Beginning Monday, December 12, and lasting through Friday, December 16, Calico Gals will have a new “Booty Deal” each day. You will get the details in a daily email or on the Gals’ Facebook page.

If you find it irresistable and just have to have it, call the gals (or send an email) and say, “Bag My Booty!” That’s right – the deal will go into a Booty Bag with your name on it. In addition, Calico Gals will add a little surprise “Booty Freebie” to your bag, just for the fun of it.

The first time you call, the gals will take your credit card number and keep it securely. They may not have to use it if Santa stops in on Saturday the 17th or Sunday the 18th to pay for your booty and pick it up. Oh my goodness! Santa’s shopping is done! You will receive a bag of booty that you like, with a few extra surprises thrown in!

If Santa (or an elf) can’t make it in over the weekend, the gals will charge your card on Monday, December 19, and hold your bag for you. You still get the booty and the surprises!

You can play in Oswego too. All Booty Bags are filled in Syracuse, but we will deliver them to the Oswego store.

The Booty Deals are limited to the stock on hand, so call or email early if you want to bag your booty!

Calico Gals Presents Quilt Camp 2012

February 18 – 20, 2012, at Christ the King Retreat Center, Syracuse

Join the gals at the 11th annual retreat. Only $359 per person includes all meals, private room, classes, free sew, lots of stuff to make you laugh, and memories to last a lifetime.

Call 315-445-0617 for more information. Hold your spot with a $100 deposit.

The picture at right is Janet’s clue to this year’s theme. What can it be? Sock hops? Australia? Scientology?!!!

The Perfect Gift for the Beginner

The Babylock BL9 makes the perfect gift for the beginner sewer. This machine is reliable and durable, with a variety of stitches and adjustable stitch lengths, plus a free arm to easily reach hard-to-sew-areas.

War of 1812 Quilt Challenge

Silk, Wool and Cotton Quilt from the Winterthur collections, Provenance, Pennsylvania, made between 1817 and 1830

The year 2012 marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812, much of which was fought just to the north of us. The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is sponsoring a quilt contest to commemorate the bicentennial. Make a quilt in the style of 1812 and see it displayed in the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show in Sacketts Harbor, scheduled for March 17 and 18, 2012. Visit the Seaway Trails’ website and the War of 1812 Quilt Challenge blog for more information.

Although, if a good time is what you want then Summer Sewing Spa was the ticket.  It was absewlutely fabulous.  Old friends and new friends generously and graciously sharing their sewing tips and their spectacular projects along with warm and heartfelt conversations deep into the night.  Both my new and old friends taught me how to make a pillowcase and a sweet little jumper for my grandaughter “Ruby.”

I tried to make a bowl, but it only came out as a trivet (Melonie and Gail did their best with me). And I got all the technical expertise from my buddy Joan to make her beautiful new quilt “Sew Lovely.”  Who could ask for more?

Nobody had to ask, cause more just kept coming during our 4-day respite at the beautiful Christ The King Retreat House.  We had massages, we made scented scrubs and Shania from Muscles in Motion took us gently through stretching exercises to help us sew further into the night.  Then . . . Teri from Mary Kay helped us slough off our old  dead lips, highlight our new eyes and Janet and I found our eyebrows!!!!  Look for hers in the new barn.  About the only thing that could distract us from our fun was when one of the Retreat House chefs brought his new baby in to show us.

Another highlight was spending time with Sandy Pirdy from Creekside Fabrics in Arcarde.  Nina brought her in as our guest teacher and together they featured wonderful projects on the embroidery machines.  Threads were whirring and fingers were pressing buttons as beautiful medallions and flowers magically appeared.  Nina and Sandy were the perfect hosts and all their students completed designs to be proud of.

Then there was the food, the glorious food.  The pool, the glorious pool.  The wine and cheese parties night after night . . . Oh I think I hear Janet’s voice – she’s singing a Simon and Garfunkel tune – “get on the bus Gus and make a new plan Stan.” That’s my cue to spread the word about my new event “The Spooktacular Bus Tour.”  Check out the details on our website, sign-up for the best deal in town and join me on the bus!

Well, this Gabby Goodtime Gal should go now, but I leave you with yet another song . . . the Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” Join hands with all us OLD Gals from the OLD Barn as we share Janet’s vision and our journey to the New Barn.

"We'll put lots of fabric over here..."

"...and we'll put lots more fabric over here..."

And yes Nina – this is your new sewing machine area!

"Perfect. Just perfect."

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