Meet Barbara Thomas, Owner of Ruby Janes Retro Fabric

Good Morning Everyone. I want to let you know that for our February Giveaway, Barbara Thomas the owner of Ruby Jane Retro Fabric in Garland, Texas has generously donated not 1, but 3 fat quarters from the Rockabye collection by Avlyn. If you are a quilter or a crafter, you will want to not miss a chance for these beautiful fabrics.

Not only does Barbara have an online shop, but she has a real quilt shop so if anyone lives in or near the area of Garland, Texas or you are planning a trip near or through there soon, she welcomes you to stop on in and visit and please, if you do, tell her you came via this blog, it is so interesting to find out where people are from and how they found out about a shop. Barbara also has a blog and I encourage all of you to go say hello!

Here is the interview with Barbara and I will post the contest link later today. If I post it with the interviews, it gets to long, but there will be an additional link added in each interview for convenience.

1- How did the shop name Ruby Jane come to be?

Ruby is my grandmother's name and Jane is my mother's name.

2- How long has the shop been opened?

Since 2004.

3- How many people work at the shop?

Myself, my sample maker and class instructor Sherri Parsley, and when I am extremely busy I force my kids to come and help out!

4- What is your favorite notion? (Quilting or sewing)

My Grabbit magnetic pincushion. I am always losing my pins and needles and this keeps them somewhat contained.

5- Best tip you were ever given when you began quilting?

Finished is better than perfect!

6- Is your shop on-line or can I drop in a visit?

I'd love to have you visit! The shop is open from 10am-2pm Monday-Friday and on Saturdays from 10am-4pm.

7- Many quilters like myself love to plan trips around quilt shops. Besides stopping in to visit your shop, what are some other area attractions for visitors?

The shop is located just 6 miles from downtown Garland, where you will find cafes, antique stores, and another great little quilt shop called Suzy's.

8- Favorite food or recipe?

I am partial to anything chocolate. I have an old cake recipe from Hershey's that uses real butter, chocolate chips and cocoa.

9- When you aren't working, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I have three children, and their various activities keep me pretty busy! My son is a Cub Scout and we do a lot of camping. I like to read, especially mysteries, and love watching cooking shows on Food Network, even though I'm not a very good cook!

10-Anything else you would like to share?

When I started my business in 2004, I didn't actually know much about quilting! I liked to embroider and sew clothes for my children, but not quilting. What I quickly discovered is that quilters are just about the nicest people around. I received so much help, advice, encouragement and friendship from the quilters and customers I've met over the last 6 years.

The fat quarters I will be sending are from a collection called Rockabye by Avlyn. I hope your winning reader will enjoy them!