Yup, it's been a long time since I've posted on the old blog. In fact, it's been so long that the last thing I planned to post was a picture that Aimee, at the the West Center store, emailed me of several adorable Christmas stockings she made for the holidays. It does seem a little late to post it now, though. (A thousand sorrys, Aimee!) It's not that I've been eating bon-bons and watching Oprah - quite the opposite!
Here's the short list - yes, there's a longer one - of the excuses I've compiled for my tardiness. FIrst, I made it through Christmas (Barely, it was no easy task this year.); then we cut thousands of fat quarters and held our annual Fat Quarter Frenzy over New Year's; then we FINALLY got through inventory (a BIG snow storm really screwed that up); we've got all the classes (dates, times, places) planned for the next newsletter and wrote the class schedule; then...I wrote the rest of the newsletter; in between all that, I helped find a last minute apartment for my college age daughter and got her moved in (why is everything ALWAYS last minute with college kids!); last week I reworked some of the website and added new pictures and products (no small feat for the computer illiterate); in the past week or two, we redecorated both of the shops taking down all of the Christmas models and changed 'em over to spring (another HUGE job); meantime, Carol and I are working on the details for our BIG Spring Fling Bus Trip (hotels, buses, etc); and now I'm doing the last of the edits for the newsletter and writing up the hand outs that have to go with it - all so that it's done and out the first part of February. (And yes, I put it all into one sentence on purpose because it seems to look more daunting and impressive.) For anyone who thinks that owning a quilt shop - or two - is just sitting around quilting and chatting with customers; come follow me for a day or two - PLEASE... I could put you to work!
But enough whining, I'm back on track now (sort of) and PROMISE to do better in the future. Okay.... I can't promise that, but I'm certainly going to try. Big sigh.
Anyway.... I did get A LITTLE quilting done over the past month --- dang little, but it counts. I stitched up these two little models, from the Count On It book, by Art to Heart (Get it?? They "count", from the Count On It book??? I know -- really lame, huh?? Another big sigh.). We've got models and kits at both stores and some day soon, they'll be on the web site.
Here's the book...
Here's the models at West Center shop ...
I do have December and March finished and up too, but of course, I don't have pictures of them. Admittedly, they're small but sometimes you have to take baby steps and be content with that.
I have a lot more photos to share with you in the coming weeks. Great quilts from the gals at Country Sampler, new clubs, great displays from both stores - so stay tuned!
Hi Deb, good to see you back. Love seeing the pictures of the new kits in the shop. Thanks for sharing,
Karen
Posted by: Karen | 01/30/2011 at 05:03 PM
Thanks, Karen! Its always nice to get an email and know that someone is reading - Ha! Im hoping to have a lot more time to work on the blog - just as soon as I get this darn newsletter to the printer. Wish me luck!
Deb Cizek
Country Sampler - Omaha, NE
www.countrysampleronline.com
Posted by: Deb Cizek | 01/31/2011 at 09:42 AM
Welcome back Mam...Your book and the models created by you are looking great...Frankly saying i love your blog only for the beautiful work done by you there...Every pic here is giving a good view of your work...
Posted by: club villamar | 02/02/2011 at 01:04 AM
Thank you sooo much!
Deb Cizek
Country Sampler - Omaha, NE
www.countrysampleronline.com
Posted by: Deb Cizek | 02/02/2011 at 08:24 AM