A Thread-aholic in Colorado

The Grandfather Clock

Randy can be so funny.

We're on our way to the store last Friday, talking about the machines he has to work on, I'm talking about the new fabric that came and the samples I'd like to make.. When all of a sudden he slows the car.  As I look ahead, I silently start to groan. There's a garage sale on the corner, just opening up.  I sighed and knew what was about to happen.

He pulls over.

I don't say a word and just get out of the car and follow him.  There's a magnetic force with Randy and garage sales.

They actually had some really nice stuff, but nothing that really interested me. I was ready to head back to the car, when all of a sudden I see Randy pick up this grandfather clock, hand the money to the lady behind the table and proceed to the car.

All he said was, "Wow, wouldn't this look great in the store!?"

I just stare at him and asked. "And where will it go?"

"Oh we'll make room." He says. 

My mind is now mentally looking around the store, trying to picture where on earth will this clock is going to fit in.  It's not a heavy grandfather clock, mind you.  It's just a ornamental version, lightweight and runs on battery. My floor real estate in the store is precious to me and I try to cram every little thing into every little square inch of store space we have, and still keep it easy for customers to walk around in. To place a lightweight, probably easy-to-push-over, grandfather clock into an already crowded store would be challenging, to say the least.

But I gave him my best grin and we head into the store. Things were busy when we got there, the UPS man was making deliveries, the phones were ringing and I didn't think any more about the clock.  UNTIL, I had to use the restroom.  And lo and behold, there sat the new grandfather clock, proudly displayed in the corner of the restroom.

My first thought was, "Well, I bet there are no other quilt shops that have a grandfather clock in their restroom."  And I bet I'm right.

Randy is very proud of his clock that sits in the corner of a bathroom in the Little Brick Quilt Shop aka First Stitches, in Cañon City, Colorado.

My first day of teaching in "The Dollhouse"

Today was officially my first day teaching in "The Dollhouse", the large classroom we have on our multi-building complex (boy, that sounds "big", doesn't it?).  But in reality, it's a small building on the property that we've fixed up for classes. The walls are lined with flannel for individual design walls, bright lights illuminate every nook and cranny, and everyone has their own little space.

I'd had reservations about teaching in The Dollhouse because it's detached from the main building and I'm just the kind of person that needs to "be in the midst" of things.  But today we had the Anita Goodesign July Workshop and those embroidery machines needed a little more space than what the Sewcial Studies Room could handle.  So out to The Dollhouse we went.

I have to agree with the other teachers, I really do like it!  It's bright, cheery, and intimate.  There were no phones ringing, customers walking through our class, or disruptions. And I have a bird's eye view of the Royal Gorge Railroad... which I love to watch!

The next time you're in, ask to see The Dollhouse.  We'll be happy to show you.

OR better yet!  Take a class.  We've got a Fall Line-up that's still in the works, that will have something for everyone!!

Keep an eye on the website Class Calendar for new upcoming classes.

Mini-Classes Offered on Friday, July 11th!

Anita Goodesign - July Workshop: Christmas!

It's Christmas in July at First Stitches and thanks to the Anita Goodesign July Workshop, we're getting things off to a great start.

If you've never embroidered on card stock before, you have to come and try this.  We'll be making this cute and cuddly polar bear card that you can add embellishments, then personalize.  Why send department store Christmas cards when you can send something hand-made and oh so touchable.

Fun, fun.  The Workshop is this Thursday at 1pm.  Sign up here.  (Supply list is found here, too)

 

We make machine classes fun!

I used to give machine classes where we go over the cool features, the how-to's, and where for's. Pretty dry stuff. Then I got to thinking. There's got to be a funner way to do this.

So now, when we can have 2 or more in a machine class, we'll be making a little project that incorporates the special features of the machines, along with practical uses.

Our first class, yesterday, was a blast.  I think we'll be doing this again.