Solids and Color are wow factor in We Love Color

Stepping Stones by Lisa Call

Stepping Stones by Lisa Call

Remember when calicos were the go-to fabric for quilts? Or maybe that was my tiny little quilting world. I felt pretty daring when I used more graphic prints, unwittingly stepping into the modern quilting movement. A whole new world has been opened up, and We Love Color celebrates it. Solids are no longer restricted to the backgrounds, the backs, and the accents, and they are no longer forced to be neutral. We Love Color shows what amazing design can be made without patterns and prints, but with the bold use of color. Sixteen designers took up the challenge to use only Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman Company to create unique and colorful quilts.

Lupine by Emily Cier

From classic-style like Lady of the Lake (Rita Hodge) to graphic-style like Lupine (Emily Cier), there’s something for every taste. And the artists have provided the detailed instructions to get us from fabric bolts to beautiful quilts.

However, it will take some skill and focus to pull most of these off. Part of the art is how simple some of these look—Color Frames (Amy Ellis),  Modern Cross (Kathy Mack), Stepping Stones (Lisa Call)—when they are actually quite intricate, with more steps and more pieces than an impatient beginner like me can realistically contemplate. Intrigued and unafraid, I’m ready to whipstitch a few beautiful and straightforward designs. See Stacked Blankets (Valerie Wells) and Centered (Cherri House). Also, one of my favorites is Spring Will Come (Kajsa Wikman), which is mostly applique. Cut shapes, sew them down; I can do that. (Hey, if that’s how I have to think of it to make myself to do, don’t disillusion me!)

Spring Will Come by Kajsa Wikman

True quilters—and those inspired by a challenge and desire to improve—will get a sparkle in their eyes and an itch in their fingers when they pick up this book. They’ll be eager to start putting the pieces of designs such as Ladders (Elizabeth Hartman) and Lupine together or to try different techniques such as the ones present by Orbit (Jennifer Sampou) and Little Landscapes (Jean Wells). Also a certain joy will come from assembling these rich colors. It may not exactly flout the color wheel, but it’s edgy to put together Chartreuse and Cerise or Bright Pink and Salmon or Lupine and Caribbean.

As a bonus, We Love Color also clearly shows how solids showcase another art—the quilting. Intricate quilting design just pops when done on solids. It draws  you in. Even the seemingly easy quilting can’t and won’t be ignored. You might even be spurred to try out some Angela Walter-techniques from Free-Motion Quilting (to be released next month) or some of Bethany Pease’s Modern Quilting Designs.

We Love Color is an inspiring treat for the eyes, in more ways than one.

We Love Color cover

Don’t miss the We Love Color Blog Tour!  Be sure to check back here on May 3oth for the kick off.  Pssst…there will be giveaways!

Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Upcoming Books | 1 Comment

Looking for a developmental editor with quilting experience

I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that one of our developmental editors (DEs) is resigning. We are going to miss her! The good news is that she’ll be staying in the C&T Publishing family as a freelance editor.

Then I have more good news: this means there is a job opening for someone new (perhaps you?) at C&T. We are searching for that certain someone who has editing, writing, and organizational experience and skills combined with quilting, sewing, and soft craft knowledge.

Visit our website, www.ctpub.com, and read the DE job description. If you feel you’re right for the job, email me at teresas@ctpub.com. Be sure to share the details of your quilting/crafting life in your cover letter.

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Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee!

We are wholeheartedly of the opinion that you should never miss an opportunity to decorate for a special occasion with handmade treasures.

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee just around the corner, it’s time to pull out For the Love of Hand Stitching by Jan Constantine and start sewing. As Jan is well-known for her projects that celebrate the British monarchy, what better way to commemorate Her Majesty’s 60-year reign?

Take a look at this spread of irresistibly patriotic hand-embroidery projects from the book. Doesn’t it make you want to invite some friends over and practice your British accent while drinking tea and gossiping about The Royals all afternoon?

constantineprojects

Visit The Diamond Jubilee website for more information on all the festivities.

queenjubilee
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee takes place over four days—June 2nd to 5th

 

Posted in Inspiration | 2 Comments

A chat with Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr

Weeks and Bill

Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle

Weeks and Bill are the dynamic duo behind Modern Quilt Studio (formerly known as FunQuilts). They have two books with C&T Publishing—Transparency Quilts and Quilts Made Modern. They also contributed designs to two Stash Books titles—Modern Blocks and the brand new We Love Color.

Weeks and Bill recently launched their new magazine, Modern Quilts Illustrated, and they’ll be speaking at QuiltCon next February. So we thought you might like to know a little more about this very talented husband-wife design team!

Describe your first experience as an artist.

Weeks:  I began doing contemporary ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) while living in Tokyo for eight years after college.

Bill:  I learned to sew at age eight on my mother’s sewing machine. The only place for it in the house was in my bedroom. Being a mechanical kid, I loved taking it apart and reassembling it. Along the way I actually learned to sew a bit. While my mother was a weaver and my father was an architect, I was a math and science kid until I went to college where I got the design bug. I ended up studying printmaking (and anthropology) as an undergraduate.

What inspired you to make a career of your creative spark?

Weeks:  I had a series of bosses who had less energy and creativity that I wanted in a boss. I wanted to see how far I could take my ideas without someone holding me back. I also wanted to have the flexibility to be a full-time mom and own a business.

Bill:  I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and had seen my parents pursue their interests and I wanted to do the same.

Mint Julep

"Mint Julep" from "Transparency Quilts"

How has your artistry changed over the years?

We started our company making high-end quilts for interior designers and galleries. Over time we found a place for ourselves in the quilting community at large. We continue to evolve as designers, constantly asking ourselves how we can create work that is reflective of the time in which we live. Because our times change, so should our art.

Any memorable moments to share from your travels as authors?

Our favorite moment of late was in Madison, WI this past March. We had just given a lecture and were signing books. Our daughter Sophie was sitting in the back of the room waiting for us to finish so we could go eat dinner. One kind lady saw her and said to her, “Will you sign my book too?” Sophie said, “Sure.” Then a line started to form in front of Sophie with others who wanted Sophie to sign their books. Later on Facebook, I posted that I was grateful that they made her feel special. One woman responded, “I think Sophie needs a book of her own…”

Whisper quilt

"Whisper" from "Transparency Quilts"

How would you describe your personalities?

Weeks:  I’ve got a  ton of energy and my head is always full of new ideas. I’m a bundle of contradictions: I’m actually a total introvert but am comfortable among people with whom I have something in common. I’m both very focused and disciplined and a huge prankster. Being a great mom and a loving wife are at the top of my resume. I’m very loyal and think it’s important to be fair and honest. I’m really good in a crisis and will tirelessly cheer on people who are working hard to make their lives or the world better. I’m never, ever bored which is a good thing, because I’m married to Bill Kerr, who makes me look like a slacker.

Bill:  The other day I was in the elevator with a group of people who were talking about going to lunch because they were all bored. I thought to myself, “Bored? What does that feel like?” There is so much I want to do and so many experiences I want to absorb and share with Weeks and Sophie, that there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I get huge energy from making things, but also I’m greatly motivated by helping others grow as designers and artists.

Many thanks, Weeks and Bill!

Posted in Industry News | 2 Comments

Kids and their hats

Aviator hat

Trenton

How challenging is it to bring a two-year old into the photo studio and make him model a hat?

Very! But awwwww…so cute! Actually we were lucky. We had the deck loaded on our side, because Trenton’s mom, Kerry, works as a Graphic Designer at C&T and she has brought him here enough times that he wasn’t totally freaked out! He was patient, engaged and pretty easy going… all things considered. He looked so handsome in the hat, but was most interested in another staff member’s Gameboy, and, eventually, in ripping off the winter hat as soon as we put it on his head. Maybe because it wasn’t winter in the studio, guys!

Bandana
Emma

Just as cute and looking totally sweet with a bandana on her head was Emma, the daughter of C&T’s Business Development Manager, Mary. I had spotted Emma at the office earlier in the year and posed the question then, “Would you model for us someday?” when I saw how equally adorable AND outgoing she was.

Bonnet
Isabella

Also on the set, our youngest model, Isabella, with her encouraging mom Tina (one of our Sales Reps). Isabella packed a lot of stamina at modeling for someone so young, and she had us all delighted as she showed off her sunbonnet!

Flatcap
Trenton

The result, we hope you’ll agree, is entirely engaging. Hope you have as much fun making the hats as we had making Hat Shop for you!

Posted in Behind the Scenes | 1 Comment

QuiltCon—the excitement continues!

quiltconlogo

Since we first announced QuiltCon on our blog back in February, more excitement has transpired that we had to share!

Angela Walters has been added to the line-up of seriously talented instructors. She announced the big news on her blog, saying, “I will be teaching classes and giving lectures on machine quilting. Whether you quilt on a longarm or a domestic sewing machine, these classes and lectures will help you feel more confident quilting your masterpieces!”walters book

Angela joins best-selling Stash Books author Elizabeth Hartman and C&T Publishing authors Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr along with many other stellar instructors.

Click here for all the details on the first-ever national conference and show of The Modern Quilt Guild!

 

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We wear many hats!

In front: Gailen (left) and me. In back, Teresa (left), and April

Besides our regular jobs here as editors, designers, creative directors, and photographers, and our free-time roles as  quilters, crafters, artists, parents, and so much more…we are also models. Paper hat models!

I had the brilliant idea to get some of the members of the Hat Shop book team together for a little impromptu photo shoot, modeling the paper hats that we made as we were tech-editing the book. With dimensional objects like hats, sometimes you need to really see – and touch – how all the pieces fit together, so we copied some of the patterns onto graph paper and “stitched” them up with staples and tape.

Alisonhats1

Everyone said, “Oh sure, you can take my photo! I”ll wear a paper hat!” But at the last minute, everyone tossed their hats on to MY head!

Alisonhats2

I managed to stay still long enough for one photo to be snapped, feeling like the peddler in the classic children’s book, Caps for Sale, with all my wares piled up on my head! But then we all started laughing, and our boss, Amy, came out to see what the commotion was about and started recording us on her phone! Let’s hope we don’t turn up on C&T’s YouTube channel… 

Alisonhats3

It was all downhill from there, as the hats just started cascading off my head down to the floor. When you make your own hats from Hat Shop, I’m sure you’ll take better care of them, but I hope you have just as much fun as we did!

Posted in Behind the Scenes | 1 Comment

I love Hat Shop!

"The Marcel Marceau Counting Book" by George Mendoza

When I was little, my favorite book was The Marcel Marceau Counting Book. The famous mime taught me how to count by trying on different hats and becoming each new character. A pirate hat, a soldier’s hat, and cowboy hat… His outfit never changed—except the hat of course—but the hat and his pose told the story.

I was fascinated by the animation a person could bring to his body and face to tell an entire story in one pose, using one prop! Who knew a hat could say so much! (By the way, the book is by George Mendoza and was published by Doubleday  in 1971. It’s long been out of print but used copies can be found on Amazon and eBay.)

Our newest title in the Design Collective series, Hat Shop, captures that spirit and sense of fun for me. I had such a great time working on this book. The hats are all so different. The designers are from around the world… Italy, Greece, England, Australia, Canada, and of course the US.

half hat

Designed by Janine Basil

We all had so much fun planning the look of this book, too. Our art director, photographers, and the rest of the book team kicked around ideas. We talked about the possibility of recreating the Marcel Marceau book. We played with a photobooth idea. We discussed taking it to the street with models in urban settings.

What we ended up with is a great combination of all those ideas. We thought one main model with hugely expressive eyes could become each hat’s character. Backgrounds are plain…our very own 1950s pinup look!

Back cover

The back cover...an ode to "The Brady Bunch?"

What was clear was that we needed the right model. No question. Casey. Casey used to work at C&T Publishing as one of our production coordinators. She’s since moved to another part of the state. But she has the perfect look! Good naturedly, Casey agreed to fly up for the photoshoot, and fly up again for the extra days. It was great to have her around and the photos couldn’t be better.

baby bonnet

Designed by Chio Bloom (and modeled by one of our sales rep's daughters, Isabella)

We introduced different models for the kids’ hats… different ages were needed, plus we had hats for two guys and even a unisex hat. With 25 projects, oh yes… there are hats for everyone! There are rain hats and sun hats. Serious hats and fun hats. (It’s true, Dr. Suess rhyme or no Dr. Suess rhyme.) There’s a lot of vintage style from a 1940s half hat to a bowler that hints of the Mad Men‘s era.  There are decidedly modern entries including our cover fascinator.

There are easy sewing projects, like Rosey’s Reversible Headscarf, with cute and clever ideas for perfecting and embellishing. There are more challenging projects as well that show you how to sew and attach brims and crowns and work with basic millinery supplies.

Rain Hat

Designed by Jenifer Sult

When it comes to the photos, I have a favorite. The rainhat shot. When it comes to the hats, there’s no way I could pick a favorite… They are all as unique as their designers and as the people who’ll make them for themselves!

baseball cap

Designed by Gailen Runge (and modeled by Jesse from our staff)

I even contributed what I consider a classic… everyone needs a baseball cap, don’t they?

10883coverNow for the giveaway – one lucky reader will win a copy of Hat Shop! To enter to win, leave a comment here on the blog telling us what kinds of hats you like to wear. The deadline to enter is Sunday, 4/22/12;  the winner will be contacted via email and listed here with an update to this post.

For a second entry, sign in to your Amazon account and hit the “like” button for this book. Then come back here to enter a second comment saying you did so. Good luck!

4/23/12 UPDATE: Natishia chacon is our winner – congratulations!

Posted in Contests & Giveaways | Comments closed

Modern Quilt Guilds are springing up everywhere!

MQGbannerWould you believe there are now 4 Modern Quilt Guilds in the San Francisco Bay area? I’m in the process of checking them all out…now that I’ve moved to Northern California, I want to meet as many like-minded quilty peeps as I can!

The Bay Area MQG meets at the Redwood City Public Library on the first Saturday of the month. They have block challenges, make charity quilts, host author lectures, and organize demonstrations for tools, like the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter. All that’s in addition to the usual show-n-tell time and the regularly-scheduled sewing time.

BAM blog banner

They’ve been around long enough to even have their own cute custom-printed logo fabric. And check out the fresh, new blog banner that BA MQG President, Adrianne, and Challenge Coordinator, Ruth, designed above!

ebmqg logoThe East Bay MQG meets at New Pieces in Berkeley on the last Tuesday of the month. They chat and show quilts, eat yummy snacks, and they organized their very first quilt exhibit, Stitch Modern, earlier this year. The next exhibit in February, 2013 is already in the works! They also do quilting challenges…here’s a quilt top one member made for the Daisy Janie’s Shades of Grey Organics challenge:

ShadesofGrey_LaurenHungler

by Lauren Hungler

SBMQG logoThe South Bay Area MQG meets the first Tuesday of the month at SueDee’s in Scotts Valley. According to guild President, Tina Michalik, they just started up last September and the guild is already 25 members strong. They recently took a field trip to the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles and they have future plans for sew days and retreats. They’re off to a great start for a brand new guild! Here’s one of Tina’s modern quilts:

TinaM_Adrift_quilt

by Tina Michalik

NB MQG logoAnd the newest guild to the area is the North Bay MQG, which meets the second Monday of every month at StitchCraft in Petaluma.

They just had their second meeting and they’ve launched a challenge for members to make a modern quilt that incorporates a technique or style that they’ve never tried before.

janice'squilt

NBMQG members admire a collaborative bee quilt shared by Janice Ryan

I thought we had a lot of modern quilters in Los Angeles, where I first joined the MQG, but Northern California may just be giving them a run for their money!  The Modern Quilt Guild website has a comprehensive listing of guilds by location, with links to the individual sites. If you have something to share from your local MQG, email our blog editors so we can feature you here on the blog!

Posted in Industry News | 1 Comment

Baby Times – with a giveaway!

party timeBabies are the time of your life! And this fresh, modern crop of projects from Baby Times certainly embodies that happy spirit that surrounds a baby’s first year.

Authors Marcea Owen and Janice Liljenquist are the creative masterminds behind Abbey Lane Quilts pattern company. For this book, they have designed 24 quilts, toys, and accessories made in bright and colorful fabrics that are light years apart from the usual pink and blue.

There is something to make for every time in baby’s (and Mom’s) life. The fun starts with Party Time—the celebratory occasion of a baby shower and all the anticipation it brings.

go time

Shower the mother-to-be with easy to make bibs, burp cloths, and blankies, all in a handmade fabric gift basket.

For cute wrapping ideas, follow the instructions to wrap store-bought necessities like washcloths and tiny socks to resemble bright candies, lollipops, and other goodies.

For Home Time, sew bright and cozy quilts; and when it’s Go Time, create practical and portable accessories for baby and Mom, such as a car seat canopy, a changing pad, and more.

The Baby/Mom projects continue in Dress-Up Time. Baby gets an adorable sun hat and booties, baby blockswhile Mom can carry a diaper bag that’s stylish but so practical.

Finally, as baby grows, make Playtime fun with fabric stacking blocks, a “petting zoo” of funny stuffed critters and more, all made in playful fabrics.

Each and every project is obviously designed and made with special love. Although you wouldn’t know it from looking at them, Janice and Marcea are grandmas. In fact, they have 12 grandchildren between them. They know what babies (and their parents) want and need.

 

Whether you’re the mother-to-be, or a relative or friend of an expectant mom, you’ll want to make one or more of these delightfully original projects. Your only problem will be deciding which ones! Click here to see a few more projects.

10836coverNow for the giveaway – one lucky reader will win a copy of Baby Times. To enter to win, leave a comment here on the blog telling us about the best baby gift you’ve ever given or received. The deadline to enter is Sunday, 4/15/12;  the winner will be contacted via email and listed here with an update to this post.

For a second entry, sign in to your Amazon account and hit the “like” button for this book. Then come back here to enter a second comment saying you did so. And for you Pinterest addicts, you can get a third entry if you follow C&T Publishing’s new Pinterest boards (be sure to come back here to leave a separate comment saying you did). Good luck!

4/18/12 update – congrats to our winner, Margaret!
“I bought my daughter the crib, while they were out shopping, my husband put it together and I filled it with diapers and wipes. Enough to last for at least six months. She loved it.”

Posted in Contests & Giveaways | Comments closed
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