Wow, is it really almost February? This seems to be how all my blog posts start nowadays…with me wide-eyed at how fast the days are going by, lol. I seriously can’t keep up! Anyway, my littlest is currently snoozing so I wanted to take this time to share what i’ve been up to.
First, a selvege sneak peak of my 3rd collection for Lecien! This will debut next month, available for stores to order at Spring Quilt market. And I just have to skip ahead and say that i’ve been working away on my 4th collection which will debut at Fall market…!!!!
Do you notice the sparkly umbrellas? I do love me a little bling in my fabrics.
Also, real quick. I am quite excited about these new quilt labels I got from Dutch Label Shop. It’s been years since i’ve sewn labels onto my projects and quilts ever since my logo updated. And it just feels wrong not ‘signing’ my projects. Now I can’t wait to sew these onto my projects for the perfect finishing touch!
Their website (https://www.dutchlabelshop.com) was very easy to navigate and if they don’t have the color you’re looking for, simply email their customer support and they can send a Pantone catalogue of colors for you to choose from. They were very responsive with a quick turnaround. If you want to order some for yourself, here’s a coupon code for 15% off: quiltingintherain15 (valid for 60 days from today). I ordered woven labels.
Also, here’s a fun story! A few weeks ago we were at our local Barnes and Noble when my kids spotted their mama in a Better Homes and Gardens: Quilts and More magazine, Spring 2018 issue! Yes, because my boys love looking through quilt magazines at their leisure. Okay, so maybe I scavenged the aisle and then bribed them to model the magazine for mama 😉
Here’s some close-ups of the article.
I have to say I was really impressed with the layout and the flow of the interview. The editor, Joanna, did a wonderful job putting this beautiful magazine together.
I made sure my boyz and Paige made it in the article – they’re the cherry on top! The apples of my eyeballs. Ethan was pretty thrilled to see him and his little bro in the magazine.
Also in the magazine is a lunch tote tutorial which uses fabrics from my latest collection, La Conner.
How cute is that tote?! And it gives me an excuse to show off my porcelain strawberries which I scored for $8 while antiquing on my birthday.
Here’s the cover of the magazine – you can find it at your local bookstore, magazine aisle now! 🙂 Go on and get yourself a copy!
On a different note, I had a book signing for my 2nd book, Quilt As-You-Go Made Vintage on Sunday! A huge thanks to Pacific Fabrics for having me! Pacific Fabrics is one of my go-to fabric shops, local to Washington with locations in downtown Seattle, Everett, Bremerton and Northgate. This was their grand opening at their new Bellevue location.
Here’s a few pics from the event. I can’t stop thanking all the fans, friends and family that came to my book signing.
Below i’m standing with Debbie and Jessica from Pacific Fabrics, such lovely, warm and kind people. I did a book signing for them for my first book, Quilt As-You-Go Made Modern, at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo a few years ago, which is how I ended up meeting Lecien Fabrics whom I now design fabrics for!
Also, thanks again to Pacific Fabrics for letting my two boys run wild in your shop for 2 hours. Ethan was obsessed with the raffle games and even won one! lol. There he is with the winning raffle ticket. And in case you’re wondering what surprise he chose from the prize table…he went with a charm pack, hehe.
Simon enjoyed the raffles as well and yelled out the numbers as they were announced… 😎
There’s always that worry that no one will show to a book signing, so my heart literally swelled with love and gratitude to all that took time out of their day to come out. I truly feel blessed and so thankful.
Thanks to my husband for capturing these photos with a sleeping 2.5 yr old over his shoulder. Dad skillz.
Here’s my family and I ready to take off after a successful event. 🙂
I handed out La Conner embroidery scissors to everyone that got a book signed as a small token of my thanks.
Onto some different news…
Here are two screenshots of how my books are doing on Amazon. My first book is a bestseller in the Quilts and Quilting category on Amazon with 52 reviews already! And my first book is up to 334 reviews! That’s CRAZY!
That being said, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all who have ever taken a moment to leave a helpful book review. My husband and I read each and every one of them. I literally read through each review from my first book and made sure I addressed any issues/complaints in my 2nd book. 🙂 When you support my book, you support me as an artist. Thank you for that!
Some other cool news! And when I say news, this truly just got delivered to my doorstep! I was so excited I snapped a photo just for this post.
My first book, Quilt As-You-Go Made Modern, has been translated in Spanish! I set off writing my books and starting a blog with the intentions of spreading inspiration and creativity and taking the scariness out of quilting. Thank you C&T Publishing for enabling me to spread creativity, and reach more audiences!
Pretty sweet, huh?
Anyway, thanks for reading this lengthy post. 🙂 The sun made an appearance this morning in Seattle so I whipped out my camera and took a few shots. Can you tell i’m ready for Spring? A gal can never have too many flowers.
I do love the look of strawberries, as I’m sure you’re aware since they’ve been printed on my first two fabric collections 😉 And these ones will never grow bad!
As I wrap up this post I will leave you with photos of my quilting buddy, Paige.
There really is no better way to end a blog post…well…maybe Paige on a quilt would have been better 😉 Hard to believe she’s 13, but she still looks like a puppy.
Thanks for reading me, and happy quilting! Have a wonderful February ahead!
Love,
JerBear
Oh my dear sweet thing – you and your family are precious. I wish you more success and happiness than your heart can hold. I enjoy reading every one of your words. Cannot wait to see your new line.
Thank you so much, Annie! 🙂 Big hugs <3
Awe such a great post!! Loved every word and photo. You deserve every success ? Your work is inspiring and I have learned many amazing things from you. Now…I didn’t know you were in that mag. I will be running out to get a copy ?
Please keep the amazing …everything up. It’s a joy to get a glimpse into your wonderful life and creative soul.
Thanks for your kind and encouraging words 🙂 Happy quilting and hugs from the PNW! 🙂
Congratulations on a successful quilt signing and on being featured in Quilts and More. When I opened the magazine and saw your picture, I may have let out a tiny squeal. Your postings are always so warm and friendly, it made me excited to see your success. Ethan’s boots look like they weigh more than he does. I’m amazed he could run in them.
haha! Yeah we’re prepared for the rain here with those boots, but they’re a bit hard core for the PNW ;-p I have the same brand and we stomp around everywhere in them, haha! 🙂
I’m so happy or you, you have worked so hard. You deserve the success in your endeavors. I can’t believe how big the boys are getting. I haven’t been on line for awhile. I was afraid something happened to Paige when I did not see her until the end of y our post. She is still a very pretty pooch.
You are blessed with y our helpful husband, such a pretty family.
I’m going to have to drag your books out and start quilting for enjoyment again.
Until next time.
Blessings.
Thank you for your kind words. Paige is getting old (13 years already!), but she’s still a puppy at heart. Happy quilting 🙂 <3
So many gorgeous photos – congratulations on your new book and fabric collection!
Heartfelt congratulations on the many successes you’ve achieved in your books, patterns and fabrics. How exciting for all of you! I have both your books and also have used your blog tutorials and can attest that the attention you’ve received is well deserved. Continued success, my online friend 🙂
I’ve been searching for this magazine since I read you post about it a month ago !! I finally found 1 copy (it’s been sold out every where!) and I ? Reading about you and your loves. I wish the article was a few more pages…I find your designs beautiful.
Now I’m on the continuous search for your books… Yes, I could order them but then I wouldn’t be able to convince my other half why I need to hit every quilt shop that I can find lol.
Your blog posts are also fantastic..seriously love that they are longer than others with more pics…it’s a gift that we get to glimps into your beautiful life every month…ohhhh and your hubby is Mr.Wonderful…that plate rack is perfect!
I just bought your book Quilt as you Go. I’m going on vacation and wanted it for the plane; plus, I am a new quilter. I really like the book.