Its getting close to Christmas. If you are stuck thinking of a small gift for your quilting friends, come into the store and I can help you out.
I just received a quilting puzzle for anyone-even nonquilters.  Still have not figured it out!
I have snip and sip--a small bag for garbage and holder for your drink that you attach to your table -great for retreats. 
notions
books and patterns
gift certificates

Big news --I have adopted another West Highland Terrier--her name Maggie.  She is three years old , well trained.  Murphy , my other Westie is tolerating her for now.  He will get used to her eventually.  I picked her up at the Barrie animal Shelter a little over a week ago and is settling in just fine.

I'm certified again!  I just came back from Pfaff Dealer meeting in Toronto.  I 'm now certified to use and sell the new embroidery software for Mac computers.  TruEmbroidery.  This is for anyone who has a Mac computer no matter what kind of embroidery machine you have.  Pfaff is the only company that has embroidery software for Mac!

This week I will be packing for the London Friendship Guilds Quilt Show.   Friday Oct. 26
10-8 pm and Saturday  Oct. 27  10-4pm.
Always a great show! 
 Plus all three barn quilts will be there.  Come in and see them all!

17 more sleeps till our Material Girls Retreat.
Can't wait.

I have been working on some of my WIPS and have finished some tablerunners, and two of the embroidery panel scenes.  I've also have worked on some samples for new fabrics that I have,  PJ bottoms from new flannel.  I'm determined to 'get them done'.
The tops for the samples for fall classes are done. Tablerunners, wallhangings, a jacket.

I tried on some fall pants.  THEY ARE TOO BIG!!  The walking is paying off.  I just bought the  Nutri Bullet, hopefully this will make me feel much better and healthier.  I'll let you know about the results. 

Just to let you know that I will be having my annual sale October 9-13th
the regular 30% off plus another 5% because its been 5 years since I bought the store.  Still loving most of it.  I will be sending an email blast and a flyer through regular mail.
35% off fabric,  50% off books and patterns , 35% off some notions.
Pfaff sewing machines are on sale now  till  December 25th.
Flyer will not be sent till mid to late October but I can get the machines now
at sale price.  Come in for more details.

NEW FABRIC

I just received some new fabric from Northcott.  Its called Cayuga, with the pattern from The Pieceful Quilter called coconuts.  The fabric is in the beige and brown tones.  Beautiful, if I do say so myself!  Also from Northcott, a new Christmas panel that will go with the Metallic Christmas Stonehenge.  It has Cardinals, Trees and Presents.  This is a great time when its so hot to be outside, to start making those Christmas presents.

I was thinking that I would list my UFOs or WIPs on the blog and when its done 'check' it off  lets see how many I can get done before the year is up.  You can keep track of what I'm doing and this may inspire you all to finish off your unfinished projects.
The making of the list may take awhile so stay tuned.

Shirley and I have picked the date for the next Open House we have in the fall.  It will be September 17th.  We rent a hall, bring our new samples talk about whats going on at our shops and try to get one or two speakers.  Lots of fun had by all.  Tickets are $5 and some of the proceeds will go to the womens Shelter in Strathroy.

Later

CRAB APPLE HILL WALLHANGING

I just picked up my quilt Snow Days by Crab-Apple Hill  from Jack Stewart  in Corunna.  He did another amazing job machine quilting a quilt.  I was only going to embroider one block  but got hooked and did the whole pattern.  Enjoyed that very much - hand stitching last summer on the deck.   I had no idea how to quilt this wallhanging because of all the hand embroidery  that was in it.  He did a fabulous job!  Thanks Jack.

NEW FABRICS AND DATE FOR RETREAT

I have been receiving some new fabrics:

Secret Garden by Lynette Anderson

Bits and Pieces by Kathy Schmitz Moda Fabrics

From Northcott-Stonehenge, Oh Canada 

Stonehenge,Woodland

From Batavian Batiks gorgeous batiks in teals, turquoise and sand

They all have patterns either free on line or at the store.

I'm busy trying to make up some of the patterns to show off the fabrics. 

Shirley and I are doing our Material Girls Retreat this November.

Spaces are filling up fast.  If you are interested please call or email

for more information and to save your spot.  November 9-11 in Cambridge.

Talk to you soon,  Joan

CLASSES, RETREAT, GUILD

There is still room  for embroidery classes with Kerrin Brooks, an amazing instructor with Pfaff.  June  12-14 Kerrin with take you through the 5D software and help you create some amazing embroidery work.  The 5D software will be available for you to try it out.  Kerrin is a very knowledgable, patient instructor. 

Call 519-264-2177 or email  sewcreative@bellnet.ca for more information.

Monday June 11th is our last day for our Sew Happy Guild.  We will take a break for the summer and start up again in September.  We meet every 2nd Monday of the month at the store at 7pm.  Very casual time with fellow quilters.  Come join us.

The Material Girls Retreat will be November 9-11 at the Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge.  Cost will be $250.00 for 2 nights, most meals.

You may arrive on Thursday for an extra special rate.  Call or email for  more details.  Space is limited, so sign up soon!

LONGWOODS QUILT IS COMPLETE

The Longwoods Quilt is now complete!  Thank you to all that helped me in making this quilt.  It has taken about a year  with many meetings to decide which blocks to use.  Well, we came up with 30 blocks for the settler quilt  with a story to go  each of these blocks. This quilt is to honour the women during the War of 1812.  There are also barn blocks painted on 8' x 8' pieces of special wood that are then displayed on barns along HWY 2 / Longwoods Road between Wardsville and just past Delaware Speedway.  Many organizations in the area painted these wonderful barn blocks and I have books with the route and more information at the store. 

LONGWOODS QUILT

The Longwoods' Quilt is now completed.  Thank you to all that participated in this project.  I was the quilt coordinator.  After a year of many meetings, volunteers choose 30 blocks to honour women during the War of 1812.  There is a story behind each block.

Once the blocks were chosen we split up into two groups--the quilters and the painters.  I headed the quilters' group and cut out kits for each block.  The quilters then pieced the blocks using either sewing machine or by hand.  Some blocks were a challenge!  Once the blocks were completed, I embroidered names at the bottom of each block, put the quilt together and sent it off to Katie to have it hand quilted.  Soon this quilt will leave the store and start its travels.

While the quilting portion was being completed, the local organizations  were busy painting the blocks on 8' x 8'  special boards to be placed on barns on HWY 2 / Longwoods Road  from Wardsville to just past Delaware Speedway. 

If you would like more information I have pamphets at the store.

LOSING A DEAR FRIEND

I have lost a very dear friend this past week.  Carol Craig lost her

battle with cancer  May 6th.  She was one of my friends who helped me a great deal when I first bought the store, close to 5 years ago. 

She was always there when I needed her, even looked after my dog, Murphy when I had to be away from home.  Always trying to figure out a new class to teach for my customers.  We would brain storm to figure out ways to bring customers in.  We became great friends and I'll miss her very much. 

I have lost too many loved ones to cancer-my Mom, brother-in-law, uncles (on both sides), cousins and now friends.  My family is participating in the Relay for Life for the 4th time in Strathroy on Friday June 1.  We are called the CREATIVE CURE SEEKERS.

Come out and join me in laps around the track in memory of Carol or family and friends you may of lost in your life.  I think it starts at 7pm.  I'll get more information as soon as I can get it.

Hope to see you there!  Joan

PFAFF SALE

It's Pfaffs 150th anniversary, so I will be leaving for Pfaffs head office in Toronto Sunday night for 2 days. There are 4 new machines and a new version of Quilt Artist available.  The Expression 150, Select 150, Creative Performance, a new substitute for  the 18.8 (long arm quilting machine and the another version of the Quilt Artist).  I can't wait to show all these new machines!

Remember,  PFAFF sewing machines, embroidery machines and sergers are all on sale until June 29th.

PIECMAKERS QUILT SHOW

Third is a charm they say. I'm new at this blog thing. They told me this is simple???  I know once I do it a couple of times it will be a breeze. Please!

I am just about done with packing for the Peacemakers Quilt Show in St. Marys.  I hope I have everything you want or need or something, at least.  I don't want to bring back as much as I'm taking there tomorrow.  I will be doing a demonstration of the lil'twister ruler every morning at 10:30 and again on Friday at 3:30.  Come in and take a look.  I don't want to demonstrate to an empty room!

I have picked up two new rulers, the Squedge 22.5" and the simple curves ruler.  They help make up some pretty amazing projects.

And it's simple too!

If you can't make the show go visit with Marg at the Store.  She will help you out with any problems you may have.

THANK YOU

Thank you to all that attended the 2012 Quilters' Shop Tour this past weekend.  The weather was perfect and the quilt shops were ready. We asked and you did come.  Marg, Meagan and I had a great time meeting you all. Lots of laughs and  Lots of new faces.

Enough of this, you want to know who the winners are:

Grand Prize  (visiting all nine stores)  Monica Delmage

West Side Prize  (visiting the 5 in the West)  Noreen Conyers

East Side Winner  ( visiting the 4 in the East)  Kim Grimminck

Thursday winner of the daily prize ~ Marilyn Whiting

Friday winner of the daily prize ~ Paulette Paterson

Saturday winner of the daily prize ~ Rosemary McGee

Congratulations to you all! 

LONGWOODS BARN QUILT

The Longwoods Barn Quilt is now completed and it is at the Quilters being hand quilted.  Thanks to all that has helped me out on this project.

QUILTERS' SHOP TOUR

WELCOME

Welcome to my new Blog. 
I hope you will enjoy updates of what's new at Sew Creative!
Remember to visit our Website at sewcreativequilting.ca for upcoming events and classes.
Sew Creative is an Authorized Pfaff Dealer