May 15, 2012

Working together — in Kansas CIty!

I came across this quote in an unrelated e-mail today:

“Respect your fellow human beings, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.”  — Bill Bradley from his new book We Can Due Better.

It seems appropriate today.

We are in booth #619 and American Quilt Retailer has three Schoolhouse sessions scheduled on May 17:

“Yes! You CAN plan a terrific retreat!”

by Roseann Meehan Kermes

11:00-11:30 a.m.

Room 2208

“Why advertise? It works!”

by Deb Luttrell

3:45-4:15 p.m.

Room 2215B

“10 BIG ideas in 30 minutes!”

by Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender

4:20-4:50 p.m.

Room 2215A

Safe travels to all and see you soon! — Susan

December 20, 2011

Issue 103 — almost ready!

’Tis the season for looking back and looking forward — and ’tis the season for joy … and, yes, stress. We create both of these emotions for ourselves, don’t you think? For me, I must thrive on a good balance of both — as I do both so well. But, really, how joyful would joy be, without a little stress on the side? And, as we stress along, time passes, stress vanishes and all is well in the end, right?

Looking back, I stressed and stressed over my decision announced in the last issue — you know, the one where I decided to go from six print issues of American Quilt Retailer each year to four print issues a year with new online content? I thought this would be a good move for all. Well, now looking forward — scratch that plan. I have (again!) stressed, and changed my mind, and we will continue printing six issues a year. Six issues is what we know how to do best, and we will proceed doing our best to suit your needs and the needs of our advertisers. You can read more about this decision in this upcoming issue.

The cover of this issue, a pattern called “Oh, Boy!” from Carrie Bloomston of SUCH Designs, and our “Fall Quilt Market Review” present a look at the new products geared towards “the guys in our lives.” This has all been especially joyful to research and write, and it all is so timely. One of my two favorite guys, Jay, the little super hero shown above, is getting married at the end of this month. A lot of looking forward and looking back going on around! As an avid “sewist” and crafter, for years (until he outgrew me), I made stuffed animals, clothes, costumes, toys and this magic cape complete with a cool silver falcon emblazoned with a super “J.” May you find ways to bring such joy to your sewing mothers and grandmothers with some of our featured products.

Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender in “Experts Speak” speak of changes, a new year and a new attitude. If we can create joy and stress, we are also the ones to create attitude — and make it a good one at that! Jim Salinas in “Just Ask Jim” implores you to change another attitude and not blame cash flow woes on over-buying. He makes a good case — as he always does. More attitude adjustment needed? Some changes can make us take an “up in arms” attitude — talk about creating stress? Remember when people were “up in arms” over Internet shops? We got over that, didn’t we? Internet book sales? Internet pattern sales? Roseann Kermes in her column “Make it Happen” talks about how there is no need to be “up in arms” about downloadable patterns. She has taken what she at first saw as a negative, and has turned it into a positive. See how you can utilize online content inside your shop. Roseann also has a slew of suggested new attitudes to embrace as you look forward in “How do you want your 2012 to look?” .

Then Beth Ferrier in her “Off-Grain” column on page 38 will make you smile. She said, “Given time, the aspects of our lives that keep us feeling stuck can shift away. Problems that seemed too overwhelming to continue will be resolved at last, freeing us to once again take the next step. The trick is to be patient …” Looking forward to new beginnings, you can turn your ship around with changes “grand or small.”

Magazine done — check. Christmas shopping done — check. Now on to the big wedding celebration and looking forward to new beginnings for all!

Issue 103 of American Quilt Retailer will mail January 3, 2012.

Merry Christmas! — Susan

November 21, 2011

Quilt Market upbeat!

This photo of Deb Luttrell, one of American Quit Retailer’s columnists, says it all — Quilt Market in Houston was great!

Deb Luttrell owner of Stitchin' Heaven

Does she look like she is having fun or what?

After getting to Houston, Becky set up the entire booth and I actually had the pleasure of going on two field trips.

Thursday night before market all of the members of the Advisory Council were invited to take a bus trip to LaGrange, Texas for a private viewing of the new Texas Quilt Museum. For decades Karey Patterson Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, founders of the Texas Quilt Museum and International Quilt Market and International Quilt Festival, had dreamed of having a permanent venue to feature quilt collections like the ones seen for brief periods of time during Market and Festival. La Grange is conveniently located just off a major highway and between Austin, San Antonio and Houston. The first exhibit, “Texas Quilts Today,” features a selection of the quilts in Lone Star III, the third book in a series of books on Texas quilts. Even though we arrived after dark a stunning mural painted on the outside wall greeted us. Notice the quilt shadows. Even though I shot this with a flash, the quilts are so realistic, I need to explain that the shadow is part of the painting!

The mural outside the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange

The building, smelling of fresh paint and polished floors, was impeccably restored to make the perfect showcase for any quilt collection.

Karey Bresenhan proposes a toast in celebration of the completion of the Texas Quilt Museum.

The Texas Quilt Museum officially opened to the public on Sunday, November 13. Next time you’re nearby, it is definitely worth a visit!

On the following night while Becky continued to set up the booth (thank you, Becky!), I went galavanting off again! This time to “The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell”, a bed and breakfast ranch recently purchased and styled by Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic in Brenham, Texas (not far from La Grange, if you’d like to plan your own field trip!).

We dined on fried chicken, salad and positively delicious chocolate brownies before getting a tour of several of the cottages. After the usual pre-market frenzy, in the quiet cover of a fall night, it was hard not to crawl right in one of the fluffy down covered beds!

Liliput Lodge at The Ranch by Rachel Ashwell

Our chuck wagon chef

Set for supper

Temptation!

Attention to detail everywhere!

Even the sidewalks were cool!

Rachel — it was a wonderful evening!

Good job, Becky!

Good job, Becky!

All in all market was very upbeat. Becky manning the booth said it was the second busiest market we’ve had in the last five years! Everyone was in a good frame of mind and seemed to be happy. Roseann Kermes and Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender presented well-attended Schoolhouses for AQR.

Roseann Kermes

Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender

I walked the market all weekend seeking and finding lots of goodies which will be presented in the next issue! You’ll have to stay tuned to see more! — Susan

October 18, 2011

Coming soon to a mailbox near you!

As we speak, Issue 102 is on the way to the Post Office, and in no time it will be on its way to you! This issue is full of exciting news of changes to come with American Quilt Retailer, new ideas and information you need to keep in mind as you shop Quilt Market. In fact, we even have a column on “how” to shop Quilt Market!

Dawn and Patrick Farrier, owners of The Creation Station in Buellton, Calif., in front of their original design "League Night."

Our business profile is on Dawn and Patrick Farrier, owners of The Creation Station. Their shop is aptly named as this husband/wife team have set up a business model that is not only “creative,” but it works for them and their customers. I think sometimes we get very caught up in what we perceive our customers want (or are demanding), forgetting that our businesses have to work for us and fit our needs as well. It’s maintaining a balance between the two. Dawn and Patrick have done this, and as I usually do, I find their business story really interesting.

Valori Wells in her Spring Quilt Market booth in Salt Lake City

Then in addition to all our other columns which you must read, we have an interesting piece detailing what it takes for our designers to get from “idea” to “market.” Valori Wells, FreeSpirit designer, shown above in her finished booth, actually auditioned her set-up in her garage and held a cocktail party for friends to get feedback. It’s an enlightening “behind the scenes” piece.

This is a busy time for everyone in the industry! American Quilt Retailer will be in booth 325 at Fall International Quilt Market and we are hosting three Schoolhouses. See you there! — Susan

June 9, 2011

It was another good one!

If you only knew how often I think of you. When we arrived home from Quilt Market, after a day off, there was cleaning up loose ends after the last issue, cleaning up after Quilt Market and starting the next issue rolling — things that have to be done far enough ahead of time — because the days just keep rolling along. So, this is why I’m only now telling you about our trip to Salt Lake City!

In a brief word market was “good!” We were busy and the booths around us were busy. I came home with two boxes of flyers and catalogs — always a good sign! I’m still pouring over all this and will be presenting lots new product in this next issue — Issue 100!

Do you think we were tired or was it the altitude?

We did get it all together thanks to all Becky's planning!

Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender talked to a packed crowd at Schoolhouse!

Rich and George sharing their "street savvy" tips

Rich and George started the market with private consultations

We had fun celebrating our “almost 100″ issue with a cookie reception at 4:00 on Saturday.

Me, with columnists Roseann Kermes, Jim Salinas, Deb Luttrell, Mimi Shimp, Linda Griepentrog

Suzanne McNeill of Design Originals in her Zentangled baker's apron!

Jim Salinas was around at this time and many of you had your photos taken with Jim.

Jim Salinas with Sherri Thomas of Painted Pony 'n Quilts

with Laura Flynn of Cotton Patch Quilt Shop

with Geri Waitt of Sanford Sewing Machines

with Holly Draney of Pine Needles

with Shelly Stokes of Cedar Canyon Textiles

with Terri Cowan of Quilters Hangup

with Kathy Schaeffer of Quilters' Choice

with Jerry Stube of Quilter's Quarters

and with Melisa Morrison of Sweet Home Quilt Company

The Answer Book II is at the printer and we will have copies in our hands tomorrow — then the orders will be shipped out immediately and all these standing pre-orders will receive a copy autographed by Jim!

NEW! The Answer Book II will be ready to ship next week!

Enjoyed being with my daughter Anne during market — she flew from Indy to help in the booth. Yes, it was a good market!

Almost packed up!

Back to work on the next issue — the real 100th issue! — Susan