I also thought I'd use this note to pass on some information about Frixion pens. We've sold lots of these pens and they are great marking tools. But like all marking tools, they have their weak points. The marks become invisible with heat - but the ink does not go away. It just becomes transparent. If the quilt gets cold, the marks come back. So if you send a quilt marked with Frixion pens to the grandkids in Fairbanks, when the quilt is unpacked the marks will be visible on the quilt (those UPS/Fed Ex/USPS trucks get pretty darn cold in the winter). The marks will become transparent again if the quilt is ironed, or tumbled in a hot dryer, or even if you use a hot hair dryer on the quilt. According to most of the information I've seen the ink will usually wash out and then the marks are gone for good. There is lots of info available on the net - most of it extremely positive. One site that clearly presents the problems with the pen is on the Quilting Climber blog frixion pens evaluated. The problems do not make the Frixion pen unusable as a marker. It's great for clear, crisp, easy marking. The cold is not USUALLY a problem - my little wallhangings never go out in the cold and if they did I have no problem running an iron over them. But you should know the pros and cons of the marker and decide for yourself if it is suitable for your purpose.

Do you have "Dang, I wish I thought of that" moments? One of the big on-line fabric stores uses "Creative Nudge" as the tag line for their weekly update. And, dang, I wish I'd thought of that. In my mind it succinctly states what I want the Quilt Zone to be for you - a creative nudge. Not a creative challenge - life is tough enough without feeling challenged in a quilt store. Not a creative push - nobody like to be pushed. But a creative nudge: a gentle, delicate, persuasion to create. I want to fill the store with quilts, fabrics, books and patterns that tempt you to create something wonderful.

From my sewing room window I can look southwest and catch a glimpse of Turnagain Arm. Last night I took a picture at midnight. Of course, this time of year it was very light and very lovely. I'll take a picture out the same window in December - at 3pm when the sun will be setting, it will be dark and lovely. The changing light is my favorite part of living in Alaska. The sky and the mountains and the shadows are always changing and it's wonderful. I'm originally from Northern Michigan. Dad and my siblings still live there. When I go back to visit, my favorite scenery is the night sky. Dad lives out in the country; there is no light pollution and the summer night sky -no moon, no clouds - is absolutely stunning. Isn't it wonderful that we can find beauty no matter where we are - in the light and in the dark?

Fabric is like that (ha, you knew I was going to get around to quilting eventually). You can find and create beauty in so many different prints, styles, colors, and lights and darks. I never tire of playing with fabric and imagining the possibilities. I love to see what other people are creating too; I thank every one of you who have taken the time to bring projects into the store for show and tell. Please keep sharing; we love it.

Isn't it amazing how simply stroking fabric makes you feel happy? Something as simple as ironing a piece of wonderful fabric turns a dreary day cheerful. Playing with fabric, putting prints together, rearranging them, adding a stripe, throw in some yellow, mix in a dark, dark blue - this is all joy. Mary Kay and I were in the store the other day and Mary Kay was bemoaning some baby quilts she needed to make. She didn't care much for the pattern she was working on and the prints were not inspiring. She touched the Lion print and the Elephant print and said, "these would make great baby quilts." And in 15 minutes we had borders and backing and binding for two quilts that Mary Kay could hardly wait to start sewing. Inspiration, creativity, enthusiasm. That's what I think the Quilt Zone is all about. And when you are in "the Zone" it's contagious.