bathroom, your trip through the office will be a lot more pleasant.

Kathy has a few new pictures on the web, the heart table topper and the Saturday Sampler block. Remember it is still time to sign up for more fun with a club or a block of the month. Let us know. Barbara

So many things arrived last week, I hardly know where to begin. First, we pulled out all the Valentine fabric that had arrived some weeks ago along with a wonderful bundle of charm squares from Moda. On Saturday between sampler sessions, all the girls and I had a blast designing a making a wonderful little table topper so perfect to celebrate Valentine's. You might need to pick up two of these bundles and make one for a friend. The charm pack, a fat quarter and 1/3 yard of an accent inner border and binding and VIOLA you have just the cutest project imaginable. Stop by and see this little beauty soon.

Then a breath of Spring rolled through the door in the form of a fabulous collection from Moda. The most beautiful pale blues, lavenders and pinks in a floral motif that just makes your heart sing. And if that was not enough, a whole bunch of new batiks---our batik shelves were getting so slim these beauties arrived just in the nick of time.

And one more great addition to the shelves---wool batting. This is a brand new product from Quilters Dream Batting and just the yummiest product for the inside your your quilts. Machine or hand quilt this product and you will be delighted.

Looking forward to sharing all of these great new items with you, Barbara

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR could it be that winter finally arrived? Or maybe this is just a small blip on the thermometer. At any rate it is a wonderful time to make a quilt. The best thing in the world is to snuggle under a new project in the evening when the wind is blowing outside. Since Christmas I am sure that many of you have been busily piecing away and that there are probably more than a few tops ready to be basted. Just in time for that we have the two brand new products from Quilters Dream===Dream Puff and Dream Wool. Dream Puff is a poly batt that has all the qualities of wool without the price and Dream Wool is absolutely heavenly. My good friend Betty Pharr has put this into one of her quilts and the loft when machine quilted was marvelous. Both of these new products can be quilted or tied up to 8 inches. There is no scrim but the whole batt holds together beautifully. Obviously wool batts are best for winter throws and bed quilts and should never be put into a baby quilt or a gift for anyone who might have sensitivities to wool but otherwise is a wonderful product.

So many of you have stopped by to say goodbye to Antoinette. Tomorrow is her last day so hurry by if you haven't done so yet. I will be hosting an open house party for her in March for everyone to hear all about her new job. I will have the time and date posted on the web and/or you can stop by or check with the shop to find out more.

We have two openings for Retreat if anyone is interested. Also there are still openings in most clubs. I think that the evening Baltimore Album club has been closed. Stay warm---Barbara

With the completion of our New Year's Sale and the first club meeting of the new year, we are off and running. As I mentioned in my last blog, changes are coming----the first change of 2007 is a big one and one that I am sure will present adjustments--Antoinette is leaving Nutmeg Lodge to return to her roots--dentistry. She came to my shop after many years in the world of dentists and procedures, now comes the time she would like to return to that and, I am sure, everyone joins me in wishing her well. She has been a bright and shining presence and the help and assistance to me has been invaluable. Her hard work and good humour will be missed by each of us on staff. This will be her last week at Nutmeg Lodge and I am sure that many of you would like to stop by to say farewell. To make the trip a happy one, I would like you to have an extra 10% off any purchases you make and a punch on your card. Remember that Antoinette works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. For a brief time Judy will be filling in on Tuesdays and Marcy on Wednesday. By March we should be settled into a new schedule and I will let you know which days you can find whom on duty.

The next big thing coming is EMPRESS WOO. This is the latest creation from Robyn Pandolph and her first line with Free Spirit. We have the entire collection, all 30 bolts. It is a fabulous group of fabrics and the hand is just lovely. There are plenty of yards to be cut and fat quarter bundles are ready to go.

At long last I will be posting a class schedule. New classes will be beginning in March and I will have that schedule available on line and in the shop in the next couple of days. If you would like this to be mailed to you, call or email us with your address and we will do that as well. Beginning in March also, I will be publishing a monthly update to the web and blog information for anyone to pick up at the shop and/or having it mail.

And, finally, I will be going to the gift market at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in February. It has been a very long time since I have been able to shop this market and the new merchandise that will be coming to Nutmeg Lodge really will change the whole shopping scene. There are other things in the offing for the future and I will keep you posted on each and every one. See you soon---Barbara

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 2007 is off to a great start at Nutmeg Lodge. Our New Year's sale is in full swing and the bargains are outstanding. We have all of the fabric marked down 30% and all books, notions, and patterns are 25% off. Plus the back room is full of 50% and 75% off bargains.

We are gearing up for a great year of club activity. Each club member is in for a full year of fun, excitement and great projects. This really will be a year to remember with each meeting.

As in all things, the wind of change is always blowing and the excitement and anticipation of new things to come can stir the soul and awake new sensibilities. There are changes coming to Nutmeg Lodge. There are new and exciting adventures awaiting all of us. Stay tuned to learn more about the new possibilities for all of us.

Don't forget the stop by this week--if you are out-of-town, call or email. Remember all of Elly's fabric is marked down 30% as well as the last line Robyn did with South Seas. Elly's new book is a great bargain at 25% off. This is truly the best time of the year to get ready for all those long imagined winter projects.

See you soon--Barbara