Our Final Three + Win Some Hometown Fabric!

We are down to our final three in our Ten Fun Things About Quilt Market Countdown. 

#3 Schoolhouse

Schoolhouse sessions are held the day before Market opens.  They are a fun way for designers, companies and store owners to connect.  Moda sponsored a session, which featured all of the designers who were present in Salt Lake City.  Here are a few pictures:

This is Lissa Alexander, Moda's Director of Marketing:

 

Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister Designs:

 

Anne from Bunny Hill:

 
 

Lynne from Kansas Troubles:

Bonnie and Camille from Cotton Way and Thimbleblossoms: 

 

Sandy from American Jane:

 

Liesl from Oliver + S (sorry for the horrible picture!)
 

Sandy from Pieces From My Heart:

 

Edyta from Laundry Basket Quilts (not quite sure she liked my picture taking!):

 

Moda is planning a blog hop for all of their designers in August.  We will keep you posted.

#2- Just Random Thoughts and Happenings from Salt Lake City

• We really liked SLC- the people, the restaurants, the ease in getting around.  We loved it!
• All 3 of us were dealing with minor health issues.  Susan had a cold, my mom has a painful heel spur (which is a total killer at a trade show) and I had three different events:  I got a spider bite the night before we left and my little finger was swollen about 3 times normal size, I fell off a really high chair, face first, while hanging curtains in the booth (I still have a purple/black bruise about the size of a large grapefruit on my leg), and after I fell, I was changing my clothes and a string on my jeans caught on my toenail and ripped it (the toenail) off.  I felt like I should have just stayed in bed that day and my mom and sister got really tired of hearing about all my ailments.
•  We were pulled over by a Utah State Patrol about 20 miles outside of Salt Lake City on our way home.  Unfortunately, I was driving.  I really hate to be in trouble, but I couldn't figure out what I did wrong.  Fortunately, the guy was really nice.  He walked up to our SUV, kind of looked inside and asked "just where have you girls been?".  It was funny because there was so much stuff in our car, we barely had enough room to sit, and my mom wasn't visible at all, sitting in a little cubby hole in the back.  After telling him we were at a quilt show, he started laughing.  He said normally, when people are packing this much stuff, he investigates.  Susan then said "you're welcome to take it all out, but you would have to put it all back, and that would take you a very long time".  He must of thought it wasn't worth the effort, because he sent the quilt girls on their way without any problems.  We are still sure he never even noticed my mom.
• If we are ever to drive to Quilt Market again in Salt Lake City, mom and Susan can take the car and I will fly.  I hate bad weather while driving (rain, snow, wind, fog) and we had all of it.  Both ways.  Thanks, Wyoming.
• We are already starting to make our charms for Houston.  And for our Etsy site.  It won't be long, I promise!


#1- A Very Special Surprise 

We have been working on something pretty big for us for about 18-20 months.  That's a long time to keep a big secret.  But at quilt market, we discovered the secret is out, and we are free to tell everyone!  So-  our #1 fun thing at market was the announcement of our first book:

 

Sweetwater's Simple Home is being published by the Stash division of C&T Publishing, and will be available in August.

A little about the book:  We had this idea to create projects for every room in the house, so the chapters are divided by rooms- kitchen, office, nursery, etc.  We wanted an outdoorsy (is that a word?) feeling to the book, so we created "rooms" outdoors.  Great idea- except we did all the photography (which we are so excited about).  In March.  In Colorado.  Quilts and wind do not mix.  But we absolutely love the result.  We will soon write an entire post about our book and photography, because it really was a fun and funny experience. 

We don't have an actual copy in our hands yet, but we have seen the sample pages.  It really is a beautiful book and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.  We will be taking pre-orders starting in June.

So....to celebrate our big announcement, we just had to give something away.  A few weeks ago, Moda generously sent us a huge box of Hometown scraps.  These aren't just little tiny scraps, these are large pieces of fabric.  If you would like to win some, leave us a comment about anything you choose- could be something about quilt market, Hometown, our book or simply what your favorite snack is.  You choose!

We will choose a winner on Wednesday.  Thanks for keeping up with our countdown

Comments

[Bonnie Nyquist]

That new book looks fabulous! Great idea. Waiting patiently for Hometown fabric! Loe the Market photos! You gals rock! Bonnie Nyquist bonniesline at aol dot com

[Mary Marble]

Can't wait for the new book, or for Hometown! Just love everything you produce!

[Debbie-Esch House Quilts]

Congratulations on the book - so exciting!

[Gina.S]

How cool is that, you're own book! Bet that was a hard secret to keep, congrads!

[Heartsdesire]

Congrats on your new book. I can't wait to see a copy of it. Thanks for the great pics from Quilt Market. I love seeing the faces of all the designers.

[Tami]

Great Hometown fabric!! Would love to win the scraps, I might be too late?? Sorry the officer pulled you over but I have a feeling because you are quilters (which means very nice people), he let you go!

[Copgirl]

I cant wait for the book!!!!!

[Becky Laswell]

I got to accompany my mom to market one year - I'd so love to go back. Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories!

[Pat S]

You guys are spectacular - I can't wait to see the book and I LOVE Hometown and those charms!!

[Dale P]

OOOHHH!! Can't wait to see that book. Sounds like it is goona be a hit!!!

[Susanne]

Even though I live far away in Germany, I love your wonderful fabric designs! They are truly internationally appealing. I can't wait for the upcoming HOMETOWN fabrics and am already saving room and Euros for a generous purchase! Your ideas are fascinating and I am also looking forward to the book for more of them.
PS: BTW, if I should be chosen, it will be possible to send me the prize to a US address.

[Beverly]

I don't know what you'll have in that book, but I want to do it all! Love everything that you guys do!

[MollyP]

I believe Quilt Market is the ultimate dream for all of us quiters. To be surrounded by people who understand our love of fabric and design and get our quirky language and appreciate individual style. Congrats on the book! So exciting!

[Becky S]

Glad to hear you survived Market! Congrats on the new book-I can't wait to see it. Thanks for the fun giveaway-I would love to have some Hometown!!!

[Karen Hamilton]

Love love love Hometown!
I am starting a sewing group called Handmaid for young girls in our local womens refuge & your Hometown fabric would be a wonderful starting stash
PS the new book looks great

[KristyZ]

Looks like you guys had some time @ Quilt Market. Lucky you guys got off easy with the officer! I can't wait to get my hands on your new book!!

Thanks for the giveaway.

[Janelle J]

Can't wait to see your book. Since I love your fabrics it's bound to be a must have!

[Donna Wheeler]

I fell in love with "Pure" and today finished the baby quilt for grandbaby #2. Since I'm an out-loud Sweetwater fan, how great it'd be to own your very 1st book.

[Maggie G]

Oooh, I hope I'm not too late to comment. I would LOVE to get my hands on some Hometown before October. It is just gorgeous. The book looks great too :0) Thanks!

[Kathleen]

I would LOVE anything by Sweetwater! I've decided: that IF I could only have one designer's goodies - I could be VERY happy with anything that you lovely girls do! Fun fun giveaway. I'll be checking to see my name as winner tomorrow!

[Sandra Toews]

Congratulations on the new book!!! It's going to be hard to wait until August to get a copy!

Thanks for all the information you shared on Quilt Market - it's fun for those of us who weren't there to be able to read about all the excitement and hear about everything that's new!!

[Carolyn Wood]

Congratulations on your book! I love scraps!

[Christelle Taquet]

Sunkissed was a treat so I can't wait put my hands on ...and cherry on top a BOOK !!!! Congrats! I just love the patterns you did with hometown fabric so a book is hours of thinking and dreams .... yeahhhh

[Sharon]

I so LOVE your blog, adore your fabric, thinkk your kits are fantastic and absolutely can't wait for 'THE BOOK'!! It looks sensational and it will be well worth the wait!!! Here's hoping I have some special fabric to use in my new book!!

[Debra]

I can't wait for the book! It's just in time for sitting on the porch swing and reading.

[Lisa L]

A book!!! If it is anything like your fabric's, I'm gonna have to have it!!

Lisa L

[Fran]

It's wonderful that you are about to be published, congratulations. Would love to win your scraps, thanks for the opportunity to win.

[Jan Richards]

Love the new Hometown fabric line. Would love to win some before we can buy it.
Your new book looks beautiful,can't wait.

[SewLindaAnn]

Oh my gosh, you poor thing! Supposed to be on a great trip and all that happens. The toe, I can't even think about it. I don't blame you if you do fly the next time, you deserve a break! congrats on the book, I'm so excited about it. Can't wait to get my hands on the new fabric line. Your Authentic is still my hands down favorite of all time and I have a layer cake I just look at from time to time.

[Becky]

Ugh! I keep seeing all these fantastic pics from the market - wish I wasn't so faraway! That will be my goal in the next two years - make it there to see the fantastic booths in person.
Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the book!

[Beth]

Must.have.that.book!

Must.have.charms!

Must.have.Hometown.fabric!

[Jessica B]

How exciting - a book! I love your fabric designs. You are all so talented!

[Kell C]

Love Sunkissed. I can't wait for Hometown to come out!

Congrats on the book!

[Mary Lou]

How exciting-a book! Can't wait to see it! I love your fabrics and those charms are so cute! Congratulations!

[WendyMT]

Your book is going to the top of my "have to have" list! At least at this show you didn't leave your rug behind, but I'm certainly sorry about your day full of miseries .... the Utah police must have seen your tired misery and let you go, either that, or could your mom have been "snuffling" a little loudly in the back cubby hole and he was afraid to investigate? :) Would love some Hometown scraps! Thank you!!

[Lori Seipp]

WOW! Congrats on the book! I can not wait to get it. So exciting.

[Susanne]

Congratulations to all three of you on another great Market! We are thrilled to have had you as contributors, and now authors for us! We love having you be a part of the Stash family!
xx
susanne

[Beth]

Oh my gosh!! How exciting to have a book coming out!! And, I can't wait to see the new fabric and the charms and everything! Thanks for the giveaway!

[Cathy Nusbaum]

Love, love, love Hometown! I am weighing all my fabric purchasing decisions by how much I would rather have a little bit more of Hometown - when it hits the market! Have plans to redo my sewing room in it!

[Robin Jennings]

Love the new fabric and would love to win some! I too hate driving in bad weather but so thankful you all made it safe. Quilt Market looked like a lot of fun and one of these days I hope to attend.

[Connie Martin]

I have been loving Quilt Market through your pictures! Looks like a lot of work, but a lot of fun too! I would love to win some Hometown fabric. I can't wait to get your new book! My new favorite snack is M&M's with pretzels. I just discovered them last weekend in a vending machine and cannot buy anymore!! At least not until I go by that vending machine again!

[WandaFish]

Thanks for your Market Countdown - great fun! Congrats on the book, very exciting!! I'm just finishing a quilt with Sunkissed fabrics and can't wait to get my hands on Hometown. I can't believe how you keep coming up with first class collections time after time - just brilliant! and now a book, yay!!
Thanks for the sweet giveaway!

[mathea]

How am I going to sleep tonight? I can hardly contain my excitement about your Hometown fabric line as it is, and now there's a book to look forward to as well! Yay!

[Robin C]

Gosh, I love that cover on the book. I fell in love with your fabrics a while ago and just think everything you do is wonderful. I'll be on the lookout for the new book.

[Angie]

Thank you so much for all the great pictures...its almost as good as being there. Ach! Who am I kidding?

[Sarina Lambert]

Yeah! Congratulations! I love all your fabric lines and projects. It would be awesome to get some of your "scraps"!

[Maren Niemann]

Hallo!
Da eure Stoffe, eure Quilts und eure Entwürfe mir immer sehr gefallen, bin ich mir sicher, dass das Buch auch toll sein wird. Ich freue mich schon total darauf!
Liebe Grüße aus Hamburg, Germany
Maren

[Jen]

Ohhhh...I can't wait to see the book! I love all your patterns and fabric so I am sure it will be a winner.

[Mary C]

I can't wait to see the new book.
I credit you ladies with my addiction to text fabric beginning with my beloved Count to 9 quilt! Keep it coming!

[Jill]

Congrats on the book, can't wait to see it..........your scraps would be a real joy to have!!!!!
Jill