Preparations...

My mom is getting very nervous, but excited too!  The time for our business, Pumpkin's Quilt Corner, to open it's hypothetical doors for business is coming up soon.  We decided on September 1, 2013, as long as everything is ready to go on that date.  I'm excited and nervous too.  I've been bugging mom to spend more time in the Quilt Corner (which is in our home) because she's now locked me out of our bedroom at night! 

The reason for this outrage, she says, is because that crotchety old woman, Flutie (the Old One) has been diagnosed with some kind of blood cyst or cancer in her stomach.  The vets said she would die soon and since she's been mom's closest friend for years, mom has been kind of sad.  So, she decided to keep Flutie from being "picked on" (hey, I've got to keep everyone in line, especially at night) at during the night that she would be locked in mom's room with her.  I am REALLY angry about this!  I must admit that, perhaps, I've taken out too much of my frustration on the others, but a little extra toughness, especially on that grey THING, Bella (the former sheriff), helps to keep her in line.

My ponderings are wondering from the quilting business, for which I apologize.  I will have times when that happens, as evidenced in my blog title. 

Now, back to business.  Mom has been feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the paperwork and whatnot to get going, but she's been a real trooper.  She's being really thorough and making sure everything is done correctly and accurately.  She's also been practicing her pantographing and even some stencil quilting and custom quilting.  She LOVES freehand quilting.  So do I as it's fun to sit on the back side of the table and watch her work (if I'm not napping there).  I can't do that when she's using pantographs.  I do like when she finishes her practice pieces more than when she finishes real quilts, or quilts real quilts.  I get to test the comfortableness of the practice pieces, which makes me VERY happy.  Of course, being the magnanimous ruler I am, I let the others try out the quilt pieces too...when mom let's them into the room, which is hardly EVER.  Only I get to come in most of the time since it's MY business and mom just works for me.  Of course, she's warned me repeatedly that once the inventory is completed prior to starting the business, I may not be allowed at all (yeah, right!  I'll convince her to just put a disclaimer in her business software warning about pet hair and dander being on her quilts) once she starts taking in customer quilts.  She does get tough with us once in awhile, so who knows, maybe she'll do that when she opens our business, but that doesn't seem fair, does it?

Anyway, there's so much to do to get ready for this.  I really hope it works out for her.  Right now she's trying to figure out the right prices to charge since it's kind of hard to figure that out, not only based on skill, but also based on competition and average pricing in our area.  It's not the easiest thing to find out other quilters' prices as they aren't the most forthcoming about them.  I wonder why that is.  As busy as they are all reported to be, you'd think they'd gladly work together and share information and whatnot, but I guess the competition makes them not only seemingly secretive, but also crabby on occasion when asked about pricing.  Maybe it has something to do with money. 

I don't quite get the whole money thing.  It's just NOT something we have in out kitty world.  It's not necessary because of the way we've set up our societies, both domestic and in the wild.  Oh well, I digress...again.  I feel hungry.  I think I'll go see if I can get mom to give us some of that oh-so-yummy soft food she's been "hiding" from us (like she can fool me).

So, signing off for now. 

Remember Paws are best used for quilting!