Sit back and get comfy, or wander off to a different blog that updates a little more frequently - this is going to be a long one!
First! Quilt Market! We went, we had a great time, take a peek:
For those interested, the collage in the back wall was a love child of foam board and spray adhesive. Super easy and quick, big impact.
The letters the Meadowsweet logo were done in were a find at Joannes. They were a paper mache type thing. We painted them and whipped out the mod podge to adhere the fabric to the top. One Indiana Jones flick was all the time it took.
Flowers are a must have, and I generally take more pictures of the flowers than I do of anything else, go figure. I usually go pretty simple with my flowers, and since there are daisies in my new collection, daisies it had to be this time around. They really are the happiest flower, aren't they?
We were so honored to have won an award. Best Merchandising. I gushed and thanked them when they presented it to us (right after Michael Miller won the Creativity award!) and after they left, I had to turn and ask someone what the Merchandising award is. In case you are as clueless as I was, it's basically the way you show yourself off. Oh well-yeah, I think I've got that down.
It certainly helped that we had these two killer chairs in the booth. Good grief-how gorgeous, right?
A couple weeks ago, Caroline emailed and asked if I needed anything for market. Weelll.. "since you asked".. I sent her some pitifully small bits of fabric and she sent me the Eiffel tower of chairs. Thank you thank you Caroline!
Overall, market was great! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and met us. Meadowsweet was very well received as were the new patterns we debuted. Here, have a quick sneak.
I'm not going to put up the full reveal of them until I have them in hand - which should be in November. In the meantime, I'm finishing up the book, the pattern instructions and sewing up several Halloween costumes.
Oh, and we're updating the website with a new design and order management system.. About to put out an ad for a couple new employees to help handle the new pattern shipping and everything - All that behind the scenes stuff that doesn't seem very interesting and doesn't take a very pretty picture, but it's so much work that I feel justified in mentioning it here. :)
Next: Shoes (allow me a slight detour here)
Dear John Fluevog,
I love your shoes. They are the most comfortable pair I have ever owned and took virtually no breaking in. Thank you for your amazing product! I would like a free pair, as I believe I sold more shoes than patterns or fabric when I wore them to International Quilt Market last week.
Thank you,
Sandi Henderson
OK, here they are:
I own, ahem, three pairs of Fluevogs. The ones I was wearing here are the Malibrans and I also have these. There are not exactly a cheap pair of shoes, but I have found really great deals on mine-search around and if you get some, let me know the color and style. I'm about to start a Fluevog love club or something. They're great.
OK, next -the BEAR.
If you follow me on twitter, you'll have seen my ongoing issues with the wilderness beasties that are making our home theirs. Guess I can't really blame them, we live about a half a block from the woods and hiking trails. Anyhow, people keep asking me to try and get pictures and finally the other night we did.
It's a different bear pretty much each night and the night we took these, it was a mama with 2 cubs. She was really aggressive, hissing and throwing a fit anytime she saw a glimpse of a light or person. She finally hopped up the tree and we sat at our door for about and hour and a half to warn anyone that might be walking by-I was genuinely afraid she would attack someone that got too close. The other bears really didn't seem to mind people much, but mama bear - well now I truly understand the origin of the term "mama bear."
It's gotten to be a bit much and the neighbors have decided to pull out the tree. It's a shame, but they are getting too comfy around here.
I took these pictures from our front door-about 20 feet away. Insanity I tell you!
All right - bouncing back to the market section of this post - I took some videos again of some of my designer buds but this post is already long enough, so I'll put them up tomorrow. Did you know that a certain designer's husband is in a rock band? If you can guess who, I will be overly impressed. I had NO clue about it at all, and Dustin is now hooked to the band.
Sandi
I love reading your posts! While I loved your booth and your shoes, I'm still all over the bear thing and who's husband is a rock star! One; my husband Tim is LEARNING to play the BANJO, if that helps in the elimination process. Two; Tell me you're renting. Sending all my love!
Posted by: Paula Prass | October 21, 2009 at 05:20 AM
I think I'm really going to love your new fabric collection! It seems like very happy designs!
I really do love those shoes! What colors do they come in? I wish I could try on a pair.
And that bear - oh my. I used to live in a neighborhood / former orchard, so I know how scary it feels to have bears outside your window. They are cool but so big!
Posted by: Terriaw | October 21, 2009 at 05:26 AM
I really enjoyed meeting you at Market. Your "Gracie" pattern was a HUGE success at our festival booth and we had to order from festival so we could ship after we ran out! You go girl!!! Pamie G.
Posted by: Pamela Graham | October 21, 2009 at 06:23 AM
Whooohoo. I now know why I like you so much. We're Fluevog soul sisters. I love them. Have three pair myself. You can find them on Ebay, sometimes. But they last forever and that makes the "whoa" price tag totally worth it. I mean, what other shoes last 10+ years? Seriously.
Sorry about the bear.
Excited for your marketing award.
Posted by: tara | October 21, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Love those shoes, but way beyond my budget...can you get me a free pair, too!?! Great eye candy, and any post that talks about shoes is a good one...
My shop ordered your fabric (I don't get to go to Market or buy!) and I am SO EXCITED!
Posted by: Doris | October 21, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Wonderful collection and the chair upholstering is just amazing work.
Posted by: Rena | October 21, 2009 at 08:41 AM
When will Meadowsweet be available in quilt shops? I'm saving up for it. I love all of your fabric lines!
Posted by: Alice S | October 21, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Those shoes are almost as wonderful as your new fabric line. I am going to have nightmares about the bears!
Posted by: Molly | October 21, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Where will you be posting an ad for new employees needed? What all does the pattern shipper job entail?
Love your shoes! Congrats on the award- From the pics your booth looked very fun!
Posted by: Laura Neill | October 21, 2009 at 09:55 AM
The glimpses of your fabric are so enticing! I can't wait for November to see more of them!
Posted by: Jana | October 21, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Rock band husband ...has to be Amy Butler 'cause Anna Maria Horner has 6 kids so how would he find the time?!
Posted by: Margie | October 21, 2009 at 12:12 PM
i guess im the only one that cant affor them. oh well!
Posted by: april | October 21, 2009 at 12:17 PM
cute shoes! I could totally live in your booth with all that happy fabric around-- can't wait to buy some!
Posted by: gina f. | October 21, 2009 at 02:11 PM
OK so I'm missing a friend so I've become a blog stalker and braylee just wants to know why there is a bear in her friends yard!!! hey when you finish that job ad let me know...I might be totally interested...LOVE YOU!!!!
Posted by: Kari | October 21, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Ahhh!! You're BACK!! I kept hopin' and hopin'! Love the shoes...told a friend today that America is all about "life, liberty and the pursuit of a great pair of shoes"! If I weren't already six-feet tall in my stockin' feet, I would OWN me a pair of those in pink!!
I have a whole collection of your fabric just waiting on me to get some time off to make my daughter's kindergarten wardrobe! Absolutely cannot WAIT to get my hands on more of your patterns - they are the best I have ever used in over 30 years of sewing! It wouldn't make me unhappy at all if you posted a better peek at what is in store in November! I promise not to whine if you do...
Posted by: Naomi Hays | October 21, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Booth, fabrics and designs adorable!!!!
I have debated ordering the fluevogs
-like their styles so thanks for the review!
I almost emailed u and asked what kind of
shoes you were wearing in the bear photo!
Lol :)
Posted by: Lori Kramer | October 21, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Congratulations on the award! Your booth looked fantastic and I love the new Meadow Sweet!
Posted by: Rafael's mum | October 22, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. And such super fab shoes! Congrats on the awesomest booth award! I think that's what it was called...or should've been called. :D How completely beautiful and inspiring.
Posted by: Joey & Aleethea | October 22, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Cannot wait for Meadowsweet - such gorgeous colors; no question why you won the merchandising award, congrats!
ooo, those shoes are CUTE and comfy? putting them on my Christmas list now!
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