Greetings from Kansas

Hello from Kansas! Just a quick update while the garage door openers are being professionally installed...and then I am off to pick-up Schatzi and Garin from the kennel.

MOVING UPDATE: We left West Des Moines early Monday morning, once we knew everything was good for the closing and headed to Kansas. Although we put the majority of our belongings in storage PODS that will be arriving tomorrow and Monday, we had our Jeeps loaded up with necessities, along with a U-Haul trailer - Travis had the trailer and I had both dogs...it was quite the trip! We dropped off the dogs for boarding and spent Monday night in a hotel getting everything in line with our new house and closing Tuesday morning. All of the documentation was taken care of yesterday and we arrived to our new home in the early afternoon. I was able to go to the local post office and get everything set-up for receiving mail - thank goodness for Google Maps - then I spent the afternoon/evening getting the necessities unloaded and unpacked. With the majority of our belongings arriving over the next week, we are trying to get as many odds and ends done before the craziness starts...

BLUE RIBBON DESIGNS UPDATE: I have my business license in Kansas and paperwork has all been filed. YAY! Next Monday, the storage POD with all of my studio and warehouse items will arrive and I will do my best to get everything put away and be somewhat ready for shipping/receiving orders late next week. It is going to be quite the job to build all the warehouse shelving and get things organized, but once that is complete, I will get the website and Etsy shop turned back on. My goal is to ship distributor and shop orders sometime next week. If you are a current client - I will be sending an e-mail to you with details regarding sewing/finishing/quilting orders. Please be patient just a little while longer while I unpack everything and I hope to be up and running by April 22nd (well that is my plan, barring any complications). Thank you again for your patience during this transition - Wifi may not be available in our area for possibly a couple months, so my response time may delayed...I will do my best to keep in touch!

Leaving our Iowa home...bittersweet....

Arriving at our new home in Spring Hill, KS...beautiful day and
green grass (the sod is taking well)....

New front door - the personalized welcome mat was gift from
our realtor (the first personal touch)....

Our backyard backs up to a farmer's fence and field...this is the first
cow to walk up and say hello to me...yep, this is now what I see
out my back windows...we'll see how the dogs like the cows!

Another lovely gift from our realtor - we will have to find a place for it...
and yes, it is laying on my beautiful new hardwood floors...

I want to thank everyone from our old neighborhood that helped with the move (heavy lifting and therapy sessions across the street). I also want to thank everyone who has sent us words of encouragement and kindness - I truly appreciate it. Finally, to those who placed an order for my first Norwex show - THANK YOU SO MUCH! - I had a great show and I appreciate you.

For now - I'm off to pick-up the dogs and get them acclimated to the new house/yard...plus I have a million errands to run - Google Maps is going to be busy today.

AccuQuilt Headquarters VIP Tour

If you read my blog regularly, then you know how passionate I am about my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters...and you know I (usually) use at least one of them every single day....and more than likely your are sick of seeing all my project posts that brag about the quality and convenience of the AccuQuilt products...AND you most definitely know that winning the 2012 Barn Quilt Contest was a dream come true for me!

Over the last few years, I have added all three AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters to my sewing studio...along with pretty much every single die for the GO! Fabric Cutter - yep, I am addicted...a support group should be formed for those of us who can never have enough fabric cutting dies. I have also emailed and called AccuQuilt multiple times over the last couple years and have been blown away by their friendly, top notch customer service...so it was definitely no surprise when I made the trip to Omaha, NE to tour the brand new AccuQuilt Headquarters and attend the Barn Quilt Unveiling Event that I was BEYOND impressed! Enthusiasm, professionalism, and excitement fill the air - and if you are a quilter, you can't help but be happy in the presence of the AccuQuilt staff. It is extremely evident that they care about quilters and they appreciate our business...and they want to inspire our work and streamline the cutting process - just listen to Chief "Energizing" Officer Steve Nabity speak and you will want to be a part of the AccuQuilt team!

The new AccuQuilt Headquarters is located right off Interstate 80 in Omaha, NE...it is only about a 2 hour drive from my home, so I definitely want to make a return trip(s) (only with my husband with me next time). The entire staff just moved into this new location last week - in fact, they were in the process of moving only a couple days before hosting the huge Barn Quilt Unveiling Event...but truly, you never would have known what was going on behind the scenes - everything was ready to view when we stepped inside the front doors. Attending the first GO! Quilting Retreat at Country Traditions meant that I was in the first group to tour the new headquarters...how cool is that?! The new building not only has the staff offices and a HUGE warehouse, it also houses a "Quilt Gallery" (where quilts from both the AccuQuilt private collection and special curated quilt exhibits will be showcased) and a Quilters Dream Studio (where employees are expected to quilt at least 2 hours per week..seriously...now that's my kind of work environment!). 

As our bus approached the AccuQuilt Offices, I got a great view of my prize-winning quilt block before the unveiling...hidden by a big blue tarp (photo upper right)....and the excitement started building immediately! 

Throughout the lobby and offices, AccuQuilt collection quilts are hanging high on display - along with the 2nd place barn quilt entry by Carol Johnson (for some reason my photo was a little blurry, so I added a graphic design of her block in the upper right-hand corner). I had the chance to spend some time with Carol and she was absolutely delightful....she even created/quilted her winning block for showing/sharing at the show-and-tell event the night before - her work is AMAZING!

We started out the VIP tour by enjoying food and beverages, while smaller groups were taken on a tour through the Quilt Gallery, Quilter's Dream Studio, and the warehouse. The first exhibit in the Quilt Gallery features 'Alex Anderson - Through the Years'...and WOW was it impressive - I did my best to get photographs off all of the quilts (only some are shown below)...and it was quite interesting to hear details about each and every one. The "gallery" is museum quality and completely exceeded my expectations. Here is an array of photos from Alex Anderson's incredible exhibit:

Cherry Baskets

Made In America

Kaffe's Kaleidoscopes

Grape Escape

Pomegranates

Daisy Chain

Sticks and Stones

After the Quilt Gallery, we headed into the Quilters Dream Studio...and well, I pretty much "died and went to heaven"....I was seriously in complete awe as we entered the room - sewing, quilting, and long arm machines...cutting tables with (of course) AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters...an entire wall of AccuQuilt GO! dies (be still my heart)...an entire cabinet/collection of beautiful Aurifil threads (OMG - could it get any better?? - I would do pretty much anything to have all those gorgeous threads in my studio)...bolts of fabric...an ironing station...you name it!...each staff member even has their own bin for their project(s)....AND all of that was put together less than 48 hours before our arrival (I can't even imagine it getting any better, but I'm sure it will as they get settled). I think I have found my favorite place on earth!!....do you think AccuQuilt would let me vacation there??

When I was finally dragged away (kicking and screaming) from the Dream Studio, we entered the warehouse...and all I could think of  as I saw the aisles of Studio dies was "I'll take one of each please"...oh my gosh it was surreal. They were also in the process of setting up a "shop" for the Barn Quilt Unveiling Event.

As each of the tours ended, we finished up back by the main entrance...we snacked on the delicious dinner spread provided for us and were able to visit with each of the (oh-so-friendly) AccuQuilt staff members....and of course, CEO Steve Nabity spoke to the entire group and gave us a captivating history of AccuQuilt. Finally, before heading out, each attendee was given a gift bag filled with goodies - mine included scissors (large and small), a sewing tool set, a magazine, a spool of Aurifil thread (woo hoo!), and a bag of AccuQuilt pre-cut shapes (shapes cut when testing the dies) that we were encouraged to use in a project this year (mine are CRAZY and will put my creativity to the test). Then, as we loaded the bus, we were given the cutest wool flowers - each (front and back) cut with the GO! Fabric Cutter, sewn together, stuffed, and embellished with a button - they are adorable - my new quilting friend Monica had the brilliant idea to pin this fun flower to our new GO! Mini Totes (which I will show you a photo of tomorrow)...

Let me finish this post by saying - if you are a passionate quilter or seamstress, put a visit to the AccuQuilt Headquarters on your bucket list...the experience will be memorable!

Tomorrow my post will feature the Barn Quilt Unveiling Ceremony...

A Small Sneak Peek...

I have been keeping extremely busy, trying to tackle some major projects and meet a few deadlines before my fast approaching mini-vacation (the AccuQuilt GO! Retreat and Barn Quilt Unveiling Ceremony for my winning quilt block)....I can't believe I leave next week! I am definitely looking forward to 5 days away, but I am also feeling quite guilty for taking some time off...

The framed portion of the Salty Yarns class project is complete and headed to the framer later today...this is a tiny sneak peek (shown upper right) for those of you who are anxious to see the project. I don't want to share the entire design until the two special smalls are ready and Sally and Sara have a chance to approve it...but this will give you a little idea of the colors and a just a hint of the design...

Last week, I finished the warehouse move...and I am happy to tell you, I am sleeping much better with all the charts in our finished basement. I have five new sets of warehouse shelving and they work wonderfully - it took me an entire day to build them all (I love my new rubber mallet!) and get the stock placed in design order...but I guess that isn't bad with inventory of over 100 designs. I also installed new thermo curtains and blinds in the room to keep the light from fading the exposed chart covers. Each set of shelving is 48" wide and has five shelves - and fully stocked, they pretty much run from floor to ceiling. It is a much better set-up and my brain isn't working overtime worrying about the being buried alive under a pile of charts and rubble while I sleep...

The to-do list for today is quite long (but what's new?!), so it is back to work for me - enjoy the rest of your Monday!

...and one more thing...I will be announcing a giveaway here very soon...so, if you like my cross-stitch designs, be sure to stay tuned...

Radio Silence

I know you are used to me posting a little more often, but during the month of May, I have been taking some much needed time away...away from the computer and away from my phone...keeping my social network posts minimal...and only taking care of specific BRD business...my dear friend Elizabeth calls this (appropriately) "radio silence"...and I have learned, radio silence can be quite beneficial. Although I love keeping up with all my stitching and sewing friends, I have had a few personal things to deal with and the quiet time has been good for me. Along with countless hours of model stitching and fulfilling BRD deadlines, I have been taking care of our yard and doing some major spring cleaning in our home.

I have been wanting to move my BRD warehouse for quite sometime - it has occupied one of our spare bedrooms for almost ten years. I had ceiling to floor plywood shelving built for my in stock chart inventory and over the years, the "warehouse" has filled to capacity. Once I reached and passed the 100 designs mark, I knew things would have to change. Part of the issue?? - the warehouse is located above our master bedroom and all the weight of thousands of packaged designs was worrying me - BIG TIME. I can't tell you how many nightmares I had worrying the floor was going to give way and I would be suffocated under a pile of charts and rubble in my sleep....seriously....I lost so much sleep. I voiced my fears to my husband, who laughed at me and said we have a sturdy house and not to worry...but that did not bring me comfort. So over the last couple weeks, I hatched a plan and started moving all my chart inventory down to our finished basement - yes, piles and piles and piles of heavy charts down two flights of stairs...and in the process, I learned I need to use my leg muscles more (wow, was I sore!). So all the charts are now downstairs, waiting for their new shelving...and the spare bedroom is now part of my studio. I kept the plywood shelving to help organize my work space and started to move things around a bit. I decided the old warehouse would be perfect for housing my cutting table, my AccuQuilt fabric cutters and dies, and my ironing board...using some of the shelves for my Etsy store items, my shipping/packaging supplies, my teaching materials, and most of my crafting tools and supplies. My main studio room now houses my fabrics, threads, work desk, sewing and serger machines, and my library. During this move, several wonderful things have happened - I have been sleeping much better, I've toned-up my leg muscles, and I am quite a bit more organized...plus I have both my sewing and cutting tables under windows, where I get fabulous natural light...all good great things!

After the major warehouse move, I have been focused on spring cleaning...trying to do one room each day...cleaning, organizing, trashing, and donating simplifying. It is a good feeling...and I almost have the entire upstairs completed...next I will tackle main floor of our home...I will have to make it to he basement by next Tuesday, as it is our neighborhood spring cleaning garbage pick-up and I plan to make good use of the curb.

I have also been working on several sewing projects - squeeze bags for my husband and his friend for their upcoming hunting trip (I'll tell you more about those in the next day or two), a couple special orders, and I have a quilt I want to get backed and binded...plus, I have started piecing some new needlebook/scissor cases for my Etsy shop.

I will be putting in the final stitches on my framed class design for Salty Yarns tomorrow (at least, that is the plan)...then while it is being framed, I will work on the two special coordinating needlework smalls. I am so pleased with how it is turning out and can't wait to share it with you very soon. I am also doing some charting for future class pieces...and a magazine design for The World of Cross Stitching (to appear in WOXS issue 199 on sale in the UK on January 3, 2013). Yes, I have a lot on my plate, but I will do my best to post a little more during the month of June (especially with my BIG AccuQuilt trip towards the end of the month)...thank you for your patience over the last several weeks and for visiting...