JWD Publishing Blog

Hi everyone,

Recently I was the guest speaker in Marion, Indiana at the Philanthropic Educational Organization luncheon. WOW! That is a mouthful. I guess that’s why they go by the name PEO. There were about 30 lovely ladies there and we had a wonderful lunch. The PEO mission is to raise money for scholarships for young women entering educational fields. This year’s theme is Women Moving Onward and Upward. Since I am a new woman in business, they wanted to hear how I got started with my business, what I am doing now, and what I have planned for the future.

I told the ladies how I came up with the idea for the Sole Cool Hot Iron Bag pattern and my newest pattern release, Snap, Grab & Go. They loved both of these products. They especially liked Snap, Grab & Go because the pattern comes with a quilt and bag all in one. They also loved the snap-in and snap-out vinyl liner in the bag. (I love it too!) I had a wonderful time at the PEO luncheon. At the end of the program, my friend Cindy Beall presented me with a bouquet of roses.  So nice!

Now, I know you want the tip of the day:

Do you sometimes have leftover binding?  If you save your leftover binding, you can use it to put around potholders or placemats. I sew my leftover binding all together. Then I use this multicolored binding around my placemats or other items.

Hi everyone! I can’t wait to tell you where and what I have been doing:

Last weekend I was invited to go to the Winter Woolen Workshop in Kokomo, Indiana. What a treat! It is put on by the Howard County Historical Society and Beth’s Main Street Folkart. It is held the last weekend in February, so mark your calendars for next year. It takes place at the Seiberling Mansion and the Elliott House in Kokomo. This year there were day workshops and demonstrations in early samplers, colonial painting, punch needle embroidery, rug hooking, spinning, weaving, hand quilting, tatting, rug punch, needle felting, knitting and crocheting. Wow! What a weekend! And there were 22 vendors! The mansion….. oh my gosh…. it was sooooo beautiful.

Let me tell you about one thing that I did learn while I was at the Winter Woolen Workshop:

Kumihimo? Know what it is? I didn’t until last weekend. It is where you weave ribbon on a braiding loom to make cords for necklaces, bracelets, etc. They use eight bobbins and a loom. The loom is about the size of a large grapefruit. You bring the ribbon up and across― and the next one down and across. Thankfully the loom has numbers on it, so you don’t get confused. It was really cool to watch and it looked pretty easy to do!

Tip of the Day is something we should all do…. Put things back where they belong. It sounds so simple, but sometimes we get in a hurry and we don’t. When we do put things back, what we are looking for is always there waiting for us the next time we need it.

See you next time! 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!

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.

The small center star echoes quietly in Dots (day eight on the Twelve Days of Kaleidoscopes tour), as outer portions of this design look as if they have been woven together in an intricate fashion. The fuchsia petal-like shapes allow a vision of the most extraordinary sunflower to take form. 

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 #8 Dots.

Since I have been doing so much running around promoting my two patterns Sole Cool Hot Iron Bag and Snap, Grab and Go I felt I deserved a little break. My 4 friends and I went to The Victorian Guest House, which is at 302 E. Market St. Nappanee, IN., for a quilt retreat. It has six period decorated guest rooms with each having its own private bath. Chris Haman, the owner, creates a wonderful space for us to laugh, talk and sew till the wee hours. You really should consider this if you want a fun place to go and have a quilt retreat or just get away from everything for a couple days.

If you are near Muncie, IN on Dec. 5th you should drive over to Quilters’ Toy Box. They are located at 804 W. McGalliard Road. They are having a huge sale! You heard about the early bird getting the worm? Well how about 30% off your entire purchase if you get there between 7 A.M. and 8 A.M.!! Between 8 and 9 it is 25%, 9 and 10 it is 20% and 10 to 4 it is 15%. Tonya Dumpert is the owner and she would love to see you at her “Super Saturday Sale.”

While I was gone on my retreat I received a couple packages that contained new products for me to test out for all of you. They look pretty cool! One is really BaNaNas! You have to wait and come back to see what it is. Give me a couple days and I will let you know. Until then, keep quilting!