Desire to Inspire - February Challenger- Lisa Whittaker

Meet Lisa Whittaker -She took on the challenge of using "Handmade with Love” by Paula Joerling of One Sister Designs in the month of February 2019.

Hi - I'm Lisa Whittaker, and my cat, Hubble, and I live in Shelbyville, Kentucky.  I work in Frankfort, Kentucky, and I'm very involved with a Sweet Adelines Chorus in Louisville - the Pride of Kentucky Chorus and have been a member there for 25 years.  So - I use my free time to be crafty.  I've been a crafter most of my life, getting the crafting 'gene' from my father, and I can remember watching my grandmother sew clothes for my Barbie.  I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, but mostly now I knit, crochet, and quilt.

My sister (who was a Desire to Inspire participant about a year and a half ago) and I were able to go to QuiltCon last weekend.  Wow!  How inspiring was that!  It was so wonderful to see the beautiful quilts - plus meet some of the vendors in person after admiring all of their wonderful things on Facebook and Instagram!  And - look at the beautiful fabric!  We're already making plans to go to Austin next year.

I started quilting a couple of years ago, and have finished several quilt tops.  I participated in a couple of quilt-along last year - Sewing a Village and 100 Days 100 Blocks, and a Block of the Month Club at one of my favorite quilt shops - Among Friends in Louisville.  What a fantastic experience to participate in those.  You get to share what you've done, plus you get to see what everyone is doing.  I've not finished an entire quilt yet - but there is hope!  My sister, Mona Phelps, has just purchased a longarm, so I know I'll have a finished quilt (or several) soon!

I blog occasionally and you can find me on Instagram at @kentuckygirl1961.

I had so much fun using the Handmade with Love fabrics - they're so cute and have things I love - yarn, floss, pincushions, scissors - all things I use a lot!  I had fun making things that I will use in my crafting life - project bags, a bin to put fun things in, plus an ironing table to put next to my sewing machine so I don't have to get up every time I sew a seam!  Thank you so much to Henry Glass & Co. for letting me participate in the Desire to Inspire for this month!

1.  Bin of Goodies - A bin I made with the Other Things in it.

2.  Bin - Using 2 of the Fabrics 

3.  Boxed Project Bag

4.  Boxed Project Bag- Open

5.  Little Pouch - Clear Front - It's Only 3 1/2" x 4 1/2"

6.  Pincushion - Made with the Pincushion Fabric

7.  Project Bag

8.  Project Bag - Open

9.  Ironing Table - Made from a Foldable TV Table

 View the Full "Handmade with Love" Collection Here

Desire to Inspire March- Looking for a Challenger

Calling all dog lovers! Nothing sounds more snuggly than a pup at your feet by the fireside, and that's why you "mutt" not want to miss this adorable collection by Robert Giordano. "Fireside Pups" is a 10-SKU collection featuring traditional Christmas colors and all things dog, as well as one FREE quilt project! Ships in May 2019.

In this month's Desire to Inspire Challenge, the winner will receive this collection to make something great. The caveat is... it MUST BE made in the month of April, and pictures of your finished project(s) must be provided to us by the end of the month. Along with your picture and bio, too, of course. 

Are you ready to take on this challenge? 

Send an email to jennifer@jaftex.com to put your name in the hat!

Click Here to View the Full Collection

Get Quilting- Home Sewn Bundle Giveaway

This is "Home Sewn" by Gail Pan. With it's classic and familiar, yet new patterns, this line is sure to please! The 14-SKU collection features scissors, spools, needle and thread, and a gorgeous panel. PLUS there are two FREE projects available to download (a quilt and a table runner).

Get Quilting - Home Sewn Bundle Giveaway

View the Full Collection Here

Industry News- Quiltcon 2019 is Happening Now

The Modern Quilt Guild's "Quiltcon 2019" is happening now at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee now through February 24, 2019. This event includes a diverse group of exhibitors, several lectures, and over 120 workshops. Additionally, the convention draws in thousands of attendees from near and far to see over 550 modern quilts on display.

Henry Glass & Co. President, Larry Reichenberg is LIVE at Quiltcon 2019! Check out these gorgeous photos below:

PLUS, here is a shot of our very own Radiance 108" Quilt Back. Radiance 108” quilt backs create a movement of their own. This is a design with a more modern vibe created in vibrant tones of color covering a variety of color palettes. Radiance is a bold print that can create just the right amount of drama to your quilted treasures. 

View the Full Collection Here

Inspired by what you see? Get Quilting with one of our FREE quilt projects.

Click Here for Our FREE Quilt Projects

Designer Spotlight - Barb Tourtillotte

A few weeks back we had the privilege of interviewing Henry Glass & Co. Designer, Barb Tourtillotte. Scroll down to learn more about Barb and hear about her upcoming collection.

Designer Background

Barb’s first collection released back in 1992 when she worked for a company called Cloth Works for 25 years. She worked there until she switched over to Henry Glass and Co. about a year and a half ago. She had studied Graphic Design and Illustration in college and was also a graphic designer at “That Patchwork Place” which is known today as “Martingale Press.” There, Barb illustrated books for them, and at that time, everything was hand drawn since the technology we have today was not available back then.

                   Inspiration

Barb's home state of Washington greatly inspires her, from the woods and mountains to the lakes. She also draws inspiration from the east coast. She captures her work through sketching based on everything that she sees in her daily life and throughout her travels.

About Barb

Barb is married, has three children (28, 31, and 34) and two cats. Her work is her hobby, but she also does watercolor paintings for fun, hikes, walks, travels, visits with friends, and is involved with her church, small group, and bible study.

Interesting Facts and a Heart for Philanthropy

Barb used to be a quilter about 20 years ago but hasn’t had time lately because she is so busy doing design work. She is amazed at how the industry has changed and believes quilters are true artists.

Barb likes to speak at quilting guilds to share what a licensed artist does, to discuss how to design fabric and to share how the process works. She also educates her audience on what it is like to work with fabric companies. Additionally, she discusses what comprises a full fabric collection and what the production process entails.

Best of all, all the money made at Barb’s speaking engagements, as well as fabric bundles sold there, go directly towards purchasing homes for families in Africa. Usually, she makes enough money from each presentation to buy a house. It costs $650.00 to buy a house for these families in Africa who have nothing.

Upcoming Releases

Barb’s latest collection, "Coastal Paradise" ships in March 2019. It is a 12-SKU, coastal-inspired collection featuring sand dollars, seagulls, sea glass, shells, bicycles and so much more! This line also includes a gorgeous 24” panel, a novelty stripe pattern, and two FREE quilt projects that are available for download.

View the Full Collection Here

Download Coastal Paradise Quilt #1 Here

Download Coastal Paradise Quilt #2 Here

"Jolly Ole Soul" ships in May 2019 and is sure to be the latest rage for the upcoming holiday season. With it's classic Christmas feel, this 13-SKU collection features Santa letters and cookies, vintage toys, retro ornaments, candy canes, and more. This line also includes a gorgeous 36” Santa panel and a FREE quilt project.

View the Full Collection Here

Download Jolly Ole Soul Quilt #1 Here

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more on Barb with an exclusive video made by her!

Get Quilting- Gentle Garden Bundle Giveaway

Gentle Garden 2-Ply Flannel by Mary Jane Carey of Holly Hill Quilt Designs is a 12-SKU collection featuring both small and large tossed florals, as well as polka dots tossed across shades of pink, green, and beige. Also included is a FREE download for a quilt project.

Get Quilting - Gentle Garden Bundle Giveaway

View the Full Collection Here

Get Quilting - Love Struck Quarter Bundle Giveaway

Love Struck by Shelly Comiskey of Simply Shelly Designs is perfect for Valentine's Day! This 12-SKU collection features tossed hearts, lips, and of course, Cupid. Also included is a FREE download for a table set project (a table runner and placemats).

Get Quilting - Love Struck Quarter Bundle Giveaway

View the Full Collection Here