The nights are getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and the leaves are changing into their fall dress.  That means that my favorite time of the year is upon us.  When the cool crisp air hints that autumn is here, I know that it's time to pull out the flannel quilts, decorate for fall and get our home ready for welcoming the family for the holidays ahead.  Nothing says welcome home more than the cozy quilts stacked in the cupboard, layered on the bed and ready for the family to snuggle under.  With all the new fabrics that have arrived, you won't have any problem coming up with a new quilt to welcome your family home.

The Country House flannel collection is such a beautiful group of flannels for that fast piecing project.  If you want to get a step ahead for the holidays, start with the Easy Block quilt from the Country House Quilts book.  With the holidays just around the corner, you better get started soon.  The Evergreen Inn collection has rich deep tones that lend to a year-around look, but it also has some great looking Christmas prints, especially the signature print in both flannel and cotton. For all on-line orders of Evergreen Inn fabric placed during the month of September, you will receive a 25% discount per yard. Now is the time to make Two Colors, Too Easy from the Evergreen Inn book.  It's the perfect holiday quilt to add to your Christmas quilt collection.

The newest Thimbleberries collection to arrive is the Bright Kids.  7-8  Lay Them Straight is a delightful pattern or kit using this new group that has a hint of a vintage look.  We used the Tree Farm Throw pattern with the blue signature print for the center.  As a result, we have a fun fast quilt ready for that newborn baby, toddler or just to keep on hand for little visitors.  Make sure to check out this group of 11 flannels and 26 cottons.

Jiffy Quilts pattern collection is here and the name is a perfect description.  Four patterns: Berry Sweet, Rainbow Sherbet, Buttermint Patches and Blueberry Blue are all small quilts that make great gifts.  If you have a quilting friend that has everything - order a kit, quilters never have too many.

A number of new books have come into the shop the past couple of weeks.  A great book by Calico Printworks is the Mostly Traditional Quilts book, full of just that, traditional patterns that many of you have wanted to do.  Here's the book for you with good directions and pictures.  Thimbleberries Big Book of Quilt Blocks is a 256-page hardcover book that is packed with patterns.  Taken from previous Block of the Month projects, you can easily create designs that will be unique to you.  Wall hangings, pillows, table toppers, runners and quilts are all projects you can create using your imagination and this book to guide you.  Both of these books are ones that we think are worth adding to your library of quilt books.  As a September Special, the Main Street Cotton Shop is offering the Paint Box Express book, a $19 value, for only $9.95.  We have a limited supply, so don't wait too long.

September Birthday Blast will definitely get you started on fall decorating.  Midnight Sky is 51" x 60" with deep earthy tones used throughout the quilt.  Add the pumpkin appliques for a harvest look or leave them off to use your quilt year around.  Remember, Birthday Blast always includes the pattern or book that the pattern is in, fabric for the top, binding and enough fabric to back your quilt!  All this for only $79.95, a $109.95 value, that's a savings of $30 you won't want to pass up.

For those of you that order our Thimbleberries Club on-line, don't forget to order each month.  The new Sunset Quilt has been getting a lot of attention.  Once the program is over the end of December, we will not be able to sell it.  Also, fabrics are only produced for a limited amount of time. If you want club fabrics, don't wait, they might not be available.  Check out our other clubs as well. Main Street USA just started last month, so it's easy to catch up.

We add fabrics to our Cotton Shop Clearance weekly. The Lakeside retreat fabrics just went on sale and the supply is getting low.  Make sure to check often, you never know what fabrics, kits and books are sold at super savings.

With Quilt Harvest Retreat less than a month away, we are really busy getting the shop ready, making kits and preparing for the events and classes.  Every year, we have new quilters coming from all over the country.  I am so looking forward to meeting those of you that signed up. See you in a few weeks.