Even the dogs love it!

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Come on in!

We hoped that our friends would follow us over to the new store and we hoped that new people would find us, but we had no idea the number would be so great! Everyday, folks stop in just to see what is going on in that new building. And if we thought that all the quilters in Syracuse already knew about Calico Gals… well let’s just say that we have been humbled. Welcome, everyone!

A friend named MoonShine stopped in to say hi this week.

"Shine" is shopping too!

Shine’s owner, Debbie Butler-Miller not only raises and shows beautiful dogs, she creates quilts of beautiful dogs. This quilt was created as a gift in memory of a much loved Golden Retriever. You can see more of Debbie’s work on her website.

Quilter Debbie with Ollie

Marcia! Gay! What are you doing with that hammer?!

Careful with that thing!

We’ve been coming up with all kinds of excuses as to why there are so few quilts hanging on the walls in the new store… we are still unpacking… we don’t have a ladder yet… etc… etc. All valid concerns, but the real reason is that I have been hesitating to put nails or anything into the new walls. Gay and Marcia took matters (aka hammers) into their own hands this week. We are hosting an amazing trunk show from Sue Spargo and those quilts could have been created for our walls. Look!

See what I mean!

You can look at the photo, but nothing can match the real thing. The quilts, bags, pillows, runners and more are made of a clever mix of wool and cotton. Sue combines piecing, applique and embellishing to create her own unique style. Stop in to see the show before January 1st. We have the fabrics, books and patterns, too.

She’s famous!

Kathy. Just making the world a happier place.

Calico Gal, Kathy B, keeps us in stitches in and out of the store. If you have ever stopped in on a Wednesday or Thursday, you know what I mean. I found out this week that she was moonlighting in the mall, wrapping Christmas gifts. How do I know this? It is all over the internet – as reported by TV guy, Matt Mulcahy. Read all about it on Matt’s blog.

Your newsletter was mailed this week!

And if you don’t subscribe or you like to see it on your computer – hop on over to Calico Gals website. Go down to the bottom of the page where you can download the whole thing for your printing and viewing pleasure.

Some highlights include the 40% off Christmas fabric sale until January 2nd. I am not going to brag about the huge selection because there are only about 15 bolts left. They are good ones and the sale is irresistible if you love Christmas fabric.

Also want to invite you to the Calico Gals annual taste of Winter Event, noon to 4pm, on January 3rd. This is where the teachers make and serve soup. Lots of it! A whole smorgasbord of delicious soups to celebrate the whole smorgasbord of exciting classes being offered this winter. Stop in and get a taste of both!

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Name dropping at Calico Gals

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Gather at the new barn

Calico Gals is the place to be and this week lots of people agreed! The Gals hosted three local quilt guilds on three different days. The guilds brought their members and lots more people stopped in to see what the excitement was all about.

On Monday, Candlelight Quilt Guild showed up with homemade chili and cookies. Gotta love it! Elizabeth Balderrama and Sharon Jarvis hosted the table where Elizabeth was proudly showing the current issue of Quick Quilts. Yes – that was her quilt on the cover! Congratulations to the team at Seams Like a Dream Quilt Designs.

Elizabeth and Sharon "wrap it up" at the Candlelight Gathering

On Tuesday, the Towpath Quilt Guild showed up in force! They were also enjoying 2 days of workshops with Barbara Persing and Mary Hoover, the popular designers of 4th &6th Designs. We were thrilled to see Barbara and Mary stop in to our new store. (Guess what… they liked it… a lot!) And we like them… a lot! They took a few minutes away from stacking bolts on the counter to autograph their books.

Barbara and Mary - just say hi!

Not to be outdone, the Plank Road guild members descended on Wednesday, with Charlotte Angotti in tow. What? You don’t know Charlotte? She fills the room with fun and laughter wherever she goes! Visiting from Myrtle Beach for 2 days and teaching at the guild, Charlotte climbed over boxes and settled into a rocking chair in our loft. We discussed the possibility of turning the loft from box storage into a stitching lounge. (What do you think about that?) I couldn’t get enough of Charlotte, so I accepted the invitation to meet her and the guild gals at The Retreat in Liverpool for dinner. Good food and great friends – can it get any better?

Charlotte, Shirley, Linda and June - wait for me!

Meanwhile, back at the store… Joan Ford was teaching one of her Project Therapy classes. When you join this group, you become part of Joan’s design process for her Scrap Therapy patterns. Everyone in the class is a pattern tester and Joan values the feedback that results. Barb Sunderlage, from Brewer Quilting and Sewing Supplies, “dropped in” from Chicago to take Joan’s class. Brewer is the exclusive distributor of the Scrap Therapy program and they love Joan as much as we do!

Barb and Joan choosing fabric for the Project Therapy class.

Let me ask you this…

What is your favorite part of Calico Gals new store? Everyone seems to have an opinion, so let’s hear them! We will take some pics to share. Here is the first one: Kathy B’s favorite thing in the new barn is the toilet paper holders. Here’s a great shot of her demonstrating just how wonderful they are. Thanks, Kathy, for your valuable comments!

Kathy, in her Spooktacular garb, shows off our TP.

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