Many of my fondest memories as a child are decorating the home and preparing for the holidays.  Everyone would pitch in and the excitement was contagious.  Now, years later, with my own kids and family, we start our holiday decorating after Thanksgiving dinner. We pull out treasures from past Christmases, and dig through boxes of memories. Over the years, I have saved way too much "stuff", but it's the homemade school projects, simple bells from styrofoam and pictures from the past that prompt the giggles and laughter among us.  

With three weeks before Christmas, there is still plenty of time for you to celebrate and start family traditions of your own. Start by pulling out old beloved projects and end by making a list of the new projects you plan to add.  Most of all, take time to enjoy the season.  If you are looking for some great gift ideas, we have a wonderful selection for you. 

Unique Gifts

Surprise the person on your list who has everything with a beautiful new Thimbleberries collection of silver charms, charm bracelet and charm pin.  This one-of -a-kind gift is perfect for the "hard to buy for" person on your list this holiday season.  

A box of the new Thimbleberries thread is a spectacular two-in-one gift. The threads inside are perfectly coordinated to all of Lynette's fabrics.  The box that they arrive in is too cute to only use once! Stack it in your sewing room as an adorable accessory.

Don't forget, we can always send a gift certificate if you are undecided what to buy for that special person.

Books

If the person on your list enjoys snuggling up with a good book, here are a few options. The Thimbleberries Big Book of Quilt Blocks is now available. This wonderful hardcover is filled with over 50 block patterns - 256 pages of ideas! Get them started by adding a package of our Mystery Fabrics. The Mystery Fabric packs contain a total of five yards of coordinating fabrics. None of the pieces are less than 1/2 yard and you pay only $15 (a $45 value).

In time for the holidays, we have added Jennifer Chiavanni's new book, The Christmas Quilt.  This novel goes perfectly with a warm quilt and a hot cup of tea.

For the baker or chef in your family, consider a cookbook. Gooseberry Patch books are the perfect stocking stuffer. Gooseberry Patches' Christmas Cookies and One Pot Meals book will make your mouth water just paging through. 

Patterns and Fabric Collections

Set your holiday table on a beautiful new table runner. The new Poinsettia pattern is a wall hanging with a bonus table runner.  With three weeks to go, you can still manage to finish this simple project, just in time for that very special Christmas dinner. 

The Twist and Turn quilt has the charm of an antique.  The strip-piecing method makes sewing this quilt fast and easy.  Our sample is done in the Cinnamon Stars collection that has a wonderful aged look.

Fabric collections make great Christmas gifts.  Check out the Buck BundleŽ and Fat Quarter collections.  We offer a variety of prints and flannels.

Clubs and looking ahead to 2006

What a great success the Birthday Blast program was!  We've heard from many of you how enjoyable the kits were and how beautiful your projects turned out.  Birthday Blast for December is the last Birthday Blast for the year. To celebrate this amazing year of projects, we finish with the Bunkhouse Throw. This cozy flannel throw is 52 x 67".  The package includes the Stonewall Flannel Quilt book, fabric for the top, binding AND backing, all this for only $89.95, regularly $125.95, a $36 savings.

Starting in 2006, we will have a "Limited Edition" club.  Each month, a Thimbleberries pattern, kit and fabric is sent to you.  We have a very limited number of these collectible Thimbleberries patterns.  Besides the great price, you will receive an extra bonus gift each month - Thimbleberries thread and Thimbleberries stencil!  Call to sign up right away.  Everyone that signs up in January for automatic shipment in our Limited Edition Club will receive 5 FREE fat quarters each month.  On the first full week of each month, we'll send you a special "Limited Edition" kit.

The new Thimbleberries Club 2006 is all set and ready for you.  Vintages Stitches has a whole new look that you haven't seen anywhere.  Sign up today to have the package shipped in January.  Information on new products and fabrics are sent to you each month, along with great ideas.  We have monthly meetings in both stores, so if you are unable to attend, give us a call and we'll help you be a part of Thimbleberries Club 2006.

With Christmas just around the corner, I want to say Thank You to each and every one of you.  We are truly blessed to be part of such a great industry filled with talent and kindness.  Thank you for your patronage and the many wonderful comments we hear from you. 

On behalf of the staff and myself at the Main Street Cotton Shop, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.