I recieved a "Golden Ticket"!!

I am honored to be picked as one of the shops on this years Golden Ticket Bus Tour!

The Quilt Shoppe near Kansas City, MO puts on this amazing, fabulous bus tour every year. Kathy (who by the way is so wonderful and friendly) puts this tour together and invites the best fabric shops in the states to be apart of this experience for fabric lovers alike. I can't tell you how excited I am that she gave me my "golden ticket" and asked me to apart of this. She was so excited when I met her at quilt market and told her about my shop and my ideas. The next day came by invite.

Kathy was awarded in the quilt sampler 2008 top ten quilte shoppe in the US. Thats pretty amazing. And to think she wants my little shop to be on the tour....pretty awesome.

Another perk by being highlighted on her tour is that I get to fill a bus. There will be 52 seats available to go along on this 4 state tour of THE BEST fabric shops. From what I hear its a blast...it sounds like a blast. When Kathy announces the tour she sells out her individual bus in 6 days. It must be amazing if it sells out that quick.

Here is the link, take a look.

Here are the details.

The Golden Ticket Bus Tour

Texas/Oklahoma/Arkansas/Kansas/Missouri

September 23, 24, 25 2011

Our guests will ride in a First Class Executive black bus
Deluxe hotel accomodations including all meals, cocktails, hourdourvres, each night provided complimentary, as well as a full hot breakfast every morning.
all for $229
*pay in full within 30 days of release of tickets and pay only $199

(Bus will stop every 2-3 hours at a new shop destination)

If you are interested you can email me at shannon@fabricnosherie.com

"Ummm...don't I know you?"

In 1 day I went from thinking I had no connections to suddenly quite a few. Allow me to explain.

First, I don't overuse the word Best Friend (BFF)(stick with me here, it all make sense in a minute). I'm lucky enough to not only have one BFF but 5. Thats right, 5...well, 6 if you include my husband. Well, it use to be 7 but one moved away - thanks a lot Lisa.... I digress.
Anyway, I truely am blessed to have so many friends and a handful that are my "sisters". So when I refer to Laura as my BFF - she is. When I refer to Michelle as my BFF - she is..you get the picture.

Moving on. As we were walking up and down the many isles of market I noticed up ahead a booth called imaginesce. I thought to myself - wait a minute, I've seen that name and logo before at my BFF's house. I told Marc I thought that was Michelle's father's business. As I walked up I saw two of her brothers. "Wait a minute.....I know you!" It was really quite crazy. Michelle didn't even say anything about her family being there. I sat next to her two brothers and snapped a photo to send to her. She was trying to put it all together....she had forgotten that they were going to market and forgot I was too. She was trying to wrap her brain around how I was with her family that lived 2,000 miles away.

Suppose you had to be there.


Isn't this dress the cutest? I commented to the women who made the pattern and dress how adorable it was. She immediately went on and on how she loves anything Laura Gunn designs. She is her favorite designer. I just enjoyed hearing her talk about another one of my BFF's. I thought to myself. Yeah, I know her.


Again, I was walking the isles and came across this booth. The same thought, "Wait a minute....I know you." This is Camille. Her and her mother Bonnie design for Moda. She also has a book out. CRAZY!! She used to live in the same town in Idaho as me and we would hang out. Small world huh?





















One night my husband and I went out to dinner. Outside there was this big sign. I could barely get the words out, "Hey...thats Steph!!". I know her too. She lived in St. Louis and we went to the same church. I used to take Pilates at her house. She kicked my butt every Saturday. She actually came to visit St. Louis 3 weeks ago. I had no idea she was the model for MS. Isn't she so cute??


Michael Miller had a hug booth and on the back side there were huge boards, each one a different color combination. They were all beautiful. As I walked by and looked I noticed a perticular picture. My thought, "Wait, I know her". My very good, talented friend Trenna Travis's daughter in right in the middle of that poster. Trenna designed these for Michael Miller. She is unbelieveable with the things she can create. Shes helping me with my business logo and image. I had no idea whe was working for Michael Miller so it came as a surprise when I saw her daughter.

Maybe I was all over the place in this blog but I just thought it was pretty cool that I kept running in, or seeing people that I knew. What are the chances?

Okay, I promise I am now done talking about Quilt Market. I will move on and prepare myself for the next market in fall. Whos with me??!

Quilt Market Part 3

Look how excited I look?! Kind of embarassing.....but, she is my most favorite designer. Anna Maria Horner. I made a messenger bag out of her laminate fabric and I really wanted her to sign the bag. She was so kind to do that. She said once someone asked her to sign their rear end. The clothes part of the rear end. After I heard that I didn't feel nearly as awakward asking her to sign the bag.

Yes....mission accomplished!!

Isn't she gorgeous? Her booth was breathtaking as is everything that she does. I can't wait to get her new line of fabric in my shop.

One last post about market coming soon.

Quilt Market Part 2

This is just half - thats right, half of the vendors at Quilt Market. Talk about overwhelming!! I did my best to see everything and I'm pretty sure I did. It took me 3 full days but mission was accomplished. Another goal I had while I was there was meeting my most favorite designers. I couldn't help but get in a picture with a few of them.... Joel Dewberry. His stuff is so amazing and he is so down to earth and friendly. And apparently pretty tall - or ah, I'm just really short. Here is his website if you want to take a gander.

Next is Heather Bailey who is Laura Gunn's (Friday girl and BFF) sister in law. Talk about a talented family. Her designs are so inspiring and she too is incredibly friend. Here is her link.

Amy Butler. Who doesn't love Amy Butler. She has been a household name for years. It was such an honor to meet her. And just as a side note, she is bending down and I'm on my tippy toes. Again, not sure if shes just really tall or I'm just that short. I'm beginning to think the latter is true. Her link.

There of course are more designers that I had the priviledge of meeting. Its amazing to be surrounded by women (and men) who bring out this creative drive in you. They were all so encouraging and seemed so excited for me to be opening up a fabric shop. The industry is full of friendly, supportive folks. I'm so glad I went.....my shop will be better for it.

Quilt Market Part 1

Quilt Market was AWWWWESOME! I'm seriously still on a high. This industry has the nicest people I have ever met. Everyone was so wonderful and excited and encouraging to me as a new shop owner. I learned more then I thought I would and I have more and new ideas that I'm so excited about. I will have a few postings on market because there is just too much to tell in one post. First here are my two new friends. Jessica and Mom. I call her mom because, well - I don't think I even caught her first name. These two took me in, saved me at sample spree (for anyone who knows about sample spree, you know that you need body guards), we went to classes together and pretty much just hit it off right away. These fine folks are from the west and I'm sad that we don't live closer. And added plus, Jessica makes beautiful clothings/accessores for Joel Dewberry who I absolutely love. Hopefully she'll come out with her own line of patterns (hint, hint Jessica). She is awesome - you too mom.

Here are the quilts I rushed in last minute for Michael Miller. My wonderful friend Laura Gunn designed this fabric, and pattern and Michael Miller wanted to show it at their school house class. Tell me that blanket isn't the cutest little boys quilt you've ever seen? Its even hand quilted....beautiful.

These next two quilts were made by some super fun, talented ladies in the St. Louis Quilt Guild. The ladies in the classes thought they were amazing. I could hear everyone whispering...made me feel pretty cool that I was associated with such talented people.

More to come soon.

Senior pictures?

Flash back to Senior pictures. It was really awkward to have pictures taken of just me. I get so uncomfortable and usually look like a dork most of the time. Either way, they needed to be done for my portfolio and for my website. What do you think? These are my three favorites. I think I'm only going to use 1 of them...maybe 2.

Things are progressing quite well. I should be done with my business plan in 2 weeks and then hopefully (fingers crossed) I will be able to get the rest of the funding.

I leave tomorrow for quilt market. I'm so excited. I will probably be exhausted when I get back. Maybe I should have my sister stay to help. Its like post pardum recovery...right? Well, not really but I could try that tactic and see where it gets me.

I would love some feedback on what things you would like to see in a fabric shop or what kind of classes would interested you, projects, or ideas. I need ideas from cool people like you!

The Shop

Here it is. Hopefully (fingers crossed) this will be the home of Fabric Nosherie. It is an amazing space in an amazing area. The space of corse needs lots of work but I'm excited for the transformation. The owner who is so kind, is willing to hold it short term for me until everything is in line. Maybe I'm over analyzing everything but with a new business, I don't think that is possible. I want to make sure everything is where it needs to be before I sign on that dotted line which is hopefully in about 6 weeks.

This is a picture of the outside looking down the street. Its really quite quaint. The shops all around it are so fitting for my shop.

I'm heading to quilt market next week. I'm super excited about that. I hope to meet some of my most favorite designers but mostly to get educated on owning a fabric shop. There is what they call School House and its exactly that. 30 minute classes and you rotate. Plus there are extra hour long classes that I'll be taking. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be overwhelmed but in the best sort of way. I have no doubt I will fill up two notebooks with information. And to make things even more wonderful....my sweet husband is coming with me! How many of you can drag your husbands to a fabric store let alone 3 full days of fabric. I'm feeling pretty lucky to have (I always feel lucky to have him :) ).

Off to do more planning, more research. Please pass my blog around. I would love to have more "stalkers". Thanks for the comments and support!

The Journey

Its true....I'm going to open a fabric store. I have been dreaming about this for years and finally got the courage to do it. Of course I'm still planning and researching and doing all of that so it will still be 4-5 months before it actually opens but hey - its going to happen and I couldn't be happier about it.

I found THE perfect place. I wasn't expecting to find a place so quickly but when I drove past it I could see my shop there. Its in Old Webster Groves. I'm still working on getting a lease agreement, nothing is in writting (yet), I haven't signed on the dotted line (yet), but I see that happening really soon.

I wanted to start this blog but I wanted to start a blog when everything was perfect. Maybe its the way I'm wired that everything has to be in its perfect place to even show anyone. I recieved some good advice, the advice was to get over myself and just start it now. So here we go. I'm inviting you on my journey. The journey of starting a business, the journey of the exciement and sometimes stress I feel, the journey of having a love of fabric and design. Won't you come with me??

I hope to gather some pictures to show you the idea I have for the feel of the store. This shop's environment is just as important to me as the fabric and products I sell. I would love feedback, ideas, opinions, words of encouragement - anything you feel like posting would be very welcomed.

I will post again soon but for the moment #4 needs his mommy.

-Shannon