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Here is the Quilting Confections News for January. This newsletter is also available online or you can download a nice printable version of this newsletter. It requires Adobe Reader to open.

Every time you shop at Quilting Confections you earn points. No card to carry, we keep track! You now have *|POINTS|* points. When you reach 500 points you will receive a reward coupon worth $25.

Wow, where has the time gone?

Quilting Confections has just finished up on our second year in business and what a year it's been! I'm excited to say that we've taught 29 new quilters this year! I wish I'd taken photographs of each and every "first" quilt but … well I'll try to be better about that next year. I love to teach the beginners! For several years I would only teach the intermediate classes where everyone already knows the lingo and the basics. I was afraid … but I'm over it and I'm looking forward to starting all over again with it in January. (Tuesday afternoons starting January 12).

In 2009 we grew our fabric inventory, added several Superior Thread lines including King Tut for quilting, Trilobal Polyester for embroidery and quilting and the most recent addition - Metallics for thread play. We've offered a wide variety of classes from beginners to doll making and fibre arts. We have lots of fun things planned for 2010 including two "block-a-month" programs. Piece, Love and Applique is a beautiful quilt with some piecing as well as applique. I did my applique by hand but if machine applique is your thing then go for it. Each month there will be a bit of applique and a bit of piecing. The 12th instalment will include the border and instructions on how to put it all together.

The Patchabilities monthly projects are fun, fun, fun. Licia Cipkar sewed our samples using a buttonhole applique technique. In January Katrina will be teaching a class on this technique, so if you want some instruction, that class will be Monday afternoon January 18 from 1:00 - 4:00.

We look forward to 2010. Come on in and share our love of quilting, maybe spend a Friday afternoon at sit & sew or join us for first Saturday - Demo Day. We're always happy to see you!

A gentle reminder

Remember in early December how you said you were going to start in January to make next years presents? Well how about starting with a nice bag for your sister? Maybe the LaBorsa bag would be nice or a Grids & Grommets bag? Do you have a child that might like to learn to make their presents too? We've got a zippered bag project for the kids class in January. Two different bags in fact, one for the true beginner and another for those who have a bit of sewing experience.

Demo Days

Don't miss a great demo this Saturday, January 2 at 10:30. We'll take just a bit of your time to show you a neat technique - something you can use to make a variety of things, including some presents for next year, or maybe even Valentines Day (big groan here!) Come in, pour a coffee and settle in for some fun. Don't forget to bring in a finished project for show and tell for a chance to win a quilty prize.

What's New

Please join us in welcoming Heather Northrup to our staff. Heather has lots of quilting experience and will be happy to help you with your questions on quilting and colour selection. Her applique is beautiful, watch for upcoming demo's and classes.

New Fabrics! We have lots of new fabrics including Deco Park by my favourite - Robert Kaufman - check it out. This one would be a fantastic Stacked! fabric. We also have Urban Squares by Camelot Cottons - in Burnt Sienna colourway.

We had such a good response to our "Saucy Squares" charm packs that we've put together another colourway called Space Rangers. This set of 6" blocks will make a single bed quilt for a boy. They're cut and ready to sew together in whatever arrangement pleases you. The little quilt is a mockup in 2" squares - you can add any border you like, mine is from the Circle of Life line of fabrics by Winky Wheeler.

Piece, Love and Applique - Block a Month Project

Start in February with the first of 12 sections. Each set contains some piecing and some applique. You choose which technique to use - hand or machine applique. Your fabrics will be similar but not identical to our quilt. Each monthly kit is $25.00 and includes the patterns and all the fabrics you need for that set. Block set #12 includes binding, borders and instructions on how to put it all together. Only three spaces left - don't miss out!

Patchabilities Project a Month

We love little wall hangings! Each monthly kit includes the pattern, fabrics, embellishments and the hanger. This is a series put together by Patchabilities and the little hangers are designed for this series of projects. These patterns and hangers are only available when you sign up for the Project a Month. And the best part is that Patchabilities designed a Canadian themed hanger for July! Each monthly kit is $25.00 and you must be registered to get them, so give us a call or drop in soon. Just three spaces left!

Classes

Enjoy classes in our spacious classroom with lots of table space, two oversize ironing boards, design wall, great teachers, and good company. Whether you come with someone you know or venture in on your own, you are sure to make new friends, learn new skills, and have a great time! By the way, if you need to cancel a class after registering, you can get a full refund up until one week before the first class.

LaBorsa Bag

Saturday January 9, 10:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Sue Pilutti
Fee: $40
Level: Intermediate

Everyone loves this bag! Use charm squares or fat quarters to make it in a size that's just right for you. Sue will share some tips & tricks to make your bag sturdy and beautiful too.

Learn to Quilt

Tuesday January 12 for 7 weeks, 1:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Sue A.
Fee: $75 plus supplies
Level: Beginners of course

If you've never made a quilt or if you want to improve your skills, this is the class for you. We'll help you choose fabrics that are just right for you. Learn good cutting and piecing techniques, how to sandwich and quilt your quilt. And finish off with a beautiful binding. You'll be proud of your accomplishments!

Creative Cloth Dolls

Thursdays January 14 - 28, 6:00 - 9:00
Instructor: Sue Pilutti
Fee: $70 plus supplies
Level: Intermediate

Each of these dolls has a personality and the details are fantastic. Sue will show you how to make tiny fingers and beautiful faces. Make one for yourself - maybe a pixie or a naughty nurse - you decide!

Learn to Love Your Quilting System

Thursday January 14, 10:30 - 2:30
OR: Monday January 25, 5:00 - 9:00
Instructor: Melissa Milos
Fee: $35
Level: Confident Beginner and up

This is for anyone who owns a home quilting system, is interested in buying one or would like to rent our system. Learn how to load your quilt like a pro and some good tips on quilting your project.

Waste Knot

Saturday January 16, 10:30 - 3:30
Instructor: Judy Wareham
Fee: $40
Level: Confident Beginner and up

This quilt makes a beautiful table topper, wall hanging or couch quilt. Make yours whatever size you like. We'll provide the pattern and Judy will help you with colour placement. Make it scrappy or colour coordinated to suit your home.

Log Cabin Marti Michell Style

Sunday January 17, 11:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Jeannie Hopkins
Fee: $40 plus pattern and ruler
Level: Confident Beginner and up

Learn how to get perfect blocks without squaring up - can you believe it? Jeannie will show you how to use the ruler and cutting technique to make a beautiful log cabin quilt. This is a techniques class and you will complete a set of blocks in class.

Easy Machine Applique

Monday January 18, 1:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Katrina Constantine Lagace
Fee: $25.00
Level: Confident Beginner

Start with a Patchabilities pattern and Katrina will show you how to trace, cut and place your pieces on your background and how to get started with your buttonhole applique stitch. If you're doing our Project a Month you can start with the first kit. Learn how to make it pretty just like Katrina does.

Kids Can!

Saturday January 23, 1:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Linda Sinasac
Fee: $15
Level: new sewers welcome

January's project is a small zippered bag that can be a pencil case or maybe use it to hold your gaming system … hmmm. We're offering two different bags this time - one for the beginning sewer and another more challenging project for those with sewing experience.

Skillbuilder

Sunday January 24, 10:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Anne Black
Fee: $50
Level: Confident Beginner

Take some time to learn how to do beautiful free motion quilting. Using the Skillbuilder Panel and workbook Anne will guide you through quilting different shapes on your quilt with your home sewing machine.

Kinetic Energy

Tuesdays Jan. 26, Feb. 16 & 23, 6:00 - 8:00
Instructor: Judy Carney
Fee: $40
Level: Intermediate

This beauty finishes at 60" x 80" and is beautiful on a bed as well as on the wall. The 3D effect is stunning! Lots of time is allowed between classes to finish up all the cutting and piecing.

Trudy's Jacket

Wednesday Jan. 27, and Feb. 17, 6:00 - 9:00
Instructor: Trudy Renaud
Fee: $40
Level: Intermediate

Trudy's jacket is built on a cozy fleece sweatshirt and it will be warm as well as fashionable. Trudy will show you how to take your sweatshirt apart, sew your fabrics on top and then put it back together. Choose coordinates or make one to celebrate a season - Christmas, Halloween, whatever. It's a nice weight for all seasons.

Jelly Bargelly

Saturdays January 30 and February 6, 1:00 - 4:00
Instructor: Jeannie Hopkins
Fee: $40
Level: Confident Beginner

Choose a colour scheme you like and let us help you choose your fabrics. This strip pieced quilt is big enough to be a single bed quilt or a lovely wall hanging.

Stacked!

Date: Friday February 5, 10:00 - 12:30
Inst: Sue Aylesworth
Fee: Free with purchase
Level: Confident Beginner

This is a techniques class that will produce surprising results … no, really! Choose a large print that you love and we'll stack it and cut it and sew it back together. You're gonna love the results.

Grids & Grommets

Date: Sunday Feb. 7, 10:00 - 4:00
Inst: Jeannie Hopkins
Fee: $40.00
Level: Intermediate

This is a dynamite bag in any fabric. It opens up nice & wide so you can stuff it and then closes up when you pick it up by the handles. Jeannie will show you how to place and apply your grommets and how to finish it like a pro. Make one for you and another for a friend.