17 April 2007

Well, Larry and Denise are on their way back to Wisconsin.  We had a wonderful visit with them and I hate to see them go.  But, in July and August I’ll get to see them a lot!

~MB

Tags: Daily

16 April 2007

The bench, I mean.  But, then, I guess it applies to the pretty lady, too!

Hi Paul!  This is a fun shot of our friend Laura, taken Monday as we were out on a fabric safari! Laura fell in love with this little settee and when we finally got brave enough to ask the price, we were told it wasn’t for sale! 

That’s what I want . . . for my business to be sooooo successful, that I can look a customer in the eye, and tell him he cannot buy what I make!  “I don’t need your money, sir.  That item is not for sale.  We just made that and we need it as a sample. You cannot have it.”  I was hoping they’d at least offer to make her one just like it and quote her a price.  I suppose we could have asked the question that way.  But, I was a little irritated, and didn’t want my dear friends to have to deal with Marita Beth being bitchy.  So, I let it go.  Cute bench, though.  And Laura’s cute, too!  Or, um . . . is it okay to call a six-foot tall Amazon Canadian woman . . . “cute?”

Laura is the wife of our long-time friend Paul—they live in Wisconsin.  Notice the trend—many of our very dearest friends we call family live in Wisconsin.  <sigh>  Anyway, Laura is spending the spring with Ginger, working in her workshop during the week, and helping in her Faire Pair booth on weekends.  We got a lot of mileage out of the fact that Laura was here in Texas, her son was in Canada and her husband in Wisconsin—-and she was the only one who saw snow on Easter weekend!

Our Monday was wonderful fun—my first day off in what seems like months! Larry and Denise were interested in fabric shopping, and hadn’t ever been to the row of wonderful stores in North Dallas.  So, we piled the five of us into the rental van and off we went–Larry, Denise, Ginger, Laura and I.  The loot in the van at the end of the day was pretty impressive.  Sadly for my budget, much of it came home with me!  But, I got some awesome stuff!  Yes, my name is Marita Beth and I am a fabriholic!

~MB

NOTE:  Ironically, after our experience at the fabric store—–as a follow-up to a previous post I’d like to share news about a company who does seem to understand completely about pleasing its customers.  Rubbermaid.  About a week ago, I posted a photo of a sad, broken Rubbermaid tub.  In all my years of travelling and storing stuff in Rubbermaid tubs (or totes, as they call them) I think I’ve only ever seen one other broken one.  I even entitled my KRuMB entry:  “A Rare Thing.”  This one had lived a long life—probably six to ten years—and finally gave up the ghost when pressed into service carrying my industrial sewing machine head.  I was aware that Rubbermaid offered a lifetime warranty on these products, and I knew they asked for the customer to keep either original label, or sales receipt.  I had neither, but I took that photo of my broken tub, and contacted them by email, through their website, indicating I loved my Rubbermaid tubs, but that I had this broken one and could I send them the photo and have that be enough documentation to receive my “coupon” for a new one.

They emailed me back within the same day telling me the coupon was already on its way to me.  It arrived yesterday—a Rubbermaid “gift certificate” if you will, good for any $6 Rubbermaid purchase.

I could not be more pleased and satisfied.  The letter that came with the coupon was well-written, if not completely personal, and thanked me for my loyal patronage.  I am delighted to know that at least one entity in Corporate America still puts the customer first.  Thank you, Rubbermaid!

Tags: Daily

15 April 2007

Turns out, the answer is “yes!”  There is more.  I found it at one of my fabric suppliers in Dallas today (Monday).  I took this photo so I could search or have Nicole search for more of this exact fabric for a customer.  Then, later I realized it was the only photo I took at all on that day!

Great weekend!  Long weekend!

~MB

Tags: Daily

14 April 2007

Another cold, windy day at Scarborough Faire.  But, somehow, we managed!

A simple snapshot from a bad angle, but even this conveys what a lovely event was this wedding, and how lovely Emily looked in her gown.  I am very proud of this order, and even more pleased that she and her family seemed so happy with it.  Her mom and dad actually came all the way back to the Pendragon Costumes booth to thank me for my work.  They didn’t seem to be able to say enough nice things about how beautiful the gown was, and how excellent my workmanship, and how much they appreciated me taking good care of them and helping to get them all dressed and such.   And they said Emily was getting so much attention and so many compliments on the gown—they just gushed and made me feel so special!  I couldn’t get over the thoughtfulness  involved with them seeking me out and offering such praise.  I was honoured to work with such nice people in the first place, and this was just an amazing gesture of kindness that completely floored me, and totally made my day.  This is why I do what I do.

Congratulations Emily and Alex!  And thank you for everything! 

~MB

Tags: Daily

14 April 2007

Another cold, windy day at Scarborough Faire.  But, somehow, we managed!

A simple snapshot from a bad angle, but even this conveys what a lovely event was this wedding, and how lovely Emily looked in her gown.  I am very proud of this order, and even more pleased that she and her family seemed so happy with it.  Her mom and dad actually came all the way back to the Pendragon Costumes booth to thank me for my work.  They didn’t seem to be able to say enough nice things about how beautiful the gown was, and how excellent my workmanship, and how much they appreciated me taking good care of them and helping to get them all dressed and such.   And they said Emily was getting so much attention and so many compliments on the gown—they just gushed and made me feel so special!  I couldn’t get over the thoughtfulness  involved with them seeking me out and offering such praise.  I was honoured to work with such nice people in the first place, and this was just an amazing gesture of kindness that completely floored me, and totally made my day.  This is why I do what I do.

Congratulations Emily and Alex!  And thank you for everything! 

~MB

Tags: Daily

14 April 2007

Another cold, windy day at Scarborough Faire.  But, somehow, we managed!

A simple snapshot from a bad angle, but even this conveys what a lovely event was this wedding, and how lovely Emily looked in her gown.  I am very proud of this order, and even more pleased that she and her family seemed so happy with it.  Her mom and dad actually came all the way back to the Pendragon Costumes booth to thank me for my work.  They didn’t seem to be able to say enough nice things about how beautiful the gown was, and how excellent my workmanship, and how much they appreciated me taking good care of them and helping to get them all dressed and such.   And they said Emily was getting so much attention and so many compliments on the gown—they just gushed and made me feel so special!  I couldn’t get over the thoughtfulness  involved with them seeking me out and offering such praise.  I was honoured to work with such nice people in the first place, and this was just an amazing gesture of kindness that completely floored me, and totally made my day.  This is why I do what I do.

Congratulations Emily and Alex!  And thank you for everything! 

~MB

Tags: Daily

14 April 2007

Another cold, windy day at Scarborough Faire.  But, somehow, we managed!

A simple snapshot from a bad angle, but even this conveys what a lovely event was this wedding, and how lovely Emily looked in her gown.  I am very proud of this order, and even more pleased that she and her family seemed so happy with it.  Her mom and dad actually came all the way back to the Pendragon Costumes booth to thank me for my work.  They didn’t seem to be able to say enough nice things about how beautiful the gown was, and how excellent my workmanship, and how much they appreciated me taking good care of them and helping to get them all dressed and such.   And they said Emily was getting so much attention and so many compliments on the gown—they just gushed and made me feel so special!  I couldn’t get over the thoughtfulness  involved with them seeking me out and offering such praise.  I was honoured to work with such nice people in the first place, and this was just an amazing gesture of kindness that completely floored me, and totally made my day.  This is why I do what I do.

Congratulations Emily and Alex!  And thank you for everything! 

~MB

Tags: Daily

13 April 2007

No sleep, but it’s done.  Friday the 13th, even!

The Lord Mayor will look dashing in his new grey velvet ensemble!  And, he’ll get to wear it on Saturday as he performs the wedding ceremony for Emily and Alex.  I am pleased.  Tired, but pleased.

Looking back on Craig’s outfit–the first brother–the two of them really did turn out just as I’d hoped.  They were to be reflections of one another—not exactly the same, and not exactly opposite.  Just, obviously related.  Yay!  Success!

That is my last big order of the season.  Next week, I’ll work on finishing up the pieces I’m doing for the queen, and for our friend Bill. 

Finally headed out to faire about 7 p.m. or so.  Larry and Denise and Allyson are all with us, now, and we’ll see them at faire. 

~MB 

Tags: Daily

12 April 2007

On the way to dinner at No Frills (!) and realizing I’d taken no photo yet today, I snapped this one of the pretty sunset clouds as background to the architecture of the electric pole.  Not very romantic, but interesting, nonetheless.

This is my “all-nighter” night this week.   Larry and Denise have arrived and joined us for dinner.  I got the house and the guest room (the Mickey Suite) ready for them and spent the rest of the day sewing.  Many more hours to go before Doug’s outfit is finished, but it’s coming along . . .

~MB

Tags: Daily