Well.....with all the planning for the retreat and trying to get this out I totally forgot to change the subject line. This is what happens when Anne is out and didn't get a change to proof the newsletter before I sent it flying through cyberspace! So here it is again with a new subject line but still with all the fabulous Quilt Connection, Etc. news! We hope you had a fabulous Valentine's Day and hope you will be spending the end of this month with us over at the Hyatt Place for our fun retreat!

Lisa

Dear Fellow Quilters,

Even with this unseasonably warm winter treating us to balmy days in the 60s here in the Black Hills, we're still stitching up a storm at Quilt Connection, Etc. in Rapid City, SD! Whether you're piecing together a heartfelt Valentine's project or dreaming up your next cozy creation, we hope your February has been brimming with love, laughter, and those magical "aha!" moments at the sewing machine.

Speaking of inspiration, we're thrilled to spotlight Karen, our quilting dynamo with over 25 years of expertise in quilting, embroidery, and sewing. As a national event specialist, she crisscrosses the country, sharing innovative techniques, fresh ideas, and her in-depth knowledge of machines like the Husqvarna Viking Ruby 90. Karen's passion shines through in making sewing fun, accessible, and exciting for beginners and seasoned stitchers alike – she's the thread that ties our community together!

Don't miss her FREE Trunk Show – it's the perfect way to get inspired without spending a dime! Sign up today so we can prepare plenty of seats for you and your quilting pals. And for those ready to roll up their sleeves, join Karen's hands-on Class on the Ruby 90 on March 25th at 9:30 AM. At just $40, it's a steal, but seats are filling up fast – register now to secure your spot and level up your skills!

We've also got a fabulous ByAnnie's Trunk Show in the shop right now – swing by for a peek at those clever patterns and bags that are sure to spark your creativity. It's like a treasure hunt for quilters!

Oh, and a fun challenge for our fabulous community: We're in the running for ByAnnie's 9th Annual Local Quilt Shop Contest, and we need your votes! Think of it as casting a ballot for your favorite quilting haven – vote today, and let's show the world why Quilt Connection is the best spot for fabric, friends, and fabulous finds.

Just a quick reminder: A few spots remain for our February Retreat – if you're craving uninterrupted quilting time with like-minded souls, grab yours before they're gone!

And mark your calendars for our November Retreat in the stunning Black Hills; dates are live on our site at https://www.quiltconnectionsd.com/quilt-retreats-in-the-black-hills-of-south-dakota.htm, with more juicy details coming soon.

Stay inspired, keep stitching, and let's make this year our most creative yet!

Anne

 Vote for your favorite shop in ByAnnie’s 9th Annual Local Quilt Shop Contest by using the ftollowing URL. Voting is open from January 24th - February 28th, 2026.

Voting link: www.LQSContest.com/VOTE

Start your morning with some quilting meme fun every morning on our Facebook page!

Our next Mystery Five-0 adventure, Luau, is coming soon—and now is the perfect time to reserve your Luau quilt kit.

Each Luau kit has been carefully curated to showcase beautiful fabric combinations that work seamlessly across the entire mystery. Both quilt settings use the same seven fabrics, giving you flexibility with your final layout:

✨ Luau Torches – finishes at 65” × 83”

✨ Luau Feast – finishes at 75” × 75”

🧵 Weekly mystery clues begin March 4, delivered straight to your inbox.

💛 To participate, quilters register by making a $50+ purchase with a participating Mystery Five-0 retailer. We recommend purchasing a Luau kit for the best experience—but fabric, notions, classes, quilting services, or a gift certificate may also be used if you prefer to sew from your stash.

🛍️ View Luau kits & register here:https://www.quiltconnectionsd.com/mysteryfive-0.htm

The name may say Luau, but the finished quilt design is timeless—our kits make it easy to jump in and enjoy every stitch. 

Free Patterns

Each month we try to add free patterns from different fabric companies. Click here to check out the free patterns. Add them to your cart and check out like any other order. No need to add multiples and you can add more than one type of pattern to your cart and check out with all of them at once!

Take me to the FREE Patterns!

Honeybee Quilts Tea

Perfect for gift giving and warming up on a cold morning. Stop in at Quilt Connection, Etc. to pick up some today!