The Electric Quilt Company in Houston for Quilt Market 2010

The Electric Quilt Company

Ann Rutter was the presenter for the Schoolhouse EQ session. 

 

This is just a photo of some examples that were gone over.  I have to say, I don't think there is a software program anywhere that is as "teachable/learn-able" than  EQ 7.  I'm not just saying that because I sell it either.  Most of you know I'm a person of my word.  When I embellish the truth I make it clear that either I'm telling a joke or I write (lie) at the end of what I said.  So this my friends, is a FACT!!!  If you can read and  and follow a one step directive, than you can design your own quilts using EQ Software.

Photos from the Market Floor

There were computers set up for smaller demonstrations and people were able to use the software in their booth too. 

 

I'm in EQ Heaven here....see the stars and the clouds....I hear angels singing (kidding...no angels....just the announcer over the PA telling folks the lunch area was open).

 

Ohhhhh Ahhhhhh....all the fun stuff together on a wall.

More EQ 7 possibilities :)

 

Oh yeah, how about some Quilting Software to develop your plan for quilting the project you just designed on EQ 7?  Yep, they have it all there for you....you can't get any easier than this. 

The people at The Electric Quilt Company  are not cold phone operators or techies that talk "techno speak." They are people with a passion for what they do.  They are kind, thoughtful, warm and very friendly.  Don't believe me?  Just call them anytime...( 1-800-356-4219) ask a question.... see for yourself....then you'll know personally that what I'm telling you is true.

You know the commercial on TV where they guy sells DVD's to teach you how to use different software?  I don't know his name but I've seen the commercial.  Basically they are selling you the "how to."  The Electric Quilt Company gives you the " how to"...free....24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Here is what they give you free and with a genuine desire for you to be successful with their software:

• Videos
• Lessons
• Tech Support
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Blog
• You Tube Videos
• Club EQ
• Free Monthly Fabric Downloads
• Facebook

I'm sure there are things I missed to.  The Electric Quilt Company gets a 4 Star Rating from IHAN for their incredible Electric Quilt 7 Software and their sincere desire to help people be successful in designing their own projects.  They care about their customers and the people who sell their software.  That is really saying something these days.  I have found many companies care more about making money then they do customer satisfaction.....if you have shopped with IHAN you know that is not the case here and it certainly is not the case at The Electric Quilt Company!!!

Smiles,

Kelly

Susan Brubaker Knapp in Houston for Quilt Market 2010

Susan Brubaker Knapp
Blue Moon River

Susan gave a great Schoolhouse presentation during Quilt Market in Houston this year.  Her presentation included a slide show which made it difficult to take photos.  I love this photo....except for the crease in the wall!! 

 

"Vanity" is the name of  this piece.  It is 11 x 11 and was on the cover of Quilting Arts Magazine for April/May 2010.  Check out Susan's blog.  When you get there make sure you scroll down and look along the right side of the page.  Many of her pieces are on the cover of Quilting Arts Magazine.  Her work is absolutely beautiful and it is no surprise that she is featured on the cover of  these magazines. 

 

Here is Susan in my sewing area!!  No she does not live next door.....I bought her Master Machine Quilting - Free Motion Quilting and Thread Sketching DVD.  I have admired Susan's creations and having a personal class with Susan (via my laptop) is the only way to go - with my schedule.   I buy DVD's because I'm a visual learner and really appreciate the flexibility of being able to watch over and over again.  This is a little snippet from Susan's DVD.

I have never done any thread sketching in my life.  I have been struggling with finishing a backpack that I made.  I want a beautiful embellishment on the back of it and I finally found a pattern I like.  Below is a photo of some practicing I did yesterday morning.  I did some free motion quilting with invisible thread and then on one of them I used some small cording to make the veins pop up.  It looked ok, but nothing special.  I thought about doing some hand embroidery and beading but then I remembered Susan's DVD. 

 

Look how much different the leaf looks with some thread sketching on it.  Now I know Susan sketches on top of applique that she has done herself.  But I did not find it written anywhere in the quilting police policies that says you can't sketch on top of patterns that someone else has already given you on the fabric!!!  It was so much fun I was actually ticked off royal when I had to stop and go to an appointment.  No joke.

 

 

Keep in mind this is my very first piece.  It is intended only for practice and I have the one I will use on my backpack set aside until I feel like I've practiced with the colors of thread that I will end up using.  I think there is a huge difference between this one and the one with quilting only. 

Susan is an excellent teacher and the free motion quilting and thread sketching is tons of fun.  Her DVD, Free-motion Stitching and Thread Sketching is an wonderful resource if you are wanting to learn either of these techniques or would like to build on your current skills.  Susan was very clear in her explanations and the video captures each step Susan was teaching.  She encourages exploration and gives her students lots of permission to "just do it."  Typically I would be afraid to try something new and tell myself I can't do it-because I've seen so many incredible works of art and I know mine would look nothing near that quality.  But....oh contraire....look how cool the veins on that leaf looks.  They really pop and that was my first attempt. 

Oh, what do we have here? Hmmmm...would that be Susan Brubaker Knapp's latest DVD? Why yes it is. Hmmm...wonder what I should do with it.....(contemplating now).....

Here is a sneak peak at Master Machine Stitching - Thread Sketching Beyond the Basics

I've decided to give it to one extremely lucky IHAN blog reader. I know, I can't believe I'm giving it away either. Thank you Susan for the pleasure of allowing me to give away a copy of your latest DVD, Master Machine Stitching- Thread Sketching Beyond the Basics, here on the IHAN blog!!

Lets see....something different this time.....hmmmmm....ok I got it.....go over to Susan's Website and look at the Art Quilts she has in her Gallery.  Come back and leave a comment about the Quilt you like best and why.

Oh, one more thing, I forgot to mention Susan's Note Cards......

 Susan's Orchid Series Note Cards

These note cards make great gifts.  I love giving and receiving gifts that support quilt artists.  I know you've been wracking your brain trying to find something that you know I will love....and use....so feel free to buy me one or 6 sets of these beautiful Note Cards.   It's like giving two gifts at one time - you give to Susan and you give to me.  Let the giving begin!!! :)

OK...back to the Giveaway

A winner will be drawn by random on Sunday Evening,  November 21st.  Feel free to tell your friends or post about this giveaway on your blog or facebook.  You might want to become a follower of the IHAN blog so you will see the post about the winner, if you are not already.  I am a follower of Susan's blog and I think you should strongly consider becoming a follower on her blog as well.  She is a wonderful writer and I have always enjoyed her posts...I know you will too.

Sketching with Smiles,
Kelly

Lisa Spalding's Quilt Foundry OPENED Yesterday

Just as I suspected...there was a line of ladies camping out at the Quilt Foundry on Sunday.  I drove to Maumee in an un-marked vehicle and staked out the Quilt Foundry early Sunday morning.  I was able to rent a room across the street in a small house for the day.  Luckily there was a young gullible family who lives there and they bought my story about doing some undercover underquilt work.

How crazy do you have to be to sit outside a quilt shop for 24 hours waiting for it to re-open?  At first I thought the one in the sleeping bag might be a wondering homeless drunk....but no....she actually just resting.

The line wrapped around the building by 3:00 PM on Sunday.  It was nice to see those gals inviting another quilter to play cards with them.  I guess these cut-throat shoppers have a kind streak in them.

Can you imagine sleeping on the ground on a cold Ohio Street?  Me either!! 

The Maumee River is just down the street and I guess these gals came prepared for anything....including the possibility of rising water.  Now that is what I call prepared!

MONDAY MORNING

I broke in through the bathroom window on Monday morning.  What is a little time in the pokey for a simple B & E?  Could not be more than a few weeks I figured.

I came out of the bathroom and all I could see were faces pressed up against the window of the shop.  I had previously heard chanting, "Open, Open, Open."  My only guess is that Lisa promised everyone who came a Jumbo Bag of M & M's.  Why else on GGE would anyone go to this length to get some sale fabrics and notions?

Before anyone could see me, I snuck back out the bathroom window and got in the line.  Those ladies rushed the doors and I laid on the street for at least 30 minutes before I could manage to stand up and drag myself into the shop. 

 

Once inside, I noticed Lisa had received a lovely bouquet of flowers.  I tried to take them from the delivery person and say I would give them to the owner......but a gal who works there caught me.....I backed off for a bit. 

I snuck into the other room with all the sale notions and who did I see?  Mrs. Rosemary seems to turn up everywhere.  From now on, I'm going to have everyone hunt for Waldo, I mean Mrs Rosemary in the posts!!

When the cash register opened for the first time and I witnessed Lisa getting her first dollar....I saw fire....before I knew it I leapt over the counter and grabbed that dollar.  We had a good fight for that dollar bill I'm telling ya.

If you have believed any of this story, other than the part of Lisa Spalding's Quilt Foundry Opening on Monday morning at 10:00.....then I have lots of property in Florida I'd like to talk with you about.  Please phone me immediately at 1-800-URN-UTS :)

Laughing Out Loud with Smiles,

Kelly

Sharon Pederson in Houston for Quilt Market 2010

Edited 11/16/10 9PM ish
Check the bottom of this post for Sharon Pederson's Comment on this post :)

Sharon Pederson signing books at the Martingale &Company Booth in Houston

Guess which incredibly lucky blog writer got to visit with Sharon Pederson and get an autographed copy of  The Rose of Sharon Block Book?   I'll give you three guesses :)

Look at these absolutely beautiful applique table runners and wall hangings.  I love applique and batik fabrics so naturally I was very focused.....close to a trance like state.....it also included lust.....desire....and yes....thread too!!!!

 

Ummmmm....I want to walk into my kitchen and see this pattern hanging on the wall.  That may not be too far off either.  The painters are here working in the kitchen all week....fresh painted walls just beg to be decorated ya know.

The Rose of Sharon Block Book

This book is a collection of winning entries from the EQ6 Rose of Sharon block-design challenge! Chosen by judges Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, these 12 blocks and 13th specially designed by Sharon Pederson

are in the book.   There are also 60 additional blocks from the challenge entries.  I love sitting and looking through my book at all the blocks....so inspiring.  Sharon also included instructions for machine applique and the assembly of projects in the book.

If you prefer a DVD, Rose of Sharon, is available too.  The cool thing about the DVD is that it has printable PDF (a photo format) and you can print the patterns.  The DVD has 112 additional blocks as well as photos and interviews with the 12 winners from the EQ6 Rose of Sharon Block-design challenge.  I'm the sort of person who wants them both.  At this point, I just own the book.....but I have the DVD on my wish list :)

Sharon Pederson also has an Aurifil Thread Collection....actually TWO collections.

 Rose of Sharon 50 wt. Quilting Thread - and

Rose of Sharon 40 wt. Embroidery Thread Collection

 If you own an GO! Fabric Cutter or a Sizzix Big Shot or Big Shot Pro you can also use the GO! Rose of Sharon Die to cut all your fabrics.  You know I own this die right?  I'm not bragging....I'm just saying, I love this quilt and I will be making one for myself. 

For those that don't have a fabric cutting system, there are these great Rose of Sharon Templates.  These work just as well but require more time to trace and cut.  Either way you choose, you still end up with a beautiful Rose of Sharon quilt or other project.

 

Look at the machine embroidery on the back of this Rose of Sharon Quilt.  The back is just as beautiful as the front.  This is another quilt in and of itself, don't you think?  For those of you with an Embroidery Machine there is a Rose of Sharon CD and a Rose of Sharon USB available as well. 
Edit: "The picture you have of the back of the quilt is actually bobbin thread from quilting it on an 'ordinary' Bernina machine - not an embroidery machine"....Sharon Pederson 11/16/10  FYI

It sure is a good thing I love this pattern, otherwise I might be tired of typing the phrase "Rose of Sharon" by now :)  Check out these Note Cards.  There are 12 cards and each one is an original interpretation of the classic Rose of Sharon Quilt Block from the winners of the 2009 Electric Quilt Challenge.  Talk about an affordable gift.....even you can afford to buy me a set of these cards!!!  It's ok if you miss a meal....I'm worth it :)  LOL

Funds from the sale of these Rose of Sharon items supports the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  I think it is amazing what a group of people can do when they work together.  

All of the following people and companies are supporting the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative: Sharon Pederson, Nine Patch Media, The Electric Quilt Company, Alex Anderson, Ricky Tims, Martingale and Company, Aurifil, AccuQuilt, Island Batik, and Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design are ALL supporting the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  If you would like to add your name to the list just click here :) 

Do you want to own an autographed copy of Sharon Pederson's book, The Rose of Sharon Block Book?  Just leave me a comment on this post telling me why you want to own this book and the random number generator will choose that lucky person on Friday evening, November 19th.

Smiles,

Kelly

PS.....I have photos of the ROS Challenge from Spring Quilt Market to post....I'll get to it...I promise :)

Hi Kelly: Thanks so much for the lovely blog entry about the Rose of Sharon project - I thought I'd answer the question about the Accuquilt die - Yes it does fit the Go Baby - I had fun demonstrating it in my class in Houston. One other thing you'll be interested in knowing. The picture you have of the back of the quilt is actually bobbin thread from quilting it on an 'ordinary' Bernina machine - not an embroidery machine. There is a quilt that was done on an embroidery machine and I'd be happy to send you a picture of it if you want. Again, many thanks for the lovely blog.

Cheers Sharon Pederson

Andover Fabrics in Houston for Fall Quilt Market 2010

Yes, I know I don't sell Andover Fabrics....but I can't help myself.  Somehow I always seem to end up in their Schoolhouse Presentations.  Why?  Because the Andover Crew have such a good time.  There is always tons of laughter and camera's flashing everywhere.  It is not quite a Comedy Club Show.....but real darn close....and they don't even try to be funny or entertaining....they just ARE!!! 

I also know all of you want to see photos of Market.....and I know you'll love these new fabrics.....so I'm just keeping (myself) the blog readers happy!!! :)

This Schoolhouse Presentation was held at 4:55 and was titled, "Newest of the New" and Gail Kessler was the presenter.  So.....here you go :)

Swoon by Melissa Averinos

Swoon by Melissa Averinos

Swoon by Melissa Averinos

 

Lots of Dots

Viviana by Lonni Rossi

Spot's Favorite Colors

Songbird by Kathy Hall

I have no idea!!

Tailor Made by Cosmo Cricket

Nope, don't know this one either?  Yikes....soooo sorry.

Still Clueless....but I know you are not surprised...just shoot me  - with a chocolate filled squirt gun please!

What can I say?

 I know I could have written down all the designers names for the quilts above.....and I may have even gotten some of them wrong....but you know what?  They are all Andover Fabrics.....so if you just have to have one of them.....hike on over and tell them you have to have it....and I'm sure they'll tell you where you can get it....I'm sure the one's I don't know are not out yet...probably in May 2011.

With that being said.....I know both Mrs. Rosemary and I would have quite possibly trampled healthy people to get our hands on "Dem Bones" fabric by Carol Eldridge.  The minute I saw these I flipped out of my chair and went swinging through the place like a chimpanzee.....in dire need of a banana.  I MUST have some of  DEM BONES......I can't remember a time that I saw fabric that owned me.... until now.

I know I'm taking a big risk by showing everyone these fabrics, they could be sold out fast. 

I have no idea why these fabrics hit me like they do.....but I crack up looking at them....a skeleton in a bikini?  Poky legs with stockings on a skeleton?  I'm in LOVE!!! This is serious.....I might even run over Brint-the Scissor Man to get my hands on some of this fabric....that is just so sad.  I'm possessed, I know.

I hope everyone at Andover Fabrics forgives my imperfections and inability to document every detail!   If you must....shoot me- with a cannon filled with Dem Bones Fat Quarter Bundles....lots of them....just in case you miss the first time!!!  Oh yeah baby :)

Transfixed Smiles,

Kelly