Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Shop

The quilt shop is having good days and bad days.  Hopefully will have more of the good and less than the bad once kids get back to school and people start thinking about all of the things they want to make for holiday presents.


This is one class I am going to be teaching, a simple fall or Christmas Fused Wreath.   Thought it would make a quick decoration for peoples houses.

I am learning a whole lot having never worked retail before.  The parts that amaze me are how far out you have to order fabric, I currently have some on order that will not deliver until December!!  I will always think having to get delivery of Halloween fabric in May or fall fabric in June just is just plain weird. 

The fabric companies for the most part are great to deal with but having some calling wanting to ship things before they were scheduled.  Guess they think people have unlimited monthly budgets and unlimited space.   I currently haveone collection and a few stray bolts stashed under the cutting table waiting for free space to put them in.  That is actually nice as it is giving me time to work on a new shop sample using a new line from Northcott called Fragrance.  Maybe by the time I get the quilt done we will have room for the fabrics.

Main focus other than the shop the next week is getting Mandy ready for college. She has been busy spending time with friends and the boyfriend before they all head off to college.  Think most everyone she knows is heading off this weekend or is already gone so next week each night we will have to be organizing all her things, seeing what last minute things are still needed and getting her packed. 

As an only child with an only child have never been through anything like this before and I am finding it very hard  The house will sure seem empty but at least she will be close enough to come home every few weeks for the weekend. 

Kathie

Monday, August 6, 2012

Blogging

I can't believe how long it has been since I even looked at this blog.  I miss having the time to check a few of my favorite blogs on a daily or at least weekly basis.  Hoping to be able to get back to that at least once in awhile. 

I think I am fairly used to working full time again but it hasn';t been easy.  I was so used to making my own schedule and running errands and grocery shopping at slow times and always having the laundry up to date.  Having to learn to just go with the flow a little more and things will get done "eventually".   My hubby has also pitched in and days I work till 6:00 he will do dinner.  Usually just heating up leftovers but great I don't have to deal with it when I get home.   He is also planning on retiring the end of the year (he is submitting the papers today) so will be nice to have the extra help with things next year.

Summer has been super busy getting the quilt shop fully stocked again.  We are now at the point where every time some fabric comes in I have to rearrange to make room.  That is not all bad as it is nice to always have something new to put out. 

The rest of the summer has been helping Mandy get ready for going off to college (in less than three weeks now).  Started with a two day orientation in June, followed by several shopping trips (boy the need tons of stuff), back up to the college to open bank accounts, drop off medical forms etc. and now trying to take care of some of the last details and wondering how it is all going to fit in the van?

I didn't have much time to sew for awhile but recently finished two shop samples have have them hanging up now.  One was to show a different use for a striped fabric and the other to show off fabrics just received in the shop.