Batiks By Design

My family: Husband-BJ, Son-Logan, Daughter-Andi

Hello everyone! I am Cyndi, and I am still a little new at Batiks by Design. I am the new Administrative Assistant here. I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. In addition to administrative duties, I will be answering the phone if you call, or filling your orders and shipping them out. I am also here in the shop during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) if you get a chance to drop in and see our beautiful fabrics in person. I will be glad to help you in any way I can.

Speaking of dropping in at the shop, last week a customer called me to place an order. Unfortunately some of the fabrics she had chosen were gone to the Quilt Show in Pennsylvania with Patti. After talking with her for a few minutes and discussing the options, we decided it would be best if she came by and looked at the fabrics here in the shop. I told her I would pull the fabrics she had chosen and have them ready, but I would not cut them in case she changed her mind. In preparation, I pulled not only the ones she had chosen, but another stack of coordinating fabrics as well. She came by the next day and brought a friend. After seeing the material in person, she did end up changing her mind on a few. She chose what she needed for the project she had had in mind when she called (the background of a quilt) and then ended up choosing more fabrics for birthday projects for people in her life as well. Next, she spotted our scrap bin and had fun filling a gallon size zip-lock bag full of scrap pieces for only $15. She said that it did make a difference seeing the fabrics in person and she was glad she came in. We had fun looking over the fabrics and deciding what to get. I was so glad I could help her, and her friend.

Beautiful colors, quality fabrics.

So bright and cheerful!

So, any time you are in our area, please come by and check out our shop. Pictures on the computer can never compare to how lovely these fabrics are in person. I looked over the website before I came to work here, and I was amazed when I actually saw the fabrics. I am learning more every day, about fabrics, quilting, patterns and more. If you have never worked with Batiks, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. If you have worked with Batiks, I am positive you will be impressed with the quality, selection, and price.

I am looking forward to working with all our customers.  As I am learning, I will be taking you along on the journey. I will keep you updated on my projects, ideas, and anything else going on here. I hope you enjoy the ride and let me know what you think. I can’t wait to hear from you when you get a chance.

Yes, we finally got the garage doors put on the new building and although I unpacked my trailer from the last quilt shows into it, I’ve been working between there and my family room where I’ve been located since I started my business.  That was reallyfrustrating because I never knew whether something was here or there and I was contantly going back and forth.  Well now the fabrics and its shelving is all moved to the new building!  It was not a fun job . . . and it isn’t totally done since it isn’t all nice and pretty and organized yet, but it is a start.  We did most of it on Saturday, but in the process I hurt my lower back (ouch!) and have been trying to give it a chance to heal before bending and lifting the bolts of fabrics to get things really organized.  Today it is feeling a little better, but I might just give it another day.  Besides, it is raining and a good day to work on the computer!

In the process I found that I have a lot more of some fabrics than I realized (some of my extra bolts have been in a storage locker for a while) and even found a bolt of a fabric that I thought we were out of.  The inventory is off from the quilt shows and as much as we tried to keep a record of what was sold, it didn’t always get updated online in a timely manner – remember, this is still a one person operation with me wearing all of the hats most of the time.  Yes, Shirley is a BIG help, but she has been busy since the last show making quilts for all of her close family members for Christmas (she does this every year).  She makes one for each, wraps them and then they have a Chinese Auction.  Sounds like a lot of work AND a lot of fun.  I asked her to adopt me, but she just rolled her eyes.  It was worth a try!  Her brother also has colon cancer and she is busy helping him as well since he is single with no children.  Keep her and her brother in your prayers.

I’ve added a lot of new fabrics to our site in the past couple of weeks.  We’ve received a lot of traditional and Bali batik fabrics.  I am not a “brown” person, but I love the fabric to the left, which has a brown background with fuschia, pink, and tan flowers.  It has a large dotted border in brown that we used as a coordinating fabric when making this bag called __________ (right) by New Beginnings Designs.  Many of the new traditional designs have large borders that are fun to play with as a complimentary fabric. 

Another 2 fabrics that we love together are the two to the left and right.  They look very elegant together in a purse or jacket.  They are black with creamy white and tan.  Both have large orders that add another “fabric” or trim that can be added to your project.  I put the pictures in with the borders so that you could see them.  Aren’t they just wonderful?

For new patterns, check out our version of Fan Dance II.  It is rich and chocolatey!  We also love Zen Garden, Walk About, and Blue Bayou, which was designed for Timeless Treasures and I can’t wait to make it in our blue and white traditional designs with a few Bali batiks thrown in for good measure!  I made the Mandarin Jacket pattern and just love it.  I need to get some better pictures to put online – maybe without ME in it this time!

Gotta go and update my inventory, eat lunch, and wrap some Christmas presents.  I figure if I do a few a day it won’t be so bad!  I love the shopping and hate the wrapping!  If you need a gift certificate for a friend for a gift, just contact me and work with you to get ‘r done!

Keep quilting,

Patti

I know, I haven’t blogged in a long time, but I have a lot to tell you about my new building!

As you know we decided to build a new building behind our old house for Batiks by Design after finding out that we couldn’t get high speed internet at the “new” house (see my July 20th posting).  As with most buildings, we ran into a few snags.  The first was that the tresses were delivered on time, but they were the wrong size!  They took them back and rushed to make them the right size, but it delayed us.  The second problem  was that the contractor “shot” himself in the foot with his nail gun and ended up in the emergency room, then got a case of gout.  The last incident actually didn’t turn into a problem, but it was so close!  The remanants of Hurrican Ike came through western KY with a lot of wind and very little rain.  It took down a large oak tree in our back yard that landed with its leaves up against the windows and sides of the building.  When I first saw it I was sure that it had taken out the corner of the building.  God was definitely watching over us.  Since then it has been coming along steadily and after they get the electric wired in, they’ll be finishing it up.  I can’t wait!  We’ll have SO much more room!  You can see the building below.  Isn’t it pretty?!  (My husband gets 1/3 of the building on the left for his garage!)

When we return from Des Moine from the AQS Quilt Show we hope that they will have moved us in.  That’s probably wishful thinking that they would do that while we are gone and working so hard at the show, but we can hope! 

If you are planning on attending the Des Moine show, we’ll be in booth 200.  We would love to see you.  We’ll also be in Houston – yes, the show will go on!  Our booth number at Quilt Festival is 826.