Wednesday, May 1, 2013

In need of distraction - YOU can help! (and win!)

In the world of college admissions, today is the day when the admitted students have to let us know if they are accepting or declining our offer of admission.  I try not to take their decisions personally, but I'll tell it to you straight - I do.  I let myself get so excited after reading their applications and meeting them, that when they say "no" it feels like a personal rejection.  Of course, just a month ago, they were the ones feeling these emotions as they received news from the colleges to which they applied, and we were the ones repeating over and over that the decisions shouldn't be taken personally.  Easier said that done.

Luckily, I have a lot to distract me. I have just a week and a half until the baby shower for my karate instructor who is having twins.  I am finishing up sewing down the binding on quilt #1...
I decided to go REALLY colorful for the binding!
The back is a light purple
and I have all of quilt number 2 cut, and it is partially assembled.  It will be zigzag rainbow quilt made from half square triangles.  Here's one assembled row...

As my Leader/Ender while I assemble this, I've been sewing some pre-assembled colorful strips that were donated to me to some black strips that I have cut, no real plan in mind yet, but we'll see what emerges...

But the thing that is taking up the most of my time is planning for what comes next.  Regular readers know that I gave notice at my job after 10 years.  My dream is to do something different, something creative, something that involves QUILTING!  I've been working on a business plan.  Here are a couple blurbs I've excerpted from there to give you an idea about what I have in mind.  "The Stitchin' Post" is my working name for now, a placeholder.  I know that there is a famous Stitchin' Post store in Sisters, plus many others scattered across the country.  It is just such a cool name!  But who knows what name I'll eventually go with - any ideas?

Statement of Purpose
The Stitchin’ Post is a creative space for fiber artists to sell their products, teach their craft, share their resources and engage with a supportive and collaborative community of other fiber artists.
Business Philosophy
The Stitchin’ Post strives to empower local fiber artists to create a revenue source for themselves by introducing their talents to a wider audience.  The Stitchin’ Post values creativity, collaboration and integrity, and seeks to create a welcoming, inclusive community that celebrates these values. 

So, it isn't a quilt store selling fabric or a yarn store selling yarn.  It would be more of a community center for fiber artists of all kinds - quilters, knitters, weavers, everyone.

Wanna help out? I'm still in the market research stage of things.   I have a quick 10-question survey to help me determine my direction. (I have other surveys that I'll  be sharing with local quilters and knitters and whatnot, but this particular survey is for fiber enthusiasts anywhere.)  Everyone who completes this survey will have his/her email address entered into a drawing for a $25 ETSY gift certificate that can be used at any ETSY shop that accepts gift certificates.  I'd love it if you'd complete the survey.  I'd love it if you'd share the survey with other fiber enthusiasts that you know - you can either link to today's blog entry, or you can just share the survey link with them - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3J3KB8N.

But don't forget to take the survey yourself! Click here to take survey.  (I've gotten my 100 responses - thanks!  The winner was respondent #55, Angela C from FL.)

THANKS!  Reading your responses will be one more way for me to distract myself.

7 comments:

Auntie Em said...

I have no doubt you will complete both baby quilts with time to spare.

Love the idea of your new endeavor.

Unknown said...

When you mentioned that you were uncertain of the actual name, and when I saw what you are aiming for, the name "Fiber Network" came to mind. Probably too geeky. :) Good luck getting the second baby quilt done, I really like the first!

Shay said...

Lovely baby quilt Erin.

I hope the day isn't too brutal.

Took your survey ...I had to be a resident of Alabama to get it to log but Im not really there . If I was I'd definitely pop by your retail space some time.

regan said...

Just took the survey.....What a fantastic concept for a shop! I love it! I wish you the best of success, so you can franchise it out, so I can have one in our town!!!! Serious!!!!! I'm sending you an email with a couple more thoughts that I forgot to mention on the survey! lol I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!! You go girl! :o)

Julie Fukuda said...

I can't take your survey because I don't live in the states and have no idea anyway of the going price of things.
I do wish there was such a place in my area where I could go to use space for layouts and basting but I don't know if I could afford to rent a place for the five hours it takes ... well, maybe it wouldn't take that long if I didn't have to crawl all over it or had a few hands to help out.
I think I would check to see if that name is not registered.

Anonymous said...

Please check out
http://www.westseattlefabriccompany.com/pages/the-stitch-sew-studio

They have done something similar to your plan and though I don't live close enough to enjoy it I certainly wish I could, or that there was one around here!
Good luck!

Nancy said...

Great binding on that baby quilt! I took the survey even though I don't live nearby. And I looked at the link Mary B gave you for the place in Seattle. Did I tell you we will be there at the end of June to see Allie and Garrett? I am planning to go to a quilt show one day while Dave and Allie go to a sci-fi convention. Want me to check out the studio?