19th Winter Candlelight Event and 18% off from The Pine Needle

The Pine Needle Newsletter November 2010 in this issue :: Upcoming Events :: Recipe for entertaining :: Sandi Ray Celebration :: Warm Tater Greetings! Can you believe only 45 days until Christmas?  Scary to think about!  We first have to prepare for Thanksgiving and then it will be the race to Christmas.  Let's see, there's food, gifts, home decorations.  So much to do and, well, so little time!   I finished my first wool project (a Christmas pillow for decoration) and, not only did I enjoy it, but found it relaxing to do.  The image to the left shows a few of Bonnie Sullivan's wool applique projects.  We carry her patterns, some made into kits, as well as a nice variety of colored wools to tantalize and inspire you.  With the long winter evenings ahead, wool applique makes a wonderful lap project while watching TV or listening to music or recorded books.  Bonnie Sullivan's patterns We hope you will join us for our 19th Annual Candlelight Event.  Our goal is to keep you excited, and to keep you informed and fulfilled with the love of your life--quilting.  Our Pinecones elves have gone to work planning, researching, designing, and coordinating for you.  We have guests scheduled, discounts planned, free patterns available, endless inspirations and barrels of fun. On Friday, come early to celebrate the holidays, stay on for our life celebration of Sandi Ray.  You are invited to our 19th Annual Winter Candlelight Showcase Friday, November 19  & Saturday, November 20 10:00 - 4:00 pm Our Pinecone Elves will take you on a holiday journey with great ideas for gifts, ornaments, home decor and more, many with free patterns.  We will have hourly drawings and a grand prize drawing for a $100 gift certificate.  Plus 30% off all Christmas fabric ***** Don't forget our monthly birthday celebration as we celebrate our 19th year this Thursday, November 18th. 19th Birthday Celebration Thursday, November 18 18% off all regular priced items (see coupon at the bottom of the email) Border fabric: Tea for Two, Windham Fabrics, $9.75/yd What  we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets.  I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?  ~Erma Bombeck, "No One Diets on Thanksgiving," 26 November 1981 Calendar of Events Nov 18 - 19th Anniversary Nov 19 - 20 Winter Candlelight Events Nov 19 4-6 pm Celebration of Sandi Ray's Life Nov 25  Closed for Thanksgiving Recipe:  Crostini with Mushrooms A scrumptious appetizer for holiday entertaining This adult pleasing recipe comes from our staff member, Linda Hoag. Crostini With Mushrooms, Prosciutto, and Blue Cheese Makes about 18 3 Tbsp butter 1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps chopped 4 ounces crimini mushrooms, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 2 ounces) 1/2 cup chopped thinly sliced prosciutto (about 2 1/2  ounces) 18 1/2 inch thick diagonal bread slices cut from 1 sourdough baguette Chopped fresh Italian parsley Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add all mushrooms and garlic and saute' until mushrooms are cooked through and brown, about 10 minutes.  Add cream and boil until liquid is completely absorbed, about 2 minutes, while stirring.  Remove from heat.  Add blue cheese and stir until cheese melts.  Mix in prosciutto.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Transfer mushroom topping to bowl.  (Mushroom topping can be made 1 day ahead.)  Cover and refrigerate. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Arrange bread slices on baking sheet.  Bake until just golden, about 5 minutes.  Mound 1 generous tablespoon mushroom topping on each slice.  Return to oven; bake until topping is heated through, about 6 minutes.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Celebration of Life Sandi Ray 1945 - 2010 You may know Sandi through her quilting classes or her patterns*.  She was truly a gifted quilter and a natural teacher.  Her wonderful quilt patterns display her awesome talents both at understanding construction and her ability to communicate her understanding to others.  She was a lively, fun and caring person, who not only inspired us all, but created a loving atmosphere to learn in and develop long last relationships. Sandi, you will be missed by all of us! Join Us Friday, November 19 4 - 6 pm at The Pine Needle To Celebrate Sandi *Some of Sandi's patterns you may know:  Sandi's School House,  Lessons from the Lake, Quilt Academy, Starburst, French Country, Fractured Star, Wind Dancer, Quilt as you Go Table Runner, Heart to Heart and Geese A Laying Christmas Tree Skirt Great New Product Just in time for those holiday hostess gifts Warm Tater from The Warm Company Potato bags have become quite the rage and The Warm Company has designed the right batting for this microwave project.  Warm Tater with its 100% natural cotton (with no glues or resins, either)  is ideal for cooking potatoes, corn, rolls and warming tortillas in the microwave.  Warm Tater is heavy weight, 100% natural cotton that acts as an insulator keeping the moisture inside for steamy hot potatoes and more.  The free pattern makes a quick, simple and practical project for you or makes a wonderful gift item.  Warm Tater is 22" wide, approximately 1/4" thick and is $3.99/yd.  We include with purchase a free pattern for making the potato bag.  The pattern includes microwave cooking instructions. For more information check out Warm Company's website. Warm Tater Batting During this month of traditional Thanksgiving, nothing is more natural than reminding our dear customers that we are sincerely thankful for your continued patronage, support and energy!  Without our quilt-loving friends, we simply wouldn't exist. Best wishes to all for a warm and safe Thanksgiving weekend, filled with a bounty of family, friends and loving spirit. Sincerely, Geri, Jim, Patsy and The Pine Cones The Pine Needle 429 First St Lake Oswego, OR 97034 800-655-5632, 503-635-1353 friends@pineneedlequiltshop.com The Pine Needle Website The Pine Needle Blog Save 18% It's our 19th birthday and you get the gift!  To celebrate our 19th year in business, you receive 18% off all regular priced items in the store.* One day only! 18% off all regular priced items Thursday, November 18  If ordering by phone, please mention the 18% discount. If ordering on-line, please send an email with 18% in the subject line to friends@pineneedlequiltshop.com .  * not valid on gift certificates, wool basket of the month, software or classes.  Can not be combined with other coupons or sale prices. Offer good on November 18, 2010 only    503 635-1353                            M-Sat    10-5 pm 1-800 655-5632                           Sunday 1-4 pm

Memorial Event for Sandi Ray will be held Nov 19 at The Pine Needle

Memorial Event for Sandi Ray at The Pine Needle Friday, November 19 4:00 - 6:00 pm   With heavy hearts, the staff of The Pine Needle wants you to know of the passing of Sandi Ray last Thursday night. We hope you will join us in celebrating the life of our wonderful friend, delightful teacher, and  gifted quilter Sandi Ray. Come Join Us in Celebration of Sandi on Friday, November 19 4:00 - 6:00 at The Pine Needle The Pine Needle 429 First Street Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034 503-635-1353

18% coupon and October News from The Pine Needle

The Pine Needle Newsletter October 2010 in this issue :: Holiday Creative Arts :: Pumpkin Bread recipe :: Spooktacular Sale See the Snowballs Flannel Quilt Greetings! Recently while finishing the last few binding stitches on a Halloween quilt that I started more than a year ago, my thoughts wandered to Christmas and what I could do to make the holiday season feel more personal, less commercial.  My husband frequently laments about the appearance of Christmas decorations  long before Halloween and I'm sure you have heard similar complaints.   I'm not sure I have a solution, but I always feel that sewing, crafting and creating some of our gifts and decorations add to the enjoyment of the season.  With that in mind, we present some of the wonderful projects we have available so you can add your own personal touch to your holidays. Don't Forget our 18% Off  October 18th Birthday Sale 18% off all regular priced items Monday, October 18th (see coupon at the bottom of the email) To view our Fall 2010 catalog Click Here Background fabric:  Maywood's Woolies F18142-ER2 See the Snowballs Flannel Quilt Upcoming Events October 29-31 Frightful Friday-Spooky Sunday Halloween Events November 6-14  Annual Fall Anniversary (our 19th) Sale November 19-20  Winter Candlelight Showcase Creative Arts Doll Making Little Helper Elves Looking for a way to put the spirit back into the holidays?  Nothing could be more fun than hand crafting ornaments or "dolls".  Luckily, we have the very talented Kae Rockwood to help our local customers perfect their doll making skills.  We also have patterns available for those who would like to create these adorable "elves" on their own. Little Helper Elves One of Kae's students, Ellen Starr, recently shared with us her Santa made during a class several years ago.  The Santa stands approximately three feet tall, wears a quilted robe,  sports a llama fiber beard and mustach, and carries a velveteen purse and Santa bag.  Ellen says that she adds something new each year to make this a special tradition in their holiday decorations. Whether it dolls, pillows or a wool craft project, it's not too late to create something special for your holidays! Pumpkin Bread  (Editors note: This bread freezes well) 3 1/2 cup flour 2 teasp. baking soda 1 1/2 teasp. salt 1 teasp. cinnamon 2 teasp. nutmeg 1/2 teasp. ground cloves 3 cups sugar 1/2 salad/vegetable oil 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 2 cups canned pumpkin (a 1 lb. can) 1 cup chopped nuts or some chocolate chips (both optional) Grease and flour 2 (two) 9x5x3 loaf pans.  Sift together first 7 ingredients into large mixing bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Divide batter into 2 loaf pans.  Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for about 1 1/2 hours or until done (toothpick test).  Cool slightly before removing from pan.  Store in foil.  Yum!    Tiny Toys to Make We couldn't resist this darling stuffed dog and have now gone wild over the kitty too.  From Needlecraft Magazine, Dec. 1928:  "The very young set of the last generation...knew these adorable playthings as 'rag dolls'.  Remember?  And how we did love and cherish them, homemade and homely though they were!  ...One mother of four wee ones says..that there is nothing that gives them half as much joy, no matter what the cost in dimes or dollars as does the inexpensive stuffed plaything new and "different". We think you'll enjoy making these adorable dogs & cats as much as you'll love gifting them. Puppy Love Kitty Love Spooktacular Sale 30% 0ff Halloween Fabric Spooktacular 5255 Planning next year's Halloween quilt or need more fabric to complete this year's project? We have the sale for you!  30% off our entire selection of Halloween fabrics while they last. The  fabric pictured on the right comes  from Henry Glass' Spooktacular collection and the background green dots are Maywood's Seen on Halloween.  Give us a call or visit our website to order. Halloween Fabric Fun Winter Decorations Pillows Mittens Pillow Kit These fun pillows can add a touch of merriment to your holiday decor and continue to add cheer after the holiday decorations are packed away. Our appliqued "Mittens" pillow kit comes with all the wool needed to complete the front and back of this 14 inch pillow.   Our fun loving "Let It Snow" pillow kit, (see below) measuring  18" X 18", comes with Woolies flannels to complete the front and back plus wool for some of the applique. Let It Snow Pillow Kit Let It Snow Pillow Kit Mittens Pillow Kit Festive Table Mats Holiday Decorating Idea These charming little 18" round (well, sort of round) are just perfect for your holiday table or end table.  Small enough to be doable, yet charming enough to make a wonderful gift for a favorite friend or relative.  The kits come with all the wool for the background, flannel and wool for applique, and colored flosses for stitching. Appliques can be fused,  stitched or  both. You can add a flannel backing to hide stitches or leave as is.   Snowmen Wool Table Mat Santas Wool Table Mat Gingerbread Men Wool Table Mat Aprons for Gift-Giving A perfect, personalized gift for your favorite woman - an apron.  We think they're darling, fun and always welcome.  Check out our cutest new patterns (shown "Let's Cook apron) and enjoy this excerpt from a 1928 Needlecraft Magazine article: "No connoisseur of aprons would ever recommend being satisfied with just the practical, workaday kind one must have, be they ever so smartly made and good to look upon.  Hostess aprons to don swiftly and becomingly when serving refreshments in a dress-up gown after bridge or on Sunday evening - just for example - ought to be a part of every well-aproned woman's wardrobe; and even the mere man, who seldom comments on a new frock,will often raise an interested eyebrow at a new and becoming apron." Let's Cook Apron Betty Bands Improved Control for Free Motion Quilting Betty Band for Free Motion Quiltin Sandi Ray, a frequent free motion quilter as well as our free motion quilting teacher, introduced us to this new product and has enthusiastically demonstrated Betty Bands in our store.  The bands come in two sizes (1 1/2 inches and 2 inch widths), fits across your palms giving you excellent traction, and unlike gloves, leaves your fingers free to grasp.  Sandi recommends the two inch size. Our Price: $12.80 List Price: $16.00 Betty Bands As we head in to the holiday season - yes it is so! - we hope you'll fill your quilting needs from our catalog of ideas, our website and our store.  Our Maywood Woolies flannels are our customers' favorites, and ours too.  Come be inspired through the cold months with projects sure to keep you, and yours, warm. As always, we appreciate your continued patronage, we love our customers to show and tell, and we pledge our best in customer service.  Sincerely, Geri, Patsy and the Pine Cones The Pine Needle Save 18% It's October's birthday time and you get the gift!  To celebrate our 18th year in business, you receive 18% off all regular priced items in the store.* One day only! 18% off all regular priced items Monday, October 18th  If ordering by phone, please mention the 18% discount. If ordering on-line, please send an email with 18% in the subject line to friends@pineneedlequiltshop.com .  * not valid on gift certificates, wool basket of the month, software or classes.  Can not be combined with other coupons or sale prices. Offer good on October 18, 2010 only    503 635-1353                            M-Sat    10-5 pm 1-800 655-5632                           Sunday 12-4