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| November 2001 |
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Well, I'm sure you don't believe that I've at last sent another newsletter! I know I'm hopelessly behind schedule, and should have sent one out way before now. I had started to send one in September, but with the terrible events in America, I felt it was inappropriate to distribute one until a little time had passed. All of us here sincerely hope that none of your lives were touched by the tragedy, and we all are praying for a swift resolution. Many people are continuing to insist that life return to normal, and if the Knitting & Stitching Show was anything to judge by, then I think the Bulldog spirit is alive and kicking in all you stitchers and quilters! We had a busy show, but an unfortunately tiny stand. That's what I get for deciding to take a stand there at the last minute. (Will I never learn?) It was marvellous to see some of our "regular" customers as well as meet some new friends. We sold out of nearly every single wire hanger I'd brought along, and I've ordered tons more as a result. Trouble is, they won't be here for a while. They are hand made by a small family run company in the Southern States, and the quality is so good that there is always a waiting list. I'll do my best to hurry things up and get special Christmas orders to you in time, but fingers crossed the post goes smoothly! We also sold out of all of our Moda Christmas panels, and the funny Aprons pattern was the surprise hit of the show! I had three ladies fighting over the last one of the patterns and then we took dozens of orders for more of that pattern at the show. If you missed it, it'll be in a future issue of Patchwork and Quilting, and is by the same mad Californian team who brought you Male Bonding. And speaking of magazines, see us in the September issue of Popular Patchwork, but remember to use our correct phone number! Also speaking of our telephone, we've had a few problems with our answerphone cutting people off, but it's not obvious to the caller that the message is incomplete, so there are customers out there who just think I never call them back. You can imagine how horrified I am about that!!! If you know of anyone who feels I've not rung them back please tell them to email me or try the phone again -- we've hurled the old answerphone far away, and bought a new digital one. (my husband assures me that's better) I've had a little look back to see when I last sent a newsletter so I'd know what to talk about, and I'm shocked to see that it was April. Well, well. I can only apologize and promise to do better. Big things happening since the last newsletter: We've added secure online ordering!! We've had lots of positive feedback, and thanks to everyone who's ordered online. Also a big thanks to you who are patiently waiting for wire hangers to arrive from the States! We've added a few new products. My favourite is the Country Stencils Holly stencil which I had specially commissioned for the English market. It's such a good size to use on cards, bordering a Christmas napkin, frame a special photo or decorate a little gift bag. (Ooooh - gift bags - they're new, too! Two sizes of canvas tote bags, perfect to decorate and give away) (or keep!) I've put together a couple of kits for you to do a little holiday decorating, so check out the what's new page. Also, we're working on adding pictures of finished stencilled items, complete with notes on which stencils were used to make them, and ink colours used. Also, my web designer tells me he can add a little movie of actual stencilling, so you can watch a real demonstration! I don't know exactly what you need on your computer to make it work, but he'll let you know. I just cannot seem to keep the little grapevine hearts, stars and wreaths in stock! But, I've just received a new order, so I've got loads of them again! Sadly, the tiny cinnamon hearts and stars aren't being made any longer, but I'm tracking down the tool they used to make them, and will have a go at it myself. Watch this space. One of my favourite new lines is the country cross stitch leaflets from Bent Creek and Heart in Hand. They usually work them in Weeks Dye works over-dyed threads, which give a lovely distressed look, but you can sometimes get the same effect from DMC variegated threads. Just experiment with them. I am looking into stocking some Weeks threads to go with the leaflets we do. We took a bigger stand at Malvern this year, though it didn't feel it at the time. (dare we go bigger next year?) Malvern was our most successful show ever, and I was so grateful for my sweet sister from Seattle who came over and sewed from morn till nite and then was a great dogsbody at the show. I'd love to have her help out at every show, but the airfare would kill me! Also, we've booked a two person B&B for next year's Malvern, so one of us would have to sleep on the floor. Hmmm, although I'm usually pooped enough not to care at the end of a day! We're staying with the gracious Fiona the artist and sculptor, who is so easy-going. Last year's Malvern B&B was a bit of a disaster -- I was actually shouted at for not finishing everything on my breakfast plate!! And her husband came home late and they had pan-crashing rows in the kitchen! We're looking forward to some R&R at Fiona's! We also enjoyed seeing everyone at Ascot and Harrogate (thanks so much for the Tetley tea) I've still got a few places booked in the run up to Christmas, but have concentrated on some larger shows this year rather than lots of smaller ones. I have so enjoyed the smaller one day events - there is actually time to talk to customers, rather than just process orders! (note: I was VERY sorry to miss the Quilters Guild area day at Bradwell Abbey, near Milton Keynes. I had the flu, and in fact still have the annoying cough -- it'll take ages to go. So if you were planning to stop by my stand whilst I was there, then give me a call, & I probably still have what you need for Christmas) I'll be at a large Charity Christmas craft fair in Cublington, near Aylesbury on Thursday, 29th November. So, that's about it, I'm sure I've left out something important (I always do!), and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at any shows I'll be doing. Until then, take care and happy sewing! Lynn Stuart's bit at the bottom: For those of you that have not looked at the web site recently, you're in for a surprise...! I've actually done a lot of work over the summer months (at last I hear you say) and the site is now up-to-date with new products, and most importantly, on-line ordering using a secure server. For those who don't like ordering on the web, you can build up your order on-line, then print it off and mail or fax it. Some of you know that I'm in the "web business" - and we have been living examples of the web equivalent of cobblers children! No longer! For those that have stumbled on to the online ordering - thank you! We didn't announce it until we were sure it all worked smoothly, and that we could cope with doing shows and taking orders on the web. For those that commented on the missing pictures - you will be pleased to know we've put some real effort into catching up - we scanned over 100 products this week alone in a real effort to have a picture for every product - there are still a few that defy us, but only about half a dozen out of over 800 products! The site now works on a login & password system for regular customers. You don't have to login to use the site, or place an order, but you do have to login to change your details or check the status of your orders. At any time you can request a new password, or request your password be emailed to you. To get you going we've created a login & password for you - they appear below. If you want to, you can see what information we have about you - no more than name, address, phone & email - and correct it or even delete it all (this is a legal requirement nowadays). A quick word about security & privacy: we do not give or sell the information we hold about you to anyone - we like you too much to do that! We do not store credit cards on our web site, or trasmit then in an unencrypted way (e.g. email). I hope the updated site works for you - a lot of Yorkshire tea went into that site (and a little bit of Tetley too). I'm working on the "How to..." sections which will feature simple guides to things like stencilling & embossing, and the Quilt Groups is almost finished. I'll send a quick note when the new bits are in place. TTFN Stuart |
