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,

Spend Some QT (Quilt Time) With Veronica

As we begin the last quarter of 2013, we are already looking forward to 2014 and beyond. One of Veronica's favorite activities is traveling and providing lectures and workshops to quilt guilds across the United States. Not only can she teach about one of the things she is most passionate about, but she also has the chance to meet quilters from all over.

If your quilt guild, group or bee is looking for a a fun group activity, look at some of the programs Veronica has to offer. 

Veronica has taught quilting classes for more than 20 years. She has taught at quilt guilds nationwide as well as being a featured instructor for more than 8 Sew Fun Cruises by Round Bobbin and served as a consultant for Janome. She is currently an adviser for Quilting Treasures. She offers a variety of lectures and workshops for quilt guilds, community programs and other groups to choose from. 

Lectures include:

• Take A Walk on the Wild Side:

• Miniature Quilts

• The Nine-Patch's Niche

• Sized to Perfection

• Fun with Flying Geese

• Quiltsmart Lecture: The Ease of Printed Interfacing

• A Different Point of View/Sew Surprised

Workshops include:

• Pick a Chick (Class accompanies Talk a Walk on the Wild Side Lecture)

• Bitty Lonestar (Class accompanies Miniature Quilts Lecture)

• Glorified Nine Patch (Class accompanies Nine Patch's Niche)

• Sized Sew Perfectly (Class accompanies Sized to Perfection Lecture)

• Grab Your Geese and Fly (Class accompanies Fun with Flying Geese Lecture)

• 3 Quiltsmart Classes (Classes accompanies Quiltsmart Lecture: Ease of Printed Interfacing)

 

Veronica loves sharing her quilts. Not only the creation techniques and tips, but in being up close and personal to better understand the art behind each creation. Her lectures do not include slide shows, she prefers passing around the quilts so that the attendees may better under the techniques used to create them. Veronica has more than 600 quilts that she uses in various classes and lectures, making each one unique and different.

Lectures are approximately 1 hour. Fee for a lecture is $300 without a workshop, $275 for a lecture with a workshop. The workshop is $225. If you have a smaller guild, and would like to schedule Veronica, contact her to talk about working out a price.

To receive a complete description of programs or schedule a lecture or workshop, contact Veronica Cox at (281) 462-0661 or at vlcox@live.com.

Cruise Into Fun & Adventure

Well, one thing that will never be said about Veronica is that she doesn't love adventure! She loves traveling almost as much as she likes quilting, and one of her favorite ways to combine adventure, quilting and traveling is quilting cruises.

I'd posted earlier this month about the Sew Fun Cruise she does each year with Round Bobbin, but we've had some quilters who were sad that they couldn't participate for various reasons. Don't fret, you'll have another chance to cruise with Veronica.

She is teaching on the Cactus Quilts' sponsored Quilting Cruise February 9-16, 2014, roundtrip from Galveston, Texas. The ports of call are Key West, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas and Freeport Bahamas with three fun days at sea on Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Magic.

There are a variety of classes that will taught while at sea, and them participants are encouraged to explore while in port.

For more information or to register for the cruise, visit Cactus Quilts website or complete this form.

We hope you have the chance to join us on either cruise!

"Fall" in Love with Crafts Again

Its officially "Fall" and even the Texas heat is allowing cooler temperatures to greet us in the morning. That's a good sign for us because it is the start of our busiest time of the year and cooler weather will certainly help. 

As the seasons change, so do our quilting projects ... or at least the theme. I took a peek at Michelle's personal craft blog a few days ago and saw that she was already knee deep in Autumn-themed quilting. From Halloween to Thanksgiving and even a little Christmas fun.

This quick and easy pumpkin is one of a few Fall-inspired patterns that Bear Thread Designs carries. Veronica likes to crochet in the winter as well as quilt - she says it helps keep her warm. In fact the whole team gets a little "craftier" as the holidays approach. What are some of your favorite fall crafts? Are there activities that you prefer to do when the weather gets cooler?

It seems like we are not to only ones getting into the holiday spirit. My friend Popcorn and his team at Quilting Treasures are welcoming the season with a collage of color. I really like the Elf on the Shelf Collection, though Michelle informs me that she and is already dreaming of projects for the Harvest Fare Collection.  

Veronica is working on a two new quilts using Quilting Treasures fabrics and is hoping to have them completed by International Quilt Festival, if not sooner. I'm not allowed to look at them because I can't keep secrets, but come back and visit soon and maybe I'll have a sneak peek.  

Well, I'm off to find some adventure. Maybe I'll run off to the Creative Room and pick out some fabric while no one is looking so someone can make me a new quilt. 

Sew Many Samples!!

Whew! What a long week it has been already - and its only Wednesday! Veronica is already on the road headed to the Round Bobbin Quilting, Sewing and Fiber Arts Expo in St. Charles, MO this weekend. 

The past few days have been really busy for Veronica and Michelle as they feverishly worked on putting more samples together for upcoming shows and expos. Here is a look at some of the projects they did this week.

I really like the bear, but then again, I might be a little biased! They had quite the stack to start with. Many of these projects were done at shows as we demonstrated fusible applique using the Applique Pressing Sheet. So eventually, we have to stop and start putting them on the background fabric, which is a little hard to do in a hotel room! 

This week, I stayed at the office to help Michelle. We are redoing the entire website! I am so excited! We have some great things coming in the future and we decided it was time to update the website. We'll let you know when the new look is up and running.

I guess I should go help with that now. They love my creative genius!

Happy Hump Day!!