Susan's Calico Creations 1108 4th St, Fulton, IL 61252 Phone: 815-589-2221 Email: shop@susancalicocreations.com

April/May 2008 Newsletter

Hello Fellow Quilters! The snow has finally melted and warmer weather is creeping in. After the long winter, we are so happy to have sunshine with Spring around the corner. We always look forward to the Dutch Days festival every May. We get to see many friends that stop in the shop while they are in town for the festival and hopefully meet some new people too. Our local quilt guild is helping with the quilt show for Dutch Days. Don’t forget to stop at the Drives Building (across the street from the Windmill) and see some beautiful quilts. Happy Quilting Susan May

DUTCH DAYS Annual Dutch Days in Fulton is on Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3. Come and experience authentic Dutch food and dancing. There will also be craft vendors, sidewalk sales, quilt show and milling demonstrations at the windmill.

FABRIC FEATURE!! Natural Garden Natural Garden by Holly Taylor has arrived. What a great line to celebrate spring time! This line has a lovely panel that we have used in a gorgeous quilt called Shades of Spring. We also have charm packs and jelly rolls. To view the entire line of fabric, click on the link below. Natural Garden

Monthly Sales April 8-12 Yellow 20% off May 6-10 Green 20% off June 10-14 Blue 20% off DEAR JANE CLUB: Stop in and Pick up your blocks on April 19 and M

Sewing for the Soldiers Look forward to "Christmas in July" sew-a-thon to make magic stockings for the soldiers. We will always accept quilts for Project Linus at any time!

Quilter’s Paradise Does your group of quilters need a place to sew for a couple of days? Our rooms are equipped with display walls, ironing boards, cutting tables, kitchen, and full restroom with clothes washer and dryer. You provide the meals or order out. Cost: $25 per night. For an overnight group, there must be a minimum of 5 people. Please call in advance. Deposit required. Saturdays are quickly spoken for, so call and reserve a date soon.

Newest Books, Patterns & Notions Books: Maple Leaf Quilts by Ilene Bartos, Beautiful Blooms by Susan Taylor Propst, SOON TO ARRIVE: Spotlight on Scraps , by Cyndi Walker, Rolling Along: Easy quilts from 2 1/2” Strips by Nancy Martin Magazines: The Quilter Magazine May 2008 Patterns: From Liberty Star Quilt Designs: Wallflower, Wash Day, On the Playground, Old Glory, Nest, Tintype Pieced Pinwheels, Patches & Pockets and A Ticket A Tasket, Patch Abilities Oscar the Cat, Airplanes and Rubber Ducky To shop on our site for books and patterns click on the link below. Books and Patterns

Kits Available Our kits include clear instructions and enough fabric to complete the quilt top and the matching binding fabric. To view some of our kits please click on the link below. Kits For Sale These are the kits we currently have available: Shades of Spring Quilt: Made from Natural Garden fabric line (pictured at right) Pinewood Lodge Chatterbox Lap Quilt Peacock Beauty: Made with Hoffman Challenge fabrics Giddy Up Kids’ Quilt Whirlwind Quilt, Not in Kansas Anymore Quilt and Over the Rainbow. All Kits made from Wizard of OZ prints Patches & Pockets Purse Kit Americana Nine Patch Mini Quilt & Box of Chocolates Mini Quilts from the book "Bits & Pieces" Peter Rabbit in a Square Child’s Quilt Sittin’ Pretty Fall Placemats Pre-cut Double Wedding Ring Quilt Kit using Magic Vine fabrics Pre-cut Building Block Kits: Gothic Grace, Yours Truly & Princess Boutique Lucky Stars: using the Carriage House line by Pat Speth Raggy Flannel Baby Quilt Batik Beauty Quilt: Made with “Sweet 16s” Star & Crown: Red, White & Blue Quilt Quintet Essentials: Trees of the 4 seasons Dancing Fans: using the Imperial Garden Panel A Quilter’s Garden: Applique and Pieced Lap Quilt Toy Box Crib Quilt A Harvest Night Wall Hanging: Pattern by Mt. Redoubt Monterrey Medallion, purple, magenta and green batik quilt Star Shine: a Thimbleberries pattern made with Asian prints Charm Flies Baby Mine Child’s Quilt Waterwash Picket Fence 9-Patch Temple and Koi

New Fabrics Our new fabric arrivals offer something for every quilter to love. Stop in and experience all of these new fabrics. Pictured at right is "POSH" a large paisley-like print by Moda. Posh by Chez Moi for Moda, a lively print with lovely watercolor coordinates. The 1st quarter Thimbleberries Club fabrics are out for sale now to the public! Many nice background prints from Avlyn have come in. Natural Garden by Holly Taylor from Moda is such a lovely cream, red and purple line with spring flowers, humming birds with a panel and great coordinates. Also new from Moda is Prairie Paisley by Minick & Simpson. This line is muted red, cream and blue gorgeous paisley prints and coordinates with a subtle patriotic flair. New in from Kaufman is Fleurance, lovely roosters in rich tones. Hip Hip Hurrah from Marcus Brothers, old fashioned patriotic children. SOON TO ARRIVE: Kitty Cucumber from In the Beginning Fabrics, adorable dressed up kitties and pastel coordinates and Friendship by the Sea by Elizabeth Studios, children sitting on the seashore enjoying the beach. To go shopping click on the link below Shop for Fabric

Classes & Calender To View photos of all of our classes, please go to our Classes/Show & Tell page. Or click on the link below: Classes THIMBLEBERRIES CLUB! REMINDER: Your next club meeting is Thursday, April 3, 6pm or Saturday, April 5 at 9 am. Dates for May are Thursday May 1 and Saturday May 3. Log Cabin Beginner’s REMINDER: Your upcoming class dates are: EVENING CLASS: Thursdays, 5:30—8:30, April 17. Applique Series REMINDER: The next class meets Thursday, April 10 from 1:00—4:00. Honeyberries(pictured at right): taught by Susan May. This 2 Session class will be held on Tuesday, April 8th and Tuesday, April 22 from 9:30 to 4:00. Using Evelyn Sloppy’s book 40 Fabulous Quick-Cut Quilts, come and make this striking scrappy quilt pattern by sewing strips, making simple cuts and the block design will appear like magic. Class fee $30. Book purchase required. Stow n Sew: taught by Stephanie Stamp. She will teach you how to make a bag utilizing quilter’s vinyl. Come in and see our sample. Tuesday, April 15th, 9:30 to 3:00. Class fee $20. Fours and Nines Quilted Placemat Class: taught by Susan May, Wednesday, May 21st 9:30—4:00. Quick and easy placemats using 4 patch and nine patch. You will be able to make several! Class fee $20. Piping Hot Lanterns Class: taught by Donna Furrow. Saturday May 31, 9:30—4:30. Come and learn Susan Cleveland’s piping technique to achieve a very unique wall hanging called "Chinese Lanterns." A very simple, sure method to construct mitered corners will also be taught.  Stop in and see the sample. Class fee $25. Tool and Book purchase required. Zippy Convertible Bag Class: taught by Rhonda Rannow. This is a 2 session class on Thursdays, June 12 and 26, 1:00—4:00. This is a wonderful bag that allows you to convert one outer purse to the next, using the same liner. It is quite a clever project with a great result! Class fee $25. Pattern purchase required. Creative Flowers: taught by Patt Hagge. This 2 part class is Tuesdays, June 17 and June 24 from 5:30—8:30. Melinda Bula did the hard part in creating these beautiful fusible flowers in the book "Cutting Garden Quilts.” We will combine realism and symbolism into a personal expression of our unique talents to make this small wall quilt (approx. 20x21"). Come let out the artist within, I know she has been waiting for an invitation to express herself. Class fee $30. Book purchase required.

Class Policy Except for our beginner classes, all of our classes and clubs require a basic knowledge of quilting techniques—rotary cutting, accurate 1/4 inch seam sewing, and a strong knowledge of how to use your sewing machine. All classes must be paid for at the time you register. We will accept cancellations up to 5 days prior to the class start and issue a refund for the class fee. Classes with fewer than 3 students will be cancelled and a refund given for the class fee. Any class supplies you purchase from us will receive a 10% discount.

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