Observation

I have lots of things I want to share with you, but this one thing is kind of a quicky. I can't seem to be still long enough this week to blog, because as we all know, it does take some quality time.

Ok, on with my story. I shop a lot online because I do not like to shop. I also buy a lot of quilting stuff online more out of habit than anything else probably. When I first moved to OKC there was only one quilt store here and it didn't carry the type of fabric I really liked. Moving from the Houston area as I was you can understand that.

Anyway, over the years there are several shops that I visit each week. When The Fat Quarter Shop came online I thought I had found heaven because by then I had decided that fat quarter bundles were the way I wanted to go with fabric. That way I could get some of each piece of a collection and build around it.

As the years have gone by I have watched Kimberly build her shop little by little to one of the best and most efficient places to shop I have ever seen. And as she has made innovations I have noticed other online shops following her lead. Rather interesting to say the least.

What has prompted me to write this it the following. I ordered a book from an online web site that I could not find any place else as it is a specialty book. It came today. I was so surprised at the way it was wrapped but I didn't take a picture, which was a mistake. This book was wrapped in paper and tied with a fabric bow. It was like a present. A year ago this would not have happened.

Kimberly has set the standard for packaging I think, and other shops seem to be following her lead. At least most other shops; there are a few out there that could take some lessons, that's for sure.

The other thing I want to talk about is BOMs. I have joined a lot of BOMs over the year from online stores. Always, with no exceptions, there have been shortages of fabric. One store in particular I do not order from period because they screw everything they do up. However, that's another story. I always buy extra fabric if possible when I start a new BOM because somewhere along the way I am going to miscut a piece. It is one of my wonderful habits, lol

I want to thank Kimberly for her BOMs. I always have so much leftover fabric that I don't have that inner worry about miscutting because I know I am going to have some left over from one block or another. They are a pleasure to work with, that's for sure. Other shops need to take notice.

The last thing I want to talk about is the Piece and Plenty BOM. I am behind on it because of my eyes but it has been a wonderful experience for me. I did not do hand applique until this piece and I stretched myself and have handled it, maybe not well, but it was something I wanted to do. This quilt is going to be an heirloom when I finish. I think my girls will probably fight over it. I have incorporated my own style into parts of it and changed some things that I thought would reflect me. I hope those of you who have worked on this quilt appreciate what you are building. It is just wonderful. And I have enough fabric left over to do a small project I think, which has been an added bonus.

You'll know Kimberly is a friend of mine, but she did not influence me to write this. Sometimes it is easier to complain about the things a store doesn't do than it is to praise a store for the things they do.

So, Kimberly, this is a thank you for the things you do. I appreciate them more than you will ever know! You make my midnight shopping more fun.