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Tomorrow is the first day of autumn, and this is when the Hudson Valley really shines with color and happiness!! I am really proud to live in an area with so much natural beauty.
I will post photos as the Hudson River becomes rimmed in magnificent colors, and the advances of the gorgeous changes in color through the end of October. Lots of inspiration.
On another note, below are two blocks I made for a charity quilt for Hudson Valley Modern Quilt Guild. Others members are making and adding blocks, and I hope show more them as the quilt progresses. Additionally, one of the members designed the pattern.
Block One is 16" x 16".
Block two is 16" x 16".
If you thought the colors for this charity quilt were blue and white - you guessed correctly.
On a second note, while I was at Sew Pro this past weekend, Tula Pink mentioned that give-a-ways on blogs are not a good way to build an audience. I agree with her, but have a few exceptions.
I think if a blogger is promoting a fabric line, pattern line, new book, or is offering the opportunity for a prize in lieu of market information, or readers opinions, it's okay.
As it happens, I have two copies of Mastering The Art of Fabric Printing and Design; Techniques, Tutorials, and Inspiration, by Laurie Wisbrun. A few years ago I bought one copy on Amazon, and a few months later I won a copy.
A lot of people from Sew Pro are interested in fabric design, as I am, but I don't need two copies.
I am also a published non-fiction, children's book author and book reviewer, as well as free-lance magazine contributor in quilting, and review quilting books. I would love your thoughts about the following two issues, and am happy to give-a-way my extra copy of this book.
To enter this give-a-way, please leave me a comment in the comment box below, telling me;
1. What are your favorite quilting magazines.
2. What kinds of articles do you enjoy reading in a quilting magazine. See below for ideas. (This does not include patterns, because I'm learning how to write patterns at this time, and am not ready to submit them to magazines).
Examples of feature articles in magazines could be;
1. Profiles of people in our industry.
2. Articles related to industry news in fabric and quilting designs.
3. Profiles about fabric manufacturers, and what goes on behind the scenes.
4. What it takes to run a successful brick & mortar store or online fabric shop.
5. How various fabrics are made and distributed.
6. The life cycle of product lines. What is a cash cow? How companies horizontally and vertically integrate many product lines.
7. The bottom line - making a profit. How that works in fabric companies.
8. Book Reviews.
9. Websites and resources.
10. Essential elements from professionals who create successful blogs, i.e. logo designers, web site designers, photographers, content developers, social media experts. (I am currently enrolled at SUNY Purchase to receive my Social Marketing Certification). I won't be an expert upon completion, but I will be more well versed to interview social media marketing experts.
I'm sure there are more feature ideas. Please enter your answers to these two questions, which would be so helpful for me. I will pick a random responder on the morning of Friday, September 30th. And post it on this blog. I will also contact you, by e-mail to let you know, you've won, and to get your snail mail address, so I can mail you the book.
So if you are a no-reply blogger, please include your e-mail address. I promise I won't share it or use it to send you a newsletter or promotion.
I am linking up with Let's Be Social @SewFreshQuilts.
Thanks in advance for your help and have a good week and weekend.
Happy Quilting!!
I love comments and read every one of them! :)
It was an absolute pleasure attending the first annual Sew Pro,
in Chicago on Friday, September 16, and Saturday, September 17. Again my thanks to Sara Lawson @Sew Sweetness, and Brenda Ratliff from Pink Castle Fabrics, and A Little Bit Frayed.
Below are the contents from my welcome bag, which were amazing.
There was so much, I had to photograph the contents into two photos!!
The origins of this conference began with the lovely and talented Sara Lawson, and the lovely and talented Brenda Ratliff, (click here to read Brenda's post about Sew Pro's origins). To sum it up, they planned and coordinated this to;
1. Help quilters and sewists, (both beginners and and seasoned), to network, network, and network.
2. And, hear from outstanding, industry professionals who have learned how to make a living at this, and what it really takes.
Before I share with you a recap of the conference, this post will not give readers, all the information the attendees received. It wouldn't be fair to those who paid a fee to attend, plus travel, hotel and food expenses.
There were speakers from all areas, including, publishing, marketing,fabric designers, pattern designers, brick and mortar store owners, online fabric shop owners, and smart and experienced business woman.
One of the great things that was a theme throughout the conference is that collaboration is key between pattern designers and fabric designers. Those designers, of course could use the support of those who excel in photography.
All those people working behind the scenes of creating great magazines, books, patterns, fabric, blogs, photos and marketing strategies are important. HOWEVER, the last two end users in the pyramid - the retailer and the consumer - are the ones that will make us or break all the others in that pyramid. (I paraphrased here. Credit for this concept goes to Tula Pink, who is lovely and talented too).
There were many awesome speakers, presenters and panelists at this conference. Pat Sloan, (also lovely and talented), gave and gave and gave to us. And then gave even more!! (Love them for their sincerity and authenticity).
And Alison Glass.......
with Tula Pink on day 1 at a Q & A.
I can say, these two days has opened up a whole new world for me. And, I am so happy I attended this. I am more focused about my goals, and the speakers were so encouraging and inspiring. Not to mention, I met some awesome new bloggers and designers.
Happy Quilting!!
I love comments and read every one of them! :)
I finished cutting my fabrics for the Meadow Mystery Quilt sponsored by Cheryl Brickey. This was taken Sunday night.
Below is taken last night when I was finished.
This is the third year Cheryl has led this QAL. Anyone can still join by clicking on this link. There is one set of instructions per month, which is doable. Although I am behind, and need to piece my first block.
Happy Quilting!!
I love comments and read every one of them! :)
This is going to be a short post, because I have a lot of WIP's to share over the next two weeks. And on Wednesday, we will be leaving for Chicago for the first annual Sew Pro, and visiting with family.
If I am able, I will post. I will be sharing photos on Instagram and Facebook.
Lots of progress is happening with Hannah's quilt. The fabrics are all cut, and sewing the HST's is moving along. I finished prepping and pinning late into Friday night.
I love this stash of fabrics and the way they are coming together. Today I am linking up with Sunday Stash at Molli Sparkles, and Main Crush Monday @CookingUpQuilts.
Happy Quilting!!
I love comments and read every one of them! :)
I want to begin with the 15th year anniversary of 9/11. It's hard to believe it has been 15 years since that unthinkable day. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, friends, all the emergency workers, rescue dogs, and countless citizens how were brave and helped others, because heart and soul led them to help in any way they could.
We will never forget you.
I love comments and read every one of them! :)
Right now I am working on many quilt projects. I am finishing two baby quilts,
getting ready to cut my fabrics, and sew block six for Cheryl's second annual Midnight Mystery Quilt, prepping a king size quilt to go to the longarmer, and I have two quilts which have been waiting to be machine quilted by me.
And, there is a special twin size quilt that I am going to feature today. I just finished all the cutting, and made a test block.
This quilt is for my cousin Hannah, who just began fourth grade. The pattern I am using, for the most part, is called Sparklettes, from The Fat Quarter Shop.
I am changing up the border, but will keep that as a surprise for when I finish the quilt top and can't wait to show it then.
I finally finished all the cutting today. (Below was finished a little earlier this week and post on my IG).
There is some Aloha Girl, designed by Joanna Figueroa, from Fig Tree & Co., for Moda,,Mirabelle, by Fig Tree & Co., and a few other fabrics from my stash.
This is some of the fabric. The solid and the polka dot fabrics look almost the same. Below is a close up of the light celery greens that highlight the differences.
Below is a photo of the rest of the larger fabrics, along with the whites again.
Although we will be visiting Hannah and her family in two weeks, this quilt is really intended to be a holiday gift. I can't wait to visit all of them, and will post photos of the whole family.
I am linking up with Sunday Stash @MolliSparkles, and Main Crush Monday @CookingUpQuilts.
Lots more posts of fabric and WIP's to come. Stay tuned.
I love comments and read every one of them! :)
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