Notes from the Patch

Royalty sighting

Meet Lady Gwendolyn Jasmine Belah and Lady Tillie Princess Fairhaven.

We were graced by a visit today by two royals - between their wee morning wedding watching and afternoon tea.

Cheerio.

Encourage one another,

Suzanne

 

Today...

...I woke up early and sipped my coffee while reading some of my favorite blogs. Pretty much my normal routine except   this one from Rhonda Farrer really resonated with me.

Today I was inspired by the list. I realized I have been neglecting to focus on those things that I hold so dear. Thank you Rhonda for the reminder!

While I finished my coffee I clicked on the television to get the local morning news, just as I always do, but a rerun of Oprah on Bob Greene's book, 20 years Younger caught my attention. It inspired me to get Bob's book and order Lancer skin care products. (I'll let you know how that all goes - you probably won't recognise me next time you see me).

Today I drove to Fresno to meet with other quilt shop owners from the Heart of the Valley Shop Hop and was uplifted by their excitement over our upcoming shop hop. We laughed and shared our plans and some of the surprises we have in store for you. Let's just say this years hop includes clowns, quesadillas, a baked potato bar, mini cupcakes, snow cones and  tons of awesome free stuff. 

Today I rejoiced as I finally made arrangements for private photography classes - something I've wanted to do for over a year! I can't wait to share my (hopefully) improved photographs with you!

So, how was your day?

Mine was pretty much awesome.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

 

You wanta piece of me?

Here is one last chance to own a piece of Strawberry Patches history.

I love this large cottage style wall unit and wanted so much to make it work for our growing batik selection in the new store. But it's already bulging with batiks and I need to find room for all of the additional bolts that are on their way. Since I've commissioned another large built in cabinet to hold our batiks, this one must find a new home.

If you can use a large cabinet* for books or bolts or just about anything, give me a call. Our new cabinet should be here by the first of May and this one needs to go to make room.

$200 and it's yours!

Encourage one another,

*Cabinet measures 7' tall and 5' wide. It's 12" deep.

 

 

Oh Martha!

I love these last minute ideas from Martha Stewart Crafts!

I'll be saving these ideas to try next  year.

It will take me a year to collect enough egg cups.

 

 

 

Happy Easter Peeps!

Encourage one another,

 

Just Winging It

 

Several of you have asked for this kit.

(I wish I could remember who asked me to save one for them).

We have just three left. 

I don't want to leave anyone out, but once they're gone we can't make more.

Our kit features the fabrics by MoMo that you see here and includes the sashings, border and binding fabrics.

I think it's a terrific value for just $69.99!

The first three to order wins.

The rest of us will have to pick our own fabrics.

.

Encourage one another,

A blast from the past

Employee, Barbara was cleaning out a bookshelf when she came across this.

A 1977 Sunset Ideas book which originally sold for $2.45.

I recognize the hair styles and am pretty sure I had that wrap around denim skirt!

There were pages on recycling - didn't even know we did that back then!

and a section on using feathers.

There were projects for the whole family. Hello, we're the Dork Family.

Notice the use of ric rac there on the mans tunic. Groovy.

Do you think people might have whispered behind her back?

Or just laughed in her face. Unbelievable.

I actually hand embroidered Bill a denim shirt similar to the one below. He never wore it though. He has his limits.

My question to you is this. Will we look back on the things we are making in the 2000's and think they are ridiculious?

 

Naw....

Encourage one another,

 

Bloom'n

The second annual Heart of the Valley Shop Hop is just a month away and boy have we  been busy finishing up our quilt, making setting kits and stuffing goody bags - you know, when we weren't moving 5,000 bolts of fabric and decorating a new store. = )

When the group  decided on black and white for this year's quilt I knew I wanted to brighten it up with lots of color. 2010 had been an especially dark year for me and I was ready to celebrate all of the good things in my life with a bright and cheery quilt. After all, you can bloom where you are planted or you can be a miserable hermit. It's a choice and I've made mine.

So I chose the theme "Bloom" and selected this bright, happy border print from Me and My Sister Designs by Moda. 

The alternate block design  was inspired by the border fabric and we stitched it all down using raw edge applique. Very 2011 don't ya think?

Of course we added lots of buttons and ric rac because, well, that's what we do here at Strawberry Patches! (They don't call us the queens of embellishment, the guilders of the lily, the curators of cuteness for nothing).

So any way, you can reserve your setting kit here and because we have a limited number of kits available let us know asap if you want one. We've already sold almost half of our available kits. Whoohoo! Seems there are lots of you out there that have chosen to bloom too!

I'm happy to announce that our handsome celebrity guest chef is joining us again this year and he has planned a fabulous gourmet menu for your dining pleasure, so do come hungry!

The Heart of the Valley Shop Hop is a fun weekend of shopping and friendship (along with a ton of free stuff) while visiting eleven fabulous quilt shops right here in the San Joaquin Valley. Please mark your calendars for May 20, 21 & 22 and join us for the fun!

Encourage one another,

 

 

Happy Sunday

Today was my first day off in three weeks.

I needed a day away and spent it doing what I love almost as much as working.

Shopping!

Two huge malls and six hours later I shopped til I nearly dropped.

Can't say I was over joyed with the fashion choices but I did find a few things to add to my very tired wardrobe. Let's just say it's a start.

photo by Anthropology

The fabric in this top reminds me of Liberty of London. Did I tell you I have contacted Liberty of London about carrying it at Strawberry Patches?

photo by Anthropology

 

I found the perfect shoes for market except for two things.

1.. The four inch heels. Ouch!

2. The price...$795. Double ouch!

(No I didn't buy them)

I hope you got to spend your Sunday doing what you absolutely love.

Encourage one another,

 

Out of the blue

I was warned this would happen.

This morning as I pulled an old sweater from the back of my closet and routinely checked the pockets for wadded up tissue and forgotten notes, I came across this

 

a forgotten ticket stub tucked away from a trip to the movies with Jeff's boys.

Out of the blue that predicted  wave of emotion washed over me. There was no escaping the memory of the unbearable sadness I felt that day.

It was the evening I needed to get the the boys out of the house while the ambulance came to take their daddy  to the hospice house.

It was the night  Jeff died.

Some days it seems so long ago and some days the loss is so raw and fresh it  seems like yesterday.

They say you never get over the loss of a child.

You know what? They're right!

Encourage one another,

 

A little birdie told me...

...that some of you might like to see our new collections as they arrive.

So here's what just flew in.  

Just Wing It by MoMo for Moda fabrics.

You can view our complete selection here.

I'm loving the modern feel of this bright and colorful collection and am tempted to take the fix'ns for this quilt

home with me for some weekend sewing. I know it's only Wednesday, but it's never too early to start planning for a weekend of sewing!

What's on your cutting table?

Encourage one another,