THE QUILTER'S ALLEY

I know it’s cliche, but so is where I’m standing, when you realize how Project Runway has infiltrated the American crafter’s psyche. MOOD!  Needless to say, 40,000 sf of fabric is a bit overwhelming.  I felt lost. It’s so huge and so much of the fabric isn’t what I know, but still we walked around and I touched all the bolts and imagined what I could be making from each colorful shred.  Stu found the leather corner and committed to making the pets a leather bed next time. Probably our favorite find was the pooch in his corner office, Swatch.We spent the whole day in the city on Monday.  One stop was the big K on 34th St.  Our mission: to find the photo of Shara on Martha Stewart’s bedding line. Lower level against a scraggy cinderblock wall, but we found it.   Our last stop was the Martha Stewart Living offices of which I got an amazing grand tour. (no pictures) Test kitchen, photo studios, paint swatches, THE PROPS, Shara’s desk area, fabrics, designers, Martha’s Office, the Apprentice Bathroom.  I couldn’t absorb it in one visit.

I’ve been working on the illustrations for a book called “My Friend Molly Goes to Preschool.”   This may not be the final title, but neither are the illustrations at this point.  I thought I should document the unpainted version of some of them as this process evolves.

My mind is about to burst with thoughts of work and the work we have for upcoming shows, especially Lancaster, PA.  I haven’t been procrastinating, but the piles seem to be getting bigger.  I took this picture of the prep area in the store yesterday.  It’s just a glint of what will be happening in the next three weeks. Consider the piles cropping up outside the camera frame.

Shara just sent this over.  The press photo.

It never gets boring around the Quilter’s Alley.  Customers are encouraged to Show & Tell about their latest project. I take lots of pictures.  They are usually pretty impressive.  Case in point… .  Elizabeth Wiener’s latest project.  She also brought pictures of her work space which always fascinates me.  Beth Cunningham’s baby quilt.  Go color for babies!Our diligent customers with big hearts, Pat Cole and Virginia Oakley finished this year’s Quilt Pink Quilts that the shop donates to auction for breast cancer.  Sorry it’s so small.Laura came in with vintage blocks she finished with borders.  Pauline used Mary Engelbright fabric for her friend’s birthday quilt.

Co-Winner!

Shara, Associate Product ManagerSpecial publication for pet lovers/pet foodBig Idea: To create a yearly or biyearly publication focusing on pets and pet crafts, where readers will be encouraged to create their own pet-related products, and we’ll also offer tips for including your pet in your life…

My alternate idea is to create a packaged line of Martha-branded pet craft items. This line would vary from holiday-themed products, like a bone-shaped Christmas stocking, to wedding items, like a ring pillow your dog could wear down the aisle.

The contest continues with the participants making another appearance on the Martha Stewart Show this week.  Don’t know if there will be more voting, but stay tuned.  It airs at 10am in NH and NC and 1pm in CT.  Check your listing.  ”Biscuits” is the idea and yes, that’s Ally and our puggle, Nellie on the cover.

Is this “art quilting?”   Or Stu’s fatal attempt at a modeling career?

Shara is in the running to win the BIG IDEA 2008 contest.  Go the Martha Stewart BLOG and vote for PET LOVERS PUBLICATION each day until Feb. 7.