Quilt Market 2016 and the Launch of Urban Artifacts (Part One of Two)

First, I have to say that I am both honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from everyone who lent a hand in getting the fabric designs and resulting objects created for my premier line.  It takes a village, people.  I'm grateful beyond words.  I'm fortunate to know so many talented and creative artists who were willing to make something for me.  The following will show some of the lovelies that graced my part of the RJR booth.

These are the ones I had to leave behind....

Here we go!  I failed to get a photograph of the back of my car:

packed to the ceiling!

Linda Fitch and Vanessa Stevens created this gorgeous wall using strips of 

all the new fabrics from every line as well as spools of the new line of Sulky thread 

created by Cotton and Steel.  It was amazing.  

Here Jamie and I pose (sorry the light isn't very good).

Each designer for RJR was asked to create a quilt block to be part of

this "Share A Common Thread" quilt.

Stop by again on 11/29 to see my block and how I used it in another project!

My friend Danielle Wilkes used her cutter to create the 

bee and the lettering used here.  I love my sign!

Here I pose with some of the wonderful objects made with Urban Artifacts.

The "Family Game Night:  Parcheesi" quilt behind me will be 

a kit available through RJR when the fabric begins to ship.

The other kit, "Curvaceous", will also be available through RJR...

Deborah Boschert made these fantastic Beetles!

Bugs In Boxes!

 

Kathy York made "Boulder Field" and it is amazing!

Allison Chambers created "Palm Springs".....

Sherri McCauley created a gorgeous Improv quilt!

Debra Barnes constructed "Shimmering Stars" and it really does shimmer!

and Gina Pina quilted it!

"Vintage Pole Lamps" was designed and constructed by me 

and quilted by the amazing Jen Eskridge of Reannalily Designs!

My friend Edna Guerra created this whacky google-eyed shark baby towel 

and a beautiful liner for this vintage sewing basket (complete with a built-in pincushion.

So many gorgeous pincushions!  These are by Linda Kirk, Frances Holliday Alford,

and Michele Muska.

These pincushions are made by my friend Rene Martinez 

of ReneCreates.

A few other happenings or places I visited n the limited time I wasn't in the RJR booth:

Some crazy poses in the RJR Relax and Refresh lounge

and photo booth.  Here I am with Lynette Anderson and Jamie Fingal.

Deborah Boschert at one of her book signings.  

Jamie Fingal and Kathy York pose with their Mistyfuse images on packaging

I pose in front of "Cellular Service", a quilt created entirely from Cherrywood Fabrics

as an auction item for the Ovarian Cancer Quilt Project by  MD Anderson

My quilt is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend, Yvonne Porcella.

Posing with my Rare Bear, "Urban Grrrl", which was auctioned off

during the Quilt Market and Festival.  Sponsored by Rare Science.

It is a great cause, so check it out and consider making a bear!!

Since I spent most of my time during market in the RJR booth I didn't get away to walk the floor as much as I would have liked.  Still, I saw a few things that I love!

Heather Givans created "Literary", her newest line with Windham.

Tula Pink in her booth with "Tabby Road", part of Free Spirit fabric.

Please take a peek at Part 2 of Quilt Market to see more of the beautiful objects that were featured in my display.

Rare Peeks of "Rare Bears": A Fundraising Event for Rare Science

My first thought when invited to create a "Rare Bear" for the Rare Science project was I was honored to have been asked.  My second thought:  "How do I make a bear??!".  I'd never actually made a teddy bear before.  But if ever there was a time to dive into a new project and swim, this was it.

If you don't know about this wonderful project I encourage you to go to their site and check it out.  You may want to join the Rare Bear Army.  I am now a happy member.  Does that make me a Private?  Or, since I've completed basic training, can I be a Corporal or something?  Oh, it doesn't matter.  I'm part of the army.  And I never knew I wanted to enlist, but I couldn't be happier.

Here is the mission:

RARE Science is a non- profit research organization that focuses on accelerating identification of more immediate therapeutic solutions for kids with rare disease potentially through repurposing currently approved drugs and other therapeutic approaches.

Did you know that, of the 7000 identified rare diseases almost 50% affect children? And that 30% of those children die before their 5th birthday?   I didn't, either, and I'm an RN.  This organization is working to raise money, awareness, data-sharing, and morale.  Please consider contributing in some way.  There are many ways to participate so go check the website and get involved. 

Here is the bear patterns developed specifically for the Rare Bear project.

You have NO idea how long it has been since I cut out a pattern.

You would be shocked....

But I cut pattern pieces and found that the bear went together very nicely.

They even sent some Rare Science fabric to use on the bottoms of her feet.

Sweet!

I thought she needed a nice heart.

Putting the head on seemed weird, but it worked.  I decided to 

"just do it" and not overthink or outguess the pattern.  It worked.

Here she is, sans stuffing.

I opted to embroider her nose and eyes in place.

She is beginning to look like a bear!

I'm not the only one who thinks she is pretty cute. 

Bizzi had to cop a snuggle while she could.

We played hide and seek.....

And I made her a bag out of my favorite color.

By the way, this little bear was created using fabrics from my soon-to-be released line

called "Urban Artifacts", by RJR Fabrics.

Are you going to Houston to the International Quilt Festival?  Please join us at the "Beary Rare Event" on Friday evening at the George R Brown Convention Center between 6-8 pm for a special event.  Details and signup are here.  The fee for two is $25, which gives you the chance to win a Bernina and some other great prizes!  Please come!  I'll see you there!

To see Ricky's blog post about the project and to view my  bear in it, click here.