Let me share a story… I am a qualified primary school teacher (aka elementary teacher), but our decision to start our family young, meant that I only ever worked 1 day in a school. To keep in the field, and maintain my passion and knowledge, I started a Masters of Gifted Education degree. I have spent the past 2 years doing a subject each semester by distance and have loved it. I was planning on continuing my studies when we moved to Japan, but long story short, I can’t. I was pretty devestated at the news, I even suprised myself how much studying actually meant to me. But at the same time, I must admit, a little excited at the free time it meant I would now have to sew and blog.
I love sewing, I love blogging, I love blogging about sewing. But it all takes time and money, especially for the sewing part of it all – gotta keep up the fabric supplies, right?! I love designing patterns, and participating in blog hops and organising online community events like quilt-alongs and BOFs, but again, that all takes time and money. And being a stay-at-home mum with 2 little kids, I often feel guilty for investing time and money into my hobby.
So I have decided to get serious and official-like. While I have these 3 years here in Japan to “do what I like”, with some English teaching on the side, I’m going to give this thing a real shot. I’m going to get stuck into some more quilt designing – I have at least 3 sketched and “math-ed” out already – I’m going to focus on blogging consistently and regularly and interestingly, I want to keep working with you all in this wonderful online quilting community. As a part of this, I have decided to seek out sponsorship from wonderful fabric shops to help support my ventures, and to promote their fabulous businesses!
And today, I am super excited to welcome my first sponsor on board – the Fat Quarter Shop! I have been a long time fan and customer of the Fat Quarter Shop, and am always so impressed by their customer service. I’ve bought just a few things, ahem, including being signed up for their Designer Mystery BOM. Getting a little package of Vintage Modern each month is a highlight of my letterbox! In fact, I had better get onto Block 5, as I just paid for Block 6… Crikey, how’d we get to month 6 already?! My most recent purchase was a Reunion by Sweetwater jelly roll through their weekly Wednesday specials where they offer a huge discount off a collection! We’re talking up to 50% off – the jelly roll was under $20! If you aren’t already, I’d suggest following them via Facebook or Twitter to be the first to know about this weekly bonanza… just don’t tell your men I told you…
Plus the Fat Quarter Shop are so incredibly supportive of online quilting community. They excitedly jumped on board when I pitched Kimberly the idea for the Sweet Treats blog hop – providing hoppers with supplies and prizes along the way! I was so nervous, emailing a fabric shop for the first time like this! And they are also now sponsoring the Sew Seasonal blog hop, including the launch day giveaways (still open – hint, hint!). We have some exciting plans in store, and I can’t wait to continue working with Kimberly and the gang!
By the way, if you haven’t already, go check out the Fat Quarter Shop Youtube channel. Ever wondered what happens at a Quilt Market Schoolhouse session?! Yeah, me too, and I was very happy to find that they taped the Moda Schoolhouse session! I spent over an hour on Tuesday watching that, plus a few of their interviews with designers, including Kate Spain, Dave Butler and Mark Dunn – the head of Moda himself!
So, thank you Fat Quarter Shop, and thank you dear readers for helping me forge this new and exciting, yet slightly scary, path that is ahead of me!
PS – If anyone is interested in becoming a sponsor of Blossom Heart Quilts, please check out my Sponsors page for more information!
Kristy @ Quiet Play says
Exciting news!!! Off to a fab start, lovely!
Holli says
How wonderful, Alyce! Fat Quarter Shop is a great sponsor (they expediently sent me the Cuzco mini charms that were in my W.I.P. post this morning). What a great opportunity for you at a wonderful time in your life – young family, living in Japan for awhile, and “surrounded” by perhaps the most caring and supportive community you could ask for! Lucky you! Enjoy!
Fiona @findingfifth says
All the best with furthering this Alyce.
Books_Bound says
Good for you, Alyce! Sounds like this is a great fit for you right now, and as a grad student, trust me that it’s way better than studying. 😉
Amy, a redeemed sheep says
I am so proud of you!! =D
Kara @me_and_elna says
Good for you!!! 😀
SIMPLESEW says
awesome Girl.. I am a fan of Both of ya! from TX Howdy FQS and BHQ..
Mara says
That’s very exciting, congratulations on your first sponsor.