Calling all Arms ...

We are not trying to run this holiday theme into the dry summer ground, but we have some important information to impart and you need to look and you need to listen ...

Pay close attention to the exquisite quilting on this spectacular quilt. Some of the best a long-arm machine can do ... right? Wrong!! This beauty was (designed, embroidered and) quilted by our very own Claudia D., all on her personal Bernina at home using her very own, standard-sized arms. Now, Claudia is very good at what she does, but she believes that you too can do this kind of quilting ... in the comfort of your own home ... using your own extremities.

She also wants to teach you how she learned to do it. Claudia is now one of the featured teachers at Quilt Camp in the Pines in Flagstaff, Arizona and you can be one of her students. Visit http://www.QuiltCamp.com/ and sign up pronto. Then pack a few sweaters because it's cool and breezy in Flagstaff.

And goodness knows, you need to protect those arms!

This Just In ...

Are you kidding me?

Is it really beginning to look a lot like that?

Yep ... just like it does every summer around here.

You know you are itching to get started. So come on down and see all the 2010 Holiday Wonder. Then make yourself a cup of hot cocoa and ... sit out by the pool.

Walk a Crooked Mile

It's not too late ... I repeat ... it's not too late to enter our Rick Rack Challenge. We have the Rick Rack, you have the skills and we have the prizes. Perfection. We are basically challenging you to use your imagination to create a fun and fabulous project ... incorporating any size of Rick Rack + Fabric in one of four categories:

~Quilt~ ~Garment or Bag~ ~Home Dec Item~ ~Youth~

Simply purchase at least 4 yards of Rick Rack and one yard of Fabric from ... you guessed it ... The Bernina Connection during the month of June and the rest is up to you. (Not all you purchase has to be used in the project, fyi.) Projects are due by July 7th and the exhibit will be from July 12th to the 24th.

Winners will be decided by Viewers Choice. Prizes will be Bernina Connection Gift Cards.
Pick up your entry form when you buy your Rick Rack!! Be sure to attach your receipt to the entry form.

Now, go ahead and dazzle us!

Summer Love

Summer is definitely here and you know exactly what that means. More sewing. And machine embroidery. Inside. Where it's cool.

One of our BC Elves ... Ann P. ... clearly thinks that summer means sewing and embroidering for her two precious granddaughters, Skyler and ... Summer.

The fabric, patterns and embroidery fun came from you-know-where. She sewed (and embroidered) them on her Aurora 440 QE. She is one hip grandma!

So -- get on down here already.

Posh ... and Spicy!

Look.

Come straight in and ... touch.

Own.

There are no more words to describe Pashmina.

Shine Spot ... Shine

Talented, loyal customer Dinah S. sent us these pictures of this stunning quilt she made with a lot of work on her part and a weensy bit of help from us.

Since a quilt of this size requires more than one or two yards of fabric, she had us order it for her by the bolt. Yes ... we can do that for you too.

We are all in awe, naturally, and we wanted you to have the chance to salivate over it in the privacy of your own home.

Thanks Dinah.

Not a fat pig in the pile

Last week the DiVa's (that's DI-ane + VA-l, for those who have found this term, um, off putting) came back from Market, from Market and they didn't come home without some splendid surprises.

They didn't forget the old favorites like Amy B. and Kaffe, but they brought home some new color as well.

These patterns from Don't Look Now (new friends from Australia) will truely make you salivate, which is why they are encased in plastic.

That's ditto for the above patterns from Hemma Designs.

These carried-back-in-the-luggage samples will not last long.

Yep ... you know what that means.

Amy Butler Rocks

Calling all Amy Butler groupies ... this apron (designed by AB) can be yours in the fabric of your choice. Can you see the gathering and all the chic detailing? Can you just imagine wearing it in your very own kitchen? Will you wear pearls with it ala June Cleaver?

Call now to sign up for Amy Butler and Friends on the evening of June 3rd. Then throw a block party and outshine your neighbors.

In Style.

Join the Club Scene

Hear ye, hear ye ... Bernina Connection has a new Club, albeit a revised version of an old one. But, if you are a quilter (or want to be a quilter, or used to be a quilter or went as a Quilter for Halloween in 1986) then you need to listen up.

Our new club on the block, BC Quilters Club (which previously was called Patchwork Pilot Club) has a new spin to it. They will continue to meet every month (on the fourth Wednesday from 10-1) and will continue to work on one quilt over two months time. However starting in May (and that would be this Wednesday the 26th, fyi) they will make all of their quilts from the book shown below by Lori Smith.

This spurs several good news scenerios. First of all, the finished quilts are all small so they won't be piling up in your UFO stack. Secondly, each one is a fabulous exercise in quilting techniques without having to practice that exercise for eons of time. And thirdly ... well, they are just cute as a button. The quilt pictured above is the May/June Quilt O'Fun. Call the store and tell them to give Mary S. your email address and she will get you the list of what you need by Wednesday.

Just so you know: BC stands for Be Confident, Be Creative and Be a Clubbie.

Red, White and True-ly Patriotic

Here is a shoutout to all those who helped us out last Saturday making Quilts of Valor for our servicemen and women.

The patriotic vibe was so strong, it was hard not to want to stand while sewing.

As you can see, a lot was accomplished in a short amount of time. Thanks to all of you who lent hearts and hands.

And thanks again and again for those who serve and protect our country.