Author: Teresa

Quilts, good books and dogs. Plus a cup of tea. Life is good.

Got Joann gift cards for Christmas?

January 21, 2025

Redeem them ASAP!

Last week – January 15th to be exact – Joann and its sibling companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection again. Yep, it’s the second filing in less than year. This time, though, it’s to ask the court for permission to sell itself to the highest bidder.  Joann apparently has a deal with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC, which has indicated it will liquidate and close all 800+ Joann stores unless a higher bidder is found. FYI, this is the company that is currently overseeing the closing of Big Lots stores across the country. 

How does this impact you?

Joann stopped selling gift cards as of the date of the bankruptcy filing.  The bankruptcy judge signed a flurry of first day orders to allow the company to continue operating as usual during the sale process. Joann’s website states that it is currently still accepting gift cards as a form of payment, but its ability to continue accepting gift cards is up to the court.

 

Once upon a time, I worked for a bankruptcy trustee. The whole Chapter 11 bankruptcy process is very convoluted. No final sale date has been established yet.  Once the sale closes, you can be damn sure those gift cards will be rendered worthless!   According to the docket, the parties return to court in mid-February for more fun and games.  Go redeem your Joann gift cards now. 

This evening, I redeemed a gift card for quilt batting that I’ll pick up in-store tomorrow.  I’ll also be checking my purses and SUV for any random cards I may have forgotten about. 

On a personal note,I hope Joann’s finds a buyer that wants to downsize and keep select stores open in major markets. I realize that businesses come and go, but this one, like Hancock Fabrics, was a part of my childhood. 

For more information:

joannrestructuring.com

 

Retirement: Starting Year 3

January 18, 2025

Can you believe it’s been almost three years since we retired? As I approach the start of year 3, I can honestly say my everyday activities are as I envisioned them to be and they will continue to evolve. It’s been a journey to get to this point. Believe it when the retirement gurus tell you that it’ll take 2-3 years before you finally begin to feel settled in retirement.

People ask if we plan to remain where we currently live long-term. No. Making the decision on whether or not to stay in the same area took some time. In the end, I really want a smaller house in a less populated area, preferably near a body of water. That’s all I know. We don’t have to make a decision today – or anytime soon, for that matter. Eventually, we’ll need a house with fewer stairs and something that’s easier to maintain.

Labradoodle sitting on a quilt.
Sadie waiting on our next R.E.A.D.er.

Meanwhile, the school-based R.E.A.D. program was definitely worth the work and 2-1/2 year wait. I thoroughly enjoy working with the kids to improve their literacy skills. This week, Sadie and I started our 4th week of the program. All the kids came right on time, ready to work. It’s been wonderful! FYI, Big Girl and I made 38 therapy dog visits in 2024 totaling 80 hours of visit time. Wonder what our stats will be at the end of 2025?

Quilting activities ebb and flow. I sew with friends at least one day a week. I’m taking a breather on personal projects after the intense focus on the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt. Placemats and pillowcases for community service are currently on my worktable. I’m teaching sewing and machine maintenance classes throughout 2025 at the SQTM. I’ll also be a student at guild and regional quilt events, as well. 

Travel is something hubs and I both said we wanted to do more of in 2025.  I’m sure we will. Mind you, retirement travel doesn’t always resemble the glamorous jet-setting round the world often portrayed in retirement ads. As a couple, it’s usually 1-2 trips by plane with some weekend getaways sprinkled throughout the year. We currently have two destinations in mind, with dates TBD.  Other travel involves volunteer work and hobbies. Occasionally, we go together, but it’s usually done solo or with friends. 

Since Hurricane Helene, hubs has become so involved with Team Rubicon that he’s been gone at least two weeks of every month. It’s worthwhile work that I’m happy to support.  Besides, my own volunteer and teaching commitments have me tied to an academic calendar through mid-May. (Spring break will be spent at a quilt retreat!) Road trips are something that I have missed. Having a high-mileage older car with some quirks is fine for local trips, but not long ones. QuiltCon in Raleigh was her last major trip. Test drives of my top 3 new vehicle candidates are next week. Once that’s decided, then it’s a matter of finding/waiting on the specific model/trim level to become available. 

If you’ve worked with a professional to develop a solid retirement plan, money worries should ease significantly by year 3. It did for me. All I can say is follow your plan. Give yourself permission to spend money, especially in the early years of your retirement while you’re able to enjoy it.  This has been a hard mindshift for me, but I’m adjusting! 

Three places to stretch your quilty dollars

January 15, 2025

Thread

Love Aurifil 50 wt thread? The cost is about 1 cent per yard for a large spool.
Ways to save on thread:

  • Buy the cone and save about 20%. versus large spool price.
  • Buy online at discounted prices with free shipping and potentially no sales tax.
  • Stick to basic colors for piecing: natural white, light beige, light grey and medium grey.
  • Or try substituting another brand: Personally, I like the Hobby Lobby cotton thread on the 1200 yard cross-wound spool. It’s about $5 per spool. Nice thread at a great price.

Fabric

To me, there’s nothing more fun than visiting my LQS after new fabric lines arrive. So much inspiration! I’m also a firm believer in supporting local businesses whenever possible.
Ways to save on fabric:

  • Shop your stash first.
  • Sign-up for email lists for your local and online LQS to know about sales and receive discount coupons
  • Ask for gift certificates to your favorite local and online LQS for birthdays and other holiday gift-gifting.
  • Buy 1/3 yard cuts instead of fat quarters. More fabric for the same price.
  • Buy Kona solids, white-on-white background prints and backing fabrics at Joann and Hobby Lobby when they are on sale.
  • Trade fabric with your sewing friends.
  • If you like the fabric, it goes in the quilt. Doesn’t matter where you bought it. ‘Nuff said!

Tools

I’m a gadget girl. I love attending consumer quilt and sewing events so I can see and try all the shiny new things. This category is one where you can easily spend some serious money – especially on rotary cutters, blades, mats and rulers.
Ways to save on tools:

  • Basic sewing notions are available in many places, including Wal-Mart. Shop around to see which retailer offers the products you prefer at the best price.
  • Buy titanium blades for your rotary cutter when on sale at Joann and Hobby Lobby.
  • Rotary cutters are sold everywhere. Find the model fits most comfortably in your hand and buy from the retailer with the lowest price.
  • As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found light color cutting mats provide greater contrast when cutting fabric. Fiskars cutting mats can regularly be found on sale.
  • Rulers are a matter of personal preference and you don’t need every ruler in every size available. Figure out which brand you like best and buy the majority of your rulers from that brand. Most of my rulers are Creative Grids with a handful of specialty rulers from other companies.
  • Cheap scissors are good for cutting paper – not fabric. Buy quality scissors.
  • If doing foundation paper piecing, you CAN use regular copy paper instead of specialty FPP paper or buying pre-printed FPP design pads.
  • A handmade pin cushion, needle minder or seam ripper is totally worth the splurge.

We all have a certain amount of money to put toward our quilting and sewing endeavors. The more we can save in some areas, means the more we have to spend on favorite fabric collections or specialty notions not available at the big box craft store.

Happy Quilting!