Gifts that keep on giving..

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

For my birthday a few months ago, Bev. bought me the new Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic Interiors.  It is a beautiful book, inspirational rooms!  All of us at JCD are crazy about our books and magazines, Fortunately, while we have similar tastes and hobbies, we have different criteria for purchasing books and magazines.. so, we often will beg, borrow, share materials so that none of us ends up broke!  Not to mention that I have joined a book club (which I love) that can put a little ding in the cash flow.  I am calling it my continuing education – books are required.

Speaking of reading materials.. Steph’s birthday is this month, so Bev. and I  surprised her last week with lunch, brownies and gifts.  We usually pool our efforts and funds for gift giving.. Bev. made the beautiful “friendship” gift tag and I picked out these fabulous magazines and wrapped them with with some fabric I knew Steph would love, pinned the edges and topped it off with a fabric corsage pin (gifts within gifts!).

I bought Journaling, Where Women Create, Artful Blogging, and Stitch (open with awesome tank top), and had my hands full with at least another 5 or 6 that I had to walk away from!  I think she liked the gifts, we all had a hard time finishing our work and often had to flip through pages during “down” time.

Fabric design news!

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

I have been waiting for what seems like forever to announce some very exciting news.  I am preparing to travel to New York this week to begin designing my next line of fabrics with Benartex.  Until the contract was signed and the travel date set, I have kept this information to myself.. But now that I know it is actually coming to pass, I feel like I can share my news!

I have had the pleasure of visiting via phone and email with Mr. Lochner, the President of Benartex Fabrics and finally got the chance at Fall Market to quickly meet in person.  I am looking forward to meeting the staff and team I will be working with next week.  I am impressed with the products they offer for quilters and hope I can add to the variety of fabrics.

I have been designing this line in my head for the longest time and have so many ideas, my head is spinning.  My staff and I have been working to fine tune our wish list and I just hope I don’t scare the graphic artists at Benartex with the presentation!  I hope to share more about the design process in future posts.

Thank you to everyone who has given their support and to Mr. Lochner at Benartex for this exciting opportunity!

Between traveling and designing, I have had little time for sewing.  I did get the chance to make my sweet Ava a soft, fabric book for her birthday.  Her first birthday was on Halloween, it’s hard to believe a year has gone by already!

Angie made darling costumes for Ava and herself (baby witch & mommie witch) and decorated her house for the celebration.  It was such a nice party,  Angie worked very hard!  I love Ava’s hat Angie sewed onto a black headband.  She’s just worn out after all the fun and trick-or-treating!