New In The Shop

• Clover's Tapered Tailor's Awl: this sturdy tool helps with pulling out corners and opening spaces.
• More Aurifil thread colors, in solids and variegated. Our collection is growing!
• Several new books and patterns as well as the Metro line from Benartex are on display right now. Irma has whipped up a striking sample quilt top using Metro and we have kits to make it, as well as fat quarter bundles.
• Angelina Fibers in assortment packs. Want to embellish your quilts? Angelina is the product for you!

More New Classes

You'll find several new classes on the schedule now. Our offerings are the broadest we've had, so all you quilters who have been asking about classes these past several months should be able to find something that tickles your fancy.

Some classes fill faster than others, so an early sign-up is your best bet for getting a seat in your first choice!

Coming In March

For all of our Aunt Grace fans: have we got a club for you! Starting in March we'll introduce the Wash Tub Club. Details to come in our February email up-date.

What's That You're Using?

Several customers have inquired about the hand lotion Kelly Ann uses in the store, and a few have ordered a tube for themselves after trying it out. The brand is Artistry, from Quixtar, and we've linked to our affiliated web site where customers will find a broad spectrum of health, beauty and home products.

We use many of these products in our home and at the shop, from cleaners and detergents to vitamins and cosmetics. Many come in a concentrated form, so a little goes a long way. That hand lotion is similar; a little dab will do ya! If you'd like more information than you can find online, ask Kelly Ann when you next visit the quilt shop. We're planning an in-store display for March, too.

Purchase is quick, easy and secure. Prices are reasonable and delivery is made right to your home by UPS. If you prefer, you may order through Kelly, in person using a catalog book, and pick up your products at the quilt shop. There are no commitments or minimum purchases required, nor is there an annual fee.

Random Thanks Drawing

Each month Kelly Ann draws a name from among our previous month's customers. The lucky winner will receive a store credit of $25 as a thank-you for supporting your local quilt shop! Anyone shopping with us over the past month is eligible regardless of past selections. Award credits do not expire.

This month's winner is
Phoebe Carson of Centreville, VA. Thanks, Phoebe! Your name is tagged with a store credit, which will be automatically applied to future purchases.

Avon Walkers' Quilt Raffle

Irma has just completed piecing and quilting a lovely floral quilt, on display in our front room, which will be raffled in April. Her friends Sharon Woodward, Mickey Newman and Greg McLeod will join the Avon Foundation Walk to raise money for breast cancer research, and the money raised by the raffle will contribute to their fundraising obligation. Each participant must raise $1800 before the walk. This year's walk will be held May 5 and 6, and 2,500 participants are expected.

Tickets are for sale for $5 each, or $25 for six, at our shop. Come on in and help support a great cause, and maybe you go home with a lovely quilt this April!

Quilts Of Valor

This past Wednesday's Washington Post contained a story of interest to all charity quilt makers. Give it a read, and if you're at loose ends for your next project consider joining in.

Project Linus Update

Did you catch the NBC News story about Project Linus last week? An effort to provide a "security blanket" to children with serious medical problems has spread across the nation, and is now adding a focus on the children of wounded and killed US service personnel. Quilts make those blankets more personal, and quilters have never been short on generosity in the face of adversity. Here's another opportunity to join in:

• February 24 -- Project Linus Workshop at the Train Depot in Culpeper

Non-sewers are always welcome ...there’s all that pinning and ironing to do!

Questions about Project Linus? Call Maureen Rogers at 540-825-5546.

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There's no shortage of need in our communities, and this month's newsletter gives quilters three outlets for their charitable efforts. Whether it's raising funds for cancer research, providing comfort to a wounded soldier or soothing a sick child, your craftwork can help make a positive difference in someone's life.

In store news, our fabric orders from the past Fall Quilt Market continue to trickle in. This coming month, we expect to see Maywood's Ramblin' Rose, a beautiful floral that we're sure you'll love.

This coming March will mark our second anniversary, and you can expect a celebration sale announcement in the coming weeks. As we cruise into the end of our second year, please accept our thanks for making us your hometown quilt shop and contributing to our success these past two years.

Finally, you might recall that last year at this time we had a new arrival in our family. Here she is, Sylvia Camille Jones, at one year. She's a healthy, good-natured little girl and lots of fun to have around. She enjoys plopping down in the middle of the group at music class, and any time now we expect to see her first steps.

We hope to see you soon at Kelly Ann's.