JWD Publishing Blog

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!

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.

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)

Just like all of you I am very busy trying to get ready for the upcoming holidays. Can we talk just a minute? Doesn’t it seem like it is coming quicker this year or what? Maybe it is just my age creeping up on me. Things seem to be going by quicker. Anyway I have a couple things to share with you.

November 14th I had the pleasure of teaching a class on my new tote from the “Snap, Grab and Go” pattern. Now check this out.

Two gals named Kathy and Sally Wilcox are sisters but they also married brothers. How cool is that! They own a soon to be quilt shop called “Little Scrap Quilt Shop”. I say soon to be because they have been vending for the last year and 2010 they will be opening a quilt shop in Kokomo, IN. Maris, Judy and Ruth that are in the photos had a great time making the bag. When I teach this I like for you to leave with a finished bag. We don’t need anymore UFOs. The fabrics were all different. Maris picked a fabric for a diaper bag, Judy a cute fabric with flamingos, and Ruth a everyday bag. The bag is so versatile! Kathy and Sally had all their products set up for sale and their guild could stop by and shop during the class. They also had a “snack table” set up for us with lots of goodies. They know how to do it! We sewed, shopped, ate, talked, laughed and walked out with a finished bag. What more could you ask for?

I just received two cans of Marking Magic spray. I will be testing these in the next few days and will give you my results. Until then keep quilting!

We hope you have enjoyed our Twelve Days of Kaleidoscopes tour!  Our last day shows us a design named Nuance, which resembles a cloisonné brooch or pin from ages past. The small star flower in the center is accentuated by a outer star flower that is larger and of great delicacy. Nuance’s outer edge is filled with glorious textures and patterning that provides understated beauty.   

To view a larger version of this kaleidoscopic art print or to order your own signed Giclée art print, go to Paula’s Website.  Click onto #12 Nuances.

The delicate lines of the concentric stars in Lime Green Wacky Stripes are tantalizing. The iridescent glow of the outer star layer is accentuated by the center’s luminous lime green. Each concentric star has its own delicate personality that blends ever so beautifully with its neighbors. This kaleidoscope is filled with the most amazing stars.

To view a larger version of this kaleidoscopic art print or to order your own signed Giclée art print, go to Paula’s Website.  Click onto #10 Lime Green Wacky Stripes.

“Happiness in a Block” was the block I submitted to Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Edition. I was so excited when it was one of the ones to be choosen to be in the magazine. The block is paper pieced and easy to make.

I designed this block with my mother in mind. She lost her battle with ovarian cancer three years ago. She always celebrated every holiday and made them so special for my family. On our birthday, even as an adult, she always made a “big deal” about it.

What better way to celebrate her life and all the wonderful memories but to put them all in one block. To me “Happiness in a Block” looks like a “birthday present”. Just like one that my mother would have given to me. So I called it “Happiness in a Block”.

I hope you love making it and I hope you check out all the other beautiful blocks in the Quilter’s 100 Blocks magazine. Until then, keep quilting.

Rainbow Christmas is a stunning design that creates visual echoes and vibrations that flow throughout this design. The warm gold and red hues create a glorious richness; the violets give cooling drama. The red star in the center provide a strong focus among the intricacies of color and line. 

To view a larger version of this kaleidoscopic art print or to order your own signed Giclée art print, go to Paula’s Website.  Click onto #9 Rainbow Christmas.

Today’s stop on our Twelve Days of Kaleidoscopes tour brings us to Turquoise Nail Clippings, which is reminiscent of a beautiful cloisonné brooch. The beautiful colors are accentuated by delicate gold “metalwork” star points that are surrounded by a single-strand wreath of the same hue. 

To view a larger version of this kaleidoscopic art print or to order your own signed Giclée art print, go to Paula’s Website. Click onto #7 Turquoise Nail Clippings.

As part of the Twelve Days of Kaleidoscopes, today we are looking at Paula’s Lime Hourglass.  This breathtaking design is unbelievably exquisite with its circular design radiating outward in elegant fashion. Lime Hourglass resembles the most delicate, beautiful dahlia one could imagine. Its soft, creamy yellows are accentuated by petals of blue-violet in dazzling delight. 

To view a larger version of this kaleidoscopic art print or to order your own signed Giclée art print, go to Paula’s Website.  Click onto #6 Lime Hourglass.