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MUSINGS FROM CYNDI
What a busy spring so far. So much going on, I oftentimes
don’t know whether I’m coming or going! I’m sure I’m in the
same boat as many of you (no pun intended!) regarding the “rain
storm of the century.” Now, you have to remember that I am a
Southern California girl at heart and really don’t know much
about killer rain storms, flooding, hurricanes, etc. So when my
finished basement of 12 years started flooding for the first
time, we were totally unprepared. I didn’t even know what a
sump pump was, let alone have a wet vac. So we were at the
mercy of Mother Nature, and she wasn’t taking any prisoners! So
after 5 inches of water that just wouldn’t stop coming up
through the cement floor, we lost our basement – carpeting,
furniture, and walls – but not all my fabric! I would like to
say that my sewing studio was incredibly organized and not one
piece of anything was on the floor. Ha! So I was a mad woman
rushing in to rescue all my fabric, books, kits, etc. while my
husband tried to salvage the rest of the basement. It’s a good
thing we have our priorities straight!
After several days of washing, ironing, and folding hundreds
of yards of fabric and kits, I was able to save almost
everything. However, what I wasn’t prepared for was the loss of
my sewing sanctuary and the effect it would have on my psyche.
I’m in my sewing room just about every day, and I don’t think I
ever truly appreciated the calming/therapeutic affect is has in
my life. Now that I’m relegated back to the dining room table,
it’s just not the same. I’m just not comfortable “in my space”
and am certainly not nearly as productive as I once was. So the
happiness quotient certainly dropped.
I know it may sound like I am whining, and there are
certainly many people who are worse off than we are and who
sustained significantly more damage to their homes. My heart
goes out to them. But my real point here is to remind myself
how lucky I was to have a “happy place” where I could nurture my
creativity, feed my soul, and create beautiful, practical gifts
for my friends and family and how important it is for me to not
take it for granted when we do indeed rebuild our basement. I
hope each of you is able to create your own “happy place” to
nurture your creative endeavors, wherever it may be -- your
dining room, studio, basement, sun room, your favorite quilt
shop.
As for classes this session, we have a full range from which
to choose. Given that it will be summertime, people will
naturally want to spend more time outside; so we are focusing on
quick and easy quilts as well as new techniques. We have quick
projects for our foot club, small embroidered items, a class on
creating children’s play clothes, fabric collage, bali bags,
basket weaving, an embroidery software class, and a couple new
blocks of the month that allow you to create a block a month.
So get your class passport ($99) and sign up for those classes
that pique your interest or just enjoy the air conditioning in
the shop! In-person class registration begins Friday, April 30,
at 10 a.m. Phone registration begins at 11 a.m.
All members of Emma’s Quilt Club are eligible for priority
registration, starting Thursday, Apr 29, at 10 a.m.
Happy Quilting,
Cyndi, Barbara, Chuck, Emily, Janice, Jean, Leon, Paula, and Sue
Click here to see our full class listing |
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MOTHER'S DAY SALE ON SEWING MACHINES
Looking for that special gift for Mother’s Day that is sure
to make any woman feel like a queen? What could be better than
a new sewing machine. Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines are
designed to be easy and fun to use and to inspire your
creativity. There is always a sewing machine to meet your need.
If you want a simple, utility sewing machine or a sophisticated
sewing designer, Husqvarna Viking has one or more options for
you. Here are some of our specials available until May 8; be
sure to come into the shop to learn about other Mother’s Day
specials that are sure to make you step back and say “WOW!
The Saphire Series 835 –
$999 (save $560). The extended sewing surface gives
you more room for quilts and other large projects. The large
Graphic-Display shows the selected stitch in actual size and
other settings. Dual Lights illuminate the sewing surface to
make sewing easy and eliminate eye strain, and the unique
EXCLUSIVE SENSOR SYSTEM™ technology senses your fabric thickness
for a perfect, even feed.
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The Emerald Series 203 – $799 (save $400).
The InfoDisplay shows you everything you need to know,
and the Sewing Guide Reference Chart guides you to the best
choice when sewing. The large Extension Table facilitates fabric
feeding and gives you ample space for sewing and embellishing
quilts, home dec projects, and garments. Sew bulky layers of
fabric smoothly and easily with the HUSQVARNA VIKING® Dual Feed
Foot. Perfect for channel quilting and topstitching!
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The Husqvarna Viking E20 –
$199 (save $100). The HUSQVARNA
VIKING® E20 sewing machine is excellent for beginners and has a
generous stitch selection. It is a sturdy and reliable machine
for years of sewing enjoyment. The HUSQVARNA VIKING® E20 sewing
machine comes with a variety of features and accessories to get
you started. Also a great machine to take to class given its
light weight and generous functionality.
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5D EMBROIDERY SOFTWARE
Get ready for the latest innovation in embroidery
software! The 5D™ embroidery system, launching August
2010, brings you to a new level of creativity and
personalization in embroidery. 5D™ embroidery software interacts
with most embroidery file types and, therefore, is compatible
with most machines. 5D™ software allows you to edit embroideries
in real time, on your garment. You are in control of the
embroidery with tools that allow you to resize, view metallic
threads, change colors, edit stitches and so much more. The
possibilities are endless! Preorder 5D software now and
get 4D software now while you wait.
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AMERICAN BEAUTY BOM
In June we will be launching a new block of the month program
from Marti Michell using the Wild Rose fabric collection from
Maywood Studios. The quilt measures 85” x 105” and comprises 12
sampler blocks using Marti Michell’s Perfect Patchwork Template
Set L specifically designed for use with rotary cutting. Marti
utilizes a template system with engineered corners that makes
putting your blocks together a dream with a perfect fit every
time. This is a 12-month program that includes all fabrics for
the top, Set L templates, and piecing directions. The price is
$19.99 per month with a sign-up fee of $25. A credit card
authorization form is required to participate in this program.
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A STITCHER'S
GARDEN BOM
Finally! Here's a way for you to
get the most out of your sewing machine with the Stitcher's
Garden Block of the Month quilt that features a machine appliqué
technique. You'll explore all the decorative stitches on your
machine and even get to use a foot other than the 1/4" foot!
You will be using a variety of presser feet, learn how to
pre-quilt your backgrounds, and embellish your appliqués. The
quilt measures 85” x 93.” Starting in May, this is a 12-month
program that includes all fabrics for the top and pattern
directions. The price is $18.99 per month with a sign-up fee of
$25. A credit card authorization form is required to
participate in this program. During this class session, we will
also have a support class for this BOM on the second Saturday of
the month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This class is for anyone who
would like hands-on instruction; the monthly class fee is $10.
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CUSTOM QUILT LABELS
Emma’s is now offering a new
service for our customers – custom quilt labels that are fully
embroidered on our Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond. You will
be able to choose from 6 designs that fit a variety of
occasions. The price is $15 per label; and the design will be
embroidered with the name of the recipient, the quilter’s name,
and the date. Available designs will change over time. Custom
requests beyond the standard selection may be considered for an
additional fee. Turn-around time is expected to be a few days
at the most. So make the quilt for a loved one extra special
with a customized label.
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BLOCK OF THE MONTH SEWING CLUB
As you know, we host many block of the month programs throughout the year
at the shop. Several of you have mentioned to me that it would
be helpful to have a "class" for any BOM participant who wants
to come to get hands-on instruction for a particular block or
for a particular technique that you may be having trouble with
in any given month. Some have commented that it would just be
great to have a monthly class when you could come and get your
block done in time for the following month. So starting in May
we will be having a BOM sewing club on the first Monday of the
month from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. to meet this need. The cost of
the class will be $5 each,and you will need to sign up in
advance to ensure we can accommodate you as we have a limited
amount of sewing space. You have to be a participant in any of
our block programs (e.g., Saturday Sampler, buck-a-block, any
traditional BOM) to attend the class.
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CLASS PASSPORT
Purchasing a class passport for $99 will allow you to sign up for as many
technique or project classes as you would like at no charge
during this term. Each class description will tell you if it is
a “passport class.”
Class registration opens on
Friday, April 30, 2010. You can register for
classes in person, by phone, or by mail. However, we will only
be processing in-person registrations for the first hour (from
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.). After that, we will process registrations
in the order in which they are received (in-person, phone, and
mail). Please note that only passport-designated classes will
be eligible for the class discount.
Also, if you are an Emma's Quilt Club member, you are eligible
for priority registration, which starts Thursday, April 29,
2010, at 10 a.m.
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