When the computer doesn’t cooperate

I look good.  I tried to post all three topics in one, but the photos wouldn’t move.  So I am continuing to load the myriad of pictures that I’ve taken this week, documenting the flurry of activity around the shop and elsewhere. Molly Tango Foundation Mothers’ Day Luncheon was a success with about 60 books sold and the auction of Molly’s Story Quilt. The Ridgefield Press had given us a front-page spot in print and online and the feedback was phenomenal.  I got an”Aloha” email all the way from Hawaii: Kona Bay Fabrics president: thanks, Doug.

Here are a few shots from a great event.

The ballet theme says “Molly.”

Lots of Ridgefield retailers donated merchandise to raise money at the luncheon.

And thanks to Brittany for her help collecting the donations.

Later that evening…what a celebration!  

And for Mother’s Day I received a very special gift: Meals4Moms.  Thanks, Ally.

 

This week

Planning and packing for the Northern Star Quilt Show at JFK HS in Somers, NY

Here are some of the things you can see there:

 

gabbag: make a statement

Now on sale,  my one-of-a-kind Painted and Pieced totes with a message. Limited quantity, so get yours now.

 

We’re bringing bolts!  The half yards of Kokka were so popular at the NYC show that we’ve decided to cut yards or more at the NSQG show this weekend. We’ll also have some Daiwabo Taupe bolts.  They make beautiful garment, so yardage is a must.

 

We will have kits available which include all the fabrics and the pattern to make Tipping Point.   Jennifer blogged us this week, so visit the SusBoom site and read the comments that the quilt is receiving.

We have made up more Molly Story Quilt Kits.  These were also popular in NYC and we’re bringing the newly published book, as well. Personalize the backpack with your favorite child’s name. I have other project ideas for the illustrations, so stay  tuned.

 

It’s here

Two years in the making and we’re so glad we didn’t give up. The book – My Friend Molly Comes to Preschool is finally published.
 Terrie’s new site (www.apreschoolstory.com) is under construction. Books are for sale and we’re taking orders at the Quilter’s Alley. $20. goes to the Molly Ann Tango Foundation. We will ship to you, if you like.

The story quilt is also done and kits are available at the Quilter’s Alley.  Key illustrations have been redesigned as quilt blocks and the backpack block is ready for personalization.   This particular quilt will be auctioned at the Foundation Luncheon in May.

 

Back from Houston Quilt Market

It seems like we’ve spent a lot of travel time in Texas this year with Husqvarna Viking Convention and all.  But, going to Market transports me to the Land of Ideas.  I’ve returned with order slips for over 150 new bolts of fabric from Westminster, Alexander Henry, Lecien, Kokka, Art Gallery Fabrics.  These will make their debut after the New Year.  Sample spree yielded little gems of Lecien, Kokka and Art Gallery Fabrics that will be tied into precious bundles of color and available for sale immediately.
I’ll take some tempting photos this week.

Still Construction but a Beautiful new park this year

 

 

The Brains & Brawn of Art Gallery Fabrics

We were focused this year on bright color, not that I don’t love it all the time.  Our goal was to cheer the economic recession into submission.  We went to the Quilt Exhibit, but I only partially covered the vast hall because of an issue with sore feet.  I took names, so I could check them out online, but only one or two had websites.  Boo Hoo

We spotted Eleanor Burns, Kaffe and Liza, Jay McCarroll, (Project Runway winner), (missed a Marie Osmond sighting),  Amy Butler, Trish & Davis from Attic Heirlooms.

Spoke to Liesl, from Oliver + S. We’ve been buying more and more of her classically adorable children’s patterns as our business turns toward the young crafty mom.  Liesl is so beautiful and real- a Brooklyn girl. Also on the real track is Anna Maria Horner, who we had met in San Antonio in June.  She and I spent quite a while chatting about being creative and business in general.  We plan to stay in touch.  We caught her doing her own photos of her gorgeous booth. So down to earth.  And we may have her coming to the Quilter’s Alley for a book signing in the Spring.  That would be so amazing!

Meanwhile at the Shop:

I promised to bring you the heirloom being quilted by hand.  Go Cindy and Erin!

 

The T-Shirt quilts are done.  Here are photos:

Molly’s Book is in its final revision, I think.  It looks great!  Thanks, Terrie.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation.

 

Give Away winner announced:  Sherrym2 will receive the Jennifer Paganelli Fat Quarters and the Times Square Pattern by the Quilter’s Alley

Good News!  There are several more art quilt pattern designs in the works from The Quilter’s Alley, now being prepared for publication.

 

So close but we keep going…

Friday, the 10th, just after Midnight, a fire broke out in the Alley where our store and two others maintain a business.  The building on one side was destroyed right through the roofing.  Luckily our former space has been empty for about a month, (We moved out last year.) but Hot Shoes took a beating and Milillo Farm is drying out from the water and smoke damage, hoping to reopen in a few days. Our shop got some smoke and a bit of water from the fire hoses, but is relatively unscathed.  It is quite amazing, since another building across from fire has melted siding.

When we arrived for work on Saturday morning, there were police tapes around the whole area, including our store.  We were allowed to cross them and enter our store, but we would return to the parking lot to retrieve our guest teacher, Leni Wiener, and all of the students who were taking class that morning. See [photos of Leni's quilts below.)

Presently,we are faced (literally) with a mess of charred wood, plaster dust, broken glass and the unlikely prospect that they will complete rebuilding in six months.

Inside the Quilter's Alley, we continue to move ahead with beautiful projects abounding.  

 

Amy

There are people on the steps in the full quilt.

Baby Goose - Thread not Feathers

 

Redwork without knowing how to draw? Yes!

 

 

The Norwalk Community Quilting Project continues to yield interesting results from participants.  
Lizzy Rockwell, who moderates the sewing group, brought in two of their latest quilts. One is obviously inspired by the Gee’s Bend book she showed them.  Their “first” quilt is still being worked on by hand at the Norwalk Senior Housing Community Room.

 

Somewhat like the first quilt with leftovers

 

Yellow Border

Coming Next:

The beginning sewers are making table runners today. 

A family heirloom is beginning to be quilted by hand.

My T-Shirt Quilts are almost done.  Just a bit of binding and handwork left.

Molly’s book is almost finished.

 

Progress

Behind the scenes, I’m almost obsessively working on completing the illustrations for Molly’s book.  This project is more than a year old, and it will be good to finish.  I had no idea that projects like this took so long, or were so much work for that matter.  But I guess anything worthwhile takes time.  So I have spent more time in my tiny craft closet with my old watercolors and the drawings than I have doing anything else lately.  Two more paintings are left to do and then I can continue on my lollypop trees among other pressing ideas.

 

Illustrating for a Cause

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.