Check out our class offerings on our CLASSES page, and see below for much more, including new arrivals and special offers, in our most recent NEWSLETTER: Gloria's Needle Notes.

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GLORIA'S HAPPY HOOKER
2733 Ashmun (M-129)
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Spring 2008

Dear Friends;

I think we can now say that Spring has arrived. I was beginning to wonder if we were just getting a head start on next winter. I am sure that I was not the only one beginning to wonder if spring would ever arrive.

The Spring International Quilt Market is just around the corner and there will be some exciting new things in the quilting market. For those of you that are knitters, there are new and exciting yarns and colors just waiting to hit the shelves. We were not able to attend this spring, but we will still get to see some of the things we missed by going to market. I know we don't want to think about it; Christmas fabrics will be arriving in the next few weeks.

Speckles, whom I called my "little shadow" while in the shop is now in Doggie Heaven. Most of you know that we rescued her almost 3 years ago and she had some problems then, which we knew about; but never realized we would only have her a very short time. We believe these problems only got worse to where she was in a lot of pain and could no longer walk on her front right foot. She didn't even have the desire to be my shadow the last couple days she was in the shop; but always wanted to go with me. So we had to make the very hard a dreaded decision and do what we thought was best for her. It sure wasn't what was best for us and even though Suzie was not happy when we brought Speckles into "her" home, she is mourning her just as we are. I am sure it will get better, however for now we are surviving as best we can. I know some people will say "she was a dog"; but to us she was a part of us. Thank you to those of you that sent cards and to those of you that let me cry on their shoulder.

We just had our Spring Retreat; and what fun we had. Of course that is not unusual because we always have fun and what great cooks we all are. If you would like to join us in the fall, let me know. Space is limited so get your name in early.

I hope you will sit back and enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Happy Stitching;

SALE DATES: Quilting Friday May 23
Knitting Friday May 30
WHAT'S NEW
Knitting books and patterns
- Knitting 2 socks at One Time On One Circular Needle
- Button Up Your Top Down - Cardigans knit from the top down
- Knit Speaks - A-Z guide to the language of knitting patterns
- Knit In Style magazine
- Ball winders
- Swifts
- Booby Sock kits - These kits include the pink yarn and beads. As the title suggests it is for Breast Cancer. Each band of the sock represents something different. These kits are limited and going fast.

Quilt books and patterns
- Quilters Happy Hour - Includes quilt patterns and cocktail recipes ( I would recommend only doing one at a time.
- Quilting For The Men In Your Life
- Tuck Me In, Baby Wraps and Make Believe are great quilts for a new baby
- Tale Of Alice's Quilt - This cute story tells about a young girl that was given some butterfly blocks and she joined the local quilt guild and learned to make a quilt.
- Nature's Garden - Beautiful patterns that uses Holly Taylor's Nature's Garden fabrics. Fabric has hummingbirds, flowers and ferns. If you are familiar with Holly Taylor's fabrics, you won't be disappointed.

As always, these are just a few of what has come into the shop in the past few months. Stop in and take a look at all the new things we have to offer.

HOW MUCH FABRIC SHOULD I BUY?
Have you ever gone into a quilt shop and found a beautiful bolt of fabric (ok, I was being practical when I said "a" bolt of fabric; and didn't quite have a project in mind for it? So then you ask "how much should I buy?" As a shop owner I get asked that question a lot.

Here are a few suggestions:
Plain - 1/2 - 1 yard, as this amount will be sufficient to mix with coordinating prints or to use as a narrow border.
Large print - 1 1/2 - 3 yards. You can fussy cut this if you choose or you can use it as a focus print. With 3 yards you can use some in the quilt and again for a border.
Stripe - 3 yards will give you enough for using it lengthwise for most borders with straight or mitered corners. To use as a binding 3/4 - 1 1/4 yards will be enough for a
2 1/2 inch binding for up to a king size quilt.

For Quilt backs; use the following:
Twin - 63 x 87 5 yards Queen - 84 x 92 7 yards
Double - 78 x 87 5 yards King - 100 x 92 8 yards
Hopefully this will help you purchase fabric that just calls your name when you walk by and has to go home with you. But...remember, fabrics unfortunately are not always available very long. So, if you see something you just have to have, don't hesitate to purchase it by using the above guide. NOTE: These are only suggestions.

REMEMBER OUR DISCOUNT DEN. We are always putting new fabrics in there for a "last call". You still get quality fabrics at discount prices.

FYI (for your information)
You may have noticed that a lot more yarns are coming in hanks. Don't let that stop you from buying the yarn you want. We will wind your yarn from the hank into a ball for free if you purchase the yarn from us. If you would like to bring in yarn you purchased from another shop; that is ok too; but there will be a fee.

Some of you may wonder what we do with the model quilts and wall hangings that we have. Once the pattern and/or fabric is no longer available or we have just run out of room because we are putting up new things; we will then sell those models. So if you need a quick gift be sure to stop and take a look at them. Please keep in mind that some of them are tops only.

CLASSES
Because our list of classes changes so often, I have found it difficult to keep up with it in the newsletter and on our website. Therefore; the best way to keep informed on our class schedule is to stop in and pick up a class list. As always, if there is a class that a group (min of 4) of you would like to do, just pick a date and give us a call. We'll schedule a class just for you.

SALE
FRIDAY May 23 10:00am to 6:00pm ALL fabric 25% off (discount den and discount table excluded)
Spend $75 and get a 15% off coupon to be used in June.

FRIDAY May 30 10:00am - 5:00pm
ALL yarns 25% off (sale baskets excluded)
Spend $75 and get a 15% off coupon to be used in June.