Where I Was Last Night

Last night I attended Patricia Knoechel's (Eleanor Burns's sister) lecture about Eleanor's new book, Quilts From El's Kitchen.

Have you seen this book yet?  It's a typical Eleanor book filled with great photos of quilts, quilt history, and easy to understand well-illustrated instructions.  Not too mention all kinds of inspiration!  The book features sixteen blocks (both 12" and 6") with a food theme and a central basket medallion.  Of course, it also includes many other smaller projects such as Laundry Day by Patricia Knoechel which includes three adorable pieced aprons hung on a mini clothesline (the last photo).

Please enjoy my photos from the program.

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.

IRONY

Okay, I have a VERY IRONIC event to share with everyone.  I went JoAnn Fabrics in Meadville tonight to pick up a few things to make some doll clothes for a young friend of mine.  While there, I cruised through the quilt books and saw -- GASP!  Nine Patch Panache by House of White Birches.

 My quilt is on the cover of this book.  I've been waiting three years for this moment when my local store actually carried one of the books that I'm in.  So, I carried the two books from the shelf up to the counter, explained that it was my quilt on the cover, and asked if they wanted me to sign the books (which I've done in quilt shops before....). 

The cashier went back to ask the manager who then sent back this message:  she was not "authorized" for me to sign the books so I could not sign them.  Isn't that about the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard??????  EVERYONE knows a signed book is more desireable AND generally worth more.

Well, I guess this goes to show that local quilt shops are more supportive of designers, particularly local designers.  When my first book was published, I had several signings and trunk shows ay my local quilt shops.  I did contact JoAnn Fabrics about carrying my book at the time, but nothing ever came of that.  Nor did my local store ever contact me about doing an event. 

Let's keep supporting our local quilt shops because they support designers!

Free Quilt Pattern Anyone?????

On Friday, Quilter's World Magazine. posted a link for a FREE PATTERN from the Summer 2013 issue. 

It's my quilt design, MODERN CELTIC.

Here's the link to get this limited-time free pattern:

http://bit.ly/St0GJJ


To order the Summer 2013 issue filled with over 20 projects including Modern Celtic and my rockin' bag, Hippy Swing bag and two gorgeous quilts by my friend Leslie Lattner, follow this link: 

http://bit.ly/12juCJE

If you love love love the hand-dyed fabrics, check out Lori's website:

http://www.labfabrics.com/index.php


Have fun and don't ever stop quilting!

Let the Promoting Begin!

My editor Kent, recently emailed me a rough draft of my book complete with images and diagrams.  Granted, it's really rough, but it's looking more like a book.  I'm so excited!  It has a ways to go yet before it's truly a book, but we're getting there.

So far, no one has even made a whisper about changing the title.  When I wrote my first book, I think the name changed four or five times. So keep your fingers crossed for me!

Now that the book is in the production phase, I'm beginning to work on promotion.  So far, I've contacted six or seven quilt magazines and I'm beginning to get some positive responses back.  I've got four or five more to go.  Who knew there were so many quilt magazines out there.  My goal is at least six magazines this time. 

QUILTERS NEEDED

Greetings Fellow Quilters!


I need your help. 

The library where I work, Cochranton Area Public Library, is in the process of building a new Library building.  Our current structure is aging and needs a lot of updates so the Library Board decided to build a new Library.

We have been doing fund-raising and have our big fund-raising event coming up soon.  We are hosting the first Cochranton Library Art and Textile Auction.  It will be held May 18th at the Meadville Elks Club in Meadville, PA.  So far, we've raised about $80,000 towards our goal.  We hope to break ground very soon.

I am helping with the Auction.  My task is to arrange for Quilt and Textile donations.  Please note that this is a juried auction and all items will be selected by the Jury Board for inclusion in the Auction. 

Would any of my Blog followers or friends care to donate a piece to the Auction to help us raise money to build our new Library?  The deadline to submit items is April 15th if you want to be included in the catalog.

I am looking for quilts in  clean condition that are either a traditional design or an original design (please, no published patterns unless you have permission from the designer).  Sizes can range from miniature to bed size.  Styles can be from traditional to art quilt. Quilts must be well-made and not purchased from a Big Box Department store.

If you are interested in donating an item to help raise money to build a new community library, please either email me at:  littlequilts@windstream.net OR you can mail items to:

Tricia Maloney
Cochranton Area Public Library
PO Box 296
107 West Pine Strret
Cochranton, PA 16314

If you are shipping a donation, please let me know so that I can expect it.  Also, please include your contact information, including an email address so that I can contact you.  If you have any questions, please email me.

Thanks for supporting our library.

Tricia

WINTER BLOG HOP WINNERS

Okay, okay, I must apologize that I didn't post the winners yesterday.  Friday was my shopping day with my mom and by the time I got home, it was all I could do to collapse in a chair.  We went to a super clearance sale at a new area shop......I spent $44 and bought four stuffed bags of new clothes!  Including six wool sweaters to repurpose as mittens and maybe hats.

Anyway, here are the winners:

Amanda K from Texas is the winner of a copy of ORPHAN BLOCK QUILTS

Sandra Visser from Utah is the winner of the magazines.

Congrats Ladies!

Both winners have been contacted and their prizes will be in the mail!


By the way, I won a collection of batik fabrics and a pattern from another blogger!  Wahoo!!!