Noreen at Hankering for Yarn tagged me for the 7 Random Facts Meme, in which I list seven facts about myself.  I also was tagged at my Home Biz Notes blog and have listed seven there.
So even though I’ve listed seven facts at Home Biz Notes, I’ll see what information I can provide here that may be somewhat different, yet randomly related to quilting.
1. I began sewing at an early age, first doll clothes by hand with my grandmother (Nanny) and then an apron on a treadle sewing machine under the guidance of my 4-H teacher (Aunt Mary).
2. My quiltmaking began …read more

If you’re involved in quiltmaking and fabric art as a business, you may want to check out my recent post, Being a Home Worker in a Home Business, at Home Biz Notes.  There I discuss my experience when I made samples and later the finished products for a customer who was involved in finding markets for patchwork items she designed.
She asked me to make her samples as she sought markets.  Then I began sewing for the orders she received.  So actually here, I discuss two types of quilting businesses.

Our b5media Arts & Design Channel features a Theme Day each month with all of the bloggers participating.  This month our theme was “green”…for St. Patrick’s Day, spring, fresh ideas, and luck.
William Lehman, at Artist Hideout, did a great job of hosting and even came up with this photo.  Check out his blog to see what it’s all about.
My green related post revolved around the Irish Chain quilt pattern.

The first big snow storm of the season bombarded New Hampshire (USA) today, rather late in the season this year, but making for a day with schools closed, as well as some businesses. 
                                       It’s a good time to delve into my quilting projects. 
Since I didn’t have time for anything too complex or lengthy, I got out my fabric postcards.  These are ideal projects to work on when I don’t have much time.  I also can take them with me when my husband and I travel.
I’m doing the “easy” version of fabric postcards…using fabric with scenes or patchwork printed on it.  I then …read more

The January theme for our Arts and Crafts Channel’s Theme Day is “All Things New.”  This could mean new projects, new directions, turning your hobby into a business, taking new classes…essentially venturing out of your comfort zone.
I’ve found quiltmaking has changed so much over the years, from the “traditional” patterns and styles I made with my grandmother in the 1940s and then during our country’s Bicentennial Years of 1975-76.  Quiltmakering has grown from a utilitarian craft into an art form.  Quilts have become wall hangings of various sizes, even postcards and calling cards. 
Then quilters began experimenting with many types of fabric and fibers …read more

Throughout the years of quiltmaking, the Bible has influenced women and their quilting…in their daily lives and their handiwork.  In the History of Quilts Newsletter, we learn more about this topic and quilt block series Judy Anne Johnson Breneman is designing, called Bible Quilt blocks.
I find this web site, Womenfolk, which contains much information about America’s Quilting History, a very interesting one in general with many topics covered concerning our quilting heritage.
You also can sign up for America’s Quilting History Newsletter which gives you information and updates.

Blogging has become one of the newer methods of promotion, whether you’re involved in your fiber art/quilting as a business or simply want to become better known in this field.  Many fiber artists operate a personal blog, as my daughter does, relating her latest projects and how they interact with her family life.
Others use the blog as a more personal contact with their clients than their web site where they might operate an online store, either as an entity in itself, or as an extension of a physical shop.  Some store owners conduct online tours, whereby you visit the various blogs or …read more

Last year, second graders from a New York School invited several author/illustrators to contribute an illustration for a quilt block.   The youngsters were studying about children’s authors and reading their books.
Although my children’s stories have been published mainly in magazines and I’m a writer more than illustrator, I did sketch the illustrations for an anthology, Tales of Adventure and Discovery, which consists of several of my stories.
“Would your students like one of my illustrations?” I inquired.
“Definitely,” their teacher e-mailed me.  Then one of the students sent me a piece of fabric, cut to the desired size.  I was simply to illustrate with …read more

Do you have something special you make in the world of fabric/fiber art?  Do you have a technique that’s unique?
With so many quilters, what makes those stand out who are getting name recognition and orders for their work?  This is not to say there isn’t a market for any quilting, but finding something that is your specialty may help you develop your place in the quilting world.
As I evolved along the quiltmaking trail, I discovered quilted and appliqued vests for children.  (I made them for adults only on special order because I didn’t find themarkets for them in stores.) 
Actually I …read more

I browse through old magazines and find pictures of quilts, look at more in books of collectibles, and see some in family photos.  I find myself fascinated by these older quilts and the stories they tell.  Or the stories I imagine they tell.
So, I’ve begun another collection in my life…that of collecting pictures that remind me of quilts I’ve known or that stimulate memories.
For instance, when I see pictures of quilts made from flour or feed sacks, I recall my aunt “oohing” and “ahing” over bags she brought into the kitchen that once contained food for the chickens.  She washed them well, …read more