Isn't it always about the "Shoes"

Heide gave me this mug last year and I love it.  After all... Isn't it always about the shoes?

Thanks Heide... you always find just the right gifts.

Holiday Wishes

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and a time for all of us to give thanks and express appreciation for what we have.

With 2012 approaching, it's hard for me to believe that I have owned Fabric Town for 4 years. The time has really flown. It may not be said as often as it should, but I appreciate your constant support of the shop as well as your encouragement. You make it all worthwhile and fun.  For that I am extremely thankful.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season. 

Best Wishes,

Patti

Surgery has its advantages.

I would like to start off by saying that my intent was not to put my medical information on Facebook or blog about it...but it did manage to get out there so, yes I had  surgery and I'm doing very well.

When you're feeling bad, there's nothing that can help like the sight of a Bachmans purple and white box - with your name on it.

Most of you don't know it, but the Christmas Cactus, Poinsettia and Hydrangea are my favorite flowers...but by far it's the Christmas Cactus. This was such a wonderful gift from my girls. For the past 4 years they have watched me try to grow a "Blooming" Christmas Cactus. It's alive but the word Blooming....not so much.  I get 1 bloom per season and last time if fell off an laid on the carpet all wilted.

 Well check out these blooms ... hundreds of tiny little pink buds. It's totally covered and lush.

I have an instruction sheet on how to care for it.... the first thing will be to get it back to the shop. The light at my apartment is not good enough. Who knows, maybe this one can show my old one how to bloom.

Thank you so much Ladies for the thoughtful gift and for taking care of the shop while I'm recovering.  I appreciate it and you more than you realize.

Having a good staff makes a big difference.

Patti

Remodeling underway.

 For some time now I've been saying "we're going to re-do our class area". Well, we started last week. My plan is to make it more private - yet keep it open so that customers can come to the notions wall. The first thing we're doing, is taking the fabric out of the class section. We've emptied the shelves and have them off the walls. 

If all goes as planned, we'll have slat wall put up today where the shelves were. That will allow us to display class samples opened up so they can be seen better. plus have the option of putting  the kits on small wall shelves with the samples and patterns. Basically, make it easier for our customers to find everything they need to make the quilt without having to hunt for things. Space has been made for a flannel board to be put up that's permanent and lastly, replace the carpet.

The shelves we took off the wall (seen here empty) will be put together in a section 3 in a row/back to back to form a dividing wall.  Since we do alot of kitting in the back part of the shop I don't want to completely block the view to the front. On the other side of the room we will be bringing in a hutch with a table and chairs. We have alot of ladies that like to do handwork and this will give them a quiet place to come, sit and relax. Eventually we will have coffee and cookies available.

So, there's alot of work to be done. If you stop in and the back looks a little strange - that's why. It may take a little longer to get it done than I planned but we're finally moving ahead. Lets hope that Jim who's doing the slat wall arrives today. He got tied up last weekend so the shop looked torn apart all week. Once he gets his part completed we can go get the Hutch and table out of our storage locker.

I will be glad when it's finally finished. This is all going to take time, but I think it'll make a big difference in keeping classes a little more private.

Another AM on my deck... in November!!

   November 12th, 7:30 AM. The sun is shining on my deck and I'm taking full advantage of it.

It's a little crisp out here but nothing like it should be. As long as I'm wrapped up, it's quite nice.

 The only change I had to make was to my coffee cup. Usually it's my favorite china cup, but with it so cool out - my coffee became cold quickly. Time to breakout the thermal... in more ways than one.

 My project this morning is a flower pincushion in wool.  You can't really tell from my pictures but it's in a tart tin. This one's almost done,  just have to finish up the last petal and add the embellishments.

I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful fall weather...

Patti

Gobble Gobble.... getting ready for my favorite Holiday.

Today, Quahog and I worked on making a Thanksgiving Turkey towel. I can honestly say that he left the floss alone and just rested by my side. 

 

I love Thanksgiving, it's always been my favorite holiday. Christmas is nice but the feeling for me that I get at Thanksgiving is one of warmth and family. My favorite meal is the traditional Thanksgiving fare... Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce and cider.  The way the pilgrims meant it to be. (And to my sister....the pilgrims did NOT put rasins in the stuffing)

Any way, are you getting ready for Thanksgiving? Do you have any traditions that you'd like to share. We'd love to hear them.

Patti

Lola's unbelilvable quilt sale

 What do you do with 300+ quilts, table runners, toppers, tree skirts, pillows, totes and purses? You sign up for the Canterbury Autumn Festival and fill a booth to the rafters.

Lola makes alot of samples for our shop plus she has her own pattern line, so you'd expect her to have quite a few quilts etc. That was an understatement and I was in no way prepared for the amount she had in her van. We turned an 8" x 11" booth into a one woman quilt show and sale. These are the before and after pictures of her booth.

 I am still amazed at how we managed to get it all in. The hanging racks made it easy to display alot of them but the tables are still stacked 8 - 10 deep. From quilts for kids to seasonal and bed quilts - she has them all. She is one very talented lady.

I know she'll do well at the show, she has something for everyone. If you're looking for a great show, head to Canterbury this weekend and check it out. Lola is in booth 423.

If you go... tell her I said "Hi".

Spring Block-of-the-Month starting soon.

We're all still enjoying the wonderfully mild fall days, but we all know what's just around the corner. I'm going to head off those Winter blues by starting to work on  our new "Spring" Block-of-the-Month.

 I have been wanting to do this pattern for some time. Awhile ago, I started collecting fabrics in all the shades of my favorite flowers. After getting the last three that I was looking for, I'm finally ready to get started.

 Our new class schedule comes out in December and we will be starting all classes and clubs in January. This BOM isn't a year long, it's only 6 months. The first months kit will be available on January 1st.

 I'm not going to show you what it looks like yet.... give me a little time to get a few blocks finished up and then I'll reveal it.  It's sure to help you keep those winter blues from getting a grip on you.

Quahog is learning Quilting terms.

Since Jeff went hunting for the weekend, Qua and I have been doing some quilting together.
We're working on my next Block of the Month. (I'm working, he's snoring)

Check out his blog for his  "Quilting Terms and Phrases" www.quahogsworld.blogspot.com