Creative Nudge – African Prints

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Luana

It All Starts with the Fabric…

Tonight I am writing to you from…Newark Airport! My first 2 flights from Birmingham to Shannon were fine, but there was a weather delay at Newark and now I am waiting for a replacement plane to come from Cancun. The airport is full of people who are delayed. That’s ok. My laptop is full of beautiful photos from the Festival of Quilts, and the creative juices are bubbling over after seeing the variety of talent and ideas from all over Europe.

As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, there were a lot of quilts with big bold African prints. This is one of my favorites, and it may remind you of the quilt I featured last week, inspired by Paula Nadelstern’s work. This HUGE (king size) star quilt is made (almost) entirely of imported African prints – titled ‘Fly Away With Me’ by Hilde Hoogwaerts. Isn’t it fantastic? This large piece made quite an impression in person, with the black background.

We all inspire each other in so many ways, on so many levels, when we put our ideas into a quilt and send it off to an exhibit. We absorb colors and inspiration from magazines, classes, festivals, etc…then our quilts burst forth having germinated in this simmering stew of visual input. Our quilt is sent out into the world, much as we send our children out into the world, and what a gift if our work can inspire someone else! So I want to express my thanks to all the quilters who contributed to this Festival of Quilts, and to all of you who were inspired to go home and start a new quilt for next year!

Fabric is often the starting point of our inspiration. We see a fabric we love, we have to have it, and it is a starting point for a new project. A quilt like this reminds me of why I love my job so much. It brings me so much delight to see a fabulous new fabric design for the first time, knowing that it will bring joy and creative germination for so many of you.

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

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Luana’s Travel Calendar:
Oct 16-22 – Winnipeg & Churchill, Manitoba Canada
Oct 25-31 – Quilt Market & Festival – Houston
Nov 13-17 – Color Marketing Group – Tuscon AZ

eQuilter Classroom:
Sept 13-15 – Cas Holmes – FRCQ Workshop
Oct 8-10 – Jacqueline de Jonge – Enchanting Stars & Dream Flight – Registration OPEN
April 13-15 2020 – Susan Carlson
June 1-5 2020 – Paula Nadelstern

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Majestic Owls

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Luana

This very special eQuilter Free Pattern celebrates the beauty and grace of
our wise owl friends and gives each beloved bird a fun personality all their own.

This vibrant 57″ x 75″ quilt design features Kim Green’s bright and whimsical owl frames set within stars and checks of coordinating multi-color prints, all against a dramatic solid black ground.

Whether you use this as a Lap Quilt, a Wall Hanging, or a play-mat for an animal-loving little person…this quilt is sure to be a favorite!

… featuring the ‘Majestic Owls’ collection by Kim Green for P&B Textiles.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Love is Adoring Animals‘ and ‘On the Go Zoo‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Paradise Found

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Luana

Escape to the calm clear waters of a tropical paradise in
this week’s eQuilter Exclusive Free Pattern Design.

Dolphins glide through the water with sunlight glittering through the waves above, and colorful fish fill this finely-detailed panel from Elizabeth’s Studio.

This 54″ x 38″ quilt design also features a pieced ribbon border using ocean and sea-glass coordinates, on a sandy Seashell Beach background.

Hang it up on the wall and you’ll be relaxing on your own private vacation in no time. It also makes a great gift for those who love the ambiance of coastal living!

… featuring the ‘Paradise Found’ collection by David & Nancy Miller for Elizabeth’s Studio.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Love is Adoring Animals‘ and ‘On the Go Zoo‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Birmingham Festival of Quilts

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Luana

It is Saturday night here in England, and I spent my 3rd and final day at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.

Last night we had a wonderful networking dinner with European SAQA members, and they shared some exciting news: they are organizing the first Europe SAQA conference in May 2020 in Amsterdam! I urge American and European members to go support this event, and please do sign up early so they can make their plans.

SAQA president Lisa Walton is leading a tour to the Tokyo Quilt Festival and Japan in Jan 2020, and Sophie and I plan to hook up with the group for a day or two. Some of you have been asking if I will lead a tour to Japan again – I don’t have anything in the works now – if you are interested in Lisa’s tour (with a bunch of fun Aussie quilters) contact eQuilter for links and info this week. Sophie and I will see you on that tour for at least part of the time.

I’ve been going to this show in Birmingham UK for 10 years now, and every year I am dazzled by the unique creativity of UK and European quilters and fiber artists. This is the biggest show in Europe, so it is on my short list of shows to attend to see what is happening in quilting trends. One thing that really struck me this year was the number of quilts using imported African prints. These big bold bright prints are either from Western Africa, or they are sometimes the Dutch Wax Prints. We are always aggressively pursuing new resources for these fabrics, and they are VERY hot in European couture fashion the last few years. So it make sense that they would show up in the quilts in this show!

I just finished photographing the quilt exhibits this morning, so I am still reviewing photos and thinking about trends. You may be familiar with the Dutch quilter Janneke de Vries who has won many top prizes over the years, in Birmingham and Houston. This year she had a stunning new quilt with dancing African ladies, and she also won a special 10-year honor prize to acknowledge that she has won SO many top prizes over the last 10 years. Well deserved!

Of course I saw Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably several times at the show and hotel. They are busy as ever! Also had a meeting with TV personality Stuart Hillard (whose blender line we carry) who is going to be a judge on a new Sewing TV challenge show. He grew up in a Tudor-era house in the Cotswolds, with no indoor plumbing and possibly a ghost or two. I am now spending a couple days in the Cotswolds, so he gave me a few tips on places I haven’t seen yet here.

I had some other meetings on a BIG project I am putting together for 2020-2021 and I hope to be announcing details soon. I’ll be sharing photos from the show later this week after I get home Tuesday night. There are some photos on my personal Facebook page now. Feel free to share!

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Rainbow Poppy Spirit

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Luana

This week’s exclusive Free Quilt Pattern features Chong-A Hwang’s bold and painterly Poppy Anemone in vivid, rainbow colors.

The main panel is set within lively diagonal stripes of coordinating prints: Rainbow Butterflies and Rainbow Ombre Stripes. The alternating solid black background stripes between colorful prints gives the design vivid dimension and contrast.

This bright 52″ x 69″ quilt is busting with color and is sure to be cherished by friends and family. You’ll love working with these popular and dramatic digital printed fabrics.

… featuring the ‘Spirit’ collection by Chong-A Hwang for Timeless Treasures.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Love is Adoring Animals‘ and ‘On the Go Zoo‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Creative Nudge – Dear Paula

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Luana

One of my greatest treasures in this industry is that I have come to know many of my quilting heroes. One of these heroes is Paula Nadelstern. 25 years ago, when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to make as a creative quilter, Paula came to Colorado and gave a trunk show and lecture at our state guild meeting. I had just moved from New York, and here was this brilliant woman who was making her fantastic kaleidoscope quilts on the kitchen table of her NYC apartment. Paula’s talk was the first time I was exposed to the idea of designing my own art quilts, and I was mesmerized!

25 years later, Paula has become a friend, we carry all of her fabric collections, and best of all….she is coming to teach here next year!

Last Friday I went to the opening of the ‘Evolutions’ exhibit at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. There was a stunning mandala quilt called “Dear Paula, With Sincere Thanks” by Karen Fisher. It was Karen’s tribute to her teacher Paula, and I am featuring the center detail in this week’s collage. (The fabrics around the border are in stock now.)

One of the reasons I wanted to have a big classroom in our new building, was because I know how important it is to keep taking workshops, listening to lectures, and finding ways for inspiration to help us take that next leap upwards in our creative development. Paula has been teaching and lecturing for years and years, and has launched a whole generation of quilt artists.

In October Jacqueline de Jonge will be coming from the Netherlands to teach her methods for her fantastic intricate stars and mandalas. Registration is open now, and we have a discounted rate at the nearby hotel. Jacqueline’s classes fill up fast, so be sure to sign up soon if you want to learn her amazing techniques.

When you read this, I will be flying over the Atlantic Ocean on my way to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham UK. It is the biggest and most diverse quilt show in Europe, and I love to go here each summer to see what our talented friends across the pond are up to. I will of course take photos to share with you when I am back. Check out my photo page for albums from previous years in Birmingham, and other quilt exhibits around the world.

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

* The collage above features Karen Fisher’s quilt “Dear Paula, With Sincere Thanks” from the Evolutions exhibit at Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden Colorado.

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Luana’s Travel Calendar:
July 30 – Aug 6 – Birmingham UK – Festival of Quilts
Oct 16-22 – Winnipeg & Churchill, Manitoba Canada
Oct 25-31 – Quilt Market & Festival – Houston
Nov 13-17 – Color Marketing Group – Tuscon AZ

eQuilter Classroom:
Sept 13-15 – Cas Holmes – FRCQ Workshop
Oct 8-10 – Jacqueline de Jonge – Enchanting Stars & Dream Flight – Registration OPEN
April 13-15 2020 – Susan Carlson
June 1-5 2020 – Paula Nadelstern

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Living Wild and Free

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Luana

You’ll admire the stunning artwork by Kim Green, in this dramatic Free Quilt Pattern that really is a showcase for her gorgeous animal illustrations. These digital-printed fabrics are full of vibrant saturated colors, set on a solid black background to make it really ‘Pop’!

This 62″ x 62″ quilt pattern uses the collection’s main panel with animal vignette blocks, plus the coordinating digital-printed prints. We’ve added Kaufman Solid Kona Black as a backdrop.

Whether you use this as a Lap Quilt, a Wall Hanging, or a play-mat for an animal-loving little person…this quilt is sure to attract attention and compliments.

… featuring the ‘Living Wild’ collection by Kim Green of KG Art Studio for P&B Textiles.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Love is Adoring Animals‘ and ‘Elephant Meadow‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Songs of Nature

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Luana

Is there anything more delightful than songbirds warbling in a blossoming treetop?

We have restocked this collection to bring you a customer favorite pattern, so snap up this Birdwatchers’ scenic quilt before it is gone forever!

This 55″ x 60″ quilt design uses a panel with several charming vignettes, then you will piece these blocks with an allover Songbird print, and a Hoffman Hand-Dye. The border is made with a coordinating Bird Stripe.

You’ll bring a garden of aviary enchantment indoors this winter when you display this beautiful quilt!

… featuring the ‘Songs of Nature’ collection by Robert May for Quilting Treasures.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Santa’s Sleigh‘ and ‘Love is Adoring Animals‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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Generous Hearts and Nimble Fingers

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Luana

Friday was a busy day here! Our friends Danny Amazonas and his wife Pat came by to visit our new building. You may recall that I filmed a video interview with Danny at the Tokyo Quilt Festival in January 2016. Now his quilts are being exhibited in Paducah and at the Texas Quilt Museum. Way to go Danny!

Last night I attended the opening reception for the “Evolutions” juried challenge exhibit at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden Colorado. We are a sponsor for this new art quilt exhibit, which will be up through October 19. Congratulations to the 1st prize winner Kathy Suprenant: her prize is a solo show next year!

This morning I drove down to Parker to hear Alex Anderson give a talk to our state guild – the Colorado Quilting Council. What a surprise when they called me up at the end of the meeting to give me a special “Outreach Award” for my contributions to Colorado quilters and the industry. Many thanks to Mary who nominated me, and everyone who kept the secret. I am honored, but also feel so lucky to have found my way to the wonderful world of quilters 30 years ago. Wherever quilters gather, there we will find kindred spirits with generous hearts and nimble fingers.

On Tuesday I’ll be flying to Birmingham in England, for the fabulous Festival of Quilts. This year we are sponsoring a lifetime achievement award, which will be announced at the Thursday night dinner. I will also be at the SAQA dinner Friday night. If you can’t make it, don’t worry. I’ll be taking photos of the best quilts, and will share on my Facebook and photo pages.

sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana and Paul

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Free eQuilter Pattern – Raven’s Claw

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Luana

This week’s exclusive eQuilter Free Quilt Pattern will send a delicious shiver of cold sweat, as you start your preparations for this year’s Trick-or-Treaters at your door. We are loving the graphic Raven illustrations, and the whimsical Pumpkins, that make up this Halloween collection.

Start with a central digital-printed panel, then add coordinates to
make this 60″ x 78″ quilt design. Pumpkin Orange, Ginger Yellow, Amber Gold, Ivory, Charcoal Gray, Black, and Butterscotch make up this color palette that is frightfully elegant!

… featuring the ‘Raven’s Claw’ collection by Andrea Tachiera for Northcott Fabrics.

Don’t miss the popular ‘Santa’s Sleigh‘ and ‘Love is Adoring Animals‘ quilt patterns!

Order the pattern as configured, or customize it to your liking with any of our thousands of fabrics. Just place your desired fabrics in your Wish List, and these fabrics will appear in the Fabric Selector below the pattern.

Click Here for a Video Tutorial of the Free Pattern Designer.
Download Instructions for the pattern at the bottom of the pattern designer page.

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