When Mom's Gone, Dad will Play

Judi at Green Fairy Quilts is on a quilting retreat and dear hubby Clint is playing in the store with the kids. Wonder if sweet little Judi knows he's hosting a fun giveaway while he's "maning" the store? Have fun browsing through some great selections of pre-cuts and let Clint know which ones are YOUR favorites to be entered in the giveaway.
http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/manly-giveaway.html

Good Luck,
Julie

Your Dream Quilt Shop

Hello Quilting Friends!
I know I have posted anything on my blog in ages, but yes, I'm still alive and kicking. We've been busy as ever, but life is good. I need your input, friends.

My hubby and I are looking at building a new quilt shop, possibly a small quaint two-story building, on our 80 acres, close to the road for visibility, (and away from the house for our privacy.) I need ideas and a good estimate on how much room I will need. I would like to have my long-arm frame and sewing machines, etc. (the workroom) in upstairs. (I hope to have a second long-arm in the future.) The downstairs would be a quilt/fabric shop for display/sale. Mind you, I live WAY out in the country. We live on a busy County road two miles off the main highway, which is also close to a Turnpike. So, I doubt I would have a large amount of  face-to-face business traffic in the store - just mostly customers dropping off & picking up quilts for custom quilting services. Most of my fabric & notions sales would probably be on the internet.

I have a favor to ask of you, especially those who have a quilt shop/room. Would you mind answering a few questions:
1. What is the smallest room size would you have for quilting/sewing room?
2. What is the smallest room size would you have for fabric store?
3. How many bolts of fabrics would you start with at a minimum?
4. Are there any particular brands of fabric that I should buy or stay away from?
5. Besides the basic sewing/quilting supplies (needles, thread, scissors, etc) what items do think a customer should expect to see in a small quilt shop?
6. Are cutting tools & dies (like Accuquilts Go cutters) a good investment for a small retail shop?

To help you answer these question, it may be helpful to know a little about the geographic/economic area. I'm in rural Oklahoma. The nearest town of any size is Cleveland with population about 3500 people, and is considered a "bedroom community" (meaning 80% - 90% of the population commute to work.)
Our local Wal-Mart has a pretty large fabric section and they will move into the new Wal-Mart Super Center this fall. We were afraid that we would lose the fabric section like all the other new Super Centers. Recently, they were told they WILL keep the fabric department but will be scaled down a little bit.. (not as much as the new Super Centers in the bigger towns.)

Tulsa (and the surrounding Metro) is the largest city in our immediate area, about 30 - 45 minute drive. They have Hancock's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc and really not very many independent fabric shops that I have found through my internet searches.

Most the residents in our area ABHOR having to drive to the "big" city for anything. Heavy traffic, road construction, gas prices, and just the time and headache are big deterrents. However... on the flip-side, most of the residents are middle to lower income and are bargain shoppers or just plain frugal. I'm concerned that it will take so long to convince customers that the higher prices of quality quilt fabric is worth the extra expense. I do not want this business to be just a very expensive hobby, which is one of my dear hubby's main concerns and rightly so. I don't want it to go under before it has a chance to get up and running. I truly want this to be a self-sustaining, profitable business.

Any thoughts, suggestions, pictures, floor plans, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Wednesday!
Julie

P.S. Oh, yes, I forgot to add that I will have a display case of honey, beeswax, candles, and other bee products for sale in the shop too. Hence the name Sweet Quilt-n-Bee Shoppe. *Ü*

1Choice4Quilting Giveaway

How about a jam-packed giveaway? A whole toteful ya say? Yes you heard it right. Head on over to 1Choice4Quilting for a wonderful package of new notions and Moda fabric. It can't be beat!

http://blog.1choice4quilting.com/2011/06/our-next-super-awesome-giveaway-is-here.html

Longaberger Giveaway and Sale

If you were hoping to win the Longaberger giveaway (like me) don't be too disappointed. Click on the link on the right for the 20% off Longaberger Pottery sale.

Have a great day!

Julie

Longaberger Giveaway

Who in their right mind doesn't love Longaberger baskets & pottery? Now who would like to win some? PS I Quilt is sponsoring a Longaberger giveaway. Whoo-hoo! Here the link for the details.

http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/04/sponsor-giveaway-longaberger-with-maria.html

Good Luck,
Julie

Just One Star block 03-15-11

Just One Star block 03-15-11 a photo by Sweet Quilt-n-Bee Shoppe on Flickr.

Just One Star block for soldier's blankets. Made it from start to finish in about an hour. Love this block. I'll have to use it again.

Thanking Soldiers

Here's a project I can support whole-heartedly. How would you like to help send a special thank you to our soldiers? See the following web site for instructions: http://www.unitednotions.com/LA_just_one_star.pdf

Then you can enter to win some beautiful Sunkissed fabric from Moda at:
Thanks for supporting our soldiers.
Julie


http://blog.1choice4quilting.com/2011/03/2-new-giveaways-helping-soldiers-and.html

Also go to 1 Choice 4 Quilting and become a fan today! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/1choice4quilting

1-choice-4-quilting-sunkissed-giveaway #2.html

I found this new blog on a facebook post. I hope you will check our her blog and her new quilting site. She has some of my favorite makers, like Moda, Robert Kaufman, etc. She is having another Sunkissed giveaway!

Have fun shopping!
http://blog.1choice4quilting.com/2011/03/we-want-to-give-you-more-sunkissed-are.html

1 Choice 4 Quilting - Sunkissed Giveaway

I found this new blog on a facebook post. I hope you will check our her blog and her new quilting site. She has some of my favorite makers, like Moda, Robert Kaufman, etc.

Have fun shopping!
http://blog.1choice4quilting.com/2011/02/sunkissed-giveaway-4-gorgeous-yards-of.html?showComment=1298398853605#c4594876692079865005

Kim's Great CSN Giveaway

How would you like to win a $65 Gift Certificate to a CSN store? Kim is hosting a giveaway from now until Feb 10th. You can sign up at:  http://kimsherrodstudio.blogspot.com/2011/02/65-csn-stores-giveaway.html

Happy Shopping!
Julie Earsom

Finally another Go Giveaway!!

Oh, Boy! Another GO Giveaway!! Can you see me jumping up and down??? I'm so excited I can't stand it! Maybe I'll actually win this time! Wish me luck!

Oh, yeah... you can enter too if you want *wink*. Cindy is also giving away 3 dies to 3 different people. You can enter here: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2011/01/last-day-of-aqeq-design-challenge-blog.html

Good Luck to me!! Oh, I mean to YOU! LOL!!
Julie

Women Who Do It All Giveaway

Check out this giveaway quick! $55 CNS Gift Certificate Ends today! http://womenwhodoitall.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-55-gift-certificate-to-csn.html

Birthday Giveaway

Jen is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway of Hoopla charm packs at:
http://thequiltyhome.blogspot.com/2011/01/whats-all-hoopla.html?showComment=1295966273173#c8232727140031924034

Drawing is Feb 1st.

Moda Bakeshop Progressive Dinner

Have you heard the news? Moda is hosting a Progressive Dinner and it is so much fun. Check out this website for one of the participants: http://thepolkadotchair.blogspot.com/2011/01/win-copy-of-fresh-fabric-treats-fat.html. You will be glad you did!

Another of my favorite bloggers is a participant too. Check her out at http://piecenquilt.blogspot.com/

Drawing is January 28th!

Adventures In Dressmaking

A $50 FatQuarterShop gift certificate giveaway is going on at Adventures in Dressmaking. Suzannah is a busy seamstress. Her blog will be very interesting to follow. Check out the giveaway at:  http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2011/01/amazing-fat-quarter-shop-giveaway.html/

Moda's Dilly Dally by Me & My Sister is high on my priority list. So I know what I will get if I win!

:) Julie

Stray Stitches Celebrates 400 Followers!

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Stray Stitches. Linda is one of the nicest bloggers I know. She always has a variety of subjects in her blog and gives readers valuable insights and tidbits for the day. I thoroughly enjoy reading her blog.

Linda is celebrating reaching the 400 follower mark with a giveaway. Check it out at:
http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2011/01/its-giveaway-time.html

JayBird Quilts and GreenFairy Quilts Team Up!

I just love these two shops! JayBird Quilts and GreenFairy Quilts!! JayBirds is hosting another sponsored giveaway from GreenFairy Quilts. Up for grabs is a fat quarter bundle of one of the latest fabrics from Moda called Dilly Dally. Wonderful bright colors in Lime Green, Turquoise, Blue, Hot Pink & Orange! It's number one on my "gotta buy" list this season! But I would rather win it... so if you don't want to enter the contest (here) it will increase my chances of winning! ;-) Just kidding!

Be sure to check out GreenFairy's website for great specials and her FAB-U-LOUS quilting photos. They make me GREEN with envy. Maybe I need Judi's FAIRY to visit me, too!

Have a wonderful day!
Julie

Say It on the Wall

Check out this new site that I found this morning.
Get more organized or add some pizzazz to your mirrors, walls, gym lockers, whatever!
Find some thing that will motivate you (maybe in your new fitness quest) or inspire you or make you ponder or laugh out loud. If you don't find the saying or picture you want, they will gladly custom design one just for you! Great gift ideas also. Just click my blog site below and then click on the Say It on the Wall button on the right side bar.

Happy Browsing!
Julie

January Giveaways!

Elizabeth at Such a Sew and Sew is having two contests. Check them out at:
http://emsewandsew.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-of-giveaways-day-3-part-2-35-csn.html
Drawings close 1/21 at 10 PM MST. Winners will be announced by 5PM on 1/22. Good Luck!

Amy Butler fabric up for grabs at:
http://ijustlovethatfabric.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-giveaway-delicious-amy-buter.html
Drawing closes 1/20 and winners will be announced on Friday, 1/21.

Tonya at Tonya's Sewing Room is giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to CNS Stores! Take a peek at
http://tonyassewingroom.blogspot.com/2011/01/5000-gift-certificate-giveaway.html.
Contest ends 1/20. Good Luck!

Fave Crafts Giveaways

A fat quarter giveaway is going on this week at http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Westminster-Lifestyle-Fat-Quarter-Bundle. Come join the fun!

FatQuarterShop Delight

Oh, joy! My heart gave a quick leap! Pigtales and Quilts is giving away a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop! Oooo!!! If I was lucky enough to win, I would have to choose something from Me & My Sisters collections. I just love the bright colors in Dilly Dally, Happy, Favorites, Spring Fever... just to name a few! There is a new kit coming soon called "Easy as Nine" using some of these fabrics, with expected shipment date in January!! So cute!!

I could absolutely spend a fortune in a matter of minutes on their website. FatQuarterShop is calling my name! If it's calling yours too, just head on over and enter here. Be sure to let them know that Julie @ Sweet Quilt-N-Bee Shoppe sent you over.

Thanks so much!
Have fun and good luck!

FaveCrafts Book Giveaway

FaveCrafts is giving a book away!
Upcycled AccessoriesBy Tracie Lampe
25 projects using repurposed plastic
http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Upcycled-Accessories-Book-Giveaway

JayBird Quilts - sponsored giveaway

JayBird Quilts is sponsoring another giveaway! A quilt kit from Lisnaweary Quilts. It's  a beauty. Check it out at: http://giveaways.jaybirdquilts.com/2011/01/sponsored-giveaway-featuring-lisnaweary.html

One of my favorite Blog Peeps!

One of most fave blogging peeps is giving away a great wealth of quilting goodies. Linda @ StrayStitches is a wonderful lady. She's celebrating her 300th follower. Check out her giveaway @ http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-celebrate-2011-with-giveaway.html. You might want to be one of her followers, too!

Greenfairy Quilts is at it again!

Greenfairy Quilts always has some amazing giveaways. Today is no different. Take a peek at
http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/2010/12/double-giveaway-to-start-off-new-year.html