Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Spring is Just Around the Corner

It's grey and rainy outside, but inside, it's bright and cheery.
Spring must be just around the corner.

 Crisp blues and greens.... what's not to like?


 Check out these fun houses in fresh bright fabric.  The pattern is called Domiciles.


 Here's another group of brightly colored fabrics.



And last but certainly not least... we have this new line by Riley Blake called "Wonderland Trails."
It just came in today... in pinks and blues.

Friday, February 17, 2012

New Stuff and 18% on the 18th at The Pine Needle



The Pine Needle NewsletterFebruary Newsletter
February 2012
in this issue
:: Recipe: Tiramisu
:: Calendar of Events
:: Modern Family Ties
:: New Woolies Flannels

sunflower showcase
Sunflower Showcase Quilt

Greetings!



Ah...it's Leap Month which heralds in Leap Day (February 29th), Leap Year, Summer Olympics and, of course, the 2012 Presidential elections.  Soon, I will commence my hunt for some involved project to distract me from the too frequent political advertisements that will be repeated ad nauseum for the next 9 months .  Anyone for a sunflower project or maybe a  Baltimore Album quilt!???

This month we Pine Cones have been busily involved in making ready for Puyallup's Sewing and Stitchery Expo, the largest sewing expo west of the Mississippi.  If you are going, make sure you stop at booth 417-423 and say "hi" to Geri, Jim and several of our staff.  Marci Baker of Alicia's Attic will be there sharing her notions, techniques and books. We will also have Tresa McConachie, designer of Post Cards from a Snowman on hand.  Not only will we show off our Sunflower Showcase Wall Hanging but we hope to delight all the expo goers with several new quilts.  If you won't tell,  you can sneak a preview of our new Modern Family Ties below.

Happy Leap Day!
Don't forget our monthly 18% off anniversary celebration!  

 18% Off
Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, February 18
18% Off
all regular priced items
in store or on our website 
(see coupon at the bottom of the email)
  
Border fabric:  Ombre  Cara Collection $11.95/yd  

Wing Clipper (a trim down tool for traditional flying geese units)

Wing clipper
Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper Ruler
This handy tool is a must  if you are making multiple Flying Geese units for your quilt.  The Wing Clipper and the associated Fast Flying Geese construction technique, lets you make  four finished units from five squares.  Because each until is constructed slightly oversized,  each can be trimmed to a perfect size with perfect seam placement once the sewing and pressing are complete.  Every single unit will be exactly right every time, which gets plenty of kudos from us!

Features:
Ruler size - 5 ½" x 10 ½"
10 size options from ½" x 1" finished units to 5" x 10" finished units
Heights increase in half inch increments
Step by step illustrated instructions
Instructions and illustrations for left hand trimming
Chart for easy conversions of other patterns and designs
 Fine lines for higher accuracy
Wing Clipper demonstrated by Maggie
Wing Clipper demonstrated by Maggie
Our Price: $17.55 
List Price: $21.99

Link to Wing Clipper

Recipe: Tiramisu
Mimi's grandchildren (teens) request this dessert on special family occasions.  I hear that the adults love it too!

Tiramisu
Tiramisu
Prep time:  1 Hour
Cook time: 4 Hours
Servings 8

Ingredients
5 whole egg yolks
1/4 cups + 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
3/4 cups Marsala Wine. divided
1 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1 pound Mascarpone Cheese, softened (room temperature)
1 1/2 cup brewed Espresso or very strong coffee
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 package (7 Oz.) Savoiardi or Ladyfingers
Cocoa powder: for dusting

Preparation Instructions
Note: cook time is actually chill time in the refrigerator.

In a saucepan, bring some water to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Find a mixing bowl that will fit over the top of the pan but not sink all the way in. (A poor man's double boiler) Put 5 egg yolks into the mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup sugar and whisk until pale yellow in color.  Place the mixing bowl on the saucepan with the simmering water. Add 1/2 cup Marsala wine gradually, whisking constantly as you do. Cook over the simmering water, scraping the sides and bottom occasionally for 5 minutes.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, or until cool.

Place mascarpone cheese in a bowl and stir until smooth. In a mixing bowl, combine whipping cream and remaining 4 tablespoons sugar. Whip until soft peaks form. To the bowl of whipped cream, add the softened mascarpone cheese and the chilled egg yolk mixture.  Fold mixture gently. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.  Measure 1 1/2 cups brewed espresso or VERY strong coffee.  Add remaining 1/4 cup Marsala and 1 tablespoon vanilla.  Arrange the savoiardi or ladyfingers in a single layer in a 9 x 13 pan.  Spoon 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of the coffee mixture over each ladyfinger (keep it under 1 tablespoon per cookie and you'll be fine).  Plop 1/3 of the cold cream/mascarpone/egg mixture on top and spread it into a layer. Sprinkle a thin layer of cocoa powder. Repeat the process two more times.

Cover and refrigerate for a few hours before serving. This allows for more moisture to soften the cookies and the whole mixture to meld together.  To serve, spoon out helpings onto individual plates

Note: tiramisu does not last beyond 24 to 36 hours as everything eventually starts to break down and become soupy.



Space Available
in Billie Mahorney's
2 day class 

We have a few spaces still available in Billie's two day intermediate class.  Class dates May 7 & May 8 or May 9 & May 10.  Give us a call if you would like to sign up.  503-635-1353

Calendar of Events


February 24 - Quilts for CARES NW at The Pine Needle

Mar 1-4 - Sewing & Stitchery Expo, Puyallup, WA

Mar 2 - March Patchwork Calendar pattern available in store or on website

April 7 - Bunny Hop Day at TPN



Something New at TPN
Modern Family Ties Quilt
ModernFamily
Modern Family Ties
We love our new Woolies flannel quilt.  We've created Modern Family Ties using the traditional hour glass block design  and pairing it with the new Maywood's Woolies in charcoals, soft greys and contrasting creamy gold flannels.  We bet this updated look will be a man pleaser.

Link to Modern Family Ties


New Woolies
From Maywood Studio

Woolies Sampler
If you like flannels and love Maywood's Woolies, check out our website for some of the new ones now available.

New Maywood Woolies Flannels


Patchwork Calendar Pattern
February pattern

Patchwork Calendar Heart
You can find our February Patchwork Calendar by going to our home page at
and toggling on the yellow button.  We will have our March pattern on our website the first weekend in March.

Thank you for being our customer! 

Sincerely,


Geri and the Pinecones
The Pine Needle
429 First St
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-635-1353 800-655-5632


Save 18%
As we celebrate this year's 20th anniversary, we thank our wonderful customers by once a month giving you 18% off your entire order of regularly priced items*.  One day only!


18% off*

Saturday, February 18th

on all regular priced items

in store or on our website

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, block of the month, Five is Enough kits, software or classes.  Can not be combined with other coupons or sale prices.

Offer Good Saturday, February 18th only!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Quilts for Cares Northwest

Quilts for Cares Northwest

Check out this group of kids who each made a quilt for Cares Northwest.  Wow!  



Quilts are given to children seen at Cares Northwest, 
an evaluation center for abused and neglected kids.  
Cares Northwest is part of the Legacy Foundation of hospitals in Portland, Oregon.

Quilts are collected and given to babies to 18 year olds.  The need is great.  
Abused and neglected children in the program are in need of comforting quilts 
as they go through the exams and evaluation process.

Did you know that The Pine Needle originated this program for abused kids many years ago?

You can participate in this amazing program in one of many ways.
      • You can donate fabric.
      • You can donate a finished quilt made either from your own fabrics.
      • You can pick up a kit in the store made up of donated fabric and sew a quilt.
      • You can join a monthly group at The Pine Needle to work on these quilts

We need quilts in all sizes:   
42x42 baby quilts
50x50 small child's quilt
50x72 for a teenager.

Call us or come into the store for more information.