Deb's Cats N Quilts
From my "paws" to yours

APRIL 27, 2008

Tip of the month-  

Please do not put invisible thread in your bobbin!!!!   We are seeing more and more machines coming in for repair because of this.  When using invisible thread, use the invisible in the top only and cotton thread in the bobbin.   There have been recent articles telling you that you can use it in both places but our repair man says DON'T DO IT!!   He also cautions against using hand quilting thread in your machine.  Your machine will be happier if you use machine quilting thread.

New arrivals- 

Wow- the UPS man makes it feel like Christmas everyday.

Look for these new lines-

*Moda- Hemming House by Bannock and Patek (We have the complete line)

*Moda- Garden Inspirations by Kansas Troubles (We have the complete line)

*Moda- Ruby's Flower Garden- We received the whole line and have kits available too, but it is going quickly.

Plus-  Several new kitty prints and several new brights.

Lots of new jelly roll, and charm books and well as a new book for teaching kids to quilt, and a new book with hundreds of blocks to make from Fat Quarters.

Hello everyone - and Happy Spring!!!
We have so much to tell you in this newsletter that's it hard to know where to begin.....
 

We have just completed Catman 2's  fund raising quilt for this year and we are very proud of the finished quilt.   Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  Catman will officially start selling tickets at the "Greening of the Mountain" in Sylva on Sat April 26.  (You can also buy tickets at the shop).     Tickets will be sold and the quilt will be displayed at a lot of area craft shows and celebrations throughout the spring and summer.  A lucky winner will be drawn in the fall.  If you are not familiar with the wonderful work done at Catman 2 check out the web site at www.catman2.org   Our shop is a proud supporter of this great no kill feline rescue sanctuary.  (Special thanks to all of the shop staff who pieced the top, and special Thanks to Pat Horning for machine quilting this quilt.  She quilted it with cute kitties, mice and dragonflies.)

Do you like "freebies" and money saving coupons?  If so, respond to this email at debscatsnquilts1@aol.com and give us your name and home mailing address.  (Regular mail- not email).  We have teamed up with one of our fabric companies (Blank Fabrics) and we will be sending a wonderful coupon (sponsored by Blank Fabrics) 4 times per year to those who respond and ask to be added to this mailing.  Don't delay- we've been told the first one will go out in late May or early June and you must respond to let us know you want to receive it.  (*NOTE* Don’t worry- This mailing list is for this coupon only and will not be circulated or sold) . Example of a previous coupon:  “ Buy 1 yard of any fabric made by the Blank Fabric Company (these are the people who make ‘Shade Cascade’ and lots of others) and get a free Blank Fabrics Quilting tote bag.”  (We've been told that the next one might offer a free celtic quilting cd- but we never know until it gets here).  These are great coupons and we hope you will take advantage of this offer.  This offer will not be available online.  You can only get the coupon and participate if you are on this mailing list.

Scissor Sharpening-  We are very pleased to once again be able to offer scissor sharpening through the shop.  Drop off your scissors at the shop (make sure to tag them with your name and phone number) along with your payment of $5 per pair. (Payment in cash or check only/sorry we cannot accept credit cards or debit cards for scissor sharpening).  Our new scissor sharpener will pick up every 2 weeks (beginning Tues. April 29 at 10:00 am) and return them 2 weeks later.  We'll call you when he brings them back.

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Class Update- You asked for these classes and we’ve added them, plus many more.  See our website for a complete listing.
 

Machine quilting basics- Deb's class covers:  marking, basting, quilting tips, tools, threads, needles, the best designs to use when using your walking foot, and a great introduction to free motion quilting.  May 30, 2008   1:00pm-5:00pm
Diamond Delight- Let Annie take the mystery out of diamonds.  They aren't hard once she shows you how.  Annie used the gorgeous "Shade Cascade" fabric for a true jewel tone affect.  How pretty!!!   May 31, 2008   10:00am-1:00pm
Denim quilt from recycled jeans-  Several of you saw Deb’s denim rag quilt and her article in the Expressions Magazine this April and asked for a class, so here it is.  June 5, 2008  1:00pm-5:00pm
Double Wedding Ring the EASY way-  Learn to make a double wedding ring with no curved piecing. Deb will show you how using the "Quilt Smart" method.  We'll make a 2 or 3 block table runner in class but once you know the basics you can expand it to make any size quilt that you want.   June 19, 2008  1:00pm-5:00pm
Peeled Back Technique- The look of curved piecing without the stress.  This class will show you how easy and how much fun this technique can be as you make this gorgeous table runner.   June 21, 2008  10:00am-1:00pm
Quilt as you go- Once you know the basics of “quilt as you go” you can apply them to almost any block.  For those who do not like to "stuff and wad" a large quilt through your machine, quilt as you go may be the answer to your prayers.  We'll make a table runner so that you can learn the basics.   June 30, 2008  1:00pm-5:00pm
Crazy Baskets- Karen Burney will show you just how much fun this Buggy Barn Pattern can be.   July 23, 2008  1:00pm-5:00pm

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New Machine Embroidery CD's- CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) Of course we love this one!!  Maxine and her crazy humor (these are so funny!) , Cute "Fringe" Critters, North American Wildlife- sure to please all of  the men in your life, and much more.  Check out our Dakota Display to see all the new designs.  Remember Dakota Designs are multi format so they work with any type embroidery machine.  (Be sure to check out the coupon below).