Saturday, May 23, 2015

I'm still here!

Confession time.

I haven't sewn a stitch since I was asked to design a line of fabric.  Virtually all of my waking hours have been devoted to first coming up with a theme and then developing and working through the designs.

Book and pattern publishing aren't new to me.  I published three books and over 200 pattern designs before retiring from the decorative painting industry in 2006. Fabric "publishing" or production on the other hand, is entirely new to me. Thank goodness the Creative Director at Blank Quilting was able to understand and embrace my vision and now that vision is coming to fruition on fabric.

I really haven't been able to concentrate on anything since this venture started just a short while ago.  Thank goodness my next project for Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine was already finished before starting to work on the fabric designs.  All there is left to do is to write up the instructions and I'll be able to send it off before my July 15th deadline.

One thing for certain is that this new venture hasn't put a damper on my quilting-related buying habits.  Every time I'd buy something new I'd ask Mr. Painted Quilt if he'd mind taking it upstairs to my sewing studio where of course it was dropped in the first available space.  

And the result?  

Chaos!



My mind simply shuts down and refuses to work when surrounded by clutter and disorganization and that is probably one of the main reasons why I've been remiss about starting into something new...not that I didn't have these other distractions going on in my head.

So today I decided that it was time to do some tidying up which surprisingly didn't take as long as I expected.  

Everything is back to "normal" once again...



and I even managed to pull some fabrics for my next project, Leanne Beasley's "Journey of a Quilter", which I was going to start before being asked to design a fabric line.

I've decided to go with a line called "Provencial" by Iron Orchid Designs for Clothworks.



These fabrics are very "provencial" and feminine and are waaaay out of my comfort zone but I wanted a challenge that would force me to climb out of that comfort zone and also stretch my boundaries.  I'm looking forward to the distraction and the cutting will hopefully start tomorrow!

Pictured below is a photo that I took a couple of weeks ago of a completed "Journey of a Quilter" that was on display at a local quilt show and sale that I attended a couple of weeks ago.  Because of the fabrics I've chosen, combined with the changes that I'm going to make, mine will look quite different.



In the interim, I'm trying to exercise patience while waiting for Fed Ex to deliver the first set of proofs for my fabric line to arrive from Blank Quilting in New York City.  According to the tracking information, the package has cleared customs in Montreal and I'm hoping that they will be delivered to our little corner of Nova Scotia on Monday.  These are 'just' the colored artwork proofs and basically will be the final step where I can make any changes or alterations that I deem necessary.  

I can't wait to see them!!! 



Happy stitching!

13 comments:

  1. I love that pretty fabric you have chosen for your next project! I can already tell it's going to be beautiful.

    I'm with you -- clutter is the bane of creativity. When I'm stalled it's usually because I've let things pile up.

    I guess you can't show us the proofs either. But, it's very exciting!

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  2. Will you have to make a quilt of some sort with the line of fabrics before they come out on the market?

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  3. I am so excited and happy for you.

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  4. So happy for you, a well deserved honour.

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  5. Oh, I'll bet it is hard to be patient! Very exciting!
    Would be very surprised if you didn't make changes to your "Journey of a Quilter". I am very curious to see your alterations, and how it all looks in your selection of fabrics. : )

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  6. Exciting news about your fabric line. I hope you get the chance to work on a project soon.

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  7. I am so glad you are having fun with the fabric design. I can't wait to see what you have going on there and I know it will be a while so I will be patient. Your journey of a quilter project looks wonderful and you are right it is a bit of a departure but it is inspiring. What a great fabric line you chose. Look forward to hearing more,

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  8. You must be sooooo excited! Waiting for the Fed Ex package to arrive must be a sweet anticipation. I used to love all your decorative painting designs and I love the patterns you design for quilts and stitcheries, so I can't wait to see your fabric line!!

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  9. getting impatient to see your fabrics how long before you reveal them to us? A good sewing room you have there, I stitch in the kitchen as it is the only room I keep warm but it is a pain having to clear everything away every day.

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  10. I am interested in the pattern "Journey of a Quilter". I have searched for this pattern and can't find it. Would you help me! Pauline

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  11. I'm looking forward to seeing your fabric line!

    I can't work in a cluttered space either. It's frustrating to me to not be able to find things or have to move things that are in the way. That said, I'm organized but not OCD organized (if that makes sense)!

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  12. Good Morning Kaaren.

    So excited for you. Not a Facebook person, but do follow your posts there. Seems like a long time to when the fabrics will be available, but it does go quickly. Always enjoy all your work, so I can't wait to buy your fabric. Have a great day.
    Dianne

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  13. so darn much gorgeous fabric out there and yours is no exception....

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