Apr 27, 2009

Sneak peek at the next issue of American Quilt Retailer

“Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile . . .” With the current economic conditions lingering, when the “retreat” theme for American Quilt Retailer, Issue 87, started to formulate, the words to this 1915 World War I song came to mind. (Thanks Dad, I just knew my knowledge of old song lyrics would come in handy some day!) With the world at my fingertips, I “googled” the verse and one of the first “hits” was a YouTube version sung by Olive Riley, 108, of New South Wales. Not only was I positively charmed by Olive’s vocal presentation of “Pack up your troubles,” (you really must go listen to her!) I was also struck by the years of life I could see in Olive’s face. She knew good times and bad times, she knew the bad times passed, and she was still smiling and singing! 

“Retreats” are a fabulous way to help you and your customers “pack up their troubles” and have a lot of fun. The business profile in this issue is about Scottie Dog Quilts in Eureka, Calif. BrendaLou Scott and her daughter, Liz Scott Adams, host off-site retreats, on-site retreats, and they are taking quilters on an Alaskan cruise this summer. Roseann Kermes, in “Make it happen,” shows you how to put the “treat” in retreat, and in a separate story she tells you how to organize your own retreats. Retreats are great ways of building community with your customers, making quilting a social activity, and giving quilters a respite from daily life. Doesn’t this sound good? “Ship Shape,” the FREE-to-use pattern, further ties the theme together with images of “sailing away” and “summer breezes.” Then, Beth Ferrier, in “Off-Grain,” goes right ahead and tells you to just do it — run away! Sometimes it’s exactly what’s needed. I love you, Beth!

I’ve always related making each issue of American Quilt Retailer to “giving birth,” and this is baby number 87! Oh my goodness! It’s our largest issue ever at 64 pages and there’s a lot more to see and read. Issue 87 went to press last Thursday and we saw the proofs on Friday. It’s amazing how all the ads, editorial and art comes together and it all looks so beautiful. Your copy will mail May 1, so it should arrive sometime next week!