Welcome to Ma's Got'a Notion
Here at Ma's, we got your back...quilt back, that is!!!

August always is a busy but exciting month. Our kids (for some of us, that is, grandkids & greatgrands) are getting ready to head back to school, or last-minute trips or get-togethers are taken with family.

And then, we all sigh, and we think...Yeah, I can hibernate in my sewing room since August is the month to get back to those UFOs that we kind of just dropped when Summer arrived, and the gardens, weeds, and flowers started growing out of control!

Yes, Summer is always fun, but usually just way too short, and dare I mention the heat (especially the last few days)! I think that is why those of us who live in the Midwest are treated to beautiful Falls and fresh, clean Springs. After the Illinois cold Winters, and hot Summers, we earn those two seasons! Who's looking forward to FALL? ME, that's who, and I wager a bet most of you are too!

Well, as you are all aware, I will be out for the full month of August, but hope to work a few hours each day starting in September, and return to full-time work in October...that's my hope! I will continue the new hours that I have scheduled and posted for a while yet. I know that the shorter hours are not favorable for my customers, and I know my monthly bottom line has, and will continue to decrease, with shorter hours. My hours will return to normal when I can get back to work full-time, and I hope then Deb can add some hours. Working alone for a month full-time can wear a gal out; cutting hours is the best solution. But, as they say, it is what it is, and until I can return to full-time work, shorter hours will have to suffice! With all that being said...keep reading!

As you have noticed, I have run some great sales this Summer and added many things to the clearance room and the online clearance pages, all to offset the loss of income from the shorter hours. Well, August will be offering some significant savings for your piecing pleasure, too! Don't forget, all flannel on the bolt and flannel fat quarters are 15% off until the end of July! Follow along in the next few paragraphs to see what's on sale in the month of August!

You all have heard of Christmas in July... well, as it seems I am always a day late and a dollar short... it appears July is gone already, and I will need to celebrate Christmas in August! So let's do just that! Debbie will be standing in as Santa for the Christmas in August Sale, so make sure she greets you with a HO-HO-HO! LOL

All Christmas panels and fabrics on the bolt ONLY, be it standard 42", 108", or 118", for the entire month of August, you will receive 20% off per panel or per yard. This will help you get a kick-start for the upcoming season of gifts you may want to make for Christmas this year! This is on the bolt only...we will not be cutting fat quarters for this sale; it will be in increments of 1/4 yards and up.  I hope this puts you all in a festive mood and ready to tackle some Winter/Christmas projects! 

Last year I told you about a retirement home down by the river, about a block from my shop, that had been purchased by a fella. He talked with me about setting up a large room not only for my customers but for other crafters, family reunions, bridal/baby showers, and the like to hold retreats and get-togethers in. He was to have rooms to let for overnight stays or short extended retreats. Well, sorry to say, that has all fallen through. He has chosen to put in a super big bar in one large room and a gaming area in the other large room. The rooms for let are not finished at this time. So, it appears there will be no retreats here in Havana. I do not think people have any idea how far quilters will travel or how much quilters enjoy getting away from home for a few days several times a year to travel and spend time with like-minded quilters. My disappointment has been twofold! This is the second time I have gotten my hopes up to bring a retreat center to my hometown. Quilters bring so many outside tax dollars to town, but I think the "powers to be" see us as little old ladies...HA, we are people who are armed with scissors, cutting blades, and needles, all of which are sharp tools, and we too are pretty sharp ourselves! There are a number of men quilters who enjoy the sport of quilting too.  Oh well, I hope that not having a place for extended stays does not detour you from coming to town for the day, as we are a very cute River Town, with great places to eat, a beautiful park to sit and ponder life while watching the working river, plenty of Air B&B's should you choose to stay a few days and of course...a great quilt shop too!  

This may be the last Email you get from me for a couple of weeks or more, since I will be nursing a skinned knee for the next few weeks. Please check my website or FB page to see if I post anything new in the shop, or email me with any questions you may have.

On the subject of NEW...be sure to stop by and see the new samples and kits ready for your piecing pleasure at the shop now!

Please note, Deb will be getting any orders mailed out you may request. So please continue to shop the website if you are too far away to stop by the shop!

Everyone, have a great August, and I will see you all very soon. As we know, time flies, and given enough time, it always heals, too! 

Please keep Deb busy, and when you stop in, let her know you can watch the door for a few minutes while she visits the ladies' room! That's the hardest part of being a one-man band: finding that free moment to visit our friend John!!!

Happy quilting!!!