NEW SPRING STORM BY TONI WHITNEY

Here is our new version of Toni Whitney's amazing Spring Storm. As much as we loved the first version, we were forced to recreate the pattern with new fabrics because so many of the earlier fabrics have become unavailable. I hope you like this new version as much as we do! We are cutting kits of this new version now, and there is a very limited supply of the earlier version available. Visit our website, http://www.bigforkbaycottonco.com/ to view the earlier version.

INCREDIBLE, PROLIFIC DIANE PHILLIPS

What a treat it was to open my email this morning! We always love to see our customers' finished quilts. So you can imagine what a thrill it was today to receive these images of Diane's wildlife quilts. We're so proud of these designs by Toni Whitney, and Diane should be especially proud of her interpretations! Thank you, Diane, for sharing these with us all!

BIRTHDAY PRESENTS KIT ADDED TO WEBSITE

Today I am adding our version of "Birthday Presents" to our website! Mo Harrah made this gorgeous sample with Buggy Barn's "In The Pink" fabric collection. We love this pattern from the book Take Two and Add a Few by Atkinson's designs. We have made it up in several different colorways, but I think this one is my favorite! The finished quilt is lap sized and measures 52" X 65". For a queen or king sized quilt simply use two kits. We'll remove the extra book, of course, and credit you the cost of the book. Cost for this kit is only $65.00! The kit includes the book and all fabric required to complete the quilt top, including borders and binding. We only have a limited supply of these.....all of the fabric we had from this collection is gone! If you like this, don't hesitate to give us a call, 1-866-245-5718, or visit our website, http://www.bigforkbaycottonco.com/, and search for it by name or item # SK0020.

MYSTERY QUILT BEGINS SATURDAY!

Our second Mystery Quilt will begin this Saturday, January 10th. You may join us in the shop at 9:30 for a demo of this month's step. If you would like to join us long distance, I will email clues out monthly on the second Saturday of the month through October, when you will receive your final clue for "finishing it up". Email me at lynn@bigforkbaycottonco.com and let me know if you'd like to be added to our email list. When you do, I will email you fabric requirements. Although you won't have the benefit of the demo, I don't think you'll have any difficulties with any of the steps for this quilt. You will need to be familiar with the "connecting corners" technique. If you are not, there are great instructions for this technique at www.equilters.com/library/mystery_quilts/mystery_sewinghow.html. These instructions are part of a different mystery quilt, so don't be confused! Familiarize yourself with the technique, but ignore the specifics.

Hope you can join us!

CLICK TO GIVE

Many of you may have seen this already in our newsletter, but for those who haven't, I think it's worth repeating.....

In the spirit of giving, I’d like to share with you a way that you can make a difference in some very needed areas, and all it will cost you is a few seconds of your time. Some charitable websites are sponsored by large companies that donate needed products or services based on website traffic. For example, if you go to www.theanimalrescuesite.com, there is a spot to click. Sponsors donate pet food to animal shelters based on how many clicks the website receives per day. Of course, they’re hoping you stay on the site long enough to read their ads, but it really doesn’t matter how long you spend on the site. At the same site you can “Click to Give” to support breast cancer, literacy, hunger, the rainforest, and child health. Please help spread the word about this..... In this economy, charitable organizations suffer. This is one way to help with their shortfall.

CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO

Many of you know that I'm originally from the Chicago area. So I was thrilled to get this picture in an email holiday greeting from our friends at Aurifil, USA. This is one of two lions flanking the entrance of the Art Institute in downtown Chicago. They are always decked out for the holidays... And when the Bears were in the Superbowl the lions wore Bear's helmets! Despite all the sordid events in Illinois right now, Chicago is a beautiful city, and I can't wait to visit again. For those who don't know, Quilts, Inc. puts on a huge festival in Rosemont, IL that rivals the big show in Houston. Rosemont is located next to O'Hare airport.....very close to Chicago. If you want to have FUN, why not plan a trip to Quilt Festival in Rosemont, and then spend a couple of days downtown. The parks along the lakefront are wonderful and you can get lost in the Art Institute and the other museums....and the FOOD, and the Shopping.....I won't even go there!

CLOSEUP OF ANNE'S CROWS

I thought you might like to see this closeup of Anne's crows.....aren't they hilarious?!