Our Newest Quilt Book
Monday, October 18, 2010
Barb and I are just about ready to go to quilt market in Houston, Texas. Our book went to the printer today and we should have copies by next Monday. I am thrilled to say the least. I'm always glad to make a deadline. This baby is 84 pages! (Being an old labor and deliver nurse I feel like I can call this project a baby....lots of labor and at the end of the process you are thrilled with what you take home...or in this case, what we will take to market.)
I had my first baby the "natural" way. By the time I was almost done with the labor part and ready to have the baby, they could have thrown me off of the top of the building and I wouldn't have cared one bit. I would have screamed, "thank you!!!!!" all the way to the ground. (Luckily, this project wasn't that painful.)
When Barb and I go to market, we stand in our booth and look like we are smart, organized and very creative. But it's a lie.....we have the help of many wonderful people to get us anywhere. WE could never make our deadlines without them. Edie McGinnis, our editor is one of the people that makes us look and sound good. I know I've written a small paragraph about her help in our books....but really, it seems inadequate when I think about what she does for us. Her creative writing skills add much to our text. It was her idea to replace my subtitle "Quilts and Projects Inspired by Our Love of the Garden with her catchy phrase "A Bouquet of Quilts and Projects". Much better, right?
Jane Miller does our technical edits. I'm so grateful for her. No one wants me to do a technical edit and no one is calling Barb and asking her to do one either. Plenty of people are calling Jane though.
Jeanne Zyck our quilter....we really don't know why she answers the phone when we call. (She has caller ID too!) She gets the quilt from us in the evening and has it ready the next day for us. And it looks fabulous! She quilted 5 quilts for us in 5 days so we could make our deadline.
Eric Sears does our drawings....he was up until all hours last night getting the final drawings done. And he never complains. (You are probably wondering where we find these folks!)
Alissa Christianson charts all of our cross stitch patterns. She never fails to get them to us quickly. We wouldn't have any cross stitch patterns without her. Barb and I don't have a clue how to chart a pattern on the computer.
Barb's Mom is in her 80's. She works all hours of the day and night trying to get the applique and sewing done for Barb. Barb couldn't get it all done without her mom's help.
And many thanks to our printer. You have no idea how I abuse those folks. I've been working with Kelly Shanks and Terry Ward from Boelte Hall for about 11 years. Terry even offered to drive the books to Houston if they couldn't get them done in time.
And last but certainly not least....we thank all of you for your readership, suggestions, support and for sharing your projects with us. We are inspired by your work and grateful for all of you!
More about our fabric line in the next couple of days!
Until later,
Alma
49 comments
Alma, It looks beautiful...you and Barb have a great market!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see you at market!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book! I will look for it in the local shops here!
ReplyDeleteKaren from Nebraska
Alma,
ReplyDeleteI can not wait to have the book in my collection. It looks beautiful.
Oh I can't wait! So exciting! I tend to notice cross stitch market more than quilt, but I enjoy following the quilt market too -- especially to see what you ladies are up to. Good luck -- have fun!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new baby. I love all of your books and will put an order in at Amazon for a copy soon. Have fun at market - I wish I could be there again - Hugs Nat
ReplyDeleteI am already clearing a spot on my bookshelf...Congratulations on your new book. I love all of them.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover photo, can't wait to see what is inside.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look for it when it hits the stores in my area.
Debbie
That cover of the book looks like the best one yet! I CANNOT wait.............so excited!! Have fun at market too!
ReplyDeleteLooks like another wonderful book!! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Have fun at market!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait for the new book. Like always I love everything you do. The cover is very inviting!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the book - It looks lovely in the photo :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I'll have to keep an eye open for this one. I was looking through quilt patterns at our local quilt shop the other day, and just couldn't find anything that wasn't applique that thrilled me. I just like to applique, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI bought Wild Pomegranate about a month (or so) ago and have been busy collecting fabric and making bias strips for the stems! I think it is a gorgeous quilt. Thanks ladies!
Congratulations on your new book! It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous, I did wonder how you managed it al LOL. Wonderful to have such a great team for your wonderful charts & books.
ReplyDeleteOh Alma...you and Barb are awesome...and you're always wonderful in your booth! I'm so excited you're taking your book to Houston...the shops will be so happy! Hope your Market is a great one...I still miss Market...but retirement is wonderful1
ReplyDeleteI love everything that y'all do. Can't wait to visit with y'all at market. Will y'all have a school house session and will I be able to purchase the new book at market? See you at market.
ReplyDeleteSoo looking forward to look into this one!! :o)
ReplyDeleteWell done girls!! :O)
You gals are a truly a treasure and appreciate any and all that is done, that's why the people you choose to work with also choose you. Can hardly wait to see yet another incredible book - they are all works of art.
ReplyDeleteLooks Lovely - will it be distrubuted un Australia and by whom - cant wait
ReplyDeletecongrat's !!! enjoy your moment in the sun at market.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks great. When will you have the halloween rachel's wheel available?
ReplyDeleteI am excited as always to get your new book....I have most all of them! Love you work!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have lots of help. You guys are the cat's meow and more! You are so loved in the stitching and quilting world, you know it??? ♥'s to both of you! Enjoy market!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous and inspiring new book. I would love to have a closer look and maybe one day, even get to see you both at a show or a class - one can have dreams :>)
ReplyDeleteYour team sounds like a dream team too. They obviously have a huge love for the work they do and the people they are working for.
Angela xx
You didn't mention photography - I love all your photos! Even when I know I won't get to the projects for a long time, I'll buy your books just for the photos.
ReplyDeleteAlways looking forward to your next book!!! and your fabric!!
ReplyDeleteLove you guys! Thank you for being creative so we can be!!
christine
Looking forward to seeing this book on the shelves. As wonderful as your team sounds, lets face it, without you two guys and your creative talents....
ReplyDeleteI can't make Houston this year and I will really miss seeing both of you!
OMG! You forgot to thank the guy in the garage, with the saw thingy that makes all those pincushions and cooks those meals and gives great massages when you're tired after a long drive back from the beach - He loads the car, makes sure you have plenty of gas, he unpacks - oh the shame of it all. But I still worship the shrine of BBD! :)
ReplyDeleteI already pre ordered mine to add to my collection..Love your stuff!!
ReplyDeleteThis is tempting, but I would appreciate some sneak peaks inside the book, is that possible?
ReplyDeleteOooo - I can hardly wait to get a peek at your book!! I'm currently working on "Holly and Mistletoe" from your book "When the Cold Wind Blows". I'm so please with how it is turning out and can hardly wait to add another of your books to my library!!
ReplyDeleteJudie
Ahh yes another beautiful book from the lovely blackbird ladies.Can't wait to get my hands on one. A big thankyou to your team that make it all possible.Have a great market,
ReplyDeleteBronwyn
Alma, I am more of a cross stitcher than a quilter, but I love to look at quilts and I love EVERYTHING you guys do, so I am looking forward to this new book and It will probably be added to my Blackbird collection :-). Looking forward to your fabric line too !!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new book. I love all of your quilt and cross stitch designs. Are you going to publish the last 3 designs for the Remember Me series?? Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI am really going to have to work on my favorite fabric/quilt store here in G.J. Co to carry more of your books and to get your fabric line! Everything you do is right up my allie!!!
ReplyDeleteet nous nous vous remercions de vos merveilleuses créations - une fan indéfectible
ReplyDeletehttp:/nadineunedeuxx.canalblog.com
I love the cover...so pretty!!! Can't wait to see it in my hands!!
ReplyDeleteKathy in MA
I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at market. :-)
Cynthia
Alma, congratulations on the wonderful book. Quick question--will you be releasing the needle/tread roll pattern (mentioned in August posting)? I really love that design too!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for this book! Please let us know as soon as it's available!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all you do,
Karen L.
I'm drooling! Can't wait to get my hands on this book. Thanks to ALL for their hard work.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you new book! Just finished a "Simply Vintage" quilt which is going to raise funds for a camp for children with cancer. Posted a photo on my blog...
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty piece, can't wait for the book of class pieces!!!! Travel safe and have fun :-).
ReplyDeleteHi Alma,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you have a distributor in the UK? I have looked for your books at quilt shows here in England, but with no luck so far.... Otherwise maybe somebody here would be good enoough to recommend an online quilt shop in the U.S. that I could contact?
Many thanks!
Jackie (in England)
Dear Alma,
ReplyDeleteI am expecting your new book from cotton patch shoppe,MS and I am sure it is a great one ,once again.I also want let you know my HSH is finished ,at oct 26,22pm last stitch ,you can see it on bergamottepatch.over-blog.com and I have yet prepared all the fabrics for ...birds of a feather,shall start on the week end !your French fan ,Joelle
I will look for the book here in Omaha, NE can't wait.
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