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At last, the promised newsletter from Homespun Hearts, who
bring you the best of American quilt gift items, and more!
In this issue:
1. Shows
- Malvern
- Ascot
- Harrogate
2. New products
3. The Company
4. Quilt circles & guilds
We must start by saying a huge thank you to all of you that
have registered on the web site to receive this newsletter!
We also must thank everyone for their tremendous support for
us. Starting a new business is always a challenge and the
fantastic support for us, and the many products you have purchased
either mail order or at a show, have given us a great start!
1. Shows
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stand at Malvern, and
thanks even more if you persisted in returning until you could
actually get in to see all our lovely things!! You all kept
saying, "You need a bigger stand!" and so we will have at
future shows. You do realise that if we have a bigger stand
with more stuff then you'll have to buy more!
Despite the heat on the later days, we had a very busy time
at the show. Over 1,000 of you registered for the prize draw
- you can see the lucky winners on the web site under News.
We have also been busy filling our calendar and are pleased
to announce that we'll be at Ascot for the National Quilt
Championships, Harrogate for Quilts UK North and the Bucks
County Show in August.
We'll be having our popular prize draw again at Ascot, so
come by and fill out your form, get a free pen and check out
what's new!
You can also see us at smaller one-day shows around the south
and we are very happy to come and display at your guild or
quilt group meeting, so give us a call!
2. New products
Don't miss our What's New! page. Since Malvern, I've been
busier than a bee gathering new things to tempt you. We've
added some new designers and some new patterns from our present
designers. We also have found those fantastic little wire
hangers, just perfect for your small wallhangings. From this
same company we have ordered a lot of different cross-stitch
booklets with a patchwork/quilting theme. Our wood supplier
from my home state of Texas has come up with some fabulous
heart-shaped (are you surprised?) finials, so we can make
you some sweet little hearty hangers for your little quilts!
Lovers of Rebecca Barker will be pleased to know she has some
new cards and pictures out, and by popular request we are
going to carry Diane Phalen cards and pictures. She also does
mugs in a few designs -- if you would like one, let me know
and if there's enough interest, I'll order some of those as
well. Be sure to come by our stand at Ascot and see everything
new, especially the "Male Bonding" quilt and other humorous
California wallhanging patterns -- great for a laugh!!
Lots of people asked us about the Judy Severson pictures (embossed
paper, in square painted frames) - could we get them unframed?
Yes is the answer! Lots of new designs, too. We also have
a new enamelled badge in the shape of a pincushion - very
tempting. I have commissioned a line of quilt-y jewellery
from a Devon artist, and you'll be delighted! She has made
up some hanging draped quilt earrings as well as small stud
quilt earrings, plus several styles of quilt brooches. I am
hard pressed to sell any of it, since I want to keep all of
it for myself!
As always, the thimble badges and magnets are still popular,
so get there early at Ascot if you want one in your favourite
colour! Or, we're in the process of updating the website,
so have a look and order one directly! You can customise it
that way. We have plans for a future garden-themed badge along
the same lines. Speaking of Ascot, my mum is coming over from
Dallas to help out at the show, make the tea, sew on buttons,
and be a general gofer. (I'd say dogsbody, but that doesn't
seem a nice thing to call your mum, does it!?) She's bringing
most of my new product, so I won't have pictures on the website
for another week or so.
3. The Company
Although you won't notice any difference, the success so far
has enabled us to set up Homespun Hearts as a limited company
in its own right. As you know we started off life as a "division"
of Stuart's company, Lau Corporation Limited. However, as
this is a web business, Homespun Hearts needed to come out
from under its protective wing as soon as it could, so we've
made the leap!
4. Quilt Circles & Guilds
We're adding a new section to our website for quilt groups
and guilds. Your group can have its own page to advertise
upcoming events, show off quilts, have question & answer sessions,
or just chat! There will be no charge for having your won
page, we'll maintain a directory so newcomers can find their
local circle or guild. Look out for this new section in July.
As always, let us know what you want or if you've seen something
you think we should carry. You never know, we may already
have it in the pipeline! We'll be going to Houston again this
year, so we will surely find new temptations there for you!!
I look forward to seeing all of you at Ascot and other future
shows, so please stop by and say Hello again! Until then,
happy sewing...
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