Notes from the Patch

Quilt Market wrap up and a giveaway

Are you sick of us yet?

Wow. Kara did such a fantastic job of covering Quilt Market that it really was like having you all right there with us. We loved hearing about the things you liked as we went along. Thank you for tagging along!

If you missed Kara's photos and commentary you can check it out on Strawberry Patches' Facebook page.

Here are just a few more photos that I took throughout the three days. Hope you can stand just a few more...

Miss Pam Kitty and her daughter Frankie send you all their love.

I totally freaked over these pink and red fans. Love them! Do you see those pot holders and oven mit tucked in among the hearts? They're all made from Pam's current line and what I love is that they work wonderfully with her next line, Pam Kitty Love. She's added black which makes everything pop. We'll be doing a block of the month next year using this exciting new collection.

Here's Camille and her mom Bonnie with their new line for Moda, Marmalade. (Yes, we bought it all and

will be kitting this big block quilt).

This stunning block of the month quilt is from Laundry Basket Quilts. The cool thing is that all of the fusible shapes are precut with a laser so all you have to do is iron them down and away you go. We'll have these kits available in September.

Here's Anna Maria Horner with her cute hubby. I think we should make a new rule that you can't be young, cute and talented. So not fair.

I always look forward to seeing Alexander Henry's booth. This pile of chairs features fabrics from their new lines.  LOVED it!

Amy Butler's booth. We saw lots of those stacking floor cushions this time.

A Nancy Halvorsen quilt from her new book, Christmas Favorites. Annette is kitting this quilt as I type. Let us know if you want one since we can only do a limited number. Our kits are identical to Nancy's samples by the way.

This vignette is from Nancy's book Curiosities and Mischief. I love that it features projects for both boys and girls.

French General

Fig Tree

Me and My Sister for Moda

All three of us loved this quilt! It's a wonderful combination of flannel and wool and will be a block of the month this fall. Here's a close up...

Every time I walked by this Scottie Dog quilt in the Maywood booth

I felt myself falling in love with it just a little more. It's machine appliqued using Maywood's super soft Woolie Flannel. So precious!

Sarah Jane won the Creativity Award for this booth design. We bought most of the pieces in this boy or girl pirate group. Love the little lighted bunks

and this pillow...

This rug was so clever.

Does anyone know what that plastic stuff is that they knotted the fabric too? I so want to copy this!

Now that you've made it through my photos I want to reward one lucky reader with a little goody bag.

Robert Kaufman was so kind to give us a copy of We Love Color by Susanne Woods so I thought it would be fun to share it along with a few other goodies. I've included a bundle of two inch squares of each of the twenty eight new Kona solids along with Moda's forty two piece collection of Bonnie and Camille's Marmalade. I've added a big box of assorted Mettler sewing threads and three charm packs of Java Batiks from Galaxy and put them all in a fun tote by Moda. If you'd like to win just tell me what you liked best of the things Kara shared on Facebook.

Hopefully I can pick a winner sometime next week from Spain!

Bill and I leave for an overnight stay in Los Angeles Wednesday after work then fly out bright and early on Thursday to Miami then on to Barcelona. I've packed my camera and computer so I can take you all along with us.

I sure hope you all like tapas and sangria! 

Encourage one another,

 

 

I'm ready. Are you?

I finished the last of my Europe shopping over the weekend. Bill and I have just five nights at home before we leave for Spain on the 24th. I can honestly say I'm ready. But before we go we have a trip to Kansas to squeeze in. We leave for Quilt Market on Thursday!

Do you remember how at fall market I was going to tweet and post on Facebook all day during the show? Then about two hours in, I crashed and burned, discovering it was waaay too much to be making those important buying decisions while worrying about posting. 

Well, this time I've come up with a perfectly brilliant plan. I'm taking Kara along so she can do the tweets and Facebook posts while Annette and I concentrate on the ordering. Brilliant huh? So, if you are interested in seeing a candid, real time view of market be sure to follow me on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

There will be lots of celebrity sightings and who knows, we may even find David Butler and Ty Pennington there again! (You can bet we'll be looking for them) = ) You'll be the first to see Pam Kitty Morning's booth for Lakehouse and see her darling new line, Pam Kitty Love. We'll show you Moda's huge seemingly city block sized booth with all those fabulous quilts from Sweetwater, Bunny Hill, American Jane, MoMo, Fig Tree, French General, Bonnie and Camille and Basic Grey. You'll be the first to see new fabrics from Ann Kelle, Caleb Gray, Amy Schimler, Betz White, Darlene Zimmerman and others in the Robert Kaufman booth. We'll show you some of my favorite booths like Crabapple Hill, our friend Barri Sue from Bareroots, and I don't want to forget to introduce you to my friends and sales reps Norbert, Cheryl, Ellen, Maureen and others who all take such good care of me... and you seeing that we get our orders in on time and without a hitch.

This should be fun. It will be like having you all along as assistant buyers. So wear your most comfortable shoes, layer your outfits (that big convention center does get a bit drafty in spots), drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. You're gonna need it!

Encourage one another,

 

 

Quilt Market - The Post Game Show

Before I share the last few photos from Quilt Market  I wanted to give you my impression of market and tell you what I thought the overall theme was this time.

For those of you who were sewing back in the mid to late eighties you will probably remember the embroidery hoop craze. We hooped panels, lace and appliques. Hoops became the frames that finished a project. This market was full of hooped fabric. If there was a trend. It seemed to be hoops.

That and Missoni inspired chevron zig-zags. Zig zags were everywhere. On quilts and in fabric.

Another theme would have been technology. Annette and I spent lots of time sharing information with designers and sales reps about pinterest. We talked about websites. We used our IPads on several occasions to look up inventory and information about products and once while ordering notions it was suggested that we scan what we wanted to purchase using my I Phone. Quilting sure has come a long way from the day of women sitting around a quilting frame in the church social hall!

Here are a few more photos:

This is Nancy Rink from right here in Bakersfield.

   

Nancy has been designing quilts for many of the major fabric companies in our industry and she was vending in Houston for the first time. The beautiful quilt in the background is her block of the month for Marcus Brothers. Nancy is very highly regarded by the various companies she works with and her work is simply beautiful. Congratulations Nancy, you  are amazing.

This is Anna Maria Horner chatting with a shop owner in her booth.

She featured velveteen in her new line and the quilt hanging behind the couch was made like we do our Minkee blankets - pieced without batting or quilting. She called it a receiving blanket for adults. Fun!

We loved this new sewing book by Sarai Mitnick. The Sewing Handbook has a delightful vintage feel with well written, easy to understand instructions. 

This booth always stops me in my tracks. Kellie from Don't Look Now! does the most intricate work and it seems so intimidating. Upon closer inspection I realized everything was raw edge applique and Kellie quilts 

all of her quilts with her Bernina 440!

Who do we have here? Well if it's not Mr Amy Butler. AKA David Butler. This was David's first show as a designer. (I'm sorry you can't see his oh, so blue eyes). Lots of you want his circle quilt pattern, due out in February.

This next photo is for my friend Margaret . Isn't it adorable? It's needle felted. Darling!

 That's it. It was a great show and we found so many exciting fabrics, books and patterns that will be arriving from now until May of 2012.

Encourage one another,

 

Quilt Market - Day Two and a Give-away

It was breakfast at Moda for us on day two. An early morning appointment with lattes surrounded by beautiful quilts and gorgeous fabric. This is always my favorite appointment of the show. We meet an hour before opening and get to work in a nearly empty hall. It's a great time to view and photograph quilts and see collections without the crowds.

Annette and I loved many of Moda's twenty two new collections. Here are a few of the ones we bought:

This is Papillon by 3 Sisters

Designed from an 1860's quilt found in an European flea market, this beautiful group includes delicate botanicals in faded reds, dusty pinks, and muted aquas with touches of stone. We look forward to the arrival of the complete collection in February, Precuts and kits for the above quilt will also be available.

This is A Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey. This charming collection has a sweet storybook feel with candy colors featuring Little Red Riding Hood and her crafty fox friend.

 A Walk in the Woods will also arrive in February.

We loved this quilt (left) by Basic Grey. Hello Luscious is just that. Stylish. Provocative. Charming and just plain luscious! Hello Luscious will be here in February.

I wish this photo was better. The quilt is made from Layer Cakes (10" squares) from Cosmo Crickets, Salt Air collection. It has a warm vintage feel with beach themed prints. I adore it. We'll have fabric and kits in March.

This is California Girl by Fig Tree. Love the big 20" blocks in this quilt. All fabric, precuts and kits for this quilt will arrive mid March.

Let me know if you'd like to win these:

 

They are cute little 2" squares. Each individual stack represents a complete new Moda collection. I'll do a random drawing and two lucky winners will each receive six mini packs. To be entered in my drawing tell me which of the above quilts you like best.

Good luck!

Tomorrow I'll show you the last of my Quilt Market photos which includes promised photo of Amy Butler's husband, David.

You won't want to miss it.

Encourage one another,

Just who do I think I am?

Promising play by play coverage of the big game...um, Quilt Market seemed like such an easy task. You just juggle an I Phone, I Pad and a twenty pound Nikon while spending thousands of dollars. In heels.

Sheez.

I'm not only not as young as I used to be, but I'm also somewhat inept at electronics. I gave it my best, but about an hour into it I realized I was more concerned with Twittering and Facebooking than I was with ordering fabric for the next six months that would pay my bills and feed my family (not so much that last part, but you get my drift).

Put the electronics away Suzanne and tend to business.

So for those of you who expected great things from me today on Facebook and Twitter, I apologize. For those of you who expect great fabric from Strawberry Patches in the next six months, I know you won't be disappointed. Although fabrics that fit our look where scarce today, we did find some really wonderful things.

Our morning was crazy! Normally I don't schedule first day fabric appointments. We usually like to walk the show and get a feel for what's new before we start ordering. But today started off with back to back appointments. Most running long which made the following ones run late and the whole morning was this crazy game of catch up. Add in trying to remember to stop and take pictures and Twitter and post on Facebook and you have one crazed woman. Lets just say it wasn't a good look for me.

But I know you didn't come here to hear excuses. You came here to see stars so I give you:

The darling Betz White and her new line of organics (which I ordered), Stitch

 

Here's the ever lovely Amy Butler. It hardly seems fair that she is so tall, talented AND nice. If that all weren't enough her husband now has his own line of fabric under the label

Parson Gray.

David Butler was busy talking with some people when we were there, but I'm going back to stock him snap a picture of him because ladies, he. is. gorgeous! (I'm not going back for me - it's totally for you my dear blog readers. This is my job and I take it very seriously).

Here's cutie patootie Ann Kelle with her new line (which we bought) Dessert Party

Ann was so charming and modest (does she know what a big deal she is?) She asked about our store and told us how much she loves designing fabric. I'm a huge fan of hers.

Here's Ty Pennington from Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Ty was showing his second line for Westminster Fabrics, Impressions.

This is a new division from Timeless Treasures, Dear Stella. It's designed for the young sewists. Very fresh. Love it.

Here's an old friend

 

 here to announce new Cat in the Hat minkee from Shannon Fabrics.

Well that's is for tonight,.It's close to midnight here in Houston and Stanford just beat SC in triple overtime.

Dear Stanford:

Thank you for taking so long to beat SC. You gave me precious time to write this post before Bill tells me to turn off the darned light.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

Quilt Market - The Pre Game Show

Tomorrow is opening day of a show that encompasses five football fields.

 

We're pumped. Conditioned. Well coached. Prepared.

Tomorrow is game day people. Our plays are made. Our strategy planned. We'll circle the field before we hunker down to whoop some serious arse.

I do have an injured team mate, but we have no subs. She'll have to tough it out and take one for the team.

Tonight it's carb loading.

It's a pre game tradition of ours; fajitas at Papasitos, preceded by The Wave (or two), a good brain freeze and too many chips. We raise our glasses and toast to fabulous finds and fantasize about all the things we may see. Our pre game dinner is always the best of the trip because there are no scores - no tired feet. No sore shoulders. Just optimism and excited anticipation that this may be the very best market ever.

There is usually a chalk talk  from notes hastily scribbled before we left home. Pam wants applique patterns, Patti wants threads, Becky sewing furniture. We review the morning's schedule as we wait for our food. We dream of making that winning touchdown - of finding that one big thing that will carry us into the new year.

I've played this game twice a year for over thirty years and never tire of it.

This is the Super Bowl of Quilt Markets people. You won't want to miss a single play!

Are you ready for S H O P P I N G?

If you're interested in  play by play commentary throughout the day follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Then check back here for my post game show.

Encourage one another,

Making a list and checking it twice

The next few days will be a whirl wind of activities as we get ready to fly away to Houston for this weekends International Quilt Market.

I'll be doing the usual important stuff:

1. Hair (gray may be the "in" color for fabric, but NOT for my hair)

2. Nails (need to have them looking good because they'll be doing a lot of pointing - I'll take one of these, and twelve of those etc)

3. Packing my suitcase and remembering my flat iron and appointment book - unlike my last trip where I seemed to have forgotten just about everything!

4. Charging my camera - I plan on doing lots of posts on all the beautiful displays and new collections

5. Making lists of stuff we need and things to look for (Please let me know if  you think there is merchandise we should be carrying or things you've read about on other blogs that you want me to look for)

6. Reserving a scooter for Annette who is in a walking cast. (The girl's a trooper and wouldn't let a few torn ligaments stop her from going. We actually kinda like having the scooter to help us schlep all the stuff we collect as we make our way up and down the aisles. This will be the third time we've rented a scooter for her so we certainly know the ropes by now).

I hope to be posting daily and plan to share our finds as we shop. It is really helpful to hear your comments as we shop. For me it's like having a thousand or so buying assistants along with us. I do listen to what you love and it does effect what and how much we buy. So please don't hesitate to tell us what you love!

There also just might be a give away or two. We'll see.

Houston. Here we come!

Encourage one another,

Quilt Market - Day 4

First I want to thank you all for encouraging me. I loved reporting from the floor of quilt market and every time I would read a comment thanking me for sharing it made me want to share all the more. I guess you could say I work cheap. Your appreciation is all I need to want to do this and share.

This market, without a doubt, was my favorite in years!! I think it was obvious from the photos over the last three days that the baton has been passed and the younger designers with their fresh modern looks were everywhere. There was new energy in the market. So many bright clean colors, designs and ideas. Everything I absolutely love! There was no searching for brights in a room full of muddy colors. It was like shopping in a rainbow, each booth brighter and more excitingly electrifying than the last.

I couldn't believe how many designers offered to come to Strawberry Patches for book signings, workshops and events. In twenty six years I've never had so many talented women so willing to come and share. Could it be our fabulous new store and huge classroom that makes them want to come? Don't know, but I'm so excited to bring these talented ladies to Strawberry Patches.

I have just a few photos to show you of the last day. We are always rushed to meet with those last few reps and then comb the aisles one last time for those nuggets we may have overlooked.

Here is Happy Mochi Yum Yum by Monica Solorio-Snow of The Happy Zombie. I bought the majority of this collection due in the stores this summer.

 Here is Sandi Henderson of Portabellopixie

We loved her new line for Michael Miller, Secret Garden

and bought most of the patterns shown here.

 It's funny, but after spending three days looking at thousands of fabric designs, I am always more aware of design around me. I usually look at the carpeting in the hotels and airports and say, "That would make a great fabric". In Utah, the inspiration came from above.

Even the colors were trendy.

Thank you Salt Lake for your hospitality, snow capped mountains, clean air and lovely people. We can't wait to return!

Encourage one another,

 

Quilt Market - Day 3 - More celebrities and a give away

Today started with a three hour appointment with Moda and hobnobbing with some major Moda celebrities.

Here's Joanna Figueroa from Fig Tree showing us her Slice designs. What a lovely, talented lady!

This is cutie patootie Camille Roskelley from Bonnie and Camille. Her new fabric line, Ruby just blew us away. You might say we got a bit carried away with our ordering. So exciting and our favorite collection by far from Camille!

This is Circa 1934 by Cosmo Cricket.  Love the rich reds, worn yellows and sage greens with its typewriter key caps and vintage numbers.

Here's Aneela Hoey with her Little Apples collection. She was so gracious and offered me this goody bag with 2" charms of each of her 42 new prints along with an embroidery pattern.

Tell me why you'd like to win this adorable mini fabric sampler and one lucky reader will win the fabric, tattoo and pattern.

Here is Karri Ming from French General

Karri reads my blog and wondered if I might like her to come to Strawberry Patches to teach a workshop.

Ummm. YES!! OMG how fun. Plan on hanging out with Karri sometime this fall.

This is Rebecka Merkle and her new group England Swings for Timeless Treasures.

 Go to www.amoretti-designs.com to read her bio and see her cute kids clothes.

Here are the lanterns that were hanging in her booth. We will have Rebekah's new prints in stock later this summer.

 Annette and I died over these!

This is Joel Dewberry and his cute wife Laurie.  We loved his new clothing pattern line Eclectic Modern.

 Heirloom is his new group of fabric and included some yummy voiles.

 Loved these in the maxi dress Laurie is wearing and added them to our fabric order with Westminster.

Here's Allison Harris from Cluck Cluck Sew. We have several of her patterns in the store.

 Here is the Art to Heart booth with projects from Nancy Halvorsen's new book,  Jingle All the Way.

 We sell hundred's of her books every year and I can't wait to whip up one or two or those adorable pillows! (The books are in my suitcase and the buttons and jingle bells are on their way).

 Another cute project from Nancy's book...

That's it for tonight. We have another full day tomorrow before we hop on the plane and head for home.

Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me why you'd like to win those darling charm square's.

See you tomorrow!

Encourage one another,

 

 

Quilt Market - Day 1

As most of you read this post we will be in the air on our way to Salt Lake City and Spring Quilt Market.

This time it's a couples trip with Annette and I taking our sweet hubs along.  We will be touring Park City tonight before being immersed in a three day fabric shop-a-thon.

My plan is to show you some highlights of Quilt Market as we experience it. If you see something you like be sure to let us know. After all, YOU are the reason we go.

So without further ado...

...let the shopping begin!

Encourage one another,