JAYBIRD QUILTS Goes to Market....This is so exciting :)

It is so much fun to watch your blog buddies take off.  I had the great fortune of meeting Julie Herman, JAYBIRD QUILTS, over a year ago.  I had noticed I was getting quite a few orders and they were originating from Julie's blog.  I e-mailed her to thank her for her kindness in mentioning my little shop and she was just so sweet.  I admired the quilt-a- longs that Julie was doing and found her patterns to be fun and energetic.  (Side Note: when I first visited Julies' blog I was struck by her photo.  Here was a young earthy looking woman with a creative light emanating from her....no make-up or pretense...just this is me and this is what I do kind of energy.  When I see that in a young person, it always gets my attention.)  We kept in touch and I had the good fortune of meeting her in person while at Market in Houston last Fall.   

I walked into a Robert Kaufman sponsored Schoolhouse presentation and who was operating the camera?  None other than the this beautiful young earthy woman, Julie Herman.  I walked over and hugged her....I was so happy to be able to meet her in person and thank her for her kindness.  While Julie was taking photographs and videotaping I was taking photos of her.  One of the attendees asked me if she was my daughter.  My first thought was....Oh geez....I guess I am old....and my second was....no, but I sure would be proud if she were. 

During the Schoolhouse presentation Julie had an opportunity to show one of her quilts.  This is Julie showing her quilt pattern, Dot Party.

Oh I wish this photo had come out better....but you can see how happy I was to be able to visit with Julie....she was lots of fun too.

This week, Julie will be heading to Salt Lake City for the Spring Quilt Market.  Not only will she be there....she is also having her own booth.  Isn't that so exciting?  I am so happy for her....I could just squeal.  Not only does Julie have a full time day job, she also works full time in the evenings designing and making quilts.  I know so many young people who complain there are no jobs and talk about how nothing is working out....then here is Julie working her booty off and making a name for herself.....Way2GO Julie....you ROCK BIG IHAN SOCKS :)

I'm sad that I won't be in Salt Lake to take photos and watch her have a grand time.....but I'll be thinking of her and knowing that others will see her great energy and fun spirit and enjoy her designs.  I thought I would do a little Pre-Spring Market review of the quilts that will be hanging in Julies booth.

Carnival

 Fast Forward

Firecracker

Unwind

  

Dance Floor Lap Quilt

Chopsticks is one of Julie's latest patterns that is not available just yet.  When I saw it on her blog I immediately sent the link to Waldo because she has been looking for a great pattern for all the aboriginal fabrics she has been collecting.  Guess what?  The fabric looks great....I'll have to wait until the pattern is available and Waldo gets is going....I'll beg her for photos :)

Hugs & Kisses

When I first saw Hugs & Kisses, I instantly thought about the Hoffman Bali Pops I have in my stash.  I have no idea why I bought them other than they were so beautiful I knew I'd find something....and now I have found the perfect pattern for my Bali Pops :)

I've been playing with my blocks on my design wall looking for the perfect background fabric for the diamond centers.  I've not completely decided yet....but don't those Bali Pops look great in Julie's Hugs & Kisses Pattern?

 Creative Grids Lazy Angle Ruler by Joan Hawley, Lazy Girl Designs,  is used for making the blocks for Hugs & Kisses.    

You know if Joan Hawley designed it....then I can use it.  Everything Joan does is done the "Lazy Way" and that is just how I like it!  The other thing is, I can use my new Lazy Angle Ruler for so many other blocks too....I don't feel like I've wasted my money on a one time whirley (you know I'm frugal!!).  I think I spied some "Littles"  Joan has ready for Spring Market and the patterns use the same ruler...cool beans. 

You know you can't loose when Joan and Julie collaborate....both wonderful women and I wish them nothing but success in Salt Lake City....Go Get-em' Girls!!! ( and send along plenty of photos of all your fun...pretty please :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Lazy Girl Designs at Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House

Checker Distributor 62 Anniversary Open House
Chapter 5
Lazy Girl Designs

This is Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs.  Joan is a fabulous purse designer and she has a bag suited for everyone's taste and needs.  I only wish I could come up with that many designs all different, interesting and functional.  I'm thinking she might consider changing her business name from Lazy Girl Designs to "The Hard Working Gal Formerly Known as The Lazy Girl Designer." 

The purse at the top of this photo is the Margo Handbag.  The small wallet up front is the Wonder Wallet and the taller one in the back to the left of the photo is the Maggie Pattern.  The wallet I carry is the Wonder Wallet pattern and I'm telling you I need to make a new one and fast.  (Mine is very dirty...that's why I never mentioned it to Joan when I saw her....imagine my embarrassment if she had seen that filthy wallet....yikes....she doesn't know lazy!)

 

Joan's latest pattern is the Lily Pocket Purse and it is only available for pre-order.  The patterns are expected to be released early October.   There is an excellent photo of the inside of this purse on Joan's blog....just click here to see what I'm talking about :)

 

I love the fun print on this Margo Handbag.  Just change the fabric and you have a great purse for the fall and winter too.    That is what I love about carrying a handmade purse....being able to make another one in a different fabric for myself or as a gift. 

I love the name of this bag, the Whimsy Bag.  I just like the word....Whimsy....Whimsy....Whimsy....

You may have known Joan has designed all of these incredible patterns and so many more....honestly....so many more....but did you know she wrote a quilting book too?  I didn't until recently...check this out:

Lazy And Lovin' It

Joan makes 24 different Lazy Angle Blocks and uses them to make more than 230 block combinations....and she still keeps calling it Lazy.    So if you are truly lazy, like me, then you can use the Lazy Angle Ruler to make your cutting so much faster and accurate....she has again done all the work for us. 

Hmmmm....do you think the Lazy refers to me? Us?  Yikes....I can speak for myself....indeed I am lazy and I don't want or need to re-create the wheel, television, Internet or anything else....I'm so lazy there would be none of those inventions if it were left up to me!!!

Don't forget about the Giveaways....don't know about them?  They are posted in Chapter 3.

Smiles,

Kelly