DECEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER
Can it be December already? I think I totally lost November somewhere along the way! We did a quilt show in Chicago (cold, colder, and coldest) and then the next weekend toted our wares to Columbia, Missouri. A show I was dreading turned into such a pleasant experience! The guild members worked very hard and put together a wonderful bi-ennial show. Attendance was great and the enthusiasm for our country/primitive/southern Indiana look was terrific. We came home having made a few new friends, but most of all, glad to be done for the year! Going to shows is an interesting experience - you never know how what you have selected will be received, so I'm always a bit nervous while setting up the booth. I take way too long, and Steve gets more than exasperated with my A personality desire for perfection. You know....that would look sooo much better just moved to the right about 3". (Okay, I know for those of you who visit us in Boonville and see all of my piles of 'to do s' , 'maybe tomorrows', 'where did I put thats', you'd never believe I could be insistent of everything being 'just right', but when it comes to my booth at a show I must admit I'm over the edge a bit!). At the end of at least 5 1/2 hours, and usually 8, I'm ready to go back to the hotel and collapse, only to start again the next day. All of you who go to quilt shows --- be extra nice to the vendors next time, and really appreciate how hard they work to bring their wares!!

Okay, so much for that. I'm sitting in my living room tonight (it's still barely tonight), enjoying my Christmas lights. Yes, for the first time in about 4 years I put up a tree. Now, I'm not a humbug, but the last time I put up a tree (a real one that year), the 2 cats proceeded to think they were in the wild and climbed right up the trunk. Of course, everything came crashing to the floor, dumping the newly filled pan of water all over the carpet. I was not pleased. But, I digress. This year my grandson Zane is 20 months old, so it goes without saying that Grammy must put up Christmas decorations! I have to admit I love sitting in the soft glow of the twinkling white lights. It isn't a real tree, so I'm hoping the cats will just ignore it. So far, so good.

RETREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mentionned in my last newsletter that I was planning a retreat for you. Here are the details, and I truly hope you'll put the dates on your calendar, make your reservations, and start planning the projects you want to work on. It will be a great, re-energizing, and fun filled weekend plus you'll get some sewing done!! And, Steve has agreed to cook for us! I just can't think of anything better!
Where: Newburgh, Camp Brosend
When: January 9, 10, 11 - arrive anytime after 3:00 Friday afternoon, depart by 3:00
Sunday
What to bring: Sewing projects and necessary equipment to work on them; extension cord; bedding; towels and toiletries; comfy clothes. We will provide irons and
ironing boards. Bring your own sewing chair or seat cushion if you wish.
Cost: $100.00 This will cover the facility fee, food from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch,
door prizes, and some fun activities.

I will be setting up a booth of goodies to entice you and fill in the gaps of anything you forgot to bring. You can spend the whole time sewing on just what you want to sew on, or we can distract you every once in a while! There will be some demonstrations of several sewing techniques, a mystery quilt project that you can sign up for if you wish, a silly game or two, a chick flick or two, and surprises just too secret to let out of the bag. We will also have a late night shopping trip to The Village Mercantile for anyone who would like to go, with a special discount! We'll have terrific food and snacks available, so we may need to have an exercise session at one point or another! At least some stretching every now and then.
The facility is very nice, clean, and has a well lit work area. There will be plenty of table space for each participant. Bring a paper bag to tape on your table for sewing scraps. The beds are bunk beds, so sign up early to make sure you get a bottom bunk if you don't like to climb. There are private shower facilities.
We're still doing lots of planning, so more details will be available -- just ask us. If you've never been to a retreat, just make sure to come with a 'hang loose' attitude, and be ready to stay up too late and eat too much, and laugh too much. You can be sure to learn a few things from all the very smart people who will be in attendance. Sign up right away so you will be sure to have a spot!


BLOCK OF THE MONTH 2009 - some changes this year!!!

The Block of the Month this year will be a pattern from Lori Smith called Sampler Magic. This is an interesting quilt pattern, because it combines 12", 8", and 4" blocks to make the quilt as it is pictured. What we will do for the program are the 12" blocks . You can either just make the 12" blocks, or make all of the blocks for the quilt. Extra fabric kits will be available for the extra blocks, or you can use this as an opportunity to use up some of your stash!!! I know we're all wanting to do that so we don't feel so guilty about buying more goodies. We will meet each month this year, as we all missed getting to see everyone each month this year. So........since I know how busy you all are, we have decided to offer 2 different club times when you can come and get your next block kit for free. This year, you can choose to come on the 1st Saturday of the month at 9am, or the following Tuesday afternoon at 1pm. How's that for trying to fit everyone's schedule??? July's meeting would be on the 4th though, so that month the meeting dates will be July 11 and the following Tuesday which will be the 14th. For those of you who live away from here but would like to participate in the Block of the Month, we can accomodate you too. Just email or call and we can give you the details.
Your sign up fee of $20 will cover the cost of the pattern, will be due at time of sign up (cash or check please, no credit cards). The color choices will be one of two --- either a scrappy dark version using creams backgrounds, blues, reds, greens, browns, golds, purples, etc. or a bright version using clearer tones of the same colors mentionned with off white backgrounds.
We can start accepting sign ups at any time.


Okay, it's not Tuesday night anymore, it's Wednesday morning. The lights on the tree are still beautiful, but I think I won't appreciate them as much in the morning. We have lots of new 'stuff' in the store if you haven't been in in a while, and lots of new things posted on the website. One way or the other, we hope you visit us soon.

Hey.......Get Busy ..........Do Something!!!!!


Betty, Marilyn, Nancy, Debbie and Tresia
The Village Mercantile
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The Village Mercantile
123 South 2nd Street
Boonville, IN 47601
812-897-5687