Thursday, November 1, 2012

Market Update

First of all, thanks to Mary for naming the new Pheasant Hill charm pattern - Pheasant Crossing. Love it! For the winning submission, we'll be sending her the charm pattern and a charm & mini charm so she can start on the quilt. Thanks, Mary, and to all of you who offered names. Believe me, I've saved some for future reference. Be assured you'll receive a little something in the mail if your suggested name is used in the future. This is definitely the way to brainstorm!

From the last post, we've drawn 2 names for unclaimed Harvest Moon prizes - Terry @ a quilting blog has won the Harvest Moon scrap strip bundle and Becky wins the Harvest Moon charm/mini charm. Thanks for hanging out at my blog ladies.

Now, on to what's been going on the past week or so in my world. After a thoroughly hectic week before market - I received my final precuts 6 days before leaving for market. I made a quilt Thursday, got it to my quilter and back over the weekend (thank you, thank you Lori Kukuk for giving up your Sunday to quilt for me), photographed it on Monday with no binding, and bound it in the motel room the night before market. Whew! Such is the pace before market. Anyway, here's the quilt I threw together in about 3 hours using only  1 Dessert Roll [(20) 5" x WOF strips of Pheasant Hill] and 1 fabric for border/binding. So fast, fun and easy! I just cut an inch from one edge of the strip; layered them wide, skinny, wide, skinny; pinned them in place, kinda; then stitched close to the pinked edges. Some of them went a bit wonky, but it just adds to the movement and uniqueness of the quilt. Lori quilted it in horizontal rows with 3 different motifs for fun. For a quilt this fast, inexpensive and fun, I love it! I also threw together a bag and a pillow using the same technique with just a few strips. It's called Dessert for Two.


On Wednesday of last week, I headed south to Wichita and picked up my good buddy, Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts who flew in to ride with me to market and help with my booth. Who could ask for a better friend? The only condition was we had to stop in Dallas at the Moda warehouse since she had yet to visit there. Once there, we found all kinds of goodies, including some "vintage" KT fabrics from over 10 years ago. I was in heaven! More on that in another post. Anyway, we shopped the warehouse and checked out the KT display with Loose Change and the many other titles they carry. It's still exciting to see my patterns & books at Moda!


We trekked on to Houston to unload the car and set up the booth. Lots of work, but so worth it. We showed all of the Loose Change projects, the new Pheasant Hill projects and some of the favorite KT Stash and Mini Table Treats from the last year, too. I demonstrated the Five & Dime ruler, showing how simple it is to center, stitch, cut and sew precuts into delightfully easy quilts in the Loose Change book. I did my demo so many times I think I was muttering it in my sleep that night! There's a YouTube video of the demo, too. I'll have that link for you soon.


Moda's booth won First Place in Multiple Booths! It was so clever and fun with the theme of "My favorite color is Moda". Paint cans, stir sticks, paint swatches and dripping paint made for a colorful and eye-catching display. Awesome!

 The highlight of the weekend is always the Moda party. Mark Dunn, owner of Moda/United Notions, throws a party and invites all his designers and customers to come eat, drink and play for the evening. He'a a truly generous businessman and we all appreciate his sense of fun. This year, the theme was Cowboys with cowboy hats, a country & western band, a Reba McIntyre impersonator and mechanical bull. What a hoot! I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt! The Moda party makes all the hard work of preparing for market worth every minute. Thanks to Mark Dunn, Lissa Alexander, Cheryl Freydeburg and the entire Moda family for making us all feel a part of theirs.


If you can't get enough of market, there are dozens of designers and shop owners taking pictures for their blogs and facebook. Check it out!

This week, we're giving away Loose Change and a set of rulers - Five & Dime and Spare Change - to one lucky winner. Comment on your favorite blog - other than KT, of course. I'd love to know who you follow and why. See ya Monday, Lynne





52 comments:

  1. Congrats to Mary and Becky!! I'm also excited to be one of the lucky winners...thank you Lynne for the sweet giveaway and for sharing your pics (love the quilt!!)

    My favorite blog to follow (other than yours) is Sew WE Quilt because Madame Samm organizes fun themed hops where so many talented ladies share their projects and tutorials.

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  2. My other favorite blog is Primitive Gatherings. Love her wool projects.

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  3. You and Pam are two of my favorites! Looks like you had a ton of fun! Thank you for the chance!

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  4. One of my favourite blogs is Paulette at Sweet P Quilting. She is lots of fun and shares so much info on quilting.
    Glynis

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  5. Another of my favourites is jabotquilts.blogspot.com
    Jackie does some amazing work!

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  6. I enjoy Cluck, Cluck Sew. She is always making something wonderful!

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  7. I follow Minick and Simpson on their blog. They are very funny ladies and their blog takes some amazing turns that may or may not involve quilting at all. Love seeing pictures of Market. Thanks.

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  8. I like to read Susan Branch's blog (http://www.susanbranch.com/ ). It's not about quilting or sewing but it is always interesting and uplifting. She has great recipes, music links to listen to while you read, and the cutest cat named Jack. Jack has a mustache. Go look at his picture.

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  9. I also follow Susan Branch, love her blog because it's always cheery and uplifting. However, my favourite quilting blog is Humble Quilts. I love Lori's use of reproduction fabrics and antique quilt patterns. And her sew-a-longs are always interesting.

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  10. I enjoy Barbara's "Cat Patches."
    http://catpatches.blogspot.com/

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  11. My fav blog is "The Quilted Pineapple". Great friend and she blogs about a big variety of quilty things!!

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  12. HI! MY OTHER FAVORITE BLOG IS 'MINNICK+SIMPSON' - LIKE THEIR FABRIC DESIGNS! THANKS SO FOR SHARING A NEAT GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  13. I like A Holy Experience because it's inspirational and there are beautiful pictures in each blog post.

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  14. Great pictures, I wish I could have been there in person. I do like to follow Spun Sugar Quilts, partly because her hometown is in Iowa!

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  15. Would love to have been at market with you! It looks like so much fun! :)

    There are quite a few blogs I follow, but I absolutely love Kim's big quilting adventure. She posts just about every day and loves taking a pattern and making it her own. Her sense of humor is so much fun, too!

    Sandy A

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  16. Heartspun Quilts is one of my favorites; but there are a few others that I just adore. Primitive Gatherings has great wools and that is something I am starting to enjoy. Jan Patek is another.
    No lie....your blog is my favorite and I introduced a friend in CO to KT fabrics a few years back and it was love at first sight for her lol. My problem is that I have layer cakes and charm packs I like to look at instead of use.

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    1. Jennifer Keltner, editor of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine once told me that purchasing/collecting fabric is job well done - just like a stamp or coin collector. They would never dream of licking a stamp or putting a coin in a vending machine. If we, as quilters, make our fabric into quilts, we're over-achievers! Good philosophy!

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  17. One of my favourite blogs is Inspired by Antique quilts. Kathie always posts such inspiring quilts using my favourite reproduction fabrics. There is always much food for thought and she makes you feel as tough she is talking to you personally. Sharing her fabrics and her book purchases along with her wonderful projects.
    Now I do have to also say I love your blog too for all the same reasons as Kathies :-)

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  18. I like Quiltville, Bonnie Hunter always has something interesting going on and I love her patterns.

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  19. besides this blog, my favorite would be Jo's Country Junction. I Love blog hops so I visit several and "Sew we Quilt" seems to always be hosting a hop. Thanks.

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  20. There are so many I follow it is hard to pick one. I really like Tamarack Shack, The Quilted Pineapple, Sew We Quilt, Green Fairy Quilts...... Thanks so much for a great give away.

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  21. Pheasant Crossing is a great name. I can't pick a favorite blog, but I can recommend many, one of which is SewCalGal. SewCalGal has introduced me to quilting interests that I now take a part in, such as Quilts of Valor and FMQ. She covers many topics and is host to several fun events. http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  22. My favorite blog right now is Cherise Creates...I have only attempted paper piecing once and her designs and projects are absolutely beautiful. I admire talent like that! I also really like Sew Me Something Good...more talent!

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  23. My favorite blog is Pretty by Hand. She makes such beautifult things in colors so foreign to me and it inspires me. I love the theme at market this year for Moda. Gorgeous!!

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  24. I really love Dessert for two. Perfect for the men in our lives for Christmas. Just love it. Glad your trip went well. Have a great Thanksgiving.

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  25. Easy to understand the friendship with Pam Buda as your blog and hers are my favorites. Primitive Gatherings and Lisa provide much inspiration as well as the Sentimental Quilter. The talent of so many is just amazing. Happy to see and read that Market was a huge success - pwiggs@embarqmail.com

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  26. I always check out the latest at Minick and Simpson--love the blues they usually have in their lines of fabric and the folk art feel of their designs!

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  27. There are many I follow and it`s hard choose one ,each one has something that I love.I can suggest some few depending on what do you look for .. paper piecing, applique, traditional quilts ,inspirations,blog hops to learn new techiques, ... there are many things for I follow each blog and can´t choose only one.

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  28. I love Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville blog. I enjoy her scrappiness and it's fun to see all the different places she goes.

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  29. The other blog I follow religiously is Me and My Sister Designs. I love KT and Me and My Sister because you design your lines with the same color families and the leftover scraps coordinate so well. I also like the simpleness of the patterns, so the fabric is the focus and piecing is enjoyable rather than frustrating.

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  30. I follow Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara. I love her many pieced borders, I get inspiration to try new things. I also enjoy hearing about her chickens, life in the country and her recipes.

    Char S.

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  31. I follow Minnick and Simpson - I love their designs and shop. They are local for me too :) thanks!

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  32. Happy Quilting Melissa. She's the one who really got me going in piecing. She is always trying something new and isn't afraid to show her mistakes and successes. I also like most of the blogs she follows. Loved your booth at Quilt Market, it looked so warm and welcoming.

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  33. I've been reading Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville blog longer than any others. Fun inspiration!
    Thank you for the pics of quilt market. Love seeing the booths decked out in quilts.

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  34. I love Lisa Bongean's blog -- Primitive Gatherings. I especially love her new snowmen projects and wool applique ideas.

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  35. I follow way too many blogs!! They all have something to offer, most of all--inspiration.
    One of my favorites is Amanda Murphy--her pattern designs are fresh and fun. Another I follow is Bustle & Sew because I love her stitchery.

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  36. I really enjoy The Warp and the Weft (French General) as well as Primitive Gatherings and Carrie Nelson's LaVieEnRosie and many others. Too many to choose. But 2 of my very favorites are those written by my nieces. It's so fun to see the photos of their kids and read about the families as I don't get to see them very often.

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  37. I enjoy reading Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville blog. She goes so many places and loves to post photos. I feel like I saw Bali with all her posts about being there. I wish you had more time to post - I just love to buy your fabric lines - would love to see more photos of your quilts.

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  38. Sue Garman is probably my favorite blogger. Her quilts are gorgeous and she definitly is an inspiration. Also, the pictures on her blog really show the detail of her quilting.

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  39. I read quite a few blogs and keep track of them via google reader (including yours). Some of the other quilting ones are:JoMortonQuilts (Jo Morton), LaVieEnRosie (Carrie Nelson), http://debrowden.blogspot.com (Deb Rowden's Thrift Shop Quilts), Bunny Tales (Anne Sutton), http://kathyschmitzstudio.blogspot.com (Kathy Schmitz), kansas trouble (Lynne Hagmeier), Barbara Brackman's Material Culture... I just realized that there are a WHOLE lot more than these that I read and I'm sure you don't want to know them all. And I also read some needlework, gardening, and knitting ones too. But if you want to check out a fun, lighthearted one...see this Japanese one about a Scottish Fold cat named Maru: http://sisinmaru.blog17.fc2.com/ Guaranteed to make you smile! :-)

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  40. I'm always eager to read: designers - Crabapple Designs and Primitive Gatherings; fellow quilter - Painted Quilt by Kaaren; blogger of many talents - Red Dirt in my Soul (10 Sleep, Wy) and One Girl Trucking (also Wy).

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  41. First, I love your fabrics and think I have some of each collection. I read many blogs and two of my favorites are Diary of a Quilter and A Quilting Life. I enjoy these because when I want to work with lighter and brighter colored fabric I can usually get a pretty good idea of how to match things. The pictures they post are always close up and very clear. I also like Primitive Gatherings as I also have a passion for wool.

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  42. My favorite blog is Primitive Quilts and Projects (http://primitivequiltsandprojects.blogspot.com/). Love your fabrics....Lana

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  43. I follow many quilter's blogs. One of my favorites is Aunt Polly's Porch. She has done a few things for the Moda Bake Shop. She has a westie named Yogi and always includes his picture in her blogposts. I also have a westie so love to look at the pictures with Yogi on her quilts. Also love Lisa Bongean's blog from Primitive GAtherings. Love her stuff and after taking a lecture with her at the Madison WI quilt expo and getting a chance to chat with her I started following her. There are many others, you included.

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  44. I follow so many blogs, it's hard to choose my favorites. But after KT, I love the Moda Bake Shop and Moda Cutting Table blogs. Thank you to all who take the time to blog and share your quilting adventures with us quilters!

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  45. I follow numerous blogs as well but my first stop every day is Moda Bake Shop then Moda Cutting Table so I would have to say that MBS is my absolute favorite other than KT of course.

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  46. I have many blogs I follow, but those that I look forward to most are Missouri Star Quilts and Moda Bake Shop.

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  47. I follow lots of blogs. But one blog that I seemed hooked on at the moment is Bonnie Hunter, of Quiltville. She really shares alot of "stuff" on her blog. Just when I think I read enough blogs....you guys go and tell me of a whole bunch more that I need to check out.

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  48. I follow quite a few blogs. Other than KT one of my other favorites is Minick and Simpson. There sure are alot of good blogs out there. Thanks for the view at Quilt Market.

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  49. Next to you I love Sandy Gervais the best. I am always drawn to her fabrics.

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  50. I could spend every day reading blogs. Along with yours I enjoy Primitive Gatherings, Bonnie Hunter,Blackbird Designs and many, many cooking blogs.

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