January 2011 As we welcome in a New Year, I hope everyone is looking forward to a new start. This is the time we all make resolutions - we're going to start over. I'm no different from the rest of you; I have a list of things that I would like to start and, hopefully, actually accomplish. I would like to get more organized and efficient at home as well as at the shop. Start less projects so I can actually get them finished. And last would be that diet, complete with membership to a club. Well, this year I don't have any high hopes of changing the way I am. I'm hoping to just concentrate on what's good and make it better. Too many times I think we set unrealistic goals and then are disappointed when we fail. My goal for 2011 is to work on the shop, not in the shop. I have been spending a lot of time searching for new, innovative ideas that will be appealing to you, our customers. We are scheduling designers to come and share with you their wonderful creations and several will be offering a class. There will be demo's for you to learn a new technique and our own staff will be offering an array of classes a well. I will admit that at times it's hard to find things that are different. I've been discussing this with other shop owners from around the country. When I said that I was going back to the "basics"... the theory that "What's old is new again"... they agreed with me. I think it's possible to take an old pattern, make it up in one of the fabulous lines available and you will have a stunning quilt. My favorites are the log cabin and nine patch. Simple... but with so many possibilities. I like more traditional quilts, but when you make it up in a 70's repro it totally changes the look and feel. This will be fun to see what we can come up with. Several "Block-of-the-Month" projects will be starting in January and February. Becky will be doing another Civil War reproductions BOM. Sandy D. is working on a lovely red-work embroidery, and I will be doing a Christmas themed BOM. Sign up to reserve your kits and join in the fun. Once again we are making changes in the appearance of the shop. All the wonderful comments and emails have been appreciated. Suggestions are always welcome as well. We all want to say "Thank You" to everyone for your continued support as well as the friendships we are making along the way. We hope that 2011 will bring good things to all and that we can continue to enjoy our craft together. Quilt on... Patti