It's Always Thanksgiving at Sewing Arts!

Hi, kids! It is absolutely astonishing that Thanksgiving is a WEEK away... When I was just a wee bit younger a day seemed like a year and now, a year seems like a day. Anyway, I digress...as usual...

So, some things to share with you... (And if you're in a hurry, read the last couple of paragraphs first, then work your way through to the peas...wait...I love peas...work your way through...to...oh...never mind...)

I told you several weeks ago that I had a secret that I couldn't tell you...just yet...and then the just yet got ahead of me and I should've told you a month ago! So, here 'tis. You know how fanatic we are about quality products, and how very particular we can be... Last month, Innova joined our ranks and is now proudly represented at Sewing Arts Center alongside our extraordinary Husqvarna Viking and HandiQuilter machines! The HandiQuilter rocks with a 16" bed. But, if bigger is better (I won't go there...OK...I went there...) the Innova has a 26" bed (you can get an 18" model) and 11" of height in the harp! (You could quilt for tens of yards before even crimping the space!) The stitch regulator is phenomenal and immediately responsive. The frame is handsome, and so is the machine! And...get this...3000 stitches per minute! It's so fast, it's done before you even start...(In my world anyway) If you're in the market, you've got to come by for a demonstration of the newest machine to hit the mid and long arm free motion quilting world! (You can also check them out on line at www.ABMInternaitonal.com.)

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that Husqvarna Viking is running several really cool promotions through November 30th. The premier perfect promo is for those of you who are ready to move beyond coveting to owning the new Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond: When you purchase the Designer Diamond, you will receive a Sapphire 850 absolutely free! It is a perfect companion for your Designer Diamond so that when you are madly embroidering upon your Designer Diamond, you wont' hold up the assembly line and can continue sewing to your heart's content on your Sapphire 850. Or, if you're feeling hugely generous, you can buy yourself a Diamond for the holiday and "gift" a Sapphire to someone you adore... You could even stretch it a bit into believing you bought a Sapphire as a gift for someone...and got a FREE Diamond... (I once bought a used truck in which the prior owner had inadvertently left a pair of sunglasses. The truck was free. The sunglasses were several thousand dollars...somehow, it felt better...)

Secondly, All Emeralds (116, 118 and 183) and the Sapphire 830 are being offered at reduced prices, courtesy of another Husqvarna Viking current promotion. So, you'll save up to $400.00 off the full retail price! (Oh! I almost forgot! Thank you, Becky! The new Husqvarna Viking Topaz 30 is in stock, too! Pretty danged snazzy...)

Of course, you'll be needing a home for your sewing machine. All Horn and Regal cabinets through November 30th come with free set up, home delivery and a sewing chair! (We also have the coveted Tutto sewing machine trolley in stock for you when you take your machine on the road...) 

For those of you who've been sitting on the upgrade fence for Husqvarna Viking embroidery software, if you currently have 3D, the opportunity to purchase 4D software at the upgrade price concludes December 31st... Don't say I didn't warn you... And if you purchase 4D Pro before November 30th, we'll throw in 4D Family Portrait absolutely FREE!

Classes are full steam ahead and wrapping up for the trimester. We're tidying up some of our offerings for the Winter/Spring 2009 trimester, but you'll find many of them already posted on the website. This trimester, we've had such high demand for our beginning sewing class that we plugged in a 3-week crash course -- 3 Wednesdays, 6:30-9 PM, Dec 3, 10 & 17. We'll cover the same material, I'll just talk even faster... It's a little more than half full even though we just posted it, so if you're interested, call right away.

And finally, as many of you already know, we assist many charities throughout the year as we are able, and bring to your attention some of those with which we need special assistance. This year, we've joined with Shoes that Fit once again simply to provide shoes that fit to children in our local schools. We just received a list of 62 children (ages 5-12) who need shoes that fit. And it really is that simple. If you wouldn't mind helping us to help them, all you need to do is come by the shop or call, and we'll give you the age, the name of the child and his or her shoe size. You simply bring a pair of new shoes to the shop for the child by November 29th. That's it. And believe it or not, 100% of BOTH shoes go directly to the child. (If you don't have time to shop, Becky will be your personal shoe shopper for the children! As last year, she collected donations, and went shopping...for shoes...she absolutely hates shopping...and shopping for shoes...)

While speaking with the folks who identified the need for shoes that fit, Becky also found out that there were three families with significant needs for basic necessities in our community. They made requests for food and clothing for Christmas. That's it. So, Becky's adopted them all, and we're hoping that we can pull some gift cards together for groceries at Ralph's and clothing at Target. There were no other gifts identified, but when Becky spoke to one of the moms, the mom offered quite shyly that her son would really like a bike. So, he's getting a bike, even if we have to shimmy out on the street corner for quarters... (now that's a visual...) If we can eek out of the other moms what special gifts their children might enjoy, we'll let you know. Everyone doing a little bit helps out a lot...

That does me in for the moment. Hope you have a swell day! From my home to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving! When I reflect upon all for which I have to be grateful, know that I think on you.

Russell and the Sewing Arts Gang