Our friends at Susan Branch (including Susan-how cool is that!) agreed to provide artwork for our Maryland cover for the May/June edition. It was soooooooo terrific we begged and whinned for artwork for our IN and NJ/DE covers as well. In spite of  their own tight deadlines for books, and other projects, they were able to come through for us. Here is sneek peak at one of the covers. We print on Monday so you pick up the latest copy for your state on Wednesday or Thursday or view it online late next week. If you have never visited Susan’s website check out the links below the cover image — you will be amazed! I spent all morning with my coffee flipping through page after page and even picked a great spring wallpaper for my work computer free from her “From Me To You With Love” page. She is so talented and offers many products which allow you to share the fun with your friends and family.

To sign up to receive our “Willard” Email Newsletter, Click HERE.

To find out why we call it “Willard,” Click HERE.

www.susanbranch.com

THE 2010 New Jersey Quilt Shop Hop begins this Weds, April 14 and continues for 5 days (4/14 thru 4/18)  AND WE’RE IN IT!

There are charms, charm packs, patterns, recipies, chocolate to pick up and lots of prizes to be won!  So come by and pick up your passport and get more information (or you can call) When you come by, check out our “Hop” quilt and our prizes…while your in  check out our many blocks of the month and class schedule

Hope to see you soon!

Marie

Needles & Pins Quilt & Fabric Shop
1438 Kings Highway
Swedesboro, NJ  08085
856-241-9977
stitchinrie@comcast.net
www.needles-pins-nj.com

Guess who is celebrating a birthday today?

That’s right! Kim Rose, owner of The Hope Chest. Stop in and wish her a Happy One! Or click on image to see her pages.

Whoops… link won’t work! Try this:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hope-Chest-Boutique-More-and-The-Holly-Hut/123578913665?ref=ts#!/pages/The-Hope-Chest-Boutique-More-and-The-Holly-Hut/123578913665?v=info&ref=ts

Elizabeth’s Keepsakes & Deli, 237 N Main St, Rushville, 765-938-3071

The Hope Chest Boutique & More and The Holly Hut Get this Free with any 65.00 Vera Bradley Purchase, but, supplies are limited so hurry in!

The Hope Chest at Dutch Neck Village, Bridgeton, NJ.

Yoder Department Store is proud to present Ricky Tims

Ricky will be at Yoder Department Store February 5, 2010 in conjunction with Shipshewana’s annual Pajama Sale. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to meet this internationally renowned quilter, teacher, and musician. Ricky will be presenting two lecture/demonstrations, the Grand Finale at 9:30 am and Kool Kaleidoscope at 1:00 pm. Each lecture/demonstration will be $45, which includes a $5 credit voucher good on Friday at Yoder Department Store. He will also be performing an evening concert at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available for $25. All three activities will be held at the Blue Gate Theater. Buy tickets and get more information at: http://yoderdepartmentstore.com/

Ricky Tims is known in the international world of quilting as an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher, an award-winning quilter, and a talented and spellbinding speaker. His innovative and entertaining presentations feature live music and humor combined with scholarly insights. His quilts have been displayed worldwide, and are highly regarded as excellent examples of contemporary quilts with traditional appeal. Ricky began designing and making quilts in 1991, and was recently selected as one of “The Thirty Most Distinguished Quilters in the World.” He maintains an extensive international schedule of teaching and speaking engagements, presents national seminars and the week-long Rocky Mountain Quilt Retreat in LaVeta, Colorado, and is the co-creator and co-host of The Quilt Show, a live, internet web stream quilt show, with renowned quilter, Alex Anderson. Ricky is passionate about quilting and is delighted to share his experience and enthusiasm with quilters at every level of expertise. He is challenged by creativity in all forms, and encourages individuals to cultivate self-expression, reach for the unreachable, and believe in the impossible.

The Walk of Lights Tonight at Dutch Neck Village. Stop by…Carolers, bon fire, hot cocoa & cookies, Santa’s Workshop, Live Nativity and lots of shopping! $2.00 to park. Hope to see everyone! If you can’t make it tonight, it’s tomorow night too! And next Fri. & Sat.

While looking for new photos for All Thing Country’s Jan/Feb ad on their website today I spied this great sounding Pumpkin Soup recipe! I don’t think Anne will mind us sharing it with you all. Be sure to check out their website at: www.allthingscountry.com. And if you are working on your Christmas shopping you’ll love their shop!

Anne’s Simple Pumpkin Soup

1/2 cup onion
3 tbsp. butter
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup half and half or fat free half and half.

Chop the onions and gently brown with butter in a pan. Put mashed pumpkin with onions in pan. Add the salt, sugar, nutmeg and pepper. Slowly add chicken broth and heat thoroughly, but do not boil. To serve, pour into a tureen and add the cream.