My little brother, Jeff, was texting me one night with quilt ideas. He is excessively smart, creative and slightly odd (which is a huge compliment in my family). As my "little" brother (he is ALMOST 40!... had to get that jab in), we have always been buddies. I am the third child. Jeff is the baby... and there is almost 5 years between us. Therefore, I had quite an impact on his early development. I probably dressed him in cute outfits against his will, made him have tea parties, and on and on. I consider him one of my best friends.
Back to the story, all this mushy, sentimental stuff will just embarrass him at this point in his life!
Anyways... he is my go-to guy for photography issues, math homework questions for my boys, and general pc fixing. Our discussion via text messaging started with a general follow-up to my son's homework question about inverse trigonometric functions and somehow ended up a brainstorming session about quilts. One of the resounding messages I took home from Quilt Market this year was the desire for more "guy" quilts. So, I mentioned this to Jeff. Next thing I knew it was an hour+ later and I had a whole bunch of hilariously awesome ideas drawn all over my graph paper! We had so many great geeky ideas that they should almost be put in a book... "Quilts for the Geeky Guy". Being a database analyst for the last 21 years might end up being a good thing for my quilt design career!
Before I tell you what Jeff is in hot water for, here is one of my most popular "guyish" quilts... River's Bend. Not only is it a beginner's pattern and a wonderful design to feature those long, vertical prints, but, it is also designed (in part) by my son Ryan! He was 16 at the time. I was trying to figure out how to use the kayak print and this is what he and I came up with. More him than I, but still a team effort.
Ryan doesn't like his friends to know he has an eye for graphical patterns and likes advising his mom on her quilts. I call him my very, very silent partner. One thing he does like is the cut in sales he gets. His first response was early retirement. Funny when you think about it since I haven't retired yet and he is only getting 5%... but he was 16!
Now, back to that pesky, little brother. He filled my head with so many funny quilt ideas that I couldn't sleep a wink! I woke up over and over again all night long. As a result, I have decided that he is the reason I got the crud and haven't written a newsletter in weeks. I honestly spent an entire weekend in bed... thank goodness for antibiotics and a doctor willing to give them to me! I'm all good now, but for a few days I wasn't sure I would ever get better. As a true older and wiser sister... it is all his fault and I'm telling mom!!
Off to "report" Jeff's latest naughty, Joanne
River's Bend in a beautiful woodpecker print and a fun, beachy version.
And just when my husband thought his chicken nightmares were over... bahahahahahahaha!
Time for a little nonsense...
From the husband's point of view... Mikey's Chicken Nightmare
Today I introduce you to my 5 newest, cutest, littlest and most adorable chickens! They are about 2 months old. I have spent the last week getting to know each of them and giving them names.
In order from left to right: Michelle Zoe Sally Mary Poopins and last, but not least... Bart (Bartricia is a egg appears)
They join the coop with Buffy, Gertrude, Dumbledora, Georgie and Lena.
Check out my blog post from 6/24 about my favorite notion from Spring Quilt MArket. 10 patterns designers are hopping from blog to blog. We are each talking about our favorite notion and giving away a fun prize! Check out the list of fun designers here!
I wrote about Clover Wonder Clips. You still have time to comment on the blog and win a set of clips! Drawing is on Friday, 6/27.
Today's blogger extraordinaires are Kate Colleran and Elizabeth Balderrama of Seams Like A Dream Quilt Designs. Their nifty tool is pretty darn awesome... makes a girl think she might need one!!
Now carrying Deco Ritz quilt kits in 2 fabric collections! Use coupon code FQGYPSY10 for 10% off your first purchase today!
I got back from Pittsburgh after a week long adventure for Quilt Market! What an experience!
Day 1: My mom and I took off in the wonder van on the Tuesday before Market. I decided to get a car wash so the van would look nice. I never wash my van during the winter because it is a lost cause on the dirt roads. So, this was the first wash of Spring! It came out pretty clean, however, mud settled at the bottom of my rims. It felt like I was driving with square tires at freeway speeds!
I'm not much of a long distance driver, so I was slightly worried about venturing east. My brother loaned me his GPS "Zelda", however, we did something strange and it spent the entire first day trying to make us drive to Milwaukee.
Day 2: Still driving east... ended in Pittsburgh! Yeah!
Day 3: Setup day. I quickly discovered that I had made a rookie mistake by not bringing a step ladder or 2-wheeler. So, Zelda found us a Lowes and we were set. Mom and I found the convention center and set up began. It was hotter than something I won't say... but we got it done.
Day 4: Market begins! I was slightly nervous. Many people think I'm an extrovert, but the reality is that I am very much an introvert. So, this was not a walk in the park for me. But I put on my friendly face and got down to business. I sold a few patterns, met a few friends and made some great contacts!
Some of the characters from Aisle 20 at Market... Ronnie from Print Concepts Vanessa from Fabric Confetti by Vanessa Susan and Penni from Cabin In The Woods Quilters Gary and Jen from PM Quilting
Day 5: Sold a few patterns, talked to some magazines and made a bunch of new friends! Mom and I were really starting to get into the swing of things. One of the most important things I learned from this whole experience is what makes my quilts a little bit different from all the rest. I am still analyzing the feedback from store owners and others... but I think I have a better idea of where I want to take my designing going forward.
Day 6: The last day of Market! It was rather slow in the booth, but I gained a new distributor, Brewer Sewing. Look for my patterns through them soon. I also talked to quite a few fabric companies and other industry professionals and spent a lot of time laughing with my aisle-mates! What a great group of crazy, crazy talented that is, people!
Day 7: Head for home!
That wraps up my week at market! Can't wait until October and my next booth in Houston!
And the winner is... Kitty Keller of Patricia's Fabric House in East Rochester, NY. Your free set of patterns is in the mail! Thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth at Market!
Time for a little nonsense...
Shirley Update... the glamper of my dreams, almost.
I have had a hard time finding time to work on Shirley... my glamper. But I thought I would post a few pictures of some of the fun things I have accomplished!
Here is a list (just to make myself feel better)
1. Removed the rotten subfloor, replaced it and put down laminate that is almost lined up and almost straight! 2. Greased 2 of the 4 wheel bearings... while wearing pink gloves! 3. Removed all of the broken appliances... and found a few craigslist replacements! Woot! 4. Painted the interior walls. 5. Added fake tin ceiling panels down the center. 6. Replaced the inverter and put in a new circuit breaker. 7. All new pex plumbing... except the darned bypass valve. I keep getting it wrong. 8. Talked my wonderful father-in-law into building me a U-shaped dinette... it is awesome! 9. New potty and painted all the bathroom fixtures... and put them back in! This is really the only thing that is almost completed. Just needs the final plumbing outside finished up.
AND most importantly...
10. Bought all the fabric about 3 times over (as I change my mind) for the "fun" stuff inside! I do love my fabric!
