10 things you might not know about Tula Pink & Giveaway!

Tula has been more than generous to share with us 10 things you might not know about Tula Pink!!

1. I have a black belt in Tang Soo Do and was a competitive fighter as a teenager

2. I nearly failed out of high school and went on to graduate 2nd in my class in college (don't worry moms, there is hope, some of us grow out of it)

3. All of my designs are centered on plants and animals but I don't have either in my home, I can't keep anything alive be it cactus or goldfish.

4. I love cilantro and will put it on almost anything, much to the dismay of my friends and family.

5. I hate taking pictures, I would much rather draw an apple than photograph one.

6. I have reclusive tendencies. If the whole world outside my home and studio disappeared it would probably take me three months to realize it or until I ran out of food or toilet paper.

7. I think everyone I meet is my exact same age whether they are 12 or 60.

8. My favorite TV show in the whole world is Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I am watching it while I write this.

9. I don't like hot drinks, ever. I might be the only person in the MidWest that orders an iced latte at Starbucks in the middle of winter.

10. For the first three years of designing fabric I didn't put my photo on anything because I didn't want anyone to know who I was.

Share with us anything you might have in common with Tula by commenting and we will pick one winner at random to win a 5” Charm pack of Tula’s new Fox Field Collection!!!  We will announce the winner Monday, March 31st!

Inspiration behind Tina Given's Riddles and Rhymes Collection

My new fabric collection for children captures a dreamy fairy land of friendship fairies, giant birds with crowns in the sky and floating castles. Bubble balloons lift elephants up up and away. Warm and huggable bears, bunnies and unicycle girls are on their way to the soiree in the sky.

My fairy tales don’t have poison, nor witches’ spells, wicked stepmothers or mean sisters… they’re filled with magical flights and floating clouds with crystal rain drops and feather light ships. My little creatures love to play, giggle and flit through the air, granting wishes and dreams.

 

Do you hear tinkling music with sweet rhyming whispers? A tiny piano and flute playing their riddles all the while the creatures dance in the air.

The Inspiration behind Verna Mosquera new Rosewater Collection

 

The rose has long been the symbol of love.  Timeless, alluring and majestic, it’s beauty has been celebrated for centuries. The simple fusion of a rose petals fragrance and fresh water are magical. Rosewater celebrates the classic beauty of the rose merged with the subtle changing shades of the sea. This collection is fresh and romantic. Its colors are reminiscent of those found in a seaside cottage set amongst a garden of roses. Coral pinks, ocean blues, fresh aquas and sunny yellows create a soothing palette. It is perfect for quilting, children’s wear and other home sewing and crafting projects. Sure to be a favorite of romantics everywhere.

Click here for the Rosewater Patwork Quilt pattern.

Quilting Changes Everything

By Jennifer Keltner

Executive Editor, American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine

Quilting Changes Everything…that’s the tagline you’ll find on the spine of every issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine and the name of a column that regularly appears in our magazine since 2010. 

But more than that, Quilting Changes Everything is our mantra. It describes the impact and the joy that quilting brings to the lives of those that share our passion for this craft.

Quiltmaking is powerful. In our everyday lives, we are subjected to so much technology that is new and different –that we sometimes overlook the power of creating a beautiful object that can be enjoyed every day for its design, it’s individual elements.

When you make something, you put a part of yourself or your surroundings into it. THAT piece of yourself makes up the most important part of the finished project. Each of us, I’m certain could think of project we created with our hands that helped us through a joy or a struggle in our hearts—a happy addition, an illness, a challenge.

And what we see when we look at that item, whether it is complete or not, isn’t just the pieces or the handiwork…but the story behind it. And often the most interesting thing about a handmade object is its story. It’s what we share with one another when we talk about it. Where we were, what was happening in our lives at the time, who we were with when we worked on it.

Those are the stories we share in our Quilting Changes Everything column. Stories of our staff making and donating pairs of pillowcases to local homeowners in conjunction with Rebuilding Together.

Stories of young women like Sarah Ely, who made a pillowcase for her friend Kristen Kirton (in a hospital halfway across the country)—and discovered the world of quilting by making a pillowcase

And the thousands of quilters just like her who’ve changed the lives of so many by making and donating pillowcases as a part of the American Patchwork & Quilting One Million Pillowcase Challenge. Click here for more information

And even simple stories about the time a Brownie troop took up the learn-to-sew challenge and the joy that resulted from their efforts. 

For most of us, we’ve crossed the line. Quilting isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are. We are quilters! We are passionate about not just what we make, but for whom we are making things. Think about those things in your life for which you would say “if I lost that it would be irreplaceable.” Do you say it about something that has great monetary value—or is it more sentimental? Chances are, those things you picture are the handmade treasures you own. And what animates us, is the stories we tell ourselves and others about those pieces. The quilts and other items we create are narratives of our lives—connected with our thoughts, special events, and distant memories. And that’s why for me (and I suspect, many of you)….quilting changes everything.

Color Therapy Block of the Month - Block #1

We are so excited to have Melissa from 100billionstars.com making and blogging each block from our Color Therapy Block of the Month! 

Visit her site to see block #1 and stay tuned for more to come!

Worldwide Quilting Day!

 

Worldwide Quilting Day is a worldwide celebration of of everything about quilting.

It connects devoted quilters and the shops that support them,  Worldwide Quilting Day will be held on March 15, 2014 with special events, depending on your shop. Each store is able to participate in their own way, with or without being a Toolkit Shop.

For more information on what is happening in your area, contact your favorite LQS and ask them to join in the celebration!

Worldwide Quilting Day is brought to you by the team at The Fabric Shop Network.

Quick & Easy St Patricks Day Wreath

 

St Patrick's Day is right around the corner and you need to spice your home up with a little décor. So check out this quick and easy wreath tutorial, that is fun to put together and may bring you a little luck! Enjoy and thanks to Melissa for sharing.

Inspiration behind Tula Pink's Fox Field Collection

Fox Field is Tula Pink’s newest imaginary adventure. This time she takes us on a horseback ride through tall grass fields overflowing with flowers and nature.  Combining vintage elements and a bright, modern palette, Fox Field is both fun and elegant. Along the way you will run into horses, bunnies, birds and even a fox or two. This newest collection is, as always, playful with an added touch of frivolity and the wonderful excitement that comes with finding out what’s just over the next hill.

Not Your Grandma’s Quilt: How to Speed Up a Timeless Art Form

Jenny Doan at the Missouri Star Quilt Company can teach anyone how to make a quilt in a day.

Click here to watch Brian William's segment on this great shop!