JWD Publishing Blog

Houston is still abuzz with quilters. They are on a hunt to see as many wonderful quilts, fabrics, books, patterns, and notion as they can find. They are filling their brains with new ideas and techniques that are being shared by scores of teachers. Clearly, a high level of energy is prevalent in the hotels, restaurants, and the convention center.  It’s exciting to see so many happy, eager quilters coming together to spend every waking hour thinking, dreaming, breathing, and talking about quilts.

Yesterday morning it was time for me to say goodbye to Houston, as I headed for the airport to begin my journey home. We are so happy with our new pattern releases and are pleased that shop owners were excited about our product, new and old. Soon you will find our patterns in your favorite quilting store.  For us, another year of designing begins for talented designers and staff, as we plan for next lineup of exciting new projects for you.  We’ll see many of you again at the 2010 Fall Quilt Market.

Several years ago I encourage IQA to add a new quilt category to their wildly popular quilt show at Houston’s International Quilt Festival. Happily, they agreed. Since then, my company, JWD Publishing, has sponsored the Naturescapes category at the show. We provide the prize money for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for this category. I LOVE this category of quilts, as they are SO beautiful. Since this category’s inception, the 1st place quilt has often been upgraded to an even higher award, which brings more prestige, honor, and greater prize money to that quiltmaker. I love it when this happens.

I have a feeling this is going to happen again this year. I think one of the quilts in the Naturescapes category is so spectacular that it will be upgraded to one of the $5000 award prizes. That would be so exciting for that particular quiltmaker (and for me). Also, it would give another person in the category the opportunity to receive a ribbon, the honor, and prize money. I’ll let you know tonight what happens. I’m SO excited…………………..

George R. Brown Convention Center

Today we find Houston in the rain. Coming from sunny Seattle area, we were amazed to find ourselves settle into a dreary weather day. However, inside the George Brown Convention Center was filled with positive, hopeful thoughts. Hundreds of vendors were working hard to prepare their booths for Quilt Market. A few dozen vendors made presentations at Schoolhouse, an activity that gives quilt shop owners the opportunity to meet with vendors and see the products they have to offer. Our late afternoon Schoolhouse session gave us the opportunity to show our newest patterns, which we love: Honey Bears by Alex Anderson, Summer Breeze by Christine Porter, In a Pickle by Larisa Key, and Snap, Grab & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble by Teresa Fields (aka Quickie Chicks). We also introduced Ricky Tims’s Arabian Nights and Cindy Walter’s Poinsettia Christmas ensemble of beautiful painted table runner, placemat, coaster, and wallhanging. Ricky, Christine, Charlotte Warr Andersen, and Teresa Fields introduced their quilts, answered questions, Tomorrow is the first day of Quilt Market. When I left the convention floor just before 7pm tonight, vendors were still working hard to finish putting their booths together.

Tomorrow is a day of hope and excitement. We hope everyone has a great day tomorrow―both the creative vendors who sell their products and the shop owners who select products for their quilting clients. Here’s to three great days of great surprises and findings.