Join Us in the "Lonestar State" and See our Lonestar

What do you think of Veronica's finished Lonestar using Quiltsmart's fusible interfacing and Quilting Treasures' fabrics?

We are excited the International Quilt Festival is only a few days away! We are finishing up some great projects like this Lonestar and will have them for you to see. We will have many Quiltsmart fusible interfacing packs for sale as well as many other great items. Stay tuned this week for announcements and previews of Festival preparations! We'll be in booth 1802/1804, stop by and visit!

Bear Thread Designs Introduces ... Sew Fresh!

Bear Thread Designs has been working on something new ...

SEW FRESH Odor Eliminator formula eliminates odors without a scent or fragrance. This non-toxic, water based formula eliminates odors by using all-natural ingredients. When directly applied onto an odor problem, Sew Fresh formula eliminates the odor and the results are permanent. SEW FRESH removes odors caused by pets, urine, vomit, smoke, mildew or mold, paint fumes and more.

To use as an odor remover, simply spray directly onto odor source, brushing formula into fabric by hand.  It can also be used as a laundry aide. Add  approximately 6 oz. to washer loads. Eliminate airborne odors by spraying formula towards the ceiling. SEW FRESH may be used throughout the home to eliminate odors. 

SEW FRESH is in a 16 oz. spray bottle. It is $10.99 plus shipping. SEW FRESH will be available October 25 just in time for Houston International Quilt Market (Booth 1571) & International Quilt Festival (Booth 1802/1804)! To pre-order, send email to BearTD2hotmail.com with quantity desired.

 

The Making of A Star ... A Lonestar

Veronica and Michelle have been busy the past week making samples and such as they prepare for the International Quilt Festival. So many projects on the (ironing) board, I don't know how they keep it straight.

One project Veronica worked on was a 58-inch Lonestar using the fusible interfacing by Quiltsmart and fabric by Quilting Treasures. The fabric series, aptly names "Temptations" is a series of brightly colored fabrics that make the Lonestar "pop".

We'll be sure to post a photo of the completed quilt top. I'm off to help with more samples (and by "helping" I mean play in the fabrics!)

"Whoo" Is Looking for A New Home?

Whoo could these adorable eyes belong to? 

They belong to this adorable little owl, of course!

Bear Thread Designs will introduce this cute owl and friends by Brandywine Designs, as well as other new patterns and products, to their selection at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, October 31 through November 3. Bear Thread Designs will be in booth no. 1802, so make a note to come visit us!

No Tricks Here, Just a Treat!

It's me, Jaggie! I was able to break away from our International Quilt Festival preparations to write you a short note. I hope everyone is planning great activities for this weekend, but if you don't have anything planned, I have a suggestion.

Bear Thread Designs announced that McKenna Ryan's Once Upon a Star complete pattern set is on sale for 30% off through October 29! If you order now, you can have it done in time for the Christmas holidays! To order, visit the online store. 

While you're at the online store, check out all the other great patterns and products we have updated lately. Along with Pine Needles patterns, we've updated and added patterns to Bigfork Bay Cotton Company, O'Carol Designs, and Sweet Season Quilts. 

And don't forget to get a present for yourself to put under the tree from "Santa"!

Learning to Quilt Smart with Quiltsmart

Have you ever wanted to do a quilt, but the pattern seemed a bit hard and you were hesitant to try it? Maybe you were willing to try it but the time required stopped you from starting?

Veronica has faced patterns like this and knows what a challenge it can be. Ten years ago she met Mattie from Quiltsmart and that led to the journey of making difficult patterns easy using Mattie's technique of fusible interfacing. Now Veronica provides lectures to quilt guilds on the technique.

On October 18th, she will will be giving a lecture at the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston at 10 a.m.

Veronica will be demonstrating the Quiltsmart method of using interfacing to create more than 15 quilt patterns. She will also a variety of patterns available for sale.

Visitors are welcome to attend the lecture. The meeting is held at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, located at 11612 Memorial Dr  Houston, TX 77024. To learn more about the Quilt Guild of Greater Houston visit their website. We hope to see you there!

These are two quilt top projects Veronica did over the weekend using Quiltsmart fusible interfacing. The Double Wedding on the left was made on Saturday, while she competed the Pumpkin Seed quilt top on the right on Sunday.

We're Changing with the Seasons!

I am so excited! Yesterday we launched our new website look and I must say, it looks more cozy than a bear during hibernation! Well, that's not to say that it'll put you to sleep, just that it looks adorable (like me!) 

While the new look has been introduced, we still have some work to do, so please be patient. Some of the new website features include:

• Calendar of Events: Now you can see where we'll be and if you are in the area, you can stop by to visit!
• Demonstration Videos: While we are working on creating a demo video for each of the Bear Thread Designs products, we do have a page where you'll be able to find them quickly. When we get them finished and on the page we will let you know! (I might be on TV ...err, an Internet video at least!)
• Workshops & Lectures: You'll be able to see a list of the workshops and lectures that Veronica provides and find information on scheduling events with her. We'll let you know when there are new lectures or limited-time programs, so you can book them!
• Jaggie's Blog: Now there will be a link to my blog from the website so you can keep up with what we have going on everywhere! You can find a link to the website at the top of this blog and now the website links here! 

We still need to update the online store. We'll be adding new patterns and product information to make it easier and quicker for you to navigate the site and find what you are looking for easier. We'll keep you posted on the changes! Let us know what you'd like to see on the website, blog, Facebook and even Pinterest!

Well, back to work for me ... I wonder if it's lunch time yet?

What Inspires You?

Jaggie here! Just hanging out in the Creative Room today. How is everyone enjoying October? Or at least the first few hours of it! Its hard to believe that it is October 1 already. 

We have a lot of projects going on at any given time and sometimes I can admittedly get overwhelming when we see the WIPs (Works in Progress) pile. Sometimes Veronica and Michelle have the luxury of putting down one project and starting on another when they start to feel burned out, but sometimes deadlines are tight and they push on. What do you do when you get burned out on a project?

Veronica is really good at pushing through, she's a bit of the marathon runner when it comes to the quilt projects. She can work on a big project for days as a time, just working away on something until its done. Michelle is more of a sprinter. She likes to do as much as she can as fast as she can and then move on to the next project. Shows are a good example of this.

Michelle can often complete (to a degree) 2 or 3 quilt blocks/tops on a show day just by demonstrating the Applique Pressing Sheet to booth vendors and event attendees. However, when we get back home or to the office, Veronica usually takes them and completes the bigger quilts, putting multiple blocks together on patterns such as McKenna Ryan or Bigfork Bay Cotton Company.

Veronica is often content to take projects home and finish them. Michelle prefers to do other projects at home, like finding or creating projects for us to show you here on the blog and come back fresh, ready to work on quilts the next day.

Both Veronica and Michelle have their strengths in themes of fusible applique patterns as well. Veronica is really talented when it comes to animals, picking out fabrics and seeing an animal "come to life" even at the start of a quilt. Michelle's eye for color and contrast from her years as a photographer are an asset when it comes to floral and nature scenes. 

So what inspires you to continue working when you reach a wall on a project? Do you alternate or push through until the end. What are your strengths when it comes to your quilting and how do you use them to your advantage?

Until our next adventure,