Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happy Holidays

Hi, and Merry Christmas to everyone!We hope you are all having a great time getting ready for Christmas and/or other holidays, you have all your handmade gifts and shopping done, and are just relaxed and waiting with quiet expectation for Christmas morning! One can always hope!

Well, to celebrate Christmas and the end of 2008, we are having a sale! From December 26th to December 31st, the last week of 2008, we're having 20% off Batiks, Christmas fabrics, Books and Patterns. Come on in and have some relaxed shopping time now that Christmas will be over, and plan your next project!

Of course, we will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, but we will be open our regular 10-5 hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, for any last minute shoppers. January will bring some classes, which aren't set in stone yet, but I think the repeat Disappearing Nine Patch will be the end of January, and we're hoping to have a bag class and another class or two in January/February.

We'll keep you posted.Take care and have a Jolly time this season with family and friends! ----and don't forget to get a little quilting time in :)

Welcome to the Calico Cow
907/895-9895
www.thecalicocow.com

Monday, November 17, 2008

November 12th update

Hi, just thought I'd send you a little reminder of what's going on here at the Calico Cow. Nov 15th (this weekend) is our pillows and wallhanging class with Marcia. She has great ideas and techniques for pillows and is always creative with wallhangings, too. It's not too late to sign up, but do it soon! Nov 22nd - Fractures! Those cool looking wallhangings you've seen in the classroom, taught by Carol McConahy from Fairbanks. It looks like such a fun technique, I hope no-one has to miss it! I've got my main fabric chosen already! Dec 6th - beginner class - the disappearing ninepatch. This is a great class for beginners to get the basics of quilting, and make a nice small lap quilt. It's also a fun new, fast technique for more advanced quilters as well. I'm encouraging brand new beginner quilters to come the night before at no extra cost to get the basics of cutting down. Then we will have a break until after Christmas on the classes, since everyone is so busy with Christmas events, etc.

Be on the lookout for a BEAUTIFUL block of the month coming in January.. Robert Kaufman fabric's Chelsea Garden. You may have seen it advertised.

As always, we have new fabric, books and notions in:
Laurel Burch Christmas fabric
new Buggy Barn and Art to Heart books
Triangulation CDRoms - print any size half square or quarter square triangle on paper to sew them on - any size, as many or few as you need, from your own computer - cool, huh?
Restocks of things we were out of like Decorbond, Applique pressing sheets, quilting gloves, etc, etc, and new PINK travel cases.
Come and browse if you haven't been in for a while, or even if you have! Remember we're open Friday nights until 9:00! And every other day except Sunday, 10-5.
Happy November from the Calico Cow crew!


Welcome to the Calico Cow
907/895-9895
www.thecalicocow.com

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

New Schedule







  • Hi Everyone!
    'Bout time I got a newsletter out! It's been a while! Meantime, we've been trying to get some class dates nailed down, so we know what to tell you.
    Here's what we know so far for classes:

  • October 18th - Raggedy Pumpkins wallhanging with Marcia. It's a cute fall wallhanging done in raw-edge applique - EASY! She'll show you some new techniques.

  • November 15th - Pillows and wallhangings with Marcia. She'll show easy pillow techniques and lots of ideas for pillows and wallhangings - great gifts for the holidays!

  • November 22nd - "Fractures" taught by Carol McConahy of Fairbanks. Really cool technique never taught before in Delta! It expands a fabric motif into a larger
    design that has been shifted and rearranged to give the effect of looking at the motif through shattered glass. She has several samples here at the shop.

  • December 6th - The long awaited beginner class! The "disappearing nine-patch" with Maribeth. You'll learn the nine-patch, a very basic traditional quilt block
    (with infinite possibilities by itself), then learn how to turn it into something completely different. This will be lots of fun for any skill level - it's a craze sweeping the country!
    Come and see the samples at the shop. If December is just too busy for you, it will be repeated after the first of the year.
    We'll take a break for the rest of December, since everyone is so busy, and come back in January with another beginner(and above) class with Jackie. The pattern is called "Lindsay".
    Very modern. She also has a class she'd like to teach using the new "layer cakes" the pre-cut 10" squares, but they are going out the door too fast to plan a class for! Once we get a few
    in stock, we'll schedule that one. Maybe we can get Eddy to do another bag class soon, too.
    If you haven't been in for a while, you'll have to come in and check out the new things; there's always new fabric coming in - we have some great new fall and Christmas fabrics;
    new books, like "Big Blocks,Big Quilts" that uses the layer cakes, "Lone Star Quilts and beyond" by Jan Krentz, "Table Toppers celebrating the great outdoors" by Debbie Field,
    and "Not your Grandmother's Log Cabin" by Sara Nephew and Marci Baker; new notions like mini crafting irons, pink Side-winders, 2009 calendars, etc, etc, etc.
    Oh, and if you haven't heard, or you forgot, we are now open EVERY Friday night until 9:00 pm. You can come and shop, or bring your sewing machine and latest project, and spend
    the night sewing with friends new and old for only $5. It really is a lot of fun.
    Take care everyone, and we hope to see you soon!
    The gang at the Calico Cow

    Welcome to the Calico Cow
    907/895-9895
    www.thecalicocow.com

Monday, September 1, 2008

Calico Cow Celebrates its 5th Anniversary

Yes, can you believe it? Calico Cow is 5 years old!!! Time flies when you're having fun! And to celebrate, we are having a crazy dayz sale, all next week. We WILL be open on Monday, Labor Day, and the sale runs through Saturday the 6th. We'll have crazy deals, like a dollar table, 75% off some items, and great daily specials you won't want to miss! Come in on Monday, and find out the specials for each day of the week.

Another anniversary celebration we are kicking off this fall is new fun thing. Instead of having pizza night and brown bag night twice a month, we will have it EVERY Friday night. We'll be open til 9:00 every Friday, and if you want to join us for sewing fun, it's just $5. Work on your latest project and get ideas from your fellow quilters, too.

Classes coming up - today is supposed to be a fat quarter bag class with Mallory Rush, our favorite teenage sewer/quilter. Don't know if it's happening or not, but if it doesn't, I'm sure she'll reschedule for later, probably after soccer season. It's a perfect fun class for any young person (of course, you're only as old as you feel) interested in sewing.


Marcia is planning a great wall-hanging class for the end of September. It has 4 maple leaf blocks, would be a good beginner class, and can be done with charm squares or regular yardage. She also plans to do a raggedy pumpkin wall-hanging in October, and a pillow and table runner class in November.
Jackie is going to teach a Turning Twenty soon, and I'm working on a sample for a beginner-friendly quilt called disappearing nine patch. Stay tuned for class dates, or check at the shop.

FMKQ guild will have their regular craft day on September 13th, with a really cute pumpkin wall-hanging by Lee Ann. She made the pattern herself! Of course, as always, you don't have to be a guild member to come! The guild is also having Gayle Hazen from Fairbanks coming Sept 19, 20 to teach classes, stop by the shop or contact Lonnie Miller for details. The guild's fall retreat is coming up at the end of October at the Taste of Alaska Lodge.

I think that's it for now, it sounded a lot better when I typed it last night BEFORE I LOST IT ALL! Arggh! Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend, and don't forget to put in the Calico Cow on your to do list for the week!

Maribeth, Jackie, Eddy, Marcia, and Dave

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Christmas in July Sale

Big news! Our annual Christmas in July sale is EaRly this year!
It will be THIS WEEKEND - Friday and Saturday the 11th and 12th - All Christmas Fabric is 25% off, 1 yard minimum cut.
We have LOTS of new Christmas fabric.
Spread the word!!! Not everyone has email, or is on our list, so make sure all your friends know!
It's also Pizza night on Friday night, and FMKQ's craft day on Saturday, so it will be a fun time to pop in, see everyone's projects, and take advantage of the sale.
We still have room in Eddy's next bag class on July 19th - It's the Miranda Day Bag by Lazy Girl. Very cute.
Gotta keep this short, we are upgrading our website, so everything has to be taken down, and put back up on the new one.(Ours was archaic, they say)
So, gotta get this out so Jackie can work on it.
GO JACKIE!!! The plan is to have online shopping for our out of town customers - how fun!
Hope you all had a great Indepence Day!
Maribeth, Jackie, Eddy, Marcia and Dave

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

July at the Calico Cow

Hello everyone!
Well, we have a ton of new fabric in the shop, and to celebrate not only that, but summer solstice, and our wonderful customers' loyalty, we are having a sale this weekend - Thurs, Fri and Sat - June 19th, 20th, and 21st!

We'll be selling all fabric on bolts at 20% off, (1 yard minimum cuts) and everything else (books, notions, fat quarters, etc, etc.) at 10% off. This won't apply to consignment items of course, but we will apply it to our $3.99 bin! Discounts cannot be combined, and there will probably be other exceptions I haven't thought of - just be sure and ask if you're not sure about something. I

f you've signed up for the summer parka class the end of the month, but haven't paid yet, make sure you pay soon, or your spot might be taken by someone with cash in hand. If you're still interested but haven't signed up, there have been a couple of cancellations, so you're not too late, yet!

Our next class will be July 19th - a bag class taught by Eddy. It's called the Miranda Day Bag, and she's made a couple of samples to hang in our window. It's a cute bag or large purse with purchased or fabric handles. Other than that, we are all busy with our own summer projects, so it's hard to find time for classes.

We hope to find time for a class or two in August, after the Deltana fair (which we hope you will all take part in, and exhibit something in - perfect or not).

Oh, yes, I almost forgot! The 2008 Great Alaska Shop Hop is on it's way! Each shop will have a cute little house (or quilt shop) block with their version of northern lights in the background. There are at least three versions of settings for the blocks, holding up to 25 blocks, depending on how many shops participate. Sorry it took so long to get it going, but we are excited to be able to offer it - hopefully by next week.

We hope you all have a great solstice, and summer in general. Enjoy every minute of it, and that of course will include quilting!

Maribeth, Jackie, Marcia, Eddy and Dave
The Calico Cow P.O. Box 648 1380 Richardson Hwy Delta Junction Alaska www.thecalicocow.com 907-895-9895

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

I see green on the trees!

Wow, you should see all the new fabric we've gotten lately! Especially Alaskana fabrics - we now have TWO round racks full! Alaska batiks, totems, northern lights, otters, whales, etc, etc.I want to update you on the summer parka class. It is not going to be the end of May, but the 26, 28, and 30th of June, a Thursday night, all day Saturday, finishing up on Monday night. This is longer than the first class, as we discovered the first class just wasn't enough time to complete it. So we've increased the cost to $35 from $30 - still a bargain. There is a limit on the number of people Lonnie can teach at one time, so the first to pay will have their spaces locked in. However, there may be a waiting list, so if you sign up and can't make it, PLEASE call and let us know. Then we can see if someone else wants in. (this would be common courtesy anyway, if a teacher prepares for a certain number of people and then they don't show up.....)

We also plan to have a bag class by Eddy in July, probably the 19th. and Marcia wants to teach a beginner wallhanging sometime soon. Other than that, summer is a busy time for people to fit classes in, but we'll try to keep some going.

The guild is sponsoring Carol Wight Jones this Friday and Saturday. If you are signed up, read your papers that you received for your prework, and what to bring. Check with Eddy if you aren't signed up and would like to be.Spread the word to friends who might want to be on our email list, this is the best way to get the word out.
Thanks everyone! We appreciate your business - stay tuned for a sale!

Maribeth, Jackie, Marcia, Eddy, Dave

The Calico Cow
P.O. Box 648
1380 Richardson Hwy
Delta Junction Alaska
www.thecalicocow.com
907-895-9895

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Are you feeling buggy,crazy or willowy? Kuspuks too!

Hi everyone!OK, remember, this Saturday is the Buggy Barn Crazy Day with Joyce, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm! It's not too late to sign up! Any Buggy Barn pattern you have been dying to try, or one you started and haven't finished - Joyce will be there to help you.

We have new patterns and books in the store including the Crazy Dog days and Crazy Snow Days. Also some patterns we had before but haven't had for a while. This is not a class for brand new beginners, but if you have some quilting experience, you'll have a blast. If you don't know what a Buggy Barn pattern is, stop by the shop and check them out.

We nailed Lonnie down on which weekend she'll be teaching the summer parka class - BOTH WEEKENDS! Yea! The first weekend is May 1st (Thursday) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and May 3rd (Saturday) 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The second weekend is Fri nite and Saturday, the 30th and 31st of May (same hours).

Come in the shop and check out the samples she's brought in - they're beautiful! You too can make one for yourself or a gift for a good friend or family member! There are many options for hoods, pockets, and whether or not to have a ruffle at the bottom.

We have patterns in the shop now. Unfortunately we have to send you to Fairbanks for zippers and trim (we do have one roll of trim that's of killer whales) but we hope of course that you buy your fabric locally. (Remember to ask for your 15% discount for class supplies up to and the day of a class - sometimes we forget)

Also that weekend is the Willow Bend class - one piece fusible applique - on Friday nite May 2nd from 5:00 to 9:30 or 10:00. These gals (the designer, Mary Stenros and her friend) from Soldotna are coming to teach the class. The designer will sign your pattern if you like, too. We don't have a sample up yet, but they are gorgeous in batiks.

We just got in 24" wide Steam-a-Seam so you can fuse it all in one piece. Please eat ahead of time, or bring a brown bag supper. It's not every day we get a designer here from out of town to teach her own patterns!!!

The FMKQ guild has a couple of things happening in May. The regular craft day is May 10th. UFO day (unfinished objects!) Then, Carol Wight Jones is coming May 23rd and 24th to teach embellishment and 3 dimensional applique'.

We have samples, information and registration forms at the Calico Cow.I think that's it for now, happy quilting! We'll try to schedule a beginner class soon for all you beginners who are waiting for a class.

Maribeth, Jackie, Eddy, Marcia and Dave

The Calico Cow
P.O. Box 6481380 Richardson Hwy
Delta Junction Alaska 99737
www.thecalicocow.com
907-895-9895

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Calico Cow Opened Its Doors to the Forget-Me-Knot Buds
















































photos by Ruby Hollembaek and Christy Rogers
Thank you Calico Cow & the FMK Quilters.........
The room was alive with cutting, sewing and laughter. A group of young quilters got together with some master quilters and had a day of fun, food and laughter....oh yes, and sewing.

This year was the first annual "Forget-Me-Knot Buds" gathering. The Forget-Me-Knot Quilters voted on opening a day to sponsor young quilters to join for a project to "feed" the love of quilting to the younger generation. You can see by the smiles, it worked. I don't know who enjoyed it more, the master quilters or the young forget-me-knot buds.
Enjoy the photos.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Craft Day Saturday & Quilts at the Shop





Why do quilters quilt? It's relaxing, fun, productive and a wonderful outlet plus just look at the opportunity for conversations!