”People don’t say thank you any more.  Or write thank you notes,” a friend mentioned the other day.

Is this you in your busy life?  In your quilting life or business?  Do you take time to say or show your appreciation for deeds done, words said, gifts received?

Even though I was taught, by a mother who sat us at the dining table to write thank you notes the day after receiving a gift, I find myself so caught up in a busy life that I must keep a “thank you note list” or “thinking of you list” so I don’t forget.  Even if it’s a verbal “thank you,” it means more than ignoring.  An e-mail note also will suffice, too, when it isn’t possible to send something through themail.

 Develop a reputation as someone who appreciates others and what they do. 

*Have little appreciation notes on hand that you sign and drop into the mail.

*Send a thank you e-mail to your online customers and friends. 

*Realize the “older” (grandma) generation was brought up with mothers who made sure they wrote thank you notes.

*Carry postcards with you so you can write notes while you wait or find someone needs a bit of cheer.  These may be special ones or simply those purchased at the post office with a happy face sticker on them.

*Smile!  Even those little smiling faces on your e-mail notes add a bit of cheer with thank you’s.

Don’t be someone of whom is said: “They never say thank you.  They don’t even acknowledge when they receive a gift or a communication.”        

  What tips do you have for mastering the  “Art of Thank You”?

Post from: Blisstree

5 Tips for Mastering the “Art of Thank You” in Your Quilting Life

  Ah!  The old treadle sewing machine!  That’s what I learned to sew on.  My mother had one; my aunt and grandmother had one; my 4-H sewing leader, Aunt Mary, had one.  I spent many hours at the treadle machine in each of these locations sewing.

In fact, we have one today that someone gave us.  We don’t use it for sewing, but have at various locations used this as a plant stand or side table.  My daughter and I keep saying we’re going to see about tuning it up, as Chloe plans to do with hers.  But we never seem to have the time.  In the meantime, we simply can’t let it go.

I also like to collect to collect sewing machine memorabilia…bobbins, bobbin cases, gadget boxes, presser feet, needles in needle cases.

Do any of you have memories of quilting with the old treadle sewing machine?

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Memories of the Treadle Sewing Machine for Quilting

What would quilters and fabric artists like?

*scissors

*pin cushions

*assorted basting pins with colored heads

*unique threads

*rotary cutters & extra blades

*assorted unique threads

*fat quarters

*quilting videos & DVDs

These are just a few of the items.  Browse through a quilting store or ask the clerk or owner what she’d like.  Put these in a basket, tie with a ribbon, and you have something to please any quilter.

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas Gifts for Quilters

My daughter makes a list each year of books she’s like to have and quilting gadgets she’ll enjoy and find helpful.  From this her husband and children go quilting at her favorite shop or look online.  This works out well because she doesn’t feel guilty about getting that new book or gadget.

You’ll find some book suggestions.  However, there are many more out there…non-fiction, fiction, and books about quilts for children.  Browse through bookstores online or at a mall.

Post from: Blisstree

Give a Quilting Book as a Gift

Why not collect quilting memorabilia or related items such as:

*Thimbles

*Pin cushions

*Calendars with quilt pictures

*Sewing boxes

*Needle books

*Note paper with quilt designs

Do you have a quilt related collection?  I’d enjoy hearing about it and how you got started.

This book, Sewing Tools & Trinkets, might give you an idea of sewing/quilting memorabilia you’d like to collect.

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Collecting Quilting Memorabilia

That’s what we need around here, I thought.  With three quilters in the family (my daughter, granddaughter, and me), our menfolk continually complain about the pins on the floor or on cushions. 

These 1 1/2-inch pins have white plastic heads that will glow in the dark.  Possibly these are commonplace to many quilters and other suppliers have them available.  Anyway, if you’re constantly losing pins, you may want to look into these. 

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A Simple Gadget for Quilters

What are some of your favorite new products?  Periodically I’ll post information about new items and gadgets for quilters.

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New Products for Quilters