March is a month of transition.  The snow is beginning to melt, it's way too soon to be in the garden and the house is in need of a change.  I guess it's time to think about celebrating Spring.  Last month, I had an awesome experience with six other women -- I went dog sledding up north in the boundary waters wilderness area.  It was exhilarating, scary and educational.  The real beauty was spending time with six fabulous women, all with a story of their own.  Two of the women were breast cancer survivors (one a three time survivor) and were truly an inspiration.  Mushing a team of six dogs, going 30-miles-per-hour across the frozen lakes, gives us all time to relish in the fact that everyone of us has a mission in life. 

Quilt Pink is a new program that is underway to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront.  American Patchwork and Quilting has partnered with Moda, Viking, Fiskars and a number of other sponsors.  More information will be coming in the next few months.  Start thinking about how you can participate in this great opportunity for all of us to help eradicate breast cancer.

I mentioned that it's time for a change in the house.  You can start to celebrate Spring by bringing out the flowery quilts. Line up your spring collection of pottery and add a splash of color to every room.  Start with a very simple floral tablecloth from the Fancy Free collection.  Sometimes we make things more difficult than necessary.  My husband, David, often reminds me (as I am stacking and rearranging my fabrics for a fourth time) that I make extra work for myself.  I took his advice this year.  Using the 114" wide Fancy Free poplin designer print by Thimbleberries, I serged the edges and have a headstart on Spring decorating and Easter tabledressing.  Now you can make a tablecloth for any size table.

Add a few pieces of your pottery collection, filled with flowers or stacked with a candle in the center, for an instant centerpiece.  Some of Lynette Jensen's McCoy collection is pictured in the You're Invited book.  She talks often how the green and yellow glazed yellow-ware are some of her favorite accessories.  Today, they have reproduced many of these pieces to look as good as the old and still be very functional.  Our gift department showcases a number of these pieces that look great mixed with the old and the Thimbleberries palette.

If all you need is a quick touch up, try the Quick and Easy Table Topper & Runner.  We did this pattern in four color ways, Wuthering Heights, Fancy Free, Prairie Flowers and Maison d'Noel.  The kits look great and include the pattern, fabric for the top and fabric for the back for both the runner and the topper.

The Jiffy quilts continue to be a great collection of quilt patterns.  Lynette has redone Spice is Nice with the Fancy Free fabrics and Buttermint Patches is shown in the Bright Kids collection. 

Both look great and as a warm-up to National Quilt week, we are offering the Jiffy Quilt kits on sale all month for 20% off.  Last month, we showed you the Vintage Stitches panel filled in with crayon.  Many of you sent pictures.  Thanks for sharing!  Take a look at the new pictures showing the blocks embroidered and framed ... instant art for the wall.

Turning Twenty and Turning Twenty Plaids kit have both been top sellers for us.  Turning Twenty Again, the follow-up book, is proving to be as good as the first.  The Turning Twenty Again in the Cinnamon Stars kit is a great beginner's quilt.  Both are great books for using some of your stash.  Another top seller that was discontinued has been reprinted, Mostly Table Runners is back.  We still have Mostly Table Runners Two, Mostly Traditional, Mostly Cozy and Mostly Easy.

March 12 - 18 is National Quilt week at the Main Street Cotton Shop.  Make sure you check our website each day for the daily Quilt Week Special.  If you have a chance stop into either of the shops on Saturday, March 18th, we will have drawings, on-going demonstrations and great in-store specials.

The new Spring/Summer catalog will be in the mail and on the website April 1st.  Check it out for the newest in books, fabrics, kits and our new Christmas club.