Latest Quilt

This is the latest quilt I have been working on which is a shop sample out of Northcott Stonehenge Christmas fabrics.  A quick and easy panel quilt but I love the way it turned out.

I am getting more used to my daughter being off at college.  I still miss her terribly but guess I am starting to get in a new routine. 

I do enjoy doing less laundry and picking up less empty diet coke cans all over the house but I sure miss talking to her and seeing her every day.  I am looking forward to her first visit home this weekend. 

kathie

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

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.

New Blog

I hope to get back to updating this blog from time to time when I am working on personal projects but have decided to start a blog for the quilt shop I purchased as I am spending most of my time there.  If you want to check out what is happening at Olde Towne Stitchery check out my new blog (as of yesterday) at  www.oldetownestitchery.blogspot.com

Kathie

Graduation

Graduation last night and we couldn't be prouder of Mandy as she finished in the top 5% of her class.  I sure never did that.  Think I probably finished about in the middle and that was with lots of studying. 

Three of her very best friends were able to come so I know that meant a lot to her. 

kathie

Memorial Day

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend away from work and chores (not likely) and also remembered all the service members.  One of my favorite memorial day weekends was when we went to see the World War II Memorial.  My dad didn't live to see it finished so felt like I was seeing it for him. 

I have been doing some sewing this weekend, but nothing worth showing at this point.  I pieced a backing for my daughters dorm quilt and worked on some hidden 9-patch blocks that I started well before my hand surgery.   Hand is doing much better.  Part of my thumb is still numb and my hand is weak but I actually cut fabric for some customers on saturday.  I still couldn't do it all day but good that I can start doing some of it. 

Since I have no pictures of my own wanted to show a couple pictures of class samples that will be taught in the shop starting in July. 

I was scheduled to take a workshop on this spicy spiral table runner when my hand got real bad so if I think I can do all the cutting I might just take this class myself. 

The other one I think is extra cool is a woven purse.  It was made mostly out of the bright stonehenge fabrics that I love. 

My only problem is my purse is usually huge and don't know if I could carry something this size or not. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!  It is 90 here today, I am looking forward to a little cooler weather. 

Kathie

Shop Update

I am slowly getting used to having a schedule again and having to get going every morning to run errands of some sort and then head up to the shop.  At least with not having to be there until about 9:30 I have time to get a few things done before hand. 

Of course the most enjoyable part it still seeing weekly fabric deliveries.  This is still one of my favorite fabrics that I have received, it is a Princess Mirah batik.  I might just have to make something with this myself. 

The next few weeks are going to be a lot of fun but also stressful as we have so many things going at once. 

Mandy will be graduating in less than two weeks, followed by her last dance performance the following weekend, followed by a two day orientation at college right after that.   I am looking forward to every bit of it but once it is all over maybe we can take a breather.

I still have not been doing any sewing but feel that my hand is finally to the point that I should be able to start piecing again and as soon as I have time I want to try and quilt a table runner on my longarm.  Figure I should be able to do that since it doesn't involve any rolling of the fabric but won't know until I try.

Kathie