Dyed and Gone to Heaven – An Online Magazine and Needlework Resource

The CARON Collection is pleased to feature one of the outstanding shops who so ably provide stitchers with not only supplies but guidance, technical expertise, and inspiration. We hope you'll support your local shops and browse through our extensive SHOP LISTINGS to find a shop near you. This month we visit... Mom & Me Ltd. In Lebanon, Illinois In May of 2002, The Belleville News Democrat Magazine featured a story under the heading "ON THE JOB ­ MOM AND ME LTD: Cross Stitch and Framing Shop is a Family Project," written by Maureen Houston. In it Karen admits to a threat she had made to open her own shop if she ever moved back to Illinois, because she had experienced such a hard time finding specialty threads and fabrics for her counted cross stitch projects while living in the metro-east part of the country. In 1994, she made good on that threat, with the creation of MOM & ME along with her daughter Heather. In the newspaper article Maureen describes the store as, "A cozy cross-stitch and framing shop. Framed handiwork decorates the walls of the two large rooms, showing the possibilities awaiting those with time and patience. There are old-fashioned samplers and new types of embellishments. The shop also sells baskets and architectural pieces crafted by local artists." Karen L Galer was born in Grand Rapids Minnesota and grew up in the small village of LePrairie, MN, where she attended a two-room schoolhouse with her sister and three brothers until the family moved to Duluth, MN. Of her upbringing Karen reveals, "My grandmother was a great influence in my life. She could do almost any kind of needlework and she started me with Huck toweling; I still have my first piece. I was 4 or 5 at the time. She was also an avid gardener, which is something I wish I had more time for!" Karen attended the University of MN Duluth and was a Biology major. She married her husband Larry during her senior year. He was in the military and from then on they led a rambling' life together. Their first child Heather was born in Duluth. Then they were off to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where their son Matthew was born. Two years later they were living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when their third child Sam arrived. After that their postings included stays in Okinawa, California, Washington State, Illinois, the Azores, Delaware, Florida, Madrid Spain, Colorado, St Louis MO, and finally back to Illinois. Having lived in Illinois during three different intervals while Larry was on active duty and having had such a difficult time finding what she needed for her needlework projects while living elsewhere, Karen had always threatened to open her own shop if she ever came back this way! The timing was just right. Over the years and throughout her travels Karen had attended many classes in numerous different mediums of handwork. She had also attained college credits in weaving and spinning, "Which I guess helps to explain my great interest and love of fabric and threads," she says, adding, "With my family constantly moving it was hard to have a job but I did work in fabric stores, needlework shops, knitting shops, spinning and weaving shops and also sold my wears in different shops through out the USA and Europe." While living in Okinawa Karen took a pattern making class even though she did not even speak or understand Japanese. She also had her own business of Bear-Making while she lived in Madrid and was the treasurer for the International Artisan's of Spain. She explains, "I think they let me in this group because I could work with all the different monies from the various countries. This is a very professional group with artists that have been featured all over the world. in different Art Galleries." Additionally, while living in Florida Karen managed a cross-stitch shop and got a good got a taste of that business. She states, "I really enjoyed learning about the industry. Of course the industry had changed greatly when I decided to open my own shop." Heather and Karen Galer Owners of MOM & ME Karen and her daughter Heather spent six months planning the opening of MOM & ME. Even choosing the name was not as easy as one might think! Going into business together was one of those things that "just happened." It was the right time and the right place. Heather explains, "I was still in college in Florida when she [Karen] decided to do this." Karen adds, "It was quite an adventure for us. We picked Lebanon because of is wonderful old Victorian buildings and very small downtown area." They now own their building and have added a front veranda. They also had it painted and new shutters installed. Karen says, "It now looks a bit more in keeping with the feel of this wonderful small old town. Many of the buildings and homes are on the national register. It has a brick street, which has been restored and the cable car used to travel to St Louis at the turn of the century. Wealthy "St Louisians" spent their summer months here to avoid the hot humid summers!" MOM & ME has grown quite a bit since it first opened its doors. Karen clarifies, "With taking over more and more space from apartments, we now have approximately 3000 square feet. We just kept needing more and more room especially for fabric and thread. We take great pride in our fast and friendly service, which was my main goal when I opened the shop! We take really good care of our customers and have made many friends far beyond our stitching." Their mail order is fast and very user friendly (no minimums and reasonable shipping cost). They also do a very healthy business in framing of needlework plus just about any thing else you can imagine: photos and even baby dresses. Fun frames, such as those made of painted wood are popular and you can even purchase them separately. Heather adds, "I knew how to frame when we opened the shop." She had previously attended framing school. Karen and Heather sponsor a Counted Cross Stitch Show every year in October. They accept up to 150 entries in 15 different categories. Vendors and designers are requested to donate a product, which can then be used for customer prizes and Goodie Bags. Karen continues, "This year we had entries from St Louis, Chicago, Tennessee. Indiana, and of course Illinois. We have visitors to the show come from quite a distance and spend nights in our Bed and Breakfasts (one couple has come for three years from Michigan and have already made their reservations for next year). We give the profits from the show to Hospice of Southern Illinois. This year we were able to give them $2000 and to donate folding tables to the park (they donate their building to us each year)." There is also the infamous annual "Keep Karen from Counting Sale" (inventory that is!) on the Saturday after Christmas. Even though the sale bears Karen's name, apparently it's Heather who really hates taking inventory and considers it the worst part of the job! The sale begins at the unheard of hour of 7am with 30% savings storewide with the percentage off decreasing as the day proceeds. They even give an extra 5% off if you show up in your Pajamas! How's that for an innovative incentive! As you can imagine, this sale is a hoot for both their clientele and for them! People who live some distance away will spent the night in a B&B's or motel just to get there as soon as they open! Another special event is Market Day on the Saturday after Nashville. Karen jests, "What a zoo this day is. Our customers can't wait to get their hands on all that new stuff!" She adds, "We have gone on our first Stitch-In. We will do this again as it was a lot of fun. We have some classes but time has not allowed me to expand this part of my business. My goal this year is to try and have guest teachers here in the shop." The first time Karen saw Caron Collection in any quantity was at her first Nashville show. She enthuses, "Needless to say I wanted it all! That just wasn't possible at that time as we were just getting started. I ordered some Wildflowers and Waterlilies first and soon learned you need all the colors to really make a statement. We than added Watercolours to our thread wall as duplicate stitch was so popular for us. This is when Patti of SAMSARAH first started coming in the shop to sell us buttons. Well she decided she could design duplicate stitch and I guess the rest is history, as she has become a very successful designer using lots and lots of the Caron Threads. From left: Karen, Brenda (loyal customer from Texas) and Noted Designer Patti of "SAMSARAH" We also helped Vaerie Danish of Val's Stuff get started and as you know she is becoming quite popular also. We carry the full line of Watercolours, Wildflowers, Waterlilies, Impressions, Snow, and Soie Cristale. We have a full wall of only Caron." Karen likes to point out that they do carry lots of other threads but, "No one else has the space we have for you [Caron]. The threads hanging on the wall make such an "Impression"(pun intended!). We had a lady buy a group of threads to make a bouquet for her mother who was in a nursing home. Her Mother had done needlework all her life and was no longer able to, but her daughter knew those threads would bring a smile to her face." She was right! Entire Wall Dedicated to Caron Collection Threads The shop also stocks a huge selection of fabrics to go with all the wonderful threads. They carry most every linen you can think of including hand dyed. There is an enormous range of R&R dyed fabric and Birds of a Feather fabric. On any given day all the colours of Tula and 18 ct linen are in stock. Karen adds, "We love to help people make selections of fabric and threads for their projects. We have taught people to be creative in changing the fabric and threads. As you know once stichers try the dyed threads and fabrics they become very addicted." Americana and samplers remain popular among their clientele, as do projects that are quick and fun to complete. Karen states, "It's definitely a plus if they can finish in a week or less." The shop also inventories a large selection of books. Says Heather, We have maybe 5000 books in here." The shop's clientele ranges from the very young to the very old. They inventory big-count fabric for those whose eyes are not quite as sharp as they once were, so that they can still enjoy the pleasures of stitching. Likewise, an eight-year old novice recently got so excited about her first project she "just couldn't stand it!" Men get involved in stitching as well. Karen elaborates, "We have an annual cross-stitch show. Men always enter and always win. When they take it on, they do excellent work." Karen likes to point out that one doesn't need any special skills to do cross-stitch -- other than being able to count, that is. Virtually anybody can do it. Still not sure? Just pop into Mom & Me. Karen and Heather are sure to turn you into an enthusiast in no time flat! Karen's main goal is, "To treat everyone who comes through our doors the way I want to be treated when I go shopping." You can't beat that kind of service at any price. Mom & Me Ltd 200 West St Louis Street Lebanon, Il 62254 phone: (618) 537- 8343 fax: (618) 537- 8347 toll free number: (866) 851- 2377 e-mail: momandmeltd@msn.com Credits: The Belleville News Democrat Magazine, May 2002 "ON THE JOB ­ MOM AND ME LTD: Cross Stitch and Framing Shop is a Family Project" by Maureen Houston.

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