JWD Publishing Blog

COLOR CASCADE—- It’s a show-stopper!

A COLOR CHALLENGE FULFILLED!

Four of these color-challenge quilts are featured in this post, as well as artists’ thoughts.

This exhibit features a wall of beautiful quilts flowing with colors. This wall of color was a group challenge for the Sewjourners, a group of quilters in Oregon. This challenge was Inspired by the  3-in-1 Color Tool (designed by Joen Wolfrom with C&T Publishing). This group of twenty began their color exploration by each randomly drawing a color card that would determine her featured color.

Today’s post features four of the quilts and the artists who created them for this challenge.  (A later post will include an additional selection of these color-challenge quilts).  Let us what you think.

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We at JWD Publishing wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! We hope you will have a lovely day with family and friends. We also hope you have your favorite Thanksgiving food to feast upon. If you are travelling, may your travels be safe. We hope the weather is perfect for this holiday.

And lastly on a lighter note—–for all of you football fanatics—-we do hope your favorite hometown team wins this weekend. Here we’re routing for the University of Washington Huskies. It’s hard not to be, if you live in the Puget Sound region (and most particularly if you grew up in Seattle).  However, those from the other side of the mountains will be routing for the Washington State cougars. Oh, it’s such a rivalry! So Saturday should be quite frantic in Seattle, as well as every other place in this country that is playing a football game with team rivalries.  It will be tailgating heaven!

We will get back in touch with you after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

It’s button-time at See How We Sew!

One of our favorite blogs is the four-person blog See How We Sew written by four sewing enthusiasts who are also well positioned in the quilting world: Christie Batterman, Laura Nownes, Jennifer Rounds, and Darra Williamson. Each member posts twice a month, giving us wonderful posts twice a week—Tuesdays and Fridays. Each has her own style, personality, and interests. Thus each member’s posts have a different flavor from the others. If you have not had the opportunity to read their blog, scoot over there soon to read a wide variety of offerings. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

Darra’s most recent feature has to do with one of our newest pattern lines, Button Madness.  Darra’s post Immerse Yourself in Button Madness not only features one of our designers Teresa Fields and her three new button patterns, but it gives some very interesting history about buttons and button collecting that you might find interesting.

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Having been away for much of the last few weeks, behind in everything, and with an exhausted mind and body, I decided my brain is not worthy of thinking clear thoughts this week. This is a perfect time to share a few photos that I took at the Houston IQA show. I wasn’t able to take pictures of all of the quilts that I thought were so impressive, but I did take sevral handfuls. Today I have selected eight to show you. They are not in any particular order. I visited the show during Quilt Market. At that time, no awards had been awarded, so I have not information on any of these quilts being award-winners. However, as far as I am concerned, these are all award-winning quilts as they are a visual feast for our eyes.

First a few photo comments:  These pictures are very informal and taken with my little point ‘n shoot Nikon camera. You will see signs, pipes, barrier ribbons, and other items in some pictures. I apologize, as there was no choice in the matter. If I wanted the picture of the quilt, sometimes extras went along with it. Also, some quilts were impossible to view straight on, so they are skewed a bit. My apologies. No doubt, the actual quilts will be more beautiful in real life than what you see here in my snapshots, but I think you’d like seeing these quilts regardless of the quality of photo. The colors shown may not be true to the quilt, but I think the quilts still look great. Enjoy!

Again, in no particular order, here are eight exquisite quilts:

Oriental Triptych

This triptych  by Karon Huggler of  Columbia, Missouri is stunning. The color use is dramatic. The curves set an elegant, sophisticated mood. Karon used both hand and machine piecing, applique, and quilting. She included three-dimensional feathering on the cranes. Karon’s original design was inspired by Louisa Smith’s work. At the time of the exhibition, this piece was available for purchase.

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Susan and Coni, owners of Glacier Quilts in Kalispell, Montana are currently sponsoring  a food drive for their community.  If you are a quilter in the Kalispell area and have the ability to do so, please support their food drive.  If you bring in 1 non-perishable item, then they will give you a 10% discount off 1 in-stock, regularly priced item.  If you bring in 3 food items, you will receive a discount on 3 items.  These lovely women say there is no limit! Wow!  That’s very, very  generous.  Perhaps some of you will take in a whole bag full of wonderful food—-and smilingly let Susan and Coni know you only want 1 item at a discount——-or perhaps 2. 

Glacier Quilts is located at 125 Hutton Ranch Road.  The food drive runs this week through November 19th.  Thanks to all of you who will join Susan and Coni in the gift of giving  at this time. 

Thanks so much, Susan and Coni for sponsoring this food drive for your community. We applaud you!

Quilt images are parts of Charlotte Warr Andersen’s quilt We Give Thanks, a quilt featured on our homepage this month.

Look what Cindy Walter has been up to—-preparing for the Christmas season!—–It’s a Poinsettia Christmas!

Do you love decorating for the holiday season? Well, we definitely do at JWD Publishing. We also know that Cindy Walter does too.  In fact, she has created  a beautiful Christmas ensemble that we think you’ll love.  Cindy created her designs featuring poinsettias.  The pattern includes projects for placemats, a table runner, napkins, and coasters. We love these elegant poinsettias. They are so refreshing. You can see a table set with her placemats, table runner, and napkins above. It also comes with a bonus pattern that we think you’ll love (see below). This pattern is unique because the projects can be either appliqued or painted—your choice. There are directions for both techniques in Cindy’s pattern Poinsettia Christmas.

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