H&C Logo

Heirlooms & Comforts

Central, (864) 639-9507

Recent Shop News, December 16, 2012

New Email Lists - Don't Forget

Don't forget to go to our web site to opt for continuing to receive our emails. You have an opportunity to choose which email (or emails) you want to get weekly. We need to know soon since the format for that function will change really soon.

UPDATE YOUR EMAIL PROFILE

Thank You

We wish to thank all of you who brought in food items for the Clemson Community Care pantry. This agency fills quite a need in the local area for those who need assistance in feeding a family and themselves. Your generosity is appreciated by the staff of Heirlooms and Comforts and those who deliver the foods to the persons who are in need. Thank you for participating in this project! Three large boxes of food will be given to Clemson Community Care.

Changes

For a long time many of you have heard me say that life is a series of changes. I believe that strongly. As I looked at the natural world around me this early fall I was reminded of this truth with the leaves falling from the trees before they could give us the beautiful colors of autumn. I thought about how some years they float to the lawn into a carpet of multicolor. Not this time. They just dive-bomb.

I have spent the last 28 years working happily among the colors of fabrics, threads, and embroideries with wonderful co-workers and customers. These have been good years and I have a multitude of friends and acquaintances over this state and neighboring states. I have gotten acquainted with some “quilting stars” across the country and those have been enriching experiences - some better than others.

Now is the time for a change for me and my family as I have reached an autumnal stage in my life. I achieved what for me is a milestone age in August and find that I am ready for yet another change by altering my routine to semi-retirement and the freedom to travel and “Grandmother” those precious grandchildren who have entered the lives of Grandpa and me. Four of the seven live west of the Mississippi River and need to see us more often. Those of you who have depended on Bobby’s excellent service on your sewing machines don’t panic! Bobby has no plans to give up his service customers. We will continue the Heirlooms & Comforts Husqvarna Viking dealership on a Concierge basis keeping special hours to serve customers who wish to have Bobby care for their machines and to purchase Husqvarna Viking products. There will, we hope, be someone who will take the “baton” of the quilt shop and run with it for the future. As for Grandma Ballentine, the time has come for sewing, gardening, and travel. Those six little boys and Eleanor are going to see more of their grandparents Ballentine. This is a family tradition that we want to perpetuate.

Thanks for the good times, ladies, with Heirlooms & Comforts and the world of the quilt shop. It has been, sometimes, back-bending work, but most rewarding in friendships forged and fondly remembered. I wish to move out of this chapter of my life like the leaves of a colorful autumn floating gracefully to the ground, making a carpet of varied color even more intricate than before.

Maybe, as some persons have suggested, I will write about these 28 years - oh my! That would read with quite a variety of moods. One of the stages of my life was as a high school English teacher. That experience left me with a love of the poetry of Robert Frost. Contemplate this conversational poem from him:

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Be on the lookout for more information about the change of hours for Heirlooms & Comforts. Classes and events are not altered at all for the next few months. We have business as usual for some time yet.

Barbara Moore

Our Educator friend Barbara Moore from Husqvarna Viking will hold an all-day Trunk Show and Demo Event at Heirlooms & Comforts on November 13 starting at 10:00 AM. She will be featuring the Husqvarna Viking Designer Ruby DeLuxe and the exciting new Opal line of sewing machines while spotlighting the newest products and projects. There will be great embroidery projects and features, easy embellishments that can be accomplished by almost any machine in our line-up.

As many of you know, Barbara has so many great ideas and methods for using H-V products. The newest embroidery collections from H-V will also be featured in this program. There are new feet to learn about, too. The tuition for this all-day event including lunch and door prizes is $10. Sign up right away for a relaxed day of fun and fellowship while learning about new products!! Space is limited.

It is just two weeks before Barbara's visit; so, don't wait too long to sign up. Do it today to save your seat. Join us for the fun.

TruEmbroidery Software for MacGot a Mac?

That refers to Macintosh by Apple computer. Well, now Husqvarna Viking has an embroidery software suite just for Mac called TruEmbroidery! This suite is designed for those users of Mac who have been patiently waiting for this innovation. This suite has the great features of 5D Embroidery and will output the designs in formats that work for most top embroidery machines including Babylock, Bernina, Brother, Husqvarna Viking, Janome, Pfaff and Singer. Pre-sale of this product is available from now until October 18. When you make a deposit and commit to the purchase you become eligible for several gifts and opportunities. A visit to www.truembroidery.com gives you all the details and answers various questions you might have. At Heirlooms & Comforts we will be offering instruction on the use of TruEmbroidery when shipment of the program comes available in October and after Cheryl gets certification in October. So, save money with pre-sale purchase, get free gifts, get Webex, and get instruction on the use of TruEmbroidery!

Labor Day Holiday

Just a reminder that Heirlooms & Comforts will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday September 3, 2012. Be sure to stop in by September 1 to collect up the supplies you will need for sewing on Labor Day. We will open again on Tuesday, September 4 at regular time.

Fall Schedule of Closings

During Football Season at Clemson University we at Heirlooms & Comforts indulge ourselves in this sport. Sometimes our customers have difficulty dealing with traffic as the number of cars and people in the area swells to near 80,000. So, in order to get to the game on time and to enjoy our friends and families who participate in this spectator sport, we will adjust our opening/closing times according to game time. We don't know all game times now because TV coverage dictates game times and they choose those late in the process.

Watch weekly emails for future announcements of game-day closing times.

Lost and Found

During Shop Hop someone lost a pair of prescription sunglasses at Heirlooms & Comforts. Please call with a description of these to claim them. We feel like someone is disappointed to not have these; so, we have carefully saved them for retrieval by the owner. Several rulers and tools have been left by students in the last few months. We have scissors and cutters and rulers. Come by soon to see if your missing tool is here with us.

H&C Shop Hop QuiltCarolina Shop Hop

Carolina Shop Hop shopkeepers will meet next week to sort through all the passports that were turned in at various shops as you completed your tour of the shops. The passports will be separated into those with 14 stamps, those with 13 stamps, those with whatever #of stamps are on them and then the drawings will begin. The Grand Prizes will come from those with the most stamps and the $value baskets will be drawn. The winners will be notified and the winners' names will be listed on the Carolina Shop Hop web site. Winners will go to the shop where the baskets are on display to pick up their prizes. Good luck to all of you who turned in passports. If you have further questions about the prizes, look at the Rules posted on the Carolina Shop Hop web site.

140th Anniversary GiveawayLook at This

If you will notice on Husqvarna Viking's web site there is an announcement of a contest to win a Tribute 140C sewing machine by entering a contest with some item that you have sewn on a Husqvarna Viking sewing machine or sewing/embroidery machine. At least one of our customers has entered the contest and her project looks GREAT alongside the other entries. You can enter the same way that Carole Corn has entered. The rules are listed on the web site and entry is not difficult if you have a camera that you can use to email a photo. Carole made her entry piece on the Husqvarna Viking Lily 555, not even her newest machine. So no matter which model you used to construct your project, you can enter it in the hopes of beating Carole out for the Tribute 140C and its accompanying stuff. Entry time is up May 31.

By the way, if you don't win you can still purchase the Tribute 140C machine that commemorates the 140 years of Husqvarna machines. There is a remarkable price for the machine and a free $250 anniversary kit that comes with it. See us soon; this is a limited edition machine!

Change

Those of you who have shopped Heirlooms and Comforts for a longer time have probably heard it said in the shop that life is a series of changes that we must adjust to (one of Sara's frequent quotes). We at H&C are in another change just now: our co-worker Barbara Gauderer has decided to "retire" from regular assignment in the sales staff. We expect that she will be back in to teach classes on special ideas, like hand stitching and the color wheel, from time to time and that she will continue to attend Designer Diamond sessions. Her activities have changed since Michael has retired and she wants to accommodate those changes as well. We will miss Barbara's regular time in the shop, but cherish her trips into the shop for special events, drop-by visits, and fill-in help. That sense of humor and point of view that is uniquely Barbara keeps us on our toes! With love and gratitude we envy Barbara her wanderlust and "free time."

Naaman modeling DickiesHow Cute is That?

It must be written someplace that all friends and acquaintances of grandmothers have to listen to and agree with the opinion of said grandmother about her grandchild! So here goes for Grandson #3. Just look at this photo. Now imagine this as a ten-foot poster in the trade show where people are buying merchandise to stock their clothing stores. Who in this wide world would not buy the entire line from Dickies after seeing this poster with this child's handsome face? If it showed up in the department store in an even smaller size wouldn't you buy those "togs" even if you had to find a child to give them to, not having a grandson of your own? I ask you again, "How cute is this?" Too bad he doesn't get royalties for this. I think it is worth a million! Now, just for the record, you should see his brothers and cousins.

Special Closing

November 1, Tuesday, we will be closed. Unfortunately the new sidewalk at the shop is not as the engineers had anticipated it would be. The efficiency of turning rainwater from the front door and eliminating puddles didn't happen. Sooooo-now on Monday, Oct 31 the construction company is back to our front door to chop up the new sidewalk making way for a newer, re-engineered pouring of the section in front of our doors. They have been three weeks deciding exactly how they wished to do this: On Monday they will jack hammer the concrete. We will be open for business, but watch your step coming in. On Tuesday, November 1, we will be closed for the pouring of concrete. It will be suitable for walking on by Wednesday morning when we open again. Hopefully, this will be the last of the inconvenience for all of us; but we are thankful for the progress we are making toward a safer, smoother entry to Heirlooms & Comforts.

At Heirlooms & Comforts on Saturday, November 12, we will NOT be open at all because the Clemson home football game with Wake Forest is starting at noon. This game will mark 53 years that Bobby has been to every home game that the Tigers have played. Can’t miss this one.

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours - Close at 2:00 PM Wednesday, Nov. 23; reopen Monday, Nov. 28 at 10:00 AM.

Special Event

At Heirlooms & Comforts on November 18 we are hosting a Stabilizer Event with Gail Dodson, Viking Educator from the west coast of USA. She will be demonstrating the use of machine embroidery and machine appliqué, and how stabilizers aide in making those designs great in the stitch-out. She will discuss which needles and the styles and uses of certain ones. If you have already called to sign up for this all-day session, which includes lunch that we serve, please send your tuition or call with a credit card payment to secure your seat in our limited space. Also, we want to have the count correct for lunch. All day November 18, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM with lunch and a “goodie gift bag,” related to stabilizers and embroidery (10 free designs) for a tuition $15. Yet another bargain! Complete your registration with payment to reserve your seat.

Look at Husqvarna Viking's Web site

We at Heirlooms and Comforts recommend that you go every week to the Husqvarna Viking web site to read about and experience special things that are going on with Viking. There are free projects and free designs that you can download. There are instructions for making various things and for special techniques. There is information about machines. And, there are coupons and special offers for your savings. Go to that site often; who knows what great thing could happen to you.

Meet Newest Associate

At Heirlooms & Comforts we are happy to introduce you to our newest associate on the sales floor. Carolyn Harris is a resident of nearby Fair Play in Oconee County. She and John live on a working farm where they raised a daughter and a son. Carolyn worked for a number of years with the Clemson University Extension Service in Oconee County, which gave her experience in a diverse group of specialties. One of those specialties is the discipline of sewing, both clothing and home décor. Carolyn possesses great expertise in handling fabrics and in quilting. She produces wonderful projects and is especially talented as an instructor. She can teach any skill she has developed over the years, as many of you have experienced in the classes she has taught at Heirlooms & Comforts. We are extremely pleased that Carolyn is spending some of her retirement time with us at Heirlooms & Comforts. Come by to welcome her.

Streetscape

Pretty much the construction work has been completed except for some tweaking of the area just at the front door of Heirlooms & Comforts. The grass is growing in the "green spaces" and we have some of the flowers planted at the front of the shop. The stop sign is in place so that the intersection is safer for drivers and pedestrians as well. The crosswalk looks great and is designed to aid those who park on Banks Street or in the Handicap Space just directly across from our front door. There are numerous parallel parking spaces down Madden Bridge Rd. on both sides of the street all the way to the front of the Roller Mill. Bobby has placed steppingstones in the "green space" to help you get onto the sidewalk without getting your feet dirty. Hopefully, you will find these great safety improvements beneficial as you come and go at Heirlooms & Comforts.

Shop Hours for Selected September Dates

At Heirlooms and Comforts we will be closed Monday, September 5 for Labor Day holiday. We will return to regular hours on Tuesday, September 6.

Saturday, September 10, we will close at 1:30pm because of a Clemson Home Football Game.

Saturday, September 17, we WILL NOT OPEN because of a Clemson Home Football Game at noon that day.

Saturday, September 24, TBA because we do not know the hour of the Clemson Home Football Game.

Construction Continues

The progress with the new streetscape on Madden Bridge Road seems a little slow at a glance, but those of us on the "inside" looking out at the young men who are working in the heat and dust think that it is moving along at a steady pace. We are sorry for the inconvenience and the temporary confusion of the construction, but when they are finished this is going to be good for us all. You will have clearly defined parking and safer, easier access to Heirlooms & Comforts. Not only that, our intersection of Gaines, Bank and Madden Bridge will be safer with the third stop sign in place. That means all traffic will stop at that corner and the risk of someone going much too fast thru the intersection will be reduced. At first, however, I think we all should be aware that some "regulars" thru the intersection might have difficulty noting the stop sign. Better watch carefully for a while to be sure they are going to stop.

Stuffits Doll Show

The Stuffits Doll Club, which originated at Heirlooms & Comforts years ago, will have a show at the Pickens County Museum from September 10 to November 10. The members of this club are incredible artists in the world of dolls. They create the most wonderful dolls that illustrate so many different ideas, stories, techniques, fantasies, and customs. You have missed a real joy if you have never seen one of their shows. How could people have such great imaginations and talent all in the same being? The skill with which they create these dolls is awe-inspiring. Make time to go to Pickens to see this show. Pick up announcement cards at H&C detailing the show times.

Store Hours for Labor Day Weekend

At Heirlooms & Comforts we will be closed on Saturday, September 3 and Monday, September 5 in observance of the national holiday of Labor Day. We will reopen on September 6 at regular time.

Watch carefully this fall for special store hours with regards to Clemson University home football games. We will announce each week when we have home games what our Saturday hours will be for those weeks - it will depend upon the starting time for the games. This will be subjective, selective, arbitrary store hours to accommodate the situation. Announcements will appear in the weekly e-mail and on signage in the shop. Heads up.

In the Name of Progress

In the name of Progress, and it is progress, we will be affected by the upgrade of the sidewalks in the Town of Central very soon. We are going to be the happy recipients of new curbing and sidewalks and streetscape on our side of the railroad tracks very soon. You will have to watch for how to approach the shop and how to carefully enter the shop as the crews are taking up sidewalk materials and putting down new sidewalk construction. We will get curbs and crosswalks and more marked parking all down Madden Bridge Road to the Central Roller Mill. Hopefully this will move along very smoothly and we won't be disrupted for a long time. Watch Out!! A New Stop Sign is going in at Madden Bridge Rd. and Bank St. This will make driving safer and easier at our corner. Don't stay away during this time; just come with a cautious eye for entering the shop.

3D Embroidery Software Upgrade Opportunity

Just received from Husqvarna Viking is the news that owners of 3D Embroidery are going to get a special email letter detailing a trade-up rebate offer. UNPRECEDENTED! This kind of thing happens rarely in the world of software. Look for your letter, or come in to Heirlooms & Comforts after August 1 to get details for this limited time offer. Pay attention to the possibilities and don't let this pass you by.

Reproduction Interest Club

At Heirlooms & Comforts Joan Grove and Sarah Parham are organizing a group with interest in reproduction style fabrics and quilt patterns. This is intended to be a group that meets to share ideas, sewing tips, and challenges based on antique fabrics in reproduction. There are numerous fabric vendors who offer styles that have been directly inspired/copied from museum quilts and fabrics from all eras in the history of fabric weaving and printing. The organization meeting is being held on Monday, July 18 at 10:00am at H&C. Come for this brief meeting with pen and paper and your calendar to offer input into how the group will interact to learn more about period fabrics and design. What fun to make reproduction pieces and challenge each other! Come find out what these two talented ladies have come up with. No charge.

Independence Day Celebration

At Heirlooms & Comforts we will be closed from Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4. We will reopen at 10am on Tuesday, July 5. This is another opportunity to show your colors and celebrate our gift of Freedom and Independence won for us by those who preceded us in citizenship. Be grateful; celebrate heartily; eat well; and exercise wisdom in safety.

Carolina Shop Hop

Carolina Shop Hop 2011 starts on July 8 and goes until July 16 with shops taking Sunday off during that time. Look at the Carolina Shop Hop web site for the details including what you must do to be eligible to win the thirteen $100 gift certificates. There are other prizes to be distributed as well. We are commemorating the Civil War with our quilt blocks containing reproduction fabrics from that era of history. We are looking quite different this year without batiks for a change. Be sure to hop on by to get a look.

Your class was cancelled?

If your scheduled class at Heirlooms & Comforts was cancelled or postponed last week due to the weather, be sure to check with us to see about make-up or rescheduled time. We are counting on you to call us to be sure what happened to your class. You could have already gotten an email from the instructor telling you what to do about that missed class. If that is not the case, be sure to call in to get updated information.

Clemson Elementary School Students visit Freedom's Hill

The Central Heritage Society asked H&C to decorate a tree in the Heritage Museum house in Central.  I said "NO" because of time restraints.  Bobby went to a local meeting where they made a plea for more help with the decorations and he said "YES".  Sooooooo...
 
I asked Katherine (our daughter, the teacher) if her Second Grade Class could string cranberries to help me out time-wise and money-wise.  After much brainstorming and talk and wild ideas here is what happened.
 
The Second Grade always needs a community oriented project for Social Studies.  Finally Bobby B got involved in the arrangements to get the cranberries on the tree.  There are two trees at the Heritage Museum decorated totally by the entire Second Grade of Clemson Elementary School. The students, teachers and a few parents were transported by CATS to the Museum to put up the decorations on the trees donated by Central WalMart.  They then toured historical locations in Central including Freedom Hill Church on Southern Wesleyan University Campus, Collins Ole Town, and the Central Railroad Museum.  Lunch was provided by Main Street Deli with contributions from several Civic organizations and independent businesses in Central. 

The Participants were all thrilled with the outcome of Bobby B having yet another "vision" for cooperation and participation to the good of all.

You are invited to visit the Heritage Museum during the holidays to see the handiwork of the Second Grade of Clemson Elementary School.  Send the Second Grade a note about their exhibit of community spirit.  Kids (and teachers) always need words of encouragement.

The local historical sites are open to the public as well.  Check each location for days and hours of operation before you plan your visit.
 
Southern Wesleyan featured the visit to the Freedom Hill Church in their online newsroom (click the link).

Special Days Ahead

At Heirlooms & Comforts on Monday thru Thursday after Thanksgiving from 10:00 to 1:00 we have set aside time to have instruction for holiday preparation. Registration fee: $10/day.

The Blues Have It

We have for a limited time a sample of the Hungarian Blue quilt on loan from Clothworks Textiles for you to see. So, in reference to that sample we are offering a kit to make this gorgeous quilt complete except for the batting and the backing. Come by right away to see this quilt and pick up your kit (including the pattern) to make it. If blue is a favorite color for you or someone you know this just might be the quilt for you!

There's Something New in the Air

Do you blog? Do you understand blog? Are you curious about blog? Well, now you can read our weekly e-mail on our Heirlooms & Comforts blog. To help you with this new adventure we are providing a link to our blog. Try it out to see how different and fun it is. Missed an email recently? Find it here.

Lake and Mountain Quilt Show Winners (9/19/2010)

How great it is to see the cooperative efforts of like-minded persons who produce such a nice event as the Lake and Mountain Quilt Guild 2010 Festival of Quilts over this weekend. You have done marvelous art and craft that is so well received by those who view your work. To see several organizations in the world of art cooperate along with the retail establishments of the community to showcase the talent of the area is to have a renewed faith in the ability of persons to be co-workers in the world. Congratulations!! We are extremely happy to see the number of patrons of and instructors at Heirlooms & Comforts who grace this list. That gives us great pride in knowing and serving those talented individuals.

Special Awards:
Ribbon winners from 15 categories:

First place ribbons:

Second Place Ribbons

Third Place Ribbons

* Instructor at Heirlooms and Comforts

Designer Ruby has arrived!

At Heirlooms & Comforts we have received the first shipment of Designer Ruby machines ready for our customers to purchase and take home. This is “Love at first touch” for sure! Come in and sew on Designer Ruby to see how close to the Designer Diamond it really is. Fill out an entry to win a Designer Ruby package worth about $8000.

Labor Day Holiday

At Heirlooms & Comforts we will be closed on Saturday, September 4 and Monday, September 6 to enjoy the final summer holiday with our families. We will be in the shop again at 10 AM on Tuesday, the 7th of September. We hope you have a fun, safe holiday.

Husqvarna Viking Educator Barbara Moore

Husqvarna Viking Educator Barbara Moore will be here Tuesday, August 24 for the all-day with lunch provided program. Those who sign up and pay up the $15 tuition by noon on this Thursday, August 19 will receive special coupons to redeem at Heirlooms & Comforts. Barbara will highlight ideas for sewing, quilting and embroidery and we will have a Make-it, Take it for you to try out some of the ideas she is showing. We will have lunch and snacks for you as well. Bring a friend or two and have a fun day with this delightful Mississippian and the staff of H&C and our wonderful customers. This is a fun for all day!

Register to win

At Heirlooms & Comforts you can get a demo on the new Designer Ruby and qualify to enter the drawing for an $8,000 package including the Ruby machine. Take five minutes to see what Ruby is all about and you could be the winner. Entry ends before the end of August, so the 24th is a good time to register while you are in the shop for Barbara's program.

News from Husqvarna Viking Convention

Heirlooms & Comforts representatives are sending this message from beautiful Minneapolis. I do mean beautiful. This city has done quite a lot to make its downtown area attractive for its citizens and for convention goers. As we see it, coming here in spring or summer is not a pain. What we have learned here is great. Husqvarna Viking has pumped up their offerings and their products several notches. There is a new CEO of SVP Worldwide and with her comes a new attitude. That’s right the new CEO is an incredible woman who comes from experience with companies like Whirlpool. She is digging in to know everyone connected to the product she represents even to working at sitting for some time at each of sixty tables at a luncheon so as to meet and hear from as many dealers as she can in that space of time. I’ll tell you more about her when I see you.

New Husqvarna Viking Machine

The Designer Ruby sewing and embroidery machine is another great machine from HV! It has a big touch screen, takes all but the very largest hoop, and functions a great deal like the top of the line machine. Having sat at it only a short time, I cannot tell you all the minute details of the operation of this machine, but I can tell you for what I have learned about it that the value is tremendous. It is love at first touch, and I think when you see it you will agree that this little sister is great at imitating the big sister Designer Diamond. Designer Diamond customers are not to be disappointed; there are updates and new products for this top of the line machine, too.

5D Embroidery Software

Husqvarna Viking’s new 5D Embroidery Software is easier than ever. It contains more functions and capabilities than previous versions and has updated features that are going to blow you away. Cheryl has spent hours in class being qualified to teach you all this functions. She was overheard saying that embroidered quilt fans are going to rejoice over some new capability that allows complete design combination for an entire quilt. I had better not try to explain this in a short paragraph and just let her demo it to you when we can get her into the shop to do it. Look for an announcement soon about a Convention Review after we get back and breathe for a few minutes. Just brace yourself if you enjoy embroidery programming and customizing because here it comes!

Other Items

Additionally, there are three new feet to show you including two new plates for the interchangeable dual feed foot and a three hole yarn foot (fun!). There is a new 200x200 mm embroidery hoop for all extra-space Designer machines. The new embroidery packages for quilting and cutwork embroidery are beautiful. And speaking of cutwork, now you can sew specified cutwork and cut it out with special cutting needles—unbelievable. We’ll show you soon.

Free Sew Days

At Heirlooms & Comforts we have set aside some dates for free sewing in the classroom with your old friends and some new friends. Have you ever done that with us before? Well, this summer we have added a new twist to these days. Each scheduled day will have a different food theme and we will provide that food item for all those who sign up to come in to sit and sew. Be sure to sign up for the days you want to come because our maximum capacity is 12 participants each time. We don't want you to miss these great times.

Blooming in the CarolinasCarolina Shop Hop

Shop Hop of the Carolinas is gearing up now. Are you ready? We are almost there. You will love the fabric printed just for Carolina Shop Hop with the beautiful Oconee Bell wild flower printed on it. There are six colors of this fabric and the 13 shops in the hop are making blocks and quilts using this fabric. You'll love it. Get ready to hop in July - from the 9th til the 17th. Prizes, prizes. Specials on notions. Prizes. Fun. Plan ahead for a great shop hop. Look at the web site.

Just back from SewFest

Husqvarna Viking occasionally holds a dealer event called SewFest and that happened in the month of March this year. Bobby, Audra, and I spent Friday afternoon and Saturday in Atlanta learning from the people from the company headquarters about products and programs that are soon going to be available to us. There is going to be a new version of software called 5D Embroidery. More embroidery packages (a raw edge layered alphabet appliqué package and Texture Quilting are two of the new offerings) and projects from Embroidery Club are coming. In addition there were great discussions with the other dealers and the company people of plans and programs that we can utilize. We'll toss these out to you from time to time. Keep your eyes and ears open!

1 Million Pillowcases

100 pillowcases and counting! On Saturday, March 23, a fantastic group of ladies with a generous spirit came to Heirlooms & Comforts to cut and sew pillowcases for the One Million Pillowcases for a Cause Project. The goal of the program, sponsored by All People Quilt, is to make one million pillowcases in the United States and have them distributed in the communities where they are made. The eight ladies from Easley came in organized and ready to sew. From the sounds of things they had a fun time while sewing. The end result of Saturday's effort was 35 completed pillowcases! Thimbleberries club members met earlier in the year after a club meeting and in a very short time made 10 or so pillowcases. Other customers have brought in ones that they have made at home.

We invite you to continue this effort by using leftover fabrics from your stash and constructing standard size pillowcases. These completed items can be dropped off at Heirlooms & Comforts and we will ensure they are delivered to distressed children, nursing home patients, battered women's shelters and other local charity organizations that can use these as gifts of personal possessions. Our aim is to contribute to the One Million Pillowcases in 2010 in the United States. Join us!

Kids Classes

We have recently had several phone calls to inquire about Kids Sewing Camp this summer at Heirlooms & Comforts.

Judy Luke is again planning four days of intense training and sewing with the kids July 26-29, 2010. There are two sessions, which you may choose from. The morning session is usually designated for the younger, beginner students. The afternoon session is usually a better time for the older more mature learners. We will accept kids from age 8 to age15. Teenagers seem a bit happier in a group of similar age and younger ones seem less intimidated when they are in class with similar age students. We have, nonetheless, had great groups of mixed ages. We want you to use the time slot that works best for your child.

Projects have not yet been selected specifically for this year. You should know, though, that there is a kit fee daily and that we try hard to keep the price reasonable. Hopefully, we will have that worked out for one-time prepayment when you come to the first class. The tuition is $50 for the four days and payable with registration so that we can secure your child's place in the class. Unpaid sign-ups are subject to removal to the waiting list if we get excessive numbers of registrations. Our limit for enrollment is 8 per session-first come, first included.

Charity Project

We wish the best for those who aren't as lucky as we and one of the ways that we at Heirlooms & Comforts are trying to make an impact for "hurting" individuals is to participate in the 1 Million Pillowcases project sponsored by All People Quilt. This national program aims at a million pillowcases constructed and donated to local worthy charities in the year 2010. At H&C we have had one Thimbleberries sew-in to make pillowcases. Six ladies sewed about 1½ hours and completed 13 pillowcases with about that many more ready to sew up to completion.

There is a March date on our calendar when anyone who wants to help impact local charity can come in to sew. Even if you don't want to actually sew, you can cut or press or pair fabrics. There is something for everyone who wishes to help. We have some fabrics donated by a supplier to be used in the effort and H&C is also providing some fabrics, thread, and use of our classroom machines to help move this along. If you have fabrics that are appropriate to the project that you wish to donate, we are happy to have you bring it when you come to sew. You can help us choose local charities to receive the pillowcases including facilities that care for children without proper homes, treatment centers, nursing homes, and homebound individuals. To have a cheerful pillow cover that can be called your very own can somehow become a comforting arrangement. Check in with H&C to get exact details. You will feel very confident for having done something for someone else

25th Anniversary Celebration

Thursday, September 24th is the day we kick off the 25 Year Anniversary Celebration at Heirlooms & Comforts. From 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM we will offer door prizes and refreshments to our customers who come in to share memories and projects and pictures with us. What a great time it has been for all of us across the years. We love to hear how you have fit into our shop life. Come in to tell or come in to hear about others. Arrange your schedule to allow for some time in the day for H&C-spend lunch hour or spare time with us for fun! We will offer refreshments and renewed friendships. Pick up contest rules for the 25th Anniversary Quilt Contest. That can be fun, too. Bring someone with you who can become a new friend at Heirlooms & Comforts. We look forward to seeing all of you.

Sara's News from Husqvarna Viking Convention - June, 2009

Husqvarna Viking unveiled lots of fun, new products at convention:

Designer SE Limited Edition Upgrade

Designer SE Limited EditionAre you looking forward to the upgrade to your SE to automatically trim jump stitches, allow you to specify a stitch number to go to, and tell you the time left to complete the embroidery (among other features)? Downoad to your Designer SE the software upgrade that was recently released or take advantage of the Jump Stitch Trim Command by upgrading your hardware (call store for price and details).

Our experience is that SOMETIMES, NOT EVERY TIME there can be a few "sticky" points with the installation of the updated hardware of the DSE's if the machine needs cleaning or some of the settings are not exactly on the dot. For this reason, we must do a basic service on your machine and at that time install the updated hardware. (DSE's that have been serviced in the last year or are less than a year old usually are okay for a quick installation and do not need a basic service.)

Bobby is asking that you call in to say when you are ready for your service/installation. He would like a "steady stream" of these machines, not a "gully-washer" of them. H&C and VSQ will have a log of calls and projected availability. Be sure to call before bringing in your machine to ensure you can get it back in a timely manner.

Show off those Gifts!

Are you making wonderful gifts for holiday gift giving? Let us hear about them by bringing in the gift to show us or by sharing the ideas with us. We love hearing about how you are using the items that we offer for sale and the variations that can be made on the ideas we have. We would like to photograph your projects and share those on the web site giving you the recognition for having done the work.

SVP Worldwide Partnership with Martha Stewart Living

Last year Husqvarna Viking became the key link in a new company that is currently the largest sewing machine company in the world. The initials stand for Singer, Viking, and Pfaff. Since that time there have been a number of exciting new products and marketing programs that will further enhance the line of Husqvarna Viking products as being the top brand in their class in the market.

On April 3rd it was officially announced that SVP Worldwide and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. announced a long-term endorsement by Martha Stewart of SVP's sewing machine lines under the SINGER®, HUSQVARNA VIKING®, and PFAFF® brands.

“Martha Stewart's long-term endorsement of the SINGER, HUSQVARNA VIKING, and PFAFF brand lines is confirmation of the company's success in designing, producing and providing easy-to-use sewing machines," said Don Fletcher, President of SVP. "Martha brings extensive experience and a passion for sewing to our newly formed relationship. Our shared vision to inspire the sewer and elevate creativity will provide endless possibilities for sewers."

This is exciting news for all of us in the sewing community.

Husqvarna logoViking Logo

Please note that software support and system updates have been moved to our Support page.

Husqvarna-Viking Multiformat CD!

All new Husqvarna-Viking Embroidery Collections beginning with numbers 68 and 140 come on multiformat CD! Included in each Husqvarna–Viking Embroidery Collection package is one multiformat CD, one SHV disk, and the Embroidery Design Booklet picturing all designs actual size.

The Husqvarna-Viking Embroidery Collection CD:

Go to the Husqvarna-Viking Web site for more information about the Embroidery Collections.

About Us | H-V Designer Updates | Email H&C | ©2010 Heirlooms & Comforts
Husqvarna, Viking and the Husqvarna logo are registered trademarks of VSM Sewing Inc. All rights reserved.