Notes from the Patch

What's your word?

I love a new year. 

A blank canvas.

A fresh start.

As you can probably imagine, I'm not sorry to put 2010 to bed. It was a year full of trials, loss and unbearable sorrow, but through it all, a year for me of incredible growth. By sharing our  journey with Jeff's ALS my faith has grown as has the love and support of my family and friends. I have learned first hand the power of prayer, the importance of faith and the  strength that friends and family can give one another in a time of need. For that I am forever grateful.

In thinking about this shinny bright new year that stretches out before me I wanted to pick one word that might summarize what I hope to accomplish in 2011.

For me that word is growth.

I want to grow my business, my creativity, my talents, my relationships. At the age when most Americans are retiring and slowing down I want to kick it up a notch, take a class, take a chance, grab the golden ring of life and raise it high over my head. I want to live each day to the fullest with a positive attitude and with gratitude. And when I lay my head on my pillow  each night I want to not only count my blessings but count my accomplishments and my personal growth.

If you could choose one word that would sum up your goals for 2011 what would it be? Think about it, write it down, share it, live it.

Here's to a fantastic new year full of growth and whatever you want it to be!

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

When at first

I shouldn't be sharing this because some of you may be under the misconception that all my sewing creations are flawless.

Perfect the first time.

I hate to burst your bubble, but I almost always have to do things over...at least once.

Wednesday my granddaughter and her friend, Grace and I attempted to make little zippered pouches for their new I Touches.

I was handicapped since I had no pattern, rotary cutter, ruler or straight pins and only had an hour to help Sarah and Grace make them before Grace had to go home. Excuses, excuses. I know.

I kept apologizing to Grace because her little carrying case had its planned inside pocket on the outside and the zipper didn't open very smoothly.

Grace insisted that she loved hers just the way it was and that it was perfect. "Grace". Her name fits her perfectly. Such a gracious little girl.

The whole time we were rushing around trying to get things done before Grace had to leave I could feel myself getting all hot and nervous. Pits sweaty, hands clammy. I really didn't want my only granddaughter and her friend to see me fail so miserably at such a simple sewing project.

Sarah's pouch turned out even worse. A total disaster. I promised Sarah we would remake hers. I explained that sometimes in sewing you have to make a sample to work out the bugs before getting something you're proud of.

She laughed and told me that as she walked Grace home earlier she told her that she thought I'd say that and want to make her pouch over - that I was picky and would want to do a better job.

(Whew. Glad I made that call).

So anyway. Here is Sarah's pouch and one of the necklaces she beaded while we were together.

Buttons, yoyo maker, fabric and zippers $25.

Assorted beads, charms and jewelry making supplies $200.

Crafting with granddaughter...

Priceless.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas in review

Michael took his candle lighting job very seriously.

 

We ate way too much!

Gifts were opened

 

...lots of gifts.

 

and games were played...(and lost).

There was Pilate's for me with my DIL's

followed by a long nap on the couch.

Having this much fun can be exhausting!

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Boxing Day

 

Encourage one another,

 

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours

Bill and I fly to Kansas this morning to be with our kids for Christmas. I'm hoping for snow.

Whatever the weather it will be wonderful to be together. Bill and Bryan plan on helping Michael, Jake and Nathan with their Boy Scout soap box cars and Sarah and I have a date for some serious crafting while I'm there. I'm excited. Turns out my only granddaughter has a bit of  entrepreneur blood in her pretty little veins. She's into making and selling her jewelry creations to her friends.That's my girl! Sarah called to place a fabric order yesterday. She and her friend Grace want me to help them make I Pod bags and she requested that we put in zippers! I hope I'm ready for two ten year olds putting in zippers!

There will be after Christmas sale shopping and since both Cherene and Jen celebrate birthdays between Christmas and New Years  there will be cake and candles and packages wrapped in birthday paper in colors other than red and green.

I loved going through photos and putting this little slide show together (even though I shed many tears over them). Oh, how things can change in just twelve short months! My wish for you is that you forgive those who may have hurt you and let go of things that you can't change. See the good in every situation - it's there, sometimes you just have to look for it a bit. Life is short and we never know what tomorrow may bring. Don't waste time, effort and energy on negativity. Love and encourage one another.

It will take a moment for the slide show to load. Turn on your sound.

 

 

 Merry Christmas!

Encourage one another,

 

When it rains it pours and then it gets your floors and fabric wet

This morning as I turned the key to the front door of my little store I was greeted by the distinctive smell of wet ceiling tiles.

Our store's roof is leaking. Again.

Evidently it had started leaking on Saturday and the girls had placed trash cans in strategic spots about the store before they left for the weekend. By the time I arrived early Monday morning the trash cans were full of water.

I was just grateful that the carpet hadn't been replaced yet or I would have been a bit cranky. What's a little more water on a already ruined carpet?

Our poor repair man spent most of the day on the roof in the cold rain patching the leaky spots. He thinks it's fixed, but I've heard that one before so we'll see.

These are the things they don't tell you about when you think having your own quilt store sounds like fun.

What is fun though is giving away fabric. If you know of a non profit organization that could use some prewashed fabric, let me know. We have two fabulous new Moda collections that need new dry homes. Just email me or stop by the store and we'll see if we can help each other out.

Rain is predicted thoughout the week. Keep your fingers crossed that the patches hold.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

Fabric friends

Taking time out from the hustle and bustle of the holidays to enjoy the company of other sewists was the perfect thing for a rainy afternoon.

We greeted old friends

 and caught up a bit

warming ourselves by the fire

and the glow of friendly smiles.

 Things got a bit heated though when the gift stealing began.

Beautifully made gifts and quilt related gadgits were all up for grabs.

Here's the deal. You just don't want to get too attached to your gift because before you know it, poof it's gone!

Yes, there were some addictive substances involved too. Mary Ellen's Best Press. Liquid Gold. Quilter's Crack. Totally addicting.

 It's obvious these two are users,

 and I suspect by the looks of things, she's a user too...

This is the ring leader. 

She not only knows how to throw a great party, but she knows how to get what she wants.

Don't get too attached Pam it's only temporary.

It was such a great afternoon. Thank you Patty for including me!

Encourage one another,

Count down til Christmas continues

Here are a few more carrots to help get you to the gift making finish line:

This is Sugar Pop by a new Moda designer, Liz Scott. Go here for a free pattern using this fun, colorful line.

 Polka dotted batik. Oh, how I love my polka dots!

A lady came in today for this fabric. She's going to a White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange and is making a bag to "wrap" the gift. Clever. (Yes, Peggy I said clever...ever clever - beaver cleaver. Despite popular belief, you CAN teach an old dog a few spelling tricks). Love you Peggy!

Amanda's done with her Christmas gifts and is working on Valentines Day. (I love her too even though she sometimes makes me sick!)

 

We've all been working on our newsletter and winter class schedule so if you'd like to add a class to your things to look forward too after the holidays, check it out. Lois is teaching the applique method that Amanda uses. Of course we have beginning quilting and sewing, and pillow and apron classes. Oh, and a Friday night pizza party sew-in. We will be adding more great classes over the next few weeks.

One more week people. Hang in there! 

Now I have to run. I have a dinner date with a handsome man and some dear friends.

Encourage one another,

 

 

Count down til Christmas and a bright New Year

A little something to help keep you going.

Just nine more days to finish the  binding, buttoning and embellishing.

Then we can play with these...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New Year looks bright and oh, so promising.

We have lots of exciting surprises for you so stay tuned!

For now, get those last minute projects done. Santa's on his way.

Encourage one another,

 

 

Stream of consciousness

I don't know about you, but I'm counting the days until all of this hub bub is over and I can get back to my sewing machine. I feel like part of me is missing when I'm not being creative. We have so many new fabrics and trims in and it's killing me not to have the time to play with them. I'll try and take some photos to show you sometime later this week.

I'm thinking January is my new favorite month. You know the whole clean slate thing and all. In January I always have such great plans. To shop all year for gifts and have them all wrapped and tagged before Halloween. But I never do and find myself feeling all bah hum bug about now. It's that promise of a new start in January that pulls me through. I'll do it better next year.

Saturday I went on a little field trip to a shop I'd found on the internet. It was a very highly rated Christmas store in a community I'd never been to before. I pulled up in front and there next door was a bead store. Divine intervention for sure. I'd been wanting to find an independent bead shop that would give me some help with my granddaughters Christmas gift. The sweet salesperson patiently answered my never ending list of questions and sent me off a happy camper. (The Christmas store was a big disappointment, but that's okay. Turns out I was really there for the bead store - just didn't know it ).

I wanted to remind you about our seventh and final day of Stuff My Stocking over on our website.Today until 2:00pm PST we're offering a wonderful little sewing machine from Bernina, a $300 value, for just $149.99. It was crazy Tuesday afternoon when the word got out. The phone was ringing off the wall and the internet orders were streaming in. We sold out by four o'clock but should have more in stock just before Christmas. If you want to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity you must place your order today by 2:00pm.

Encourage one another,