A Woman's World?

Sometimes we refer explicitly or incidentally to the genre of quilters and quilting as a woman's world. That is not necessarily the case. Celebrating Father's Day this weekend causes me to think about the men who have touched the quilting world with great positive influence. There are male designers of quilting fabrics and designs. There are especially good sewers and quilters who are male. One of the funny things is that men even design floral fabrics and patterns while most of us refrain from using flowers in quilts for men. Go figure. Men are quite often Master Gardeners who love flowers as much as women. There is, you know, a male designer of fabrics who is now popular in the quilting world who felt there is not enough "masculine" fabric available so he has designed a line with men in mind. (See the fabric from Parson Gray at Heirlooms & Comforts.)

When I think of Father's Day and quilting I instantly think of my dear father. He was quite an example of a man who knew his responsibility to his family and community and who loved beautiful nature and art. He was, in his youth, a physical worker who was strong of body and mind. The timeline of his life put him in a place when formal education was difficult for a farm boy in this part of the country. However, he sought learning and knowledge and made all efforts to see his offspring educated. In the process and in his compromised health the last 22 years of his life he began to appreciate the process and art of quilting. He precisely marked and cut the pieces for Mom to sew into quilts. He never intended to use a needle and thread and made jokes about wearing a skirt if ever he began to use them. He did, however, have a great deal of input into the choices of fabrics for many of the quilts and the patterns for those quilts. We in the family especially appreciate those quilts that we know he participated in making. One winter when it was cold in Florida and he couldn't get out to walk on the beach he cut out eight quilts in six weeks time. Mom couldn't keep up with the sewing that winter.

All quilters need "appreciate-ers" and quite often those are the men in our lives. Mom used to say she had never seen a man who didn't love a quilt. Thank you, guys, for being inspiration and appreciators of our art and craft and for your contributions to our processes. Happy Father's Day.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Pattern & Fabrics
This week at Heirlooms & Comforts we will feature a free pattern available from Timeless Treasures Fabrics that will help you get ready for the winter holidays -
Tonga Poinsettia. Print the pattern out at home. Bring it in and we will help you select beautiful batiks to construct this design at 20% off regular price. You can get a jump on preparations for celebration or for gift giving. The newly arrived styles will be great in this pattern.

 


Diamonds are Best Friend
Was it Marilyn who sang it? Diamonds are a girl's best friend, especially Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machines. Right now we have a pristine DD just traded in for a DDD-Designer Diamond DeLuxe. Bobby has had another "moment" and this machine is priced very reasonably! It will not remain on the Previously Owned list for very long. If you don't have a Diamond, you'd better check on this one.

Remember

In thinking about the holiday this weekend, I have reflected on what happened at this time of year in my family when I was a child more than fifty years ago. Memorial Day always fell on my mother's birthday, May 30. Nowadays it is the Monday closest to May 30. As I thought about this I began to remember how Mom always pointed out a memorial stone on the campus at Clemson near the Old Greenville Highway. It held a bronze plaque naming Clemson graduates who lost their lives in the freedom fight of World War I. She then would refer to a cousin who lost his life in World War II. Raymond had a son who is my age, so it always made me very aware that his Dad had perished in the war fighting for our freedom. That was always a time of renewed patriotism for my brother and me. This weekend I decided to look again at that memorial as a way of remembering the fallen patriots.

It was not where I remembered it to be! In the name of progress it has been removed from its original position. Bobby and I started out to find it. I called my brother Bob because he remembers everything we ever did as children; he would surely know what had happened. He did. Rats! He knows it all. Well, he knew that it was removed so that the highway could be widened, but he didn't know what happened to it. He even said it has been gone for 40 years - no way! Maybe it has been gone 30 years, maybe. Well, Bobby and I found it. We're good together.

This memorial stone is now located on the Sikes Hall side of the Rotunda and President's Garden along Old Greenville Highway. It is a large stone that looks like those that Dad called Iron Rock. There is the bronze plaque that names "cadets" lost in World War I. Finding this set Bobby and me on a visit to each war memorial on the campus. Such a tour does stir gratitude and patriotism before you realize it is happening. Thanks be for all those who have fought for our sakes in all conflicts!

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Clean Off the Bolt
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week it is Clean Off the Bolt Weekend. We will honor the H&C tradition of clear a bolt of fabric (take it all) for a 25% discount in the fabric is a regular price fabric. If your choice is a sale priced fabric you will get an additional 10% off when you clean off the bolt. This special is good for Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5. Is the print you have been wishing for still on the shelf? Is the bolt skinny enough that you want to take it all? Visit us this week to be sure. Special applies for Friday and Saturday only.

See What's New
We have spoken to Barbara Moore and she is coming to town on June 8 to show you even more great stuff about the innovations from Husqvarna Viking. Remember what fun we had the last time she was here? Well, she's on the way back to Central again. $15 gets a day of fun and information and lunch. Barbara will have fresh samples and more Mississippi madness just for us. She will be working on the new Designer Diamond deLuxe and will give us such good inspiration and skill and you can make all of what you will see for yourself. Call to complete your registration and payment soon so you can for sure have a great seat.

 

Previously Owned Diamonds
When you are watching Barbara Moore and hearing about the great things that you can make with a sewing/embroidery machine remember that we are now going to have pre-owned Designer Diamond machines to sell. Two have already come in, traded to get the new Designer Diamond deluxe machine. These terrific machines that were traded are available at unbelievable purchase prices. You've been dreaming of having a Designer Diamond machine and now is a great time to get one at a fantastic price. Join the fun!

Closed Memorial Day
At Heirlooms & Comforts we want to encourage you to remember those who lost their lives for our freedom by commemorating Memorial Day, a national holiday. We will be closed that day so that our family of employees will have an opportunity to spend the day with their close friends and families remembering those who fought for our freedoms. Enjoy those freedoms and never forget!

Great Spring Day!

In Central, SC, Saturday was a Great Spring Day.  We celebrated the heritage of the Railroad in the town of Central. There were many great activities available for children and adults at the Festival. Quite a large number of people came into Central on Saturday to enjoy the festivities and the live performances of the musicians.  One of the early activities on Saturday was the unveiling of the Quilt Trail quilts in the garden of the History Museum of Central. The Quilt Trail movement originated in Ohio and has spread across the country and in two provinces of Canada. Family or favorite quilt designs are replicated on weatherproof materials and mounted, originally on barns, on various outdoor surfaces to be seen by passersby. At this time 34 of these quilts have been installed in upstate South Carolina. At the History Museum there are three such mountings - one on a garden post and two on a Garden Arbor built by a local woodworking artisan. When you are in Central next, go by the History Museum and walk into the garden to see these beautiful displays of quilt art.  They are truly inspiring.

Sara

    

H&C Feature of the Week: Patriotic Red, White and Blue Fabrics
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature patriotic red, white and blue fabrics.  We have recently received several bolts of wonderful Quilts of Valor fabrics. For this week we will double-punch your fabric card when you purchase the qualifying dollar value for punching. You will love these fabrics for making your Quilts of Valor or Wounded Warrior Quilts. They are especially good looking fabrics!  So, when you buy $5 worth of these fabrics we will punch your card for $10.  If you don't have a card already, we will see to it that you have one and explain the way the program works.

Get Ready
Mother's Day is coming fast!  Get ready.  You know Mother is deserving of the best and Husqvarna Viking has that for her.  At Heirlooms & Comforts we have two special models that have been classroom models and carry full warranty.  Either the Sapphire 875Q or the Designer Diamond will give the wonderful, efficient use that Mother is hoping for in her next machine.  These are specially priced, but you must come into the shop to get the price quotes since they are lower than we are able to quote in the media. Quantity is limited on these models!  Come in to test sew on one.

Life is full of joy! Really, it is great when you don't have to suffer the pain, but you can share in the joy. Such is the situation with being a grandparent - WOW! Miles Bennett and Finn Elijah were born on March 31 in mid-afternoon - 6lbs, 2oz and 4lbs, 13oz. What a wonderful mother to endure the waiting abed for so long and the birth of these boys. Big brother Naaman is pleased (so far) with having two brothers. Wonder what the response will be in two years? Mother and boys are doing well and Dad is "busting his buttons". Joy unspeakable! Great-grandmother, Mema, was a twin and always hoped to see grandchildren or great-grandchildren twins. She missed these, but would have been surprised and happy at who is the parent of these twins. There is something rather magical about this kind of miracle. Grandpa and I are grateful and thankful for the safe arrival of Finn and Miles. Granddaddy Newton always told me the only way to pay for your raising is to raise one of your own. Now our son gets to deal with a family ¾ the size of the one we raised. We will always be praying for guidance for him and his wife. Here goes a great adventure!

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: 20% off any one item
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature 20% off any one item of your choice excluding Department 975 (machines, sergers, software suites, and cabinets). Choose something that you normally would not purchase on impulse or something that you buy almost anytime you are in the shop. One item of your choosing can be 20% off regular retail price this week. Remember that book that you wanted? Now is the time. How about a new cutting mat or even a second one of a different size? Maybe a new easy-blade-change rotary cutter or those Gingher scissors that you have wished for would make you happy. You choose!

New Opportunity for a Diamond
At Heirlooms & Comforts we are continually surprised by the opportunities that are provided by Husqvarna Viking to make it easier for our customers to become Viking owners/users. At the moment H-V has an offer for you to purchase a top-of-the-line Designer Diamond sewing-embroidery machine that has been opened and used for about three hours under the supervision of Viking specialists in a classroom such as an Heirloom Sewing School. These machines carry full warranty and are in no way at risk and have an unbelievably low price tag. We have access to several of these machines in limited quantity. Come by for a full demonstration of how these machines work - you'll love it. You must come into the shop to get the price quote - too low to advertise or quote by phone.

Moving Fabrics
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week there will be new "residents" on the sale table in the fabric "neighborhood." You can never tell when one of those that you have hesitated to choose will end up on the sale table at a great discount. It could become the backing of that quilt that needs to be finished. This week there will shifting in the racks. Be the first to review the new reductions.

Recovery!

Grandma has recovered from the "experience" of more than one small child at a time for more than a sleepover. But, my oh my, it does take time to do so at this age. God is a wise God, giving the active little ones to the younger mothers. What a joy to be able to have the grandchildren close by to be able to spend time with them. Now we can move on to other experiences with the boys.

Let's think about spring-cleaning a little bit. Do you get revved up when the weather warms and gets ready to make all things look new? How long does that energy last? Can you get through the project of clean-up quickly enough to not give up on it? Are you organized for your collection of fabrics and notions to be handy when you get back to sewing your creations? Lately I have been trying to get organized in the "land of thread" with locating containers that adequately hold all the different kinds of threads I want to have on hand. Each brand or type has a different shaped spool. So, I have to have different shaped storage containers. It has been a quest and I have a few samples to show you at Heirlooms & Comforts. Come by and we can share ideas.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Clean Off the Bolt
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we have Clean Off the Bolt Week. Don't be "fooled" even if Friday is April Fools Day. We will have something special going on for you that day. Otherwise, the normal Clean Off the Bolt rules apply: take the remaining yardage of a regular price bolt for a 25% discount or take the remaining yardage of a sale priced bolt for an additional 10% off. Who knows? There could be new "neighbors" in the sale racks by the end of the week as well.


VIP Treatment for Home Design Customers
If you currently have a Home Design card from H & C then you will get VIP treatment this week. When you use your Home Design Card you can take an additional 10% * off your purchase this entire week. If you currently do not have a Home Design card, don't worry; you can still get the VIP treatment - just apply for one and you will qualify for the extra 10% * off when you use it. This applies to any purchase. Whew! This is no April Fool Joke--Let's rock!

*The extra 10% discount applies to the net purchase before tax and after all rebates (in-store and mail-in) have been applied.

Reminder
Thursday, March 31st is the last day for your purchase to qualify for the $500 Rebate on the Designer Diamond and also the last day to trade in old, anybrand embroidery software (certain rules apply) for a $500 coupon against 5D Professional Embroidery Software. We have had some really happy customers who took advantage of this offer. Join them in their bliss.
Visit the Husqvarna Viking web site for more info.

Spring To It

With the spring forward exercise having been done overnight, we should be ready to hippity hop right into the bright, light pollen season with great vigor. Did you get yourself up at 2:00 AM to move the clock hands or have you entered the world of satellite clocks that automatically change with the date? I have always had a great chuckle over the naïveté that you should change the clock only at the time that the "authority" says in the exact time for the change - makes for good jokes. Anyway, welcome to the Daylight Savings Time world where you have just lost an hour of sleep so that you can get an extra hour of "working time."

Please remember that the offers from Husqvarna Viking that we have described below end on March 31, 2011. Don't let time slip away from you on these great offers!

Sara

 

H&C Feature of the Week: Patterns
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature patterns at 20% off, no limit on quantity. You may choose as many patterns as you wish to have from our really good stock of really good patterns to get 20% off the original price. There are those great handwork patterns, the "block of the month" patterns, the tote bag or purse patterns, the kid's dress and/or skirt patterns, the pre-cut fabric quilting patterns - on and on. For our customers this week all are a bargain.

Money Back
At Heirlooms & Comforts for a limited time you can buy the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond at our sale price and get a manufacturer's rebate of $500. This is unprecedented in the world of Husqvarna Viking and you really should take advantage of this while the time is right. Talk to us about a financing opportunity as well. Additionally, when you buy the Designer Diamond you can also buy the 5D Professional Embroidery Software at half off the MSRP for this product! Want another $500 off? Look below. Now we're talking!! This is BIG, my friend. This is BIG. See us soon for this deal.


Got Old Software?
Do you have some brand of embroidery software that is outdated or difficult to use? Trade in any brand, any condition software and get $500 off our current price of 5D Professional Embroidery Software. This offer cannot be combined with any upgrade discount. (4D to 5D does not qualify. Other discounts apply for upgrade.) Here is a limited time opportunity to move from that troublesome suite that you have been struggling with to the newest H-V version that makes the world of embroidery design fun easier and almost instant. Come in soon to get full details.

While quietly putterin' in my kitchen and sewing spot yesterday, I look out the window to see a young red-headed woodpecker methodically working away about four feet above ground on one of the maple trees in my yard. He sat on the side of the tree for some time hammering away in a manner not unlike, I think, the rat-a-tat way woodpeckers should do. I continued my indoor organization for a while, and the next time I looked out there was a squirrel upside down on the same tree in the same spot. As I look closer I saw that he was furiously licking the oozing sap that was glistening on the bark of the tree. Apparently the "sap is rising" as spring approaches and the woodpecker is accommodating the squirrel. Later in the day I worked a few minutes in my yard. There I inspected the maple tree and found a series of perfectly round holes big enough to accommodate a drinking straw and liquid is running slowly out and down the tree making black rivulets to the ground. I found daffodils in bloom and chrysanthemums "greening up". Just now I notice that there is activity in the bluebird house just beyond my window. And March hasn't happened yet.

We express our sympathy to Carolyn Harris, a teacher at Heirlooms and Comforts, at the death of her father David Martin.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Nature Rhythms
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week we will feature the Nature Rhythms group of fabrics from Clothworks Textiles. This gorgeous group of neutral color fabrics has a surprise dollop of red in a few of the pieces. Otherwise, the group is composed of black, cream, taupe, and grey - unbelievably elegant. There is a free pattern available and it is not difficult to construct. Take a look at the sample that Barbara has sewn. You'll love it.

Money Back
At Heirlooms & Comforts for a limited time you can buy the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond at our sale price and get a manufacturer's rebate of $500. This is unprecedented in the world of Husqvarna Viking and you really should take advantage of this while the time is right. Talk to us about a financing opportunity as well. Additionally, when you buy the Designer Diamond you can also buy the 5D Professional Embroidery Software at half off the MSRP for this product! Want another $500 off? Look below. Now we're talking!! This is BIG, my friend. This is BIG. See us soon for this deal.

Got Old Software?
Do you have some brand of embroidery software that is outdated or difficult to use? Trade in any brand, any condition software and get $500 off our current price of 5D Professional Embroidery Software. This offer cannot be combined with any upgrade discount. (4D to 5D does not qualify. Other discounts apply for upgrade.) Here is a limited time opportunity to move from that troublesome suite that you have been struggling with to the newest H-V version that makes the world of embroidery design fun, easier and almost instant. Come in soon to get full details.

Super Week Again

At last it is Super Bowl Sunday again! How nice that the attention of members of the household is so well taken by the events on the TV that we who ply the art of the needle can do our fun thing while they are otherwise occupied and not noticing. Fortunately, I reside in a situation where my spouse is not "put off" by my sewing and quilting. So, preoccupation with "the game" is not a prerequisite for my sewing without protest. Anyway, most of that banter about not wanting us to sew is just that-banter, don't you think? This is, however, Super Week at Heirlooms & Comforts, for real. Read the remainder of this email to see what we mean.

Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Designer Diamond

At Heirlooms & Comforts this week our feature is a Super Special on the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond and 5D Professional Embroidery. When you purchase a Designer Diamond (sale priced now at H&C) there is $500 rebate to apply for. Also, when you purchase the Diamond you can purchase Professional Embroidery at half off MSRP. If you trade in any old, outdated software for this Professional Embroidery you become eligible for another $500 rebate (certain restrictions apply; special lasts for a limited time only). It seems too good to be true that you get Professional for almost nothing. Check with us in the shop to get full details.

New Fabric Delivery
At Heirlooms & Comforts this past week we received a shipment of fabrics from Hoffman of California designed by McKenna Ryan for her Sand in My Shoes series. You can get a glimpse of what they are like at the Hoffman web site. While there you can get a free pattern to use with these fabrics. Then come in this week to be among the first of our customers to get your selection of these really beautiful ombre fabrics - delicious in color!