State of the Union (or just of Treasure Bay Fabrics)

Hello Friends!  I was surprised to get a notice last week that another online/brick and mortar Quilt Shop was closing its doors and going out of business.  It really surprised me as this shop is all over the blogs and advertising, I guess I assumed they were doing okay.  While I am sad to see a shop go out of business, I thought perhaps it might be a good time to let everyone know what is happening at Treasure Bay Fabrics.

Currently, I am an online only, one (sometimes two!) working mom owned operation.  I have practically zero overhead other than inventory so I do have the luxury of being able to weather the current state of the economy better than a retail only location or even a combo online/retail spot.  The only problem is that when sales slow down, so does my ability to buy and that can make it hard to compete with all the other online stores. 

For 2011 - my goals are to increase the turnover in stock (which equals more markdowns!), bring in more of the fun, fresh and modern fabrics that everyone loves and to (gulp!) move out of the basement and into a small, retail spot!  Ideally, I would like to find something small and affordable.  Something that is in a creative, woman friendly, artistic area that would allow me to regulate my hours and add a little extra income to the business.  Something that is affordable even if we do not have a single walk in customer.  I am playing it very safe and probably moving too slowly for some customers, but I would like to have my little corner of the world for as long as I can.  I may not be the biggest shop right now, but I am encouraged that we can have a great 2011 and many more years to come!

I really do love what I do and love my customers, you guys are fabulous!  I am having a special sale for Facebook fans and my blog readers - use code LUVFANS20 at checkout and save 20% off your entire order!  www.treasurebayfabrics.com

It's A Block Party - Win Fabulous Prizes!

One of my favorite blogs, Quiltstory, is hosting a BLOCK PARTY!

Anyone can enter! You just need to create quilt blocks and submit them to QuiltStory's Block Party.  There will be three categories in which you can enter your block - Modern, Traditional and Creative.


What can you win?  Fabric!  And sweet Gift Certificates including one to Treasure Bay Fabrics - awesome!

Hop on over to Quiltstory and check out all the details.  Good Luck!

- Melissa

New Items - Hello Kitty Spring Cottons

I love Hello Kitty!  The colors and simple, cute design aesthetic appeal to the little girl in me.  So sweet!  New in the shop are three prints from the Hello Kitty Spring 2011 line from David Textiles.

Have a sweet day!

- Melissa

Thank you!

Happy New Year!  I had a fabulous response to the New Year Sale - thanks, everyone!  Looks like new items will be starting to arrive in the next week, watch this space for new fabrics and trims that I KNOW you are going to love!

Once I get caught up on orders, my kids have requested that I make them cases for their gift from Santa, they both got new Nintendo DSi's.  Lo and behold, there is a tutorial for that!  From An Igloo has this cute and lovely tutorial. 

(photo courtesy From An Igloo)

My kids are thrilled that they can pick any fabric for their case.  I will post a photo when I finish.


- Melissa

New Year - New Projects - BIG SALE!

New Year - new projects! How about a sale? Use code NEWYEAR30 to save 30% off everything in the shop!

Artfire site: http://www.artfire.com/users/treasurebayfabrics
Etsy: www.treasurebayfabrics.com

Expires 1/3/11 at 11:59pm Central Time

While supplies last - RUN!
 

Complete List of Giveaway WINNERS!

Here is the complete list of winners for the Twelve Treasures of Christmas Giveaway:

Day 1:  Jessica Jones  (Pink Fig goodies)
Day 2:  Adele  (Anover Tote package)
Day 3:  4kids  (Tina Givens/Amy Butler goodies)
Day 4:  Shenandoah Customs  (Bib Pattern package)
Day 5:  Addy VanAnne  (Orange Tote package)
Day 6:  Maria  (Quilts of Valor Tote package)
Day 7:  Marilyn W.  (Daiwabo Elephant tote package)
Day 8:  Mimi  (Lila Tueller prze package)
Day 9:  Stephanie Vander Velden  (Renee Nannerman tote)
Day 10:   Kathy  (Anna Maria Horner Fat Quarters)
Day 11:   jane p.   (Anover Tote package)
Day 12:   Dreaming Monet  ($20.00 Gift Certificate)


Winners can send me their mailing information via email at melissa@treasurebayfabrics.com
(unless you already have)

CONGRATULATIONS everyone!  Thank you for participating during the Holiday Frenzy!

- Melissa

The Final Day - Day 12 of the Twelve Treasures of Christmas Giveaway!

Whee!  Thanks for stopping by and entering into the drawing, the last giveaway is certain to be a favorite of many....

It's a $20.00 Gift Certificate good for anything in the shop! 

Click Comment to put your name into the drawing, one entry per person please. Don't forget to enter for days six going forward if you haven't already. Drawings for these remaining days will all take place on the night of the 24th (or morning of the 25th, when I get a chance).  Don't forget to check back to see if you've won!

Day 11 of the Twelve Treasures of Christmas Giveaway!

Day eleven brings us an old favorite - I have another Andover tote available as a Giveaway!  This lovely tote made from the "Dimples" line of fabric from Andover, a fat quarter cut from Cosmo Cricket by Andover and a handy little hot pink measuring tape.

Click Comment to put your name into the drawing, one entry per person please. Don't forget to enter for days six going forward if you haven't already. Drawings for these remaining days will all take place on the night of the 24th.  Don't forget to check back to see if you've won!

Day 10 of the Twelve Treasures of Christmas Giveaway!

This time, I did not take a photo with my iPhone - impressive!  I did take an existing photo and jazzed it up with icons in Photoshop, its the effort right?  In my defense, I had the honor of being a guest in my daughters Kindergarten classroom yesterday for Visitor Day.  We enjoyed making mini Gingerbread houses, reading stories and apparently, sharing germs.  I woke up this morning with that omnipresent childhood friend - Pink Eye!  I am thrilled that my kids do not have it, but man, what a pain!   Now that I have grossed everyone out, here is what I have up for today's giveaway, behold - Innocent Crush!

The giveaway today consists of SEVEN Fat Quarters of Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner.  You will be getting one of each print marked with the bright green unicorn (don't worry, that's not on the fabric). 

Click Comment to put your name into the drawing, one entry per person please. Don't forget to enter for days six going forward if you haven't already. Drawings for these remaining days will all take place on the night of the 24th.  Don't forget to check back to see if you've won! (and I promise not to touch anything in the shop until my eyes are cleared up!)

 - Melissa

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

... My super cool friend Melissa gave to me... A Renee Nanneman Rose Maison tote bag, a CD of Andovers Fall prints and a hot pink retractable measuring tape!


It might not seem like much, but don't let the lack of flashy photography fool you. My sister Amy had to tackle glassy eyed quilt shop owners to get her hands on this hot bag! She endured scores of dirty looks and jealous glances to bring this bag to me to give to you in all it's cool cottony goodness!

Don't forget to enter for days six going forward if you haven't already. Drawings for these remaining days will all take place on the night of the 24th. Click Comment to put your name into the drawing, one entry per person please. Don't forget to check back to see if you've won!

- Melissa