Veronica Violet Stitcheries

The week that was - or still is!

So, this is how my week began.  With the closure of the shop nextdoor to mine, I have been able to re-open the doorway between the two shops and move my shop into nextdoor (a much larger shop area) which means I now have a fantastic light and bright sewing classroom (where my shop was) - absolutely wonderful! 

The empty "new" shop was cleaned up and painted in just a few days.  Maybe I should go on one of those reality home reno shows - I think I may even enjoy painting, but shhhh, don't tell anyone!

Look at all that extra space I can fill up!  And another lovely big window for creating window displays (I love that part) and also lots of light.

Can you see the corner of the classroom to the left?

All was done in time for Wednesday when I held a bit of an impromptu Sit & Stitch.  The stressing is over and now comes the fun part!  Please call in and visit the new & improved version of Veronica Violet Stitcheries.

My lovely friend Kathy, (who had a holiday "shack" next to us at Moyhu when we were kids) and  who I have known for 41 years (OMG can you believe that) came to stay and "play" in my shop for a couple of days.

There was lots and lots of talking, laughing, sewing and eating.  Check out this yummy lunch Kathy made for us and yes it was delicious.  I tried to convince her to stay and although the lure of the fabric was strong, I really had no hope of stealing her from her husband and kids.  Come back soon, we miss you!

My newsletter is well and truly overdue, but all good things come to those who wait.  I'm still in the last stages of finalising the class list, which will be added to my blog and to facebook hopefully next week.  Don't really know what I was thinking when I planned to print and mail 500 news letters while moving shop.  A wise man once told me not to get my "capablety mixed up with my ability" or was it my "ability with my capablety"!!!!!

That same man also told me "a wise man never goes anywhere without his coat", something I remember everytime I walk out my door :-)

Happy Stitching,

Carolyn

Infinity and Beyond! Well facebook at least.

Veronica Violet is now on facebook.  I have absolutley no idea what I am doing and spend a lot of time pressing wrong buttons and generally getting nowhere, but I'm slowly working things out.  With more of a creative brain than technical I have however learnt to make facebook photo albums and upload photos to my facebook page. Yay for me! I love the fact that in just a few minutes I can add new things that come into the shop to facebook (once I remember what I'm doing). When I work it out, I'll link facebook to typepad and vice versa.

It was nice to have a day off work yesterday and not do any "shop" stuff. With my youngest Mitch (age 16) finally heading off to start TAFE for the year I felt the urge to bake our favourite basic but yummy goodies.  Chocolate chip biscuits and Banana and Choc Chip Muffins.  Now the muffins don't look that appealing but they sure are delicious!  Thank goodness we can all afford to buy bananas again - we were having muffin withdrawals!

Urban Cowgirl by Urban Chicks for Moda arrived in store this week.  I love Moda fabrics - they just look and feel so lovely.  There are also a limited number of 5" charm packs available.

Knitting scarves was on the agenda today at work. Yes, I'm meant to be a patchwork store but sometimes it's hard not to incorporate a few extra creative bits and pieces like scarf yarn. With no electricity for most of the day due to works outside what was one to do? I couldn't even make a cup of coffee - should have planned ahead and got a thermos (hmmm would have been nice with a muffin).  Dusting, cleaning, painting, cutting fabric, sewing by candlelight.  None of those choices appealed so it was knitting scarves that won out. These scarves are so quick and easy, they take only a couple of hours to knit and look great. A scarf for under $10 - a bargain, and so many colours to choose from, get in early before winter.

I've been working on my shop newsletter and finalising the class list.  It's almost all sorted and my poor brain is tired.

Time for a cup of tea and bed. 

Happy Stitching

Carolyn

Back to sewing and stitching

So, what has been happening at Veronica Violet Stitcheries.  It's been a while since I've done any "what's new" updates.  Some of these pieces are from before Christmas, so if you're a regular visitor to my store then you may have  seen them already.

"New Beginnings" by Melly and Me.  Available as a kit -  includes pre-printed linen, paper pattern and cosmo threads.  Just perfect for a new grandson.  Think I'll add Tyler's name and birth details to this along the bottom.

"Sew, Laugh, Love" by Leanne Beasley of Leanne's House.  Kit includes pre-printed linen and cosmo threads. The fabrics for the borders are also available.  I get lots of stitching done at night after tea - I have a tendancy to fall asleep if I sit still and do nothing. 

"Friendship Tree" by Natalie Bird of The Bird House.  Kit includes pre-printed calico, paper pattern  and wooden buttons.  This little stitchery is so cute and is a perfect fit for the frame I found at a second hand shop.

"In the Shade of the Button Tree"  by Rosalie Quinlan.  Kit includes pre-printed linen and cosmo threads. Stitched for my shop by Shelley, add some buttons and a couple of borders and it looks amazing. Border fabrics are available at the shop.

Something completely different to my normal style of quilts, but I just love it.. This quilt designed by Stephanie Brandenburg was so quick and easy to put together.  I can't wait to have it hanging in my house. There are limited kits available which include the pattern and all the fabric for the top and binding for $110.

A throw quilt for Tyler.  I love using Chenille in baby quilts.  Maybe that's a throw back to my 1970's childhood.  It looks good, feels great and washes well. 

"Baby Chenille" made by me with some of my favourite fresh and bright fabrics using the chenille cutter.  I just love the look and feel of  this little baby Quilt.  The more you wash it, the better it gets.  I'm working on a blue one now.  One can never have too many quilts, even if you're only 2 weeks old! Kits are available in the pink colour and in blue.

Why not cover a canvas as a quick and easy wall hanging in your sewing room or as a gift for a friend.  Available at $22 metre.  A fat 1/4 for $5.50 is all you'll need for a canvas.

Hopefully I've provided some inspiration for some stitching/sewing.

Happy Stitching,

Carolyn

 

Show and Tell

January has been a busy month at the shop.  I have been working on lots of quilts and shop samples.  for some reason I seem to get lots of sewing done during the month of January.  I had planned to spend some time last week making a few Blog entries but you know what happens when you make plans.

I do however have the best "Show & Tell" of the non-sewing variety.

Meet my beautiful grandson Tyler Elliot McDonald, born at 2.55pm on Wednesday 25th January weighing 6lb 5oz (2885gms).  Isn't he just the most gorgeous little baby ever - or is that just because I'm the Nana?

My daughter Brittney is the proud Mum of little Tyler.   So far he is a perfect baby, all he has done is sleep and drink his bottle, making life as a new Mum so much easier. 

Aunty Button Bliss Lisa bought him his first Big Rig Truck (preparation for working with Grumpa), but a little nap was needed first!

Now apparently it's time to get back to the task at hand - patchwork and stitching.  I promise to be back in a few days with some photos of what I've been working on and some things that have arrived in the shop in the last few weeks.

Happy Stitching,

Nana,

Oops I mean, Carolyn

 

 

 

Shop Manners

QUESTION: When visiting someone's house, would you take out your iphone or camera and start taking photos of their things?

Would you pick up their ornaments, take out your iphone and record the manufacturers details?

Would you take their books from the shelf, take out a notepad and write down the ISBN?

My answer to all of these questions would be NO WAY, of course I wouldn't!  Is it different because I own a shop and these items are on display?

I am not a retail chain store and cannot stock everything but I have given it a darn good go for being in business for only 4 months and am willing to try and source any product my customers may be looking for.  I offer competitive prices on all products, often below RRP.

I believe I offer friendly advice and help whenever it is needed with classes  being planned to start in March.

I love modern technology.  I don't understand most of it, but I love the fact that I can find or research anything on my trusty laptop. I would never have made a pioneer lady!

Money is tight these days and I know and understand we all love a bargain - myself included.  Almost all of us have made internet purchases from both here in Australia and overseas, but I consider it to be really, really bad manners to go into a store for the sole purpose of using the stock and ideas to gain information for internet purchases elsewhere.

We all complain that we can't buy this and we can't buy that locally in our small towns anymore but if we don't support our smaller shops - well, then they just won't be there.

To all my many, many, many customers and friends (both local and visitors) who support my business and offer creative advice, ideas and encouragement I thank you!

Maybe it's the stupid summer cold I picked up while at the beach that's made me feel the need to voice my opinion  or maybe I'd just had enough of customers bad shop manners today.

Tomorrow is a new day and I promise "To start it in a happy way".

Happy Stitching,

Carolyn

A Beach Break

With Christmas and the New year over I had the chance to get away for just a few days and re-charge my batteries after a busy couple of months re-opening my shop.  And oh, wasn't it lovely.

First stop was the Blue Lake at Mount Gambier - and yes it was very,  very blue.  Unfortunately it was about 41 degrees so I wasn't up to walking around it, but there's always next time.

Then there was fish and chips at Port MacDonnell.  This amazing building was painted in just 8 1/2 weeks by 413 community members

The long jetty at Beachport (best coffe on the trip).  The water was such a lovely colour - who built that shed there!

There was some 4-wheel driving along the designated ares of the beach.

Some bush camping in the Park at Robe.

Time on your own is always good.  It gives you a chance to clear your head and focus on the future ahead.

Happy Stitching

Carolyn

 

3 Sleeps to go - Are you ready?

One thing I have learnt is that Christmas comes every year whether we are ready or not. 

So, like this gorgeous Christmas Tree from Lisa at Button Bliss - BE JOYFUL! Excuse the chopped off side in the photo - gremlins.

On the non-christmas side of things, the shop is bursting with fabric after only 3 months.  Last Friday I recieved a lovely delivery of 9 boxes of fabric. 

The full range of Woodland by Natalie Lymer and Folkheart By Rosalie Quinlan have now arrived in store.  I can't wait to start making something from them.

The sewing baskets on top of the shelves would make a great last minute Christmas gift for someone or even for yourself.  Just perfect sitting beside your lounge-chair with the latest stitching project or two hidden inside.

Happy Stitching

Carolyn

Rutherglen Twilight Christmas Shopping & Farmers Market

Are you looking for somewhere a little bit different to do your Christmas shopping?  Then why not pop along to Rutherglen tomorrow night (Wednesday 30th November) between 5pm and 8pm for some wonderful shopping bargains.

Lots of stores have lots of wonderful shopping specials plus the Farmers Market is also on for any yummy goodies you may need in the next coming weeks.

Veronica Violet Stitcheries is offering 20% off everything storewide (excludes laybys, books and already discounted items) for the entire day tomorrow.  That's 20% off ALL fabric, patterns, sewing baskets, quilting mats, cutters, threads and giftware.  If you can't make it into the store, then give me a call at the shop tomorrow 02 6032 8050 between 10am and 8pm, pay over the phone and I will happily post or hold any items/fabrics you may need. 

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow,

Happy Stitching,

Carolyn

Australian Quilt Market

Wow, what a wonderfully inspiring weekend I had at the Australian Quilt Market.  I walked and talked and talked and walked, had lots of coffees and got complete brain overload from all the gorgeous fabrics and extremely talanted Australian designers.  Robyn Pandolph was the guest speaker and it was lovely to hear all about her fabric journey.

It was great to catch up with so many fellow stitchers/quilters/designers I had lost touch with over the last few years.   Yes it is definately good to be back.

Of course there were a few purchases for the shop to be made.  I'm glad I took my car as I definately wouldn't have been be able to carry it all home on the train.

There will be lots more bits and pieces arriving in the next couple of weeks (just in time for last minute christmas presents), including lots of lovely new fabric.

I'm off to start a new project.  Yes I know I should be finishing something but I can't resist starting something new from the show, it's only little, teeny-tiny in fact so it won't really count as something new, will it???

Happy Stitching,

Carolyn

Lecien Fabrics

How exciting!!! Just as I'm getting ready to leave for Melbourne to go the Australian Quilt Market (wholesale show for retailers only - sorry but I do promise to come home with lots of wonderful new bits and pieces for my shop) a parcel arrives with some Fat Quarter bundles of Rosalie Quinlan's new fabric range called Folkheart.

Then there is also Woodland by Natalie Lymer. 

Aren't they both just gorgeous!  It won't be too long before the rest of the fabric on bolts arrive.  What a perfectly good excuse (like I need one) to start a new project.

See you after quilt market with lots of show and tell.

Happy Stitching

Carolyn