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!

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!

“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.

To celebrate two of our designers (Joen Wolfrom and Teresa Fields) being in 100 Blocks from Today’s Top Designers, we are giving away a free copy to one of our blog readers. 

Just leave a comment on this post by Thursday, November 12th, 2009 PST, and we will pick a random winner!  It doesn’t matter what you write, just make sure to leave a valid email address (so we can contact you if you win).

Here’s our contest rules.

Make sure to keep following the 100 blocks blog tour!

Snap, Grab, & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble

We are very excited about the Snap, Grab & Go Tote that Teresa Fields has designed!  The Snap, Grab & Go Tote is a perfect tote for the beach, the pool, a picnic, quilt retreats, kids’ over-nighters, and sporting events.  Teresa also designed the Grab & Go Quilt, which is a wonderful companion piece for the tote. Even though this striking quilt looks complex, it is very easy to make. Teresa designed this carefree quilt to be simple in construction. This quilt can be a stand-alone project or it can be combined with the Snap, Grab & Go Tote. 

So please view the Snap, Grab & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble page at our website for more information. 

Skill Level: Confident beginning quilter or a novice sewer

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.