NOTES FROM THE LODGE Sunday, March 29, 2009

The last days of March and it does seem rather lion-like--the great news is that April will be here this week and Spring really is in the air. On the way to church this morning I really could see so many trees ready to burst into bloom--tulips that are getting ready to spring forth, even the irises are putting out their green spikes. It is always exciting to see Spring arrive. Like each of you, I am looking forward to being in the garden getting things cleaned, clipped, dug, planted, and mulched.

During the next few months while you are busy with those garden plans, may I urge you not to forget Nutmeg Lodge. These are very challenging times for all of us and all of the small business owners that I know are trying desperately to hang on until the economy improves. It is really hard to maintain inventory and business as usual if we have no business.

To help you enjoy your visit to Nutmeg Lodge, we will be holding our annual Spring Sale Event. Beginning Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 11 we will be offering Spring bargains to help with all of those projects you have on your list.

• Wednesday, April 1 we will discount notions 20%
• Thursday, April 2 books and patterns will be discounted 20%
• Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4 fat quarters and kits will be discounted 20%

I will give you the plan for next week on next Sunday's blog.

Have a great week--Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and the beginning of a most important week of events at church. As I always like to remind you, we have the basket for Loaves and Fishes that always need items as well as phones and eye glasses. I am ever grateful to all of you who contribute so regularly and so generously. Barbara

NOTES FROM THE LODGE Sunday, March 22, 2009

What a great show!!! It appeared that the economy is fine with all the shopping that was going on. And what a great group of women who put on this show---I can't say enough about all of them. They feed us breakfast and lunch, help out and spell us when we need a break, make sure that they shop in all of our booths, and treat us like we are family. This was the third year I have been in this show and it is one of my most fun events of the year. The other great thing, my friend Candy Bell invited me to stay with her and we had a delightful time. She is just the best and took me to her ballroom dance studio---what a blast. Of course, you know that I am now trying to find one on our area--if anyone knows where such a thing is please let me know, oh yes and come with me because it is the best ever!!!!

A busy week at Nutmeg Lodge. First we have the Rotary Mixer on Tuesday night. We would love to see you all at this event. $15.00 admission for wines and cheeses from around the world. The admission goes to support all of the great programs that the Martinsburg Rotary Club supports. 5:00-7:00 p.m. See you there!!!

No more shows until after Easter---we will be sprucing up the shop for the Mixer event and showing off our Spring look. I am also going to try and get the new class schedule pulled together. Hopefully, we will have some things that you really want to learn and make your quilting journey more intense.

Don't forget our food basket for Loaves and Fishes---cell phones---and eyeglasses. Even though it is now officially Spring and the weather is improving daily, the needs of others continues and we must not forget them.

See you soon---Barbara

NOTES FROM THE LODGE Sunday, March 15, 2009

Wow, what a weekend---The Greater Baltimore Quilt Expo was a lovely show and they had huge numbers of people to the show---somewhere around 1,000 people in two days walking the aisles of quilts and browsing the vendors. A lovely group of people and a lot of fun. It was good to be back on the show circuit. Next weekend is the Schoolhouse/Cabin Branch Quilt show in Manassas. This is a lovely show with the loveliest of members that make all the vendors feel so special. The quilts in this show are always great as well. So if you are looking for something to do next weekend, come out to the Prince William Fairgrounds on the east side of Manassas.

Another plug for the upcoming mixer hosted by Nutmeg Lodge. This is a fundraiser event to benefit the programs of the Martinsburg Rotary. Tuesday, March 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. $15.00 for admission to enjoy wines and cheeses from around the world.

Come by Nutmeg Lodge soon to get in on all of the excitement of Springtime quilting. We have a lot of fun and exciting projects for you.

Also, check in on Friday as the girls might have some fun in store for you.

Barbara

NOTES FROM THE LODGE Sunday, March 8, 2009

What a busy, busy week and so much to tell you. First, if you are in Willing Hands and didn't get to the meeting on Thursday---I'm sorry. I had the best surprise for everyone. Robyn was here for the week and we timed her visit to be in attendance for our March meeting. Everyone at club was surprised and delighted to see her. She had so much "inside" information for everyone.

Second, the main reason she was here is that we have started a pattern company. How exciting is that? We are really excited about being in business together again. This time the business is called Robyn Pandolph Design Studio and we will be publishing Robyn's patterns, my patterns and patterns of several other people that we are involved with. The best news is that we will be unveiling this company at Spring Quilt Market and we already have orders from RJR and the Australian distributors. We feel that we are off to a great start. Of course, as soon as things are officially available you will be able to get these patterns at Nutmeg Lodge. We are also in the process of ramping up the online business and we will be selling Robyn's fabric online as well as at the store. Stay tuned for more on this.

Third, my Rotary Club is hosting a wine and cheese party and it will be held at Nutmeg Lodge. Tuesday, March 24 from 5-7. Cost is $15.00 per person and you can get tickets from me or at the door. The proceeds from this event goes to support all of the programs that the Martinsburg Rotary sponsors. Come and enjoy wine and cheeses from around the world. Meet and enjoy the company of all the "important" people in Martinsburg.

Last, we are looking for another busy week at Nutmeg Lodge. Come in and see all that is going on and let us get you started with a new project.

Barbara

NOTES FROM THE LODGE Sunday, March 1, 2009


Well, March came in but was it a lamb or lion? The snow this morning was so quite that I can't seem to answer that question. At any rate, Jan. and Feb. are behind us so all we have to look forward to is the end of winter and the burgeoning of spring blossoms. YEA!!!!!

If you like surprises and are a member of Willing Hands, don't miss the meeting this week. If you love the unexpected--don't miss out on coming to the shop on Friday. If you just like to have fun and excitement, pick any day at Nutmeg Lodge and you will get a bonus of each.

I have really been under the weather for several days and feel that I don't know anything really exciting to tell you. My allergies really have laid me low since I got back from Charleston. New meds and several days of rest have paid off and I finally feel good again. Still coughing but not nearly as bad as Wednesday.

Don't forget that Tuesday is the day for the new Scrap Block Mania packages. If you are in this great program, the new packages will be out and ready then.

The first quilt show of the season is just around the corner---Sat. and Sun., March 14 and 15 in Towson, MD For more information check our web page or come in to get the particulars. Next show up will be the Manassas show--Sat. and Sun., March 21 and 22. Prince William Fair Grounds. The Towson show is new for Nutmeg Lodge, the Manassas show is the third year and always a great show as I am sure the first is as well. I will get the other shows to Kathy for listing as well.

Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you at Nutmeg Lodge. Barbara