What's New At PSQ 5-4-11

Ask the Trainer This Friday
Just a reminder that my personal trainer, Jackie Kold will be at PSQ this Friday, May 6 from 7 to 8:15 pm to talk about the benefits of exercise and to answer any questions you may have on health and fitness.  If you plan to attend, just call the shop and have your name added to the list.  There is no charge and I think you'll find Jackie very interesting and motivating.  I know she motivates me to get my butt out of bed every morning to exercise and that's saying something!  Photo at right is me during one of my weekly training sessions!

Garden of Ideas Hop a Great Success
The Garden of Ideas Hop was so much fun.  I know we had fun at PSQ and the hoppers seemed to be happy while they hopped, too!

Congrats to our winners:
Grand Prize - a Bernina Sewing Machine - Cindy P of Naperville
First Prize - a Basket Full of Gift Certificates from each Shop - Carol M of  Sandwich
Third Prizes - 100 Fat Quarters in a Handmade Basket - Shelia B of Naperville, Sharon O of DeKalb and Sally H of Elburn

There were also nine winners of $100 Gift Baskets from each of the shops.  Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Selling Author Sandra Dallas Coming to Batavia May 21
Prairie Shop Quilts and the Batavia Public Library are pleased to welcome Best Selling Author Sandra Dallas on May 21 at 3 pm at the Batavia Public Library.  The event is FREE but you do need tickets (available at either PSQ or the library).  Sandra Dallas is the author of several best selling historical novels including "The Persian Pickle Club", "The Chili Queen" (my personal favorite) and "Alice's Tulips".  All of her books include some quilting references (hence why PSQ is co-sponsoring AND because she's one of my favorite authors!). 

Ms. Dallas will be discussing her new book "The Bride's House" as well as her writing process and her inspiration for her other books.  PSQ will have copies of "The Bride's House" available for sale at the shop and at the event.  PSQ is also hosting a "Meet the Author" reception at the shop at 6 pm.  The cost for the reception is just $10 and include refreshments (including a great cake from Good Gracious Cakes) and the opportunity to meet the author one on one.  Call the shop or stop in to pick up your tickets!

Fabric
CHRISTMAS FABRIC HAS BEGUN TO ARRIVE!  And there is more where that came from!
Jingle All the Way by Nancy Halverson - I LOVE this fabric designer and I order her fabric every year.  Jingle All the Way is so gorgeous with traditional red and green plus gold, cream, browns AND my personal favorite TEAL!  What I love most about this line is that it CAN scream Christmas but it DOESN'T have to.  There are gorgeous stripes and plaids, holly berries and yummy tone on tones.  There are a few reds in this line that are going to fly out of the shop they are sooooo gorgeous!  I've already made a sample (just 18 Fat Quarters) and it looks great.  Easy and fast to make (I made it in just two days), it's bright and colorful and a nice size to cuddle under.  Check out the photo on our blog (details below).  Kits are available now!  And, the photos above are only PART of the line!

Winter Wishes by Benartex - Another Christmas line, this fabric features playful snowman in a fabulous border print (this one would be perfect for the Easy Striped Table Runner pattern).  There's also a great stripe on the bias (perfect for a binding) and a playful crooked plaid PLUS there are polka dots and snowflakes, too!

Yuletide Magic by Benartex - Now that I have the sample done from the Nancy Halverson, I've started on the sample for this elegant Christmas line (yes, I'm addicted to Christmas quilts AND tree skirts but more on that later!).  This line is deep and rich in shades of red, gold, black and white.  Not classic colors, for sure, but elegant with fabrics that look like they've been stenciled (check out the pictures on my blog) and with a panel that looks like you've spent days piecing block after block.  There's a free pattern and I'm going to burn the midnight oil to get the sample done asap.  If you just can't wait, we already have kits made up.  Yep, we're just that fast!  :) 

Princess Mirah Batiks - Oh yes!  Even MORE batiks have arrived.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of these beauties before they got mixed in with the rest of our batik collection BUT we got in over 30 more new bolts in all colors and designs.  If you haven't been in lately to check out our batiks, now is the time.  The book cases are spilling over and the colors are bright, bold and beautiful 

Magazines
Quilt Sampler Magazine - Called the "ultimate Shop Hop" this magazine features the top eleven quilt shops across the country (yes, my dream is for PSQ to appear in this magazine some day - a girl can dream!).  It's so much fun to see other shops and each shop designs a pattern so you're getting a fun magazine to read AND 11 patterns for the price of just one magazine.  BUT...get your copy soon.  I've already sold over half of the magazines we got in and I've only had them a few days! 

Classes
4-Patch Posie
Thursdays, May 5 and 26 from 6 pm to 9 pm
Take just one fabric but create many different designs! Transform a focus or novelty fabric into a 4-Patch Kaleidoscope quilt that will delight and make you want to try different fabrics.
Class Fee: $42
Instructor: Barbara Rippel
Level: Confident Beginner

Machine Embroidery Club
Monday, May 9 from 10 am to 12 pm
This month, students will learn how to embellish a plain old pair of blue jeans and make them denim dynamo!  Take that embroidery machine out of the box, ladies, and learn how to dazzle with thread!
Class Fee $18
Instructor: Becky Robinson
Level: Beginner and Up

Sophisticated Hobo Bag
Saturday, May 14 from 12 pm to 4 pm
This smart bag has it all! Pockets and personality. Leave the strap wide for comfort or narrow it up for added style. Caron will also share a technique for making a quilted cosmetic (or glasses or sewing kit) bag for a nice finishing touch.
Class Fee: $25
Instructor: Caron Carlson
Level: Confident Beginner

Versatile Unlined Jacket
Sunday, May 15 from 1 pm to 4 pm
Learn to make an unlined versatile swing jacket from Anna Clair originals.  The jacket pattern includes three collar options and you may use your serger or sewing machine to assemble.  Students will also learn several seam finishes including:  French, flat fell, Hong Kong binding and serged.
Class Fee: $23
Instructor: Becky Robinson
Level: Beginner

Have a Wonderful Mother's Day.  Please note: PSQ will be closed this Sunday so that our staff can spend Mother's Day with their families.  Enjoy the warm weather - FINALLY - and try to relax and enjoy nature (I'm TRYING!!!!).  

Happy Quilting!

Bonita