November 2009 - Page 4 of 5

November 10, 2009January 27, 2017

Review (entry 36)

For this weeks review, I thought I would give you some insight to blogging and to let you know a little about an excellent book I found at Chapters (here’s a link to Amazon) called Blogging for Bliss.

It’s written by Tara Frey and it’s loaded with inspiring blogs in the arts and creativity world with an emphasis
how an online journal is a great outlet for our passions and stories and they are to be shared amongst like individuals. She discusses a number of platforms, techniques to enhance and embellish blogs and blogging for profit.

Currently I read about a 100 blogs focussing mostly around quilting, crafting and sewing… but I also enjoy other interests like Urbane Bliss a blog from Lisa Jones as she discusses her kids, politics, religion, parenting and many other daily topics.

If you have a blog that you would like me to read or comment on, please send me a link.

November 6, 2009January 27, 2017

First Published Advertisement & Story (entry 35)

Here’s the clipping from the Alberta Country Register for the Nov/Dec issue. I submitted a story and advertisement for our online store – Very exciting…

Here’s the originals incase you can’t make out the text from the photo

Our Story – short and sweet

Click onto Pastimes Online
I decided to start Pastimes Online after I recently sold another business. I’ve always wanted to own a quilt store but the one I was interested in wasn’t for sale. I thought about whether to go “online” or just stick to the traditional “brick and mortar” type of business. As a professional working woman, it was always hard to visit stores during traditional business hours and I felt comfortable with the flexibility of purchasing online.

After much thought about business today and how the internet has evolved, my husband and I and our technical background, and the new chance to learn more about Internet marketing, social media and business online, Pastimes Online Ltd. was born.

I’m very excited about this opportunity and my husband (web designer and avid photographer) and I have been enjoying every step of the process.

I publish 3 blogs that are updated weekly. Photo Blog: a collection of photos that I love about quilting. Personal blog (Val’s Quilting): my own projects, quilts, magazines & books I love, articles I want to share as well as my Block of the Month(s), pizza box challenges & clubs I belong to. Quilting in Alberta: pictures of Alberta based guild shows to Alberta Quilt Shows small & large.
Drop by our site www.pastimesonline.ca to purchase high-end Gingher products at a reasonable price. Threads, fat quarters of washable dupioni silks & cottons are also available.
To find out how we can deliver a guild wide order to your next meeting, email us at customerservice@pastimesonline.ca. If you’re interested in having your next guild or town show photographed or if you wish to participate in a Block of the Month and much, much more… drop us a line at www.pastimesonline.ca.

Valerie

And here’s a closeup of our actual ad…what do you think?

November 5, 2009January 27, 2017

NEW!! Freebie 15 & Update on OLD Freebie 15 (entry 34)

Hi Ladies, here’s a bit of an update on my old Freebie 15 from 2008 to 2009. I have the piano key technique border at the same stage as my last post LOL…

My NEW Freebie 15 is coming together fabulously…here’s some pics of where I’m at. This one so far is right up my alley. I LOVE autumn and fall colours, leaves (anything to do with fall, really)… the crisp air outside, brisk morning walks with my friends dog Emma and 4x4ing are all things I love to do in the fall.

This years Freebie 15 is “so” me… in every way. I hope you enjoy following this blog and my year long project. Oh, and for those who know my Mum (Candace) she is also participating in the project (along with about 100 other quilters in the Calgary area).

If you are interested – I mean really interested in doing this fun project with us – email me and I will see what I can do.

What do you think, a mix between piecing and templates?

Here are the awesome colour choices.

My adorable little pieces all ready to be sewn together 🙂

Ta Daaa – my block 1, finished and I love it!!

With this particular Freebie 15 club you can choose to just do the freebie OR you can do the Freebie AND the companion blocks (with an additional charge, of course). I didn’t do the “companion option” last year, but I thought I would participate them this year…because the theme is “leaves”.

Here’s the first batch of companion blocks, arn’t these little cuties or what?