6795 Route 100~Londonderry Vermont
September 2008
September 2008
September 26, 2008
More Shop News
Look at all this fabric stored downstairs just waiting to go to Waterwheel House. And there's more coming! Just in, Amy Butler's new Daisy Chain and quilting solids that coordinate with all her prints. Also, from Australia, Aboriginal designs, beautiful earthy colors and designs made with tiny dots of rich color. I am waiting for more from Kaffe and Mark Lipinski as well as some fun, yet sophisticated novelties from Henry Glass and Alexander Henry. From StudioE(essentials) gorgeous neutrals, taupes, ivory, cream,black and white in elegant patterns and tone on tones. Some retro kitchen prints from Blank Textiles and one of Anna Griffin's new baby lines from Windham. And books, the latest in print from Martingale Press and C&T Publishers. Oh and notions, pins from Bohin, Klasse Machine needles (did you know that Schmetz needles are now made in Japan and Klasse has taken over their factory?) Also Gingher brand scissors, Creative Grid rulers-plus some new fun rulers that take the work out of cutting, decorative rotary cutter blades and ergonomic rotary cutters, English hand sewing needles, Peltex fusibles, Misty Fuse, fabric dye,paints and markers, Angelina Fibers and sew much more! I you would like me to order anything special for you just ask!! OH OH the UPS guy just drove up with more than 10 cartons. Later...
September 18, 2008
This is the sign!!
I think we have decided on the sign. I like the lighter purple border. What color should the post be?
White? There will be a stone wall base built. The sign will be carved and painted and will be almost 12 square feet total.
White? There will be a stone wall base built. The sign will be carved and painted and will be almost 12 square feet total.
September 16, 2008
New Sign Ideas
Well, what do you think. Here is the latest from Frank, the sign guy. He used my illustration. I think I like this oneWater4! Yesterday, 10 cases of fabric from Westminster Fibers, Kaffe, Amy Butler, Tanya Whelan,Denyse Schmidt (Home dec), Heather Bailey and more, ohboy!!!
Met with my first fabric rep yesterday as well. Gretchen, from Westminster, Free Spirit, Henry Glass and M&S(Australian Co.) 6 and 1/2 hours of looking at fabric samples and purchasing ALOT!!! Doubt I will ever have to order in that quantity again.
Parking lot is in and the plumber is working up the estimate for the new heating and airconditioning.
Met with my first fabric rep yesterday as well. Gretchen, from Westminster, Free Spirit, Henry Glass and M&S(Australian Co.) 6 and 1/2 hours of looking at fabric samples and purchasing ALOT!!! Doubt I will ever have to order in that quantity again.
Parking lot is in and the plumber is working up the estimate for the new heating and airconditioning.
September 11, 2008
Parking Lot and Sign
We have a parking lot with 10 spaces, oh boy!
I received some ideas from Frank at Signworks. I like the shape of the sign and the white background as well as the lettering. The sign will just say "Waterwheel House" with Quilt Shop under that. All other info will be on hanging blades so we can add and subtract as needed. I don't like the pinwheel block house and Judy suggested a house quilt block instead. I think it should be somewhat whimsical too. I came up with a couple of sketches and sent them to Frank.
Here they are. I can't wait to see what he comes up with. Here are his ideas.
September 07, 2008
Improving the Shop's Flow
The average size doorway from the main room to the back rooms has been replaced by a large entry to the back of the shop. From the front door customers will see all the way to the back! A bathroom and closet have been removed for more space for fabric.
I have started a quilt using Mark Lipinski's Califon collection in brites. I will be cutting into the black and white bolts soon. My trusty pal, Judith will create her own "Califon" quilt as well.
I heard from our friend and quiltshop owner, Bob Silverman today. He and Jim Helms have that great quiltshop in Woodstock New York, www.quiltstock.com. Judith and I visited with them in August to pick their brains. Having met them at the Vermont Quilt Festival I felt their vision for a shop was similar to mine. They were really terrific and gave me lots of good advice for starting a new shop. They encouraged me to go to Houston in October which I plan to do with Judith. Having registered late, the only rooms available were at the Four Seasons Hotel. Oh well we will just have to suffer.
I contacted Holly Holderman (LakeHouse Drygoods). I am trying to get her collections, Oh Boy and Cherry Baby . Everything is backordered. She sent me an email with some good advice for buying
not only her line, but from other popular designers as well. Thanks, Holly and look forward to meeting you in Houston. Again, I welcome all advice and comments regarding opening a new quilt shop.
September 05, 2008
Shop Dog
Best doggie in the whole world, Gracie. She will reign as "Shop Dog". More demolition today, really opening up the space between what was the living room and two back bedrooms, a bath and a closet. Wow, looks so great I think I could live there! More pics tomorrow.
September 04, 2008
Just A Baby
Demolition has begun! Walls are coming down to open up the space. We have electricity and water! I met with the sign guy today to get that design going. Hope to have a logo soon. I need a signature quilt block that looks like a waterwheel Any ideas?
Just in, Mark Lipinski's complete new line "Califon" in two colorways, black and white and blues,yellows, orange and green. Very cool. I am storing all the fabric and supplies for the shop in the downstairs apartment for now. Also my new Alto's QuiltCut Pro Fabric System arrived. I am practicing cutting fat quarter bundles and 5" charm packs. Have to be adept at cutting before the shop opens, you know. Also in "Florrie's Favorites" by Froncie Quinn. A very different brightly colored reproduction line based on some quilts from the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne Vt. I have ordered the latest fabrics from Westminster Fibers, Free Spirit, Norhtcott, Red Rooster,LakeHouse and more by designers such as Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler, Heather Bailey,Denyse Schmidt, Robyn Pandolph, Tanya Whelan and more. Oh boy, Oh boy!!!
We will be putting a new heating and cooling system in and all new electric. All construction is being supervised by my sweetheart of a husband, Andrew.
September 02, 2008
A Quilt Shop Is Born
Today we closed on the property locally known as "Bob's Watermill". Bob built the waterwheel on the old barn in 1960. The farmhouse is over 100 years old, but is still in great shape. Tomorrow the dumpster will be delivered and the guys will start the demo. The farmhouse will be transformed into 1800sq.ft. of retail space. The barn will be renovated to feature special quilting events and shows. All here in beautiful Londonderry Vermont. What a fabulous location, with tons of traffic traveling to Weston (the home of the Vermont Country Store) In this portion of Southern Vermont we travel 20 miles just to buy sewing needles. Not to mention fabric!