April Showers bring May Flowers

Posted by Diana Wendorf on

Welcome to What's Up Wednesday!   
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there from the Affinity For Quilts Staff.  Quilts are a special way we show our love to our children, grandchildren, family members, and friends.   We hope everyone has a very special day with those you love. 

Are you looking for that perfect gift for Mom?  In addition to Gift Certificates we have a wide selection of notions that will keep her stitching away.  Check out our selection of Wool Mats, Travel Irons, Misting Bottles, and hand turned Seam Rippers.  


It’s time for our May Gift-card Give Away and we all know that April showers bring May flowers.... To enter this month’s drawing, follow us on Facebook and share a favorite floral fabric or a floral quilt in the comments section on the Affinity For Quilts Facebook post at the top of our page.  Double your chances to win by tagging a quilting friend!  
The winner will be randomly selected on May 16, 2022 and will receive a $10.00 gift card to be used in store or online.  Good luck to all who share!


Freebie Monday!!!  We love our customers and every 2nd Monday of the month is "Freebie Monday."  Spend $25.00, pre-tax, and you will receive a free gift.  The May 9th  Freebie Monday item is a package of Wonder Clips.  This offer is good while supplies last.  
Pansies are everywhere right now, and they are now at Affinity For Quilts.  Flower Festival by Benartex has the most beautiful blooms and the detail is breathtaking.  Pansies, Magnolias and plums make up this great collection and is perfect for that 3-Yard Quilt when paired with fabrics from our blender wall.  Get a taste of summer anytime, anywhere with the Flower Festival fabrics! 
If you are unable find an item you are looking for, talk to any Affinity For Quilts team member and we will do our best to order it for you.  We wish we could carry all your quilting needs, but items that are not basic sometimes need to be special ordered.  
Classroom Space
Our classroom space is currently open.  If your group would like a place to meet please contact Affinity For Quilts at 651-429-1039.  Evening meeting space is available; however, there will be a fee that will need to be negotiable with the shop for evening meetings.

COVID-19
Per the CDC COVID is now an endemic vs a pandemic. This means that, while some people would still get infected, it wouldn't be an unbearable number with devastating consequences that overwhelms the public, hospital systems and providers.  The seasonal flu, or influenza, is an example of an endemic virus. We will continue to monitor the COVID situation; however, masks are still a great way to stop the spread of this disease.  If you have not been vaccinated please wear a mask when in the shop.  At the current time it is employee choice if they want to mask or not.

Reoccurring Store Specials
  • 1st Tuesday of each month - Double Punch Tuesday
  • 2nd Monday of each month - Freebie Monday
  • 3rd Wednesday of each month - FQ Wednesday - Buy 6 Get 7th Free
  • 4th Friday of each month - Take an extra 10% off all Sale Wall Fabrics

Sewing Machine Service
Is your sewing machine in need of tune-up or repair?  If so, Jordan is on site to assist you with all of your machine needs.  When bringing your machine in for service, include the sewing machine, foot control, power cord, standard zig-zag foot if your machine sews a zig zag stitch, bobbin case, bobbin and thread.  Jordan can be reached at  612-275-3356 if you would like to speak to him directly or to make an appointment. He is currently offering curbside pickup and delivery.


The Quilting For Affinity Group
Share your finished projects!  Join the "Quilting For Affinity" Facebook group to share your work and be inspired by others. Just click here, and you will be taken to the Facebook group.  Select 'join group' and you will be added.  It's that easy!  

 
Tip of the Week!
Affinity For Quilts Tip of the Week:   A Golf Tee is not just for the golf course.  A golf tee can be used to hold your bobbin thread on top of your coordinating thread spool.  

Just a reminder if you have a tip you would like to share with our readers just e-mail Diana at quilt@affinityforquilts.com.  
Classes and Events
In order to give all of our customers the opportunity to take classes we will be requesting payment at the time of registration.  If you need to cancel, we ask for notification 7 days prior to the class date so we can offer your spot to someone on our wait list and refund your registration fee.  Thanks so much for your understanding of this policy change and happy quilting everyone.

When you sign up for a class at Affinity For Quilts you will receive information about the class including any supplies needed for the class and often a few things that need to be completed before the day of the class.  Be sure to read through the supply/class prep list to ensure you have everything you need for a really wonderful class experience.  
If you sign up and pay by phone, not to worry, we can email you all of the information you need for a successful class experience.

You can register and pay for classes in person at 2199 4th Street, White Bear Lake Minnesota or by phone at 651-429-1039.
Sashiko Stitching Club

The Sashiko Stitching Club includes an exclusive project each month, only available to Club members.  During this time you will be able to work on your own individual projects and get tips and pointers from other stitchers, and our beloved and talented instructor Tammy Berry. Participants will also receive a 15% discount for their Sashiko supplies, and fabric purchases.  Discount excludes: Thread, Notions and Quilt MN fabrics.

Be sure to call today to reserve your spot in this fun and exciting club!

Date:  Wednesday, May 11, 2022
           Sunday, May 15, 2022
               
Time:  12:30pm-3:30pm
Class Fee:  $10.00
Instructor:  Tammy Berry
Beginning Paper Piecing

Join us in the Beginning Paper Piecing class and learn how to create your quilt project using the paper piecing method of quilting. You will create perfect points every time with this technique of quilt making! Rebecca will lead you through the steps to create this fun beginner table topper. The pattern we have chosen is by Cindi McCracken from Cut Loose Prints and is created with the beginner paper piercer in mind. A straight stitch sewing machine is required for this class.

Kits are available for $43.99 and include pattern, paper piecing foundations, and fabric for top and binding.   

Feel free to choose your own fabrics.  Pattern and Paper Piecing Foundations can be purchased separately.  


Date:  Thursday, May 19, 2022
Time:  9:30am-1:00pm
Class Fee:  $40.00
Instructor:  Rebecca Rise

 

Boxed Cushion Class

Join Kris Livingston to make an 18” inch square boxed pillow. In this class you will learn the skills to add piping, side zipper and optional button. These skills and additional information given in class will provide you with the knowledge needed to make custom cushions on your own for a window seat, bench or patio chair in your home.

Kris Livingston has been teaching and sewing professionally for more than 20 years. She creates custom home furnishings for individuals and designers, including window seats and chair cushions.

Date: May 21, 2022
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Class Fee: $30.00
Instructor: Kris Livingston

 
Sew-In-Sunday

Are you ready to spend the day quilting with friends?  Bring your own project(s) to work on and spend the day sewing!  Dinner will be served at 5pm and the menu will feature This month we will be having Chicken Tacos with Spanish Rice and Toffee Cracker Bars for dessert. 

Date:   Sunday, May 22, 2022  
Time:  1:00pm - 7:00pm 
Class Fee:  $20.00
Shop Hop Sunday
May 22, 2022 11am-5pm
All Minnesota Shop Hop 
April 1, 2022 - May 31, 2022

 
To follow all the action of The All Minnesota Shop Hop  join Koleene and Jen, the organizers of  The All Minnesota Shop Hop on Facebook at: 
www.facebook.com/groups/allminnesotashophop
We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

The next Shop Hop Sunday will be on: 
May 22, 2022 11am-5pm
Midnight Open Sew

Are you ready to spend a night quilting with friends?  Join Diana as she hosts our monthly Midnight Open Sew.  This month we will be having Chicken Tacos with Spanish Rice and Toffee Cracker Bars for dessert. 

Date:   Friday, May 27 2022 
Time:  4:00pm-Midnight
Class Fee:  $20.00
One Block Wonder Quilt Class

Join Becky as she guides you through the steps to create a lovely watercolor style quilt. 

Using one fabric, students will separate fabric into its individual colors and then ‘paint’ with those colors to form kaleidoscope blocks and a beautiful quilt. Using one fabric creates more intensity and movement than the original fabric.

You can see what your fabric selections will look like by using your cellphone camera and the following website:
www.oneblockwonder.com/design-helper/ .  

Date:  Saturday, June 4, 2022 
Time:  9:30am - 4:00pm
Class Fee $50.00
Instructor: Becky Umenthum

The Cube Bag Class

Join Ruth for The Cube Bag class.  In this class you will make a bag, work with foam, create pockets, and put a zipper in your project. This pattern is a smaller version of the popular Tool Tote! It is the perfect bag to use for your on the go sewing supplies, small knitting projects, make-up bag, and more. Ruth's detail oriented teaching style and written instructions will give you the confidence and tools to make this bag again on your own!

Date:  June 11, 2022
Time:  9:30am - 1:30pm
Class Fee:  $35.00
Instructor:  Ruth Thompson

Laura Heine Teeny-Tiny Collage Class

Join us for this super fun day of fabric collage-making! During this all-day class you will learn how to assemble one of Laura Heine's whimsical Teeny Tiny collages. These fun projects are great for using up those special bits of fabric that you have been saving and just can't part with. The results are beautiful and the possibilities are endless!

Date:  Thursday, June 16, 2022
Time:  10:00am - 4:00pm
Class Fee:  $45.00
Instructor: Lori Adameitz 
Beginning Sashiko

Learn the art of Sashiko with a small pre-printed project that is perfect for beginner students.  This stitch method can be used in the traditional way to mend cloth items or to add texture and interest to a new projects. Students will be learning Sashiko using four preprinted coasters. One project to get started on endless fun. Supplies are few to try this addictive hobby. Join us!


Date:  June 18, 2022
Time:  9:00am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm-4:00pm
Class Fee:  $20.00
Instructor: Tammy Berry

Boro Sashiko

Join Tammy for the Boro Sashiko class.  In this class you will combine your fabric scraps with Sashiko embroidery to create beautiful textile art. This is a great way for quilters to put  favorite leftover bits of fabric to use. This will be a raw edge, hand sewn project. You will learn about creating variations too! Gather your fabric scraps, scissors and embroidery supplies and begin creating using the Japanese tradition of Boro Sashiko.  No Sashiko stitching experience necessary. 

Date: June 23, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm or 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Class Fee: $30.00
Instructor: Tammy Berry 

Affinity For Quilts Sleep In Your Own Bed Retreat

Grab your quilting friends and join Diana for a fun filled weekend as we host our first Sleep In Your Own Bed Retreat since the onset of COVID.  This weekend will be nothing short of fun and will include: 
  • A Gift Bag for each Attendee
  • Great Door Prizes
  • Make-It-Take-It project each day of the retreat 
  • Short product demo each day 
  • A Fun Quilting game after lunch each day; with prizes
  • In Store Shopping Discounts for retreat participants
  • Catering by Manitou Grill with Pizza and Salad on Friday night and Salad, Mushroom and Herb Chicken or Pot Roast with Roasted Baby Red Potatoes and Amaretto Butter Green Beans and a Molten Caramel Drizzle Brownie for dessert
Unlike past retreats there is a deadline for registration as the event center needs a final headcount by a specific date.  If you are interested in attending the retreat you must register by  Saturday, September 24, 2022. Late registrations will not be accepted; however, we can place you on a wait list in case of a cancellation.   We are requesting a 30% deposit upon registration with full payment by September 30, 2022.  Deposit for Friday/Saturday would be $52.50 and for Saturday only would be $37.50.  Also please indicate your food preference; the Mushroom Herb Chicken or Pot Roast upon calling in your registration.  

Dates/Time:  Friday, October 14, 2022 10:00am - 10:00pm
                     Saturday, October 15, 2022 9:00am - 10:00pm
Location:  Ballroom of Manitou Event Center, 2171 4th Street, White Bear Lake, MN  55110
Retreat Fee:  $175.00 for Friday and Saturday
                      $125.00 Saturday only
Quilt Minnesota 2022 - July 29, 2022 thru August 20, 2022

Quilt Minnesota 2022 fabric is now available for pre-order.  Here at Affinity For Quilts we do not require a deposit for your order and the website (www.affinityforquilts.com) is set up with a $0.00 price for Quilt Minnesota fabrics and pre-cuts.  Payment processing will not begin until July 25, 2022.    You will find a complete price list of the Quilt Minnesota Fabric line in the description area of each fabric.  If you prefer to pre-order Quilt Minnesota 2022 fabrics in person just stop into the store and talk to any sales associate. The actual fabric will not be in store until June of 2022.   
Thank you for your continued support, you are appreciated more than words can ever express.

Stay well and happy quilting everyone.   Remember, you cannot keep a good quilter down.

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