Greetings:

Happy new year!  January is off to a busy start and our 2012 show season is about to begin.  Goodness, it seems like I just returned from Houston last week!  Did the last two months go as quickly for you as it did for me?

Let's get started as we have lots of information to share about upcoming shows, classes, new products, a just-posted FREE pattern, and more!

On the road again . . . and off to Road again. . .

I am off to California on Saturday for Road to California and School of Threadology . Bob and Heather Purcell , Cindy Needham , and I will present two full days of classes on Monday and Tuesday, January 16 and 17. 

It's always fun to meet new students and to share lots of good information about thread , Texture Magic , Soft and Stable , and more.

Classes will be held at the Ontario Convention Center before the Road to California Quilter's Conference and Showcase which opens on Thursday, January 19. 

Place a pre-order TODAY — then find us in Booth 1800!

I'll be working at the show with Superior Threads .  You'll find us in booths 1800 to 1806.  I'm bringing a good supply of ByAnnie's Soft and Stable , patterns and finishing kits , but, as always, shop early for best selection. 

If you are planning to attend Road to California and would like to pre-order items to pick up at the show, please place your order on my website before midnight on Thursday, January 12. 

Use the discount code PICKUP at checkout so that there will be no charge for shipping.

I will be shipping everything for the show on Friday, January 13, so I'll need orders no later than Thursday evening.

Crazy for Bags! at Roundabout

In addition to demonstrating both Texture Magic and ByAnnie's Soft and Stable at the show, I will be participating in Roundabout on Friday evening. 

Roundabout features a variety of quilt teachers and vendors giving mini-demonstrations while students rotate on an informal basis between the tables at 10-minute intervals.  This is your chance to meet instructions and vendors in an up-close-and-personal atmosphere away from the crushing crowds.

My presentation at Roundabout, Crazy for Bags!, will feature Soft and Stable , Texture Magic , and some of my favorite patterns, supplies, and techniques.  Here's a brief description:

We all love purses, bags, and totes.  Learn great basic bag-making skills which you can apply later to almost any pattern.  Annie will share tips for texturizing and stabilizing.  You will leave knowing how to make bags that look like you BOUGHT them, not like you MADE them.

A limited selection of Soft and Stable , patterns and Texture Magic will be available for sale at Roundabout.

Please come join us for this fun event!

NEW PRODUCT

Due to popular demand, we are again carrying fabrics for the Serenity Shoulder Bag .

One of my best-selling patterns, Serenity features a stylish front flap closure, perfect for showcasing a unique fabric. The classy bag has large inside and outside pockets and a roomy interior and finishes at about 12"W x 10.5"H x 4"D.

Now you can create your own custom shoulder bag using the same fabrics (IN A DIFFERENT COLORWAY) as used for the purse shown on the pattern cover.

Rather than the burgandy fabrics used in the original bag, we are now stocking a beautiful selection of Serenity Taupe prints by Daiwabo in a gorgeous brown/gray/blue combination.

These fabrics will make the a perfect "neutral" bag for any occasion.

View the fabrics and order at my website. . .

UPCOMING CLASSES

Serenity Shoulder Bag
Cedar Chest Quilter's Guild 2012 Winter Quilt Festival
Cedar City, UT
Friday, January 27, 2012
9:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Experience the fun of easily creating texture on fabric using Texture Magic as you make this classy shoulder bag. Inside and outside slip pockets, a roomy interior, and a comfortable padded strap make this a bag you will grab often. 

ByAnnie's Soft and Stable provides great body and stability for the bag.  Contact Annie for a kit for the class no later than January 24.

More information and a supply list can be found at my website. . .

ON THE WEB AND IN THE NEWS

Annie Moody of Hoopsisters recently sent me a link to a great little video clip that they produced introducing Soft and Stable to their dealers. Here's what Annie wrote:

"Check out our short video clip to see the difference Soft & Stable makes.

Why not give ByAnnie's Soft and Stable a try in your next project?  You're going to love the difference it makes in all your purses, bags, placemats, and more!

FREE PATTERN

We all love free patterns and I know you're going to enjoy the latest FREE pattern which I just posted on my website.

The 3-page PDF pattern features a quick, easy, and fun-to-make Flower Wrist Pincushion.

Pins and needles will always be close at hand when you use this handy pincushion designed to wear on your wrist. A plastic base inserted in the pincushion before stuffing prevents pokes and stabs.

The pattern includes complete instructions for making the pincushion, including directions for tailoring the length of the wrist band to fit your wrist. Soft and Stable in the band makes it sturdy yet comfortable to wear.

Flower Wrist Pincushions can be made in a variety of fabrics. They make great gifts for friends who sew or quilt.

Read more and download the FREE pattern at my website. . .

"LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK. . .

We're loving the ease of sharing pictures, links, and more on Facebook .

It's been especially fun to share the pictures that you have sent of projects made using ByAnnie's Soft and Stable , Texture Magic , and/or our patterns . Thank you!

Click this link to "Like" us. This assures that you'll be the first to know about specials and happenings.

We will be posting information about new products, giveaways and competitions, tutorials and free patterns.

Visitors to our facebook page in the next week will find an extra-special discount offer.  It's valid only until January 20, so please visit soon.

As always, I'd love to see what you've been doing with ByAnnie's Soft and Stable , Texture Magic , or any of my patterns .  Please email me at annieu@infowest.com. 

Until next time, happy stitching!

Annie