Hi, Everyone!!!

Hope you all have had a chance to break at least one of your New Year’s resolutions by now and begin at least one new quilting project.    I thought that you might appreciate the above phrase that a co-worker shared with us a while ago.  Her husband passed along the term “mind sparkle“ after hearing it from a Chinese woman in an overseas office he was working in.  Do you have any guesses as to what it might mean?  When asked, the woman defined it as a “good idea.” 

I really love the image that it creates for me of a great notion dawning upon me as an “ah-ha” moment.  Finding the perfect solution for a design that has been stubbornly refusing to be solved, discoving the absolutely ideal shade of fabric for my project after visiting my favorite fabric haunt, adding just the right embellishment that makes my piece sing.  Your “mind sparkle“ may differ from mine but I think we’ve all had them.  So, here’s my New Year’s wish for each of you that you be open and mindful of the “mind sparkles“ that may come your way–from your bqff (best quilting friend forever, of course!), the magazine you’ve just bought, or the speaker at your next guild meeting.

Multitudes of Mind Sparkles to You All!!!

Make more quilts, the world needs more comfort! 

Until next time, I wish you pieces of joy and creativity!

 Debbie G.     

Yes, believe it or not, a new year is upon us once again–where did the old one go?  When I was in my immortal  phase, my dad  warned me that time seems to move faster and faster as you add more and more years to your existence.  In my wild and reckless youth, I could not possibily imagine this happening but I have come to understand it as the decades have rolled past.  My projects seem to have become smaller as the time and energy available to undertake and complete them has been shrinking at an astounding rate. 

I imagine many of you have already made new year’s resolutions about your quilting life.  One year two friends and I made a pact not to purchase any new fabric, as we all had massive stashes, and to my absolute surprise, I ended up being the last hold out.  I am not one who can easily say no to new, fabulous fabrics beckoning from the shelves to be sampled, taken home, and dreamed upon.   Withdrawl from acquiring new  fabrics is like a lot like resisting your favorite chocolate dessert.  It can result in total binging!!!  (Remember:  Daily fiber therapy is a good thing, to borrow a phrase from Martha Stewart.)

Now that I work for a company that designs and sells fabric, I see the flip side of the process.  Our staff seeks out inspiration from myriad sources to create that very temptation that quilters cannot possibly resist.  We look for that ever-so-irresistable pattern and color that will have you reaching for that bolt, and the one next to it, and the coordinating one on the other side, and ….  I’m sure you’re nodding at your monitor as you recognize yourself.  Seek out some of our debut collections from your local quilt shop and see if a little Studioe is just the remedy for a post-holiday project slump!   Don’t completely deny yourself the pleasure of adding a few new fat quarters or a little yardage to your collection, they might be the perfect creative spark your newest quilt design needs. 

Speaking of new designs,  we are currently working on some wonderful interim lines that feature holiday themes and our collective fingers are itching to start working on projects to feature these wonderful  prints.  Additionally, there are more new fabric lines in the wings for the spring market coming up in May–some of our initial introductions with a brand new twist as well as some terrific new offerings from some of our licensed designers. 

Well, I’ve kept you away from your quilting long enough, so I’ll sign off for now and wish you all a very productive 2009 creating warmth, joy, and love in your own personal and unique way. 

Stitchingly yours,

Debbie Graves