San Antonio Was Fun!

Mom and I had a great time in San Antonio. We took classes, took in great information, got to see new products. It was nice to get home and get settled in last week, and to get used to not eating so much wonderful Texas food! We got to eat at the Tower of the Americas, a revolving restaurant.

This week I'm getting familiar with Quilt Motion! This afternoon I'm going to put this quilt on the frame:

Stay tuned. I figure the best way to learn to use it is to just put on a project and go with it. This was from our UFO stash in the basement!

Make sure you visit us this coming Friday for our All About Me Webinar. We're going to learn about machine embroidery on garments. There are lots of great tips on stabilizers and pattern placements.

Come visit!

I'm going to Texas with my Mom!!!!!

So, I'm really excited about next week.

Wish me luck Saturday morning as I run my 9th half marathon out in Mortimer, NC. Where is that? Evidently you go to the end of the earth and take a left. Then I'm coming home to host my husband's 40th birthday celebration. After a fun evening, I should get a little shut eye and be on a plane early Sunday morning!

We're going a day early so we can take in the Riverwalk in San Antonio. We'll check out the Alamo, do some shopping and then prepare for a week's worth of learning at BERNINA University. I'll take classes on the BERNINA Quilt Motion Software, BERNINA sewing machines, and technical classes on how to keep them up to snuff.

Stay tuned next week as I post pictures of our happenings.

We're closing the store for a week, so we'll be closed from July 18th-July 23rd. We'll be here with our cowboy boots July 25th at 10:00AM.

www.creativesewing.com

Come see us tomorrow!!!

It's that time again...time for the BERNINA 48 month financing opportunity.  Come in this weekend to purchase that BERNINA sewing machine that you've been wanting, and receive no interest until July 2015.  It's for purchases $4,000 or more, and there's a bit more fine print, but you can find that at www.berninausa.com. It's Saturday ONLY!!!!!! Can't wait to see you.

Cool thing is, if you are applying for a BERNINA card for the first time and you make a purchase over $1,000, you will receive a Bernette 46 sewing machine. It's a perfect traveling companion and is cute as a button!

How cute is that? We're opening at 10AM and it'll be a busy day!

Thought for the day

I have a quote hung up on my office wall. It says, "Do what you can, when you can, as often as you can, while you can."

I try not to take things for granted and do my best to get the most out of life. My running partner had a terrible bike accident last Friday and has a lot of injuries to recover from. She was training for another half ironman triathlon. That's a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, followed by a 13.1 mile run. For now she'll have to concentrate on doing the simple stuff again.

We need to remember to do the things that make us happy and fulfilled. For my friend it is athletics, for others it might be picking up a needle and thread. So many of our customers come in and tell me they can't see to thread a needle anymore and how hard that is because sewing is something they enjoy that brings happiness.

Oh, sure there are all sorts of handy tools and gadgets that help us along as we age, but my point is, if you love sewing, don't put it off. Do what makes you happy, enjoy the process. Make that baby blanket, or table runner, or whatever it is that gives you satisfaction. I think that living in the moment is important, and not to put off tomorrow for what can bring you joy today.

Just some food for thought.

Here are some cool items that Judy brought in for us to see. She's getting the most out of her sewing hobby. Won't you?

Pillow Techniques Class

Our Pillow Techniques morning class is going on right now, and we're learning how to successfully paper piece, make a flanged edge and how to put in a lapped zipper. We're repeating our demonstration tonight at 5:30PM as well.

If you'd like to come sit and sew, sign up to do so on May 23rd at 5:30PM.

This is so cool!

Happy Birthday, Sereena. I'm glad you're enjoying your new BERNINA! That is one tasty looking cake!

A day early but...

My son told me on the way to school that tomorrow is "May the Fourth Be with You". He's a pretty big Star Wars guy, so this made me laugh.

Last night we had our monthly software workshop and had a good crowd. It's a free class and a great opportunity to get more familiar with your software and ask questions. We meet the first Monday of the month at 5:30PM.

So two things going on...Jessica is reworking our store window for summer. She's put out a big beach umbrella, chairs, beach balls, etc.  On that note we're expecting new Christmas fabric this week.

Lastly, I think I'll share a few more pictures:

Thoughts, musings and information....

Our class schedule is now posted on our website: www.creativesewing.com

From there you can check out what we have to offer and sign up directly on the site. Lots of fun things going on, so come be a part of it.

For Mother's Day a few years ago Mom gave me a set of Feetures, all three volumes, and what a fantastic gift that was. I love being able to pull up pages of information on whatever foot that I'm trying out or learning how to use.

The books are on sale through the month of May for 20% off, which is a great incentive to add them to your sewing library!

Our first session of our Groovy Girls Club was yesterday and we had a good time. We got to have lunch and see a demonstration on the Cash and Carry Bag. Sue showed us a neat way of putting in a zipper that finishes it off nicely. Several ladies are going to come back and sew it out in our FREE SEW session. Just register for a spot on May 10th or 24th to come sew whatever you like with help from us.


Don't forget to come get your Block of the Month, and when you come, bring the completed block with you.

We have a lovely collection of yellows and blues from Moda called Summer Breeze:

We had a full set of jelly rolls and fat quarter packs and we're paring it down bit by bit, so come in soon to get your hands on this happy, lively fabric.

Come see us!

Groovy Girls Club and Stand and Stow Bag

We're excited to start off our Groovy Girls Club on Wednesday, April 27th at 12:00. Each monthly meeting has a fun and exciting theme such as Bag Ladies - or Mom and Me - or how about Groovy Gifts?  You can stock your gift closet with projects that are as fun to make as they are to give.The club will run for 6 months on the fourth Wednesday of each month. 

Make your lunch hour count! 

$10.00 tuition per session includes handouts, a prize and lunch! Call 786.7074 to register.

Stand and Stow Bag
Saturday, April 30th at 10:00AM, store opens at 9:30AM

This simple sack stands up when you pack it and then it folds and stows away. Exclusively available at Groovy Girl Club shops! Small size makes a great lunch bag, medium size is about the size of a grocery bag, and a 9" x 13" pan fits perfectly in the large bag. In class you will make the large size and you are going to love it.  It's big enough to carry almost anything!  

$25 tuition includes pattern, Stand and Stow Bag by Atkinson Designs. Only available at Groovy Girls Quilt Shops!  Call 786.7074 to register and we'll send you a supply list.

Standing...

Stowing...

Just a few pictures to enjoy

Just to let you know! Come in for details!

Kaye England

Kaye England comes to visit us in Mt. Airy, NC, bringing a wealth of information for us! Her vivacious personality and infectious laughter left us with wanting more.

We packed a full house! We're so glad so many people came to hear and be a part of such a wonderful event.

One of Kaye's many creations she brought for us to see.

Kaye concentrates on "technique, not talent". We appreciate her technique tips but we can all see she's overflowing in the talent department.

Kaye reminded us that years from now our families will always be happy with color selections that we make, whether we fret over them or not! 

This was one of my favorite quilts that she showed, although I'm not sure if I could do it in the afternoon that Kaye completed the top in!


We had a wonderful evening!

www.creativesewing.com

The WOW factor...

Come experience the beauty and elegance of the new Limited Edition BERNINA 830. 

More Wild!Flowers

We're really looking forward to Saturday's class.  The More Wild!Flowers quilt is by Smith Street Designs and we've been hard at work getting everything ready for it. 

Kathleen Connor created this beautiful appliqued quilt.  We had the pleasure of meeting her when she traveled from Michigan to take one of our software seminars. 

Here are all the embroidered blocks and some of the pieced ones.

This is what we're going to start with on Saturday. 

This is our bi-monthly embroidered block class.  We're full to capacity now, but are looking into opening up a second class.  Let us know if you are interested. 

http://www.creativesewing.com/

I got mine done...

I used Moda's new collection Sunkissed.  The top took about an hour to make.

And the King Tut thread was perfect for quilting!

One more thing.  I have to mention the very best seam ripper in the world.   If you don't have one, that means you don't have a BERNINA, because they pack one with every machine.  Of course, I have three at home.  Not that I really need them that much, right?


http://www.creativesewing.com/

Sharon came to visit!

Sharon Rhudy is one of our favorite people and we love it when she travels to see us!  Today she brought two quilts that she's working on as well as information on a cool 10 minute block.  I haven't made it, but it looks like fun, and she shared the directions that she used watching Suzanne McNeil  on this youtube video:



So, here's my challenge.  If you make a 10 minute block and bring it in, we'll give you a 10% off coupon to use anywhere in the store! 

Here's what she brought in for us to see today:

Please visit http://www.creativesewing.com/

Peggy brings in her works of art

Peggy has kept her BERNINA 830 hard at work, and brought in these beautiful quilts that she made.  We want share them with you.



Liberated Hunter's Star



Liberated Hunter's Star



This is Peggy's I Spy Quilt, made with fabrics from friends.  She quilted flowers in each of the blocks.



 

Pictures of pretties

Barbara's Christmas Tree Pillow Wrap



Susan's Cute Purse



And the inside of the bag

Betty's Beautiful Black and White Quilt

http://www.creativesewing.com/

What a weather week!

We got about two inches of snow this week in Mt. Airy, NC.  The kids have been out of school for four days, but they are going tomorrow!  Even more exciting, they are going on Saturday as well.  Yes, Saturday school.  I think that happened once to me while I was growing up.

Since the kids are in school on Saturday, we figure you ought to be as well, too!  Join us for our new BERNINA embroidery class on Saturday at 10:30.  Bring your BERNINA sewing machine, embroidery unit, a few colors of pastel thread and a hand towel to embroider on.  We'll go over the machine, stabilizers, threads, needles and how to use your machine.  It'll be a lot of fun and you'll want to get home and keep going!

Give us a call at 336 786 7074 to let us know you're coming!

Timmesa

www.creativesewing.com

Pillow Techniques Class

Come join us for our monthly pillow techniques class on Thursday, January 13th at 10:30AM and 5:30PM.  We'll be demonstrating the use of Thangles to create this pieced heart quilt block, as well as adding piping.  Look forward to seeing you!

Your block of the month quilt kits are available as well.


www.creativesewing.com

Website under construction

Hello all...

We're undergoing some technical changes to our main website and as a result our email addresses are having a few growing pains as well.  So if you need to get in touch with us, please use sueshrader@embarqmail.com or creativesewingprojects@gmail.com for the next little bit.  Hopefully we'll get it straightened out soon.  Of course, you can call us as well at 333.786.7074.  You can register for classes at http://www.creativesewing.com/

Looking forward to seeing you at our pillow techniques class on Thursday at 10:30 and 5:30.  We're doing a pieced heart using the Thangles that we'll be using for the Block of the Month, so you'll get to see them in action. 

Timmesa
http://www.creativesewing.com/

Buck a Block Program!

Block of the Month Quilt 2011: available January 13, 2011.

Creative Sewing Machine's "Buck a Block" Thangles Program.

The finished quilt of 24 blocks, sashing and border is 67 x 94".

Class #9279 $1.00 a month

We have a fun new program where you can get a block kit for only $1 for 2 block centers.

It's easy to participate.On your first visit in January, sign up in the store and purchase a pack of Thangles for $5.00.

The Thangles will be used to make ALL the blocks. You will also receive your first block kit for $1.

Each block kit consists of two strips of precut fabric and the directions for making that month's blocks. Your block kit will also have a different Thangles lesson each month.

You will learn how to use Thangles to make quarter squares, tulip squares and flying geese. You will also learn how to use Thangles with any quilting pattern. The size of the block is 6". (It's the block inside the star block in the picture.

Every month for 12 months, you return to Creative Sewing Machines to pick up your new kit.

You can return anytime during the month. If you miss a month, you can still get the kit, but
the price will be $5.00 instead of $1.00.

We have selected the fabrics for you and have finishing kits available to turn each block into a finished 12" square, sashing, borders and binding. Finishing kits are limited so make sure to purchase this kit early while the fabric is still available. In addition, you can get started on the finishing steps right away. Each of this year's blocks is the center of a star. It is much easier to do this star setting as you construct your blocks.

Please register so that you can begin your quilt in January. You can pick up your blocks between January 15 and February 14. The February Blocks will be available February 15-March 14, etc.

www.creativesewing.com

More and more pictures!

How cute is this?

Linda's black and white creation!

Brenda created this gorgeous quilt.

Gwen made a dozen tree skirts for Christmas presents this year.