JWD Publishing Blog

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!