Leftovers Party Was a Hit!

The Joyful Quilter's first ever Leftovers Party was a hit! Susan's daughter Sadie and the ladies all got alot done. Sadie was the first to finish a UFO! Bob was the first to eat three brownies between first and second breakfast. Yikes! A fun day was had by all!

Southern Jewels, a NEW Pattern, from Leesa Chandler Designs is here

The pattern, Southern Jewels from Leesa Chandler Designs is available online and at the store!
The quilt on the cover of the pattern uses Leesa Chandler Under the Australian Sun collection of fabrics from Robert Kaufman. There is also a pictured sample using Oriental Traditions 8 which we'll have in the JQ soon!

Quilters' Quest 9th Annual Shop Hop

Quilters' Quest 9th Annual Shop Hop dates are May 19-22, 2011 ~ Mark your caledars! More information to follow........http://www.quiltersquest.info/

NEW Books from C&T Publishing are here and online!

The four new books are Little Girls, Big Style by Mary Abreu, Quilt Remix by Emily Cier, Quilts Made Modern by Weeks Ringle & Bill Kerr, also Ricky Tims’ Kool Kaleidoscope Quilts by Ricky Tims. Truly something for everyone! Interestingly, Quilts Made Modern uses solids, whuch we'll be carrying in the new store!

The American Sewing Guild

We had a great time visiting our local American Sewing Guild today. I did a market report for the ladies followed by show & tell. Jim and I set up a little store as well. And of course there was cake. There's always cake:) I couldn't help but notice that a majority of the ladies are quilters as well as sewers continuing a trend of crossover amongst garment sewers, bag makers,quilters,doll makers, and even scrapbookers. We feel much freer these days to mix media and not follow the "rules". After all, this is our passion to enjoy without guilt! Oh, did I mention there was cake?

Grandeur from Robert Kaufman!

Grandeur from Robert Kaufman is here! I LOVE these Asian inspired prints, and happily they mix really well with Under The Australian Sun collection.

Artisan Batiks from Robert Kaufman!

New Artisan batiks from Robert Kaufman are here! These blues are beautiful on their own but together provide a palette that's perfect for landscape or holiday projects, or just because they're gorgeous!

Quilt Market

Quilt Market in Houston was phenomenal this year! This was the first time Susan, Jim, and I went to market together. We split up on Friday to take as many "Schoolhouse" sessions ( where the companies and industry bigwigs show the latest and greatest) as possible. On Saturday we shopped the floor and found great new fabric and pattern companies that you guys are sure to love. I can't go into detail now (wink,wink) but as the new store is being built we are putting together a bunch of new clubs and programs for 2011. Also, we'll have fabric collections from spankin' new designers! If you're at the American Sewing Guild meeting in Guilderland next week you'll be getting a more in depth report from yours truly. Stay tuned joyful quilters!
Bob

New Fabrics from Robert Kaufman!

New Fabrics from Robert Kaufman have arrived! Cat in the Hat, the natural choice for the premiere Dr. Seuss fabric collection, and Under the Australian Sun by Leesa Chandler . Two very different collections but both fun for quilters to play with!