Thursday, February 7, 2013

A New Venture...

...and I could get a whole lot more done if I didn't need to sleep! Got the same day job - Mike's right hand "woman", but wanted to make a little money to support my "dog" habit. I've got a super nice pup - Pete - that I'm training and my goal is to qualify for the 2014 USBCHA Nationals in the Nursery class. They will be held in Carbondale, CO, so it will be like going home - and what better way than with a dog!

Enough of that - my new venture:

Stadium Quilts: lap quilts (~56" X 68") in local school and colleges' colors. So quite a bit of my computer time has been "shopping" for fabric (what a fun deal - but you know - my eyes got tired!! LOL) Hence, not as much time to comment on blogs and visit with all my blogger friends - sorry about that.

My first fabric purchase for the venture:

35 Yards - yikes - What is the largest one invoice purchase of fabric for you? If you leave me a comment, the highest will receive a prize from me - not sure what yet - but I'll send you something - probably a gift card from an on-line fabric store! How does that sound?!!!



Many stitching hours later - and a couple more smaller fabric purchases - I opened my booth at a local market. I only had three completed, but felt like that was a good start because my booth is only 3' x 4', so not much room to display. (I forgot to take photos at the market - next time I'm in town - I will!!)

My first three quilts!










A very, very, talented and dear friend made custom labels for me!!



I took them in on Tuesday afternoon, and this afternoon (2 days later!!) a friend that works there called and said that the red, black, & white one sold today!!! Yeah!!!!!

I was soooooooo surprised and soooooooo very excited!

Now back to stitching!!





18 comments:

Maureen said...

You go girl! No wonder you haven't had much time for hand quilting! The quilts are fabulous! Congrats on your first sale and much luck in the future!

Betty Lou said...

Sounds like a good venture to get into. Love the grey and yellow zig zag quilt, think you have a winner.

Gayle said...

Love your little labels - you can't go wrong with a chevron quilt these days - CUTE!

Teresa in Music City said...

That's wonderful Doniene!!! You do such lovely work, anybody would be proud to own one of your quilts :*) Congratulations on your new venture and blessings on you as you grow with it!!!

Janet O. said...

Oh, my, Doniene. That was a big order! I don't think I've ever purchased more than 15 yards at a time--and that was on a "half off" sale.
Your stadium quilts are beautiful. You just don't do anything halfway. I love red and black together. I can understand that one selling quickly. I wish you success with the others--and with your whole new business! How many schools do you plan to target?

ria vogelzang said...

Those quilts are gorgeous!! And such beautiful backings!!! ;))
A wonderful job and well done!
Tell me, what kind of a quilt are you making?? That must be a really large quilt!
I think I can match your amount of fabric purchase though..... as I'm also a fabric-"addict".... hehehe.... :)
Enjoy your doggies! I know I do mine.. just love dogs...
Love to hear more about your trainings with Pete.
Love and enjoy your day!
Big hugs, Ria.

Ranch Wife said...

Oh! I'm so excited to see you quilts! They are just wonderful Girl - so striking! You sure must have been creating some smoke as you sewed up a storm! I am so excited for you and congratulations on your first - of many - sale! May God bless you greatly through your new quilting venture, as well as in your dog trials!

audrey said...

Good luck on your newest ventures! One time, and one time only! I purchased around 33 yds. of fabric. Eek!

Dawn said...

Enjoy your new venture! Congratulations on your sale - soon you might need a bigger booth!!
I my, I don't want to comment on how many yards I bought at one go...I also buy for DD so there have been (and will be) some big ones!!
Much success - Dawn

Lori said...

That is so exciting!! Congrats on the quilt sale!!

Rhonda M said...

That's great! What could be better than making extra $$ doing something you love! The added perk is sharing your talent with someone who will love it. So happy for you!

Sarah said...

The stadium quilts look great. What an innovative idea! The biggest purchase I've made is 19 yards at one time. Quite a lot when it's being shipped to me in Australia from the States!

Vickie said...

Your quilts are wonderful! What a good idea to do them in school colors! May you be bless beyond measure with your venture! I can imagine when you hit the send button for the 35 yards of fabric your stomach turned a flip, mine would have, with excitement and the most likely...What have I just done ! In case you haven't heard the next guild is a sew day, bring your machine kind of thing. If you stay the drawing is for an iron, one of those pop up ones...I think.

Karen said...

My largest quilt fabric purchase was about $350 dollars. I don't know how many yards. That was about 12 or 13 years ago when prices were lowers.

Denise :) said...

Doniene! How exciting this is!! And that your new venture allows you to make a little money *and* do something you enjoy doing is all the more fabulous!!

I remember when my son got married ... we did the rehearsal dinner at Tate Farms in their 'barn' venue. I did all the picnic tables in blue and white gingham table cloths that I cut and stitched -- with burlap runners and sunflowers in mason jars for centers. It was very rustic and SO pretty!! I bought the fabric from Sirs, so it was only $3 a yard, which was a good thing (a REALLY good thing) because we needed ~3 yards of fabric per table and had twelve dining tables plus the gift table and five serving tables! I bought sixty yards of the fabric (some extra just in case). And it was still cheaper than ordering the linens! Plus those gingham table cloths have made the rounds through my family and gotten *great* use in all kinds of parties and events! It was a terrific investment! :)

Elyte said...

Good luck with your business venture. Sounds like you don't have a spare minute in your day. By the time you read this, hope you have sold them all.

Raewyn said...

What a great idea - and how exciting to have one sold already!! My biggest fabric/invoice purchase has been 8 metres so I guess I'm way out of the running for any prizes!! What a lovely idea to have your own special label - a thoughtful friend.

Carrie P. said...

your quilts are beautiful! congrats on selling one. that is awesome.