JWD Publishing Blog

I am sitting here in my log cabin and the snow is just blowing everywhere outside. I think we are going to get a lot of snow today. I was checking out some products for you when I came across something that I think is crazy good. It is called 60 Degree Double-Strip Creative Grids Ruler.

I will tell you that when I first saw it it look kind of strange. I then went to Checker Distributor website and watched the video of how it works. WOW! It is really cool. The Double-Strip ruler is one of a range of strip rulers designed to make cutting 1/2-sq-triangles, 1/4-sq-triangles, 60 degree triangles, trapezoids and more from 2 1/2″ wide strips quickly and easily! When I said it looked funny at first it is because one side of the ruler is to cut strips and the other side has triangles. You use two 2 1/2″ strips sewn together to make a 4 1/2″ strip. You then cut your pieces from that. If you sew two 2 1/2″ strips together and make a tube you can cut a diamond shape. The rulers come in three sizes. You need to go to the Checker Distributor website and watch the short video on it. You won’t believe it.

Now I have another tip for you from one of my quilting friends and this is a good one that I have never heard of. If you have a project you are buying fabric for but you know you may not get to it right away, then photocopy the page in the book or magazine of the project and put it with the fabric. That way when you pull the fabric out you don’t have to wonder, “What did I buy that for”? I have done that so many times. Great tip! If you have a tip let me know in the comment section. Until next time keep quilting!!

I have to tell your about a wonderful gal I know. Her name is Debbie Flaugh. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is you will still find her working on something for Halloween. She called me a few days ago and said she had gotten the “Snap,Grab and Go” pattern. She was wondering if I would help her make the bag that is in the ensemble. I explained to her how easy it was to make but she still wanted my help. She bought a Halloween panel that she wanted to use. She wasn’t quite sure how to do it so I went over and helped her. We used one Halloween panel and 6 fat quarters and completed the bag. She was surprised how quick and easy it was. I think it came out great!! I would never have thought about using a panel but it does work. I thought you may want to see it and try it yourself…maybe not Halloween but a panel you may have that you don’t know what to do with.

I have another tip for you that was passed on to me. A woman told me that whenever she buys fabric as soon as she comes in the door she goes straight to the laundry and washes her fabric. She said that way she does not have to wonder if it has been washed when she goes to use it. Pretty good! Thanks for the tip. I got to go so be safe and keep quilting!

Is it something to eat? No, it is “Grandma’s Pure and Natural Hand Soother.” This is the best lotion you will ever try! It contains jojoba and shea. It is never sticky or greasy, and is scented with grapefruit oil that everyone likes…even men. When I got it I was a little hesitate because my husband gets migraine headaches with perfume smells. It smells like you just peeled a grapefruit, delicious and fresh. Another good thing about it is it only takes a dab to do it. Quilters could use it as well as knitters or someone that crochets. Check with your favorite fabric shop to see if they have it or ask them to get it, you won’t regret it.

Now I promised you some sewing or cooking tips. Today it is a sewing tip.

If you are collecting a certain color of fabric, for example black and white, keep a small swatch of it in a small notebook in your purse. If you are like me you get into the fabric shop and wonder, do I have that one? Just take out your small notebook and look it up. It saves time and money. Have a wonderful day and keep quilting!

I can not believe that the holidays are gone and we are already 20 days into the new year. It seems like each year it goes by a little quicker. My editor and friend Joen Wolfrom gave me a great tip about two years ago that I would like to share with you. She said when she cleans out her sewing room she takes everything out of the room. She then sorts through everything and whatever she thinks she will not use it does not come back into the room. Before she told me that I would always find a little place to tuck those things away that I “might use”. You all know what I am talking about. But after she said that to me I now give those things to someone or donate them. I did this after Christmas and everything is looking neat and tidy in my sewing room. Which brings me to another great product that I own to help me get organized.

It is simply called “Fat Quarter Bag”. You can find it at your favorite fabric shop or at Jinny Beyer Studios’ website. It sells for around $13.00. It is a sturdy bag that is ideal for storing your fat quarters. It is not a new product but it is a handy one. I got about 100 fat quarters in mine. Each bag has a unique see-through lid and convenient folding divider. The bag measures 17″ x 9 1/2″ and 5″ deep. They are a wonderfully compact way to organize and store your fabric. If you have never seen this bag you may want to check it out. Have a great day and keep quilting!

A Glimpse into Mickey Depre’s Fast-Paced Life as an Artist & Pattern Designer

January has arrived, and rumor has it that Mickey Depre is home enjoying a quiet respite before she revs up for another whirlwind tour of teaching, traveling, and designing. While in the midst of a hectic schedule last fall, I asked Mickey to jot down thoughts about her life as a successful quilt artist, teacher, and designer. She graciously complied. So now that we all have time to pour a cup of coffee, sit down, and relax for a few minutes, here’s a slice of life from Mickey when the fast pace of fall was upon her. There’s a good chance Mickey’s having her cup of coffee right now― along with the rest of us in this quiet time in January. Enjoy!

Ten Weeks…Two and Half Months… Seven Engagements…makes for one tired quilter. Since the first week in September I have been “on the road” nonstop.    And when I have been home it has been a whirlwind of activity.   Our twins (age 18) are off to college now and my dear husband has decided now is the time to get the entire “honey do” list that has accumulated over the last few years done in the same time period I am off  lecturing/teaching.  Thus when I did return home it was to… well…. house project chaos.

I often tell my students that most of my quilts are designed “on the road” in hotel rooms across America, because it is truly the quietest place on earth for me.  That and on airplanes…especially long trips.  I just put in my ipod earbuds and draw, draw, draw.   In fact The Ninepatchers  were born on a plane ride.   I spent the entire trip feverishly drawing these little characters in a whole slew of activities.   And when I heard the “ding” of the captain announcing it was time to land, I only then glanced over to catch the awkward sideways glance of my row mate on the flight.  I can only imagine the thoughts in his head as he watched me smile wildly to myself the last two hours of designing.

But now I am home for two months…and while the kids will be back and forth on various breaks/visits, I have made my dear husband promise that all “house projects” will be suspended until late January.   I need the quiet so I can begin to make my own chaos in the studio.   

JWD Publishing is proud to have Mickey Depre as one of its talented designers. Besides the hilariously cute pattern, The Ninepatchers―A Family Reunion, Mickey has designed the adorable wall quilt Friends in High Places.  Also, she has two charm patterns: Wild Flowers and Bee Charmers.  To view her patterns, click on Patterns > Mickey Depre. If you are a shop owner, you may purchase Mickey’s patterns through your distributor or directly from us. If you are a quilter, please order from your local store.

Happy New Year !  Jan. 1st provides us a new beginning, fresh starts, and a chance to wipe the slate clean and move forward. I hope in the next year to bring you lots of reviews on new products, ideas and places to go. Since I am a “foodie” (loves anything that has to do with food) I may slip in a food tip or recipe from time to time. Little “snackies” you take to a class or retreat. Now I need to tell you about the next product I reviewed.

Have you heard or “Marking Magic”? This stuff is great! If you are a machine or hand quilter you can use this. You know how tedious it is to mark a whole quilt? It takes a lot of time! Not now! It is water soluble aerosol spray that comes in white or gray. You shake the can to loosen the product. You place your stencil on the quilt and then you just spray! You need to hold the can 8 to 10 inches away from the quilt and use a sweeping motion so you don’t get too much on. Let it dry a few seconds,yes seconds, not minutes. Now I know what you are thinking. What if I make a mistake? Easy, easy! You just get a mister bottle or wet cloth and wipe the marks away. I made a mistake on purpose to test the product and it does come out very easily. It sells for about $15.00 per can but I think this would do a lot of quilts and save you a lot of time. You can check it out at www.quiltingcreations.com

If you have a product you would like me to check out for you let me know in the comment section. Now be safe and keep quilting!

Wow! What a gorgeous quilt!  A few weeks ago we asked you to send us some pictures of quilts.  Lisa England, from Ashland, Kentucky, created this stunning quilt Elegant Star for her home’s foyer. We understand why this is Lisa’s favorite quilt. The original design is by Sharon Rexroad; it can be found in Sharon’s book Pineapple Stars: Sparkling Quilts, Perfectly Pieced. Thanks, Lisa, for sharing this with all of us.

Make sure to click on the picture so you can see a larger version.

As I sit here listening dreamily to Ricky Tims’s Christmas in a Small Town, I realize I would be remiss if I did not let you know about this album. If you do not have Christmas in a Small Town, you’re missing the most beautiful Christmas album created in this decade.  Ricky’s musical talent offers us a refreshing blend of old traditional favorites, rarely-heard ancient carols, and a wonderful new Christmas  song by Ricky. You will want to listen to this album over and over again. Accompanied by other vocalists and musicians, Ricky’s beautifully arranged musical renditions simply make one’s soul sing.  Ricky Tims has given us a truly beautiful Christmas gift―the sharing of his stunning musical brilliance. Listen and enjoy! Merry Christmas.

You may listen to Christmas In a Small Town at www.christmasinasmalltown.com. On this website you can see beautiful winter photos, listen to music, learn about the music, download the music, and purchase a CD.  Treat yourself to this wonderful Christmas album. You’ll find yourself humming and singing with it, as you prepare for your Christmas celebration.

Kaye Prince from Toronto, Ontario, Canada made this very sweet quilt for a dear little baby girl named Viliya. Hence, the name of this quilt is Viliya. We think this quilt is adorable and most likely Viliya will be snuggling up to “her favourite” quilt  for many years. Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us, Kaye.

Quilters:  If you want a chance to take part in winning one of our Quiltmakers’ 100 Block magazines, you can send us an image of a favorite quilt that you have made in recent years. You can send images until December 6, 11:59PST.  Check out this blog post for full details and other second alternative for entering.

(Click on the images to see larger sizes)

We have two Quiltmakers’ 100 Block magazines that we will give away on Monday, December 7. To participate in this random giveaway, you may chose one or both of the following activities. Have fun, and thanks for your participation!

1.  Send us a jpg image of your favorite quilt that you have made in the last few years. Include your name, your city and state, and the name of your quilt or your design.  Note: Let us know if you are willing (or not willing) to have us show your quilt on our blog and/or facebook page in December.  Send your image and information to contest@jwdpublishing.com by December 6, 11:59 PM, PST. 

OR

2.  Go to our JWD Publishing Pattern page. Select your top 3-5 favorite pattern quilts. (To see enlarged views, click on selected quilt images.) Besides giving us your top picks, we would love to hear what you most like about your top quilt picks. Just leave a comment on this post with your selections by 11:59 pm PST on Sunday, December 6th, 2009, and we will pick a random winner!  Please make sure to leave a valid email address (so we can contact you if you win). Here’s our contest rules.