The autumn color arrives in waves across Minnesota.  Up north, the aspen leaves shiver and show off their majestic gold and the burning bush and sumac appear to glow along the roadside.  In the Minnesota River Valley, nature is painting an autumnal mural as the oaks and sugar maples turn into an array of fall colors.  The gardens have matured and I watch as the last flowers open up in brilliant fall color.  A home should reflect its surroundings inside and out.  It should be welcoming, warm and filled with the things that you love.  That's why fall is such a great time for decorating.  Time to pull out the pumpkin wall hangings, harvest table runners and log cabin quilts and bring the pumpkins and fall bouquets of leaves in. 

Last week, we held our 12^th annual Quilt Harvest Retreat.  During the three days, old friendships were renewed and many new ones were made as women from all over the United States and Canada gathered in Hutchinson.  We were all inspired with Lynette's lecture on decorating and making your home welcoming for the family.

As the holiday season approaches, we made new projects for fall like the Sugar Bear Pumpkins wall hanging.  The Tall Timber runner from Evergreen Inn book got everyone excited for the holidays and Quilt Harvest Patches showed us how to create a new quilt using the Picnic book that we already had in our stash.  Chevron Log Cabin - one of my favorites - is a classic quilt from the Autumn Fare book that will make a statement in any room.

Bright Kids fabric line has been a big hit.  It consists of cottons and flannels.  The flannel collection of Bright Kids has a beautiful quality that works well with any of the flannel patterns.  Beginners Luck book has a number of designs, Little Boy Blue, Blueberry Patch and Four Patch Napper that are particularly good using the Bright Kids or Country House collection.  

With the Christmas season just around the corner, we took a favorite design, Due North, and added cotton velvet for a holiday look.  Along with our quilt, we made a couple of pillows, one from the Picnic book and on the other we used chenille - both add a holiday touch that is easy and fast.  We used our newest "tool" for making the chenille pillow - a chenille brush.  For those of you that have done chenille, you know how hard it is on your washing machine.  The chenille brush eliminates the lint and fuzz going through the wash cycle.

If you are looking for a quick gift item, we have packaged a fat quarter collection to fit the season.  Pumpkin Spice is a blend of fall flavors.  A collection of 9 fat quarters in bittersweet, maple, baked pumpkin and black walnut.  Autumn Mix blends the colors of a fall palette, burnished reds, caramel, hunter green and goldenrod.  With the holiday season approaching, Christmas Gathering might be what you need to add color to your stash with a mix of cranberry reds, chestnut and evergreen.

As families gather for the upcoming season, the first thing we think about is food.  The Get-Togethers with Gooseberry Patch book and Quilting our Just Desserts are both great cookbooks full of food to bring family and friends to the table.  Both books offer simple cooking and entertaining tips throughout each chapter, they help you celebrate life's simple pleasures with the ones that you love.

October has another great Birthday Blast special.  This is a project that is small enough for you to start and finish before Christmas.  Holly Tree Skirt has been one of our most popular tree skirt patterns ever.  During October, you can get the kit, the pattern, binding and backing for only $41.95, a $56.95 value.  Don't wait for this one!   They will go fast, and besides, you will want to get started soon.

Remember if you need a quick quilt, check out the Jiffy quilts or our Easy Pinwheel Flash Card Quilt.  Change the fabrics to Evergreen Inn or Autumn Fare for a completely different look.

To help celebrate the harvest, we are offering Christmas Patches done in fall colors from the Thimbleberries Holiday Collection book at a super price.  The kit is a grouping of rich fall colors for you to make a throw, tablecloth or wall hanging.  Use your imagination and create a square or rectangle quilt, one that will fit your table and decorating style.  While supplies last, the kit is only $84.95, regularly $119.95, including the fabric for the top, binding and the Holiday Collections book. To get you ready for the cold nights ahead, Old Maids Puzzle from the Cider Hill book is on special also.  Save $50 on this great looking two-color flannel quilt.  The kit will include fabric for the top, binding and the Cider Hill book.  Regularly $179.95, now only $129.95!

As the evening arrives early and lingers a little longer, it gives me time to decorate my home for family and friends.  My Christmas Patches in fall colors is done and ready for the table.  By bringing in the new and adding a few old favorites, I hope to create a look that's cozy and welcoming.  Now is the time to enjoy these fall days and add the things that you love to your home.  Our new Fall/Winter catalog is at the printer - look for it to arrive in the mail soon.