Aug 12, 2011
Wow! What great responses for my question “How is it working for you?” This was exactly the type of information and feedback I was looking for! I hope everyone now takes the time to read back over all the responses and American Quilt Retailer will compile a summary report for you soon.
The winner of our random number drawing for posting a comment is: Merrie Miller of Catty Wampus Fabric Co. in Caro, Michigan. Catty Wampus is a new shop and we extend good wishes for a healthy business. Merrie will receive four fat quarter bundles donated by Moda Fabrics.
Thank you to everyone who posted a comment and thanks to Moda Fabric for donating our prizes!
We’ll be asking more questions like this in the future. The feedback and ideas in your responses are invaluable for all of us!
Happy Friday! — Susan
Aug 3, 2011
In the past few years the quilting industry has been looking for ways to expand our business and it is happening. Sewing is catching on with an entirely new generation. One of the blogs I like to follow is called Do you mind if I knit? This talented young woman in the UK recently wrote a post called “Apparently sewing clothes is the new knitting.”
Yesterday this article, “Sewing is back”, appeared in the The Washington Post.
BurdaStyle.com is the largest DIY fashion and sewing community with more than 500,000 registered members.
Many of the designers in our industry are now designing clothing patterns and industry publishers are addressing this new market of sewers as well.
These are just a few examples.
I find these changes exciting, and I have talked about new directions in each issue of American Quilt Retailer.
However, if you are a shop owner, I’d like to know if this is how it looks to you? Do you see your business moving in new directions? Are your customers sewing beyond quilting? Are you reworking your business plan and inventory to meet the new needs in the marketplace? How are you diversifying?
Or, are you happily staying a quilt fabric store? And if so, please tell us why.
I pick up on forward trends at market and in other media, but I am not actually out in the trenches, like you are.
So tell me, what do you see happening? Leave a comment, and we’ll select one to receive four fat quarter bundles from Moda which you can use for sample making.
Just curious — Susan
Aug 2, 2011
I’m a visual person — many people in our industry are. So not only did chef Charlotte provide our bodies with daily feasts, but the sunlight, the clarity of the air, the age of everything, and the creativity of the people provided a feast for the eyes — I was delighted at every turn!
Chateau Dumas was originally constructed in the 1200s or 1300s. Then it was burnt to the ground in the French Revolution. The current building was built around the original staircase — the only thing left standing after the fire.
one of many sunflower fields surrounding the chateau
a view from one of the third floor windows
sunflowers in the foyer
a quiet, sunny place to sit outside my room
The details — Lizzie had trimmed the red curtains with a roll of antique hat labels.
a breakthrough
the view from the veranda where we ate meals
late afternoon sun from the veranda
the view from my window
a quiet still life
another quiet still life
and another
and another
and yet another
lavender for a sweet night's sleep on our last evening
Still dreaming … Susan
Jul 15, 2011
We did not suffer for lack of fine food on the French General/American Quilt Retailer Chateau Dumas Getaway! Charlotte, our French chief, performed what to me looked like an amazing feat — a feast for 20 three times a day! Below a feast for your eyes!
Our "French chef," Charlotte, teaching us how to make foie gras. We each came home with a tin of our own.
Fruit and almonds in creme fraiche — everything is better with creme fraiche!
A trio of cold soups
Stuffed pork tenderloin with seasonal vegetables
Don't know what this was called but...
... it was fabulous!
My favorite cheese from the wine and cheese tasting.
Fruit is a standard dessert, yummy but not too unhealthy.
Everything not only tasted good, it was beautiful as well!
Confit de canard was sort of like a "chicken fried" duck (sorry, Charlotte!).
I just learned these fries were cooked in duck fat! No wonder we kept asking for more — which they provided!
Cool chocolate and caramel — so good I forgot to take a photo before starting to eat it!
We had buffet this evening — but what a buffet!
Oh my!
Setting for a French picnic on the lawn!
A cheese plate for dessert, including a basil granite.
A salad of rocket and figs
The final dessert — ginger and honey croustillant filled with strawberries and topped with lemon and ginger sorbet. No one wanted to go home at this point!
What else can I say? — Susan
Jul 14, 2011
I so enjoy people watching! Photos tell the whole story:
Still more to come! — Susan
Jul 12, 2011
Arrived home from the French General/American Quilt Retailer Getaway to Chateau Dumas in Auty, France late Sunday afternoon. Yesterday was a day my husband likes to call a re-entry day — a slow re-entry day.
What can I say — the trip was fabulous — even more so than last year! Which I did not think possible. The setting is almost impossible to describe, yet I shall try with more photos in future posts. The hospitality was impeccable, with joy abounding at every turn. This trip was particularly special because everyone in our group was connected in some way to quilting and textiles. We all shared a common denominator besides adventuring to France with the simple faith that this might be a fun thing to do.
My husband and I have often commented that it’s the people you meet on vacation that can sometimes make the most impact, and our group of travelers reinforced this observation. Thanks:
To Barb and Mary for rushing to greet us fellow Americans (speaking English) the first morning in Toulouse. You both brought laughter and fun at every turn all week.
To Rachel with her radiant smile for sharing her new love (blessings on your engagement!) and for sweet memories of seeking a creative place.
To Carol for your quick humor (even when faced with unexpected fluttering nighttime visitors!) and artistic style. If you can envision and bring to fruition woaded blue leggings and a handcarved bat stamp you have far more talents than you give yourself credit for.
To patient Diane who stuck by me, pulling up the rear, when I had to stop and make a photographic record of every rolling hill and sunflower on our six kilometer walk.
To Bonnie for quietly sharing past adventures and new dreams for your recent retirement. May I be there too someday!
To Michelle, the home-body, whose joy of travel and wonder of place seemed to grow more and more towards week’s end.
To Alice and Fay for quietly sharing evidence of your life-long friendship. I enjoyed watching the fun you were both having during the week.
To Susie for your ever-animated enthusiasm and saying the experience was “5,000 times better” than I descibed. You brought a lot of energy and style to the mix — like you always do!
To Donna and (tittering) Peggy, another pair of good friends, with a contagious brilliance at each experience.
To Anne, with a quick wit, sound knowledge of the French language and so much fortitude to navigate the Madrid airport on your own with the thought of possibly missing the flight home. I would have puddled long before.
To Sally, my sister, who got her first passport at 66, cortisone shots in her knees and perfect tote bags. You’ve been with me and encouraged me on so many of my life adventure’s. I loved sharing this one with you. I’m pleased you had the confidence to trust me when I said “come with, you will love it!”
To hard-working Cathy, the evidence of your love and friendship with the Mengs is memorable.
To Charlotte, our French chef, your children, Theo and Phoebe, and your able (and lovely!) wait staff. Your meals and presentation were out of this world!
To Lizzie for having a dream and creating the heavenly environment Chateau Dumas provides.
And, then there is Kaari, Molly and Kick — there may be other means to visit southern France, but it is you three who made this one the perfect! Your genuine gracious hospitality would be hard for anyone to duplicate.
Coming home from any vacation — if it’s a good one — you are not the same person you were when you embarked on your journey. Good travels are life changing! Thank you all for a wonderful week!
Susan
Jul 1, 2011
Chateau Dumas in Auty, France
How can it possibly be July 1 already?
I’ve been thinking of this day since last September when Kaari Meng of French General and I started brainstorming about a French General/American Quilt Retailer Getaway to Chateau Dumas in southern France.
Attending, this same French General trip in July of 2010 was, what I thought — “a trip of a lifetime!” Yet, here I get to go again to an incredibly beautiful surrounding, with a group of creative talented women for a week full of textile events, French food, lots of fun and plenty of laughter.
We have industry designers, shop owners and fabric sales reps attending this time along with Kaari, her sister Molly Meng and her mom “Kick.” They have already been over there for almost two weeks whizzing around the countryside. Their blogs (click on their names to read the posts) have been such teasers, it has been so hard to concentrate on getting Issue 100 of American Quilt Retailer wrapped up, to press and proofed. (Which it is!)
American Quilt Retailer, Issue 100
Now, with this all this accomplished. I’m off to Madrid today, then to Toulouse, France tomorrow, and then on to the Chateau on Sunday.
Watch for future blogs and Facebook posts, with tales of of our adventures! And watch for your copy of American Quilt Retailer to arrive soon! — Susan
PS — This issue should mail July 7!
Jun 17, 2011
I read a lot of books on creativity. I guess I’m always trying to figure out, and perhaps justify, why I (and other creative types) are driven to create something — anything! I’ve mentioned before that when I was little my plea was not “Mom, I’m bored, what can I do?” It was always “Mom I’m bored, what can I make?” Many perfectly normal people don’t operate this way. But, I am happiest when I’m thinking, brainstorming and making something — whether it is making magazines or any craft project: quilting, sewing, knitting crocheting, etc., etc., etc.
In Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project, along with many other organized thoughts on what makes people happy, Gretchen said learning anything new makes people happy. Being creative is learning and making something new all the time! It’s one of Gretchen’s many great happiness truths. (By the way, I’m really enjoying her book — and you don’t have to be unhappy to read it as it is just full of good life skills.)
In a far away airport as I was reading one of my “creative” books I ran into a friend from home. She noticed the title and said “oh, I’m not creative at all.” This woman is extremely smart (a college professor) and I had just overheard her talking with someone she works with helping this woman work out a problem. I pointed out that, yes, indeed she was creative and that she had used a lot of creativity to help this woman find a solution. My very intelligent friend looked at me in amazement and disbelief. I looked at her in amazement and disbelief, because she had never thought of herself as creative. If you’re living you’re creative.
So even on days when you are not making something, remember you are a creative person. How else did you get the idea for your business and get it up and running? Know you are using creativity all the time!
Other words on creativity: read this post on Mark Lipinski’s blog. Good words to use if you’re creativity is stuck in neutral. Look at something in a different way — creatively — and kick your happiness up a notch.
Read how other people and businesses work at staying creative. On Facebook read Amy Butler’s post of June 14 called “Eye Candy.” Be sure to “like” her page, while you’re at it. You know I find inspiration from Anthropologie — talk about creativity! Check out The Anthropologist and be sure to “like” them on Facebook for daily bits of inspiration. I love this Facebook post with favorite Anthropologie window displays. Subscribe to The Interweave Insider. Last week’s e-mail reprinted What’s your knitting mood? by Kathleen Cubley. It’s about making “mood” boards, also called “inspiration” boards. As a shop owner you can do this too. In fact, what if each of your employees had a spot to create a mood board placed where your customers can see it? Or, keep a mood board online on your website, or Facebook page!
Next time you need to do something — anything — order fabric, solve a problem with an employee, make your to-do list, design a display, make a sample — anything — do it creatively and you will be happy too! — Susan
Jun 9, 2011
If you only knew how often I think of you. When we arrived home from Quilt Market, after a day off, there was cleaning up loose ends after the last issue, cleaning up after Quilt Market and starting the next issue rolling — things that have to be done far enough ahead of time — because the days just keep rolling along. So, this is why I’m only now telling you about our trip to Salt Lake City!
In a brief word market was “good!” We were busy and the booths around us were busy. I came home with two boxes of flyers and catalogs — always a good sign! I’m still pouring over all this and will be presenting lots new product in this next issue — Issue 100!
Do you think we were tired or was it the altitude?
We did get it all together thanks to all Becky's planning!
Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender talked to a packed crowd at Schoolhouse!
Rich and George sharing their "street savvy" tips
Rich and George started the market with private consultations
We had fun celebrating our “almost 100″ issue with a cookie reception at 4:00 on Saturday.
Me, with columnists Roseann Kermes, Jim Salinas, Deb Luttrell, Mimi Shimp, Linda Griepentrog
Suzanne McNeill of Design Originals in her Zentangled baker's apron!
Jim Salinas was around at this time and many of you had your photos taken with Jim.
Jim Salinas with Sherri Thomas of Painted Pony 'n Quilts
with Laura Flynn of Cotton Patch Quilt Shop
with Geri Waitt of Sanford Sewing Machines
with Holly Draney of Pine Needles
with Shelly Stokes of Cedar Canyon Textiles
with Terri Cowan of Quilters Hangup
with Kathy Schaeffer of Quilters' Choice
with Jerry Stube of Quilter's Quarters
and with Melisa Morrison of Sweet Home Quilt Company
The Answer Book II is at the printer and we will have copies in our hands tomorrow — then the orders will be shipped out immediately and all these standing pre-orders will receive a copy autographed by Jim!
NEW! The Answer Book II will be ready to ship next week!
Enjoyed being with my daughter Anne during market — she flew from Indy to help in the booth. Yes, it was a good market!
Almost packed up!
Back to work on the next issue — the real 100th issue! — Susan
May 3, 2011
Mailing day is always a good day around here! Our “almost 100th” issue is heading your way! Actually, this is Issue 99 (and counting). Our upcoming July issue will be Issue 100. However, we want to celebrate this milestone with everyone at Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, so we are celebrating our “almost 100th.” You will be there to celebrate with us won’t you?
In this issue Jim Salinas talks about “smaller put-ups” and gives us a good historical perspective on how the “put-ups” have changed over the years. Our business profile is on the Sweet Home Quilt Company in Conyers, Ga. Owner Melisa Morrison does a splendid job with her displays.
Sweet Home Quilt Company owned by Melisa Morrison in Conyers, Ga.
We also have more display ideas in my “Wow-it!” column which relate to “Beaucoup!,” the FREE-to-use pattern in this issue. Hope you like the pattern and display ideas, and that they jump start “beaucoup” ideas of your own.
"Beaucoup!" — The FREE-to-use pattern from Issue 99
More good news to celebrate! We are taking orders for The Answer Book II by Jim Salinas! The Answer Book II will include all the “Just ask Jim” columns from American Quilt Retailer, Issues 78 to 99 — more answers to your questions — all bound in one resource. You can order this on our website within the next couple of days, or you can order your copy at Quilt Market. They will be ready to ship by the end of May.
NEW! The Answer Book II by Jim Salinas
Also, so you can plan your time at Quilt Market, in this issue we have printed a list of the titles of our advertisers’ Schoolhouse presentations. At deadline we did not have all the times and rooms, but the titles will help you decide which you might like to attend.
American Quilt Retailer is hosting Kizer and Bender for one Schoolhouse:
“Street Savvy™ ideas to jump-start your business”
Thursday, May 12, 2011
4:20 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., room 255A
Kizer and Bender are also presenting two professional seminars:
“The science of shopping: How to help your product sell itself”
Thursday, May 12, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
“Reinvention or else: 15 strategies to attract new quilters”
Friday, May 13, 2011
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Many people tell me they read the new issue on the plane traveling to market. I have this funny vision of looking down the aisle of the aircraft and glancing from side to side and each and every passenger has their own copy of AQR in their hands as they study the contents. Now that would make a good promotional photo wouldn’t it?
See you soon in Salt Lake City! Safe travels and enjoy your reading!
Susan
↑
