Equal Parts Excitement and Terror
It’s Wednesday and I’m trying very hard not to bounce up and down with the weirdest mixture of excitement and terror. The building I’ve had my eye on for years, MY BUILDING! is once again empty and might be for sale.
This is such a total, absolute pipe dream. Several years ago I posted about this building right here and how much it fascinated me. Every time I’ve seen it, I’ve thought how pretty it would look with quilts hung between the columns and how much fun it would be to teach classes in a dedicated place.
But…it was soon rented and has been unavailable for more than a year. When I saw it being rented, my reaction was a mix of relief (yay! I can stop wanting that building) and anger (hey, that is MY building!)
Suddenly this morning the place was empty, the cars moved, the lights off, and I can only assume it will be open either to rent or buy soon. EEP! My building is available again!
Lol. I still can’t decide if I want to make a move on it or not. I’ve felt such a strong pull of ownership over this place for so long, but still…it’s super scary to buy something this big on top of our house, car, and business expenses.
I still can’t manage the huge risk that this would be. But I can definitely imagine how much fun it would be to teach and quilt in this nice space. So what is going to happen with that, how it’s all going to pan out remains to be seen. If a sign goes up for sale, it might be time for another tour…that’s all I’ll allow myself to commit for right now at least.
So when I haven’t been bouncing around in my chair with equal parts excitement and terror, I’ve hopped back on Duchess Reigns and stitched a few more feathers and background.
Unfortunately that isn’t an option for any of these projects, and starting something new and quick just to be able to finish it quickly is rather pointless. It would just be yet another thing to finish!
So I’m off to plod some more and dream of that building filled with beautiful quilts and humming sewing machines.
Let’s go quilt,
Leah
You should go for it! He who dares, wins and all that! My favourite quote at the moment"Try and fail but don't fail to try!" If you give it a go at least you'll never be left wondering…good luck!
It's too perfect to be real )) Dreams always come true!
Do the paper work to determine if you could swing it … then BUY THE BUILDING! I love your work and how you teach so honestly. You might bobble a line in a video and you laugh about it. You made me feel safe to try quilting. I have told my husband multiple times that if I have enough time to plan, I will attend a workshop you teach.
So look at expenses and guesstimate income from workshops. Then find local motels and eateries for us out of state quilters, cuz we are coming to NC to take one of your classes, taught in YOUR building, at your convenience. I have faith in you. And the tables can be folded away if you want to start the day with a yoga stretch before we stitch 😉
Good luck!!!
Good luck with your building! I think it is a very exciting prospect!!
I keep thinking what a great thing it would be to have some sort of "sewing room" in the town we are closest too. There is already a wonderful fabric store (though their prices are a little high) and they have classes there but their class space is very small.
If I had the money I'd find a place to rent to set up 3 long arm machines for people to rent time on, large work tables and a large area with several levels of sewing machine that people could rent by the hour or by the day to come and use and it would be large area for all sorts of sewing related classes.
Mine is also a pipe dream since like you we have a mortgage and a car payment and bills. But it is a great dream!
Leah, the only `advice` I will give you is – Do Not EVER Let Fear Stop YOU from doing what you feel is right.
And by the sounds of it, this building has been waiting for you to be ready for it – so, now could very well be the time!!!
I am feeling the excitement in your post!!!
(and I have my own building that I keep looking at so this advice is ment for me too!!! 😉 )
That is so funny! I have also had my building picked out which is actually a cottage style house, right off the interstate. :). It has been for sale for a couple of years and I just can't seem to talk myself into making it happen. I am trying to build my business financially out of my home so that I can quit my "real job" and open my quilting shop. So far it is moving in the right direction just very slow. I'll pray for your decision, please say a prayer for mine as well.
Good luck…I hope ou can follow your dream!
I'm sending positive juju your way in regards to YOUR building!
Good luck on following your dream.
How wonderfully exciting! Everything happens for a reason. Maybe it's your time to expand. I'm sure you will make the best decision for you, if it IS available. Best to you!
What exciting/terrifying news! Doesn't everything like that come in pairs? Will stay tuned to see what you decide.
I could really relate to your comment that everything was feeling really SLOW in the quilting/finishing department. At the beginning of summer, I made a list of everything I wanted–should-be getting done and was instantly bored. Sigh. But I have made some progress, so I guess I'm doing what you are: one foot in front of the other and moving along.
Good luck on the building decision–
Elizabeth E.
opquilt.com
Space to spread out a grow. I'm curious how this will turn out. I haven't managed to outgrow my current sewing space, but I know I couldn't teach more than one or two people even basic sewing without us bumping elbows at every turn. Good for me and maybe one other, but that's about it. The place looks like it has great potential (from the curb) and I know it would showcase your work and your passion. Good luck in your daydreaming and all your many projects. I know my pile of UFOs is growing.
Oh that does sound like so much fun, but yes more responsibility of owning another place.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you :-).
But the way, your duchess quilt is so beautiful!
Happy Quilting!
Oh Leah! That is exciting. If it's your dream….then you should pursue it. If it is meant to be, it will work out. Plus I would Loooooove to come and take a class from you! 😉 Have a super day!
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Johann Wolfgang Goethe
I can't help but be excited for you and the possibility of what may be in store.
It is a cute building and does look like the perfect quilt studio. It is a big decision though. I am sure you would have an overwhelming number of people interested in visiting and taking classes.
I remember when you posted on this space before! Exciting to contemplate. Maybe they'd lease it for a period so you could try it out? Anyway, it's fun to dream and you got another bite at the apple. I'm in plod mode, too, so I related.
When God opens doors for us we need to take that leap of faith. It must have been scary to start Day Style Design, to make your first video, but you did it and things have turned out well.
In 1993 a similar bldg came into my sights and after waffling back and forth we finally bought it for mt interior design studio. We sold it in 2008 for almost 3times what we paid for it. Now I am back working from home in semi retirement and quilting. Take the plunge. If you don't take risks, you never get anywhere. Good luck.
Maybe even if it goes for sale they would consider renting. A great way for your art to be seen. I feel like you will be more visible. How many classes would you have to teach to pay the payment.Are there places for people to stay when they want to take classes but live away. Am excited for you. Also one thing that has served me well over the years is considering what your hubby thinks. They tend to be practical and less emotional. Waiting to see what you decide! <3!
Leah, get some sponsors that can help out your business. You are so good at what you do. I remember when my kids were little, I would tell them you can do and be anything you want. Now that you are big, dont just dream. Go for it.
Leah, I have felt that way about a building in our community. It was actually a pet groomer's, not it's a curiosity shop. My thing is, I want to open a yarn store. I am so sick of buying my yarn in the big craft stores because all they sell is acrylic yuckiness. I've had a few people tell me it's a great idea. Others, though, have told me without much sugar-coating that our town doesn't need it or want it. That makes me kinda sad. It's a huge investment to make when it seems like no one would want to be there. 🙁 But I'm sure if you opened a quilt shop, you'd be successful! Here's to hoping you can do that one day!
"Part of the reason that building is such a welcome distraction is because all my current projects are feeling slow to the point of stuck lately. Nothing is MOVING! I'm plodding along with everything steadily, but sometimes I'd just like to tear through a project in a day and call it done."
Uh-huh. And this is probably why! Here's my take on it. You have called this building and hence this potential change to you by DESIRING it–and the Universe (being the amazing, cooperative partner that it is) has spotlighted stagnation on your current path in order to encourage you to make the change that is necessary to take the NEXT step on your path. I'd be looking really hard at that building if it is up for sale or lease. That said, I disclaim all responsibility for influence of any kind! LOL
This building seems perfect. What a great parkIng lot! Hard to tell how large this building really is,but like where the door and window is located. I can definitely see quilts hanging between the columns of the porch. Sweet opportunity, I pray it happens for you. After all, you've been calling this "YOUR building"! Maybe it really is!