Valentine’s Day already! 

Yes, and if you make patchwork and quilting to sell, you must be thinking about this occasion now.  Actually you must do more than think….you must have the products and promotions in place. 

If you make gifts for Valentine’s Day, this is the time to get started if you haven’t already.

If you wait till the week before the event to start letting people know you’re ready for them to do their Valentine’s Day shopping with you, many sales will pass you by.  Or you won’t have those special gifts ready for people you have in mind.

What have you been doing for Valentine’s Day?

Do you have special projects? 

Joyce has been making heart designs at her J’s Quilting Blog.  I don’t know that they’re especially for Valentine’s Day, but they caught my attention as I was browsing her delightful blog.

Check out her post,  More Hearts.  She also made some hearts here for a leukemia quilt, The Alternate Blocks.  (Scroll down to the second photo.)

Why not share how you’re getting ready to make this a big day with gifts, your business, or simply fun projects?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Gearing Up Your Quilting With Valentine’s Day Projects

As I opened the blinds this morning to let in the welcome sunshine (we’ve had numerous cloudy, snowy days here in New Hampshire), I had to step over some gauze spread out on a plastic bag in front of the large windows.  It was very attractive with streaks of green, blue and aqua.

“Ah, Beth has been painting fabric again,” I realized. 

My daughter had the day off yesterday and worked at some of her fabric painting experiments.  Now I wonder what she’s planning to do with this piece of fabric.  I’m sure if I look around, I’ll find some other pieces of fabric from yesterday that had dried and are folded away.

You can see that many of Beth’s quilting and fabric art activities reflect her interest in her favorite books.  The Painted Quilt by Linda and Laura Kempshall is one appearing on her list that I mentioned in the post, 5 Favorite Quilting/Fabric Art Books.

What are your quilting/fabric art interests?  Share some of your favorite books.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

A “Painting Fabric” Day

             Quilt…(n) a bed covering made by sewing together pieces of fabric; (v) the act of sewing together the layers of a bed covering with decorative stitches, either by hand or machine.

What comes to mind when you say or hear the word “quilt”?

This word will bring to mind memories, pictures, music and feelings.  What does it mean to you?

1. Sitting beside my grandmother in her farmhouse kitchen and learning to sew pieces of fabric together to make a quilt for my bed when I was 8-years old.

2. The bed covering of multi pieces and many intricate hand stitches that covered the bed in the guest room of the farmhouse where I grew up.  Mother said it was a wedding gift.  I salvaged rements of this quilt when Mother moved to my home.

3. Sharing an art with my daughter and granddaughter who are carrying on this tradition that’s been in our family for generations of Trails End Quilters.

4.  Operating a quiltmaking business during the Bicentennial years (19775-76) and beyond, inspired by my mom asking for quilts to sell in her country store.

5.  Meeting so many others engaged in this art who inspire and encourage one another around the globe.

Post from: Blisstree

What Comes to Mind When You Say “Quilt”?

For this, she’s using taffeta as the fabric and her own hand-carved stamps.  She gives you a mini tutorial at her blog so you, too, can create your own exotic designs.

In addition to Chloe’s suggestions, you may want to check out ideas in some of the many books on this topic.  Chloe keeps her techniques simple which is great for the beginner.

Post from: Blisstree

The Delights of Painting on Fabric for Quilting & Other Art

“The exhibit is made of large panels crafted by individuals, including some with dementia, and organizations across America.” 

More than 350 individuals and organizations committed to contribute panels for this large scale quilt.  It’s a tribute to those affected with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and families.

Check to see if its tour will come anywhere near you

Post from: Blisstree

[Alzheimer's] “Quilt to Remember” National Tour in Progress

Quilters at the DeKalb County Nursing Home will donate a quilt to the Northern Illinois University’s Blackwell History of Education Museum.  Titled DeKalb County One-Room Schoolhouse Quilt, it consists of  nine  squares, picturing one-room schoolhouses of DeKalb County.

Pat Barger, a volunteer at the nursing home, constructed the quilt along with 13 other quilters who meet at the nursing home weekly.  Check out the link above to learn more about the quilt and the one-room schoolhouses of DeKalb County, Iowa (USA). 

The schoolhouse block is a well-known one in quilting history.  However, quilt blocks consisting of pictorial renditions of actual schools, past and present, bring back many memories, especially if you attended one, like I did for grades one through four.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilt Depicting One-Room Schoolhouses Created at Nursing Home

There are so many I’ve come across that give me ideas, encourage me, and let me know that the quilting and fabric arts are venturing into exciting arenas.  I’m starting with ten in this post but will have to continue another time with more.

(Original quilting art by Beth Mastin at Meandering Threads)

Meandering Threads by Beth

StegArt by Terri

How to Quilt by Penny

Quilting Arts Blog by Patricia 

Buckboard Quilts by Judy

Alex Anderson Quilts by Alex

Patches from the Past

PickleDish.com

Niki’s Ventures by Niki

Quilter’s Buzz by Gina

Post from: Blisstree

10 Quilting Sites & Blogs That Excite Me

That’s what my daughter did with the piece pictured below.  Beth called this her “ugly” fabric.  It was a piece she had dyed but didn’t like the results.  Then for one of her classes at Quilt University, Beth had to take piece of fabric she didn’t like and use it in a small quilt.  I think the result is striking!

Beth gives, at her Meandering Threads blog, more details about the process of making this piece of fabric art.

Post from: Blisstree

Turning Quilting Mistakes Around

Laura, at Work From Home Momma, mentioned in her comment to a post on Home Biz Notes, Basing Your Home Business Promotions Around Themes, that business owners can begin planning for next year when it comes to themes.  This idea also can apply to making quilts for exhibits and contests, many of which are based on themes. 

“It’s not too late to put it [pilot theme day...or any other] on your calendar for next year, either.  Especially if you are going to purchase or make items based on the theme, you will need some lead time.”

So begin planning ahead for theme days.  Then the date isn’t suddenly upon you without your having made any products, prepared a promotion, or developed a strategy.

* Put the various dates on your calendar. 

*Look at the dates periodically.

*Jot down as ideas occur on your calendar.

*Make items for various promotions, sales or themes ahead of time.

*Perhaps you can get others to join your for a theme day…either within an Internet group or your community.

Post from: Blisstree

Developing a Theme for Your Quilts & Quilt Business Promotion

Take pride in the work that you do, find enjoyment working on it and celebrate the finished product.  If you have a blog, you may want to post it there as my daughter does in Meandering Threads.  She shares her work with her blog friends and the artists in her local fiber arts group.

Celebrate you work!  And share it with us.  

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrate Your Quiltmaking Accomplishments