I’ve been pretty busy the last few months, and this is one of the things that I’ve been working on. My new business — amy a la mode!



I’m going to be designing and making quilts. All the quilts I sell will be my designs, and I’m planning to outsource the quilting (hand quilting or machine quilting, whatever each customer prefers). I will not be making quilts to have in stock. Instead, my plan is to offer designs to sell and then make them when they are ordered. I’ll also be willing to do custom designs for folks, or designs I have created in different colorways.

So, I’ve been working on designs and making quilts so that I can have some samples to show people and to photograph for my web site. That’s what this post was all about. I have one quilt at the hand quilter’s and one at the long arm quilter’s right now. I was hoping to have three done by this point, but my classes ended up taking up too much of my time this quarter for that to happen.

When I get back from Vietnam the two things at the top of my list are 1) make third quilt and 2) design and make the amy a la mode web site!

In addition to getting a business license, tax permit, bank account, etc., I have also managed to get some real business cards printed up. Sometime around November I was thinking, “I really need to get crackin’ on those business cards.” Then guess what our homework for my InDesign class was that week? To design a business card. Anything we wanted. Sweet! So these cards are my design and I really love them.

Anyhow, there is much to do — including finding some customers! I haven’t quite sorted out how to go about that yet. My prices are going to be higher than many I see, because I can’t afford to do this unless I can pay myself a decent wage at it. I’m hoping it will be fun, but it can’t be just for fun, ya know? We’ll see how it works out. I have another frying pan or two in the fire at the moment (more on that soon as well!).

Last week I sent off all our holiday packages. It will be just the sweet hubby and I here for Christmas. Maybe hangin’ with the neighbors who aren’t going anywhere either. We aren’t putting up the tree or any decorations. Truth be told, we don’t have that many, and no one but us sees them, and then they’ll all have to be put away by New Year’s Eve because I don’t want them still out when we get back from our trip. It’s honestly just not worth the trouble. I’d rather curl up with a book and cup of tea or hot chocolate than fuss around with decorations.

I wish I had another batch of family quilts to show you while I’m on vacation again, but I’m working up another set of posts that I’m hoping you’ll enjoy!

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Vintage Pots and Love Beads
2. Family Quilts — My Dad's Four Patch
3. Binding and Coasting
4. Domestic Goddess Gets Waitlisted
5. Two Halves Make a Whole, Right?