Wonderful Woodland show and tell

I had a first yesterday -- I got mad on a Zoom call. I apologize to everyone on the call, but I've had it up to here!

I was doing a demo of new tools for The Hobby Horse. At the beginning of the session, I mentioned the store name and thanked them for hosting the FREE event to the attendees. Every one of my slides has the store logo (very well known in my area) in the corner. 

At one point (near the beginning), someone asked the price of a product, and I didn't have that information and said that. The next thing I know, someone posts in the chat that the product is available at that *&&^%^%T online website for X price. I lost it and said I would ban anyone who mentions that name when I am doing a presentation hosted by a local brick and mortar store that PAYS me to do this. 

I HATE with a passion when someone comes to classes, demos, or whatever, gets the information, and then goes and buys it online because it's cheaper. Does that online store offer you free demos? Is there someone there to answer your questions? People seem to forget that we PAY for customer service, which includes asking questions, chatting with the employees, etc. I just don't get it. 

To be fair to the person, she did apologize and say she was out of line. So I thank her for that. 

I had a customer years ago, and she was notorious for that. She came to all the FREE demos, asked many questions, took up a lot of time, and then NEVER bought anything at that store. I wanted to -- well, I won't say it, but you can't call her out on it. You can't ban her -- she didn't do anything wrong or inappropriate -- I just thought it was very cheeky. 

I'm not sorry I had a little moment yesterday because I think people need to be aware of what they are saying and WHERE. It's the HELPFUL ones who drive me crazy. You are NOT helping me when you say you can buy Product X at an online store or another store. I know you are trying to be helpful, but you are NOT. It totally undermines what I'm saying and promoting.

If you want to buy at another shop or online, I have zero problems -- that's your choice, but don't mention it during my class hosted by a specific shop!! 

I know people are afraid to mention that particular site to me, but I don't mind, and I have purchased from them myself - BUT only if I have no other alternative. But here's the thing -- that site is BAD for us, bad for our environment, created HUGE BAD buying habits, and a lot more. 

As a matter of fact, there's a book written about it. It's called How to Resist Amazon and why? First off -- have you thought about it -- the CEO is the RICHEST man in the world (or one of the richest), and he can afford to build a rocket that will take him to space. How much do you think his warehouse employees earn or the drivers that come to your house?? Not much! So every time you buy something from them, remember that you are filling the pockets of the richest man in the world and the little shop owner around the corner? He gets nothing! 

I will buy local every chance I get. I don't care if it costs me a couple of dollars extra, and I don't care if I have to wait an extra day for the product to be delivered, or god forbid - actually get out of my house to go and get it. 

Enough said.  

I would like to buy time -- I need 12 hours today-- an extra 12 hours! I'm getting ready to go away for a week, and we have Virtual Retreat today, and well -- I'm so not prepared to leave. I have so much to take care of today - e-mails to answer, stuff to get ready, that I will have to bow out of the retreat for an hour or so to clear up some stuff. 

And yes, when the summer comes, that will end the total craziness that happened with the classes. I have no one to blame but myself. I'm not sure what the future will bring for classes, but I see TWO sew alongs -- just TWO, maybe three since one will be a repeat of what I'm doing now. And then I envision CLUBS  -- where we are learning to use the tools we have purchased or UFO clubs to help people finish stuff. I'm also contemplating a troubleshooting session. If you need help -- you come and ask your question, and you go. 

The only problem with this is FOMO (fear of missing out). People will want to attend every session to learn. And that's NOT the point of it -- you have a problem, come and get help, and then leave. That's how our Monday sewing group started years ago. It was initially intended as a session for people to get help for the classes I taught. How many years later? The sewing group is going strong! 

How to cure people of FOMO? I've got to work on this because it's a HUGE issue, and Zoom (I LOVE Zoom) has made it so much more accessible to everyone that we WANT to do it all, and we CANNOT. I feel slightly guilty that so many people got hooked on sew alongs and want to be part of everything. This might be the catalyst to STOP me from getting involved in so much!  

OK -- I learned something about my Alexa last night. I didn't want to say her name out loud because she would ask me for something. So I whispered her name, and she whispered back to me!!! Who knew!!!!!

I did get a lot done yesterday as I hosted three Zoom sessions, and we had Virtual Retreat. 

Here's the homework from Wonderful Woodland. 

There are nine blocks in the quilt, and we have completed four of them now. I don't know how many pieces are in the moose block, but there are quite a few. This is what the design board looked like after I completed the cutting. 

Cutting is done

And here's the moose block. It's so fun to see these animals come to life. I"m not in total agreement with the pattern as there have been a few changes I make to each block. Just better and more efficient ways of cutting and sewing. But you have to be part of my class to get that information! 

This guy is HUGE at 24 ½" UNFINISHED. 

The completed moose block

And here are my blocks so far. 

It's so cute!!!!

Here are some of the class pictures. 

Joyce

Margaret

Margaret

Ooops -- this one is sideways!

Margot

Karen

Karen

Val

Val

There are a few more, but I need to download them from Facebook! 

That is so cool, and I can't wait to see these quilts finished!!!!

Can you believe that I have almost completed the handouts for the homework for all three classes this weekend? Just one more to proofread, and then it can go. That HAS to be done today. 

Well, it's going to be a busy day with packing (I think I have 6 sewing machines to pack in the car -- don't ask!) I'll take a picture -- thank goodness I'm going by myself as I won't have a spare inch of space, and I need to decide what to bring to work on. 

Don't forget that the Virtual REtreat starts at NOON today as we have UFO club this morning. 

Sunday, March 27 -- Starts at NOON

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81693717518?pwd=STNoVVQzbDd4ZnROQndNNlpvcC90QT09 Meeting ID: 816 9371 7518 Passcode: 579285

And here's the list of upcoming quilt shows, so make sure you get these on your calendar. I have a couple to add but no time to deal with it today. 

Here are the quilt shows that I'm aware of in my area. 

The Textile Show at the Gerrard Art Space (Toronto)  --- show runs until April 3!!! (better hurry on that one!)

Colour with a U  -- a quilt show at the Orillia Museum of Art & History -- runs until April 9 

Common Thread Quilt Guild Ottawa) is hosting its show on May 6,7,8. 

Hamilton Quilt Guild -- June 3, 4

And YES -- I know that Goodreads is owned by Amazon. I think I have found a substitute -- now to migrate everyone I know off of Goodreads and to the new platform! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!