Nothing welcomes the holidays quite like touches of Christmas charm.  Decorating the house with favorite pieces of pottery, putting Christmas quilts on the bed and hanging the Christmas pictures all add to the finishing touch that makes the holidays a memorable time.  A favorite Christmas book of mine that I use over and over during the Christmas season is Lynette's Finishing Touches for Christmas.  Simple but elegant, natural and formal, all included in this great Christmas book filled with decorating ideas.  Using things you already own but adding a sprig of greenery, placing your favorite votive scent in the guest room wrapped up in the bath towels or time worn mittens and scarves hanging on a peg all make preparing for the holidays fun and easy.  In her book, Lynette gives a number of ideas for using candles to decorate.  One of Lynette's suggestions is to "simply tuck a tiny votive into a cream pitcher nestled in a bed of greens.  For the holidays, I love the forest floor scent - the candles as well as the potpourri."  Whether you keep your decorating simple or are more lavish, take the time to enjoy the scents and sounds of the season.

With Christmas just around the corner, we have some great gift ideas and suggestions.  Fabric collections and kits are always welcome gifts for the quilter.  Our Thimbleberries Classic is a 25-piece fat quarter collection of assorted Thimbleberries fabrics - past to present, a gift any Thimbleberries fan would love.  Although a gift of a bed quilt might not get finished before Christmas, either of the special quilt kits listed would be great to get started on after the holidays.  Block Twist in the Blue Autumn Garden fabric collection is a wonderful bed quilt that is regularly $138.95 (pattern included) and is now only $89.95; the Garden Flannel Favorite Throw, a cozy project that is regularly $88.95, is now only $59.95, both at special holiday prices.  For a Super Christmas special, order the Christmas Quilters package - a combination of (10) ½ yard cuts of Christmas fabric (assorted designers) and a 4-in-1 binder book (which includes Holiday Quilts, Paint Box Express, Cranberry Harvest and Cider Hill).  This is a $120 value for only $44.95, all wrapped up with a holiday bow.

For the quilter that has everything, we have the perfect gift - Quilter's Wine Charms, a package of 6 charms that include a rotary cutter, ruler, thimble, sewing machine, scissors and a quilt block.  Add a Thimbleberries Calendar 2007 and the New Collection of Classic Quilts book for an awesome gift.  Thimbleberries Thread is a great gift for anyone that sews.  Buy all four seasons and save $18.00, regularly $84.00, now only $66.00 - but hurry, this is only through Christmas.  If you need quick stockings, there is still time to make four from our Cozy Christmas Stocking kit.  Included in the kit is the panel for four stockings, lining, batting and the backing for each, regularly priced at $34.95, on sale for $24.95.

Thimbleberries Club 2007, House & Garden are getting cut and ready for shipping.  If you would like to join, we would love to have you.  If you would like a unique gift, give the gift of a club membership.  The Main Street Cotton Shop has a number of clubs that ship monthly.  If you have a question or want to sign up, call today. We will help you to get started so you can receive a fun package each month.

Don't forget to order gift certificates today! We will send them right away.  As a special gift to you, place an order over $50 and receive FREE shipping during the month of December.

As I finish writing this newsletter, I am anxiously waiting for the phone to ring from my daughter.  We are so excited for the birth of our second grandchild (just in time for Christmas).  Christmas is only a few weeks away and how quickly things change.  I am blessed in so many ways - family, friends, fabulous staff and wonderful people like you.  Thank you for your business this past year, I truly appreciate it.