Stepping Stones

Well, the whirlwind week has come and gone, and I am happy to say that we are all safe and sound, though we have experienced some technical difficulties due to Hurricane Sandy. Mind you, it is nothing compared to what my east coast friends have had to deal with, so I really can't complain. So, for all of my friends, I wish you health and a quick recovery as the east coast rebounds from the worst storm in history.

And to cheer everyone up, I offer some pics that my fantastic photographer (who happens to be one of my favoritist cousins) took over the summer.....Stepping Stones. These pics were taken in Encinitas at a charming property full of sculptures...they were really quite breathtaking, and funny to work around.....

The pattern uses Bali Pops (or Jelly Rolls for you Moda enthusiasts). Mine has Blue Hawaiian, Grasshopper, and Zinfandel from G3, but I think it would look just as good in the new Rum Raisin, or maybe the Tiramisu....oh, how nice. Or what about the new ones that got released this weekend at market???? Breakers, Taffy and Caramel, or maybe Licorice.....That's right Hoffman released the new G6 version of the Bali Pops, and they are FABULOUS!!!! They are 1895 solids...so I think I will have to stock up. Shades of Green for Taffy, Caramel simply looks like a heap of caramels, sea salt, toffee, etc, and Breakers are the colors of the ocean...from super dark navy to the palest of blues. Super excited to see these coming soon to the store.

Well that's all for now, wishing you all well, and see you soon.


Cat

New Class Announcement

Well, I have been busy the last week or so booking classes, guild shows, and even a mini-retreat, see the details below and join us if you can.

MiniRetreat at Cotton and Chocolate in Thousand Oaks, CA
January 11 6-9pm
January 12 10am-4pm
January 13 10am-3pm

This is a mini-retreat, with most students focusing on the Feathered Goose, but we do have a few who want to do the Bali BedRunner and Forever Yours!. Please call the shop at 805-241-0061 to reserve your spot. We will only have 12 spots, so sign up quickly.

Sunday Primer Series in Palm Desert

Sunday, January 20 10-4
Sunday, February 24 10-4
Sunday, March 24 10-4

We will be focusing on the Bali Bedrunner in this series, but we have a few people who would like to work on the Celebration Tree Skirt and a few who are finishing up some Judy projects that had previously started. Call Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations at 760-772-2400 to reserve your spot.

Glendale
And then I will be doing a guild workshop and speaking engagement at the Glendale Guild on February 13&16. We are still working on the plan for this one, so stay tuned for more information. This will likely be a tablerunner class, but I will let you know as soon as everything is booked......


In the meantime, look for a new announcement on the shop grand re-opening and a redesign of the website.


See you all soon, and have a great week.






Cat

Last Show of the Season - Check

Well, the last show of the fall season is complete....I can't quite fathom that it is the middle of October. We packed up the booth for the last time this year, and it was both exciting, and a bit sad. Exciting that we get to move on to other responsibilities and priorities (the website, the laundry, market, etc), and a bit sad to say farewell to some weekend friends that I only see when on the road. Now, to unpack the trailer, sort everything out, and do an inventory.....I'm always amazed what I find, and what I have lost during the season. Last year, I found 2 unopened extension cords, which I had looked for all season. They were in the bottom of a crate full of plastic bags (the ones you put product in for customers). And somewhere I lost an entire set of sharpies -- seriously, a box f 10 just up a disappeared one at a time.

This week is sure to be an adventure, it is the final week before people depart to market, the final push for pattern printing, folding and bagging, final decisions about what props to take to market and which to leave home. It's always a bit nuts, it's always the week when weird things happen -- brakes on the car die, iphone screens get broken...all things that make for stress during the most stressful week of the year. But we'll make it through, we always do.

So, back to the grind, and I'll see you all next week.


Cat

Be careful what you ask for....

So, for my 2012 word of the year, I chose adventure. That was January. I was thinking an exotic vacation, a growing business, maybe even a little romance. I got a new job, a new apartment in a new city, and some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Though the year until now has not been remotely what I intended on January 1, it has been a most awesome adventure. Shows the power of words.....

Here's to the beginning of fall, and the start of the plan for next year.....perhaps I'll be more specific in my word choice......

Cat