August 28th 2023 The Quilter's Faire Newsletter

It’s been a month of repairs, improvements, and upgrades along with fabric shipments, quilt, and bag samples and then came the hurricane.  Six roof leaks, power outages, and internet service down for days.  It’s been a long and short month all at the same time…looking forward to Friday, September 1^st when our doors open back up. 

In just about a month, we will be participating in the annual Reindeer Dash Shop Hop.  Thursday, October 5^th through Saturday, October 7^th.   A huge event for the stores kicking off the official 2023 holiday season.  There are 5 stores showcasing the “Peace on Earth” fabric collection by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake Designs.  Please check out the official website by clicking on the reindeer dash tab at the top of our home page or by clicking on the link at the bottom of this newsletter. 

Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to local food banks and charities.  Please no expired food and we encourage you to think beyond tomato paste and creamed corn there are so many food items that are shelf -stable and delicious.    Long Grain rice mixes, canned soup or creamy potato / vegetable soup mixes, oatmeal, cookie and cake mixes, pancake, and waffle mixes.  Chunky soups, canned meat, chicken, tuna, and spam.  Boxed noodles, coffee, flavored teas… the list is endless.  On your next trip to the food store, take a moment and think about what you would be proud to donate and what someone would truly like to eat.   You are welcome to donate at each store and will receive a coupon that can be redeemed during December at any of the participating stores.  Just bring us your items the stores will box and deliver all donations to their local organizations. 

Also, don’t forget to bring your collection of loyalty cards we’ll combine and condense and maybe just maybe you’ll have a full one that you can use during the event. 

September also brings one of our Little Black Bag Club Members events.   Each Friday in September if you bring your little black bag to shop with you, you will receive a 20% discount on any Halloween print fabric, and 10% discount on any Halloween patterns.  When you purchase any item or items totaling $10.00 or more you will receive an additional punch on your loyalty card…and an additional chance to win the September Full Moon Event, “under the desert moon” quilt kit.  Winner will be drawn and announced on the first store open day in October. 

The Full Harvest Moon (or Full Corn Moon) will take place this September on Friday the 29^th at approximately 5:58am.  This full Moon name is attributed to Native Americans because it marked when corn was supposed to be harvested.  Most often, the September full Moon is the Harvest Moon, which is the full Moon that occurs closest to the fall equinox. 

New fabrics and goodies at the store: 

White on White (WOW) fabrics have arrived.  Butterflies, dragonflies, small hearts, dotty leaves, tiny florals, buttercup leaves and spiral dots. 

Twilight or Black on Black (BOB) fabrics have arrived.  Spiral dots, buttercup leaves, tiny florals, and dotty leaves. 

Shabby Fabrics by Riley Blake Designs.  A total of 57 colors makes this a versatile blender collection that we continue to restock. 

Wild and Wonderful by Tracy Moad for RJR Fabrics.  Digital prints depicting landscapes and wild animals with a watercolor technique in cool and warm color tones.  Azul, periwinkle, sky, meadow, pine, sunset and peaches with animal tracks and snow cap mountains.  We brought in the whole 10-piece collection.

Ombre Flurries by Moda Fabrics.  An ombre print with metallic snowflakes for the holidays.  Holiday colors that include Christmas red, Christmas green, indigo and platinum.   

True Blue by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics. Cotton fabrics with sprinkled peonies, etched blooms and floral universe in Azul, cobalt, and midnight tones.   The floral universe print is also available on canvas. 

Sweet Floral Scent by Cotton & Steel.  Whimsical owls, bees and flowers in soft minty greens and sky blue with touches of golden yellow accents.  One floral print offered also on canvas. 

White Cottage Farm by Beth Albert for 3 Wishes.  A tranquil, small-town setting collection in soft neutrals with sage greens and blush pinks including a panel with 9 blocks measuring 10” of quaint store fronts, barns and inviting homes. 

Half Square Holiday Quilt is our Reindeer Dash Sample that is new and now hung at the store.  We have even put up a new Christmas Tree trying to channel a little cooler weather to arrive here in the desert.  The sample is made using our featured fabrics from “Peace on Earth” by Riley Blake Designs. 

The Compass Bag – two new samples, both sizes using fabrics by Robert Kaufman Fabrics in their cotton and linen releases.  Flowers, polka dots and even hedgehogs. 

Our new store mascot sample, the Parrot (no name has been given yet) made with some of the beautiful Bloomsville fabrics by Tilda. 

The Olive Handbag, written for and made using cork.  Embossed cork was used which gives the finished bag almost an animal or tribal look.   

Project bags in two sizes made up using the beautiful fabrics from the Jeweled Leaves collection by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. 

The Happy Handbag was made using the new canvas from the Tru Blue collection by Art Gallery Fabrics. 

And…we are extremely excited to announce our second design and pattern from the “Sisters” collection, Edith.  Edith and Millye were sisters and the inspiration behind this collection.  We wanted the collection to be easy to make and carefree to wear.  Easy and carefree both attributes that were not always a part of the sisters  childhood.  All sisters should have an easy and carefree life and we think these designs for The Quilter’s Faire by Christie Archer Designs are spot on and a good place to start.    As with Millye all Edith dress sizes are available from size 1 – size 7 and is reversible to encourage independence when dressing alone.  Several adorable samples for inspiration in the store including a Halloween sweet dress in our bat room. 

“In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips”. - Unknown

And as we enter the last few weeks of the summer season here in the desert, (so hard to believe) I have a few words of wisdom from a cactus.

    Accentuate your Strong Points                                                Be Patient Through the Dry Spells

    Conserve your Resources                                                         Don’t Desert Your Friends

    Wait for Your Time to Bloom                                                    Stay Sharp!

See you at the store!