Monday, July 30, 2012

Day 2: HG Summer Party with Jill Finley and Barbara Jones

Today we have Barbara Jones of  QuiltSoup and Jill Finley of Jillily Studios.

Jill Finley
Jillily Studio
Best Vacation Spot:
Looking back at our vacations, I really don't have a favorite spot. The thing that makes a great vacation is who you are with. Being with my family is what makes me happy. Even if I was to go somewhere really exotic and awesome, I would be wishing I could share it with my family. That being said, we have been to some wonderful places: We had a family cabin in Schofield, Utah that waas awesome fun. For several years we made an annual trip to Yellowstone; We went to New York to see the sights and some shows and Washington, DC was a wonderful patriotic trip. The Zion, Arches and Bryce Canyon National Parks are unmatched and a ranch in southern Utah was our vacation spot many times; So you see, I guess I like variety ... and the company!
Favorite summer drink:
I love a root beer float. (It is even better if the root beer is home made. I haven't done that for a while, but I should!) I love how the ice cream gets kind of melty and root beer ice crystals stick to it. Then the root beer gets creamy and yummy. We can make these at home, but it sure is simple to drive (at least weekly) throught the drive-up window in the summer time!
Favorite ice cream flavor:
Anything with chocolate in it. If it is not chocolate, what is the point? Why waste calories on something not chocolate? Add caramel, nuts, brownie pieces, hot fudge, but be sure it has chocolate in it!

I am having a fun summer. We just moved into our new home, so I have been busy setting up the new studio space. It seems to me that no matter how big you make your space, you will always need more, so I am working on storage solutions for my studio. You may be able to use some of these tips in your space.

I have one closet in my room, so I am using it to store bulky and ugly stuff - like all the shipping boxes, UFO bins and such. Then I am using the built-in shelving for FABRIC.

I want to be able to see the fabrics that I have, and they are so pretty to look at. I have bolts in one section and the other section is for cut yardage. My bolts are soon going to be used up in kits to make room for my new line of bolts from Beyond The Gate. This line will be in shops in September.


I used to have the cut yardage (stash) in a closed cupboard but it was so hard to see what I had, and it was always messy from pulling out pieces in the stacks. So I decided to use wire baskets.

They are good because you can easily see what's in them, and you can pull them down individually instead of disrupting the whole stash. Instead of stacking the cut pieces from the bottom up, I folded them and stacked them vertically so I can see all the pieces when I look into the bin.

That way they will always look neat from the front too. (Theorectically.) I still have quite a bit left in my stash to fold, so I will need to get more baskets and move the books to under my ironing station, but it's a start.

If you want to see the whole studio, com to my open house> I am hosting an Open House to celebrate the new studio and my new book release for Home Sweet Quilt published by Martingale. Those of you who are in my area can swing on by to enjoy the free demos, food, book signing and home tour. Of course I will have all the book projects displayed in various rooms and famous people will be here to demo techniques from the book!
If you don't live nearby, read more about setting up the rest of the studio on my blog, Jillily Studios.

Barbara Jones

Best Vacation Spot:
Santa Barbara because my grandkids are nearby, the weather is superb and the community is an interesting mix of old and new.

Favorite summer drink:
Arnold Palmer al fresco

Favorite ice cream flavor:
Strawberry! I don't care for chocolate at all but love berries and a rich strawberry blended with vanilla beans is my idea of heaven. Peach ice cream comes close!

Studio news from Barbara:
The timing of this beach party is perfect for readers to visit the QuiltSoup site as we are having our semi-annual sale running through July 31. We are closing out quite a few items and some are deeply discounted. Take advantage as it only happens twice a year. We have to make room for all the new stuff!


My first book with Martingale is coming together beautifully. You will find happy quilts in this collection!

Do visit my website to get the latest news on that release as well as my latest fabric releases!

Thank you, Jill and Barbara!

Please join us for the rest of the party. Details here!

For today's question, what is your favorite vacation spot? Leave a comment here for this question. You have a chance to enter all of the Henry Glass Summer Party giveaways on this blog only [does not include any individual designer giveaways] up until midnight, August 10, 2012.
GIVEAWAY COMMENTS CLOSED ************

-hg


77 comments:

Mama Pea said...

I'm with Jill....My favorite vacation spot is anywhere family is! But, aside from that, my favorite place to be is in the mountains on the back of a horse.

Lee Ann L. said...

My favorite vacation spot would have to be Garner State Park. Lots of memories and it's where we go camping every two years. Very beautiful place!

shauna said...

Like Jill, my favorite vacation spot would be anywhere my grandkids are. But, the Oregon Coast would be a close second!

Mommarock said...

Back home where I grew up. Most of my family is still in that area, but DH and I live far away. We don't often get back for a visit,but when we do, it is heaven!!

Lisa England said...

I liked Hawaii a lot when I was there. But recently I went to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks and that may be my new favorite vacation destination.

Cecilia said...

My favorite vacation spot is The Great Smokey Mountains. It is better with family though. :-)

robin said...

The Grand Tetons area.

Gill said...

A tiny island off the west coast of Ireland called Omey Island! the most peaceful place I've ever been!

Marcia W. said...

My favorite spot is my mother's house in Suwannee, Florida where the Suwannee River runs into the Gulf of Mexico.

WoolenSails said...

My favorite place was Acadia Maine, it is beautiful and peaceful. at least in early summer. I loved kayaking down the fjord where we camped.

Debbie

Pat S. said...

My favorite place to visit is Florida. My hubby's cousin is a quilter, too, so it's always alot of fun to visit her. From there we travel to my son's home...saving the best for last! Thanks sew much for this chance to win!!!

sheri said...

My favorite vacation spot would be
Hobe Sound Florida Love the beach

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

New Orleans is the place for a few crazy days...we have a favorite old Inn just off Bourbon St.that we stay at every time we go. We never rest there...but put on our walking shoes and log in miles and miles trekking through the French Quarter from morning til night. Love it!

Joanna said...

My back yard is my spot. I like a quiet, stress-free vacation.

Sallie said...

Alaska.

mascanlon said...

My favorite regular vacation spot is anywhere all our children and children are together! For out of the box vacations and relaxation it is Kaui, beautiful, fabulous weather and oh so relaxing.

Barbara Sindlinger said...

My favorite vacation spot is our little house in a little central California coastal town of Cambria. The best times there though is with my quilting friends. It's a small 2 bedroom (3 if you count the trailer) and we can sleep 7 and set up to sew as well. (We do have to remove all the furniture in the den though.) Always a great time with beautiful weather and great places to go stretch your legs.

Kaye M. tkmattson@hotmail.com said...

My favorite vacation spot is home sweet home! I sleep best in my own bed! Branson, Mo. is a pretty cool place too.

Kathy H said...

Our favorite vacation spot is 1000 islands, new York. Our kids still talk about how much fun we had there.

Joan said...

My favorite vacation spot is anywhere where my little grandchildren are. So next week we will be camping in Portland,Maine. So beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Hello! Love the Rocky Mts.!
Thanks for sharing!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Lisnaweary Quilts said...

My favourite holiday spot is Cyprus, I would love to go back!

Jan said...

I love going to Bermuda.

Kimberly said...

I like going to my parents' house just to get away. They live in a quiet rural area and it's where I grew up.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

My favorite vacation spot is a 'stay-cation'. I love to stay home! LOL Thanks for the fun!

Diann said...

The beach is high on my list.

Nana Jo said...

I love going to the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Julie said...

I actually have not went anywhere on a vacation but my "dream" vacation is to Hawaii :)

Lee said...

I love the upper pennensula of Michigan! thanks!

scottylover said...

I love Chicago! Always hopping, lots of good food, neat shopping and wonderful museums. Never bored there!

Sandy A

Linda V said...

I love San Diego! Thank for the giveaway.

Beth said...

I love Asheville, NC ..in fact anywhere in North Carolina is great!!

Lisa Cox said...

My favorite vacation spot is my bed. It's cheap, I get lots of rest and relaxation, and it's comfortable.

Homemaker Honey said...

Grand Haven, Michigan!

Deborah
homemakerhoney @gmail .com

quiltmom anna said...

My favorite vacation spot is anywhere in the Canadian Rockies but especially Jasper Alberta- We did have fun in Banff recently too. The mountains have such a soothing effect- they are so majestic looking. Thanks for participating in the blog hop. It is always a terrific hop.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

ritainalaska said...

Seward, Alaska! under the mountain and by the bay, woodland trails, glaciers, sea life, birding, fishing, boating, montain climbing, gorgeously scenic!

Dana Gaffney said...

I live in a vacation spot so when we get away we like to do the opposite, give us mountains and coolness, Flagstaff is my favorite vacation spot.

Jannette said...

One of my most favourite spots is a tiny little spot in NY, just south of Albany. Coeyman's Hollow probably doesn't show up on many maps, but it's important to us because our best friends live there. It's close to so many fun and interesting places just a short drive away - and our friends live just minutes from a great quilt shop (Log Cabin Fabrics in Ravena)! Does it get any better than that?

hueisei said...

Bali , Indonesia. I spent my honeymoon there.

Samantha K said...

While we have never taken any official vacations since being married, I enjoy going down to Kansas (where my husband works from) and spending a long weekend down there with him and his friends who have become like family. It is a great way to get away from everything at home in Minnesota.

Deb said...

My favorite vacation spot has always been the Smoky Mountains because that's where we went EVERY summer when I was growing up. But now I live where I can see mountains out my front window and out my back door. So i guess a favorite spot would be just anywhere my husband takes me with some good meals out. :)

Carla G said...

My favorite vacation spot is Oahu, Hawaii. I would love to go back again once my kids are older! :)
bcgeates at netbistro dot com

Mary said...

Maui, hands down. We absolutely love it. Love to go and can chill out and read books and relax. Love it!

Meridith M said...

Anyplace there's a beach and pina coladas will make me a happy camper!

Barb said...

Disney World

Judy1522 said...

My favorite vacation spot is anywhere that I go with my family but one of my favorite places to go is Yellowstone.

lindav said...

My favorite vacation spot is anywhere with mountains to hike and a view to enjoy with my morning cup of coffee. I live in the midwest and neither mountains nor a nice view is to be had, locally!

Anonymous said...

Tokyo:)
andri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)com

Martina said...

I love Turkey. Especially the seacoast and Phaselis, a great place for camping right next to the sea!

Cindy Sews said...

My favorite spot is Daytona Beach!

CathyK said...

My favorite vacation spot is Monterey with my whole family! There is nowhere better!

bevkimmel said...

Michigan's upper peninsula has been wonderful, but I love vacation most anywhere.

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

Camping in the cool mountains, preferably near a stream and far from bears. :) After that, an all inclusive resort with stuff to keep the kids busy.

Kate Brown said...

Anywhere in the mountains or on the west coast!

Unknown said...

I love Las Vegas but we haven't been back in about 4 years...I'm sure it has changed. Love the M&M Store in Vegas.

shel704 at aol dot com

naomir5034 said...

Our latest favourite is the Okanogan Valley in BC... that's my little piece of Heaven.

Linda Harris said...

My favorite is Tybee Island Georgia!!! We have the best time there and plan to go back every other year. How in the world do you get your fabrics to look so good in baskets. Mine never fit LOL

Garilyn S said...

Our favorite summer vacation is going to church camp.

Mary A. said...

My favorite vacation spot with the kids is DISNEYLAND but I love anywhere with a beach!!

pnaygrl@hotmail.com

Henria O. said...

I like Monterey, California!
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com

BarbaraG said...

My hubby and I love our favorite camping spot outside Concord, NH. We'll be there is less than a week! WHoo-hoo!

Deb said...

Any place with a beach on the ocean, but especially Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island.

Deb
dr392809@gmail.com

patricia said...

For some reason, we ususally vacation near a river, even though we don't do water things. Just beautiful places I guess. Yet my favorite spot is home. How boring! Loved the high desert in CO.

Kristen King said...

This sounds so weird, but my favorite vacation spot is home. :) We had a big vacation planned this year and were unable to go because my husband was sick...so we made our vacation at home the best one we ever could, and now I have to say my favorite vacation spot is HOME. ;)

Nancy said...

Don't go on vacations, so don't have a spot. Theoretically, it would be anywhere I could get together with my family! LOL!

Sherry said...

I like to vacation in Wisconsin and South Carolina where my grandchildren live. For a quiet trip we like to go to Maui.

Kay said...

On my own it has to be London as I love the theatre and the shops, and the art galleries. So much fun. With the family it is probably Norfolk as there are so many beautiful beaches there.
ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

chefpa said...

Favorite vacation spot: Keuka Lake. One of New York state's beautiful Finger Lakes.

Diana said...

Favorite spot to vacation is Cape Cod, MA, many memories of times there with kids.
Thanks for the giveaway

Darlington Delights said...

I'm not picky...I like to go to new places every chance I get. I enjoy Charleston, SC and some beautiful memories were once made in Montery Bay, CA.

Sandy D said...

WE do not get to travel much but I would love to go to Hawaii some day.

Ellee said...

Lake Arrowhead is a nice place to vacation. soparkaveataoldotcom

Anonymous said...

by MargaretQuilts mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com My favorite vacation spot would be the mountains of North Carolina.

Betsy said...

I live in Florida and I have all I need here. I am off for 2 months in the sumer and I stay right Here.

Bev said...

Love going to Big Sky Montana.

LeAnne said...

Anywhere there is water. It can be a lake or stream or waterfall. Looking at water is just so soothing.

Darlene B said...

Two places I love are the beaches of Lake Michigan and Amish country in Indiana.