Designer Jacquelynne Steves of The Noble Wife has just published her first e-newsletter. It is fabulous and you should click here to read all about it!
-hg
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Designer Jacquelynne Steves of The Noble Wife has just published her first e-newsletter. It is fabulous and you should click here to read all about it!
-hg
Monday, January 28, 2013
Jacquelynne Steves of The Noble Wife designed a new fabric line which is in stores now called “Happy Town.” All of Jacquelynne’s royalties from the fabric line are being donated to Quilts for Kids. Read on to find out how you can win $500 cash in Henry Glass’ quilt contest!
How did you get involved with Quilts for Kids?
I met Linda Arye, the Founding President of Quilts for Kids, at Quilt Market a few years ago. It turned out that we live in the same area (she in Pennsylvania, me in New Jersey) so we kept bumping into each other at local quilt shows and shops. I was impressed with her enthusiasm and passion for her organization and I knew I wanted to get involved. We got to talking about me designing a fabric line for them. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory one day and went over a bunch of ideas, and the rest, as they say, is history. I decided to donate all of my royalties for this line to Quilts for Kids.
How did you get involved with Quilts for Kids?
I met Linda Arye, the Founding President of Quilts for Kids, at Quilt Market a few years ago. It turned out that we live in the same area (she in Pennsylvania, me in New Jersey) so we kept bumping into each other at local quilt shows and shops. I was impressed with her enthusiasm and passion for her organization and I knew I wanted to get involved. We got to talking about me designing a fabric line for them. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory one day and went over a bunch of ideas, and the rest, as they say, is history. I decided to donate all of my royalties for this line to Quilts for Kids.
What was your inspiration for this line?
I was thinking about those rugs that have little towns printed on them that they put in kids’ playrooms. I thought about sick children who maybe couldn’t get down on the floor to play with their cars and trucks, but if you made a quilt like that they could have the play mat right on their lap or bed. So I designed a panel that is just the right size for Matchbox cars & little dolls. The panel is a full yard wide, so you just have to add a border or 2 and you have a fun quilt/play mat!
Do you have a favorite project that you’ve made with this fabric line?
It has been a very busy time in my studio! I have been working on quilts, stuffed animals, a great tote bag… all of these are available in an e-pattern which I will be releasing in February. The pattern is also going to have other fun stuff like kid-friendly recipes & activities. You will find it on my website.
Henry Glass is sponsoring a contest with cash prizes. Where can quilters find out how to enter?
Yes! The first place prize is $500 cash, 2nd place is $250 cash, and there is a prize of $50 for the winner of the Under Age 16 category. You can click here to find out how to enter HERE. This contest benefits Quilts for Kids 2 ways- All of the quilts entered will be distributed to seriously ill children, AND the royalties on Happy Town fabric purchased to make the quilts are also donated to organization. We hope to get lots and lots of quilts entered in the contest!
Linda Arye and I will be on the American Patchwork & Quilting Radio Show with Pat Sloan on March 4 to talk about the contest, the charity, and the fabric line. It should be a lot of fun- I hope everyone will join us!
What else have you been working on lately?
We have almost finished our next newsletter which will go out on January 31. I am really excited about it because this edition is the first that we are doing as an online magazine- 20 beautiful pages of projects, recipes, and inspiration. We (my daughter & I) do 6 or 7 issues a year, and people can sign up for a free subscription by clicking here.
What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?
I actually just really liked playing outside- I liked to make up all kinds of stories and characters. I also liked doing arts and crafts- every Christmas & birthday, everyone in my family would get me various arts & crafts kits.
What food can you not live without?
Please do not ask me to give up chocolate.
What have you tried that you will never do again?
Skiing- It was awful! Even with the instructor giving me private lessons I couldn’t make it down the hill even one time. I eventually took the skis off, walked down the mountain, and never went back! I’m more of a “drink-hot-cocoa-and-read-a-book-in-the-lobby” type….
What have you tried that you wish you had done earlier?
I’ve always loved singing but I was too shy to do it publicly. About 7 years ago I got up the nerve to give it a try- now I am the lead vocalist on my church worship team and sing solos every Sunday. It took a long time to get over the nervousness of singing in front of an audience, but now I am pretty comfortable with it.
How can people get in touch with you?
I am all over the interwebs, ha ha!
People can visit my blog , become a fan on my Facebook page, and follow my Pinterest boards.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
We like a word. It is "inspire" and we feel that it is covers all that we are trying to do for you. We sat down and put some thoughts together about what we could do to inspire you to create and sew. First up, designer Jill Finley of Jillily Studios is excited to bring you her pdq* Club [*Pretty Darn Quick] here each month on our blog.
Jill developed the pdq* Club [*pretty darn quick] to inspire and to ensure that you will be able to sit down and sew or craft a project in no time. We think that the idea is pretty darn cute, don't you? Her club idea will make its debut around the third week of each month. What do you have to do? Pop in, enjoy her project and send her some love by commenting. We'd love for you to make the items and show them off to us either by Facebook or you can send them to us via our e-mail here. Please put "pdq Club" in your subject line. We will reward someone by [randomly] selecting a name from the commenters and participants who use any of our fabrics in their projects with a bundle of fabric from our collections. We'll feature some of the projects that are made from the designs. We know that will inspire you to sew your next project. Are you in? Let's get going! Have fun and let us know what your word or motto is that you live by.
This month's design is the Dish Towel Delight [Download pattern here]. It is an adorable design that uses a dish towel and some of that fabulous floral from Jill's line, Beyond The Gate. The line is in the stores now!
Here's a look at some of our favorite prints from Beyond The Gate. Which one is your favorite?
Enjoy! We look forward to hearing from you about this club and to seeing your finished projects! Have fun and let us know what your word or motto is that you live by!
-hg
Friday, January 18, 2013
Here's a photograph of "Three Friends" (32" x 28"). It is the perfect size for a pillow sham.
Make this simple pillow sham or small wall hanging with the center panel framed with the yellow coordinate and pinwheels and four patches.
If you e-mail Little Quilts with your name and address, we will send along the pattern for the banner when you order fabric.
Thanks, Little Quilt! Have a great weekend everyone! We're working on some new things and next week we will unveil our word for the year. Stay tuned! Follow this blog or catch us on Facebook. See you there! We are up to 800 likes and we appreciate all of you! Debbie Thomas Miner, we thank you for being #800! We are going to send you a bundle of fabric to get you inspired for the year. Please contact karen@jaftex.com. Congratulations! (btw, did you see that hint?)
-hg
Monday, January 14, 2013
Little Darlings II just arrived. Little Quilts' newest line of fabric for Henry Glass. Here’s “Child’s Play”, one of three free patterns in our flyer. Make a darling quilt 32” x 42” with the user friendly pre printed panel All you do is add two side borders of pinwheels, four patches and the green plaid fabric, and it’s ready to quilt. Perfect for the beginning sewer or a super speedy baby quilt.
Kits are $29.95. Or you can purchase Little Darlings fabric and get the pattern free or check out www.henryglassfabrics.com to download it.
-hg
Monday, January 7, 2013
Leanne Anderson of The Whole Country Caboodle has a new line, "God Gave Me To You" arriving at your local quilt shop this January. It is a beautiful line designed with some whimsical critters and happy, lovable colors. We love them all but here are a few of our favorites. You can see the line in full here.
We also chatted with her recently! Enjoy!
HG: How long have you been designing?
LA: I started designing in 1992. My first line of patterns were specifically appliqué for the craft industry, we specialized in sweatshirt and denim shirt designs. In 1994 I was asked to submit some artwork to a different fabric company and ultimately was chosen to design fabric for them. I was with that company for 14 years before coming to Henry Glass.
HG: Do you sew?
LA: Yes, I so sew. My degree is in Home Economics in Business. I love to sew and make new models for the prototypes of the new patterns. I would love to sew more but don’t always have the time between designing and other tasks.
She sent along a few images from her shop. One is a view looking out from the deck, another is of the studio. She has her studio on the top floor. It is 1,750 sq. ft. of work space! She has taken up the front portion of her retail store, Patchwork & Primitives.
HG: Do you come from a long line of quilters?
LA: No, I don’t come from a long line or quilters, but do from a long line of seamstresses. My mom and my grandmother made all of my clothes growing up. My grandmother was a professional seamstress and taught in the community college adult education area.
HG: How do you design your fabrics? [paint, computer, etc.]
LA: I hand draw my characters and then scan into the computer to work with. We work with Photoshop; it’s a wonderful program. When I first started, I used any medium I could get my hands on to get the look that I wanted. I have used color pencils, acrylics, watercolors, dyes, you name it, and I’ve probably tried it. My daughter works in graphic design so she has been a huge help in transitioning to other methods.
HG: Tell us a little about your family.
LA: I am married to a wonderful man Ed…for the past 32 years. We have 3 children, Shelby is 28, is married to Tim and they have little Toby who will be 2 in December. They are expecting a little girl the end of November. Shelby is a Physical Therapist and Tim is the Director of Worship Ministries at a large church in Cedar Falls.
My son Taylor is 27 and a 5th grade teacher. He is married to Amy who is a kindergarten teacher. They have my second grandchild Leighton who will be one October 22. Kaytlyn, my youngest daughter is 24. Kate does the graphic design work for the student ministry department in the church we attend and then works for me part-time as well. She is extremely valuable to my business. My greatest job in life has been raising our children. They are amazing young people whom have made me extremely proud. Now for the icing on the cake, they have made me a grandma…or “Nana” as they call me and there is nothing greater!! Much of my inspiration for my fabric comes from my grandchildren and children.
HG: Where is your studio?
LA: My husband and I built a large building on the property we live on, so that is my design studio. It also houses an “Occasional Business” that my daughters and daughter-in-law own called “Patchwork & Primitives.” We are open the first Thursday, Friday Saturday of the month. We repurpose old furniture, old junk, have specialty coffees, homemade lotions, gift items, and of course, my fabric, patterns and kits. It has been a ton of fun working with my girls in this
HG: Can we have a peek?
LA: Yes, you may have a peek …
HG: Are you self-taught or did you go to art school?
LA: I started off in college as an art major, but did not like the department, that is when I transferred to the Home Economics department. I love working with fabric, I would say that I am self taught when it comes to figuring out how to design the fabric…no one gave me any pointers on that. I wish I would have had Lisa Loessel to work with when I first started, but I know to really appreciate her now with all they do for me on my collections.
HG: Do you do other hobbies like knitting, photography, etc,?
LA: My hobbies include boating, spending time with family and junking…It’s the thrill of the hunt that makes it so much fun. I also work in High Ministry. I have been a High School Youth Director for over 20 years. God has truly given me a passion in two areas, fabric & design and High School students. It gives me great diversion and makes me have a genuine appreciation for both areas.
HG: What inspires you?
LA: I know this sounds a bit cheesy, but God inspires me. He has given me so much…my talents, my family and my business. I believe that God has gifted me with these talents and I want to give credit to Him. I have been labeled somewhat of the “Religious” designer. If you know me, you know how important my faith is to me. Henry Glass has given me an opportunity to design fabric with either a Christian or an inspirational message…they are truly an answer to prayer. With that said, my children and grandchildren also give me a great deal of inspiration. “Baby & Me” was created when I found out Toby was coming and “God Gave Me You” was inspired by both of my grandchildren. They are truly God-given. [HG: not cheesy all!]
HG: What is your favorite color?
LA: My favorite color is red…but I love working with many colors. That is what is so much fun when it comes to seeing how a collection comes to life giving it color. I am so blessed to be able to work with a design team at Henry Glass that is so gifted in this area. They are able to make my characters come to life of cloth…which is such a gift. I am very grateful to them and to Robert, for all they have done for me.
HG: If you quilt, what is your favorite technique?
LA: I don’t profess to be a polished quilter. I am more likely to do a quick-easy project than something really detailed. I know my favorite quilt block is the log cabin because you can use so many fabrics.
Thank you, Leanne, for joining us and opening up part of your designing life to us and to our readers. Tell us what inspires you! We'll randomly pick a name and send some fabric from our stash to inspire you to sew something today! Entries by midnight January 13, 2013. Good luck!
-hg
Friday, January 4, 2013
Thank you for responding to our recent giveaway! Our latest winner is Jan P. from Murrieta, Ca. Congratulations!
We asked a few of our designers what their New Year's Goals were. Here's a few:
Leanne Anderson of The Whole Country Caboodle
"My New Year's resolution is to try and keep my customers more informed as to what we are doing that is new, whether it be through the blog, facebook or website. I also want to continue to put forth meaningful collections that put a smile on my customers faces!!"
Barb Jones of QuiltSoup
"I resolved to have as much fun as I can without going to jail! That means I will renew old friendships, make new ones, draw and color, knit and crochet. I am also going to strive for a little more balance in my life. Of course, I would like to lose a little weight but I will get to that later!"
Jill Finley of Jillily Studio
"It is easy for me to get caught up in the day-to-day details of my business. So this year I am going to try to have more time to be creative and enjoy the process of making things, and get some help with the little things that take up so much time, but could be done by anyone. I want to spend more time on the things that are "Jill specific," -- only I can create a new design or pattern with my name on it."
Did you make any resolutions?
-hg
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