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.

Seeking opinions!

Quick survey - Let's just say, hypothetically, that you had a sibling (let's make it a sister) who was a quilter. (Lucky you!) Let's also say that this sister/quilter had deconstructed a quilt made by one of your ancestors (let's make it your Great Great Grandmother, just for kicks) and had a couple small leftover pieces from the original quilt that didn't make it into the new quilt. Let's say this sister/quilter wanted to make each of her siblings something quilted that incorporated this old fabric, perhaps something about 12" square. If you were one of these siblings, what would you prefer that you get, a pillow or a framed quilt to hang on the wall? Or perhaps something else? Please let me know what you think. Of course, this is all just hypothetical, but my hypothetical curiosity really wants to know...

On to other topics - since I failed so miserably at buying light and bright fabrics on my shopping trip last week, I'm really hoping to win this giveaway from retromummy:

It is open until Sunday, November 21 if you want to give it a try.

And speaking of giveaways, I put Vera's and Shay's winnings in the mail to them yesterday, and mail karma kicked in. Look what was waiting for me when I got home - my winnings from Leona's giveaway!

It took every ounce of willpower to not immediately get to work making something from those fun fabrics for one of my boys.

And finally, people have been commenting on my Pink Ribbon Pin a lot lately.

I wear it every day, kind of a daily tribute to the survivors that I know and the ones I have lost, but also as a reminder to me to pay attention to my own health and to not take any day for granted. I have a link on the top right of my blog page every day, but I wonder how many of you Click Daily to help fund free mammograms at The Breast Cancer Site? I encourage you to do so, if you don't already.

Today is dark and cold and rainy in Virginia, a perfect day for cuddling up under a quilt with a cup of hot cider and a good book or movie. What am I doing? Sitting in my freezing office working, then off to a couple hours of karate and errands. Oh well. I'm sure it will still be cold, dark and rainy when I finally get home this evening. May your Tuesday be warm and cozy and full of light!