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.