Now that I am a day away from my trip to Israel and a fortnight’s visit with my beautiful daughter, I am prepared, packed and poised to board the plane.
I have imagined being there for several months now and almost am. So my thoughts jump ahead to preparing for my return in several ways. I know how short a week is, how fast it passes. I know that before I’m ready, I’ll be heading back. (I have considered staying more than once, but the Quilter’s Alley and my Stu, need me, not to mention the pups.) I have to adjust to the fact that I can’t be near Shara, for now. I also know that, as seductive as foreign culture is to me, it is not my reality – yet. So what’s up at the shop?
Well, we missed Quilt Market because of my trip, but we still placed a HUGE order for Westminster, Free Spirit, Art Gallery Fabrics, M & S Australia and all the associated designers. It was actually a more relaxed, three-hour meeting with our favorite sales rep and she came to us. I am excited to start receiving the goods! They will ship anywhere from NOW to January and we have big plans to reorganize the shop to feature our favorite designers.
I have selected several new groups that will take all the guesswork out of making a successful quilt. Many of the fabrics are perfect for garments. PS. Shara just moved to the Tel Aviv Fabric District and I will be shopping knits, while I’m away. I want to make some comfy dresses for the winter.
As a side note, Oliver + S’s Husband, Todd visited our store today. He honed in on our vintage buttons and I’m excited to be seeing some of them show up on Liesl’s samples. I’m happy to report that there are only the two new patterns missing from our stock — and I will have them shortly.
I just finished another (last-minute) quilting project for the Art Gallery Fabrics Houston booth. We will ship it today. I can now say I have quilts being shown in Houston. It’s kind-of a joke because I didn’t bother to enter in the “real” show. Who has time? But it’s nice to be experiencing the excitement, vicariously, through my stitching. I will however, miss seeing Patricia and Walter.
Now for photographs… I can’t promise, but if the Mediterranean breeze is just right, I may post some on Flickr while I’m gone.