FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY -- A RUSSIAN JOURNEY IN QUILTS

Okay, Okay......  I promised some time ago that I would be giving away a FREE COPY of my new book, A RUSSIAN JOURNEY IN QUILTS.  Well, the time has finally come.

Here's what you need to do:

1)  Leave a comment on my blog.  Please make sure that I can contact you or else I can't notify you if you are the winner.

2)  You can get a second chance to win the free book if you become a follower AND leave a second comment telling me that you're a follower.

Here's what you need to know:

3)  The winner will be selected randomly.

4)  This FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY will run from August 15th until August 30th.

5)  If I get a lot of comments and new followers, I may just be inspired to give away a copy of my first book, too -- ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  So, share this Giveaway with all your quilting pals!

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Now onto other fun stuff!

Recently I've been cleaning -- no, make that organizing -- my studio.  Truthfully, I haven't done this since April so I really had stacks and stacks of fabric and supplies to put away.  I sorted my fabrics, choppped up the smallish pieces into charms and strips, and even folded the yardage into uniform-sized bundles.  Then I put the nicely folded yardage into my storage drawers, which are of course mostly organized by color.  I do organize some fabrics by collection, however -- Americana, Halloween, Christmas, and a few places where I put "special" things such as kits or collections.

I even sorted through my batting scraps -- putting the cotton in one bin and the poly in another bin.

The studio is looking better, but there's still too much stuff in my small dungeon space.  Sigh.....I guess I'll have to keep working at it.  But now I have to get back to actually quilting.  I have two projects for an Annie's Crafts book and a baby quilt to quilt for a friend.  Of course, I also have several new submission in with a couple of quilt magazines, so we'll see what happens.

To make quilting even more enjoyable, yesterday I treated myself to a new dream sewing machine -- a Janome Horizon 8900.  Have you seen this machine yet?  It has an 11" throat!!!!!  How wonderful that is going to be for my free motion machine quilting.  The machine is on layaway right now, but the time will hopefully go fast until I will be ready to bring it home.

Tomorrow I have my first trunk show and book signing for my new book at my friend Melanie's shop, Quiltessentials,  in Pittsfield, PA.  This will be my third year participating in her free Friday Night Summer Lecture on the Lawn series.  Wish me luck!

In the meantime, don't forget to leave a comment to have a chance to win a copy of my new book, A Russian Journey in Quilts!  Good Luck to everyone!!!!

Time to Kick It Into High Gear

Well, today is the day that I am kicking things into high gear.  Already this morning, I emailed the Kansas City Star marketing person, the person in charge of organizing Quilt Market, and the person in charge of books.

So, I now have ordered copies of my book to resell!  Wahoo!  They'll be arriving soon.

I wrote all the things that I'm working on to promote my book or am planning to the marketing person.

The Quilt Market person already got back to me to let me know that she will be sending out an invitation to do a Schoolhouse lecture and a booth book signing.

Okay, so it begins...

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Yesterday, I went to an interesting antique shop in Harrisville, PA which used to be a hardware store.  It was huge and had so much stuff -- items were stacked and piled everywhere from floor to ceiling.  I did find this quilt, though.

 

So far this quilt is a puzzle to me.  The black sqaures and pieced triangle squares (which looks like the Little Cedar Tree block) are BLACK SILK.  The lighter fabric squares and rectangles at top and bottom (which is a brownish green)  are also SILK or maybe TAFETTA (I'm guessing they were once a darker green, perhpas poison green?).  The block arrangement is unusual as are the colors used.  The border is a dark blue green (maybe also poison green?) and it is somewhat coarse, maybe LINEN?  It is about 74x81.  It has a pale green silk ribbon or tape binding on two sides and a black silk ribbon or tape on the other two sides.  The quilt is hand pieced and quilted.  Hand quilting at 8 full stitches to the inch and includes both crosshatching and double diagonal lines in BLACK THREAD.

 

As you see, it definitely has some condition issues, shattered silk, tattered binding/edge, a few holes, etc.

 

But what really makes my heart go thumpity thump is the backing fabric!  It is glorious and near perfect, see below.  Although it's hard to see -- the colors are that distinctive greyish-blue, gold/brown, and tan.

 

 

 

My gut tells me this a very special quilt.  Sadly, I have no information about it.  I feel that this is an early quilt, perhaps pre-Civil War.  I am going to consult with some quilt expert friends and I'll post an update when I know more.

 

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!!!!

I know that I've kind of dropped off the blog radar for a while, but well, things have been busy.  My book has been printed and should be sitting in the warehouse right now.  I should be getting copies soon!  WAHOO!!!!!  I can't wait to hold it in my hands for real. 

Here it is:

Isn't it beautiful?????????

Here;s the description from the back:

Spurred by a family story and a love of quilting, Tricia Lynn Maloney weaves a tale of sweeping adventure and romance, telling the amazing story of Nicholas and Nina Filatoff. Each of the 15 quilt projects are taken from period designs and commemorate their incredible journey from the traditions of Imperial Russia through the intensity of World War I and upheaval of the Bolshevik Revolution. There are 11 wall hangings, three table runners and a large bed-size sampler quilt. The Russian Sampler combines blocks from the other projects and would make a wonderful block-of-the-month quilt. Learn the story of Nicholas and Nina as you piece through their extraordinary lives.
Retail: $27.95

Right now you can oder it on two websites:  www.pickledish.com and www.homesteadhearth.com.


I have so much more to say, but not enough time right now because it's getting late.  So I'll be back soon.  In the meantime, what do you think of my cover??????

BOOK UPDATE

It's scary, but my book is hurtling fast towards the anticipated July publication date.  I don't know the exact date.....  My editor Kent says we're a bit behind, but that we're still on target.

In the last week or so, Amy, my book designer, has been super busy at work taking my editor's rough draft and making it into a real book.  I am loving her ideas and so thankful that she keeps my ideas in mind as she designs.  So, now we have a book design plan and a tentative cover.  Wish I could show it to everyone right now, but  (SIGH) you'll have to wait a bit longer.

The biggest thing right now is that we have a space issue -- we need to somehow find three more pages for the rest of the book.  So, I've been doing some cutting and editing.  You know, it's really hard to chop sections out of your own work, but I'm gritting my teeth and doing it.

Right now I'm just starting to think about book signings, trunk shows,  and Fall Quilt Market.  I've been doing pretty good about getting the word out to magazines so far too.

Kansas City Star Books is a great publisher.  I just love how they've included me every step of the way.  Not all publishers are like that.  It's so awesome to contribute to the overall design of my book -- the layout, the way it looks, graphics, etc. 

OH!  I am so happy to announce that we're keeping my original title.  I really think this must be a very unusual thing.  My first book went through something like 6 name changes before Orphan Block Quilts was selected as THE ONE.

BLOG HOP DAY 7 -- LAST DAY

Greetings Everyone!

Today is the last day of Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop.  How many blogs did you hop too?  Me, not very many considering that there were around 200 participants.

Anyway, you have until midnight tonight to leave a comment on the daily blog in order to be registered to win a copy of my book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  As the number of comments has reached over 100 now, I am also going to give away two magazines featuring my quilts.  Fun!  Good luck everyone!  Also, I'd love love love it if you'd become a follower.  When my new book comes out in July, I'm planning to do some giveaways and such -- you don't want to miss that, do you?

Now let's talk about quilting style.  Recently it's been on my mind.  A friend of mine, Gaynel (who is one of the finest long arm machine quilters by the way) told me about a week ago that she opened up a magazine and saw a quilt that she immediately recognized as one of my designs before she'd even read the designer's name.  This really got me thinking.  What exactly IS my style as a quilt designer?

A day or two ago, my favorite magazine editor mentioned that she really liked my style so I emailed her back and asked her what she saw my style as.  I've always thought of myself as "eclectic" although I'm not really into applique veru much (I do admire it, but I don't really have the patience for it).  Carolyn emailed me back and this is what she wrote,  "I think of your style as tradition with an eye for simple lines...I think you make every effort to display the beauty of the fabrics and
create designs that quilters are confident they can tackle."  She definitely nailed how I approach designing, but now I have to come up with a name for it. 

Until tomorrow, when I announce two lucky winners -- one for the book and one for the magazines!  Now I'm off to hop a little bit more!  Maybe I'll see you!

BLOG HOP DAY 6

Hello Once Again Everyone!

Welcome to Day 6 of Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop.  If you leave a comment on the daily post, consider yourself registered to win a copy of my book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.  Oh!  And don't forget to become a follower too!

I am one happy person today!  First, since yesterday I've had FOUR more quilts accepted to Quilter's World Magazine and for an Annie's (used to be House of White Birches) book.  Oh my word!  Luckily all four of them are wall sized or smaller.  What a fun challenge.  NOW OF COURSE, I GET TO GO SHOPPING!

Another cool thing that happened recently is that I found out that my oldest niece, Meg, recently cited my book for one of her papers in college!  Wahoo!  That's something you can't say happens everyday.

The icing on the cake of course, is that the robins are back which means spring is truly right around the corner.  I say this of course, while there's a veritable snowstorm outside right now.  LOL!

BLOG HOP DAY 4

WOW!  I'm very excited that so many people have visited my blog so far.  What fun!  Hopefully you'll become followers too!

Anyway, today is the 4th day of Quilting Gallery's BLOG HOP.  If you leave a comment on today's blog (or any blog from March 8th through March 14th, 2013), you will be registered to win a copy of my first book, ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS.

I thought I'd tell you a little bit about ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS today.

I doubt that I could explain the book better than the back cover description, so here's the description from the back cover:

Make a Home for your orphaned blocks!

Orphan blocks can find their way into any quilter's life.  Whether they are leftover from an unfinished project, collectible blocks found at a garage sale, or even antique blocks discovered in your great-aunt's attic, Tricia Lynn Maloney will teach you how to care for your orphan blocks, and make a home for them.

ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS INCLUDES:

• 14 projects with 11 variations
• Instructions on caring for your orphan blocks
• Advice on designing a setting
• The story behind each quilt

If you don't have any orphan blocks, Tricia gives you advice on locating potential sources, whether from your own family or online.  And it's easy to substitute brand-new blocks, and make a new quilt from the ground up.  Check out the 11 variations in the book, where Tricia did just that!

Whether your orphan blocks are antique, vintage, collectible, or simply leftover from a recent project, you can sew the perfect setting that will let the blocks shine!

I don't think I could have said it any better!

Here's one of the quilts from my book.  It's called Mad for Madder.  The blocks are circa 1880.  All of the other fabrics are new reproductions.  This is a great quilt setting for any blocks, even modern ones, don't you think?

Getting in the Groove

I know a lot of quilters slow down in the summer due to the heat, but I don't. I even manage to sew on binding on big heavy quilts. My secret -- shhh! -- is propping the quilt on a TV table instead of on me as I hand sew the binding down. I also have a fan blowing directly at my legs which helps keep me cool. Add a cool beverege and a favorite DVD and I'm good for a couple hours of binding as long as the air conditioning is working hard, of course. Right now, I'm getting two quilts ready to go to Quilter's World for another upcoming book on precuts which will be out sometime next year. Instructions are written and the quilts are finished, I just need to get everything packages, printed, and mailed. I'm also wrapping up a quilt for FOns and Porter Easy Quilts magazine for Spring 2013. I just have to test the instructions to make sure they are accurate and then it too will get packaged, printed, and shipped. I'm also trying to complete the binding for my niece, Meghan's graduation quilt before her party on July 28th. I plan to make a matching pillow case as the gift bag too. I'm pleased that the quilt won't be travelling too far....she is attending my alma mater, Allegheny College, in the fall. In fact she will be living in the same hall I did when I was both a freshman and a junior, only just down the hall. I am incredibly proud of this young lady. Stay tuned for pics of her quilt and pillowcase in an upcoming blog. In the meantime I'm trying to get down and dirty with my new book project. I've contacted the publisher but do not have an assigned editor yet so right now I'm on my own. There are about 15 quilt projects in the book. I have two quilts quilted and in the binding phase, two tops ready for quilting, and I'm starting the fifth top. The majority of the story part is done. Photos are being translated as we speak. And I'm working on the book layout, or flat plan, too. I do need to start writing the instructions for the projects I've been working on, although I do jot down notes as I make the quilts. But I do need an editor ASAP and a deadline, of course!

HOT OFF THE PRESS....LITERALLY

Let me tell you about an exciting thing that happened the other day. I received a box of quilts back from DRG, the parent company of both Quilter's World magazine and House of White Birches. At first I couldn't remember which quilts that I should be getting back then I wondered if they were perhaps the quilts from the White Birches ninepatch book that comes out in August. I ripped into the package to find that I was correct -- it was the two quilts from the ninepatch book and nestled in the between the quilts was an advance copy of the book, officially called NINE PATCH PANACHE. I pulled that book out and started yelling and hollering BECAUSE ONE OF MY QUILTS WAS ON THE FRONT COVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What an awesome surprise! The book retails for $19.95 and is available for preorder through Amazon, etc. right now and should be available September 1st. I hope everyone will order this one -- and not just because my quilt is on the cover (although it does look really lovely there). The book features about 45 ninepatch quilts from traditional to contemporary. It's a nice addition to any quilter's library. I actually have two designs in this book -- Floating Stars and Optica. Optica is the cover quilt, of course! OH, BEFORE I FORGET -- HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Guilty

Okay, I admit I must be one of the worst bloggers right now. I haven't blogged since the end of April. I've never gone this long without blogging. It's not that I didn't have anything to say, actually it's been quite the opposite. It's just that I've been quilting like a mad woman and haven't been spending any real quality time with my computer. No computer time, no blogging. I've been so lax in computer time that I'm actually checking my email on my ipod now. Sad, isn't it? Now that that's out of the way, let me tell you what I haven't been blogging about. May was a really busy month. Of course, I worked on several magazine pieces and made my deadlines. I also made several stash projects including another quillow, a table runner out of left over batiks, and a miniature quilt for an upcoming guild quilt challenge. Speaking of guild, I didn't even make it to the May meeting. I also worked on a few projects for my upcoming book -- I really need to buckle down and get serious about the projects. Of course, I also worked on research and writing for my book, too. I had an Orphan Quilt trunk show in May. It went well and the dinner beforehand was delicious. Of course, all of these activities were fitted around my day job at the public library, a few other part-time jobs, and my home responsibilities. The end of May brought some real heartache in my family, though, as we said good bye to our beloved canine companion, Poohka. This was really hard. He was a very special and unique Shih Tzu, with a smile and he even stomped his foot (yes, like a two year old's temper tantrum) when he didn't get what he wanted fast enough. His kidneys were failing rapidly and there wasn't anything more the vet could do. What hurt even more was the fact that my other furry pal, Gizmo has been absolutely bereft in the absence of his doggy brother. I think he's finally adjusting somewhat but he's very clingy and doesn't like me to leave him. Giz has even taken to sleeping on a pillow in my studio while I sew (he's never done this before). We've all had to make adjustments in our daily lives. It's ironic, really, when you realize how much your day revolves around a beloved pet only after he or she is gone. Smile on, Pookie, smile on.... June is turning out to be just as crazy as May was. In addition to trying to spend more time with Gizmo, I'm working on one project for the magazine and I just found out today that they accepted two more for a pre cut book. Whew -- I'd better start sewing faster. I had another program for the Sew and Sew Guild in Grove City recently too. Very nice group. I debuted my new program, "Fabric Dating Tips and Orphan Block Tricks." It was a fun evening. Next week I have a program for Country Charms Guild -- I'm doing the new one, and I am also doing a volunteer workshop on English paper piecing at the at the local senior center. Well, I see it's getting late so I'll stop here. Hopefully I'll get some photos up soon for your viewing pleasure. I want to show off some of the new Orphan Blocks that have come my way recently. Good Night! I need to go to bed so that I can get up early and QUILT!

NEW BOOK

OKAY!!!!!!!!!!! I mailed my signed contract today. It's almost 100% official.

I am so eager to get this project rolling because it is very meaningful to me personally. Working with Kansas City Star Quilts is going to be a great experience, too. I'll bet everyone has at least one KCS book in their stash -- their books are so well designed and beautiful -- it's a lot more than a quilting project book. Have you been on their website yet? You can follow this link: http://www.pickledish.com/. They're also on Facebook and Twitter too. So please check them out.