I am not The Quilt Merchant

Friday we sold the store to Valarie Langue. I am very excited to see all the wonderful new things she will bring to the store. I will be around for a while to help her get adjusted to her new life, in case you don't already know she is moving here from France! Please stop in and introduce yourself, I'm sure you will love her. She is a very talented quilter and will offer longarm services.Thank you all so much for all the wonderful memories. Jim, Buddy and i will never forget the last seven years. Eliza has grown up in the store and now will have a baby sister next month.Beth has found many new talents and gifts, what a blessing to have worked with her for seven years! Now I guess I will learn how to really quilt!!!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Retirement

I have put The Quilt Merchant up for sale. Thought I would share why, then you will know from me and not just guessing why. I have loved the journey, I have received so much from this business. Loads of great people to support us, many have become friends. I have learned a lot about quilting, ha ha you get the joke. Just to put it all out there Jim is well and doing great, his health is not the reason. It is just a different season in my life, one that I will enjoy to it's fullest, we will travel, have a great grandchild, go on retreats with friends-- hope you all will come a long, and make a Dear Jane, learn to knit better and spend time with my family! Beth and Jon are going to concentrate on their family. I hope someone steps forward to take over The Quilt Merchant so I can hang out with you all.

Love you all
Docia

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Hand work for the winter

I have fallen in love with English Paper piecing. I needed something to work on in waiting rooms, a place I find myself in often now. I prep the pieces with the sewline glue stick, which I love! It cuts my time in half. Both of these samples will be about 15x18 and framed for the store. The tumblers are one inch, love it! The Texas star is about 2.5 from tip to tip.


- Posted using BlogPress from my i


I put my bobbin next to it to give you an idea of the size.

Went to my favorite antique store today and got a cute pair of white stockings to hang on the fireplace. I'm loving all the white things they are showing for Christmas decorating this year. I will take pics of all my new stuff soon!

Things that make me smile
Little kids wooden chairs
Old books
Anything white

Happy thoughts for everyone

This year has been a very long hard year for my family,many upsets and the passing of some very important people. I was thinking of my darling niece, Becky having to grieve the lose of her wonderful husband and I smiled at something Mike had said to me when my Mom passed,I will keep it in my heart forever. Sometimes you just have to look for the happy place!!! Grief does not define me, my family, friends and God are the defining moments I will remember forever. I love what I do and find myself smiling at certain things. Always look for the good stuff, the things that make you smile and the things that make your heart beat. My list is just that, my list. Some are silly, but they are mine! These are not in any particular order----

Old tattered quilts
The way buddy looks at me
Old boxes
Pewter
Fall trees
Santa
Christmas trees
Old houses
Old houses, yes I said it twice
Babies
Black furniture
Black gourds
Small kids furniture
Wooden bowls
Eliza's jazz leg
New England
There is so much more I will share later. What makes you smile?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Perfect Passing

I was very privileged and blessed to be with my Mom on Tuesday nite as She let go of her cancer ridden body and made the journey home to be with the Lord. Just before she left she tried to get out of bed and she took of her oxygen mask and said she need to get out of there (hospital) because her sisters were there to get her. I held her hand told her we all loved her, and that she should go with them. I will never be as blessed as I was at that moment.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

"Get On The Bus, Gus"

Ladies, The Quilt Merchant is planning a bus trip. You will be visiting 8 shops that have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler as a Top 10 shop in the USA. The trip will begin on the morning of October 21 in our parking lot and end the evening of October 22 back in our parking lot again. The cost will be $150.00 which will include your bus ticket, your overnight accommodations and your food. For more details call or e-mail Docia or Beth at the shop.
Phone: (630) 480-3000

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

lights out!!!!!

A big storm blew thru the area and knocked out the power, we still wanted to hang in there and work but it just got to hot. We finally gave up and took the day off.
Four of our grandkids are here for a visit, we are having lots of fun! Eliza loves to cuddle Benny. I will really miss them when they go home.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Jo Club

This months quilt for club is Vintage Holiday, we made it in Browns and Pinks ,love love love this one. There is still time to buy a kit so call and reserve it now! Don't forget to come to club this Thursday, I have lots to show.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Lizzie verses the Ten Minute Table Runner

Liz is my granddaughter, the one that just got married. Papa is teaching her how to sew!!!!! Nate, her new husband is very lucky! She is a very sweet, gentle and loving woman.We are so lucky to have her with us for a few days. Monday Jim is taking her to Savannah to be with Nate, who is serving in the Army. Two wonderful people in love and starting their lives together.











- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Twisting the nite away

This is how my red and white twisters started then I cut them out -----


And what I had left was the skeleton. When I get it sewn together I will post a picture! We may have to do this in featherweight club. It's just to cute! The squares are 2.5 inches!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Jo Club

This is the Jo club quilt for the month, just in time for the holiday!


Another cute quilt by Jody!


Ya gotta love the twisters,we have them in the store now!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Dear Jane

Don't forget to sign up for Dear Jane, it starts June 4th. Start thinking about your color choices, I think I'm doing mine in red and brown. Can't wait to see you all there. You will not believe what Val has in store for you.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Vote now!!!!!

. Vote for The Quilt Merchant so we can win a grant. We could buy lots of fabric, wool and put on a retreat.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The care and feeding of a Quilt shop owner

Most quilt shop owners go to market to find new things for their store,I also go to learn and meet people. Lucky for me many of my friends went to Salt Lake City this year. I want to thank Pam Buda, Nancy,Tara Lynn Darr, Paula Barnes, Mary Ellen,Char Hopeman,Deb Peterson, Deb Luttrell, Jerry Stube and countless other wonderful women who took the time to share with me. I attended some wonderful seminars and classes with other shop owners and did manage to buy some great things for the store. As a Top Ten Shop owner I was invited to the ceremony to announce the shops for this year and was so happy to have two local shops join us. Yellow Creek Designs in Pearl City, their quilt is a must have. In the fall you will see Prairie Quilts in Oswego show their shop. Their quilt is on my list, I loved it. Both shops are wonderful and deserve the honor!
Being in business as a women is not easy and we need the support of everyone to help us with the stress and fun of owning a quilt shop. It was amazing to hear stories from other shop owners and how much we have in common. As President of Quilt Trade Association, it is very important to me to spread the word that a sense of community is very important to our future. So many times I heard that shop owners don't get along, our area seemed to be a hot spot. I don't always see it, but if that is the perception we must change that. We are blessed to have so many great shops with in a small area, (150miles). All are unique and have there own style and feel. I would hope if they needed something they would call, whether it is for product or just plain old help.
Beth and I spent a lot of time planning for the next 6 months. Next year market will be in Kansas City so I invited the Quilted Crow from Australia to come early and teach a class on a wool project. Yea! Lots of new things and ideas are spinning in my head. Stay tuned for it all to come flying at you!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Market is closed!

Well friends, Beth and I have had a wonderful time at Market. Here is a picture of her quilt made with her line, Marguerite, hanging in the Windham booth. I'm so proud.








We're so excited to come home and show you all the wonderful things we found! We get back Monday late afternoon so everything should be in the store on Tuesday. Come see us and we'll show you everything!

We found out today that Pam, Karen, Tara Lynn Darr, and Beth and I are all on the same flight tomorrow. My son said he hopes there's an air marshall on our plane. Party pooper.

See you soon!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Market Report 2

Phenomenon in Salt Lake City: crosswalks in the middle of the block with orange flags where cars actually stop for you when you start walking!!! Needless to say Docia is entertained every time we cross the street.





Goals met today:
- fantastic patterns from Patchwork with Busyfingers for English Paper piecing
- new wool designer with GORGEOUS patterns that are super classy
- beautiful new patterns from Lori Smith, mostly appliqué which we love
- proudly viewing Beth's fabric line with Windham called Marguerite. View it here:

Marguerite

Amazing Mexican food for dinner and hanging out in our jammies. No mud facials tonight.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Market report 1

Beth and I got in last night about 7 pm. Flight was great, no ear problems !!!
We had dinner at Buca's yum yum, then went back to the room and Char and I gave ourselves mud facials. Beth walk in and just rolled her eyes and went to bed!!! Baby girl can't take it, her mother and I always act out! No there will be no pics of that, don't want to get kicked out of blogland!! Had a brisk 15 minute walk to breakfast, it is beautiful here. Now of to a class with a diet coke in hand. See ya, and I miss my family.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

All packed up

We are back at the hotel, packing up was easy it only took 40 minutes to tear down and get it in the trailer. We have had a great time in Paducah, the people are very welcoming and take good care of us. This has been a tough couple of weeks for them with the rain, the quilt show was almost canceled which would have been a great loss to them. Stella and I got to see a lot and had great fun, she was introduced to our life on the road and meant some new friends. I'm not sure she will ever want to travel again. Shows are very hard work, I think she will be happy to go back to her job.
Beth will be sending out an email for a special demo this Saturday, May 7th. I found a new product at the show for anyone who wants to do Redwork or fancy stitching on wool. This will give you perfect stitches every time. I always love to get the jump on something new that will be at Market! Joyce Jaksa you will love this! Off to bed so we can drive home in the morning, I need some Eliza loving !!!!!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Paducah

Stella is having a great time in Paducah! Even when the flood walls went up we were still smiling , but we were wet!! Everyone has been great to us,even with the big move. I would love to tell you more but have to get back to work.

















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The wedding

Elizabeth's wedding was beautiful as was she. Nathan is a great addition to our family! What a blessing to go to a grandchild's wedding.Jim and I enjoyed seeing all the grandkids and friends. Now we are on to Paducah to vend.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad