18% off and February News from The Pine Needle

The Pine Needle Newsletter February 2011 in this issue :: Chocolate Chip Scones :: Calendar of Events :: Did You Know.... :: Use Up That Stash Greetings! Is it modern art?  Is it a quilt? Is it fabric? The image to your left could be any of those things, but in this case it is fabric.  A new trend in the fashion industry, you will begin seeing these "global prints" in apparel, furnishings, and quilting.  Rich in texture, they can be bold to subtle, bright or subdued and can be described from primitive to sophisticated.  It's a whole new group of fabrics that we hope will start your creative juices flowing!    The Pine Needle staff is busy preparing for the big Northwest Sewing & Stitchery Expo in Puyallup, WA, March 3 - 6.  If you are heading to Puyallup for the Expo, make sure you stop by our booths and say "hi".  We always love seeing you. Link to Winter 2011 Catalog  Don't forget our monthly anniversary 18% off sale on Friday! 18% Off Anniversary Celebration Friday, February 18 18% Off all regular priced items (see coupon at the bottom of the email) Background Fabric for newsletter:  Maywood Simpatico Small Dots blue Link to The Pine Needle Website  The Mysterious Rose Mystery Quilt Rhapsody in Bloom (Pink) It's not too late to take part in our mystery quilt adventure, The Mysterious Rose.  You can join whether you live in Lake Oswego, OR or Oswego, NY. You can choose your own fabric or choose one of our kits with Maywood Studio's Rhapsody in Bloom fabrics.  The clues are sent once a month for six months.  On August 13, bring you quilt and share in a pot luck lunch and be ready to "ooh and aah" at others interpretation.  If you can not make the pot luck, send us a picture of your quilt.  We will share The Mysterious Rose quilts on our blog. Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones  Pam Raby's Scone Recipe  Pre-heat oven to 425°F. Butter a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup  sugar 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt Cut in ½ cup chilled, unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Separately, in a small bowl, combine: 2 eggs ¼ cup sour cream or lite sour cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp instant espresso powder Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. The dough will be sticky. Stir in ¾ cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, kneading with lightly floured hands. Do not over work the dough. Pat the dough into a circle ~8" in diameter on a lightly floured countertop. Cut the dough into 8 wedges. Place the wedges on the baking sheet. Optional: lightly brush the dough with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake until the scones are golden brown, ~15-20 minutes. Transfer scones to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm. These scones are great with fresh strawberries or raspberries and a good cup of coffee. Calendar of Events    Mar. 3 -6 -  Sewing & Stitchery Expo,    Puyallup WA.   Mar. 19 - National Quilting Day Apr 23 - Easter Egg Hunt at The Pine Needle Did you know... Quilting tip from Pam Raby To save time when cutting lots of same size strips, first cut a wide strip that's a multiple of the desired width then subcut into narrow strips of the desired width. For example: For 3 strips 2" wide, cut a 6" wide strip then slide the ruler over 2" and cut. Slide the ruler over 2" again and cut the 3rd strip. For 3 strips 2½" wide, cut a 7½" strip then slide the ruler over 2½" and cut, slide another 2½" and cut the 3rd strip. It is faster to "slide and cut" than to reposition the fabric and/or ruler each time you cut a strip. Try it and see! Use Up That Stash String Quilts An all to frequent lament  we hear from our customers contains the phrase, "too much stash."  So, if you looking for ideas for a fun sewing project, try making string quilt squares.  You  can then take the squares and combine them to make  table mats, table runners, tablecloths, bags, clothing or full quilts.  I utilized my stash of Christmas fabrics for making a string quilt tablecloth.  It festively decorated our dinning table during the holiday season. Don't know how to make a string quilt?  Linda will help you get started in her String Quilt Class, Friday, March 25.  It really is a simple and fun way to be creative with your stash. Spotlight Special - a clever new product Bloc_LocTM Quilters Half Square Triangle Square Up Ruler 6.5" Bloc_Loc Ruler Bloc_Loc's patent pending technology locks onto the seam allowance and allows the quilter to square up a half square triangle in just second.  There's no need for lifting the ruler as Bloc_Loc locks onto the seam, allowing your fabric and ruler to move as one as you turn it.  Made from 1/8" clear acrylic and engineered for accuracy.  Ruler measures 6.5" x 6.5".  Link to Maggie's video demonstration of Bloc_Loc    Bloc_Loc Quilters Half Square Triangle Ruler  Our Price: $19.95 List Price: $24.00 We love to stay in contact with our customers.  Keep in touch with us through  Facebook and The Pine Needle Blog.   Sincerely, Geri and The Pine Cones The Pine Needle 429 First St Lake Oswego, OR, 97034 503-635-1353  800-655-5632 friends@pineneedlequiltshop.com    Save 18% It's our birthday and you get the gift!  To celebrate our 19 years in business, you receive 18% off all regular priced items* in the store.  One day only! 18% off all regular priced items*   Friday, February 18  If ordering by phone, please mention the 18% discount. If ordering from our website, please mention 18% monthly discount on the "Special Instruction" section of the Check-out page.  * not valid on gift certificates,  Mystery Quilt, Wool Basket Block of the Month, software or classes.  Can not be combined with other coupons or sale prices. Offer good on Friday, February 18, 2011 only    503 635-1353                            Mon -Sat    10-5 pm 1-800 655-5632                           Sunday 1-4 pm