It's that time of year to gear up for entertaining, plan for a family Thanksgiving dinner, a Sunday morning brunch or just an impromptu afternoon gathering with friends.  The best way to enjoy the months ahead is to keep it simple.  Let us help you this season with inspiring ideas and projects to embrace the season.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner make this super simple but great looking tablecloth to dress up your harvest table.  Christmas Patches from the Holiday Collection book (done in harvest colors) is one of my all time favorites that I will use for years to come.  Go through your stash or buy the kit for a scrappy, but traditional look.  If you are thinking ahead, we have it available in Harvest or Christmas.  We are selling these two kits at a special price of $89.95, including the Holiday Collection book (regularly $119.95).

The next two months are such a fun time of the year - especially for quilters that love to make and give.  With endless decorating and entertaining ideas, it seems there is never enough time to finish all the projects.  We have a number of suggestions that are easy to start and finish.  Christmas Countdown book is full of ideas - Deck the Halls wallhanging, Gather 'Round tablecloth, Comfort and Joy flannel throw and more.  To help you get started, we put the Seasons Bright runner on sale for only $24.95, regularly $32.95 (pattern not included but it's in the book).  If you don't have time to sew it, give it as a gift - you'll be loved for it.

Add a touch of holiday warmth with our three signature designs from the Main Street Cotton Shop.  Christmas by Candlelight, Candle Glow and Candle Night runner will all light up the holidays in your home.  For a really special holiday buy, you can purchase all three for only $89.95, that's a $30 savings (patterns included).

This morning, Sara brought in the Basket of Blessings wallhanging (we featured it last month), only she did it in Mistletoe Manor fabrics.  Her first comment was, "If I can do this, anyone can do it - it only took two evenings."  Another great idea for the holidays (using another charm packet from Mistletoe Manor) is the Button Bag purse that was made by Clarine, from the Hutchinson store.  Fill the purse with a collection of pine boughs for a centerpiece and get double duty out of it.

The following kits are great projects that we think you will have plenty of time to do before the holidays - in between basketball games, hockey, bridge club, choir practice, etc., etc.  Check these out and place your order soon.  They're so great, you'll need to get started right away.  Winter Blessings, 11-1/2" x 30", $29.95 and Oh, Holy Night (wool), 17" x 14", $29.95.

The newest fabric collection to arrive is the Four Seasons by Moda - a very classy look done in a harvest of rich, fall colors.  A staff favorite is the Autumn Garden fabric collection by Thimbleberries, particularly the red floral signature print.  Fabrics go in and out so quickly, if you have a favorite make sure you order plenty, it might be gone the next time around.

Now is the time to start making a gift giving and wish list.  The following are some really good books that you will want to add to your list.  That Dorky Homemade Look (a fun read), Quilt Savvy - Gaudanski's Machine Quilting Guidebook (excellent) and our featured sale book, Big Book of Blocks, regularly $29.95, only $22.95.  A number of new charms have come in to add to your Thimbleberries charm bracelet - Double Heart, Double-Sided Pumpkin, Gingerboy, Puppy Dog and Snowman.  If you have started collecting, make sure you add these.  What a great gift to give a Thimbleberries friend, a bracelet that will be treasured for years. 

Our clubs are really busy and we would love to include you.  Registration for the new Thimbleberries Club 2007 is underway, call today and get signed up.  The Quilt for All Seasons club just keeps on growing - the price is right and the quilt is great.  We have a number of new clubs starting in January, Lynette's Favorites, Beginners Luck and Traditional Sampler are all new to Main Street Cotton Shop.  Check out our Club page for more information on current and upcoming clubs.

I am so excited for the holidays and I hope that you are as well.  If any of us at the Main Street Cotton Shop can help you with gift giving ideas, quilt kits, fabrics or books, please give us a call.  Our goal is to help simplify your holidays so you can enjoy.