Bribery From a Bad Blogger!

Summer is over - if you measure the seasons by the school calendar, anyway.  All the neighborhood kids are back in class, and it is almost eerily quiet around my place.  Not that I am complaining...Quiet can be very nice, but (as long as I don't have a headache) the noise outside doesn't bother me at all.

Despite my lack of blogging over the last few months, I have NOT been on Summer Vacation.  I have, in fact, been VERY busy.  As a result, the time I would normally devote to writing my blog has been monopolized by any number of other activities....some fun, but mostly work related stuff!  Oh well, I am fairly certain that I will have more time to write now, since most of my recent obligations have been fulfilled.  Life should be calming down to a more tolerable pace. *SIGH* Finally!

I will admit that I have not had much time to release my creative energy lately, either.  I find it difficult to go an extended period of time without making SOMETHING, and it all came to a head last week when I started not one, but TWO projects.  Ah, nothing like self-imposed pressure, right?

First is a Wedding Tree Quilt.  This is the second such tree I have made.  I don't normally create a design more than once - I tend to get bored, and never finish, or drastically change things so they never end up being the same.  This time is different.  I am TRYING to make a pattern of this quilt, because there have been so many requests for it  Alright, I have the pattern part down, obviously....it is the writing of the directions that has me stumped! 

I am TERRIBLE at writing out directions.  I tend to skip really important steps all together, and then I get really (painfully) specific on others.  I may give up on the directions, since this pattern is not designed for a beginner, anyway.  Anyone with the skills to put this together, probably only needs the pattern and a lay-out diagram, right?  Please tell me I am right! Ack!  This is so frustrating!

While taking a break from the tree, I started another little project.  This is my second attempt at hand-applique - my first was documented in one of my very first blog posts.  Funny thing, even with all my grand plans of making that adorable quilt, that first block is all I ever got finished!  Of course, now I am thinking about it, and I may just have to go dig that out to work on.  So, back to THIS project.  It is a little house-warming gift for my pachyderm-loving pal, Emily. 

Speaking of Em, (ha, ha, I can see her cringing as she reads this - she isn't one to enjoy being in the spotlight) she recently joined our little Z&S Fabrics family, and I, personally, could NOT be more thrilled to FINALLY have someone to help me with my job!  And, I haven't had to teach her anything (I am as bad, if not worse, at teaching as I am at writing directions!)  I think she is enjoying it.  (Are you enjoying the job, Em?  Before you answer, remember, I AM your boss!  And I am your elder, too....by one whole day! hahaha.)  She seems to be having a good time writing up descriptions for the new fabrics we have been adding to the site.  I must admit, that I am having a good time READING her descriptions.  They are fantastic!  Here are a few new collections with examples of her amazing illustratory skills.  Fall Back in Time - Newton - Climbing Jacob's Ladder - and more are on the way!  Oh, and not only can Em write well, and use a computer without instruction, she also likes fabric! 

This is Bob.  He is a tailless French-Canadian feline with a fondness for fabrics.  (If you are wondering what makes a cat French Canadian, I don't honestly know.  However, his owner I mean the person Bob owns claims that "if you knew any French-Canadians, you would understand why Bob must be one".)  As you can see, this ferocious kitty is quite protective of his stash.  Don't mess with Bob's fabric!

Don't worry, though.  We have lots more where that came from.  In fact, if you would like a chance to win an assortment of Bob's favorites for your own stash, just leave me a comment.  Say hi, or tell me how disappointed you are in my bad blogging record lately, or even share a story about your own "crafty" pet.  It doesn't really matter what you write, just be sure that your email is correct so that I can contact you when I pick your name!

I will select one winner from all comments I receive for this post, prior to noon (Eastern time) on Wednesday, September 5, 2007.  Good Luck!

Comments

[Sequana]

When you get that wedding tree pattern worked out, I surely want to know....*S*

[paper-and-string]

bribery works for me!!!
your bad blogging is all forgiven :-)
sarah xx

[Gretchen]

Missed your blogs! I'm so happy the shop has been busy though. Tell Bob I would love to win his fabric s'il vous plait.

[Pam]

Hey - I'm good with bribery! Thanks for using Paypal - that way I can use the money I make on e-bay and my husband never has to know about it. Ha!!

[Patti]

Relax - you don't have to worry about writing directions for that tree. I can't imagine a beginner starting with a design like that, and directions aren't necessary for an experienced appliquér. (Is that a word?) There are many books available with instructions for applique. I'd say half the books and patterns printed today don't include basic appliqué instructions. Just include templates for each piece, plus a to-scale layout diagram (I HATE it when I have to enlarge a design) and you'll be all set. It's a marvelous design, by the way!

Even though my new sewing room shelves are now bursting and overflowing with fabric - and I swore off buying for awhile - I just had to have a piece of every one of the Fall Back in Time fabrics. They arrived yesterday and are every bit as wonderful as I knew they would be! I can sure tell you folks are totally overworked - no neat folding of the fabric or tying with a fabric strip. I always wondered how you had time to do that. Not a problem - I tossed them directly into the basket by the washer without even bringing them into the house. I can hardly wait to get them prewashed and into a quilt!

[Barbara]

I want to know if your weather is beginning to cool off. Down here in L.A. (Lower Alabama), summer weather lasts until October or so. While that may sound nice to some, summer weather actually starts in mid April!

[patty skypants]

Buddha is my Persian-Himalayan "owner" who also has his own stash of fabrics (actually, everything in this house is his) and loves to help me arrange my quilt blocks as long as I keep the Fancy Feast well-stocked! He says he is ready for a new challenge, so send the fabrics to him and he will use them purr-fectly.

[Jeanne]

I love your blog. I live in NC, originally from Pa.. My mother and I used to shop at Sauders Fabrics years ago. A friend from Pa. gave me your web site last year. I love the material I ordered from you. Quality stuff. Your blog is great. Lots of people feel the same way you do about jury duty. You hit the nail on the head so to speak.
I'd like to have Bob plus his fabric.

[JoAnne P]

Emily's descriptive paragraphs are incredible! You must be so happy that she climbed aboard.

[Kathy S]

I would love to win Bob's fabric. I also love your wedding tree. Is there a pattern available for it?

[Anne in CO]

Missed your blog & sorry you have been so busy, but that is a good thing if job related. Don't think I could manage your wonderful tree but loved the elephant as I could handle that simplicity. Is this a pattern you are making? Would like to purchase if possible. Bob looks so happy with his charm packets, so please don't move him. The outreach of his paw is precious. Does he need more charms?? Thank you for the great descriptions with the fabric, so useful when buying on the web. Thanks Emily.

[Mary Snyder]

Your Bob looks like our Pepper from years ago. Unfortunately he ran away when we moved to another house. Keep guard on those fabrics, Bob.

[Sue H.]

I love your blogs and your fabric. I also don't mind being bribed so go ahead. I also agree with you on doing the same thing twice. Can't do it-I get incredibly bored.

[Pam]

Hey! Nice blog! Clear photos! Good humor! (This is my first visit.) I need another cup of coffee! (What IS it with cats and fabric, anyway? Don't all cats jump on a quilt top when it is spread out on the floor?)

[Cory]

Love the wedding tree. You are probably right about the skill level for the pattern. I think you do need some basic directions though. Hey, How bout Em? didn't you say she is an excellent writer? Good luck, Cory

[Deborah]

Hi Bob: My cat must sit on every new quilt, once it is finished. Funny how they know!

[Lynda]

Great blog! As for the directions, I can tell you how I tackle writing something I'm not particularly in the mood to write. First, write down each step in the simplest possible language. Example: 1) Choose fabric. 2) Cut fabric. 3) Applique. 4) Quilt.
Then add in any smaller steps that are part of each major step. After that work on giving more info about each step. It'll be done before you know it. Love your fabrics and your customer service - it's tops!

[Barb (In York, PA)]

Love the blog...not a pet owner at the present, but now have "grandcats and granddogs" as well as grandboys and soon-to-be grandbabies. Sure could use some "new" stash, as my supply is getting tapped pretty hard lateley!

Have not ordered online, as I have been able to "travel" over the river to see hands-on selection!

[Yvonne Kleinhans]

I love the look on Bob's face. At my house it is Muffy. She guards the fabric, steals the thread and loves to pull pins out of things that I am working on. I am sure she would love to take care of some of Bob's fabric too.

[Becky]

I usually don't like blogs, but yours is great, I feel like I am talking to a friend and sharing everday happenings, thanks Becky

[julie in Toronto]

let us know when your patern is published. I like the look of it! blog when you can!

[sophia]

Your website is the best! My sister and I order mega amounts of fabric from you because you have the most up-to-date, beautiful lines of fabric available on the market. Your service is prompt and the website has very few glitches. More frequent blogging would be appreciated but I surely understand the business of life. Thanks for your service.

[kathie holland]

glad to hear the news about the website from someone who has had her cc info stolen twice.
not fun to go thru....so I can totally relate Carol...good luck
Bob is just too cute, love the way he is protecting the fabric!
But I bet he would be happy to send it to me :)
Kathie

[Mary Lou Harrier]

I especially look forward to your newsletters. September 2006 I visited my brother in Harrisburg. So of course, since you were having a mammoth sale, I had to visit your shop on South Muddy Creek. I really enjoyed that and spent a lot of money there!!! Can't make the sale this year, but next year??? I SURE HOPE SO!!! I AM SAVING FOR IT!!! Now that I have found your blog I will be reading that also. Wouldn't mind winning some of Bob's fabric. May have to hide it from Sheba, my Siamese!!!

Mary Lou in Michigan

[Meghan]

One of my dogs has a preference for alpaca--chewing it to pieces, that is!