Notes from the Patch

The store that love built

Late Friday afternoon I was reading emails on my iphone as Bill drove us to Ventura.

Suddenly I gasped and let out a sigh. "Listen to this," I said with a break in my voice. I  sat quietly for a moment, trying to compose myself enough to share the touching email there on the screen. Every time I tried to start to read it out loud my voice would break and the lump in my throat would grip me so tightly that I couldn't speak.

After nearly a mile I was finally able to read out loud:

So happy for you, Suzanne, that your building plans are going smoothly and that things are moving forward! I had a strange dream about your new store the other night. They were pouring concrete on the floor and you had all of your customers and their kids put their hand prints in the wet cement. And then they covered it with carpet, but we all knew the hand prints were still there as a testimonial to the love we all have for you. Such a blissful little dream it was!

Bill and I both were quiet for a long time. The only sound was the swishing of the windshield wipers and the sounds of our sniffling.

 

Earlier in the day I had met with the flooring people and ironically it was decided that in order to prep the concrete slab for the new flooring that new cement would need to be spread over the irregular concrete slab.

Oh, how I wish I could have all of the wonderful people who have supported  and encouraged me over the years come put their hands in that wet cement. You all have touched me so deeply that no amount of carpet could ever hide my love for you. Your names will be forever written on my heart.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

New store update

 
Forgive me if I seem to blather on and on about this new store thing. It's just that it's what consumes my every waking hour these days. And wakes me up in the middle of the night worrying about where the ribbon is going to go and what shade of beige we're going to paint the walls. Who knew there would be so many details.

Today my contractor and I had a meeting with the door and glass people. I told them there was no going back. That I'd spilled the beans on my blog that there would be double doors so going back to a single door just wasn't an option. Double doors it is. The color is still up for discussion but there definitely will be two. Actually, they are building a whole new wall on the front of the building on which to hang those double doors. (I told you these people are being incredibly accommodating!). They are doing everything they can to help my dream become a reality and I just can't me more grateful.

Today I thought I'd show you our new Minkee Boutique. (You're going to need your imagination here).

 

Imagine thirty six feet of Minkee and chenille...all on one long double decker shelf.  No more running all over the store for the colors you need. Minkee all in one place, right there with the baby fabrics (what a concept).We'll also have a design center where we can help you design your dream nursery and even make it for you if you'd like. Our crib goes there on the right. We even have a real baby in the works to go in it. Talk about special effects!

I've already ordered every chenille color I can get my grubby little hands on. A girl just can't have too many wonderful choices when it comes to great textures like chenille and Minkee. It will be good to have all that messy fluffy stuff contained in one place, that's for sure!

Friday is a really big day since I meet with three flooring companies for bids. It should be  the last of the major decisions and expenses (I hope).

Have a terrific weekend everybody!

Encourage one another,

 

Progress report

As most of you read this post I'm on my way to Los Angeles for some display pieces and gift items for the new store.

Today they are framing the classroom and Friday I meet with three different flooring companies for bids. Lumber for the cabinets has been purchased and the saw dust is flying. Things are definitely coming together!

My office is stacked with boxes fIlled with some of the most exciting new buttons, flowers and embellishments. We've all been sewing up a storm to finish fresh new models and gifts to fill up our wonderful new space.

I guess you could say this new store is a total leap of faith for me. Faith that in these hard economic times you will continue to support my unconventional quilt store. Faith that things will continue to get better, that women will always want to sew and will always delight in finding carefully selected fabrics, trims and embellishments. Faith that there will always be buyers for fabulous sewing machines and beautifully made sewing furniture.

I have faith in the future of this industry just as I have faith in this country.

What I'm not so sure of however, is whether or not I can keep all of these exciting plans and merchandise under raps for another five weeks!

Encourage one another,

*************************************************************************************************

Update:

I had an unbelievable day shopping for the store! I found so many fun things and I can't wait for everything to start arriving.  I can't remember ever having so much fun. Sure hope you all like them too!

 

Nature's Poetry

My daffodils waved goodbye this morning as I pulled out of the driveway and headed for work.

Spring can't be far away.

Nesting birds, bees and butterflies...

This is Nature's Poetry by Chad Barrett for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

As I type this I can hear the cold wind howling outside my office window as customers come blowing in with wind tossed hair.

A perfect day for hot tea and a date with your sewing machine.

 

Encourage one another,

 

 

Sneek peak

Just ordered sixteen of these for our new classroom.

Hopefully you will never want to leave!

Encourage one another,

 

Progress report

Today the walls started coming down on my new store

and I met with Dennis, my incredibly talented cabinet maker. After we went over the plans I walked him over to the new suite so he could see the progress. As we talked he drew my new check out counter in the dusty floor so I could get an idea of the size and placement. And at that moment, I could almost imagine just what my new store would look like.

Things are starting to happen and I'm so excited. I can't wait to move in and decorate and then welcome you there.

Encourage one another,

 

Best gift ever

I hope you'll excuse me if I brag a bit.

Friday I received this

Humm wonder what it could be. It's not my Birthday...

Oh, I do recognise that little polka dotted box. Bill and I bought a bunch of those for Sarah's budding jewelry business.

A note

 Dear Grammie & Papa:

Thank you so much for all the jewelry. Grace and I have already made 20 necklaces and about 20 pairs of earrings & 3 bracelets!

I love making jewelry and I can't wait until our open house! Hopefully we'll make a good amount of money for ALS too! 

We haven't thought of a name for our business yet, so if you have any good ideas give me a call.

Thanks again,

Love,

Sarah

PS: I hope you like the necklace I made you Grammie!

I doubt that she will ever understand just how special this necklace is to me!

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

 

Something tells me this girl is destined for greatness.

Encourage one another,

I told Sarah I have some very creative friends so if you can think of a great name for her new jewelry business please share and I'll pass it on.

We interrupt this weekend

So many of you asked to be notified when our handbag hardware arrived that I thought it would be most efficient to do it here.

We now have in stock everything you'll need to whip up one of these bad boys (or would that be bad girls)?

Annette has even scheduled a class for those of you who would like some professional guidance on stuff like stabilizers and some great sewing tips.

You know, so yours will look as good as hers.

Now I return you to your normally scheduled weekend.

Carry on.

The final text

Please share this with anyone you love that may be tempted to text while driving.

Caution: It's hard to watch but could save a life.

 

 Encourage one another,

First impressions

Every morning, without fail, I sweep the front walkway and check the front door of my little store for yesterdays smudges and finger prints.

Front doors have always been important to me whether it's at home or at work. After all, you  only get one chance to make a good first impression.

During my meeting with the shopping center owner I asked for a lot and he was incredibly generous to grant me my every request. Then at the end of our meeting, like a spoiled little girl at Christmas asking, "Is that all there is?" I had just one more request.

I started by saying, I know you're going to say no and I do understand why you'd say no, but could I also possibly have double front doors? You know, the pretty wooden ones with  big brass handles like at Talbots and William Sonoma?

He said, "Sure, I think that would make an impressive front entrance".

He said YES! Oh my goodness. I think I'm as excited about those darned doors as I am just about anything.

My name is on the dotted line and the ink is dry. Demolition starts this week. I'm at the point of no return and I'm  excited and honestly just a wee bit scared.

I can't wait to sweep the front walk and welcome you all to my new store through those beautiful double doors sometime in April.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
Walt Disney

 

Encourage one another,