18% off on April 18! News from The Pine Needle

The Pine Needle Newsletter April 2011 in this issue :: 18% 0ff on April 18th :: Our 5 Top Selling Patterns :: Recipe: Chicken Divan :: Hints and Tips :: Just for Fun We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing. -- George Bernard Shaw Chirp Chirp Wool Pillow Greetings! We eagerly greet the longer days and more sunlight of spring (little less rain would be welcomed). The bright colors of apple green in our shop having me dreaming of plans for a spring colored quilt.  We have so many beautiful batiks that fuel my imagination, I don't know where to start.  Geri is hard at work on our new summer catalog in which she will share some of the new fabrics with you.  If you would like to see our Winter catalog click on the link to Winter Catalog.  Don't forget to check out our blog for added inspiration ( The Pine Needle Blog) or join us on Facebook For a fun new notion, that was introduced to us by one of our notions reps, scroll down to Just for Fun. Pam Raby, one of our quilt teachers, shares some information on machine needles that we, as quilters, need reminding of every once in awhile.  See Hints and Tips. The Pine Needle Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 23 11-5 We think Easter Egg hunts are fun for grown-ups too, so we invited the frisky little Easter Bunny to visit The Pine Needle and hide some eggs for you too!  Ms. Bunny agreed to come and hide her special eggs filled with great surprised on Saturday, April 23 from 11-5.  Enjoy being a kid again while searching for wonderful treasures.  The hunt will be on all day: we don't want anyone to miss out on the fun. Dont' forget our monthly anniversary celebration! 18% Off Anniversary Celebration Monday, April 18 18% Off all regular priced items (see coupon at the bottom of the email) Background fabric:  Posies Galore by Henry Glass $9.95/yd  Our 5 Top Selling Patterns Recently a customer asked, "What are your top selling patterns?"  That got us to thinking.  We could have guess, but we really couldn't point to facts and figures to prove our assumptions.  So with that question in mind, we did a little research, gathered some facts and calculated our "top five list." We thought we would share the results with you.  Each of these patterns, we think, has one common element that has made them so appealing to hundreds of customers.  Each of these patterns allows the quilter to create a quilt that highlights today's beautiful fabrics. Our top five patterns are....  #1. Hip to be Square #2 Brick by Brick #3. Northern Comfort #4. Building Blocks #5. SummerBreeze

Recipe Chicken Divan Pam Grogan says her family loves this recipe from  A Taste of Oregon cookbook. 8 chicken breasts 1 tsp. lemon juice Two 10-ounce pkgs frozen broccoli spears or 1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli 1/2 tsp. Curry powder or 1/2 tsp. Oregano Two 10 1/2-ounce cans cream of chicken soup Two 6-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained (optional) 1 cup mayonnaise Slivered almonds (optional) Cook, debone, and dice the chicken breasts. Cook broccoli until tender and spread it in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Distribute chicken over broccoli. Combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Curry powder, and artichoke hearts. Spread mixture over the chicken and sprinkle slivered almonds on top.  Bake at 350 F for 30- 40 minutes. Serves 6-8 Variation:  Before baking, sprinkle the following over the chicken and broccoli: 3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese,1/2 cup bread crumbs.    This recipe can be divided in half and baked in a 8 x 8 baking dish. Pam says, "When I make this, I use chicken fillets (no bones), no artichokes or nuts. I sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs on top.  I either make this as a full recipe or half depending on if my son is home.  He loves this!" Hints and Tips from Pam Raby Here are a few tips for knowing when to change your sewing machine's needle: A dull needle sounds a little noisy, almost like the needle goes "thunk" through the fabric.  Is the needle bent? A needle should lay perfectly flat on a table. If it "bows", definitely replace it.  Does the needle have a barb? Hold the top of the needle in one hand, then slide your fingers along the needle going from shank to tip. Can you feel a barb on the tip? If so, you need a new needle. This usually happens to me when I hit a pin. Just For Fun Double Diamonds During the year our sewing notion vendors show us many new and different ideas, and this one was just too much fun not to share with our customers.  By using three fabrics, fusible web and the Double Diamond ruler, you can create wonderful diamond patterns to add distinctive, dimensional diamonds to quilts whether in the blocks, on the sashings or borders.  You can also follow the same techniques to embellish clothing, or decorate scrapbook pages.  Let your imagination run wild!   Double Diamond example from Bright Quilting Notions Link to "Idea Gallery" at Bright Quilting Notions  Link to Double Diamond video  Link to Double Diamond pdf file  Double Diamond Ruler from Bright Quilting Notions Double Diamond Ruler The Double Diamond ruler helps you add distinctive, dimensional diamonds to quilt blocks, sashings and borders. You can use it to embellish clothing, make unique purse straps, and for scrap booking.  The Double Diamond Ruler™ makes it fast, fun and easy. Each package contains two sizes of Double Diamond quilting rulers so you can make 1 ½" and 3 ½" wide diamonds. Complete illustrated instructions are included. Our Price: $18.39 List Price: $22.95 Link to Double Diamond Wishing you a Happy Easter.  Thank you for being our customer. Sincerely, Geri and the Pine Cones The Pine Needle 429 First St Lake Oswego, OR 97034 503-635-1353  800-655-5632 www.pineneedlequiltshop.com friends@pineneedlequiltshop.com The Pine Needle Blog Save 18% As a girl never has to tell her age...we will be 18 forever. On the 18th of April, help us celebrate our birthday by receiving 18% off your entire order of regularly priced items*.  One day only! 18% off* Monday, April 18th 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, wool basket of the month, software or classes.  Can not be combined with other coupons or sale prices. Offer Good April l8, 2011 only!