Cat's Away Sale this weekend at The Pine Needle

The Pine Needle Cat's Away Sale Friday, March 2 - Sunday, March 4 Once again the Pinecones, much like Cinderella, have been instructed to stay home and clean while Jim and Geri take on the enthusiastic sewers and quilters at the Sewing and Stitchery EXPO in Puyallup.  So we, the procrastinating Pine Cone cleaners, decided to have our fourth annual "While the Cat's Away" Sale.   All in stock Flannels Reg. $11.95 Cat's Away Sale:  $9.49 Reg. $11.25 Cat's Away Sale:  $8.99 And don't tell Geri! All in stock Batiks are on sale too!!! 20% off! March's Patchwork Calendar pattern is available at The Pine Needle or on our website's home page. Cat fabric: Michael Miller "We are Siamese"

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.

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

The Pine Needle Newsletter February Newsletter February 2012 in this issue :: Recipe: Tiramisu :: Calendar of Events :: Modern Family Ties :: New Woolies Flannels 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) 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 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 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 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 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 You can find our February Patchwork Calendar by going to our home page at www.pineneedlequiltshop.com 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 www.pineneedlequiltshop.com The Pine Needle Blog  Facebook  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!

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.  

Dreary Outside... Cheerful Inside!

Look what just came in!

These will brighten any grey day!

New Quilt Tools

We have some great new quilt tools in stock.

They were demonstrated at our Winter Festival,

and now we have the videos of how they work right here!

First.... the Wing Clipper for trimming up your Flying Geese blocks.

We also have a new Rotary Cutter and Ruler from True Cut.

The cutter rides along a rail on the ruler

so it is impossible to make a crooked cut!

And here's a new electric rotary blade sharpener, also from True Cut.

Never have a dull blade again!