Vacation for the Nation

You may know that in the South of the United States the textiles industry was "alive and well" for a great part of the 20th Century. Then there was the recession and the transfer of operations to off shore facilities that combined with many other factors and took the industry out of the economic picture in the south. Having been a part of that workforce, Bobby and I experienced a lot of tradition and felt the loss of the industry poignantly when it declined. One of the traditions of the textile industry in the south was that the mills shut down during the week of July 4th. Everyone who worked in a mill got a vacation paycheck. Well, that was a bonus for those hourly wage earners. They went to the beach or to the mountains and visited all the "sights" in the area. If they opted to not travel with family and/or friends, they took that "free money" and spent it on new appliances or cars or recreation equipment - something "bonus" in their lives. They worked hard and they planned each year for the "week of the 4th." Maintenance employees were the only ones who worked that week and they were servicing the machinery that had to be silent while they worked on it. One year in particular (1973) Bobby opted to help the crew work that week because he and I decided that he would be more needed in August when baby #3 was to be born. Guess what. Baby #3 didn't wait until August. He was born July 9, during the week after the 4th that year. Now Baby #3 and his beautiful wife have three babies of their own. Grandma and Grandpa are doing the "week of the 4th" idea and shutting down the operation for a few days at Heirlooms and Comforts to go on the road to visit our families west of the Mississippi.

Enjoy your family and friends during this time of celebration of our nation's Independence. Wave a flag! Have a picnic. Exercise caution in playing. Be safe. Show your patriotism. Celebrate soundly (firecrackers and all). Take in a fireworks show wherever you can find one. Celebrate Freedom!

Sara

Oh Yeah! Check out our pre-owned machines!

H&C Feature of the Week: Clean Off the Bolt
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature Clean Off the Bolt all four days. You probably remember the drill: take all that is remaining on a bolt of fabric for 25% off the regular price fabrics or another 10% off a sale price fabric. HERE'S THE DEAL THIS WEEK - Take 35% off regular price fabrics and another 20% off sale price fabrics. For these four days June 27-June 30 you can enjoy this special "Remember Textiles Week".

July 4th Closing
At Heirlooms & Comforts we will close from July 1 through July 4 for Independence Day vacation. We will reopen on July 5 at 10am and be ready for the beginning of Carolina Shop Hop on July 8.

Carolina Shop Hop 2011 begins Friday, July 8 and continues until Saturday, July 16. Go to the web site to get your passport print out and see all the details of the rules of the shop hop and how to win $1300 worth of Gift Certificates. Join us for the fun!

New, New, New!

About this much time passes after Quilt Market before new items begin to ship into the shop. We got at Heirlooms & Comforts a load of new book titles this past week. The shelves are full of them. There are some really great ideas among these books and there are too many to name them here. So, you need to make a trip in to see what is here. Be inspired like we are to try the new ideas. Additionally, Kathy White has been at it again with making things that look fun. There is a new sample made from a border stripe that was really easy to make and fun to play with in the design process. Ask about it too.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Selected Patterns
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature selected patterns at 50% off original price. There are two large baskets full of these patterns for you to choose from. Among them are patterns for quilts and for clothing. Come in soon for the best choices, of course. Many of these are single copies of the design. Make your choices and let us help you find the right fabrics to sew up.

Carolina Shop Hop
Carolina Shop Hop 2011 starts on July 8 and goes until July 16 with shops taking Sunday off during that time. Look at the Carolina Shop Hop web site for the details including what you must do to be eligible to win the thirteen $100 gift certificates. There are other prizes to be distributed as well. We are commemorating the Civil War with our quilt blocks containing reproduction fabrics from that era of history. We are looking quite different this year without batiks for a change. Be sure to hop on by to get a look.

Independence Day Celebration
At Heirlooms & Comforts we will be closed from Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4. We will reopen at 10am on Tuesday, July 5. This is another opportunity to show your colors and celebrate our gift of Freedom and Independence won for us by those who preceded us in citizenship. Be grateful; celebrate heartily; eat well; and exercise wisdom in safety.

Out of the Sun

These very "summer-y" days are driving the youngsters to the swimming pools and the water slides and the older folks are being driven inside. What are you going to do while you run from the heat? We at Heirlooms & Comforts have a suggestion: sew and make quilts. You could even come in to take a class or to sit and sew with friends when there is no class scheduled. There are some ladies who have lately done the sit and sew thing, even bringing their lunch in a bag to avoid walking to the restaurant in the heat. We invite you to do the same. Just call in to be sure there is no class on the schedule before you come. Come one; come all. Bring friends and have fun out of the sun.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Legacy Batting
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature Legacy Batting from Pellon in Crib size and Craft size. We have this batting in an 80/20 Cotton/Poly blend or in a Cotton/Soy Blend. It is soft and supple and so easy to needle. This batting is great for either hand quilting or machine quilting. It is offered at 25% off this week. Great time for trying this great batting!!


Great Idea!
Having recently received new Hoffman of California batik fabrics, we searched for a free pattern to use with these. We found this one that would be magnificent in our new fabrics. It seems to be a rather easy-to-put-together pattern as well. Print it out and come select from our great array of batiks a group that will make this wonderful lap size quilt. No place is there a rule that says you have to use the colors that they have used in the pattern. You could make this in fall colors and have a beautiful project. Let us show you a palette.

View the Mulberry Steps Pattern

Youthful Exuberance

How is it that children just know how to stroke your ego and make you feel like the most wonderful individual on the planet? Wyatt (5 years old) is playing around me as I write my weekly missive. He asked for some fabric, paper, thread, hole punch, ruler, and whatever. I reached into the pie safe/fabric cabinet and pulled out a crooked rejected strip of red fabric. Then I spotted a section of narrow grosgrain ribbon for him. The exclamation was spontaneous: "Grandma! What a beautiful fabric! Oh, my. It is so pretty. Look at the really beautiful red roses all over it. Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, thank you." So now he is totally immersed in creative play and making who knows what from his supplies and with his tools. Space travel is his passion right now so he is probably imagining some sort of rocketry with the component parts. Just a little bit of fabric can make a person really happy, right? It just sparks the imagination and the creative skills.

Maybe you should come in to H&C for a new selection and see what happens to you!! Maybe it could make you feel younger.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Double Punch on Batiks
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature double punch on batik fabrics. For every $5 worth of batik fabric that you purchase we will punch your Fabric Card for $10. We just received a new shipment of Hoffman batiks this past week. Oh, my; they are beautiful. Before you know it you will ready to redeem your card to help purchase something you have been wishing for. A full punch card is worth $20 on anything you want to use it for.

Special Program
Just a reminder here that Barbara Moore is coming to Heirlooms & Comforts on Wednesday to present her demonstrations of all the new ideas from Husqvarna Viking Convention. You will be entertained and inspired for sure!

Want a Second Machine?
Have you wished for a second machine? One that has the Selective Sensor System? One that does a beautiful job of your workshop needs? We have one - one only. Get a great Designer II at an unheard price of $499. Really, I do need to check on Bobby's deals, but for your sake I will wait until you have bought this machine. This could be a clue for those who want the new top of the line Designer, too. If he is offering such good deals, you might need to ask about others.