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Non Unus Pluma

What motivates you? Over the years I've discovered 2 things that motivate me: lists and deadlines.

The blog has been a great motivator for me since I started it almost 10 years ago. By posting every day it makes me take a few minutes to think about my priorities, how many things I've already started and, occasionally, helps me decided that I do not need to start yet another project.

Keeping the UFO tracking list over the past 2 years has been hugely helpful in keeping me focused more on finishing and less on starting.

But there's no greater motivator than a deadline. The UFO list and a deadline combined in August to motivate me to finish Non Unus Pluma, a long time UFO project. The deadline was the Country School Quilter's quilt show at the Montpelier Center for the Arts in Montpelier, VA. If you are in the Richmond, VA area during September I invite you to stop by and see this free exhibit. I am very fortunate to be a member of Country School Quilters. The talent in this group is deep and diverse and the show really demonstrates it. Their creativity, friendship and support is a huge motivator. I hope everyone reading this belongs to such a wonderful group - large or small.

What motivates you?

Nantan

Ise

New Shibori Fabrics!

August, honestly, was mostly a vacation month for me but I did add a nice collection of new shibori fabrics. You can see these featured fabrics and all the rest in the shop.

Upcoming Richmond Area Classes

On Line Selling Classes at Visual Arts in Richmond VA

10 Things You Need to Know to Sell Online
September 17, 10 - 12:30
September 27, 6:30 - 9

Today there are millions of people offering handmade items on Etsy and other online sales venues but most aren’t prepared for the unique challenges of selling online. In this lecture/discussion I'll share with you the things I've learned in my 7 years of online selling. This is a great class if you aren't sure if online selling is for you or not. You will know for sure after this lecture.

Marketing Your Online Shop
September 24, 10 - 4
You have your online shop set up but how do you get buyers to visit? This workshop will help you develop a marketing and advertising strategy for your artistic business. In this one-day workshop I'll will walk you through the basics of SEO (search engine optimization) and various advertising strategies including near-free methods, newsletter strategies, Facebook advertising, Google Adwords and other paid advertising platforms.

Class at The Longarm Network in Goochland, VA

Ruling Rulers
Saturday, October 22, 10 - 5

Have you been collecting longarm rulers but are still afraid to use them? This class will get you over that fear and teach you everything you need to know to successfully use rulers on your next quilt. This is a great class for renters, new owners and seasoned free motion and edge-to-edge quilters. Up your quilting by adding ruler work to your tool kit.

2016 UFO Busting Projects

The UFO Busting 2016 project has started! Check out the details on the blog and join in to track your UFO projects and maybe even win some prizes.

Customer Gallery

If you share a project in the new Customer Gallery you will receive a 20% discount that's good for 60 days! There's a link on the Customer Gallery page where you can submit your project. Once I receive it I'll email you a coupon code for the Fabric shop.

There are no new entries this month so won't you consider sharing something that you've made with Colorways By Vicki Welsh fabric?

I'm Sponsoring

Check out these projects that I'm sponsoring this year.

Fat Quarter Drawing

Each month I draw the email names of 5 current newsletter subscribers and post them here. As a subscriber you are automatically entered. If your email name is listed below Email me with your name and address and I will send you a free fat quarter of hand dyed fabric. I will not be sending any notification beyond this so if you miss it you miss the free fabric. You also must contact me from the listed email address.

The winners of this month's free fat quarters are:

t_ktl@_____.com

gmt2948@_____.net

mlj.hersey@_____.com

gdupcak@_____.com

barkinggiant@_____.com

Inspiration

A small town in in the Netherlands has a big parade every year to celebrate the flower business. These floats are spectacular and, like the Rose Parade in the US, are covered in flowers. Photographer John DG Photography captured some of the beautiful floats. There are more on the parade's Instragram account. I think you will find some color and design inspiration there.

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