Sneak Peek: Christmas in July Block-A-Thon

Happy Saturday! Today we're taking a breather from our regular Jolly Jabber updates to show you a little something to look forward to this summer. Last year, Quilt Dad started Blockapalooza, a sampler block quilt fest of the modern variety. This year, Block-A-Thon is holding the same concept but rocking Christmas! And we get to be a part of it this year, woohoo!

Christmas in July Block-A-Thon is a fun, free quilt-along with some amazing bloggers on the roster, like Kim's Crafty Apple, Pat Sloan, PamKittyMorning, Quilting Gallery, well you get the idea.

FreeSpirit sent us each different fabrics to work with, and we’re seeing some incredibly creative blocks being fashioned out of it! The rest is hush hush for now, but we’re really itching to see how the whole quilt comes together! Just to give you a little taste of what we got to work with…

The Block-A-Thon starts in July, so start “blocking” out some time in your schedule to quilt with us!

Woman of Courage Block of the Month

The Women of Courage collection by Nancy Gere has finally arrived! It is a beautiful range of classic florals and wreaths in rich teals and browns. This also means that the Women of Courage Block-of-the-Month by Denise Lipscomb will begin soon!

Click here to read our interview with her about this intriguing quilt. If you have a love of traditional quilts in fresh colors and beautiful intricate blocks, be sure to join!

Each block commemorates the memory of different women of courage, from different backgrounds, eras and significance in world history. Each block and woman of courage is fascinating and inspirational in her own way.

In honor of this coming Memorial Day, we’d like to mention some of the women who served bravely for our good in times of war.

Nancy Wake, a native New Zealander who joined the French Resistance during WWII and became a British agent and at one time the Gestapo’s most wanted person.

Maud Fitch, hailing from Eureka, Utah, ventured into France to get as close as she could to the WWI frontlines as an ambulance driver, which also required furnishing her own ambulance.

Mary Edwards Walker received her medical degree prior to the American Civil War, during which she served as a volunteer and was eventually appointed as the first-ever female surgeon in the U.S. Army’s employ.

Mary Louise Roberts Wilson, R.N., was the first woman to be awarded the Silver Star for her leadership under fire. In 1943, she served for 29 months in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in North Africa and Italy.

Last but not least, Cornelia ten Boom from the Netherlands, whose family helped Jews during the Holocaust by hiding them in their house. As a consequence they were arrested and some died in concentration camps, including her father and sister.

Which woman stands the closest to your heart ? You can view the rest of the women of courage here. Enjoy!

From Me to You: Kimberly Jolly

Happy Friday everyone! We hope you are ready to enjoy a nice three day weekend celebrating Memorial Day! We've already announced the winner from the last post, but we're extra excited to do another giveaway as Kimberly shares her current favorite pre-cut with us. All you have to do is use the clues and the picture to try and guess which pre-cut we are featuring this week: 

Kimberly's 3 Clues:

1. This collection offers something old and something new.

2. It is not as charming as some of our other precuts, but it’s every bit as adorable!

3. the designers are a daring duo!

For a chance to win, leave a comment on this blog post with your guess as to which pre-cut we are featuring! Contest will close Sunday at Midnight CST. The winner will be announced one week from today, in the next From Me to You feature. Good luck!

Designer Tidbits: Bonnie & Camille

The Fat Quarter Shop is so excited to welcome Little Miss darling Camille Roskelley of Bonnie & Camille to the Jolly Jabber. Bonnie & Camille’s latest fabric collection is Vintage Modern for Moda Fabrics. Their refreshing colors and prints always have us in a frenzy when we see them for the first time! This is our first time using their fabric for our Designer Mystery quilt, and it has become our favorite!

Q: What or who would you dedicate this Vintage Modern collection to? Do you have an inspiration board?
A: We both have inspiration boards in our sewing rooms. Mom's is neat and organized (and color coordinated!), but I have a hard time keeping mine tidy! Lots of drawings from the munchkins keep making it up there and never come down.

Q: What is your favorite project using this collection?
A: Of my mom's Vintage Modern projects I would have to say her Sweet Pea quilt. It shows off the prints really well too.

Of mine, probably my On a Whim quilt.

Q: If time travel became possible, what year would you want to be in?
A: 1950’s-ish. Love that whole era, the clothes, the cars, the little boys in bowties... very Mad Men-esque. Not to mention red and aqua (our favorite colors) were kind of a big deal back then. Or so I've heard. :-)

Q: If you had to change your first name what would you change it to?
A: I wouldn't change mine; I've always loved my name! Thanks Mom :-)

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?
A: Mine was probably The Wonder Years. I loved everything about that show. Whenever I catch old re-runs it makes me all teary. Love it. Mom's would probably be The Brady Bunch. It brought out her inner Marsha Brady.

Q: Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
A: I'm not sure, but maybe the most memorable was when I bumped into Jerry Stiller in the grocery store when I was living in Nantucket. It was right after Zoolander had come out and I wanted to say "That's what I'm talkin' about!" Don't worry, I didn't. My mom helped Donny Osmond once when she worked in a toy store in the 80's. It was quite possibly the best moment of her whole life.

Jerry Stiller

Donny Osmond

Q: What is your favorite App to play on your phone?
A: I absolutely love Draw Something, but haven't had time for it lately with all the sewing for Quilt Market. Mom would say "What's an app?" ;-)

Q: If you could marry a technology, what would it be?
A: My iPhone, hands down. It's my right arm, can't live without it! My mom's would have to be my dad. He's super tech savvy and keeps all the technology over there up and running. He's a keeper!

Designer Tidbits: Jamie Wood

The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Jamie Wood to the Jolly Jabber. Jamie’s latest fabric collection is City Streets from Clothworks Fabrics.

Q: What or who would you dedicate this City Streets collection to? Do you have an inspiration board?
A: My focus is to design collections that are boy-friendly. I have two spunky little boys, ages 6 and 3 that keep the inspiration flowing around my house. Each of the prints are inspired by them.

I love to sew with pretty flowers and soft feminine colors for myself but when it comes to my kids, I've got to have bright, cheerful, rough-and-tumble designs that match their personalities. They love to look at my designs and they always tell me what they like best.

I do not use an inspiration board. I work mostly digitally so I gather inspirational images and put them in a folder on my computer and refer to them regularly for sparks of creativity. I like the idea of a board though. Maybe I will try that too.

Q: What is your favorite project using this collection?
A: I designed a quilt pattern that will be published in the July issue of Easy Quilts. I am not allowed to show you the whole quilt but here is a sneak peek.

That is the one and only project I have made with City Streets so far. The sample yardage for the quilt is the only fabric I have gotten my hands on so I am anxious to get more so I can make more fun things.

Q: If time travel became possible, what year would you want to be in?
A: This is a tricky question. Of course, I would only do this if I could bring my entire family along with me.

If I could travel in time, I would definitely go back, not forward. I would like to go back to the pioneer days and live on a farm with cows, sheep, chickens and pigs, and have a huge garden where we could grow our own food. Maybe we would even travel by horse and buggy instead of a car. I would like to make all of the clothes for the family and cook meals from scratch. Am I crazy?

Q: If you had to change your first name what would you change it to?
A: I used to wish I could change my name to Molly when I was a little girl. Now I am pretty fond of my own name, Jamie.

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?
A: Oh my! I don’t think I could choose a favorite. There were so many good shows back then. Most of which were family centered, unlike today.

Q: Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
A: I am wracking my brain trying to think if I have ever met a famous person. The fact is I don’t think that I have.

Q: What is your favorite App to play on your phone?
A: Angry Birds. We have all versions of Angry Birds at our house. We all play it. We have them on my phone, our Nook, and our iPad. It is a very sad state of affairs, really. Haha!

Q: If you could marry a technology, what would it be?
A: I prefer my hubby to be of the human variety. :o)

One last thing. Jamie and her sister have recently launched an online shop, Script Gift Company, offering unique gifts for the whole family and every item is made in the USA. Check it out, they have lots of great gifting items!

Designer Tidbits: Tula Pink

The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Tula Pink to the Jolly Jabber. Tula Pink’s latest fabric collection is Nightshade from Free Spirit Fabrics.

Q: What was the first seed that grew into the Nightshade collection?
A: I knew it was time for me to tackle Halloween. I love the idea of an old mysterious family with closets full of secrets, big spooky mansions and the kind of dark elegance that comes with the territory. I live in an area with a lot of history and I'm always struck by the giant creepy houses out here that haven't been lived in for ages. My design process usually starts with a story and a mood. I make sure each print lives up to that original narrative.

Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A: If Nightshade had a soundtrack I think it would be a series of noises like creaking doors, rattling chains, wind whistling through the trees and distant footsteps. There might be a barely audible victrola playing in the background or someone practicing violin down the hall.

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite (can only pick one!)?
A: The main print with the portraits, called Coven, is artistically the most complex. I fell in love with characters as I was creating them. I thought about their stories and who they are which influenced the details in each portrait. I love telling stories and that print has the most narrative in it.

(this print is not sold- but the smaller version of the print is SKU# PWTP016)

Q: If this collection had a scent to it, what would it be?
A: If Nightshade had a scent it would be called #9. The bearer of the scent would have the uncanny ability to attract people from up to 100 yards away. One whiff and you would be putty in their hands. The vapor alone would bring civilization to its knees. It would be sold exclusively on the black market.

Q: Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A: If Nightshade is my dark side then my next collection is definitely my light side. My next collection is all sugar and spice and sunshine. I am crazy excited about both collections. The new collection debuted at Spring International Quilt Market. It's called The Birds and the Bees the image is the palette for the collection.

Q: If you had a mascot, what animal would it be?
A: If I had a mascot it would totally be a turtle. If I was out walking around and I had an idea I could stop right there, retreat into my shell and get to work. I would be the happiest little fabric designer on earth.

Q: Who is your favorite celebrity?
A: I don't have a television and the only magazines I get are art related. The idea of celebrities in a general sense is pretty lost on me. I wouldn't even know where to begin with a "favorite". That being said, I don't live in a cave. I think that Lady Gaga is a huge freak and that's pretty fascinating to me. Also, I can't walk in high heels so anyone who can do that successfully is pretty impressive. Wigs are also entertaining so I guess if that is my criteria then Ru Paul would also be a contender and maybe Carmen Miranda (fruit hats? amazing!).

Lady Gaga

Ru Paul

Carmen Miranda

Q: If we were making a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
A: Jessica Rabbit. My hair is darker though so she would have to have to change that. I hope she would be up for it; she does seem like kind of a diva. I would like to be a spy in this movie, who designs fabric to relax after the high speed car chases and international espionage.

Q: Who is your favorite fabric designer not including yourself?
A: I respect a lot of different designers for completely different reasons. I am drawn to designers who have their own point of view and an almost obsessive passion for their craft. My favorite designer that is living today would probably be Marian Bantjes or Tauba Auerbach. Both of them play with typography and pattern in a completely unique way which I find mesmerizing. I would love to see what either of them would do if asked to design fabric.

Quilt Market Spring 2012: Wrap Up

Well, it's back to the office for us today. We were sad to say goodbye to Market, but so, so glad to have had the chance to go and see everything! Today, we'll just jump right in to what you've all been waiting for...the giveaway winners!

On the first day, we asked what you were most excited to see...all you had to do was leave a comment for a chance to win this super cute Windsor Lane Fat Quarter Bundle by Bunny Hill Designs AND these 4 patterns by Jaybird Quilts:

And the lucky winner is...

Jess
"I'm busting to see Melody Miller and Lizzy House's upcoming collections!"

Next, we asked you to review the photos and give us your best guess as to who would be the winner of Best Booth at Market Spring 2012. If you guessed Bari J, Art Galley Fabrics or Michael Miller Fabrics, you were right and could be our lucky winner of this darling Marmalade Fat Quarter Bundle by Bonnie & Camille AND these 4 It's Sew Emma patterns:

And the winner is...

Rachelle
"Art Gallery Fabrics definitely"

Then on the second day of Market, you had to guess who was wearing which Market walking shoes. If you guessed correctly, you could be the winner of 4 new It's Sew Emma patterns and this fresh and vibrant Fat Quarter Bundle, Simply Color by V and Co.:

The correct answer is:

And the winner is...

Addibrae
"My guesses are 1-f, 2-g, 3-d, 4-a, 5-c, 6-e, 7-b"

Congratulations to all the winners! Please e-mail Stephanie [at] FatQuarterShop [dot] com with your full shipping address to claim your prize.

And just in case all that winning isn't enough excitement for you, we also want to share something that we here at Fat Quarter Shop are incredibly proud of. At Market this Spring we were very fortunate to have the privilege and the opportunity to display a whopping...wait for it...wait for it...17 PROJECTS in various booths all around Quilt Market!!! Can you believe it?! It's always so amazing when we get to see our hard work and creative effort in a beautiful final project, and especially when that project is displayed right in the hub of the creative quilt world. As we explored the convention center and stumbled upon each project in its place, we couldn't help but be filled with pride and joy!

Just take a look at how great all our projects look on display...that's right, all 17 of them!

Accentuate the Positive Pattern made with Little Black Dress.

Color Me Crayons Pattern made with Birds & Berries.

Oh My Stars Pattern made with Independence Trail.

Tic Tac Toe Pattern made with Mama Said Sew.

On the Boardwalk Pattern made with Santa's Workshop.

Rosemary and Thyme Pattern made with Cinnamon Spice.

Peyton at Play Quilt Pattern & Pack 'n Pillow Pattern made with Seaside.

Tic Tac Toe Pattern made with Song Bird.

Tumbling Blocks Pattern made with Vintage Baby.

Out in the Wild Pattern (on the left) & Check Me Out Pattern (on the right) made with  Play Date. Available in both girl & boy Quilt Kits. 

Out in the Wild Pattern also includes a pillow pattern! 

Woodland Path Pattern made with Indochine.

Dots 'n Tots Pattern made with Celebrate Seuss 2.

Among the Stars Block of the Month Pattern using Pam Kitty Love.

Tumbling Blocks Pattern made with Savanna Bop.

We hope you enjoyed that as much as we did! And again, we really want to say thank you to everyone who cheered us on in the marathon that is Market! We had a great time, not only at Market, but also hearing all your feedback and responses! We couldn’t have done it without you!