Whimsicals Threads

Market Prep

As you can imagine, I have been frantically trying to get ready for International Quilt Market, which is in { gasp } less than a week.  Where oh where did the time go?!  

I've had several days in the past few weeks when my parents have graciously come to help out, and because mom always brings her camera and takes pictures, I thought I would let her write a post and share some things from her perspective.  So, let me introduce to you.....

Mom (aka Jackie)!

As you read, you will see that I felt the need to insert a few comments.... you will be able to pick them out, I'm sure!

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Greetings from Mom!  Terri has granted me the questionable honor of doing a blog for her.  You see, she has been really busy getting ready for Market in Houston.  So being the Mom that I am, she asked me if I'd like to do a "guest blog."   Of course, I couldn't resist the offer.

Dad and I love helping Terri get ready for Market!    Well, I love it and Dad jumps in after I volunteer him.   Actually, our vehicles are trained to make the 60 mile trip between our homes in record time, time and time again!

My first assignment for this market was to show up to help with a new design.   Wellllllll.....any of you who design your own quilts know that great ideas don't always turn into great quilts.  Here's our first effort at using the new fabric line to make a "musical quilt" like Tyler's.  

NOTE:  I don't think I shared the making of Tyler's quilt here on my blog because I was trying to decide if it was going to be in my next book..... Just a few weeks ago, I decided to attempt writing the instructions for it and think I have it figured out, so you will see the final quilt in my new book!  But here is a photo as a little sneek peek since mom brought it up! 

Neither of us were really pleased with what we were seeing, so back to the drawing board we went.   To make a long story short, I headed home with the "notes" and a stack of fabric.  Being as lazy as I am at times, I decided to use only completed blocks for A Brief Note.    I have to admit, its a little "off the wall" or different, but I also have to admit I had a blast doing it!

 

Oops!  There's a stray spool left from another project on my design wall!!!  {hmmm...... wonder if that ended up in a project for this book..... I'm thinking you're going to have to check back to see when I do the sneek peek post!}

After quilting and finishing the quilt, I headed to my embroidery machine and produced three labels for quilts going in the book.   Labels are really important, especially for someone who is old, like me, as I cannot remember who quilted what, or even if I did it or someone else did it--especially after time passes.

Back to Noblesville a couple more times--don't ask me just what we did, but Terri and I were busy all day.

OK--time is really getting short now, so Carol, Terri's assistant, cut fat quarters, many of which ended up back in Lafayette where Dad folded them while I worked on binding a couple things so photos could be taken.  

Back to Noblesville again--whew!  Carol was still cutting while Dad folded more quarters.....I stitched labels in place and attached a sleeve for the Indy quilt show, where Terri entered a wonderful exchange quilt. {I'll post a picture of that quilt at a later date.... it's one of my favorites!}   Carol works on the computer while Dad (the Champion folder) is busy stacking quarters for bundles.

And here they are!!!   Neat, tidy little bundles all ready for the trip to Houston.

 

In addition to getting fat quarters ready, Terri has to finish the back of a rather large quilt.....here she is, diligently working on piecing it.   Notice that its not just a large piece of fabric.....pieced backs are much more fun.

Photos are another "must" in order to publish a book.....The dining room turns into the photo studio!  {sigh.... the photography is NOT my favorite part of doing a book!}

And you surely think Terri treats her quilts like gold---not all the time.   These have been photographed and are ready for the trip.

Oh, and the booth needs to be designed, props selected, etc.    Not sure just what the ball has to do with it, but maybe the little bed will be taking a trip! {The ball was there to hold up the center of the quilt so I could see if it fit on the bed!  Really, I think that is the most action this excercise ball has seen in several months!}

 

There are still a couple of projects to be finished.....to use or not to use, that is the question!    Do the colors work?   How many blocks?   And on, and on, and on.    This one may or may not make it into the book!

One more little detail--Terri always makes sure there's a delicious lunch available for anyone helping her!  {Yum!  My favorite lunch!}

Well, that's about it from Market Prep land.   Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of what Quilt Market is all about.....it's about a messy house (always time to clean up later) and everyone pitching in to get it done!

Cheers to all, and happy quiltimg from the Whimsicals Mom

 

 

 

 

:: apologies ::

Have you ever done something that unintentionally hurts a dear friend or someone you care about?

Now I KNOW that most of you can relate, so go ahead and admit it.

Well, this recently happened to me and I am so deeply saddened by it.  Even when things happen that are merely an accident or unintentional, I still feel the need to try and make amends.  So here goes....

You see, I just got my copy of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting (November/December 2011 issue).  And on page 78, you will see a lovely quilt called Winterbury Lane and a not-so-lovely picture of me. 

Honestly, it's been a long time since I've had a quilt featured in a magazine.

You see, I don't submit many things to magazines because frankly I have a hard time keeping up with making what I need to for my own books and fabric.  Even with quilts and projects for myself, I rely heavily on several friends (yes, my  mom is included in that group) and their gifts/talents to help me out.  Believe me, I would not be where I am without them.   I am forever thankful that they are willing to share their talents and eternally grateful that they are there beside me in this journey I call life.

So, you can imagine how my excitement over having a quilt in this magazine was quickly replaced by despair when I realized that I had failed to give the proper credit to those who helped me make this project possible.

Although I did design the quilt, it was pieced and sewn together by my mom, Jackie Conaway, and quilted by my friend Kathy Dye of KD Dids.

Mom did an outstanding job of using the fabrics that I sent to her, conversing with me via Skype, and making it all work. 

And Kathy did an exceptional job of quilting, mimicking the applique snowflakes in the snowball blocks, and making the border print look incredible with the little swirls and snowflakes.  If you are fortunate to have a copy of the magazine, you can see these details.

Although I work alone every day, my work is not done by me alone.  Like many people, I need some help along the way.... whether it is an opinion, someone to bounce an idea off of, proofreading, getting a project quilted, or simply finishing it by sewing binding down.  My friends generously help with all of these things.  There is no way that I could possibly keep doing what I do without them.

So, when you see something by Whimsicals or with my name on it, please don't just think of me.  Think of all those that helped to make it possible.  Think of it as a group effort, a collaboration even. 

If you are one of those friends, I thank you.  And if you know of or see one of my friends, please thank them.

Because without them, I would be nothing.