We are all very excited here at McCall’s Quilting.  Our Associate Editor, Sherri Bain Driver’s son, Ryan has been selected to participate with his group, Face in a national competition, “The Sing-off”.

Face (Ryan on Far Right)

Face is headquartered in Boulder (see their website, www.facevocalband.com) and performs both locally and nationally.  Face is a nationally recognized all-vocal rock band bringing a new edge and attitude to the human voice. Using just five singers and a vocal drummer or “beat-boxer,” Face creates a rock-music phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed. No other instruments or special effects – just six guys.

The Sing-off will be premiering tonight on NBC, December 14, 2009 at 8:00/7:00 central time. Join us in supporting Ryan and enjoy some fabulous a cappella entertainment. Congratulations, Ryan!

Looking for Quick Quilts back issues or patterns? A perfect gift for any quilter! Go to ShopQuiltersVillage.com and receive 20% off your entire order PLUS free standard shipping and handling on US order only if you spend $25 or more in the store. The promo code to get 20% off is QVBF30. The sale starts Wednesday, November 25, 2009 and ends at midnight on Monday, November 30th.

Well, with Quilt Market and getting Quick Quilt’s March issue ready, we’ve all been too busy to blog. However, this was too good to pass up. Our own Sherri Bain Driver, Associate Editor, has a quilt that was awarded a Judges Choice ribbon in the Pacific International Quilt Show. (See pictures below.)

Sherri is an amazing quilter, and the author of Layer, Baste, Quilt in McCall’s Quilting magazine. Her column always has great tips on machine quilting. Don’t miss it!

We put the ribbon for her quilt next to her name tag. You will note that she has a guard flamino. The flamingo was a recent addition that she brought in for the pictures for Coral Beach Christmas in the current issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts. Somehow, they’ve become a permanent addition to her cube!

Sherri and Sonoran Stars

Sonoran Stars

One of the best parts of my job is seeing the new fabric collections as they come in. Fabric manufacturers send us samples of their newest designs before they’re in stores and it’s really fun to see what’s coming next to the quilting world. The other day we got in a collection that literally leapt into my hands.You see, I love embroidery, and for years I’ve been enjoying whimsical embroidery designs from Arlene Neely of  Rabbits Haven. Imagine my delight on discovering a line of fabric (Nana’s Garden) from Red Rooster featuring Arlene’s adorable bunnies. I’m utterly thrilled! And, I’m now designing a quilt made from these fabric confections.

Three little hourglass blocks!

The beginnings of a sweet border.

The quilt is slated for our May issue and I’ve already started on the small hourglass blocks (above) for one of the borders. I can’t wait to see the entire quilt done!

Hello all!

It was a strange day last week when the staff of Quick Quilts gathered in our heavy coats and scarves, draped ourselves in winter quilts and stomped out in the 85 degree sunshine to get our holiday picture taken.  Yes, that’s right – 85 degrees!

That is one of the strange things about working 4 – 6 months ahead of time.  Sometimes, you just aren’t dressed right for the weather!

I won’t spoil your fun and show you any of the pictures (you’ll have to take a look at the January issue for that), but I wanted to share another picture with you.  In this picture, photographer, Melissa is behind the camera, and art director, Ellie, is helping her with the shot.  Editor-in-chief, Beth Hayes, is just on the left side of the frame.  Now, when you see the picture in the magazine, you’ll know what it’s like from the other side!

Catch you later,

Kathy

How the other half lives!

Hello all of you fellow quilters out there.  You may have noticed the Help Wanted entry a few weeks back.  Well, I’m the lucky person who is filling those shoes!

My name is Kathy Hannah and you’ll no doubt see my name around on the website, answering questions and posting information to the blogs.  I’ve been quilting now for over ten years and sewing for more than twenty.  My 18-year-old daughter claims responsibility for starting my quilting career because she wanted a quilt for her bed when she was 8-years-old.  It makes no difference that I remember it differently, she would still claim responsibility for it!  At this point, it doesn’t matter because I started with that simple quilt of squares and rectangles and never looked back!  Since then, my extended family jokes that you aren’t a member of the family until you’ve received a Kathy Hannah original because of my habit of giving quilts for Christmas, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, (well, you get the idea…. basically, I just need an excuse to make a quilt!)

This position at Quick Quilts is something of a dream job since quilting has been my one of my passions for the last decade.  Up until July, I had a much less fascinating career as a medical office manager and specialist in electronic medical records.  I will really miss the patients, but you can only imagine how much fun it was with all of the recent upheaval in healthcare and the general joy to be found in middle management.  However, I was pretty much convinced that I had to work here as soon as I walked through the door.  How could I not!  There were quilts hanging everywhere!  It was hard to talk to the people because I couldn’t tear my eyes away from all of the quilts!

Although it may have been a little hard to focus on the people the first time I met them, I have since learned that they are all warm and kind, and amazingly knowledgeable about quilting.  From the latest fabric line to a question about machine quilting, there is always somebody with the answer.  I feel like a child who is soaking up knowledge like a sponge!  (And loving every minute of it!)

The other members of my family include my husband of twenty years, my 18-year-old daughter, my 15-year-old son, and my 24-year-old horse (see picture below).  You will note that the only picture I am sharing is of my horse.  You are welcome to read meaning into that.  But really, when I asked my son for a picture, he said, “Dude, no way!”  When I asked my daughter, she said, “You’ve got to be kidding, right?”  When I asked my husband, he said, “Is this really necessary?”  But when I asked my horse, he was blissfully silent.  Now you know why I have a horse 

Catch you later,

Kathy

Pride and Kathy

The Quilters Village Shop is offering a limited-time store promotion starting today through August 19, 2009, for all domestic (United States) online orders.  Use offer code: FREE-SHIP-OFFR.

Current Issue: McCall's Quick Quilts August/September 2009

Stock up on your favorite magazines, books, patterns, and special issues, now! And don’t forget about any recent issues you may have missed . . . (click on the images in this blog for a peek at magazine’s content) . . .

McCall's Quick Quilts June/July 2009

McCall's Quick Quilts April/May 2009

McCall's Quick Quilts February/March 2009

In addition to recent issues, take advantage of our past issues for projects you can make now for the upcoming holidays!

You will receive free shipping on your order. This offer applies to domestic online orders, only, when using the offer code: FREE-SHIP-OFFR.  Offer ends August 19, 2009.

Lynn Lister’s quilt, Gran’s Cherry Pie, in the August/September 2009 issue of McCall’s Quick Quilts is such a delight!  The design is simple, yet shows-off bright, colorful fabrics in such a pleasant way.

Gran's Cherry Pie quilt, by Lynn Lister

We added Lynn’s design as a queen size Web Bonus.  Click on the photo to get the pattern, now!

You can now download the patterns you’ve been waiting for!  Beat the heat and go to our Patterns tab on our Home Page to see the variety of patterns you can make during the warm days of July and August.  Get ready for the holidays now, and sew up some pretty, new potholders using our Nature’s Bounty Potholder pattern. This Web Bonus pattern was published in our July 2004 issue of Quick Quilts.  Simply click on the image, below, to obtain the pattern.

Nature's Bounty Potholder, July 2004 Quick Quilts Web Bonus Pattern

Do you have family visiting soon? Update your guest room with new pillowcases, using our Sand & Sun Pillowcase pattern! Using a solid and two accent fabrics, this pattern is sure to freshen up your guest bedding. Instead of the stripe, use a polkadot or mini-print with a coordinating solid and novelty fabric. Your options are endless!

Sand & Sun Pillowcase Pattern, July 2008 Quick Quilts Web Bonus Pattern

Are you working on a fast summer project, using one of our quick patterns? Please tell us about it here!

Pick up a copy of McCall’s Quick Quilts now!  Our August/September 2009 issue contains a fun quiz you can take to determine what kind of fabric and supply shopper you are.  Loaded with great information, the article that follows the quiz will give you insight into the different ways you can shop for your fabrics and quilting gadgets.  This issue is a keeper, as you are also given a list of online shops to check out while sipping your morning coffee or tea!

Gran's Cherry Pie, designed by Lynn Lister, McCall's Quick Quilts, August/September 2009 Issue

Whatever type of shopper you are, you’ll always find great patterns, lessons, and articles in our magazine.  McCall’s Quick Quilts is packed with projects for quilters of every skill level who want to create something fast, that is attractive and fun to make!