Welcome to The New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop, Alaska Edition!!
Now, you've already read my posts about myself (Blog Award, Around the World Blog Hop, Last Year's New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop), and if you haven't, My Goodness, you're missing some good stories!! You better hop on over and check them out!! AND, you've read about my other favorite artists and independent sellers in my Fabric Clubs, a Boon or a Bust post, so you know that I will continue to bring you unbiased reviews of quality products and sellers as I find them. (I shop just for you, you know;) AND you will always find fresh and fun stories and patterns, every time you stop by!
Today, I want to introduce you to my newest sponsor, Calico Cat Fabrics, and offer you three, yes THREE, giveaways!! 'Cause you work hard and we want you to know how much we appreciate YOU!!
Today's giveaway is hosted by Calico Cat Fabrics. Now let me tell you all about them, because you're gonna love this shop!!
You know how dear to my heart an independent seller, and a Mom and Pop store, are, and this Mom and Kid store is no exception. As a matter of fact, it has taken me almost a year to find a shop that I felt I could share with you, that met my standards for you!
Calico Cat Fabrics has been around for almost 9 years now...in the beginning it was a part time job for the owner, Tanya. She was a stay at home mom... then, 3 years ago, she became a single mom who was faced with supporting her son. She took the leap and went full time in fabric retail. "Best decision I have ever made - Following my heart and passion!" You know she had me right there!
Here are the things that I like about Calico Cat Fabrics:
1. Tanya's generosity.
When I approached her about doing a giveaway, I was anticipating receiving a $20 or less gift for you. But no!! Tanya is offering TWO $35 value gifts, of your choice (Wow, Right?!!) Because, she says, "When it comes to giveaways, I say Go Big or Go Home!" Love, love love! Girl, you are melting my heart.
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| Oh my Goodness!! Tasha Noel!! |
2. Her customer service.
What I think really sets this fabric shop apart from other independent and chain retailers, is Tanya's customer service.To me, good customer service is what sets the independent retailer ahead of big box stores. I mean, How. Many. Times. have you gone into your local Chain fabric store, only to find out that the fabric that they had advertised was already out of stock, or to find that the discounts that were advertised couldn't be used on any of the items in the store? You know what I mean! IF Calico Cat Fabrics doesn't have an item in stock that you're looking for, Tanya will tirelessly hunt it down for you. And if she can order items from a wholesaler for you, she is always glad to do it (it's cheaper!). I need some pie with my next order, and I bet she'd fix me up! ;0
I really like that Tanya is always glad to fill any special requests for something not currently in her stock if it is at all possible, and that if for some reason she can't (i.e. it's out of print) she will try to find your item online and direct you to someone who has what you need. Even if its not from Calico Cat Fabrics! Now that's customer service!
3. Shipping.
You know how I feel about shipping!! I cannot stand to pay a large fee for shipping, only to receive my purchases in a flat rate envelope that is several dollars cheaper than I paid. Grrr!! Holy budget busting!!!
Calico Cat Fabric's shipping policy is simple... Actual cost for postage. If your order is a large order, whenever possible, Tanya will ship in a flat rate envelope for maximum savings for you. Tanya says she loves making the post office ship as much as she can fit in those envelopes and boxes for the flat rate! Hehe, that's my girl!!. In addition, Calico Cat Fabrics tries, once a month, to offer a free shipping coupon code for US addresses and a discount on shipping for international addresses... because, as Tanya says "Who wants to pay for shipping when there is so much fabric to buy!!!" I just love this girl, she is speaking right to my heart:)
It is also Tanya's policy that when you check out, if your shipping costs don't calculate correctly and are too high, the overage is promptly refunded. And you all KNOW how I love that!!!! Tanya usually ships same day if an order comes in before noon (Central time) Monday through Friday. Saturday orders are shipped on Mondays.
Here are the things that I don't like about Calico Cat Fabrics:
1. I NEED a bigger budget!
Do you think Tanya can help me find one?? If I could enter these giveaways, it sure would help ;)
The Giveaways ARE CLOSED.
There are THREE! Two are offered here, by Calico Cat Fabrics. To enter these two giveaways:
2. Come back here and leave a comment as to which item (s) you would purchase if you won the $35 giveaway.
Enter on Instagram for three more chances!!!
1. Follow us, @Sewpsychd and @Calicocat_Fabrics
2. Re-post the giveaway picture from either of our feeds, remembering to insert the hashtag #SewpsychdaboutCalicoCatFabrics, and leave a comment on the giveaway post answering a question " What is your favorite, charm packs, rolls or fat quarter sets?"
3. Tag a friend!
Good luck!! Entries for all Calico Cat Fabrics giveaways will be chosen by random number generator on Wednesday, July 15 at 12 Midnight EST. These giveaways ARE open internationally!
Please continue on the blog hop to these lovely bloggers. You'll find many more treasures, both human and projects!!
There are giveaways each week of the blog hop!! Click below to enter. Woohoo!
Week 3 - July 13th
Week 4 - July 20th
As part of the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop, I would also like to share some advice that I have found invaluable in my journey so far:
* Be professional. Spell check your work. Always approach clients as a competent hardworking professional who has a valuable service. Never begin an interaction with a statement of inadequacy. "I'm just a beginner, but..." Instead, state who you really are, even if you are in process. "At SewPsyched! We offer the highest quality goods..."
* Don't wait until everything is perfect before you leap in and start being your business. So many times I hear that folks are waiting until their numbers are big enough, or they have published their first pattern, or they have made a set amount of dollars, before they begin their dream. Dream and do NOW!! Just look at this blog... heaven knows I need to up my html game, learn more about photography, make some pages and headers... but if I had waited for all of that to happen, I never would have met all of you lovelies! And I certainly would not have had the amazing opportunities that I've had already. So don't strive to be perfect before you are you. We like you as you are, and want to see you, now!! Over time you can tweak and learn.
*Be realistic about YOUR time and schedule. I know we see folks every day who are some kinda machines, over on IG or on blogs, who seem to churn out the most amazing and delicious makes on a daily basis... I know that I want to put out the best product possible, and continue to learn and grow, so that's not for me. It takes time to write good content, and to imagine and invent new patterns. Give yourself the time it takes for you to create. Your product will be far superior, and you will be happy happy happy and not stressed and overwhelmed.
* Be Happy!!! Enjoy what you are doing!! Just because other folks are doing A, and you're doing B, doesn't mean that you need to do A!!!! Do what makes you happy and learn how to do the rest as you go. Make a schedule for learning these new things that won't interfere with your current projects, and that won't keep future projects from happening because you don't have that skill yet.
* And finally, my best advice...GO ON OUT AND TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!
XX!
Lori
Just an FYI, I will NOT be receiving a kick back for every purchase you make from Calico Cat Fabrics. But I will be receiving a monthly paycheck that will enable me to blog and craft more and bring you more good stuff! Yay!!
Here is why I chose Tanya, and she chose me :)
"I really like that you are so careful about your blog and who you share with your readers...Having looked at your blog it is so very obvious that its a labor of love for you. And as my business is one for me, I appreciate all that goes into that".
Tanya, I am so looking forward to our partnership!!
