Thursday, January 26, 2012

Back to Business

Mom, Holly, and I are finally buckling down and getting some things done around the quilt shop.  If you missed our huge sale it was an amazing success.  We cleaned out everything we wanted to and more!  Thank you everyone who came by to add to their stash and thanks for all of the questions.  There are still a few urban legends floating around about "exactly what do they think they're doing"?  If you're still unsure of our motives, just take a look at what we've been up to:

The first step after removing the fabrics that would go on the sale was to organize.  The shop looks so clean and open!  People keep commenting that the shelves look so empty....but don't worry, we have fabric in the storage room just screaming for a place on the shelves.  


Our color wall made a move to the area you see when you first walk into the shop.  Along with the color wall we will feature our new modern and funky fabrics (my favorites).  We will be hosting "What's New" in this area as well.

Our couch is coming back!  It's not here yet, but for those of you that remember, it was the hangout spot for all the men that get dragged along to the quilt shop.  We are hoping to always have a little "home" set up complete with decorations for your kitchen, living room, and bedroom.  This is a work in progress, I will post photos as soon as it's done.

Batik's stayed in the same place and Civil War fabrics join them behind the cutting counter.  Our purse collection found a new home under the cutting counter.  It's WAY better than the coat rack we had overflowing with bags.


Our children/baby fabric made a move too.  Don't worry, we still have 30's fabric, they just have their own area now right around the corner from the kids.

I REALLY wanted to give you a sneak peak into the "design studio" but alas it is still in shambles....pretty curtains though, right? :)

We can barely walk in the design studio but that doesn't mean that we haven't been sketching.

The antique hutch made a move, but the coffee is still always on and the cookie jar is always sometimes full.

The notions wall received a much needed make over.  You will find all the rulers and purse accessories on the wall in front of the classroom. 

You will find all other notions and thread on the wall near the register. 


Holly added a small gift area with her "Razz-Dazz Boutique" featuring Paparazzi hair accessories and costume jewelry.  She's always running around with something cool in her hair and now you can too.  Everything is $6.00!



 Our biggest accomplishment this month is getting Stash Bash invite mailed to every Quilt Guild and Quilt Shop in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  If you are a member of a guild or shop owner and you don't receive one by next Monday, and would like one, please email me at commonthreadsmn@gmail.com.

For more details on the event click on the Stash Bash logo above!

 As you can see, we've been busy bees and we haven't slowed yet.  Keep checking back for all the fun things we have coming up.  Don't forget, every dollar you spend from now until March 23rd turns into two Quilt Bucks for our Relay for Life Auction on March 24th.  Also, we still have a few spaces available for Super Sew for Super Bowl.  Email common@gctel.net to reserve your space.

Pieced love and comfiness,
Katie S.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

EChatter - January 2012

First off, we want to thank everyone that joined us for our Inventory Reduction Sale.  It was a great success!  Now we have room for all of the new fabrics that are already taking up space in our store room. :)

We didn't have "What's New" this month because of the sale, but here are a few reminders:

We still have some room in our Minglewood Block of the Month.  We meet every 4th Friday of the month to work on this project.  Cost: $25 per month.
  


EVENTS 
Super Sew for Super Bowl - The shop opens at noon on Sunday, Feb. 5th for an all day sewing event.  We invite you to come watch the game with us (and most importantly the commercials) and work on any unfinished projects.  We will be giving away prizes too, including a $50 Common Threads gift certificate!  We have limited space so be sure to email us at common@gctel.net to reserve your sewing area.  Cost: Your favorite game day dish to share with everyone.  (We will be making chili.) 
 

Leap Year Sales Event - It only happens once every four years so we're doing something crazy.  Get 29% off any cut of fabric or double punches on your punch card!  Play Leap Frog for even more discounts!!!  We're open 9am - 7pm.

Relay for Life Auction - From now until March 23th any money you spend at the quilt shop will turn into Quilt Bucks that you can use at our Relay for Life Auction.  Use a combination of Quilt Bucks and real money to bid on items at the auction.  We invite EVERYONE to this event, we won't just be auctioning quilt stuff!  (If you or someone you know would like to donate an item for the auction please email Katie at commonthreadsmn@gmail.com)

CLUBS 
Card Club - If you like Paper Piecing this is the club for you.  If you've always wanted to try Paper Piecing (without having to make an entire quilt) this club is for you.  If you like creating cards and quilting this club is for you!  We will be making Paper Pieced blocks that fit into framed greeting cards.  You can also use a picture frame to display these fun blocks.  We meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month.  Cost: $25 for the year which includes "50 Little Paper-Pieced Blocks" and 1 pack of (4) specially designed frame cards with envelopes. 

Quilt Circle - Breakfast and quilting?!?!  Who could ask for more!  Our Quilt Circle will meet once a month to dive deeper into specific techniques, books, or notions.  We don't have time during "What's New" to share all the details.  There is no fee to attend however there may be special projects and/or make-n-takes that you can purchase the day of.  We meet the 2nd Saturday of the month before "What's New" at 8:30am or the 4th Thursday at 10am.


Row by Row -  These fantastic patterns were designed by Ruth Gess, local designer and Common Thread's original creator.  We will gather every 4th Thursday and Friday of the month.  Cost: $60.00 for the year which includes binder for patterns and club handouts, additional projects patterns.



For more details on any of these events and clubs, please go to our website www.commonthreadsquilt.com.  Don't forget about our blog commonthreadsmn.blogspot.com.


To sign up for any of the events or clubs email us at common@gctel.net or call 320-834-2563.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Inventory Reduction Sale Sneak Peek

We've been working so hard to get ready for our big Inventory Reduction Sale that we almost forgot to publish a sneak peek.  Here it is!  Yes, all of this is on sale!!!  Don't forget we start the sale on Thursday with 40% off, continue Friday with 50% off, and end Saturday with 75% off.  We will be open 9am - 7pm on Thursday and 9am - 5pm on Friday and Saturday.