Leap Year Sales Event Rescheduled

Unfortunately we will be closed tomorrow, Feb. 29th because of the weather.  We don't want you to miss out on our Leap Year Sales event so we will be rescheduling it for March 7th.  Please everyone, stay safe out there and we'll see you in March.

MN Polar Plunge Benefiting The Special Olympics

THANKS to everyone that supported our team, The Ice Angels, for the 2012 Polar Plunge in Alexandria.  Holly, Erika, and I were so nervous, but in the end it wasn't as bad as we thought it was going to be.  In fact, it was so much fun that we decided we will be doing it again next year.  We ended up raising $490 for The Special Olympics with the help of donations from Common Threads and our customers.  I promised pictures of the event, so here you go...

Team Ice Angels before the plunge.  Erika, Me (Katie), and Holly.

The Polar Plunge Polar Bear was there to cheer us all on.

At this point we were scared.

"I can't breathe."

Trying to dredge ourselves out of the freezing water.

Soaked Ice Angels

Mom, you're crazy!

Stash Bash 2012

If you haven't heard yet, we are preparing for the biggest event we've ever attempted to organize.  We are SUPER excited for Stash Bash 2012!  

What is Stash Bash?  It's an opportunity to clean up your stash and win prizes for doing so!  Everyone will win if they reach their personal goals.  The registration for Stash Bash also includes meals and snacks.  The fee is $200 per person.  A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will support the American Cancer Society.


Register before April 1st to save $50!!!!!
(Only $150 per person)

We've sent out invitations to all of the quilt guilds and quilt shops in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.  We want to make it the largest retreat in Minnesota.  We're so excited for this event that we've decided to lower the price to reach our attendance goal.  Click here for the registration form:

http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/Events_images/Stash%20Bash%20Reg%20Form.pdf

If you have any questions about Stash Bash, click here for the flyer and frequently asked questions:

http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/stashbash.html

Blog readers: Share this event on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.  Comment below with where we can find your "share" (include a link) and you'll be in a drawing for a FREE ticket to Stash Bash!!!  We will draw on March 15th.

EChatter - Februrary 2012

Our first What's New weekend of the year was great, thanks to everyone that attended!  We also had the first meeting of Quilt Circle and we had a BLAST!!!  We served breakfast and talked in little more in depth about what it means to be a modern quilter and what the difference is between modern quilters and modern quilts.  We also talked about how to find inspiration for a quilt project and how to turn that inspiration into a finished project.  We will be presenting the same program on February 23rd at 10am.  If you're interested in attending please just let us know so that we know how much breakfast to make.  Email us at common@gctel.net or give us a call at 320-834-2563.

Here are the items we featured at this month's What's New.  Everything will be available for purchase online on February 15th at http://www.commonthreadsquilt.com/store.html.

Books 

Bags - The Modern Classics
Turn your favorite fabrics into a fashion statement! From chic wristlets to functional carryalls (and everything in between), each project includes a full-sized pattern, easy-to-follow instructions, and inspirational photos. All the sewing basics you need are here, and you will learn some more ambitious techniques such as stitching hook-and-loop tapes, making darts and pleats, and attaching magnetic snaps or zippers.


Singular Sensations
It doesn't seem possible! See one simple block—Squares within Squares—morph into an astonishing variety of completely different quilts. Barbara Douglas rotates, resizes, and rearranges this block to create a dozen stunning projects.


Foundation-Pieced Quilts
Discover some of Quiltmaker magazine's most creative foundation-pieced projects from an impressive list of designers. With 14 quilts ranging from whimsical to pictorial, from geometric to floral, this value-packed collection has something for everyone.

Primitive Quilts Magazine - Spring Issue
There is so much in this magazine, we can't list it all.  Click HERE for details.

Notions

Poke-a-Dots
The surface is textured to prevent needle slipping.  Made of polyurethane so they can grip the needle, too.  Use for stitching on binding and hand applique, embroidery, etc.  (We apologize, this item is not available for sale online as we completely sold out during the weekend.  Look for it online in the future or give us a call to hold one for you when they come in.)

Kits

Funny Hunt/Fish
This funny outdoorsmen show what really happens out there when they are hunting and fishing.  Each block is has a different funny hunting/fishing scenario using the Slideshow pattern by Terri Atkinson.

 Rockets
A fun kids quilt featuring rockets and planets using "Launch" fabric from Robert Kaufman.  We had a lot of fun making this framed square quilt using the Slideshow pattern by Terri Atkinson.  Perfect for the astronaut in your family.

Fall, Leaves, Fall
This quilt was made for us (to show you) by Jim Cavers and quilted by him as well.  The kit comes with fat quarters for the leaves, you choose how to arrange them.

Smokey River
Made with the Stonehedge fabric, this quilt is supposed to resemble granite.  I just can't stop looking at it!

Just Stroll with It and Growing Fast
Minnesota designer, Katie Hennagir, designed the "little one" fabric Kaufman .  The colors are bright but cool, perfect for the modern baby nursery.  She also designed two patterns using the ribbon quilt idea.

Flannel Seuss Pillowcase
We had some fun with Dr. Seuss since his birthday is next month.  The flannel pillowcase is perfect for those cold nights and great for a kids room!

Events

Polar Plunge to benefit The Special Olympics - Feb. 26th, 1:00pm
Common Threads is supporting the Ice Angels in this year’s Polar Plunge to support The Special Olympics.  They will be jumping into a frozen Lake Carlos.  The team consists of Katie, Holly, and a friend, Erika Berglund.  Show your support by joining the team, donating to the cause, or cheering us on February 26th.

If you would like to join or donate, go to:http://www.plungemn.org/team/iceangels.

There will be a Sunday brunch and burger bar prior to the Plunge in the Lake Cafe at Arrowwood Resort. Join us at Rafters Lounge at Arrowwood Resort after the Plunge! There will be a free chili bar with goodwill donations to Special Olympics Minnesota.

Relay for Life Auction - March 24th, 4pm - 7pm
For every dollar you spend from January 18th to March 23th you will get two Quilt Bucks. You can use these Quilt Bucks along with money to bid on different items on the auction. The auction will have quilting items as well as other items. Everyone is invited to this event and the proceeds will go to our Relay for Life team. The auction will take place from 4pm - 7pm. To donate directly to our team, the Polka Dots, click here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12MW?team_id=1106832&pg=team&fr_id=38896


Stash Bash 2012
Click the flyer for more information on Stash Bash 2012

Super Sew 2012

Thanks to everyone that participated in Super Sew 2012 on Sunday.  We had a great turn out, way too much food, and a ton of fun!  Unfortunately I completely forgot to take pictures so I can't show you what you missed. :(  Congratulations to Linders who won the half time score guess, Gabrielle Roers who won the final score guess, and Gabrielle again for winning the $50 Common Threads Gift Certificate with our Super Bowl trivia/prop questionnaire.  Here are the answers for those of you that didn't stay for the whole game:

How long will the national anthem last?  We timed it at 1 minute 36 seconds

How many aircraft will fly over during the national anthem?  We don't know if there were any, they didn't show them.

Will Kelly Clarkson be wearing NFL gear for her national anthem performance?  No

Will Kelly Clarkson’s bare midriff be showing during her performance?  No

Will the coin toss be head or tails?  Heads

Which team will win the coin toss?  Patriots

Will the team that wins the coin toss win the game?  No

What company will be in the first commercial after the beginning of the game?  Budweiser

Which team will score the first point(s)?  Giants

Will there be points on the board within the first 6 min 30 sec of the game?  Yes

Who will have the highest score at halftime?  Patriots

Will Madonna wear NFL gear during her halftime performance?  No

What color will Madonna’s hair be?  Blonde

Which team will score last?  Giants

Which team will win?  Giants

What will the winning score be?  21 - 17

Will the winning coach get a Gatorade bath?  Yes

If so, what color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the winning coach?  Purple

We hope that you all had as much fun as we did and if you missed out we will be doing it again next year!

Just a little reminder, we have What's New this weekend.  We have a lot of new things to show you, don't miss it!  Click HERE for details on the times.  Here's a sneak peek. :)