The End

Morning,

As I sit here in the store on my last day open to the public, I reflect on how I got here. Please bear with me as I travel down this nostalgic road.

It started way back with Ken and Janet brainstorming in their backyard while having a cook out. Running the numbers on whether can it really work or not. Then the name of the store, many decisions were made that day that led Larry and I down a new path.

There was Veronica who pestered me to follow thru on the perfect location for the store. I had said I would call to find out about the location and of course I blew her off. Veronica knew it was perfect and made sure I called and saw it. Veronica was right, I fell in love with it the day I actually did a walk thru. Our thanks to Claudette, too, for her advice.

The days that lead up to our opening were the most hectic I have ever encountered in my entire life. I can still remember everyone telling me, just breathe, remember to breathe, you can do it and we did.

To Ellen who I can clearly remember her saying, I do not sew, I do not make quilts, but I will help in the store. Who eventually learned the art of making quilts and even taught a class. Who had an amazing color sense. I am so proud of you and want to stay close.

To Ian who learned more about fabrics and notions in the fastest crash course he ever had. He worked the register system and entered it all. Ian's friend Dave even got shot-gun volunteered for a brief time. Cara's love and support too.

We enlisted the support of friends, too. Frank Shea and Bob Welch were always there when we called, and we called a lot.

Opening Day, my goodness that was nerve racking, but we all got thru it. My life has had many twists and turns thru these years. Larry and I have lost many loved ones in this short time. Too many in my opinion. We could not have kept going without your support. You all know who you are, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The ladies who at one time or another and worked this store and those who taught here; if you did not know, let me tell you now how important you were to me.

I know I will continue being with many of you. My friendships will go beyond these walls and we will still get together. I have lunch dates set up with Julia and many others. I am proud there will be off shoots of this store. That some of you who started here and did not know each other have formed a bond that will continue. What a tribute.

Then of course last but not least Larry, my rock, my anchor, my guiding light, with broad shoulders to get me thru anything life tossed at us. There are not enough ways or words to say thank you.

Larry and I will have our week ends and nights free. We will be kept very busy, I am sure of it. We have several trips planned from now until October. To be free to travel again on the spur of the moment will be fun.

I will continue this blog and update it weekly. You can keep in touch with me and follow my new adventures his way. I will be keeping my email address.

As the song title goes, "Thanks For The Memories!"

Tuesday Morning

Good Morning one and all,

What a week this will be. This is our last week open to the public. Saturday the thirty first at four thirty we close our doors to the public and are done. It is sad to see this end. I have meet and made so many people who have become very close to me. I have made new friends, some are more like family members. They are the best part, you love them because you want to, not because they are your relatives. You choose them. You know who you are out there. I will carry you in my heart always. I will also keep in touch, that is my promise, you know I will stay in touch. We already have some off shoots to the groups, some meeting at houses, some at specific places. I will drop in to visit as often as I can.

As I said, I truly cannot imagine closing the doors Saturday afternoon. Larry and I know our hearts will ache, it has been a long wonderful roller coaster ride. I have decided it is time to challenge myself though and this is special time for me.

I have a lot of samples for sale here in the store, come by and buy, check out the wall hangings, table runners and quilts that are now for sale as priced.

This week the store stock is half priced. We have also added that if you purchase five yards of any bolt you can choose a book that we have in stock for free while they last.

I am so proud to say I have two special babies that entered this world yesterday. A beautiful bouncing baby boy Benjamin who I cannot wait to hold and cuddle with and an adorable red head named Molly. They were each born to two special Grandmothers. I am sure they will bring you lots of love and smiles to your lives.

Well folks, I am planning on keeping my email address, so I can keep in touch with anyone who wants to. If you do not have it it is pat@quilterscompass.com. I will also keep this blog going so stay tuned as I will update you all weekly.

I have heard many a rumor that one of us sick, that it is a serious illness. This is so not true. We are closing because I have decided to try something new, for me, to make time for Larry and I. That is it. We are both healthy.

Be happy for Larry and I, life is short, take the time to enjoy life, to travel and to explore and more importantly to love life.

My heart goes out to you all that you may find the inner peace and enjoyment of life as I have.

Tuesday Morning

Morning,

What a beautiful week end it was. The weather men are the only ones who can be wrong so often and still have jobs. I know I ended up shoveling well over a foot of snow when all was said and done. I loved it though. I find an inner peace shoveling, being outside, shoveling, smiling loving how that fresh blanket of snow looks. It is so pure and pristine looking when it is falling. I stood there and smiled in awe of Mother Nature. I could never live in another part of the States, I would miss each and every season.

The ongoing sage of my hand/wrist. I got my stitches out, he says it looks good. We are still concerned about nerve damage. I cannot use my left hand thumb without pain. I will go back the beginning of next month and if it is not getting better take another look at it more closely. WE are all hoping that the inflammation will go down and all will be well though. We have no real reason to believe otherwise.

As for the store and merchandise. I am at our 40% off sale. This is it, last chance, no more mark downs. Two weeks to go. We have tables, chairs and lots of stuff up for sale.

Thank You all again for all your help and support over the last eight years.

Snow is a Coming Again !

Hello One and All,

Here we are again, Saturday awaiting another snow storm to arrive over night. I for one love it. I know right now I can just hunker down tomorrow. I plan on having my house smell wonderful with a home made soup slow cooking on the stove. I plan on making home made pizza too. There is nothing nicer than remembering the scents from child hood memories. My free time will be coming soon, a lot less hours of work and more down time. This is a good thing. I am looking forward to it. Larry and I have so much to do, from being home and just enjoying life and each other, to road trips with many photo opportunities. We have four trips booked already. I have been blessed to have him to always encourage and support me along the way.

One of Larry's photos won first place in a competition and he will have his photo in a prestigious camera magazine and his photo will travel across the country in a show. I am so happy for him. I have know how good he is, now others will see it too. He is selling more and more of his photos and is enjoying his good fortune.

The store is closing soon. Come down and pick up those last minute items or stock up on things. Threads, white on whites are selling out fast, think backings for future quilts. Think quick, it will all be gone in two weeks.

Larry and I are blessed to have been a part of this for eight years. It is the right time for me to move on. Thank you one and all.

Be kind to one another, say something nice so someone, make some one feel good. Life is short. Reach out and make up. Words can hurt, you cannot take them back but you can make piece while you can. You never know what will happen to you tomorrow. Appreciate life and live it to its fullest.

Tuesday Morning

Morning One and All,

What a Winter we are having. I am afraid it is going to be a long cold snowy season. I spent Sunday making a wonderful Pot Roast and Beef Vegetable Soup while I watched the snow fall. My house smelled wonderful and I was so content, all was right with the world.

My wrist is doing better, I am having some issues with my thumb, but I will see the surgeon on Monday and see what he says about it. I cannot wait for the stitches to come out.

I am having so much fun, I run into folks outside of the store and they are asking me "You look so happy, what is up?" When you truly know deep down you have made a life changing decision that is right for you it just plain feels good. I have been happy and I am finding out that I smile so much more. It is like an entire world has opened its doors for me. Everyone should try to give back something of themselves. The old line that it is better to give than to receive is true. Don't get me wrong, I love getting things, but now they are just things, it does not have to be tangible anymore to me, it is so much more. It was like at Christmas, I was so happy to watch others open gifts that I made sure were just right, I could have cared less if I got anything in return. This past Christmas was the best on record.

On another note, the store is looking bare these days. I still have fabrics and notions so come in and buy up quickly. I am closed as of the end of this month. I will not continue beyond this month. Ladies and gentlemen, think backings, think of future projects, help move the last of the stock.

I am blessed to have gotten so many emails, phone calls, and people dropping in to say what an impact on there life I was to them. Can I honestly say I got back ten times more than I gave out. I have met the most amazing people, have helped many thru illnesses, cancer, deaths thru sad times and the happy times too. That is what a lasting relationship is. I will continue to have this blog, and to keep my email address. I know many of you will stay in touch with me. I have been asked by three places to teach, my response is to give me a little time and yes I will be ready. Quilting is in my heart, I will continue it. I am proud that many of you have formed your own off shoots of the store. It is an honor to have been part of having you all make new friends, become your own support system and care so much about each other. I will drop in and visit these groups as time permits. Keep me up to date on when and where you will be meeting and I will surprise you and drop in. I remember our original "Brown Baggers Club," Fran you should be very proud of what you started so many years ago. You were and are my inspiration. Thank You.

I will be closed all day this Friday.

Day after Suergery

Hey,

Surgery went well, fourteen stitches later and all wrapped up but I am fine. It was of course larger and deeper than thought but now I should heal much better. It will be three months till I know if I have any nerve damage. Thanks to all who have called and checked up on me.

Tuesday @ Quilters' Compass

Hi,

IMPORTANT NEWS

I have to close the store Tuesday January 6 at 1:30.
I am having surgery tomorrow. I will be in work on Wednesday.

The Going Out Of Business sale will start tomorrow from 9-1:30 and continue from there.

NOTE I am closed This Friday and next Friday all day.

I plan on closing the store the end of this month. Come in while the supplies last.

Sale Starting Tuesday

Happy New Year One and All,

I have so much happening in the next three weeks that I know it is going to go by so quickly.

First is our Going Out Of Business Sale which starts on Tuesday. Everything is 25% off. Come in early for the best selections. I plan on closing the end of this month. I will be pulling out samples to sell too. They will be sold as priced. No discount. The stock of fabrics have greatly diminished already. All the patterns are already gone. I still have some books and notions and threads still available. Stock up while there is stock. Do not miss out. If you have a started project and are not sure if you had enough fabric, come in soon, it is moving fast. If you wanted to start a project and liked something here think fast before it is gone. Think backings, plan ahead for great savings.

Note: I will be closed two Fridays it will be January 9 & 16.

I hope most of you will stop by and give me a chance to say thank you for all your support for the last eight years. Larry and I will miss you all.