Bari J.

The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.

The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.

My mom used to say, "I thrive on chaos". It was her explanation for having four children, I think. All these years, I've thought she was slightly nutty in that regard, but I have to admit... the excitement of having lots going on at one time, I think I do thrive on that. Maybe not chaos exactly, but having lots to do. Never a dull moment. That kind of living.

Right now, I may just be right in my element. As you know, I'm preparing for both Surtex and Quilt Market (photo above, a bag I just finished for quilt market from Emmy Grace fabric, and the photo below, brochures/lookbook for Surtex). They happen simultaneously in two weeks, and everything must ship by Thursday. I'll be going to Surtex, but I still have a partial booth that I'm sewing for and will be shipping items to Pittsburg. Meanwhile, we are throwing a big birthday party for my mom next weekend and my siblings are all going to be in town. The party is at our house. The night before mother's day. No worries. I got this. (cringes)

But there's also been other big excitement here... This past week, I was very happy to welcome a photographer for Where Women Create into my home to take photos for the November issue. While this was loads of fun, I couldn't be more excited for the issue, and I feel really really lucky to be part of it ... the timing? Well? It was slightly not fantastic for me. I'd have preferred June maybe? But when Where Women Creates wants to take photos for an issue, you just don't say no to that! It's something I've wanted to do for years. The original Where Women Creates book was published in 2005. I bought a copy, and have dreamed about it since then. This was big for me. I got the studio all cleaned up and Super Husband was nagged into doing a little light painting in here. 

There was lots I wanted to do to the house, but at some point, I just finally ran out of time. I did manage to make slipcovers for the chairs in the living room which we didn't really take many photos of in the end. But I really had to make the slipcovers anyways because prior to knowing about the photoshoot, I'd taken apart one of two of the covers to make a pattern for new ones and so I had two mis-matched chairs. The process of creating the covers needs to be a post all on it's own, but I can tell you that I'd have been better off creating covers from scratch rather than trying to use the old cover as a pattern. That was a total pain in the butt. Now I have to make new gray linen pillows for the sofa to pull the room together, but let's do that in June, shall we?

 

In other news, my 18 year old daughter, Anna, graduates high school the day after we get back from New York, so please pray for no flight delays on the way home! I'm doubting I'll post until we get back, so I'll see you after this is all over! Cross your fingers for me!!! 

Quilt Market Booth

Part one. More tomorrow(ish).

This doesn't happen much, but this time it all turned out just like it was in my head... 6 runners to show different ways you can use Bijoux in quilts, and a centerpiece with drama. 

The dress has a halter top with an asymetrical lined skirt. The hemline is all fabric collage. 

Below, you will see that it is true... I have a bugger up my butt about the term "low volume" in reference to color value. I prefer the term "low color value" as it is artistically accurate. Not only that, "Low Volume" hurts my feelings (not really hurts my feelings... more comically hurts my feelings) ... why, I think, would anyone should call color "loud"? I get that ones eyes need a place to rest, but in my little world, color is a vibrant expression of "life" as opposed to "loudness". Yo. I ain't loud. Hrrrmmpppfff. This quilt is my small ode to anti-establishment and rebellion. I must admit, I like the irony of a "low color value" background (all curved pieced strips) with eyepopping, colorful Bijoux text. 

Moving along... next to the Value Color quilt is an improved log cabin piece with my hand embroidered caravan in the center.

The quilting on "Value Color" was done by Maddie Kertay. The Log Cabin improv quilt was quilted by Michelle Schmersahl.

More closeups tomorrow(ish). And more quilts. And more about market itself. 

Fun was had by all... and then... sleep.

Fun was had by all... and then... sleep.

Hi there. Long time no see. I feel like I'm "just" back from quilt market, when really, it's been more than a week. The truth is, I'm only now recovering from it. I totally did myself in this time.  As fun and exciting as the process is, it is exhausting and stressful too. I was pretty hard on myself getting ready, and didn't get much sleep. I was inevitable... I got sick. And it was of my own doing because I wouldn't relax. Thank goodness for my friend Jona who did much of the job of driving home while I spent much of the time whining. I slept for two days when I got back.

At any rate, you don't want to hear all the poo poo about how tired I am... it was really very fun and super exciting to see how people reacted to the new fabric and patterns... And I met tons of wonderful people.

You may have seen much of this already if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook... but I did manage to take a few pictures of the booth with my good camera as opposed to the phone. So here goes...

Yes, I did drag a bed to quilt market... but if you sat on it you'd have ended up on the floor... air mattresses did the trick. No box spring.

Here's a closer look a the ruffle duvet cover ... yes. there will be a tutorial. But be forewarned, this is not a complicated project... but it's a dosey. I think it's like 12 yards of fabric. I estimated about 3000" of hem and ruffling to do. Yikes. However, IMHO, totally worth it in the end. 

I'm a stitckler for always having flowers in my booth... funny story. This time I forgot to order in advance. I hopped in a cab and asked them to take me to the nearest one on the map in my phone... Yeah, ummm... that was a UPS store. The real store was on the other side of town. WHY they put the address of the UPS store on their website, I'll never know. They actually posted store hours. Long story short? The driver took me to another shop which was actually closed for wedding prep, but the really really nice lady opened the door for me anyways (crying works, people) and sold me two bouquets AND had her delivery guy take me back to the convention center. Greenworks in Houston if you are interested.

Here is what I ended up putting the cross stitch into... I think it gives the pillow some oomph. 

And here is another view of the pillows... dresden is a classic 1920s pattern. It had to be done.

That's all the photo editing I've gotten through for now. My intent is to to go through each project in the booth over the next couple months and show ya' how I did it. Hold me to that, k?

Happy stitching!

 

Quilt Market Re-Cap Video from Art Gallery Fabrics

Quilt Market Re-Cap Video from Art Gallery Fabrics

 

Quilt Market!

Quilt Market

I'm back from quilt market in one... Or two... Pieces. Unfortunately, After processing orders, I packed up my computer. We move into our new house tomorrow! So here's a quick peek of the booth in the meantime... And a little prize I won! First Place single booth! (squeal!)

I am woman hear me roar!

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar

Early on Monday morning of last week, my friend Janis and I set out for quilt market. We decided to drive this time because my booth had so much stuff and "what was 11 or so hours in the car?". Nothing. Not after the 18 hour trip we braved to Farm Chicks a couple years ago. And that time we were in separate cars. Nevermind I had it in my head that Spokane was just a bit up and to the right from San Francisco. As it turned out it was up, to the right, and almost to Canada.

This time we had Big Alice, our rented 12 foot trailer. She was Big Alice because apparently it's not nice to say Big Ass Trailer over and over again on Twitter. Whatever. Big Ass Trailer. Big Ass Trailer. My blog. I get to say it. And for whatever reason, I love saying it. Big. Ass. Trailer. I drove a Big. Ass. Trailer. 

That explains the title of this post... I am woman hear me roar! Because now that I drove a Big. Ass. Trailer. I am INVINCIBLE. But don't anyone tell Super Husband because I don't want to end up taking out the trash or anything. I've been pretending that I can't do that for about 18 years.

Driving a Big Ass Trailer made me feel like a goddess. Lord knows if you can back up a Big Ass Trailer, you can do anything. And I did. I backed up Big Alice on several occasions. Never mind the Utah men that came to my rescue on those several occasions. I was the driver. So I backed up the big ass trailer. And in the process I amazed (read: amused) everyone around me. 

Note: if you are parking a Big Ass Trailer there are a couple thing to be aware of. A: Don't park going straight into a parking spot because you will have to back up the Big Ass Trailer to get out of the parking spot. And B: When parking in an empty parking lot at night be sure that said EMPTY parking lot will not be a FULL parking lot when you go back in the morning to move your Big Ass Trailer. I'm just saying. (Ummmm... thank you to Derreck, branch manager of Zion Bank who has backed up many Big Ass Trailers in his day and was able to direct me away from the BMW 7 series that sat right in my path and who paid for my parking because Utah men apparently rock... more on the awesome men of Utah later.)

I am also invincible for another reason... Although there *might* have been a few tears shed and a couple screams of horror heard throughout the Salt Lake City Convention center during setup when the workers knocked over and broke one of my shelving unit towers (they fixed it... another reason Utah men rock), everything turned out absolutely as I envisioned it. Absolutely perfectly as I envisioned it.

And then when all the work was done, the car and the trailer were packed and we got back in to go home yesterday morning, we found waiting for us 2 bottles of juice, a bag of Chex Mix and a note from Robby who saved me and valeted the Big Ass Trailer right in front of the Marriott all week, that said, "have a safe trip home". He'd spent part of the tip I'd given him the night before on us. Amazing. Yes, Utah men rock. All is well with the world and I had a fabulous quilt market experience.

I am woman hear me roar!

 

 

To market to market...

I'm exhausted. I shouldn't be writing this because I should go to sleep, but I felt compelled to tell you that I'm exhausted. I've finally got my patterns about ready to go to print (thank heavens), I've been sewing like a mad woman and everyone in my house is ticked off at me for ignoring them. And that includes the dogs.

People in this house are not used to me throwing frozen lasagna at them and saying "see ya". And heavens to Betsy, they've had leftovers too. People are not happy with me. They're socks don't match, their clothes are not clean and more than once a teenager has called from school to say, "Hey, my lunch account is not full." That's life in this household right now. That's life in this household the month before quilt market.

Ah well, whatever and whatever. I have my patterns almost ready, I've ordered postcards (above), the booth is being built (thanks to one INCREDIBLE Super Husband who has more fabulous ideas than you can imagine), and samples are being made. Oh, and I ordered "I'm Inspired to Sew" pins for 100 lucky people. I'll pass them out at my book signing (Saturday the 14th at quilt market, C&T booth) and then the rest will get given away at my booth. And "oh" again! I have a surprise, non-fabric related product that will most likely debut in my booth. It's pretty stinking cool, if I say so myself. 

Maybe someday I'll send my kids to college with $ from this business and they'll thank me for not matching their socks.

Pink and orange ... and a little blue too. Quilt Market Inspiration

Starting the booth building craziness for Quilt Market in Salt Lake City. So I've been looking for inspirational photos.

This is just SO Paris Apartment. I can't wait for you to see what Super Husband and I are planning.

 

Giveaway winners and what quilt market is REALLY all about.

You've been told that quilt market is all about the fabrics... all about the patterns... the books.

The truth is, it's all about the cute shoes. And this year my friend Mary Abreu, author of Little Girls, Big Style and the designer behind Confessions of a Craft Addict won the cutest shoes at International Quilt Market prize. And the cutest socks prize right along with it. I am the self-named judge of that contest. So what I say goes on that front. 

But you wanted to know about another contest, didn't you... so without further delay... the winner of the group of my newest sewing patterns is: #36, Stina.

 

and the winner of the Little Birds book is Beth, number 13!

Claim your prizes, ladies!

Fall Quilt Market 2010 Part I ... and a giveaway!

 
Back from market, and I had a fantastic time! It was exhausting but a success and just so much fun. Here's the first round of photos from my booth. Check the end of this post for giveaway info! 

 

More from the rest of the market will be to come soon. But how about a give-away in the meantime?

Let's have two winners. One will get a set of my four newest sewing patterns, and the other will get a copy of Little Birds. And I'll sign my project in it too! 

 

Two ways to win: Simply comment here... and/or tweet about the giveaway and follow me, then come back and comment that you did so. i.e.: the only way to have an entry is to comment, so you'll have to do that to let me know you tweeted and followed (or tweeted and already follow). 

I'll pick a winner using random.org on Monday the 8th of November at 10 PM. You have until then to enter. Good luck!

Fall Pattern Release Sneak Peek!

I'm so excited about this quilt I just can't keep it to myself any more. This pattern, 1 of at least 4 that will be released in October is my very first quilt pattern for sale. It's a traditional zigzag quilt with a modern twist. In what would be the neutral rows, I've incorporated striped fabrics which are reversing directions, and then (because more is more and I couldn't help myself) I added giant rick rack to add a some flair. I hope you like it as much as I do. More to come very soon!

 

Quilt Market, 2 new sewing patterns and my whirlwind tour of crazytown.

 
I'm not usually such a pill here, but I guess I won't beat around the bush. I totally lost my mojo after quilt market. It seems so long ago, I've almost forgotten it. It was rough. And unfortunately my mom hasn't been that well lately... she's on the mend, thank goodness, but it's been a trial for her for sure. Market was kind of up and down for me partly because she was back in the hospital in Arizona while I was there. Not just for that reason, but if you saw me there you know I was kinda' sorta' ... to put it mildly ... emotional. Apparently that's my natural reaction to not sleeping for days on end and generally being a complete freak. That and The-Great-Chin-Breakout-of-Spring-Quilt-Market-2010 will go down in history as my worst ever. 

To top things off, when I got home I thought I was going to quickly get our house into ship shape for putting on the market (ie: the next morning I painted the front hall), when our "The Ackermans are Moving to Arizona" plans came to a crashing halt. That totally threw me for a loop since I really want to move near family. Had planned on being there before our 14yo starts highschool in the Fall. But alas, it is not in the cards... yet.

Unfortunately, I didn't take very many photos while I was at market due to my disastrous mood, so I hope you'll forgive the lack of detail. I did, however, have the best roommate in the universe... Rebecca Makas from Restitcherator. I can't tell you how she saved me... And we just met! I also managed to interview Amy Butler, Pat Bravo, Kay Whitt and Lizzie House while I was there. So you have that to look forward to through Boutique Cafe. And I did take some limited photos of Country Lane samples before I left. My favorite is this ottoman slip cover. The flounce took some figuring out, so I was really thrilled with the end result.

 

And a pillow... 

 

I mixed some turned under applique with my always first choice: collage. And then, because I can't leave well enough alone, I also did some hand embroidery on the top. I may be certifiable.

 

I also made a Lill Street Messenger (see below... it's one of the new sewing patterns):

 

And, the center of what will be my free quilt pattern... the Bed and Breakfast Quilt.

 

I actually did quilt and bind this... and it appears I took the photo upside down, but there ya' go...

This is a virtual version of what the quilt will look like when all is said and done...

And an alternate colorway of the same quilt:

 

With what was the cut-away fabric for the flounce there was a circle left over, so I made a little dresden plate table topper... this is it before it was finished (ah hem... taken with my iphone):

 

and then I quilted it by hand and put on a binding:

... and then I proceeded to completely forget to take photos of it in the booth. 
 Along with the finished version of this sign:

 

 

Also while I was at market, I introduced two new sewing patterns which are TBD June 30 and are available for pre-order now. They are the Gracie Girl Pincushion and The Lill Street Messenger. They will be available through me and distributors as well.

 

 

Since the moving plans were "revised", the whirlwind tour of crazy hasn't stopped. I have the "flow" for my book (which is the unformated/undesigned version) to get through and approve. And I have another project for which I had have photographs taken of myself. Eeew. And do a sewing project for. Which is altogether exciting, but getting photos taken of myself is not really my dream job, ya' know? I'm also getting prepared for a trip to AZ and then to Sister's Oregon where I'm teaching. And somehow I need to keep my website updated (there are some new things on there and a SALE). So... I know I've made most of the crazy all on my own, but I feel generally insane of late. And I'm going to have to figure out how not to do that in the future. Although if you know me, you know there is not much hope for that. I apparently, like my mom says, "Thrive on Chaos".

 

 
 

Quilt Market Sneaky Peeky

Did you notice something new here?  

I hope so, because I changed the graphics on my blog to go with my next fabric line!

 I'm super proud of this one. I mean, I am proud of the other two, of course, but this one is just taking up a special spot in my heart. I really makes me smile. For sure by October my house will be all reds and blues. 

Introducing...

And now you can go back to what you were doing. Because *sigh*. It won't be in stores until October.

But if you'll be at quilt market you'll get to see all the nifty stuff I've already made from it. I'll be in the Windham booth ... #3712 - 3717  

And I'm also doing a school house: Fabric Mixology! Room 210 A at 4:15. See you there!

Quilts and More Magazine

This is what I now know... It is exciting and terrifying at the same time to have your mug show up in a national magazine. Eek. And, it's also a little like, "How'd that happen?". And, "Whose life is this?". And... admittedly it's pretty cool too. Even if I don't like how my hair is sprigging out on one side. Whatevers. Sigh. At least I look good in purple.

You can find out all you needed to know (and more) about me in this Summer's issue of Quilts and More.

There's also a little project:

 

It was inspired by the frames I did last fall for Quilt Market... in case you were thinking that it looks oddly familiar. 

 
 

Quilt Market

I had such fun at market that I am absolutely exhausted. I spent a lot of my time there interviewing folks for Boutique Cafe as Miss Daria who is very pregnant couldn't make it there this time. I have 12 videos that will be featured as she sees fit. There's Anna Maria Horner, Paula Prass, Sandi Henderson, Genevieve Gail, and Jessica Levitt just to name a few. And I have to say, after I told Daria I would do this I was immediately thinking, "WHAT IN GOD'S NAME HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?". But alas, I absolutely loved doing it. So, Mom, maybe all that theatre school paid off after all, right? Still a bit of a ham.

As for photos, I didn't get as many awesome shots as I'd hoped (I left the good camera at home in favor of traveling light which was a mistake), but here are just a few to get you started.

Here's Miss Pokey Bolton in front of my Art Journal display (shoot the lights washed that quilt out... or did I have the flash on?). Pokey's newest quilt world baby, Quilt Scene magazine debuted at festival and I'm proud to say my quilted patchwork belts are in it. Yes, directions on how to make them and all.

 

And, Anna Maria Horner's booth. Sigh. Love. 

 

And speaking of "Love". I do Love, LOVE from Amy Butler. Who wouldn't?

 

Well, that's it for now fabric-nistas! 

I'll be buried in book-deadline-land for the next couple weeks, but I'll try to pop in every once in a bit to say hello! (Sheesh! Who knew this would be such work? Just kidding, Susanne! I knew what I was in for!)

A peek at...

...my new pattern, Home Sweet Home. This piece will be displayed at Quilt Market in Houston this week. And the pattern will be available for free download when Art Journal hits stores in April. The piecing and collage was artfully (and expertly) executed by my good friends, Janis Stob and Margaret Linderman (a mother daughter team... aka, December's Child), and beautifully quilted by Deb McPartland.

Hugs and kisses to all three of you! Can't go it alone! Thanks for being there! 

 

 

Unleashed!

FIN-A-LLY!!! I can speak. I can speak. Well, a little anyways. Enough to give you a line name and a tiny preview. Here it is (well, sorta'-kinda' a little bit), Art Journal, my new line for Windham Fabrics...which will be available for quilt shops to order in October (in stores late April 2010).

 

Ok, fine. Twist my arm. Here's a little tiny bit more, the front of a post card I'm sending out.

 

Could I actually really still be talking about quilt market?

I promised more pictures from market, didn't I? This here is the name-dropping issue. 

And, since my friend Cindy says there are absolutely no pictures of me on my blog, and that is an issue for her, the first one is of me... and April Cornell. Yes, I have no shame, I dragged April Cornell over to the Windham booth going, "Look what I made!". No shame at all. 

Actually, April was really gracious and so kind. She even organized a Twitter-Meet-up. Which by the way is the coolest thing ever about Twitter. April tweeted "Twitter meet-up 10am Saturday, Moda booth." and a ton of us showed up. Seriously cool. And why I loooove tweeting and reported over Twitter the whole time I was at market.

Oh, and here's who I dragged April away from ... nervy, huh? Brandon Mably. Sorry, Brandon. 

Btw, I have no idea how I got into this picture. I meant to be taking a picture of them together, when someone said, "Hey, don't you want to be in the picture?". Uh. No. But. O.K.

Speaking of Brandon, I asked Kaffe Fassett if I could take his picture, and he said yes, but unfortunately he was so engrossed in his work, he didn't look up for the shot. Awww. He also was very gracious with my bumbling and bubbling. I was a little overjoyed to meet him. Eeeks. 

Here's a great shot! This is Myrinda from Fabric Hound and Kristen from Gocks Frocks with first Project Runway winner and fabric designer, Jay McCarroll.

Now, I know I mentioned something about showing you my own little spot...

This was the original quilt I presented when I showed the line to Windham. It's on it's way to France right now! I'll let you know when I hear more about this. Very exciting fun stuff.

And, here is a bit more... 

Well, that's all folks. Until next market. BTW, it looks like maybe, possibly, likely, I think my second line will debut there. More about that and some other unbelievable stuff later! 

Quilt Market III ... and there's way more than this too!

I gave up and stopped categorizing these pictures. They're all crazy mixed up, and that's the way they're going to stay. (Man, I have an uncanny way of creating more work for myself... I'm trying to give that up, but it's vuuuuurrrry difficult for me.).

Below is my new friend, Genevieve. She's also a new designer at Windham with her beautiful Collection, Flower Bucket. Genevieve also makes the most adorable jewelry. You can see some of it here. Wood, leather, total cute.

Next is Joanna Figueroa's booth, Fig Tree Quilts. Joanna is a local gal, and also a friend. She was so much part of my inspiration to get started. Her booth, btw, won best merchandising. You can see why.

Here is a shot of Jenean Morrison's marketing piece for her newest line for Free Spirit called Picnic Parade.

And here, a piece I nearly fell over when I saw by Paula Prass. It's in her new line, Summer Soiree for Michael Miller. I roomed with Paula, her daughter Jennifer AND Sandi Henderson. Four gals. One room. Tons of fun. And Miss Sandi... had a flip cam. She's in big trouble if she ever shows her recordings though. Makeup free and in pajamas. Hmmppff.

And, last (for today) but not least, Maw Bell Designs GORGEOUS quilt pattern. To die for, huh? And there's more more more to come. I didn't even show my very own space yet, did I?

Quilt Market II

There was so much to see. This (in no particular order) is just the tip of the iceberg. I was absolutely crazy about all of these designers, but Laura Gunn's debut collection from Michael Miller had me at hello. Check out the fabulous prints based on her paintings. They even have a textured look. Totally incredible. And not an easy effect to create on fabric. But it works SO well! Links are below.

LINKS: 

Patty Young

Valori Wells

Laura Gunn

Market report part I

Oh, you guys! Did I ever have fun. I Tweeted and photographed and socialized my way through quilt market. And I have so much to report back to you! It's going to take me days to report it all. Day one: just a few of the WONDERFUL sewing patterns that were at this market! You are going to loooove it! Links to all the websites are below.

LINKS:

Favorite Things

Sue Spargo

Indygo Junction