Fear Factor

Last week I had to drop Oscar at the airport on his way to New Zealand.  I hit the gym on the way home and then leisurely walked the dog around the area before heading home to start the day.  I was planning on going to quilting and to sit casually chatting to the gals. I am excited about quilt group because for our 30th birthday next year we have a fab challenge.  My name, for the purposes of this exerice is Hanna Brown, 40 years old (as if!) and I was in jail for 7 years before being assigned to a convict ship and banished to....AUSTRALIA. (been there, done that I thought!) I got given a 2k bag of fabric and an assignment.  It is to make a coverlet with the contents only of the bag only...that's right...no templates, rotary blades, mats, papers or pencils.  ONLY the contents of the bag.  No additional fabrics!  Upon opening the bag I realised just what a fabric snob I am!  Yikes...no contrast, no colour, no Anna, Amy OR KAFFE !  What is a quilter to do???? I can swap with someone but I can't add to it.  

I am not intimidated but oddly curious about this challenge.  The only thing that worries me is how to fit it into my schedule as quick is usually best and that does involve tools that I am addicted to using.  Anyhow, I love the idea of taking our quilting hands back in time and letting creativity bend slightly.  I will admit that I keep looking at the pile and wishing for at least one interesting fabric but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

Ok.  So what else has been happing? 
We got new signs!  Very exciting news.  I particularly like the WELCOME bit.  If I get back to where I started this challenge it was last Thursday after an early but leisurely start to the day when the phone rang as I got out of the shower.  Much to my shock horror I had forgotten that I needed to open the shop!  Ugh.  Mad dashing ensued.  Despite the rather abrupt way the day started it was really fun to be in the shop on my own.  Anyway, what I was wanting to say here was this.  Last week while talking with customers there was a bit of a theme happening.  It came up several times that people were afraid.  Afraid of putting fabrics together, afraid of joining in a class, afraid of quilting in a certain manner.  I was fascinated by this theme.  Was it new or did I just not notice it before?  The thing is that in our shop the theme is get creative in any way you want.  If you think of doing something a bit different or exactly the same we celebrate that concept and try to facilitate the experience.  Browse around on your own or be hounded by us auditioning fabrics, helping with the "math" or guided sewing sessions.  Trying new things is the next step after learning the basics and the best thing about quilting is that there is always more to learn.  So...WELCOME...one and all regardless of what kind of quilts you make.  No need to fear.

I had a lovely time during the school holidays talking with quilters from near and far.  One was Deb King from needles, sticks and hooks .  Deb is doing our Fly Away with Me BOM and it was great fun to meet her and have a chat about her about quilting in Victoria with the Secret Sewing Sisterhood.  I have met a few of these quilters now and I admit a bit of quilt group envy as they seem to aim and achieve high with their quilts.

Since we are about to send out the October packs Liesel has made up our checking sample for the Twist Again block which is a beauty.  Our Kaffe Beginner Sampler blocks are also made up using some of the latest collections in fun ways.

Fly Away with Me is flying over the hexagon rainbow this month...

I am making up these blocks myself and I have to admit that I had a bit of fear of flying here.  That scallop border...well...it freaked me out just quietly.  (just a bit of fear on my part...overcome now) However, the instructions were easy and the method not has hard as I had thought so now I have a whole new level of experience and only three more of these blocks to go!

Speaking of our BOM's... BIG NEWS is that we have been working with a new shipping company and MUCH CHEAPER international shipping rates!  We are still in baby steps reading the fine print with this so it will take a few days but it should reduce our shipping costs overseas for BOM's and packages considerably so we are VERY excited about this.

Now I fear I will be late again so off to work.  Whenever I think about being afraid I always remember the Dr Seuss story "What was I afraid of"  Don't encourage me or I'll recite the entire story.  Suffice to say that sometimes different scares us but realising that difference is the same for all of us is one way to overcome the fear.  If you don't have The Sneetches and Other Stories to read to your kids or grandkids I recommend it highly.  Take care & enjoy! k

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Anna]

I say "Fear or Be Feared!" I choose being Feared! Lol

[Amy]

Food for thought... are you able to use the bag that the fabric came in? I can see great potential in the fabrics that came in the bag, sometimes it is easier to work with what you have than to choose from a whole store, now that is scary! I just know that you will create something outstanding!

[Maureen from Ventura]

I can hardly wait to see those fabrics transform into something fabulous!

[LoriD]

What a fun and exciting challenge!! Be not afraid!! LOL

[nifty quilts]

I know you'll make something wonderful with your bag of fabrics. I love this type of challenge. Hmm, can you just spill a little black dye on one of them?

[Lil]

can understand what you mean, pretty exciting this challenge, especially with these fabrics

[Lil]

oh yes, the news about new shipping cost for international are really pleasing me, ;o)))

[402300572]

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