Monthly Archives: September 2009

Rebekah Meier Teaching Online at Joggles.com

September 30th, 2009 in News & Events
By Rebekah Meier

Fabric Art Collage blog 4-10-09 In my book, Fabric Art Collage, 40+ Mixed Media Techniques, I spent a lot of time experimenting and thinking of new and unique ways to use common art, craft, and quilt supplies that we all have in our creative stash. I like to describe the book as a fusion of where my art/craft and quilting backgrounds come together to create mixed media.

After completing a book, the best part is being able to teach the techniques and make new projects. Next month I will be teaching an online class using techniques from my book at Joggles.com, a great website where you can find all kinds of cool mixed media products and classes. Each week students will learn unique mixed media techniques such as creating and custom designing their own materials and fabric (with fast2fuse and fusible web) to create layers, which upon completion, will result in a finished fabric art canvas piece.

The class starts October 22; I hope you will join me for some creative fun! ~Rebekah~

Check out Rebekah Meier’s blog

Class model

Lorraine Olsen With More Reasons to Love Miniature Quilts

September 30th, 2009 in Behind the Scenes
By Megan Scott

It’s Lone Stars like you have never seen them before. Little! Lorraine Olsen is the author behind the new book Little Lone Star Quilts.

It features a revolutionary new fold-and-sew paper piecing technique that makes miniature Lone Star quilts easy, with perfect points every time.

Here’s Lorraine to give us a behind the scenes look at how her passion for miniatures manifested:

Coming from a heritage of master craftswomen, I learned sewing, quilting and needlework skills from my mother and grandmothers. I got my first sewing machine on my 8^th birthday to keep me from monopolizing my mom’s. I made my first little quilt at nine. Mom was making a big quilt. I rescued discarded scraps and made a little cardboard template to fit the small pieces. Mom was proud of the little quilt I made but I was disappointed that all the corners did not match perfectly like I knew they should.

After my third child was born, I became very ill and it was difficult for me to sew. I discovered miniature quilts and their small scale was perfect for me. My illness has taught me patience and perseverance. That alone with a streak of perfectionism is the perfect combination for a miniature quilt maker.I love to figure out how to make classic patterns in miniature. The lone star pattern is a favorite of mine and I tried a few with strip piecing but I knew there had to be an easier way.

Continue Reading…

Joni Pike’s Cute as a Button Giveaway!

September 29th, 2009 in Contests
By Megan Scott

Cute as a Button Quilts author, Joni Pike, has her own line of adorable quilt patterns with button packs through her company Sew Special Designs. Joni was motivated to create Sew Special Designs in 2001. She had made her first quilt from her own original design and a quilt shop employee asked for the pattern. “All patterns are my own copyrighted original designs. I take color and simple embellishments to a new level, creating whimsical, one-of-a-kind quilt designs and quilt patterns. Designed for quilters of all skill levels, patterns include accurate, easy to follow instructions and full size pattern templates,” said Pike.

Joni is giving away 6 quilt patterns with button packs and a copy of her book Cute as a Button Quilts. Here are just a few of the quilt designs included in the prize pack: Continue Reading…

Weekly Winner!

September 28th, 2009 in Contests
By Tristan Gallagher

the quilt show

Congratulations to JulieZS who just won the Weekly Giveaway! Lucky her will enjoy a membership to The Quilt Show, the web TV program that is chock full of QUILT! It’s a place to find quilters, techniques, galleries and chat-chat-chat through forum, blogs and chat rooms.

For those of you who didn’t win you can still feel lucky just checking out The Quilt Show website. After all Alex and Ricky can always be counted on to add a little kick to your day.

Where Quilts Fly in the Trees

September 28th, 2009 in News & Events
By Lisa Fulmer

I went to a lovely annual outdoor quilt show this past weekend called Quilting in the Garden in Livermore, CA. It’s hosted by Alden Lane Nursery and a local quilt shop, In Between Stitches. Two of our wonderful authors, Laura Wasilowski and Alex Anderson were among the featured artists.

Some of Laura Wasilowski's quilts hang at the nursery's entrance

Some of Laura Wasilowski's fabulous fused quilts hang at the nursery's entrance

There were 185 quilts on display, many of which were flying in the warm (very warm) breeze, high in the treetops. Walking tours were hosted, fresh lemonade and delicious baked goods were for sale, the gift shop was brimming with gorgeous knick-knacks, and the plants seemed happy with all the extra attention. Along the many walking paths, local quilt guilds offered membership information and sold raffle tickets for their opportunity quilts. The featured artists had tables set up to sell patterns, fabric, books, and even original works. Continue Reading…

Denver Buttons

September 28th, 2009 in Inspiration
By Sue Astroth

While in a recent trip to Denver, Colorado to attend a mountain top wedding, we stayed over night in a little town called Frisco. We didn’t have lots of spare time to shop, but we did mange to get out and “stretch our legs” for a bit. During our walk down Main Street, we went into a shop called “JUNK-TIQUE, INC.”

I was taking in all the fun Rocky Mountain gifts they offered wondering if I would find some small treasure to bring home from our trip, when my eyes fell upon a little round, white tin wearing a sign that read – “Free Buttons” I was instantly focused. I picked up the tin and fingered through the offerings. There were black, golden, brown, pearl and metal buttons – even a few vintage spools of thread were in there too! I just couldn’t put the tin down.

But, they couldn’t really mean all of this was free…could they? Indeed they did! The sales associate came up to me and asked me if I was taking the buttons home. I think I nodded yes, as I clutched the tin. The woman said she was glad to see the buttons going home with someone who obviously loved buttons! She then put the tin and all it’s contents into a shopping bag and wished me a good day and a safe trip home as she handed me my treasure.

We went along to the wedding; it was beautiful and unique to the couple. A truly once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never forget….. but then, I won’t soon forget the little tin of buttons and the kindness of the ladies at Junk-Tique. What a delightful and unexpected treat…

Board Book Sale – What a Kick!

September 27th, 2009 in Inspiration
By Lisa Fulmer

We invite you to step out of the 12″ x 12″ layout…and consider creating memorable scrapbooks from Ready-to-Go!® Blank Board Books! With more than 20 shapes and sizes to choose from, you can create a uniquely-themed album that is sure to command a permanent space on the coffee table or mantel.

Case in point….Clare Wildenborg wanted to make a special wedding gift for her brother. She decided on a scrapbook to match his country western-themed ceremony. Our boot-shaped board book was the perfect fit!

To see more pictures of Clare’s scrapbook, visit our Flickr page by clicking here.

And here’s the real KICKER – this board book is on sale right now for only FOUR BUCKS on the C&T website.

But fear not, dear scrappers…if 12″ x 12″ is the only way you fly, there’s a fabulous 12″ x 12″ board book on sale for you, too!

Think fast! Our On Sale/Close-Out section changes every week with new items.

We want to see YOUR projects made with Ready-to-Go! Blank Board Books. Join our Friends & Family Flickr group and upload your pictures there. You can also email me a picture directly to lisaf@ctpub.com. We want to show off your creativity—you might be featured next on our blog!

Garage Sale Find: Wool Thread

September 26th, 2009 in Behind the Scenes
By Susanne Woods

Hurrah! A big box of wool thread all for $1.

See more Garage Sale Finds

Jean Wells Keenan and The Quilter’s Hall of Fame!

September 25th, 2009 in News & Events
By Megan Scott

We are so excited to to announce that the 2010 inductee to The Quilter’s Hall of Fame is our own longtime author, Jean Wells Keenan.

Jean Wells

The Quilter’s Hall of Fame website states: “Our mission is to celebrate quilting as an art form by honoring the lives and accomplishments of those people who have made outstanding contributions to the world of quilting.”

Our CEO, Todd Hensley, reflects on working as Jean’s publisher for more that 20 years. “During this time I have seen her positive influence within the quilt world through her publications, videos, classes, lectures, advocacy, and goodwill. Jean was one of C&T Publishing’s first and most prolific authors; her contributions have been instrumental to our growth and success. As an author, she has continuously re-invented herself and brought innovative ideas to quilters for more than 20 years. As a shop owner, she has helped other shop owners improve their business, which is vital to the health of the quilt industry. As a teacher and lecturer, she has inspired and brought the love for quilting to countless individuals.” Continue Reading…

Everyday Inspiration

September 25th, 2009 in Inspiration
By Diane Pedersen

A creative life is filled with challenges and rewards, puzzles and curiosities. This ongoing series of poems attempts to express the “Aha”s and “What if”s, the deep ponderings and casual observations of an inquiring mind trying to make sense of reality. May it serve, for you, as a bit of “Everyday Inspiration” along your own creative path.

When the batteries
In your
Alarm clock
Run down
It’s a sign
That you need
To get
A little more
Rest.

C&T Publishing is a group of quilters and crafters dedicated to publishing products tailored to our audience. This blog is where we break away from book schedules and marketing campaigns to focus on what drives us to be creative and how this creativity manifests itself in our every day lives.