January 15, 2025 • 33 mins
Exploring Creative Entrepreneurship and Quilting with Tabatha Smith
In this episode of 'Measure Twice, Cut Once,' I welcome Tabatha Smith, also known as the Quilt Retreat Queen. Tabatha discusses her journey of building a successful quilting business and the upcoming Quilted! Summit, a virtual event featuring 25 speakers sharing insights about quilting and creative business endeavors.
The episode delves into her retreat center, Camellia Palms, her Quilt Queens Membership how it helps quilters finish their UFOs (unfinished objects), alongside discussing trends in the quilting industry.
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00:00 Welcome to the New Season
01:29 Introducing Tabitha Smith: The Quilt Retreat Queen
02:50 Exciting Events and Summits
06:13 The Joy of Hosting Retreats
09:09 Quilt Retreat Center Features
13:39 Memberships and UFO Challenges
18:10 Creative Freedom and Letting Go
22:50 Business Partnership and Social Media
25:02 Trends in Quilting
28:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Susan (00:04):
Welcome to a brand new season of Measure Twice, Cut
Once.
If you've been listening to thepodcast for a while, you might
notice something a littledifferent this season.
Over the episodes, I've sharedso many incredible stories from
crafters who've poured theirhearts and souls into their
quilting journeys.
And those conversations havebeen magical.
Hearing about the challenges,the breakthroughs, and the pure
(00:26):
joy of creating somethingbeautiful with our own hands.
But this season, I'm taking aslightly different path.
I want to dive a little deeperinto the behind the scenes of
not just quilting, but buildinga creative business that truly
lights you up.
As someone who's navigated theexciting and sometimes bumpy
world of turning a passion intoa profession, I'm excited to
(00:48):
pull back the curtain and sharemy own experiences.
Some episodes will be just mediving deep into my personal
journey, while others willfeature guests who are also
navigating the world of creativeentrepreneurship.
We'll explore the nitty grittyof building a creative business
with its lessons learned and theunexpected challenges that come
with transforming your crafteach day.
(01:08):
Into a thriving enterprise, anddon't worry, I'm not leaving
storytelling behind.
Instead, I'll be weaving theminto the conversations about
what it takes to grow a businesswhile staying true to your
creative spirit.
So whether you're dreaming ofstarting your own business, or
you just love hearing aboutcreative entrepreneurship, this
season is for you.
(01:29):
Tabitha Smith has been quiltingfor 25 plus years and is known
as the Quilt Retreat Queen.
In 2019, she opened the CamelliaPalms Retreat Center in
Florella, Alabama, and hashosted over 300 retreats and 3,
000 women on quilting, sewing,crafting, and creative retreats.
She's also a quilting instructorwho has helped more than 1, 000
(01:50):
people improve their quiltingskills and find more confidence.
For Huh, that sounds likesomeone else I know.
Her class portfolio includesbeginner quilting, machine
applique, foundation paperpiecing, one block wonders,
scrap quilts, collage quilting,orphan blocks, UFOs, quilt
design, and color theory.
In July 2023, she bought out alocal quilt shop that was
(02:13):
closing and reopened it onlineas a business.
Nana Quilts.
And then in August, 2024, shelaunched the Quilt Queens
Membership, an online communityfor quilters all over the world
where quilters get access toonline courses, quilt coaching,
weekly sit and sews, challenges,prizes, and deepen their
connection with other quilters.
(02:33):
That's awesome.
Well, Tabitha, welcome to thepodcast.
I'm so glad to have you here.
Tabatha (02:38):
I'm excited to be here.
Susan (02:40):
I like to ask my guests, instead of, you know, sort of
starting at the beginning oftheir journey, I like to ask,
what's happening right now thatyou're excited about, that
you're in the middle of?
Tabatha (02:50):
Oh, wow.
Well, this afternoon we have ourQuilt Queen's Christmas Party
and we're really excited aboutthat.
There will be cookies.
But mostly I'm excited about ourQuilted Summit that's coming up.
in February.
That's like the big thing on ourplate right now.
Susan (03:07):
So tell us a little bit about the summit.
It's an online summit, correct?
Is it one person presenting,many people presenting?
What does it look like?
Tabatha (03:16):
So it's a two day online summit and it's free to
attend the two days.
We have 25 speakers, one ofwhich will be you, I believe.
And we also have some sponsors.
I just, um, signed on YazzieBaggs as a sponsor.
She's going to do somegiveaways.
So we're very excited aboutthat.
Susan (03:33):
I know who Yazzy Bags is, I have one of her little tiny
ones that.
I pack, it has all differentpockets for my jewelry for when
I travel, so the necklaces don'tcome out in this big tangle like
they used to do for me.
Tabatha (03:45):
Yeah.
So she's going to give awayfive.
Quilt specific bags from hershop.
And so we're really excitedabout that.
We're going to have a lot ofdifferent speakers.
We're going to do somegiveaways.
There will be a digital, Iguess, swag bags where, you
know, you'll get goodies fromand discounts from some of the
(04:06):
speakers.
We're very excited.
It's going to be a lot of fun.
Susan (04:09):
of fun.
That is a lot of fun.
I have taken part in a couple ofthese summits before, and
they're just an amazing way forquilters to get, it's like a
smorgasbord of teachers, right?
So you don't have to travel.
There's no travel costs.
In fact, you don't even have toget out of your PJs.
But it's a lot of fun.
But you log in online and thesespeakers have pre recorded
classes.
So usually you can watch themwhen they're aired and you can
(04:31):
also catch them a little bitlater.
For example, if you have an uglyday job and you have to catch
them in the evenings, you cantotally do that.
But it's a great way to meetspeakers and teachers that
you've not met before at livequilt shows and may not have an
opportunity to meet in the nearfuture.
So you get a real sampling ofall kinds of styles and types
and teachers and all thosethings.
Tabatha (04:53):
we have some scrap type teachers.
We have modern quilters.
We have, um, long armors.
We have people that havedeveloped quilting apps that are
going to speak.
There's some really good coachesand teachers that are going to
be speaking.
Susan (05:08):
I love that.
A really broad range.
So by the way, for those of youlistening, we are recording this
just before Christmas, henceyou're having your Christmas
party, but there will be a linkin the show notes because there
is still time to sign up forthis summit.
So you do have a couple oflevels, right?
So you mentioned that it's freeto attend.
In other words, you can attendfree, but there are additional
(05:29):
things if you wish for a, alogin fee, sign up fee.
Tabatha (05:34):
correct.
You can attend for free the daysof the summit themselves on
February 4th and 5th.
But should you wish to get ahigher access so that you can
watch them, you know, twomonths, three months, six months
from now, you can do that bypurchasing an upgrade.
Susan (05:50):
Got it.
So perhaps I misspoke when Isaid you can watch them after
work.
Maybe you need the upgrade forthat.
At any rate, all the details areon
Tabatha (05:57):
you can watch them.
I'm sorry.
You can watch them after workthat day or the next day.
It's just like during thesummit, right?
Susan (06:04):
Okay.
Got it.
Tabatha (06:05):
when you're eating dinner.
Susan (06:06):
Got it.
So I'm curious how, is this thefirst summit that you're putting
on first
Tabatha (06:12):
It is.
Susan (06:12):
Yeah.
So I'm curious how this feelsfor you in terms of organization
compared to the live and inperson retreats and events that
you have done a lot of hostingof.
Tabatha (06:23):
It's different.
It's different.
I am used to live and in person.
but my daughter, who's also mybusiness partner, she's like,
Mom, this is, this is the thing.
Virtual, you know, virtualsummits are like the thing right
now.
Like, that's the thing.
That's up and coming.
And we, that's how it cameabout.
We were on our way to Utah andwe drove from Florida.
(06:44):
So we were in the car for threedays and we were brainstorming.
And so that's how that idea cameabout.
And she's like, this will begreat.
I think we could do this.
We should, you know, we shouldjust do this.
So here we are.
Susan (06:56):
I love that.
I'm curious how you, how youcame by the name Quilt Retreat
Queen.
I
Tabatha (07:04):
am not sure.
It just sort of,
Susan (07:06):
we gave it to
Tabatha (07:06):
fell into it.
What's that?
Susan (07:09):
We probably gave it to you, right?
Those attending your retreats,right?
Tabatha (07:12):
Yeah, it just sort of, it just sort of like landed on
me after I've hosted so manyretreats.
I've taught at retreats.
I've organized retreats.
I've done pop up shops atretreats with the inventory that
I bought from the quilt shopthat closed.
I've just facilitated a lot ofretreats and that it just sort
of landed on me.
Susan (07:34):
I'm curious, what, what is your favorite part of hosting
a retreat?
Like, is it the, is it theplanning and plotting and list
making before?
Is it the personal interactionsduring, like, what are, what are
some of your favorite parts?
Tabatha (07:46):
It's the personal interaction.
I am definitely a people personand it's just the connections
and I've made some of my bestfriends over the last few years
from just interacting with thesepeople at retreats because you
really get to know people if youspend three or four days, you
know, in the same room withthem.
And that's, that's by far myfavorite part.
Susan (08:05):
In the same room, and kind of by definition, quilting
retreats are uber casual.
Like, they're come as you are.
They're, they're no makeup, thehair's not done, people work
really early or really late orwhatever the case may be, but
you see their true selves.
You don't see their dressed up,going shopping self, right?
Tabatha (08:24):
Correct.
Yeah, you know, you see themcoming out of their rooms and
their pajamas with their bedhair going for that first cup of
coffee and they don't care whatthey look like, you know,
they're after their, theircaffeine hit and, you know, I'm
one of those people that I'msewing at five in the morning
and then I have retreaters.
They're so until one or two inthe morning.
so, yeah, you get to seeeverybody just, you know,
(08:45):
They're relaxed.
Like I, I don't, I think toooften we don't see our friends,
especially our women friendsrelaxed because we have so many
responsibilities in our lives.
But when we're on retreat, weare the most relaxed that we
ever are.
We're just relaxed and we'rehaving a good time.
Susan (09:01):
Yeah.
I just love that you provide.
that you facilitate thathappening for women.
Maybe tell us a little bit aboutyour retreat center.
Of course, I had to Google itonline, so I've seen pictures of
it and it's just beautiful, buttell us some of the features and
maybe, um, what some of yourupcoming events are, or
opportunities for hosting aretreat if someone wanted to do
(09:22):
that there.
Tabatha (09:24):
Okay, it is a seven bedroom, five bathroom, well, we
have, it's six bedrooms becausewe use one of the bedrooms on
the, that's technically listedas a dining room, but it's a six
bedroom, five bathroom, QueenAnne that was built around 1880
Susan (09:39):
ish, Love
Tabatha (09:40):
nobody knows exactly for sure, um, it's two story,
it's on an acre, and itoverlooks our beautiful, Lake
Jackson, it's Alabama's largestnatural lake.
we have palm trees and camelliatrees, obviously, hence the name
Camellia Palms.
it has been owned by a varietyof people.
It was built as a residenceinitially, and then it was a
(10:02):
boarding house during World WarII where Navy, like five Navy
families lived.
and then it was owned by theactor Josh Holloway and his
parents ran it as a bed andbreakfast for about.
Yeah,
Susan (10:16):
Yeah.
Tabatha (10:17):
they still live there in town.
So, you know, you never know,you might see somebody famous,
Susan (10:21):
That's some
Tabatha (10:21):
uh, out on the lake.
Susan (10:22):
Oh, good to know.
Good to know.
So if a person like myselfwanted to, wanted to bring a
retreat, like what kind of do,is it a full service sort of
facility, like just bring yoursuitcase and your projects and
come or are sewing machinesprovided?
I'm just curious in case thereare listeners who are thinking
they'd like to plan a retreat.
Tabatha (10:45):
Absolutely.
So, yeah, most of our retreatsare private retreats where you
bring your group.
Right.
And so we provide, you know,Everything except food.
We don't cook.
I barely cook for my own family.
so we do have a full kitchenwhere you can cook and there are
restaurants.
There's a grocery store like twodoors down.
So you could cook.
You could go out to eat.
(11:05):
It's up to you.
And while we don't normallyprovide sewing machines, I do
have a sewing machine.
There's like a backup sewingmachine that sits there.
And if somebody's like, Oh mygosh, we just need one more
sewing machine.
I will bring you one from myhouse.
Lord knows I do not have ashortage of sewing machines at
my house.
I can bring you a machine.
Susan (11:20):
Do you collect sewing machines?
Rabbit Trail?
Are you a
Tabatha (11:24):
I, I don't, I wouldn't say I collect them
intentionally.
Um, they just sort of seem toshow up.
Susan (11:30):
up.
We never make a plan forcollecting them intentionally.
That, that's
Tabatha (11:34):
I've got a couple of
Susan (11:35):
criteria.
I
Tabatha (11:35):
fafs.
I have a brother Inova'sembroidery machine, and I have
three featherweights and twoSinger 201s, and the longarm.
Susan (11:45):
singer 2 0 1.
That's not one I've used.
I have a 3 0 1 and that's myfavorite for toting around to
retreats and friends' houses andthings like that.
Big enough to get the job done,but small enough to be, you
know, easily carryable.
Tabatha (11:57):
The 201, I think, probably weighs 40 pounds
without the cabinet.
They are heavy.
But they say it's the beststraight stitch Singer ever
made.
Susan (12:08):
Interesting.
I'll have to keep my eyes openfor one.
My 301, I believe, weighs 16pounds.
So it's, it's like a threequarter size where the
featherweight is a half.
So it's still not a full sizesewing machine.
Tabatha (12:19):
Oh no, this thing, like, you could use as a boat
anchor.
It's so heavy.
Susan (12:25):
In your lake.
For sure.
Tabatha (12:28):
so then we also have a few times a year, we have what
we call open retreats and, it'sfull service.
well, except for the sewingmachine thing, you definitely
still need to bring your ownsewing machine, but we provide,
I have somebody that comes overand they will cook and provide
breakfast, lunch, and dinner,and desserts, and so they cook
and clean up, and they Sometimesit's open.
(12:49):
So where you bring your ownprojects, sometimes they are
guided projects.
Like I'm teaching a collageproject in January and someone
else is teaching the quiltedcoat in February when I host the
open.
So is now it is full service andmeals are provided.
Susan (13:07):
Very nice.
That's, that's an awesomegetaway when you can just
literally pick up your projectand your machine and not have to
think about all the otherthings.
I
Tabatha (13:14):
Right?
And so we have.
We have all the design walls andironing boards and all of that.
The accommodations are provided.
We have three rooms upstairs andthree rooms downstairs.
And, yeah, it's just reallynice.
And honestly, downtown Florella,you know, it's not a big town.
It's half a mile away, so youcould walk to downtown and walk
to the, you know, the littlerestaurants or the antique
(13:36):
shops, that kind of thing.
Susan (13:38):
of thing.
Beautiful.
Well, you and I met in person ata, quilters and crafters
conference a few months ago.
And we got talking aboutmemberships because I, I have a
quilting membership as well.
You have one and I love yourpremise.
let's see if I get it right.
You're basically helping andencouraging quilters to finish
(13:59):
up their UFOs, right?
Right.
Right.
Or does your membership do morethan that?
And I'm not remembering itcorrectly.
Tabatha (14:06):
that's mostly what we do.
We do UFO challenge every month.
Um, it's just sort of like acombination of community and
accountability because I'vefound like a lot of people are
like me, they live kind of ruraland they just.
Don't have the ability to get inperson and sew together with
(14:26):
people, right?
Or they just they're they're notphysically able to get in person
and sew with people on a regularbasis And they so this gives
them the ability to be like, oh,yeah I know my these people are
counting on me to get togetherwith them on that Wednesday and
Sew and work on my projects andbe like, okay I checked this one
off because I heard from a lotof my quilting friends that You
(14:50):
They want to get these finished,but they just can't seem to get
them finished, and then theyfeel guilty because they're,
they want to start somethingnew, but there's this pile over
here, and then they're like, oh,I don't want to buy anything new
because I need to finish these,but I really want to buy
something new.
And I'm like, well, if we justfinish these, then you won't
have the guilt.
(15:10):
About buying something new
Susan (15:11):
Yeah.
And I think you're so right.
I think it's so very valuable.
I think you've hit on a reallygreat thing to have this, this
idea of not only beingaccountable and telling other
people you did it, but even thethought that we're getting
together this Tuesday orwhatever it is throughout the
week, you're thinking of that,Oh, I need to pick up the
backing fabric or, Oh, I need alittle bit of matching thread or
(15:32):
whatever the thing is.
And even in your mind, you'reprogressing, progressing,
progressing.
And then I bet you all celebratethe wins too, which I think is
really huge.
Tabatha (15:42):
We do and like this week in december We took a month
off from the ufo challengebecause a lot of people are
doing holiday things and makinggifts or whatever But this month
leading up to today's christmasparty.
We did a five day minichallenge.
So day one was Clean your sewingmachine, change the needle,
clean out the bobbing area, era,you know, how, so, because some,
(16:02):
I've known people who didn'tchange the needle until it broke
on them,
Susan (16:06):
Oh
Tabatha (16:06):
the needle.
Susan (16:07):
Oh, I know those people too.
Tabatha (16:10):
right?
And day two was, um, I think itwas like, clean off and declare
your cutting table, because ifyou can't see it, you can't use
it.
Susan (16:21):
And it's just so much more fun to do that with others
than to do that by yourself.
Yeah.
Tabatha (16:26):
so then they were posting before and after
pictures so that it encourageseach other and it gets the ball
rolling and motivates eachother, right?
So we've done a few challengeslike that in January.
We'll go back to doing anotherUFO challenge because I know we
didn't work through them all inNovember.
If you're me, I know, I know howmany I have.
So,
Susan (16:47):
A few years back, I did a short podcast episode with a
lady who was a student in one ofmy courses.
And she had devised this quitesimple bullet journal where she
kind of, cataloged, if you will,all her UFOs.
And then, you know, progresseddown them.
So what state were they in?
Were they cut?
Were they sewn?
Were they waiting on backing?
Where were they?
Whatever.
(17:07):
And then she would just each dayput in 15 or 20 minutes.
So for each person that mightlook different, but she just
found that cataloging them tobegin with, knowing what she had
and then striking them off asthey got completed, really moved
her down that list.
So I think you're accomplishingthe same thing in a slightly
different way, like just thisidea of, of, recognizing that
(17:30):
you have them and thensystematically finish them one
after another, after another isso good.
Tabatha (17:37):
thank you.
And we do have like a coursewithin our community about how
to dig them all out, go throughthem, find out like, do you,
like, do you even have thepattern for this anymore?
Cause if you don't have thepattern, then you're never going
to get to finish it.
Right?
can you get the pattern?
Do you have the fabric you need?
So like we went through, we havea course where you can go
through and work through yourUFOs to catalog them.
(17:59):
Decide if you can, if you canactually even finish this as is,
or does it need to be like,taken apart, fabric put away,
repurposed into something else?
Susan (18:09):
Yeah.
Do you find, and I'm kind ofcurious how this process works
in your head.
Do you find that you giveyourself permission sometimes to
say, you know, 10 years ago,that project inspired me and I
loved it, but today, yeah, Idon't want nothing to do with it
anymore.
And do you give yourselfpermission to say, okay, I This
one's actually not a finisher.
I'm just going to get it out ofhere.
(18:31):
And be done with it.
Yeah.
Tabatha (18:32):
It's called quilt it or quit it.
Susan (18:35):
I, I agree with you.
I, I come from an uber frugalbackground, Right.
My mother would never have donethat.
But I, I don't agree.
I feel like there's a certainamount of weight, like mental
weight, to having things thatyou don't love, but that you
feel obliged to do.
To finish.
And in my creative space is notthe place for that.
(18:56):
And, you know, people may havetheir own reasons and, and, and
how they process through that.
But to me, I've been able togive myself permission to let go
projects and even let go fabricthat does not inspire or thrill
me anymore So that I can move onwithout the guilt, right.
To the things that I currentlylove.
Go.
Tabatha (19:14):
story about the, the getting rid of this summer.
I decided to participate in thequilted twins mystery challenge.
So you didn't know what you weregetting.
So what I got was a panel andfive half yards of fabric and
the panel, I don't want to sayit was the world's ugliest
panel, but it just wasn't myjam.
(19:35):
It just, it didn't thrill me.
It was, I'm more of a brightmodern and this was very country
and it, I just didn't know whatto do with it.
So I got this bright idea.
I would make a tumbling blockquilt with it.
I'd fussy cut these littlepickup trucks and I got the 60
degree diamonds fussy cut, gotthe little individual pieces
sewn.
Did I read the pattern before Idid all that?
(19:58):
Nope.
Had I ever made a tumblingblocks quilt before I did all
that?
Nope.
When I got to the point ofassembling the 60 degree
diamonds, I found out I had tomake Y seams.
And I decided, you know, Ididn't like this to begin with,
I didn't like the fabric, and Ithrew the whole thing into the
trash can,
Susan (20:15):
Oh God,
Tabatha (20:16):
and I did not lose any sleep over it.
I was like, you know, I'm notmaking my seams, I don't like it
that much, I don't care aboutthe challenge anymore.
It went in the trash can,because
Susan (20:27):
for you.
And
Tabatha (20:29):
just couldn't, I
Susan (20:30):
if there's some uber frugal people like me listening,
you know, the trash can iscertainly an option.
It's not the only one.
There are definitely placeswhere you can contribute things
if you feel like it.
even things that are partiallydone.
I think probably key to that, ifyou agree with me, let me know.
Key to that would be to label,you know, if there's a pattern
that goes with it, send it withlike, don't just give people a
(20:51):
headache.
But give them some guidelines,like, say, enough stuff to make
a laptop, a lap sized quilt, youknow, and here's the pattern, or
something like that, right?
And pass it on.
Tabatha (21:02):
have a pattern to be honest?
No, I watched a YouTube video.
It, I mean, it was, it was badfrom the moment I started this
project.
Susan (21:10):
a tricky one, because then you can't really pass on
all the pieces to the puzzle.
Well, No, and I truly believe wedo have to give ourselves
permission to do that from timeto time, partly because we are
creatives.
And so part of that.
By definition is that we explorethings and not everything you
(21:32):
explore is going to be a win.
So you explored this idea of,you know, a challenge, a mystery
challenge, and this particularone was not a winner.
And that's just, the way it goessometimes.
And that's okay.
When you're going to be.
creative and this is your play,move on and explore something
else.
Tabatha (21:49):
Yeah, and I just, I could not give it the mental
space, not much less thephysical space to keep taking up
space in my room for a decade.
Susan (21:57):
That's actually a really good point.
Does this whole process offinishing UFOs are your, are
your people, your communityfinding this really helps them
kind of reclaim their space andfind more creativity and joy
within their space?
Tabatha (22:12):
Yeah, I think so, because it helps them finish a
project, so then now you'vereclaimed the physical space.
And now, maybe you give it as agift to somebody, maybe you
donate it to your charity, maybeyou put it on your bed, whatever
the case may be.
But now you've reclaimed some ofthat physical space that you
lacked.
But now you've also reclaimedsome of the mental space that
(22:35):
you were cluttering up with thatproject, because even when
you're not consciously thinkingabout it, you know it's still
sitting back there looking atyou while you're cutting out
something new.
Susan (22:43):
Yes.
Yeah.
You are so right.
You're so right.
Okay.
Turning corners a little bit.
You did mention earlier that youand your daughter were driving
together and brainstorming, um,this virtual summit.
Are you and she partners in yourbusiness and how has that
changed?
How you do business?
Is it a good thing?
Tabatha (23:04):
It's a great thing.
Yeah, her and I are businesspartners for Camellia Palms.
We own it jointly.
Um, we started it in 2019 andI'd actually dreamed of doing it
for a decade before.
But when 2019 came, she was.
Out of college.
And so she was available and,you know, I was basically an
(23:26):
empty nester.
So I was available and I waslike, this, you know, it's the
right time, right?
Like the timing hadn't beenright before, but the timing was
right then.
And so we're like, Hey, let's dothis.
So we did,
Susan (23:39):
That's
Tabatha (23:39):
and it's worked out great.
Uh, I'm, I'm the hands on personat the retreat center, right?
Like if somebody needs a lightbulb changed or whatever, I'm
the person that goes and doesit.
And to be fair, she lives anhour, like two hours away from
the retreat center.
So it's a little farther forher.
and she's our social media.
Behind the scenes person.
And she does a fabulous job.
Susan (24:01):
She does, I concur with that.
I'm in fact a little envious ofher.
of having a partner slashsidekick who can do those sorts
of things.
Not, not all of us entrepreneursare that fortunate.
So good for you.
And you kind of answered my nextquestion, which was going to be,
do.
you have fairly distinct, youknow, roles and skill sets that
are different and thereforecompliment each other?
(24:21):
Well,
Tabatha (24:22):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
She is very much the businessside of it.
Um, the, the admin, the socialmedia marketer kind of person.
And I am very much, I'm kind oflike a, Hey, maybe we should do
this, you know, kind of thecreative, I'm the creative side.
Susan (24:41):
the idea person.
Yeah, we always need someonewith bright ideas.
So
Tabatha (24:47):
really well.
Susan (24:49):
membership that we were referring to a moment ago with,
you know, people that arefinishing UFOs and need
encouragement and community thathas members from all over the
world.
Am I right?
We're just
Tabatha (24:58):
Um, right now we're just in the United States, but
we're hoping to expand
Susan (25:02):
I was just wondering if you're seeing, you know, trends
that.
are changing, um, certainly I'venoticed in quilting, things are
a bit different than they felt,for example, before COVID.
There's a much more of a trendtoward online and virtual things
such as your summit.
Are there other trends thatyou're seeing, um, coming down
the pike for 2025 and beyond?
Tabatha (25:24):
Well, I would say, unfortunately, beige, but that's
just me.
Susan (25:28):
that's just sad.
Tabatha (25:31):
I'm not a beige person, and my youngest daughter calls
it the beige bandits.
My daughter, my oldest, lovesthe beige trend.
So, um,
Susan (25:39):
Are you seeing that in fabric designers?
Tabatha (25:41):
Oh, absolutely.
Pantone.
Pantone just came out with their2025 color of the year, and it's
beige.
I much prefer Kona's color ofthe year.
Um, I just saw a patternreleased by Lo and behold, it's
the whole quilt is just oneshade, basically a beige.
Um, It's very, very trendy rightnow.
(26:02):
Um, it's not, I'm waiting forthat to roll over into something
more colorful.
Susan (26:07):
That is so interesting.
I can kind of see the appeal forlow volume, right?
Like, it's quite restful.
But beige does just say bland.
I think, you know, when I was akid, beige was what your nylons
came in.
Like, yuck.
Tabatha (26:23):
In fact, I saw somebody make that comment about
Pantone's color.
They're like, we used to getpantyhose and an egg that color.
Susan (26:31):
They're so right.
They're so right.
Well, it will be fascinating tosee what
Tabatha (26:35):
younger modern quilters are leaning towards that.
That beige trend of, you know,monochromatic beige, and I'm
just, I'm just waiting for thatto slide on out because I am
just very much a vibrant colorperson,
Susan (26:50):
will be so interesting to see, you know, the new patterns
and the new ideas that come outusing that type of thing.
We'll see if they win us over ornot, right?
Tabatha (27:00):
or maybe maybe Kona's deep purple this year.
We'll just like, knock the beigeout.
Susan (27:05):
Maybe so.
Maybe beige will just be thesupporting actor.
We'll see.
We'll see.
Tabatha (27:11):
mean, it could be, I always laugh and I say, beige is
the color that makes everybodyelse look better.
Cause you know, it's the colorthat doesn't compete with
anything else.
And that's fine.
Like in the quilt behind you,there's some beige, but when the
whole quilt is beige, that's toomuch.
Susan (27:27):
and speaking with the quilt behind me, It's uh, the
mountains are calling.
So it's got beige and whitemountains, but of course then
it's got a vibrant teal blue skyand green trees and all the
things that are in a
Tabatha (27:38):
It's very bright
Susan (27:39):
bright.
It is.
It
Tabatha (27:40):
and the beige makes all the other colors pop.
Right.
But if it was all beige, thenit's just, it's just a little
too beige.
Susan (27:48):
I recently, going down a rabbit trail, I recently quilted
a project and it was uh, pieced,it was a log cabin, but it was
done all in beiges and neutralsand I was custom quilting it So
that there were kind of diamondshapes point to point in those
log cabins and I kept gettinglost.
Because there was no definitivelog cabin outline.
(28:10):
It just all ran together.
So, I totally see your
Tabatha (28:14):
a lot of the trend that I have seen recently is, um, a
lot of beige.
Awesome.
Susan (28:22):
to see.
Well, what a happy note to cometo a close on.
But it's sure been fun visitingand chatting about your retreat
center.
I will include a link to it inthe show notes and also to the
summit.
so if anyone listening isinterested in attending or
hosting a retreat, they knowwhere to find you.
And also, um, signing up forthat summit.
There's a whole ton of freecontent and lots of guest
(28:45):
speakers, um, available for yourquilting pleasure.
Maybe refresh us on those summitdates just before we go.
February
Tabatha (28:53):
February 4th
Susan (28:55):
5th.
Okay.
And then lastly, just tell ourlisteners if you would, where
they can find you under yourvarious monikers on Instagram
and the website and so forth.
Oh,
Tabatha (29:03):
Um, Quilt Retreat Queen on Instagram.
Um, you can find us at CamelliaPalms Retreat on Instagram or
the websitecamelliapalmsretreat.
com and I'm under school.
What's that?
Susan (29:17):
Quilts also, is that?
your online website?
Tabatha (29:20):
Nona Quilts is a, it's a Etsy shop, um, yeah.
It's very small.
I have very little fabricbecause I barely have time to
get it on there before I'mtaking it to a pop up at a
retreat.
So most of my fabric goes to theretreat center, but um, I do
have a small online shop forNona Quilts.
Yeah.
And that's on Etsy.
Susan (29:38):
Well, we'll include all those links in the show notes
then.
Thank you.
so much for joining me, Tabitha.
It's been a pleasure visitingwith you.
Tabatha (29:44):
You too, Susan.
I appreciate it.
Thank you.
We've been visiting with TabithaSmith.
She is the quilt retreat queenand also the queen of really
helping quilters get throughunfinished projects with what
they have on hand.
So I encourage you to check outthe links in the show notes and
check out Tabitha's membershipwhere she helps quilters in her
community do exactly that.
(30:06):
And of course, if you arelistening before February 4 of
2025, be sure and check out thequilted.
Summit, which is a group of 25quilters sharing their expertise
and knowledge in a free two daysummit event that all those
links are in the show notes.
Again, if you have enjoyed thisepisode, I would so appreciate
if you would leave a rating anda review wherever you listen to
(30:29):
your podcasts.
Thanks so much for joiningTabitha and I, and until next
time, may your sorrows bepatched and your joys be
quilted.
Welcome to a brand new season of Measure Twice, Cut
Once.
If you've been listening to thepodcast for a while, you might
notice something a littledifferent this season.
Over the episodes, I've sharedso many incredible stories from
crafters who've poured theirhearts and souls into their
quilting journeys.
And those conversations havebeen magical.
Hearing about the challenges,the breakthroughs, and the pure
(00:26):
joy of creating somethingbeautiful with our own hands.
But this season, I'm taking aslightly different path.
I want to dive a little deeperinto the behind the scenes of
not just quilting, but buildinga creative business that truly
lights you up.
As someone who's navigated theexciting and sometimes bumpy
world of turning a passion intoa profession, I'm excited to
(00:48):
pull back the curtain and sharemy own experiences.
Some episodes will be just mediving deep into my personal
journey, while others willfeature guests who are also
navigating the world of creativeentrepreneurship.
We'll explore the nitty grittyof building a creative business
with its lessons learned and theunexpected challenges that come
with transforming your crafteach day.
(01:08):
Into a thriving enterprise, anddon't worry, I'm not leaving
storytelling behind.
Instead, I'll be weaving theminto the conversations about
what it takes to grow a businesswhile staying true to your
creative spirit.
So whether you're dreaming ofstarting your own business, or
you just love hearing aboutcreative entrepreneurship, this
season is for you.
(01:29):
Tabitha Smith has been quiltingfor 25 plus years and is known
as the Quilt Retreat Queen.
In 2019, she opened the CamelliaPalms Retreat Center in
Florella, Alabama, and hashosted over 300 retreats and 3,
000 women on quilting, sewing,crafting, and creative retreats.
She's also a quilting instructorwho has helped more than 1, 000
(01:50):
people improve their quiltingskills and find more confidence.
For Huh, that sounds likesomeone else I know.
Her class portfolio includesbeginner quilting, machine
applique, foundation paperpiecing, one block wonders,
scrap quilts, collage quilting,orphan blocks, UFOs, quilt
design, and color theory.
In July 2023, she bought out alocal quilt shop that was
(02:13):
closing and reopened it onlineas a business.
Nana Quilts.
And then in August, 2024, shelaunched the Quilt Queens
Membership, an online communityfor quilters all over the world
where quilters get access toonline courses, quilt coaching,
weekly sit and sews, challenges,prizes, and deepen their
connection with other quilters.
(02:33):
That's awesome.
Well, Tabitha, welcome to thepodcast.
I'm so glad to have you here.
Tabatha (02:38):
I'm excited to be here.
Susan (02:40):
I like to ask my guests, instead of, you know, sort of
starting at the beginning oftheir journey, I like to ask,
what's happening right now thatyou're excited about, that
you're in the middle of?
Tabatha (02:50):
Oh, wow.
Well, this afternoon we have ourQuilt Queen's Christmas Party
and we're really excited aboutthat.
There will be cookies.
But mostly I'm excited about ourQuilted Summit that's coming up.
in February.
That's like the big thing on ourplate right now.
Susan (03:07):
So tell us a little bit about the summit.
It's an online summit, correct?
Is it one person presenting,many people presenting?
What does it look like?
Tabatha (03:16):
So it's a two day online summit and it's free to
attend the two days.
We have 25 speakers, one ofwhich will be you, I believe.
And we also have some sponsors.
I just, um, signed on YazzieBaggs as a sponsor.
She's going to do somegiveaways.
So we're very excited aboutthat.
Susan (03:33):
I know who Yazzy Bags is, I have one of her little tiny
ones that.
I pack, it has all differentpockets for my jewelry for when
I travel, so the necklaces don'tcome out in this big tangle like
they used to do for me.
Tabatha (03:45):
Yeah.
So she's going to give awayfive.
Quilt specific bags from hershop.
And so we're really excitedabout that.
We're going to have a lot ofdifferent speakers.
We're going to do somegiveaways.
There will be a digital, Iguess, swag bags where, you
know, you'll get goodies fromand discounts from some of the
(04:06):
speakers.
We're very excited.
It's going to be a lot of fun.
Susan (04:09):
of fun.
That is a lot of fun.
I have taken part in a couple ofthese summits before, and
they're just an amazing way forquilters to get, it's like a
smorgasbord of teachers, right?
So you don't have to travel.
There's no travel costs.
In fact, you don't even have toget out of your PJs.
But it's a lot of fun.
But you log in online and thesespeakers have pre recorded
classes.
So usually you can watch themwhen they're aired and you can
(04:31):
also catch them a little bitlater.
For example, if you have an uglyday job and you have to catch
them in the evenings, you cantotally do that.
But it's a great way to meetspeakers and teachers that
you've not met before at livequilt shows and may not have an
opportunity to meet in the nearfuture.
So you get a real sampling ofall kinds of styles and types
and teachers and all thosethings.
Tabatha (04:53):
we have some scrap type teachers.
We have modern quilters.
We have, um, long armors.
We have people that havedeveloped quilting apps that are
going to speak.
There's some really good coachesand teachers that are going to
be speaking.
Susan (05:08):
I love that.
A really broad range.
So by the way, for those of youlistening, we are recording this
just before Christmas, henceyou're having your Christmas
party, but there will be a linkin the show notes because there
is still time to sign up forthis summit.
So you do have a couple oflevels, right?
So you mentioned that it's freeto attend.
In other words, you can attendfree, but there are additional
(05:29):
things if you wish for a, alogin fee, sign up fee.
Tabatha (05:34):
correct.
You can attend for free the daysof the summit themselves on
February 4th and 5th.
But should you wish to get ahigher access so that you can
watch them, you know, twomonths, three months, six months
from now, you can do that bypurchasing an upgrade.
Susan (05:50):
Got it.
So perhaps I misspoke when Isaid you can watch them after
work.
Maybe you need the upgrade forthat.
At any rate, all the details areon
Tabatha (05:57):
you can watch them.
I'm sorry.
You can watch them after workthat day or the next day.
It's just like during thesummit, right?
Susan (06:04):
Okay.
Got it.
Tabatha (06:05):
when you're eating dinner.
Susan (06:06):
Got it.
So I'm curious how, is this thefirst summit that you're putting
on first
Tabatha (06:12):
It is.
Susan (06:12):
Yeah.
So I'm curious how this feelsfor you in terms of organization
compared to the live and inperson retreats and events that
you have done a lot of hostingof.
Tabatha (06:23):
It's different.
It's different.
I am used to live and in person.
but my daughter, who's also mybusiness partner, she's like,
Mom, this is, this is the thing.
Virtual, you know, virtualsummits are like the thing right
now.
Like, that's the thing.
That's up and coming.
And we, that's how it cameabout.
We were on our way to Utah andwe drove from Florida.
(06:44):
So we were in the car for threedays and we were brainstorming.
And so that's how that idea cameabout.
And she's like, this will begreat.
I think we could do this.
We should, you know, we shouldjust do this.
So here we are.
Susan (06:56):
I love that.
I'm curious how you, how youcame by the name Quilt Retreat
Queen.
I
Tabatha (07:04):
am not sure.
It just sort of,
Susan (07:06):
we gave it to
Tabatha (07:06):
fell into it.
What's that?
Susan (07:09):
We probably gave it to you, right?
Those attending your retreats,right?
Tabatha (07:12):
Yeah, it just sort of, it just sort of like landed on
me after I've hosted so manyretreats.
I've taught at retreats.
I've organized retreats.
I've done pop up shops atretreats with the inventory that
I bought from the quilt shopthat closed.
I've just facilitated a lot ofretreats and that it just sort
of landed on me.
Susan (07:34):
I'm curious, what, what is your favorite part of hosting
a retreat?
Like, is it the, is it theplanning and plotting and list
making before?
Is it the personal interactionsduring, like, what are, what are
some of your favorite parts?
Tabatha (07:46):
It's the personal interaction.
I am definitely a people personand it's just the connections
and I've made some of my bestfriends over the last few years
from just interacting with thesepeople at retreats because you
really get to know people if youspend three or four days, you
know, in the same room withthem.
And that's, that's by far myfavorite part.
Susan (08:05):
In the same room, and kind of by definition, quilting
retreats are uber casual.
Like, they're come as you are.
They're, they're no makeup, thehair's not done, people work
really early or really late orwhatever the case may be, but
you see their true selves.
You don't see their dressed up,going shopping self, right?
Tabatha (08:24):
Correct.
Yeah, you know, you see themcoming out of their rooms and
their pajamas with their bedhair going for that first cup of
coffee and they don't care whatthey look like, you know,
they're after their, theircaffeine hit and, you know, I'm
one of those people that I'msewing at five in the morning
and then I have retreaters.
They're so until one or two inthe morning.
so, yeah, you get to seeeverybody just, you know,
(08:45):
They're relaxed.
Like I, I don't, I think toooften we don't see our friends,
especially our women friendsrelaxed because we have so many
responsibilities in our lives.
But when we're on retreat, weare the most relaxed that we
ever are.
We're just relaxed and we'rehaving a good time.
Susan (09:01):
Yeah.
I just love that you provide.
that you facilitate thathappening for women.
Maybe tell us a little bit aboutyour retreat center.
Of course, I had to Google itonline, so I've seen pictures of
it and it's just beautiful, buttell us some of the features and
maybe, um, what some of yourupcoming events are, or
opportunities for hosting aretreat if someone wanted to do
(09:22):
that there.
Tabatha (09:24):
Okay, it is a seven bedroom, five bathroom, well, we
have, it's six bedrooms becausewe use one of the bedrooms on
the, that's technically listedas a dining room, but it's a six
bedroom, five bathroom, QueenAnne that was built around 1880
Susan (09:39):
ish, Love
Tabatha (09:40):
nobody knows exactly for sure, um, it's two story,
it's on an acre, and itoverlooks our beautiful, Lake
Jackson, it's Alabama's largestnatural lake.
we have palm trees and camelliatrees, obviously, hence the name
Camellia Palms.
it has been owned by a varietyof people.
It was built as a residenceinitially, and then it was a
(10:02):
boarding house during World WarII where Navy, like five Navy
families lived.
and then it was owned by theactor Josh Holloway and his
parents ran it as a bed andbreakfast for about.
Yeah,
Susan (10:16):
Yeah.
Tabatha (10:17):
they still live there in town.
So, you know, you never know,you might see somebody famous,
Susan (10:21):
That's some
Tabatha (10:21):
uh, out on the lake.
Susan (10:22):
Oh, good to know.
Good to know.
So if a person like myselfwanted to, wanted to bring a
retreat, like what kind of do,is it a full service sort of
facility, like just bring yoursuitcase and your projects and
come or are sewing machinesprovided?
I'm just curious in case thereare listeners who are thinking
they'd like to plan a retreat.
Tabatha (10:45):
Absolutely.
So, yeah, most of our retreatsare private retreats where you
bring your group.
Right.
And so we provide, you know,Everything except food.
We don't cook.
I barely cook for my own family.
so we do have a full kitchenwhere you can cook and there are
restaurants.
There's a grocery store like twodoors down.
So you could cook.
You could go out to eat.
(11:05):
It's up to you.
And while we don't normallyprovide sewing machines, I do
have a sewing machine.
There's like a backup sewingmachine that sits there.
And if somebody's like, Oh mygosh, we just need one more
sewing machine.
I will bring you one from myhouse.
Lord knows I do not have ashortage of sewing machines at
my house.
I can bring you a machine.
Susan (11:20):
Do you collect sewing machines?
Rabbit Trail?
Are you a
Tabatha (11:24):
I, I don't, I wouldn't say I collect them
intentionally.
Um, they just sort of seem toshow up.
Susan (11:30):
up.
We never make a plan forcollecting them intentionally.
That, that's
Tabatha (11:34):
I've got a couple of
Susan (11:35):
criteria.
I
Tabatha (11:35):
fafs.
I have a brother Inova'sembroidery machine, and I have
three featherweights and twoSinger 201s, and the longarm.
Susan (11:45):
singer 2 0 1.
That's not one I've used.
I have a 3 0 1 and that's myfavorite for toting around to
retreats and friends' houses andthings like that.
Big enough to get the job done,but small enough to be, you
know, easily carryable.
Tabatha (11:57):
The 201, I think, probably weighs 40 pounds
without the cabinet.
They are heavy.
But they say it's the beststraight stitch Singer ever
made.
Susan (12:08):
Interesting.
I'll have to keep my eyes openfor one.
My 301, I believe, weighs 16pounds.
So it's, it's like a threequarter size where the
featherweight is a half.
So it's still not a full sizesewing machine.
Tabatha (12:19):
Oh no, this thing, like, you could use as a boat
anchor.
It's so heavy.
Susan (12:25):
In your lake.
For sure.
Tabatha (12:28):
so then we also have a few times a year, we have what
we call open retreats and, it'sfull service.
well, except for the sewingmachine thing, you definitely
still need to bring your ownsewing machine, but we provide,
I have somebody that comes overand they will cook and provide
breakfast, lunch, and dinner,and desserts, and so they cook
and clean up, and they Sometimesit's open.
(12:49):
So where you bring your ownprojects, sometimes they are
guided projects.
Like I'm teaching a collageproject in January and someone
else is teaching the quiltedcoat in February when I host the
open.
So is now it is full service andmeals are provided.
Susan (13:07):
Very nice.
That's, that's an awesomegetaway when you can just
literally pick up your projectand your machine and not have to
think about all the otherthings.
I
Tabatha (13:14):
Right?
And so we have.
We have all the design walls andironing boards and all of that.
The accommodations are provided.
We have three rooms upstairs andthree rooms downstairs.
And, yeah, it's just reallynice.
And honestly, downtown Florella,you know, it's not a big town.
It's half a mile away, so youcould walk to downtown and walk
to the, you know, the littlerestaurants or the antique
(13:36):
shops, that kind of thing.
Susan (13:38):
of thing.
Beautiful.
Well, you and I met in person ata, quilters and crafters
conference a few months ago.
And we got talking aboutmemberships because I, I have a
quilting membership as well.
You have one and I love yourpremise.
let's see if I get it right.
You're basically helping andencouraging quilters to finish
(13:59):
up their UFOs, right?
Right.
Right.
Or does your membership do morethan that?
And I'm not remembering itcorrectly.
Tabatha (14:06):
that's mostly what we do.
We do UFO challenge every month.
Um, it's just sort of like acombination of community and
accountability because I'vefound like a lot of people are
like me, they live kind of ruraland they just.
Don't have the ability to get inperson and sew together with
(14:26):
people, right?
Or they just they're they're notphysically able to get in person
and sew with people on a regularbasis And they so this gives
them the ability to be like, oh,yeah I know my these people are
counting on me to get togetherwith them on that Wednesday and
Sew and work on my projects andbe like, okay I checked this one
off because I heard from a lotof my quilting friends that You
(14:50):
They want to get these finished,but they just can't seem to get
them finished, and then theyfeel guilty because they're,
they want to start somethingnew, but there's this pile over
here, and then they're like, oh,I don't want to buy anything new
because I need to finish these,but I really want to buy
something new.
And I'm like, well, if we justfinish these, then you won't
have the guilt.
(15:10):
About buying something new
Susan (15:11):
Yeah.
And I think you're so right.
I think it's so very valuable.
I think you've hit on a reallygreat thing to have this, this
idea of not only beingaccountable and telling other
people you did it, but even thethought that we're getting
together this Tuesday orwhatever it is throughout the
week, you're thinking of that,Oh, I need to pick up the
backing fabric or, Oh, I need alittle bit of matching thread or
(15:32):
whatever the thing is.
And even in your mind, you'reprogressing, progressing,
progressing.
And then I bet you all celebratethe wins too, which I think is
really huge.
Tabatha (15:42):
We do and like this week in december We took a month
off from the ufo challengebecause a lot of people are
doing holiday things and makinggifts or whatever But this month
leading up to today's christmasparty.
We did a five day minichallenge.
So day one was Clean your sewingmachine, change the needle,
clean out the bobbing area, era,you know, how, so, because some,
(16:02):
I've known people who didn'tchange the needle until it broke
on them,
Susan (16:06):
Oh
Tabatha (16:06):
the needle.
Susan (16:07):
Oh, I know those people too.
Tabatha (16:10):
right?
And day two was, um, I think itwas like, clean off and declare
your cutting table, because ifyou can't see it, you can't use
it.
Susan (16:21):
And it's just so much more fun to do that with others
than to do that by yourself.
Yeah.
Tabatha (16:26):
so then they were posting before and after
pictures so that it encourageseach other and it gets the ball
rolling and motivates eachother, right?
So we've done a few challengeslike that in January.
We'll go back to doing anotherUFO challenge because I know we
didn't work through them all inNovember.
If you're me, I know, I know howmany I have.
So,
Susan (16:47):
A few years back, I did a short podcast episode with a
lady who was a student in one ofmy courses.
And she had devised this quitesimple bullet journal where she
kind of, cataloged, if you will,all her UFOs.
And then, you know, progresseddown them.
So what state were they in?
Were they cut?
Were they sewn?
Were they waiting on backing?
Where were they?
Whatever.
(17:07):
And then she would just each dayput in 15 or 20 minutes.
So for each person that mightlook different, but she just
found that cataloging them tobegin with, knowing what she had
and then striking them off asthey got completed, really moved
her down that list.
So I think you're accomplishingthe same thing in a slightly
different way, like just thisidea of, of, recognizing that
(17:30):
you have them and thensystematically finish them one
after another, after another isso good.
Tabatha (17:37):
thank you.
And we do have like a coursewithin our community about how
to dig them all out, go throughthem, find out like, do you,
like, do you even have thepattern for this anymore?
Cause if you don't have thepattern, then you're never going
to get to finish it.
Right?
can you get the pattern?
Do you have the fabric you need?
So like we went through, we havea course where you can go
through and work through yourUFOs to catalog them.
(17:59):
Decide if you can, if you canactually even finish this as is,
or does it need to be like,taken apart, fabric put away,
repurposed into something else?
Susan (18:09):
Yeah.
Do you find, and I'm kind ofcurious how this process works
in your head.
Do you find that you giveyourself permission sometimes to
say, you know, 10 years ago,that project inspired me and I
loved it, but today, yeah, Idon't want nothing to do with it
anymore.
And do you give yourselfpermission to say, okay, I This
one's actually not a finisher.
I'm just going to get it out ofhere.
(18:31):
And be done with it.
Yeah.
Tabatha (18:32):
It's called quilt it or quit it.
Susan (18:35):
I, I agree with you.
I, I come from an uber frugalbackground, Right.
My mother would never have donethat.
But I, I don't agree.
I feel like there's a certainamount of weight, like mental
weight, to having things thatyou don't love, but that you
feel obliged to do.
To finish.
And in my creative space is notthe place for that.
(18:56):
And, you know, people may havetheir own reasons and, and, and
how they process through that.
But to me, I've been able togive myself permission to let go
projects and even let go fabricthat does not inspire or thrill
me anymore So that I can move onwithout the guilt, right.
To the things that I currentlylove.
Go.
Tabatha (19:14):
story about the, the getting rid of this summer.
I decided to participate in thequilted twins mystery challenge.
So you didn't know what you weregetting.
So what I got was a panel andfive half yards of fabric and
the panel, I don't want to sayit was the world's ugliest
panel, but it just wasn't myjam.
(19:35):
It just, it didn't thrill me.
It was, I'm more of a brightmodern and this was very country
and it, I just didn't know whatto do with it.
So I got this bright idea.
I would make a tumbling blockquilt with it.
I'd fussy cut these littlepickup trucks and I got the 60
degree diamonds fussy cut, gotthe little individual pieces
sewn.
Did I read the pattern before Idid all that?
(19:58):
Nope.
Had I ever made a tumblingblocks quilt before I did all
that?
Nope.
When I got to the point ofassembling the 60 degree
diamonds, I found out I had tomake Y seams.
And I decided, you know, Ididn't like this to begin with,
I didn't like the fabric, and Ithrew the whole thing into the
trash can,
Susan (20:15):
Oh God,
Tabatha (20:16):
and I did not lose any sleep over it.
I was like, you know, I'm notmaking my seams, I don't like it
that much, I don't care aboutthe challenge anymore.
It went in the trash can,because
Susan (20:27):
for you.
And
Tabatha (20:29):
just couldn't, I
Susan (20:30):
if there's some uber frugal people like me listening,
you know, the trash can iscertainly an option.
It's not the only one.
There are definitely placeswhere you can contribute things
if you feel like it.
even things that are partiallydone.
I think probably key to that, ifyou agree with me, let me know.
Key to that would be to label,you know, if there's a pattern
that goes with it, send it withlike, don't just give people a
(20:51):
headache.
But give them some guidelines,like, say, enough stuff to make
a laptop, a lap sized quilt, youknow, and here's the pattern, or
something like that, right?
And pass it on.
Tabatha (21:02):
have a pattern to be honest?
No, I watched a YouTube video.
It, I mean, it was, it was badfrom the moment I started this
project.
Susan (21:10):
a tricky one, because then you can't really pass on
all the pieces to the puzzle.
Well, No, and I truly believe wedo have to give ourselves
permission to do that from timeto time, partly because we are
creatives.
And so part of that.
By definition is that we explorethings and not everything you
(21:32):
explore is going to be a win.
So you explored this idea of,you know, a challenge, a mystery
challenge, and this particularone was not a winner.
And that's just, the way it goessometimes.
And that's okay.
When you're going to be.
creative and this is your play,move on and explore something
else.
Tabatha (21:49):
Yeah, and I just, I could not give it the mental
space, not much less thephysical space to keep taking up
space in my room for a decade.
Susan (21:57):
That's actually a really good point.
Does this whole process offinishing UFOs are your, are
your people, your communityfinding this really helps them
kind of reclaim their space andfind more creativity and joy
within their space?
Tabatha (22:12):
Yeah, I think so, because it helps them finish a
project, so then now you'vereclaimed the physical space.
And now, maybe you give it as agift to somebody, maybe you
donate it to your charity, maybeyou put it on your bed, whatever
the case may be.
But now you've reclaimed some ofthat physical space that you
lacked.
But now you've also reclaimedsome of the mental space that
(22:35):
you were cluttering up with thatproject, because even when
you're not consciously thinkingabout it, you know it's still
sitting back there looking atyou while you're cutting out
something new.
Susan (22:43):
Yes.
Yeah.
You are so right.
You're so right.
Okay.
Turning corners a little bit.
You did mention earlier that youand your daughter were driving
together and brainstorming, um,this virtual summit.
Are you and she partners in yourbusiness and how has that
changed?
How you do business?
Is it a good thing?
Tabatha (23:04):
It's a great thing.
Yeah, her and I are businesspartners for Camellia Palms.
We own it jointly.
Um, we started it in 2019 andI'd actually dreamed of doing it
for a decade before.
But when 2019 came, she was.
Out of college.
And so she was available and,you know, I was basically an
(23:26):
empty nester.
So I was available and I waslike, this, you know, it's the
right time, right?
Like the timing hadn't beenright before, but the timing was
right then.
And so we're like, Hey, let's dothis.
So we did,
Susan (23:39):
That's
Tabatha (23:39):
and it's worked out great.
Uh, I'm, I'm the hands on personat the retreat center, right?
Like if somebody needs a lightbulb changed or whatever, I'm
the person that goes and doesit.
And to be fair, she lives anhour, like two hours away from
the retreat center.
So it's a little farther forher.
and she's our social media.
Behind the scenes person.
And she does a fabulous job.
Susan (24:01):
She does, I concur with that.
I'm in fact a little envious ofher.
of having a partner slashsidekick who can do those sorts
of things.
Not, not all of us entrepreneursare that fortunate.
So good for you.
And you kind of answered my nextquestion, which was going to be,
do.
you have fairly distinct, youknow, roles and skill sets that
are different and thereforecompliment each other?
(24:21):
Well,
Tabatha (24:22):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
She is very much the businessside of it.
Um, the, the admin, the socialmedia marketer kind of person.
And I am very much, I'm kind oflike a, Hey, maybe we should do
this, you know, kind of thecreative, I'm the creative side.
Susan (24:41):
the idea person.
Yeah, we always need someonewith bright ideas.
So
Tabatha (24:47):
really well.
Susan (24:49):
membership that we were referring to a moment ago with,
you know, people that arefinishing UFOs and need
encouragement and community thathas members from all over the
world.
Am I right?
We're just
Tabatha (24:58):
Um, right now we're just in the United States, but
we're hoping to expand
Susan (25:02):
I was just wondering if you're seeing, you know, trends
that.
are changing, um, certainly I'venoticed in quilting, things are
a bit different than they felt,for example, before COVID.
There's a much more of a trendtoward online and virtual things
such as your summit.
Are there other trends thatyou're seeing, um, coming down
the pike for 2025 and beyond?
Tabatha (25:24):
Well, I would say, unfortunately, beige, but that's
just me.
Susan (25:28):
that's just sad.
Tabatha (25:31):
I'm not a beige person, and my youngest daughter calls
it the beige bandits.
My daughter, my oldest, lovesthe beige trend.
So, um,
Susan (25:39):
Are you seeing that in fabric designers?
Tabatha (25:41):
Oh, absolutely.
Pantone.
Pantone just came out with their2025 color of the year, and it's
beige.
I much prefer Kona's color ofthe year.
Um, I just saw a patternreleased by Lo and behold, it's
the whole quilt is just oneshade, basically a beige.
Um, It's very, very trendy rightnow.
(26:02):
Um, it's not, I'm waiting forthat to roll over into something
more colorful.
Susan (26:07):
That is so interesting.
I can kind of see the appeal forlow volume, right?
Like, it's quite restful.
But beige does just say bland.
I think, you know, when I was akid, beige was what your nylons
came in.
Like, yuck.
Tabatha (26:23):
In fact, I saw somebody make that comment about
Pantone's color.
They're like, we used to getpantyhose and an egg that color.
Susan (26:31):
They're so right.
They're so right.
Well, it will be fascinating tosee what
Tabatha (26:35):
younger modern quilters are leaning towards that.
That beige trend of, you know,monochromatic beige, and I'm
just, I'm just waiting for thatto slide on out because I am
just very much a vibrant colorperson,
Susan (26:50):
will be so interesting to see, you know, the new patterns
and the new ideas that come outusing that type of thing.
We'll see if they win us over ornot, right?
Tabatha (27:00):
or maybe maybe Kona's deep purple this year.
We'll just like, knock the beigeout.
Susan (27:05):
Maybe so.
Maybe beige will just be thesupporting actor.
We'll see.
We'll see.
Tabatha (27:11):
mean, it could be, I always laugh and I say, beige is
the color that makes everybodyelse look better.
Cause you know, it's the colorthat doesn't compete with
anything else.
And that's fine.
Like in the quilt behind you,there's some beige, but when the
whole quilt is beige, that's toomuch.
Susan (27:27):
and speaking with the quilt behind me, It's uh, the
mountains are calling.
So it's got beige and whitemountains, but of course then
it's got a vibrant teal blue skyand green trees and all the
things that are in a
Tabatha (27:38):
It's very bright
Susan (27:39):
bright.
It is.
It
Tabatha (27:40):
and the beige makes all the other colors pop.
Right.
But if it was all beige, thenit's just, it's just a little
too beige.
Susan (27:48):
I recently, going down a rabbit trail, I recently quilted
a project and it was uh, pieced,it was a log cabin, but it was
done all in beiges and neutralsand I was custom quilting it So
that there were kind of diamondshapes point to point in those
log cabins and I kept gettinglost.
Because there was no definitivelog cabin outline.
(28:10):
It just all ran together.
So, I totally see your
Tabatha (28:14):
a lot of the trend that I have seen recently is, um, a
lot of beige.
Awesome.
Susan (28:22):
to see.
Well, what a happy note to cometo a close on.
But it's sure been fun visitingand chatting about your retreat
center.
I will include a link to it inthe show notes and also to the
summit.
so if anyone listening isinterested in attending or
hosting a retreat, they knowwhere to find you.
And also, um, signing up forthat summit.
There's a whole ton of freecontent and lots of guest
(28:45):
speakers, um, available for yourquilting pleasure.
Maybe refresh us on those summitdates just before we go.
February
Tabatha (28:53):
February 4th
Susan (28:55):
5th.
Okay.
And then lastly, just tell ourlisteners if you would, where
they can find you under yourvarious monikers on Instagram
and the website and so forth.
Oh,
Tabatha (29:03):
Um, Quilt Retreat Queen on Instagram.
Um, you can find us at CamelliaPalms Retreat on Instagram or
the websitecamelliapalmsretreat.
com and I'm under school.
What's that?
Susan (29:17):
Quilts also, is that?
your online website?
Tabatha (29:20):
Nona Quilts is a, it's a Etsy shop, um, yeah.
It's very small.
I have very little fabricbecause I barely have time to
get it on there before I'mtaking it to a pop up at a
retreat.
So most of my fabric goes to theretreat center, but um, I do
have a small online shop forNona Quilts.
Yeah.
And that's on Etsy.
Susan (29:38):
Well, we'll include all those links in the show notes
then.
Thank you.
so much for joining me, Tabitha.
It's been a pleasure visitingwith you.
Tabatha (29:44):
You too, Susan.
I appreciate it.
Thank you.
We've been visiting with TabithaSmith.
She is the quilt retreat queenand also the queen of really
helping quilters get throughunfinished projects with what
they have on hand.
So I encourage you to check outthe links in the show notes and
check out Tabitha's membershipwhere she helps quilters in her
community do exactly that.
(30:06):
And of course, if you arelistening before February 4 of
2025, be sure and check out thequilted.
Summit, which is a group of 25quilters sharing their expertise
and knowledge in a free two daysummit event that all those
links are in the show notes.
Again, if you have enjoyed thisepisode, I would so appreciate
if you would leave a rating anda review wherever you listen to
(30:29):
your podcasts.
Thanks so much for joiningTabitha and I, and until next
time, may your sorrows bepatched and your joys be
quilted.
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