Schoolhouse Session at Quilt Market

I presented two sessions called "Elevate the Lowly Potholder" at Spring Quilt Market's Schoolhouse event. Here I am outside the classroom with the listing of all the sessions that took place in just this one room. There are a myriad of such sessions, all designed to be helpful to shop owners and buyers who are looking for the next best thing for their shop.

Our presentation, which was well received, highlighted our new book, Potholder Play.

This photo was taken by my husband, Ed, who accompanied me to Market. He was the "handout" man for the Schoolhouse Session. He's the strong back that helped me with booth setup and takedown. He keeps me company when I'm far from home and he encourages my work. What a guy!

Hey, one more thing about this photo. I broke my glasses on the last day of Market. Pulled them out of their case and snapped them right in half across the nosepiece! I've worn glasses since I was five and don't remember ever breaking a pair quite like that. I really liked this frame, too. Oh well, life changes and I'll have to get a new frame. Fortunately I had a spare pair with me.

Introducing our third book, Potholder Play

We're shipping the first orders of Potholder Play, our third quilting book, this week. I just got back from Portland, Oregon where we exhibited at the International Quilt Market Spring Show. Many shops from all over the country ordered the book.

"Why do potholders?" asked some of the shop owners. We have a myriad of answers.

Potholders are great small projects where you can try out color combinations and practice thread play.

Potholders make great gifts for friends. We have a design called "Call Me, Okay?" that's a telephone block. We suggest that you sign the finished potholder with your name and phone number to give as a going away gift for a friend.

Potholders are quick to make. Our book gives directions for flip lining or for binding potholders. Even new quilters can make one easily using our concise, clear directions.

Potholders are easy to mail. Need a quick birthday gift? Stitch up one of our designs and call it a birthday card for a friend or relative. What a good way to say "happy b-day!"

The book has more than potholder designs in it. Our "Market Bag" fits the standard paper grocery sack and can be the bag that you use to haul groceries into your house or apartment. Our Market Bag has four blocks on each side and is a "quilterly" way to save on paper as you doing your shopping.

Potholders can function as mug mats, too. Our "Coffee Time" design goes well with a big mug of coffee and a cookie. Or try our "Big Mac Bridge Ice Floes" design for really cool coasters to put beneath those dripping iced tea glasses this summer.

There's more. Potholder Play really hits the mark for designs that are practical, yet beautiful and fun to make.

We've placed the book in over 20 shops, with two catalog companies and two distributors. We know you'll be seeing Potholder Play in quilt shops this year.